Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 28

And David assembled all the princes of Israel. —As he had called the National Assembly before removing the Ark (1 Chronicles 13:1; 1 Chronicles 15:3). Who the princes (sârîm) were is defined in the following clauses.

The princes of the tribes. —See the list of them in 1 Chronicles 27:16–22.

Captains of the companies. —Rather, princes of the courses, who served the king: namely, those enumerated in 1 Chronicles 27:1–15.

Stewards. —See 1 Chronicles 27:25–31. Both “captains” and “stewards” are sârîm in the Hebrew.

Possession. — (miqnèh) A word generally used, like the Greek κτῆμα (κτῆνος), of possessions in cattle—live stock.

And of his sons. —Perhaps considered as his heirs, or rather, from the old tribal view of property, as sharing the royal domains with him.

With the officers. —Hebrew, sarîsîm, eunuchs. The word appears to be used in a generalized sense, and to denote simply courtiers or palace officials. (1 Samuel 8:15; 1 Kings 22:9; Jeremiah 38:7; Jeremiah 41:16.)

The mighty men. —“The heroes” (ha-gibbórîm) or “warriors” of 1 Chronicles 11:31–47; 1 Chronicles 11:12. But the Septuagint and Vulgate interpret men of rank and wealth, magnates (τοὺς δυνάστας, Luke 1:52).

And with all the valiant men. —Literally, and every mighty man (“gibbôr”) of valour, a phrase meant to include all other persons of importance. It is noticeable that in this meeting of the estates of the realm all the dignitaries of 1 Chronicles 27:0 are present (contrast 1 Chronicles 15:25; 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 13:1), except the priests and Levites. (But compare 1 Chronicles 28:21.)

Then David the king stood up upon his feet. — To address the assembly, the king naturally rose from his throne.

Hear me. — Calling attention, as in Genesis 23:11-15.

My brethren, and my people. — Compare to 1 Samuel 30:23; 2 Samuel 19:12. The words do not so much imply condescension as an acknowledgment of what every one of David’s hearers felt to be true—namely, that all Israel were kin, and David the head of the family.

As for me, I had in mine heart to build. — See 1 Chronicles 22:7–8 and the Notes there. 1 Chronicles 28:2–7 of this chapter are in substance, and partly in expression, identical with 1 Chronicles 22:7–10 (David’s private charge to Solomon).

An house of rest — that is, a permanent abode instead of a sacred tent, which gave the idea of wandering from place to place, like the nomads of the desert. (Compare to Psalms 132:8.)

The footstool of our God. — The so-called mercy-seat, the golden kappôreth suspended over the Ark, on which were the cherubim—the throne of Deity (Psalms 99:1).

And had made ready. — Rather, and I made ready, by amassing stores of material (1 Chronicles 22:2–4; 1 Chronicles 22:14–16).

But God said to me. —The emphasis lies on the word God, which is in direct contrast with the “I—in my heart it was,” of 1 Chronicles 28:2. (Compare 1 Chronicles 22:8, of which this verse is a summary.)

Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me. —Compare 1 Chronicles 11:2 and Notes. The Divine election of David preludes that of Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:5).

For he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler. —Better, For Judah it was that he chose for prince (nâgîd) , and in the house of Judah, my father’s house. (Compare 1 Chronicles 5:2 and Notes.)

And among the sons of my father he liked me. —The expression is scarcely adequate. The verb in the Hebrew is râçâh, which answers to the Hellenistic εύδοκεῖν, “to be satisfied, well pleased with.” Translate, therefore, “It was I in whom He took pleasure.” (Compare Proverbs 3:12.) David uses of himself the very phrase which the Divine voice spoke from heaven at the baptism of the Son of David, the true King of Israel and of mankind (Matthew 3:17).

Many sons. —See 1 Chronicles 3:1–9, where nineteen are mentioned by name, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

He has chosen. —Hebrew, then he chose, the construction changes after the parenthesis.

Solomon my son. —The son who has the best right to the name. (Compare to 1 Chronicles 22:10.)

The throne of the kingdom of the Lord. —This expression is unique in the Old Testament. (Compare to 1 Chronicles 29:23; 1 Chronicles 17:14.) It brings out into strong relief the idea that the Israelite monarchy was only a vicegerency; not David nor Solomon, but Jehovah being the true and only King. (Compare to Gideon’s reply to the offer of the crown, Judges 8:23; 1 Samuel 8:7; 1 Samuel 12:12.)