Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 22:16
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, [there is] no number. Arise [therefore], and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
16. Arise therefore] R.V. omits therefore.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Ch 22:16
Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.
Davids charge to Solomon
This charge has respect to and gathers force from–
I. The past. Upon the life and conscience of Solomon were concentrated the considerations and responsibilities which arise out of–
1. The relations of the family covenant. Solomon was a sou of promise.
2. The influence of parental example.
3. The Divine faithfulness.
II. The present. From the present several motives and , encouragements are drawn.
1. Problems have been solved, paths of duty have been made clear, and avenues of effort and usefulness have been opened up.
2. The present was made rich in material which had been prepared and laid up in the past.
3. These preparations brought within the reach of Solomon opportunities such as had been enjoyed by no one before him. The preparation of means and material create opportunities. Providence has created for every Christian greater spiritual opportunities than Solomon enjoyed, and the responsibilities arising out of these opportunities are solemn and urgent.
4. All these motives, arguments, and considerations, drawn from the past and present, unite in a resistless appeal for action: Arise and be doing.
III. The charge has respect to the future.
1. Encouragement in his undertaking. Solomon had the promise of the Divine presence and blessing.
2. He was also encouraged in his undertaking by the fact that in the accomplishment of it the desires, hopes, and prayers of pious ancestors would be fulfilled.
3. By thus fulfilling the pious desires of godly ancestors, Solomon set in operation spiritual agencies which carry down to future ages blessings in ever widening streams of diffusive beneficence.
Application:
1. In our work we use materials and agencies which have been prepared by kings, prophets, apostles, and martyrs. All the achievements and improvements of modern science and civilisation are available in Christian work.
2. In the kingdom of God them is a place and a sphere for talents and service of all kinds. (S. J. Wilson, D. D.)
Christian activity and its reward
I. Every good man has an important work to do in his day and generation.
1. We have much to do for ourselves in the cultivation of our own minds, the improvement of our hearts, and the faithful application of our various talents.
2. We have much to do for the conversion of others.
3. We have much to do for God.
II. It behoves us to address ourselves to this work with activity, zeal, and energy.
1. Reason dictates this.
2. Gratitude impels it.
3. The brevity of life calls for this.
4. The solemn account we shall have to give should further stimulate us to zeal, activity, and energy.
5. The example of Christ tells us to Arise and be doing.
III. When occupying our talents in the exercise of our best efforts we may confidently look for the presence and blessing of God. And the Lord be with thee. This might be rendered, The Lord shall be with thee.
1. There is a general presence of God with His people, which they enjoy in common with all mankind.
2. There is an especial presence of God with His people, which is the promise of His covenant.
Reflections: This subject will–
1. Reprove the idler.
2. Admonish those who are attempting to work without due dependence upon God.
3. Heaven is a place of ceaseless activity. (George Clayton.)
A new years exhortation
I. The sphere of Christian service.
II. The manner of Christian service.
1. Be ready and on the look-out for something to do.
2. Let us find something to do.
3. When youve finished one job, set about another. Be doing.
III. The vower of Christian service. The Lord with thee.
1. His presence will quicken our energy.
2. Will lighten our labour. (R. S. Latimer.)
Inactivity the dry-rot of young men
In-activity is the dry-rot of thousands of Christian young men. You will never gain a good appetite for Gods Word, or a flush of joy on your countenance, until you lay hold of some earnest, self-denying work and keep at it. Nothing will impart such a holy vehemence to your prayers as to spend an hour by a sick-bed, or in close labour with an impenitent heart. Nothing will stiffen your muscle more than tough up-hill work in behalf of some unpopular cause or moral reform. The only cure for indolence is honest work; the only cure for selfishness is self-sacrifice; the only cure for timidity is to plunge into duty before the shiver benumbs you; the only cure for unbelief is to put Christ to the test every day. Prayer must kill unbelief, or else unbelief will kill prayer. The Christian warfare is not a single pitched battle; it is a campaign for life. You may often imagine that you have attended the funeral of some besetting sin–and lo! it is on its feet again next morning! You wont fire the last shot until the gates of glory welcome you in among the crowned conquerors. (T. C. Cuyler.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Be doing, to wit, when thou shalt come to the throne in my stead.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron,…. That is, the cunning artificers were skilful to work in each of these, some in gold and silver, others in brass and iron:
there is no number; either of the workmen, or of these materials; which yet must be restrained to the brass and iron, for the gold and silver are numbered, but not the brass and iron, 1Ch 22:14,
arise therefore, and be doing: not that he should set about and begin the building the temple directly; but as soon as he could after he came to the throne, and not neglect and delay it:
and the Lord be with thee; as in 1Ch 22:11 and here, as there, the Targum is,
“may the Word of the Lord be thy help.”
