Chapter 26

Verses 1 through 23 have to do with further assignment of various duties of the Levites that have not already been covered. Then in verses 24 through 28 we find the following: “And Shebul the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures. And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son. Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated. Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD. And all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and his brethren.”

So all the treasures of the house of the LORD, including everything that had been dedicated by various ones, were under the authority of Shebuel and his associates. Verse 24 calls him “the son of Gershom the son of Moses,” which, in the ordinary manner of usage, does not mean that he is a son of Gershom, as we usually use the term, but that he was a direct descendant of him.

(Verses 29 through 32) Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were over the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. And the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred , were officers among them of Israel, on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king. Among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead. And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

This concludes the setting in order of the Levites, as they were appointed to their various services, both at the temple, and in the other administrative duties assigned to them throughout the kingdom.

(Verse 1) Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

At this point, the chronicler begins setting up all twelve of these courses, one each month of the year; and this continues through verse 15. In this account he gives the name of the captain of each course, and says that there were twenty-four thousand men in each course. Then in verses 16 through 22 he gives the names of the “rulers,” or princes of the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Verses 23 and 24) But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD said He would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens, Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

This seems to be clear enough without further comments.

In verses 25 through 34, is given an account of the appointing of various officers over items of importance in the kingdom. David appointed counselors and advisors to help him with whatever problems might arise. And he even appointed overseers of the agriculture of the kingdom. So, all in all, it seems that he tried to make provision and organization for a far greater kingdom that any before known in that area. With all these appointments, he retained Joab as his “captain of the host,” which office seemed to be everything from field general to chief of staff, all rolled into one.

(Verses 1 through 3) And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of tribes, and the captains of companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and all the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: but God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for My name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

After completing the assigning of the various offices to those chosen, David called a great assembly, and stood up before them to address them. His first announcement to them was that he had intended to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD. But the LORD had told him that because he was a man of war, and had shed so much blood he would not be permitted to build the house.

(Verses 4 through 7) Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for He hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He liked me to make me king over all Israel: and of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And He said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts: for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be content to do My commandments and My judgments, as at this day.

Thus David declares that it was altogether according to God’s choice that he was king over Israel. He reminds the people of three steps in that choice. First the LORD made choice of the tribe of Judah to bear the sceptre in Israel. Then He chose the family of Jesse, and sent Samuel to Beth-lehem to anoint one as king over Israel, and finally, the LORD showed him that David was the one He had chosen. Then he declared that Solomon’s being the king of Israel after him was also chosen of the LORD. Furthermore, the LORD had promised to make the kingdom eternal, and if Solomon would keep his commandments, he would be confirmed in the kingdom for ever. We know how the matter ended with Solomon: but that does not cancel the LORD’S promise to make the kingdom of David eternal.

(Verses 8 through 10) Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.

Verse 8 is a charge to all Israel, and the remainder of this text is a charge to Solomon. Except for the charge to build the house, they are very much the same. The principal message in this is that both Israel and Solomon are charged to put forth every effort to keep and do the commandments of the LORD. They are warned that if they forsake Him, He will forsake them for ever. Does this warning not also apply to us? I believe so.

(Verses 11 through15) Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the upper parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things. Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service: even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

According to this, David already had the construction plans, as well as all the gold, silver, brass, iron, and timber that would be needed for building the temple. Apparently, just as the LORD had with Moses, concerning the tabernacle, He also had given to David all the instructions necessary for the building of the temple, and for the setting of the courses of the duties of all the various ones he had assigned to the various offices. And David gave all these to Solomon. He also gave to Solomon, by weight, all the gold and silver for the various items that were to be made of these metals even to the candlesticks and their lamps.

(Verses 16 through 19) And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver: also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver for every basin of silver: and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

So David finished giving to Solomon all the gold and silver that he considered necessary to the great project of building and furnishing the temple. Then he declared that the LORD had, indeed, given him all this great pattern of the work which was to be done.

(Verses 20 and 21) And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

This is David’s charge to Solomon. He declares that Solomon has nothing to fear, for the LORD will be with him, and He will not fail him nor forsake him until the job is done. Not only so, but also the priests, the Levites, the princes of Israel, and all the people will stand by him throughout this entire project. And he will also have a plentiful supply of willing and competent workers for whatever kind of work is to be done. Not only will there be plenty of what we call “unskilled labor,” but also plenty of skilful men for all kinds of workmanship.

(Verses 1 through 5) Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: the gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

David presented Solomon to the congregation as “young and tender,” (not having experience in the manner of work that was to be done,) and the project he was about to undertake as great. It was not only a great house; but it was also for a great Person, the LORD God. He then reminded the people that he was giving abundantly to this project, and then asked for volunteers to dedicate their service to the LORD.

(Verses 6 through 9) Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work offered willingly, and gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred talents of Iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

After David’s speech to the people, they were of very willing hearts. And all willingly gave of all the things required for the house of the LORD. The totals of the various materials are given. And although this seems to be a tremendous amount of the various metals, it must be remembered that it is all in addition to what David, as king of Israel, has given, and what he has personally given. I have no idea of to what value in our present currency this would all add up. Sometimes we can find references in some Bibles that will give the “present value” of these various things. But one must check the date of the printing of that particular Bible to know the relation of the value there listed to today’s values. But even at the lowest estimates we can find, this was a very expensive building.

(Verses 10 through 19) Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy Thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto Thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, and prepare their heart unto Thee: and give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.

When it is said that “David blessed the LORD,” it is not to be thought that he conferred a blessing upon the LORD, for that neither he nor any other man could do. The same word that means “bless” also means “praise,” and the prayer that he is here recorded as praying bears that out in this case. He did indeed praise the LORD, ascribing all power, glory, and majesty to Him alone. He declared that although both he and the people who were giving willingly unto the LORD, were only giving Him of that which was His own to begin with. And so it is with us today. Whatever we offer to Him is already His; for He gave it to us. After thanking God for all blessings, he prayed that He would give to Solomon a perfect heart “to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes.” This should always be our prayer for both ourselves, and all those around us.

(Verses 20 through 25) And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD and the king. And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings, unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: and did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

After his prayer, David commanded all Israel to praise the LORD, which they did, and they also worshipped Him; and it is here said that they also worshipped the king. It is not to be thought that they worshipped David as a god, but rather bowed before him as king, and thus as representative of the LORD. Then they offered many sacrifices to the LORD on the next day. And they also “made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.” Thus were the office of priest and the office of king, officially made to have some sharing of power in the kingdom. This was the second time that Solomon was anointed king over Israel. And now he did sit upon the throne, and reign as king. Even his father David, and all his brothers, together with all the princes and mighty men of Israel submitted themselves to him as king. And the LORD blessed him and his kingdom with great majesty.

(Verses 26 through 30) Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Now the acts of David, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over the kingdoms of the countries.

Thus we have the short summation of David’s death, and the other books in which are recorded his acts.