1 Chronicles 29

16. all this store that we have prepared--It may be useful to exhibit a tabular view of the treasure laid up and contributions stated by the historian as already made towards the erection of the proposed temple. Omitting the brass and iron, and precious stones, which, though specified partly ( 1 Chronicles 29:7 ), are represented in other portions as "without weight" ( 1 Chronicles 22:3 1 Chronicles 22:14 ), we shall give in this table only the amount of gold and silver. Taking the talent of gold as worth approximately $25,000 and the talent of silver as $1,700, we arrive at the following amounts of contributions:

Though it has been the common practice of Eastern monarchs to hoard vast sums for the accomplishment of any contemplated project, this amount so far exceeds not only every Oriental collection on record, but even the bounds of probability, that it is very generally allowed that either there is a corruption of the text in 1 Chronicles 22:14 , or that the reckoning of the historian was by the Babylonian, which was only a half, or the Syrian, which was only a fifth part, of the Hebrew talent. This would bring the Scripture account more into accordance with the statements of JOSEPHUS, as well as within the range of credibility.

20. all the congregation . . . worshipped the Lord, and the king--Though the external attitude might be the same, the sentiments of which it was expressive were very different in the two cases--of divine worship in the one, of civil homage in the other.

21, 22. they sacrificed . . . And did eat and drink--After the business of the assembly was over, the people, under the exciting influence of the occasion, still remained, and next day engaged in the performance of solemn rites, and afterwards feasted on the remainder of the sacrifices.

22. before the Lord--either in the immediate vicinity of the ark, or, perhaps, rather in a religious and devout spirit, as partaking of a sacrificial meal.
made Solomon . . . king the second time--in reference to the first time, which was done precipitately on Adonijah's conspiracy ( 1 Kings 1:35 ).
they . . . anointed . . . Zadok--The statement implies that his appointment met the popular approval. His elevation as sole high priest was on the disgrace of Abiathar, one of Adonijah's accomplices.

23. Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord--As king of Israel, he was the Lord's vicegerent.

24. submitted themselves--Hebrew, "put their hands under Solomon," according to the custom still practised in the East of putting a hand under the king's extended hand and kissing the back of it ( 2 Kings 10:15 ).

1 Chronicles 29:26-30 . HIS REIGN AND DEATH.

26. Thus David . . . reigned--(See 1 Kings 2:11 ).