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
BUILDING FOR GOD
1Ch 22:16.
DAVID, dying, left Solomon exceedingly rich. An hundred thousand talents of gold, a thousand thousand talents of silver are terms we cannot accurately estimate. No wonder the Queen of Sheba said of his wealth, The half was not told me. But I am impressed with the marked difference between Davids thought for his son and that of our twentieth century fathers. It is too often true of the latter, that they are seeking to do service for two generations. The world has come to consider him a provident father who, when he is ready to depart this life, is able to say to his son, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry (Luk 12:19).
All too often, I fear, God must feel toward such a provider as He did regarding the rich mans greater barn, Thou fool, for He knows how few sons there are who can inherit much money and yet keep their moral characters.
Of David it was written, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep; and while he left great riches to Solomon, he encouraged him in no ease, but enjoined activity instead. It was not, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry; but rather, Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing (1Ch 22:16).
David would not have him squander it upon himself, but spend it for his God instead, by building the Temple of the Most High. Far-seeing man was David! He seems to have realized what a conspicuous part in Israels history, yea, in the history of the whole world, a sanctuary could play. And, as Dr. Haigh once said, David was not mistaken. For centuries, through manifold temptations, was this people kept by the Temples wonderful power, and though, at last, it perished from sight, yet only to reappear in a new form, among new peoplesan inspiration to the ends of the earth and to the end of time; * * for its influence is as inspiring today as when Solomon and the great convocation bowed in adoring gratitude before God.
The suggestions of this text are also as patent today as when Solomon and the great convocation were about the business of building for God. And I want to call your attention to three facts of the text, that we may draw from them their natural and profitable lessons.
THE MONEY WAS UNMEASURED
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. But a little while ago and Israel was poor. When she came out of Egypt this text was not true of her financial condition; in fact, her riches never reached any such heights before Davids day as they did under his governmenta fact which calls for certain remarks.
David had won Gods favor. Of him God said, My servant David, who kept My commandments, and who followed Me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes (1Ki 14:8). Every man who so conducts himself will enjoy Gods favor (Psa 1:6; Psa 5:12; Psa 34:17; Psa 92:12; Pro 10:3; Pro 15:6). Do you remember how in that wonderful eleventh chapter of Hebrews it is written of Enoch, By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God? Every man does who stands ready to obey his commands; and such not only come into the favor of God, but upon them God puts honor also.
It is told that a green and shabby looking Irishman once called on GirardPennsylvanias first millionaireand asked to be employed. The eccentric rich man showed him a pile of rocks in the back yard and said, Carry them over to the other side of the yard, and pile them up there. By night time Patrick had completed the work. He tipped his hat, got his pay, and inquired, Can you employ me tomorrow? Girard answered, Yes, come again. The next morning he said, Go carry that pile of rocks back to where you found it. The Irishman obeyed without a word, and for several days he transported this pile of stone back and forth without murmuring, and without inquiring what Girard meant by it. Girard was satisfied! Such was the man he wanted! One day he said to him, You go down to the wharf and bid that sugar off. And when Pat put in at the auction and began bidding for the sugar, people looked on in astonishment, and when he bought it the auctioneer gruffly inquired, Who is going to pay for this? Girard, Pat replied. Oh, you are Girards agent then! Mighty man now; and it was his implicit obedience that brought him his office, his honor, and his financial reward. And, whenever God finds a man who will obey Him, such an one comes immediately into the Fathers favor, into offices of Divine appointment, into honors of Divine proportions, and into such rewards as only the Great God can give.
