Bible Commentaries

said. The first thirty-nine verses repeat 1 Kings 8:12-50, with one or two complementary items, 1 Kings 8:51-61 being omitted, and three verses added.

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

congregation = assembly, muster, or convocation.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

hands. Some codices write "hand", but read "hands" (plural)

neither chose I. This true of Saul. God did not choose him as He chose David; though He overruled the choice of the People. Compare 1 Samuel 8:5.

it was in the heart. Compare 2 Samuel 7:2, 2 Samuel 7:3; 1 Chronicles 28:2.

as = according as.

children = sons.

stood. And then knelt down. See 2 Chronicles 6:13. No discrepancy, as alleged.

had made. This also is complementary to 1Ki 8.

scaffold: or platform (round, and bowl-like, like a Pulpit). Hebrew same word as rendered laver.

cubits. See App-51.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

to sit = sitting.

yet so = if only. Same condition as 2 Samuel 7:14. Conditional to Solomon, but unconditional to David, as the Land was to Abraham (Genesis 15). Therefore the throne must, and will yet be, filled by David's son and David's Lord.

as = according as.

verified. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "I beseech Thee".

men. Hebrew. "adam (with Art. = mankind). App-14.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

heaven . . . heaven . . . heavens. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis.

how much less. Compare Acts 7:48-50.

upon = toward.

Sin. Hebrew. chata". App-44.

and an oath be laid upon = and he [his neighbour] lay an oath upon (Exodus 22:7-11. Leviticus 5:1. Proverbs 29:4. Hebrews 6:16).

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

justifying = acquitting.

good: i.e. hast directed them into the good way (compare Genesis 46:28).

enemies. Septuagint reads "enemy", as in 1 Kings 8:37.

children = sons.

in the land. Hebrew "upon the face of the land". Figures of speech Pleonasm and Prosopopoeia. App-6.

in = toward, as in 2 Chronicles 6:20.

peopled = Peoples.

called by: or invoked upon.

maintain: or vindicate.

for there is, &c. Figure of speech Paroemia (by way of Parenthesis).

wickedly = lawlessly. Hebrew. rasha".

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

arise. The following words are found in Psalms 68:1; Psalms 132:8, Psalms 132:9, by which Solomon connects his own work with David"s.

saints = gracious ones. Hebrew "men of grace": i.e. those who are the subjects of Jehovah's saving grace.

goodness = prosperity, well-being, blessedness.

Thine Anointed. Hebrew Messiah.

the mercies of David. Genitive of Relation (App-17) = the mercies, or lovingkindnesses, shown and assured to David (Psalms 89:49).