Lord was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month. And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up. Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim: for the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark, and the staves thereof above. And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the end of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt." "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord." Read 1 Kings v, vi, vii, and viii, 1-11; 2 Chronicles ii, iii, iv and v. When the ark had been brought from Zion, and the sacred vessels of the tabernacle from Gibeon, and placed in their appropriate order in the temple, "it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place,. as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in prais ing and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, 'For he is good; for his mercy endur eth forever' that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord." 2 Chronicles v, 11, 13. It is probable, also, that many of the Psalms which David used on the occasion of the second removal of the ark from Kirjath to Zion, were used on this occasion. PSALM XCIX. ON THE DEDICATION OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. The majesty and equity of the King of Zion, 1-5; the example of the forefathers to worship God at his holy hill, 6-9. 1 The LORD reigneth-let the people tremble: Hea sitteth between the cherubim-let the earth 'be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; And he is high above all people. 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; For it is holy. с 4 The king's Strength also loveth judgment; Thou dost establish equity, Thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, And worship at his footstool; For he is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, And Samuel among them that call upon his name; They called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: They kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. a Exod. 25. 22. 1 Heb. stagger. b Deut. 28. 58. Rev. 15.4 e Job 86.5-7. Or, it is holy. Lev. 19. 2 d Exodus 14. 15; 15. 25. 1 Sam. 7. 9; 12. 18. e Exodus 88. 9. 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God! Thou wast a God that forgavest them, Though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at his holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy. (Num. 14. 20. Jer. 46. 28. Zech. 3. 7. See Exod. 82. 2, &c. Num. 20. 12, 24. Deut. 9. 20. PSALM C. ON THE DEDICATION OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. An exhortation to praise God cheerfully, 1, 2; for his greatness and his creative goodness, 3; and for his faithfulness, 4, 5, TA Psalm of Praise. 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all 'ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, 'and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth 'to all generations. 1 Heb. the earth. a Psalm 119. 78. Eph. 2. 10. 2 Or, and his we are. b Psalm 95. 7. Ezek. 84. 80, 81. Heb. to generation and generation. INTRODUCTION TO PSALM LXXXII. PSALM OF ASAPH. Jehoshaphat was one of the wise and good kings of Judah. Excepting the unfortunate affair of his alliance with Ahab, king of Israel, his reign was prosperous and honoured of God. His father Asa had declined in piety in his later years, and matters went ill with him in the kingdom. He had neglected justice, and much more religion; and had finally left his kingdom in an exposed condition, with many enemies, and in a state of bitter hostility to the kingdom of Israel. Jehoshaphat had no sooner come to the throne, than he engaged in the necessary work of putting his kingdom in a condition of defence. "He placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken." 2 Chronicles xvii, 2. He then turned his attention to the religious state of his people. He removed the "high places and groves" where idolatry had been practised; and in the third year of his reign undertook an important measure for the wider diffusion of religious knowledge. Five princes were chosen, under whom were to serve nine Levites and two priests. These were commissioned and charged to visit all the cities of the kingdom, carrying with them a copy of " the law of the Lord," to teach the people the doctrines and statutes of the Mosaic religion. This honourable embassy would naturally inspire the people with veneration, and secure a favourable attention to the important lessons communicated. The king next directed attention to the administration of justice, which had become fearfully remiss throughout the land. He reformed the judicial system throughout the realm, reviving old courts, creating new ones, and appointing such judges as appeared most worthy of this high trust. In Jerusalem the king created an important court, composed of "Levites, priests, and the chief of the fathers of Israel," who were to judge in all ecclesiastical questions, and to exercise an appellate jurisdiction over all the inferior courts, in all "causes whatsoever that should come to them [by way of appeal] from their brethren." These well-timed and judicious measures were of the highest advantage to the nation. Having completed his judicial arrangements, the good king delivered an earnest charge to the judges to fulfil their high functions according to the statutes of Moses. "And Jehoshaphat said to the judges, 'Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it for their is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."" To the supreme court established at Jerusalem, he charged that they should act "in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass." Read 2 Chronicles xix, 4–11. PSALM LXXXII. ON THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES BY JEHOSHAPHAT. The judges are admonished and charged, 1-4; reproved for negligence, 5; reminded of their frailty and mortality notwithstanding their high honours, 6, 7; God is invoked to judge the earth, 8. TA Psalm of Asaph. 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, And accept the persons of the wicked? Selah! 3 'Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked. a Eccl. 5. S. b Exod. 21. 6. e Prov. 18. 5. 1 Heb. judge, d Jer. 22. 8. e Job. 29. 12. Prov. 24. 11. |