Davids standing with God brought a blessing to all Israel. Has it ever occurred to you to note how the character of the King determines whether Israel is poor or rich? When he who sat upon her throne was a faithful man, abundant blessings were known to all Israel; and when he was a faithless man, all Israel suffered in consequence. I do not know whether we realize how largely the public life is determined for weal or woe by the influence of important persons. Truly did Henry Van Dyke say, The world moves by personality. All the great currents of history have flowed from persons. Organization is powerful, but no organization has ever accomplished anything until a person has stood at the center of it and filled it with his thought, with his life. Truth is mighty and must prevail, but it never does prevail, actually, until it gets itself embodied, incarnated in a personality.
History is replete with illustrations of this claim. David was the explanation of Israels riches; Solomon the secret of her later glory; while Rehoboam explains the division of the kingdom and its dark downfall. Happy that people whose great man is a good man. America enjoyed in George Washington the richest blessing, while England lost her chief treasure in the death of William E. Gladstone. And what is true in politics and statecraft is still more true in the Church of God. How much the old churchIsraelowed to such men as Moses, Joshua, David. Isaiah and Daniel, who can tell? Of the early Christian Church, in its progress, Paul was the principal factor. Speaking of his influence Renan said, Over the vast extent of the Roman Empire, Paul everywhere projects his shadow. And we should not forget that in the more limited realms of local work, the individual is commonly the explanation of success or failure.
The great TabernacleLondons admiration was the expression of Charles Spurgeons life. The Tremont Temple, the pride of Boston Baptists, was possible, in her present proportions, because George C. Lorimer lived. Clarendon Street, Sanctuary of the Most High, out from which flowed a stream of benevolent gifts, whose life-giving power was long like that river which John saw issuing from beneath the Throne, voiced the gracious Gordon who, though dead, yet speaketh; while Grace Temple, Philadelphia, the greatest Protestant Church of America, together with all of its organizations and agencies for good, were the outlets of that intense life which Conwell lived in Christ.
We were interested and almost amazed with a resume of Louis Harmes work in the Hermansburg Church, to which we listened years ago, as a brother read its review. A home church with more than ten thousand members; for the year 1899, 27 stations and 46 missionaries in South Africa; 9 stations and 10 missionaries in India; 402 native assistants at work; with 24,000 communicants in the mission churches. When we remember how the little church became so great a one, we cannot forget that Louis Harmes, the surrendered man, was the secret of it. When one reflects upon such facts he is profoundly impressed with the responsibilities of a pastors office, and is made to feel that the future of the church is so bound up with the life the pastor lives, and the work he does, that when the end comes any failure of the church to measure up to its responsibility to God will be laid most largely at his door; for when Israel had David ministering to her, blessing was upon all the people; but when Rehoboam occupied the same office, cursings instead. Oh to be able to bring blessing to those to whom ones heart is bound in love! Whenever and wherever a people are rightly instructed and led into upright conduct, prosperity in things temporal as well as spiritual will be their portion.
Israels money exceeded Gods demand. It was not difficult to compute the cost of the proposed temple; but David, who knew Israels possessions, said, Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Gods demands of His people are always inside of the silver and gold He has given them. Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, is Gods exceptional, not His usual, command.
In America, where we attempt annually to raise millions for the work of God in all the world, it is known that many billions is a conservative estimate of the wealth treasured up in the pockets of our Protestant Christians; and Gods calls to us for our gifts is His endeavor to keep the church from becoming a coffer for holding coveted wealth, lest she become a coffin for enshrining a dead Christianity.
Whenever there is a demand for money for the Masters work, men seem to fear lest God will ask of us more than we can spare. But, beloved, there is no danger unless Gods Word shall fail, for He hath said, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty (Pro 11:24). Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number.
The second fact to which I call your attention is this:
THE DEMAND WAS FROM GOD
Davids interest in the Temple was not original with him.
