In this chapter we read of the place David pitched upon by divine direction for building the temple on, 1 Chron. 22:1, the preparation he made of artificers to build it, and of matter to build it of, as iron, brass, and wood, 1 Chron.

Then David said Within himself, or to some principal persons about him: this is the house of the Lord God; the place where the temple was to be built, hinted at in and elsewhere; the meaning is, here, or in “this” place, shall be the house of God, so Noldius [[13]], for as yet there were none; but…

And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel The proselytes, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; that is, proselytes of the gate, who submitted to the seven precepts of Noah, were admitted to dwell in the Cities of Israel, see and these were ordered…

And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings Great plenty of iron to make nails of for joining the boards together, of which the doors and gates were to be made, and for the fastening of the hinges of them: and brass in abundance without…

Also cedar trees in abundance To be sawed into boards and planks for the cieling, wainscotting, and flooring of the temple, and other things: for the Zidonians, and they of Tyre, brought much cedar wood to David; from Mount Lebanon, which was chiefly in their possession; and which they did either…

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender Jarchi supposes he was about twelve years of age, though he observes that the same word is used of Joshua when forty two years of age; it is probable Solomon might be now about twenty: and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be…

Then he called for Solomon his son To be brought before him: and charged him to build an house for the Lord God of Israel; which charge was given a little before his death, after he had made great preparations for this work, as appears from (1 Chron. 22:5, 1 Chron. 22:14–16) .

And David said to Solomon When brought into his presence: my son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God; he was disposed and inclined to it, and was once determined upon it, see (2 Sam. 7:2, 2 Sam. 7:3) .

But the word of the Lord came to me The word of prophecy, as the Targum, by the mouth of Nathan the prophet: saying; as follows, which though not expressed in the book of Samuel before referred to, is here recorded by divine inspiration: thou hast shed blood abundantly; Kimchi thinks this refers to…

Behold, a son shall be born to thee For this was said to David before the birth of Solomon, see (2 Sam. 7:12, 2 Sam. 7:13) who shall be a man of rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: and so should be at leisure for such a work, and his people enjoy great prosperity and…

He shall build an house for my name For the worship of God, and for his honour and glory: and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; see (2 Sam. 7:13, 2 Sam.

Now, my son, the Lord be with thee Or “shall be with thee” [[16]], as some; and if it be as a prayer, it was no doubt a prayer of faith; the Targum is, “may the Word of the Lord be thine help:” and prosper thee; may success attend thee: and build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath said of…

Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding To manage and conduct an affair of such importance, as well as to govern the people, as follows: and give thee charge concerning Israel; or, when he gives, commits the charge of them to thee, sets thee king over them: that thou mayest keep the law of…

Then shall thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes See (1 Kings 2:2, 1 Kings 2:3) where the same things are said as here: which shows that this was spoken by David a little before his death.

Now, behold, in my trouble Or affliction, which had attended him, through the greater part of his reign, partly through wars abroad, and partly through rebellions and insurrections at home: or, in my poverty [[0]]; living in a frugal way, as if he had been a poor man, in order to lay up money for…

Moreover, there are workmen with thee in abundance All the strangers in the land being gathered by the order of David, who were skilled in all manner of work, as follows: hewers and workers of stone and timber; masons and carpenters: and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work; joiners,…

Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron That is, the cunning artificers were skilful to work in each of these, some in gold and silver, others in brass and iron: there is no number; either of the workmen, or of these materials; which yet must be restrained to the brass and iron, for…

David also commanded all the princes of Israel His courtiers and nobles that were about him: to help Solomon his son; by their advice, and with their purses, should he need them, and by overlooking the workmen, directing and encouraging them: saying; as follows.

Is not the Lord your God with you? &c.] Blessing them with wealth and riches: and hath he not given you rest on every side? from all enemies within and without; so that they had peace and quietness, and leisure to attend the service he recommended to them: for he hath given the inhabitants of the…

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God, &c.] His honour and glory, most sincerely and cordially, and to the utmost of their power: arise ye, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God; assist therein, and encourage the work as much as they were able, without delay: to bring the…