1 Chronicles 28:18

18 And for the altar of incense, he gave the purest gold: and to make the likeness of the chariot of the cherubims spreading their wings, and covering the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 28:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 28:18

And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight
This was also one hundred pounds weight in gold, with which it was to be overlaid F23:

and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim;
which were two large ones, besides those which Moses made; and these were not made of gold, as they were, but overlaid with it, see ( 1 Kings 6:23-28 ) which with them made four; and to which the four living creatures in Ezekiel's vision allude, and make the "mercavah", or chariot, the Jews so much speak of, perhaps from this and other like phrases; and the Lord sitting here as in a chariot, not only denotes the glory and splendour of the Shechinah, or divine Majesty; but, as some observe, his readiness to ride off and depart, when displeased and provoked, see ( Ezekiel 10:18 Ezekiel 10:19 ) ,

that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the
Lord;
not that spread their wings over the ark, and covered it, that the Mosaic cherubim did; but these spread their wings before it from wall to wall, so that it could not be seen by any that turned aside the vail, and even by the high priest when he entered into the holy of holies: the ark, with the cherubim, which were on that, weighed two hundred pounds of pure gold, according to the Jacob Leon F24.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Ibid. (Relation of Memorable Things in the Tabernacle and Temple, ch. 4. p. 20.)
F24 Ibid.

1 Chronicles 28:18 In-Context

16 He gave also gold for the tables of proposition, according to the diversity of the tables: in like manner also silver for other tables of silver.
17 For fleshhooks also, and bowls, and censors of fine gold, and for little lions of gold, according to the measure he gave by weight, for every lion. In like manner also for lions of silver he set aside a different weight of silver.
18 And for the altar of incense, he gave the purest gold: and to make the likeness of the chariot of the cherubims spreading their wings, and covering the ark of the covenant of the Lord.
19 All these things, said he, came to me written by the hand of the Lord that I might understand all the works of the pattern.
20 And David said to Solomon his son: Act like a man, and take courage, and do: fear not, and be not dismayed: for the Lord my God will be with thee, and will not leave thee, nor forsake thee, till thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
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