God had asked for a house. The Tabernacle was both adequate and adapted to that roaming life which Israel led before coming into the Promised Land. But now that their dwelling place is to be permanent, the Temple is to be provided instead.
Far back in Deuteronomy (Deu 12:10-11), God had anticipated this building, saying,
when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shill choose to cause His Name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord.
That time had come. The house should now be builded; henceforth a sanctuary would be a place of honor to God and a place of instruction, fellowship and inspiration to His people. There are those who decry beautiful churches, and if we may judge them by their words, would gladly destroy all such buildings as are adorned and expensive. But we do well to remember that the world has scarcely seen a House of God whose magnificence equalled that of the ancient temple, whose appointments were so perfectly splendid and expensive. There might have been those, then in Israel, who, like Judas Iscariot, at the anointing of the Christ, were ready to ask with reference to the building of the Temple, Why was this waste of money made? so much might have greatly relieved the poor. But, beloved, God never plans for the immediate moment only. His lines of thought run from everlasting to everlasting, and He knew what an unspeakable blessing to man a house of worship would become.
The history of the sanctuary is the history of Christianity. Hawthorne, in his description of a little church in Main Street, showed himself a student and a philosopher. Of it he said, The one edifice which gives the promise of permanence to this bold enterprise of a town is seen at the central point of the picturethe meeting-house.
The Psalmist wrote, Blessed is the man * * who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well. But I want to tell you that the man, or company of men and women and children, who build a house to God, are more blessed still, inasmuch as it is better to meet the thirst of souls than of bodies, to provide the water of Everlasting Life than that which refreshes for an hour.
A friend of mine visiting in Paris went into a great cathedral there and studied its architecture, and the works of art upon its walls, and looked at the people as they came to worship and went. A Parisian told him that when, 200 years ago, this church was built, a superstructure was laid upon a foundation on which had stood another church for more than a thousand years before. And I often wish that men could see what God sees in a sanctuary. When our forefathers, seventy years ago, were worshiping near the river yonder, and when later, they purchased the lot and put up the house at the corner of Fifth and Hennepin, they were putting into the life of this city one of the most potent factors for her civilization, and providing for us, who worship today in this beautiful temple, almost the richest earthly inheritance into which we shall ever come.
I love Thy Church, O God.
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand.
Beyond my highest joy,
I prize her Heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.
God also determined its builders. David desired the honor, but God reserved it for His son Solomon (1Ch 22:10). I believe the same God determines today who shall build for Him, and I know of few greater honors than they enjoy who combine their offering to build, beautify or improve a House of God.
This week, as I went about consulting people regarding the proposed buildings, I came to a keener appreciation of the Christian spirit of the members of this church than I had ever entertained before. The cordial welcome given, the lively interest taken pleased, but the remark of many of them, I count it a compliment, pastor, to be asked to aid in this enterprise and gladly pledge my assistance, was an evidence, in addition to the many already given, that Christ had His rightful place in the heart. But, if the people thank the pastor for such a privilege, what words should express our gratitude to God in that He has honored us by appointing us to such privileges? To be able to build a house and extend, for the sake of greater usefulness, the sanctuary dedicated to Him, this is honor as well as obligation !
When George Mueller was in the early work for orphans, a poor woman earning her bread by needlework came into possession of a hundred pounds, through the will of her grandmother. She sent it to Mr. Mueller, and learning her condition he remonstrated, and insisted that she should keep it for herself. She replied, The Lord Jesus gave His last drop of blood for me. Deny me not the privilege of giving these few pounds to Him. We have an idea that so long as she lived the memory of that offering was precious, and that this morning from the heights of heaven, as she looks on the great orphan asylums of Bristol, she gets from the vision a never-failing inspiration to praise. No wonder David said to Solomon, as he studied the material gathered for the building of Gods house, Arise therefore, and be doing.
A few words from the last sentence of the text, and I will conclude. And the Lord be with thee.
GOD WOULD GIVE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE
And the Lord be with thee.
His counsel was needed. Previous to this David had said to Solomon, The Lord give thee wisdom. How they need it who would build for God! And how grateful we ought to be that it is written into His Word, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (Jas 1:5).
