--- title: "Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah" author: "Adam Clarke" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 410 of 914 url: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/410/ cite: "Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah, section 410. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/410/" --- # Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah *Adam Clarke* Clarke's learned notes on the Hebrew and Greek, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation: volume 1 of 2. ## 410. 1 Chronicles · 11 of 19 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/410/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/410/#p-N ### Verse 22 [¶1] Touch not mine anointed - By this title the patriarchs are generally understood: they had a regal and sacerdotal power in the order of God. In the behalf of the patriarchs God had often especially interfered: in behalf of Abraham, [Gen 12:17]; [Gen 20:3]; and of Jacob, [Gen 31:24]; [Gen 34:26]; [Gen 35:5]. But the title may be applied to all the Jewish people, who were the anointed, as they were the elect and peculiar people of God. See on [Heb 11:26] (note). ### Verse 31 [¶3] Let the heavens be glad - "Let the supreme angels be glad, and the inhabitants of the earth rejoice." - T. In this place the Targumist uses the Greek word αγγελοι, angels, in Hebrew letters thus, אנגלי angeley. ### Verse 35 [¶5] Save us, O God of our salvation - As he is the saving God, so we may pray to him to save us. To pray to God under the attribute the influence of which we need, serves to inspire much confidence. I am weak; Almighty God, help me! I am ignorant; O thou Father of lights, teach me! I am lost; O merciful God, save me; etc. See the notes on [Psa 96:1-13] (note) and Psalm 105 (note). ### Verse 39 [¶7] Zadok the priest - Both Zadok and Abiathar were high priests at this time: the former David established at Gibeah, or Gibeon, where the ark had been all the days of Saul; and the latter he established at Jerusalem, where the ark now was: so there were two high priests, and two distinct services; but there was only one ark. How long the service at Gibeon was continued we cannot tell; the principal functions were no doubt performed at Jerusalem. ### Verse 42 [¶9] Musical instruments of God - Ad canendum Deo, "to sing to God." - Vulgate. Των ωδων του Θεου, "of the sons of God." - Septuagint. The Syriac is remarkable: "These were upright men who did not sing unto God with instruments of music, nor with drums, nor with listra, nor with straight nor crooked pipes, nor with cymbals; but they sang before the Lord Almighty with a joyous mouth, and with a pure and holy prayer, and with innocence and integrity." The Arabic is nearly the same. None of the versions understand the words כלי שיר האלהים keley shir haelohim as implying instruments of music of God, but instruments employed in the song of God, or to praise God; as also the Targum. Query, Did God ever ordain instruments of music to be used in his worship? Can they be used in Christian assemblies according to the spirit of Christianity? Has Jesus Christ, or his apostles, ever commanded or sanctioned the use of them? Were they ever used any where in the apostolic Church? Does the use of them at present, in Christian congregations, ever increase the spirit of devotion? Does it ever appear that bands of musicians, either in their collective or individual capacity, are more spiritual, or as spiritual, as the other parts of the Church of Christ? Is there less pride, self-will, stubbornness, insubordination, lightness, and frivolity, among such persons, than among the other professors of Christianity found in the same religious society? Is it ever remarked or known that musicians in the house of God have attained to any depth of piety, or superior soundness of understanding, in the things of God? Is it ever found that those Churches and Christian societies which have and use instruments of music in Divine worship are more holy, or as holy, as those societies which do not use them? And is it always found that the ministers which affect and recommend them to be used in the worship of Almighty God, are the most spiritual men, and the most spiritual and useful preachers? Can mere sounds, no matter how melodious, where no word nor sentiment is or can be uttered, be considered as giving praise to God? Is it possible that pipes or strings of any kind can give God praise? Can God be pleased with sounds which are emitted by no sentient being, and have in themselves no meaning? If these questions cannot be answered in the affirmative: then, query, Is not the introduction of such instruments into the worship of God antichristian, and calculated to debase and ultimately ruin the spirit and influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And should not all who wish well to the spread and establishment of pure and undefiled religion, lift up their hand, their influence, and their voice against them? The argument from their use in the Jewish service is futile in the extreme when applied to Christianity. ### Introduction [¶11] David consults Nathan about building a temple for God, [1Chr 17:1], [1Chr 17:2]. God sends him an answer by Nathan, informing him that Solomon shall build the house, [1Chr 17:3-14]. David receives the Divine purpose with humility and joy, and gives God praise, [1Chr 17:15-27]. ### Verse 1 [¶13] Now it came to pass - See every thing recorded in this chapter amply detailed in the notes on [2Sam 7:1] (note), etc. ### Verse 5 [¶15] But have gone from tent to tent - "I have transferred my tabernacle from Gilgal to Nob, from Nob to Shiloh, and from Shiloh to Gibeon." - Targum and Jarchi. ### Verse 9 [¶17] Neither shall the children of wickedness - They shall no more be brought into servitude as they were in the time they sojourned in Egypt. This is what is here referred to. ### Verse 12 [¶19] I will establish his throne for ever - David was a type of Christ; and concerning him the prophecy is literally true. See [Isa 9:7], where there is evidently the same reference. ### Verse 13 [¶21] I will not take my mercy away from him - I will not cut off his family from the throne, as I did that of his predecessor Saul. ### Verse 16 [¶23] And what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? - I am not of any regal family, and have no natural right to the throne. ### Verse 25 [¶25] Hath found in his heart to pray - The Targum expresses a full sense: "Therefore thy servant hath found an opening of mouth, that he might pray before Thee. ### Verse 27 [¶27] For thou blessest, O Lord - "Thou beginnest to bless the house of thy servant, therefore it shall be blessed for ever." - T. [¶28] The reader is requested to refer to 2 Samuel 7 (note), and the notes there for many particulars that belong to the parallel places here, and which it should answer no good purpose to repeat in this place. ### Introduction [¶30] David smites the Philistines, and takes Gath, [1Chr 18:1]. Reduces the Moabites, [1Chr 18:2]. Vanquishes Hadarezer, king of Zobah, [1Chr 18:3], [1Chr 18:4]. Overcomes the Syrians of Damascus, and takes several of their cities, [1Chr 18:5-8]. Tou, king of Hamath, congratulates him on his victory, and sends him vessels of silver, gold, and brass, [1Chr 18:9], [1Chr 18:10]. Those and the different spoils he had taken from the conquered nations, he dedicates to God, [1Chr 18:11]. Abishai defeats the Edomites, [1Chr 18:12], [1Chr 18:13]. David reigns over all Israel, [1Chr 18:14]. His officers, [1Chr 18:15-17]. ### Verse 1 [¶32] David - took Gath and her towns - See the comparison between this chapter and [2Sam 8:1] (note), etc., in the notes on the latter. ### Verse 2 [¶34] Brought gifts - Were laid under tribute. ### Verse 9 [¶36] Tou king of Hamath - Called Toi in [2Sam 8:9]. ### Verse 12 [¶38] Abishai - slew of the Edomites - This victory is attributed to David, [2Sam 8:13]. He sent Abishai against them, and he defeated them: this is with great propriety attributed to David as commander-in-chief; qui facit per alterum, facit per se. ### Verse 15 [¶40] Joab - was over the host - General-in-chief. [¶41] Jehoshaphat - recorder - The king's remembrancer, or historiographer royal. ### Verse 16 [¶43] Zadok - and Abimelech - priests - Both high priests; one at Gibeon, and the other at Jerusalem, as we have seen [1Chr 16:39]. [¶44] Shavsha was scribe - Called Seraiah, [2Sam 8:17].