Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 27:23. The Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven. Genesis 15:5. If all had been numbered, David would have had about a million and a half of men, from twenty to fifty years of age. Women the same number, children three millions and a half, and the people above fifty, one million; so that the population of David’s kingdom could not, at his death, be less than seven millions and a half.

1 Chronicles 27:32. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a prince, a statesman, and a divine. He expounded the law, for it becomes the highest dignitaries to do this, the best and highest work of God. Eusebius gives us Constantine’s oration in the church, and it is probable he delivered more than one. Julian also in the days of his youth, read in the churches.

REFLECTIONS.

David, now at the head of a great kingdom, and surrounded by tributary nations, required order, arrangements, and regulations. The priests and levites claimed his first attention. The Lord had raised him to the throne, and he gratefully began his regulations in the Lord’s house. Next follow in this chapter, the arrangements of the monthly militia, the royal household, and the counsellors of state. And on a review of the whole, we must say, that the art of government under so great a king, soon arrived at perfection. What nation, or court of Europe has wiser arrangements, or maxims more successful in political society? So it shall be in the heavenly kingdom of David’s Son. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, are established in the heavenly as well as in the earthly courts. Order, peace, glory, happiness and joy will be there. No invidious courtier shall spoil the concord of the place; for every one shall be in his own order. Lord, count me worthy to have a dwelling there.