Verse 8. Give thanks unto the Lord, &c.] This hymn is entirely made up of parts of three psalms occuring in the Book of Psalms. (See the notes on the Psalms referred to). Part of Psalm cv. makes up all from verse 8 to verse 22 of this chapter; Psalm xcvi. makes up all from verse 23 to verse 33; and Psalm cvi. verse 1. 47, 48, makes up the three last verses of this hymn, that is, verse 34, 35, 36. of this chapter.

CHAP. XX.

See 2 Sam. xi. and xxi. 18. &c. The account of David's adultery with Bath-sheba given at 2 Sam. xi. is here entirely omitted.

CHAP. XXI.

See 2 Sam. xxiv.

CHAP. XXII.

Verse 1.-This is the house of the Lord &c.] From the tokens of acceptance which God had been pleased to afford, David concluded that this was the place in which, "the house of the Lord" was to be built, which he had purposed to erect himself, and which was now to be intrusted to his on Solomon,

8.-because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth] Though this reason for David's being for bidden to build the house of God is not mentioned in 2 Sam. vii. yet it is recorded here, to shew perhaps that, although the wars of David were warranted by God, and succeeded through His aid in an extraordinary manner, yet it did not so well accord with the majesty of God, to have a temple built by one who had shed so much blood, as by one whose reign passed in quietness and peace. 10.- for ever.] See notes on 2 Sam. vii. 13, 14.

14.-in my trouble] In my reign, which has been full of various troubles.

CHAP. XXIII.

Verse 29.-for all manner of measure and size;] The standards of all measures and weights were kept in the sanctuary, in the custody of the Levites, whose duty it was to see that they were kept with exactness. Hence we frequently read of" the shekel of the sanctuary," by which is meant the shekel of the true standard.

CHAP. XXIV.

Verse 1.-the divisions of the sons of Aaron.} The priests were divided into twenty-four courses, which took it by turns to attend on the service of the temple.

31. the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.] The meaning is, that the elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority: they that were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less: and all were to take their courses as they chanced to fall.

CHAP. XXV.

Verse 1.-who should prophesy with harps, &c.] That is, should sing the psalms which David and

other prophets composed. For these men were not actually prophets, but are on this account said to "prophesy," because they sang in the service of God, those prophetical hymns, which were composed by men divinely inspired.

5.-to lift up the horn.] That is, probably, at stated times to blow aloud with trumpets made of horn. Or, more generally, to praise God on windinstruments.

CHAP. XXVI.

Verse 1.-of the porters:] These porters were a sort of standing guard about the temple, who had the care of its treasures. They were eminent persons, and their office, by no means, an ignoble

one.

CHAP. XXVII.

Verse 1. Now the children of Israel &c.] We have here an account how, what may be termed the militia of the kingdom was settled. It consisted of twelve legions of 24,000 men each, who were commanded by one of the chief of the fathers. One legion attended each month, for the security of the king and kingdom; at the end of which it was succeeded by another.

24.- because there fell wrath for it against Israel;] See 2 Sam. xxiv.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Verse 12.-the pattern of all that he had by the spirit,] That is, of all things inspired into him by the Spirit of God. God, by His Spirit suggested to David the pattern according to which He would have the temple constructed in all its parts.

18.-the chariot of the cherubims,] So called because God is said to ride on the cherubims.

CHAP. XXIX.

Verse 5.-to consecrate his service] That is, to make some offering for the use of the temple.

17.-in the uprightness of mine heart &c.] David is not here proudly boasting of his own righteousness. He means only that he had made these offerings in the sincerity of his heart, and out of a regard to God's service.

22.-they made Solomon-king the second time,] Solomon had before been appointed to succeed his father, and admitted to a share in the government. See Chap. xxiii. 1.

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Verse 8. But if thou wilt go, do it, &c.] seems to be spoken ironically: if he persisted in going, the prophet bid him go and try, whether with the greatest power he could muster, he should be able to prevail against the Lord, who could either help a few, or destroy a great many,

9.-But what shall we do for the hundred talents &c.] Amaziah had already advanced a hundred talents to the army of Israel for their services. If therefore he now dismissed them, he feared they would not return bim the money. He hesitated to obey the command of God, because obedience,

he thought, would cost him dear. From the prophet's answer, which follows, we learn that it is our interest to do what God would have us, let the consequence be what it will. Whatever we lend to the Lord, by resigning it for His sake, He is able beyond measure to repay to us again.

27.—after the time that Amaziah did turn away from-the Lord they made a conspiracy against him] Although Amaziah at the command of God, resigned the hundred talents; yet he lived in calamity and died by violence. This fate however was justly due to his other sins: God did not deal hardly or unfaithfully by him. The Lord forsook Amaziah, because Amaziah drew back from being His servant.

This example may teach us, that no former acts of righteousness, no former sacrifices of present interest for conscience sake, will avail us as an excuse for indulging afterwards in sin.

CHAP. XXVI.

See 2 Kings xiv. 21. and xv. 1.

Verse 1.-Uzziah,] He was also called Azariah.

21. he was cut off from the house of the Lord:] That is, precluded from entering it for religious worship, as a just punishment for his daring entrance into the most holy place, and his attempt to perform there what belonged to the high priest only. It is a great sin in the sight of God for any one to intrude himself into the priests' office before he be duly appointed to it.

Verse 9.-in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.] Meaning, a rage that hath no measure, and that crieth to heaven for vengeance.

11.-the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.] It hence appears, that, though God uses one nation as the instrument of another's punishment, yet He does not approve of the inhumanities committed by an enemy.

22.—this is that king Ahaz.] It seems to be a peculiar brand set upon Ahaz, as a most grievous sinner, because “in the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more," because afflictions made him worse instead of better.

Verse 15.-to give to their brethren by courses,] The persons here mentioned, were appointed to give their due portion to their brethren, who stayed in their cities" by courses," while the others came to officiate at the temple, and that, as well to "the great" or elder, as to "the small" or younger. Except such children as by the genealogies of the males, which were carefully kept, appeared to be three years old and upwards, and these being allowed to attend their parents in the temple, were duly provided for there.

CHAP. XXXII.

See 2 Kings xviii. and Isaiah xxxvi.

Verse 3.-to stop the waters of the fountains] To fill up the wells and fountains, so that the enemy might be distressed for want of water.

25. But Hezekiah rendered not again, accord. ing to the benefit done unto him;] Hezekiah, though relieved from his sickness in a very extraordinary manner, was not so humble or so grateful for the divine mercies as he ought to have been; but vainly boasted of his wealth and prided himself in the compliments of the king of Babylon. He afterwards, however, was made sensible of his sin, repented heartily of it, and died in peace. These particulars are more largely related at 2 Kings xx. and Isai. xxxviii. xxxix.

31.-God left him, to try him,] God left him wholly to the inclinations of his own heart, that he might have a trial of its corruption when left to itself, that so he might be led to entertain a humble opinion of his own piety, and to behave himself in a lowly and thankful manner towards God, for all the good he was enabled to do.