I Chronicles 23
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David was old and full of days - On the phrase full of days, see the note on Gen 25:8.
Open source ↗DAVID MAKES SOLOMON KING. (Ch1 23:1) when David was old . . . he made Solomon . . . king--This brief statement, which comprises the substance of 1Ki. 1:32-48, is made here solely to introduce an account of the preparations carried on by David during the latter years of his life for providing a national place of worship.
Open source ↗So when David was old and full of days,.... Perhaps was now in the last year of his age, about seventy years old, though before he was bedridden; see Ch1 28:2, he made Solomon his son king over Israel; declared him to be his successor; this was before the affair of Adonijah, for then he ordered him to be anointed king, and placed on the throne; and this aggravated the rebellion of Adonijah, that it was against the declared and known will of his father.
Open source ↗So when David was old and full of days,.... Perhaps was now in the last year of his age, about seventy years old, though before he was bedridden; see Ch1 28:2, he made Solomon his son king over Israel; declared him to be his successor; this was before the affair of Adonijah, for then he ordered him to be anointed king, and placed on the throne; and this aggravated the rebellion of Adonijah, that it was against the declared and known will of his father.
Open source ↗Here we have, I. The crown entailed, according to the divine appointment, Ch1 23:1. David made Solomon king, not to reign with him, or reign under him, but only to reign after him. This he did, 1. When he was old and full of days. He was but seventy years old when he died, and yet he was full of days, satur dierum - satisfied with living in this world. When he found himself going off, he made provision for the welfare of the kingdom after his decease, and pleased himself with the hopeful prospect of a happy settlement both in church and state. 2. He did it in parliament, in a solemn assembly of all the princes of Israel, which made Adonijah's attempt to break in upon Solomon's title and set it aside, notwithstanding this public recognition and establishment of it, the more impudent, impious, and ridiculous. Note, The settling or securing of the crown in the interests of the temple is a great blessing to the people and a great satisfaction to those who are themselves leaving the world. II. The Levites numbered, according to the rule in Moses's time, from thirty years old to fifty, Num 4:2, Num 4:3. Their number in Moses's time. by this rule, was 8580 (Num 4:47, Num 4:48), but now it had increased above four-fold, much more in proportion than the rest of the tribes; for the serviceable men of Levi's tribe were now 38,000, unless we suppose that here those were reckoned who were above fifty, which was not the case there. Joab had not numbered the Levites (Ch1 21:6), but David now did, not in pride, but for a good purpose, and then he needed not fear wrath for it. III. The Levites distributed to their respective posts (Ch1 23:4, Ch1 23:5), that every hand might be employed (for, of all men, an idle Levite makes the worst figure), and that every part of the work might be car…
Open source ↗23:1-2 When David . . . appointed his son Solomon as Israel’s king (cp. 1 Kgs 1), David outlined the organizational structure of the kingdom and made all the necessary provisions for the Temple’s functioning. • The account of Solomon’s coronation continues in 1 Chr 28–29; the intervening chapters (23:3–27:24) record in detail the organization of the kingdom.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse זָקֵן (zâqên, H2204) — to be old שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… גֻּלְגֹּלֶת (gulgôleth, H1538) — a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons) גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗אֵלֶּה (ʼêl-leh, H428) — these or those עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or…
Open source ↗אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… שׁוֹעֵר (shôwʻêr, H7778) — a janitor הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gêrᵉshôwn, H1648) — Gereshon or Gereshom, an Israelite קְהָת (Qᵉhâth, H6955) — Kehath, an Israelite מְרָרִי (Mᵉrârîy, H4847) — Merari, an Israelite
Open source ↗גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי (Gêrᵉshunnîy, H1649) — a Gereshonite or descendant of Gereshon לַעְדָּן (Laʻdân, H3936) — Ladan, the name of two Israelites שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לַעְדָּן (Laʻdân, H3936) — Ladan, the name of two Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יְחִיאֵל (Yᵉchîyʼêl, H3171) — Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites זֵתָם (Zêthâm, H2241) — Zetham, an Israelite יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites שְׁלֹמִית (Shᵉlômîyth, H8019) — Shelomith, the name of five Israelites and three Israelitesses שְׁלֹמוֹת (Shᵉlômôwth, H8013) — Shelomoth, the name of two Israelites חֲזִיאֵל (Chăzîyʼêl, H2381) — Chaziel, a Levite הָרָן (Hârân, H2039) — Haran, the name of two men שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application לַעְדָּן (Laʻdân, H3936) — Ladan, the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻîy, H8096) — Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites יַחַת (Yachath, H3189) — Jachath, the name of four Israelites זִינָא (Zîynâʼ, H2126) — Zina, an Israelite יְעוּשׁ (Yᵉʻûwsh, H3266) — Jeush, the name of an Edomite and of four Israelites בְּרִיעָה (Bᵉrîyʻâh, H1283) — Beriah, the name of four Israelites אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four
Open source ↗יַחַת (Yachath, H3189) — Jachath, the name of four Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… זִיזָה (Zîyzâh, H2125) — Zizah, an Israelite שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again יְעוּשׁ (Yᵉʻûwsh, H3266) — Jeush, the name of an Edomite and of four Israelites בְּרִיעָה (Bᵉrîyʻâh, H1283) — Beriah, the name of four Israelites רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first פְּקֻדָּה (pᵉquddâh, H6486) — visitation (in many senses, chiefly official) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קְהָת (Qᵉhâth, H6955) — Kehath, an Israelite עַמְרָם (ʻAmrâm, H6019) — Amram, the name of two Israelites יִצְהָר (Yitshâr, H3324) — Jitshar, an Israelite חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites עֻזִּיאֵל (ʻUzzîyʼêl, H5816) — Uzziel, the name of six Israelites אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמְרָם (ʻAmrâm, H6019) — Amram, the name of two Israelites אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.
And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.
I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season.
And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.