_Ethanim was afterwards called Tisri. (Haydock) --- Usher places the dedication on Friday, 30th October, the 8th of the seventh month. The people continued at Jerusalem till the 23rd. The feast of expiation fell on the 10th, (Haydock) during the octave of the dedication. After this, the feast of tab... [ Continue Reading ]
_Priests, who were also Levites, as it is expressed in 2 Paralipomenon v. 4. Perhaps the ark was uncovered, (Calmet) as the Caathites carried it when folded up. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ark, from the city of David, along with the tabernacle, (Salien) which had been made for it in the palace, ver. 1. They also (Haydock) brought the Mosaic tabernacle from Gaboan, (Calmet; Josephus, &c.) and reposited both (Haydock) in the treasury of the temple, as they were now of no other service.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sacrificed, by the hands of the priests, (Menochius) or at least (Haydock) gave them the blood to offer upon the altars, which were placed at six paces from one another, in imitation of David, 2 Kings vi. 13. (Calmet) --- Could not. See chap. vii. 47._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wings. These covered the smaller cherubim, upon the ark. (Haydock) (Chap. vi. 23, 27.) --- The formed a sort of throne, with their wings extended, from one side of the building to the other, (Calmet) twenty cubits long. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out. In the days of Moses, these staves had touched the veil of the tabernacle: but now, as the place for the ark was twice as large, they were no longer perceived; though they remained in the holes prepared for them by Moses, till the author wrote; which must have been before the captivity. Unless... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nothing else, &c. There was nothing else but the tables of the law within the ark. But on the outside of the ark, or near the ark, were also the rod of Aaron, and a golden urn with manna, Hebrews ix. 4. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- These might have been in the ark while it was not fixed: but after... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cloud. He alludes to Leviticus xvi. 2. (Menochius) --- God had so frequently appeared in this manner, that Solomon was authorized to consider it as the symbol of his presence, Exodus xiv. 19., xxiv. 16., and xl. 32., and Psalm xvii. 12. This luminous cloud filled the whole temple, to convince all t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ever. He seems to contrast this solid and glittering fabric with the cloud, (Menochius) as, in some sort, more worthy of God's presence. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stood. It is pretended that the king alone was allowed to sit. (Calmet) --- But here Solomon stood, upon an eminence made of brass, 2 Paralipomenon vi. 13. (Haydock) --- He pronounced the blessing, (part of which is given, ver. 15-22) with his face turned towards the people, as e was also in the co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Own hands, or almighty power, (Menochius) hath fulfilled his promise. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heaven, falling on his knees, ver. 54., and 2 Paralipomenon vi. 13. This is the first instance we find of people praying on their knees, which was common afterwards, 1 Esdras ix. 5., Isaias xlv. 24., Daniel vi. 10., and Acts ix. 40., and xx. 36. The Christian church generally adopts this custom. So... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sight. Solomon was aware of the conditions on which he held his crown and the divine favour, so that his fall is the more inexcusable. (Haydock) --- His posterity lost a great part of the kingdom, though they had the right to rule over Juda, till the coming of Christ. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth. Full of admiration, he breaks out into this pathetic exclamation, wondering that God should deign to accept of what he had done; and that, by the symbol of his presence, he should engage to honour this temple in a more particular manner, and to shower down his graces with a more liberal hand... [ Continue Reading ]
_My name. It shall be called the house of God. (Haydock) --- There people shall come to do homage to the Lord. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Oath. In certain cases, an oath would clear a person, Exodus xxii. 11. Solomon prays that perjury may be disclosed. --- Altar. It was customary to touch the altar, when a person took an oath, as Hannibal did. K. Latinus says; Tango aras mediosque ignes et Numina testor---_ Nulla dies pacem hanc It... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. A reward is clearly promised to good works. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fathers. In the place of their captivity they might turn, like Daniel, towards the temple. (Calmet) --- God had threatened that he would punish his people by the hand of their enemies, &c., if they transgressed, Leviticus xxvi. 17. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mildew. Hebrew also, "a bruchus," or a young locust. Protestants, "caterpillar."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heart: his offence. Septuagint Greek: aphen, "touching, or compunction." (Haydock) --- Let a man go to the source of the evil, and be sorry for his sins. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men. God cannot be imposed upon. If our heart be not moved with sorrow for our offences, including a degree of love, in vain shall we stretch forth our hands in prayer. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stranger. God watches over all mankind; and oblations were received from all sorts of people, even from idolaters. The kings of Persia and Egypt, the Roman emperors, &c., made great presents, 1 Esdras iii. 7., and vii. 21. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] xi., and xii. 2.) It seems the court of the Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Name. It was the practice of the religious Jews, to pray with their eyes turned towards the holy place, ver. 48. The primitive Christians looked towards the east, in prayer, to remind them of the ascension of our Saviour, (Calmet) from Mount Olivet, in that quarter. (Haydock) (Psalm lxvii. 34.) (St... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heart. Without this, external repentance will not suffice. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VIII. _ Iron. This expression is often used to denote the rigour of the Egyptian bondage, Deuteronomy iv. 20. Thus Homer says, that Mars was shut up for thirteen months in a barrel (or prison) of brass. (Iliad E.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judgment, granting his just request, and defending him against all his enemies. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Sheep, and other small beasts, during the seven days, without counting the oblations of individuals. The law had not prescribed any particular rites for the dedication of places. But common sense dictated that sacred things should be distinguished from such as were common. Moses and David had set a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Court of the priests. An altar was there erected, in haste. Fire from heaven came to consume the victims, 2 Paralipomenon vii. 1. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Egypt. Rhinocolura, (Menochius) or rather the branch of the Nile nearest Arabia, Josue xiii. 3., and Numbers xiii. 22. (Calmet) --- Seven, for each festival, ver. 1._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eighth day, at the conclusion of the second octave. (Haydock) --- Blessed the king, as he had done them before. The most honourable performs this office, Hebrew vii. 7. (Calmet) --- The king and people wished all sorts of happiness to each other. --- David. The glory of his son reflected honour on... [ Continue Reading ]