For years now some of the members of this church have been praying God for His guidance touching the future appointments for our Sunday School. The building is at last a reality and a beauty. Let us rejoice and go forward! The greatest thing possible to any man is to put himself into such touch with God that he may discover the Divine will and walk in the way of Divine appointment.
In the stormy days of the Civil War, some one asked Abraham Lincoln to appoint a day of fasting and prayer that God might be on their side; to which the great President answered, God is now on the right side; you simply get with Him.
Gods call was to co-operation. The people joined with the king, each bringing his offering, and when the Temple was finished, hundreds had precious possessions there. It ought to be sothe rich and the poor giving as God has prospered them; the humble and the honorable working side by side to give God glory and conquer over their own sins. Where there is such a state of things, what victory may not be accomplished, what enemy or obstacles may not be overcome!
I was reading once Dr. Talmages graphic description of the Battle of Waterloo; of that day when the English and French fought as the world had never seen men fight before; of that day when Wellington had blanched face and white lips; and Marshal Ney, with hat off, clothing slashed, and face bleeding, cried to his retreating troops, Come and see a Marshal of France die on a battlefield. And Wellington called to his reeling English soldiers, Boys, can you think of giving up? Remember Old England, boys! Remember England! The French were waiting for Grouchy; the English were watching for Blucher. The reinforcements failed to come to France, but in the crucial hour Bloucher arrived, and at eight oclock in the evening, Napoleon, the Man of Destiny, was beaten and heartbroken, and the fate of the centuries decided. And Talmage added, Oh, my friends, our life is a Waterloo. The difference between victory and defeat is the difference between reinforcement.
I believe today that if this Church of God responded to the calls that come from on High, those who take the lead and bear the brunt of battle need never meet defeat, but will find the sun going down upon every day, leaving victory perched upon their banners.
I call you, this morning, to aid in what we esteem a most important workthe completion of Jackson Hall, and the enlargement of this auditorium. It is said that Napoleon once stood before his guards and asked for a hundred men to lead a forlorn hope. He explained that every man would doubtless be killed the moment the enemy opened fire. Now who would die for the Emperor? A hundred men forward! Step out of the ranks! And not a hundred men, but the whole regiment as one man sprang forward, in solid line, and rang their muskets at his feet. When our Great Captain calls, who will respond? He does not ask us to die for Him. But there are times when He asks us to make sacrifice for His cause. A hundred men and women, if only so many were needed, would easily step forth from the ranks of the First Baptist Church and make such sacrifices as they could to see this work done. Our Captain calls us to no forlorn hope in this matter, but to a victory easily within our power, and glorious in its results.
Fuente: The Bible of the Expositor and the Evangelist by Riley
(16) Arise therefore, and be doing.A phrase which recurs at Ezr. 10:4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, [there is] no number. Arise [therefore], and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
Ver. 16. There is no number. ] See 1Ch 22:14 .
Arise therefore, and be doing.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the gold: 1Ch 22:3, 1Ch 22:14
Arise: Jos 1:2, Jos 1:5, Jos 1:9, Jos 7:10, Jdg 4:14, Jdg 18:9, Jdg 18:10, 2Ch 20:17, 1Co 15:58, Eph 5:14, Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13, Phi 4:13
and the Lord: 1Ch 22:11, 1Sa 17:37, 1Sa 20:13
Reciprocal: 2Sa 8:8 – exceeding 1Ki 7:47 – found out 1Ch 22:19 – arise 1Ch 28:10 – Take heed now 2Ch 2:7 – whom David 2Ch 19:11 – Deal courageously 2Ch 36:23 – Who is there Ezr 10:4 – Arise Act 8:26 – Arise
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 22:16. Of the brass and the iron there is no number The meaning is, the quantity of brass and iron was not numbered, as that of the gold and silver was. Arise, therefore, and be doing When thou shalt come to the throne. The sense of Gods presence must not slacken our endeavours; because he is with us, we must rise and be doing. Then he will be with us even to the end. Work out your salvation, and God will work in you.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, [there is] no number. {h} Arise [therefore], and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
(h) That is, go about it quickly.