Deep Dive

I Chronicles 28:18

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the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Keil-Delitzsch Old Testament Commentaryv. 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 (w): 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 Kg1 6:23 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 Eze 10:18, 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 (x). (w) Ibid. (Relation of Memorable Things in the Tabernacle and Temple, ch. 4. p. 20.) (x) Ibid.

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 18

The account we have of David's exit, in the beginning of the first book of Kings, does not make his sun nearly so bright as that given in this and the following chapter, where we have his solemn farewell both to his son and his subjects, and must own that he finished well. In this chapter we have, I. A general convention of the states summoned to meet (Ch1 28:1). II. A solemn declaration of the divine entail both of the crown and of the honour of building the temple upon Solomon (Ch1 28:2-7). III. An exhortation both to the people and to Solomon to make religion their business (Ch1 28:8-10). IV. The model and materials delivered to Solomon for the building of the temple (Ch1 28:11-19). V. Encouragement given him to undertake it and proceed in it (Ch1 28:20, Ch1 28:21).

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 18

28:18 for the Lord’s “chariot”—the gold cherubim: The cherubim were various images of composite creatures found in connection with thrones and palaces. Ancient kings sat on cherub thrones. In God’s throne room (the Most Holy Place of Israel’s sanctuary), cherubim atop the Ark of the Covenant served a similar function (see Exod 25:18-22; 2 Sam 6:2; Ps 99:1; cp. Ezek 10).

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