[DOC] ?????? - ccbiblestudy

?Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 2 Chronicles?(Various
Authors)

Commentator
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, by Joseph Exell, William
Jones, George Barlow, W. Frank Scott, and others, was published in 37
volumes as a sermon preparation and study resource. It is a commentary
"written by preachers for preachers" and offers thousands of pages of:
. Detailed illustrations suitable for devotional study and preaching
. Extensive helps in application of Scripture for the listener and
reader
. Suggestive and explanatory comments on verses
. Theological outlines of passages
. Expository notes
. Sketches and relevant quotes
. Brief critical notes on chapters
Although originally purposed as a minister's preparation tool, the
Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary is also a fine personal study
supplement.

00 Introduction

See the chapter comments for Second Chronicles.

01 Chapter 1

Verses 1-17
CRITICAL NOTES.] The reign of Solomon is comprised in nine chapters of
this book, corresponding to 1 Kings 1-11, and forms the third part of the
whole work. This chapter contains the sacrifice at Gibeon, the vision and
the wealth of Solomon.
2Ch .-Solomon's offering at Gibeon. Strengthened, a favourite word (cf.
2Ch 12:13; 2Ch 13:21; 2Ch 21:4), meaning established, firmly settled in
government. Magnified (1Ch 29:25). 2Ch 1:2. All Israel, by their
representatives. Captains (1Ch 27:1; 1Ch 28:1). Judges desirable on all
occasions like this (1Ch 23:4). Chief of fathers. Heads of families still
recognised, though having no special function (cf. Speak. Com.). 2Ch 1:3.
Gibeon. Through inroads of Philistines, tabernacle removed from Shiloh to
Nob (1Sa 21:1); after destruction of Nob by Saul to Gibeon (1Sa 22:9). 2Ch
1:4. Ark separated from tabernacle, consequently two centres of worship
(cf. account in 1 Chronicles 13, 15). 2Ch 1:5. Altar (marg.) "was there;"
this, therefore, the legitimate place of worship. Sought, i.e., frequented
it, in the habit of making use of it [Speak. Com.]. Some give "sought Him,
the Lord."
2Ch .-Solomon's vision at Gibeon. Night, after sacrifice, through dream
(1Ki 3:5-15). 2Ch 1:8. Me to reign. First case of son succeeding father.
2Ch 1:9. Promise, special, made to David, that his successor should be wise
and able to judge. Though no express record, Psalms 72, amounts to nearly
the same; a Psalm undoubtedly Messianic, yet its primary subject is
Solomon. May we not understand Solomon here as calling upon God to make
good this prophecy, to "establish" this implied "promise"? [Speak. Com.]
2Ch 1:10. Knowledge, insight (cf. Dan 1:4-17; Ecc 10:20). Wisdom, the power
of applying knowledge rightly. Go out, do all parts of the kingly office;
reminding of Deu 31:2; 1Sa 18:13-16; 1Ki 3:7. 2Ch 1:11-12. God's answer.
Long life omitted here, given in 1Ki 3:14, conditionally. Riches and
wealth, stores of commodities ready for use.
2Ch .-Solomon's riches came "from the high place that was at Gibeon to
Jerusalem" [Speak. Com.]. 2Ch 1:14-17. This passage is very nearly
identical with 1Ki 10:26-29. The only difference of any importance is the
addition here (2Ch 1:15) of the words "and gold," which do not occur in 1Ki
10:27. The touch thus added is characteristic of the writers of writer of
Chronicles, who is more rhetorical and more bold in his use of hyperbole
than the author of Kings [Speak. Com.].
HOMILETICS
THE SPLENDID BEGINNING.-2Ch
Solomon magnified in character, accession, and choice. Many princes have
had good fathers, wise training, and great privileges, but lacked wisdom
and turned out badly. Solomon crowned while David lived, surrounded by a
loyal people and blessed by Divine Providence. His beginning wise, most
promising and glorious.
I. Solomon's accession to the throne was providentially secured. "The
Lord his God was with him." Chosen, he was enthroned, not deprived of the
kingdom. Endangered by sedition, he was "strengthened," established. The
feast of conspirators broken up. Adonijah fled to the altar for refuge.
God's providence opened up the way, and God's promise was fulfilled. In
allusion to the rapid suppression of resistance, and to this signal
entrance on his new reign, without rival or rebel, Solomon declares, "As
the Lord liveth, which hath established me and set me on the throne of
David my father," &c.
II. Solomon's claims to the throne were sanctioned by a representative
assembly. He was confirmed by recognition and allegiance of all the tribes
in representatives. Captains, judges, and heads of families, princes, and
people-all received him. Those in authority should side with right and use
their influence to promote true religion and God's glory. Weakness in
kings, selfishness in rulers, and disaffection in people, outrage liberty,
destroy the peace, and endanger the throne of kingdoms
"Let not the world see fear and sad mistrust
Govern the motion of a kingly eye" [Shakes.].
III. Solomon's accession to the throne was signalised by solemn acts of
worship. "All the congregation with him," a vast concourse of dignitaries
in solemn procession on its way up the hill to Gibeon, six miles north of
Jerusalem, to offer royal sacrifices!
1. In obedience to divine law. The brazen altar was there (2Ch ); that
is, the Gibeonite sanctuary was still the legal, the official and
historically rightful place for burnt offerings.
2. In appropriate magnificence. The holocaust became the rank and
attests the splendour of the sovereign on this occasion. Sacrifices
abundant. Zadok the officiating high priest (1Ch ). The time-honoured
altar prepared by the skill of Bezaleel in the wilderness (Exo 38:1).
IV. Solomon's accession to the throne was in a spirit of devout
supplication. How many kings begin their reigns; how many youths in
critical moments, turning-points in life, begin their course altogether
differently! Alas! many gain distinctions, enter life fully equipped, for
awhile out-distance others; but with the turn of fortune fall behind and
end in ruin. Solomon remembered the position of his predecessor, his own
youth and weakness, the responsibility under which he was placed, and made
request for gifts and grace to help him. When Victoria learned that she was
about to become Queen of England, her first words to the Archbishop of
Canterbury were, "I beg your Grace to pray for me." Together they knelt,
and the new reign began with prayer.
V. Solomon's accession to the throne was unequalled in splendour. None
before him, nor after him, had the like (2Ch ).
1. Outward splendour. "Riches and wealth and honour." Good in
themselves and good as a means of usefulness. The good which the world
seeks; but this honour decays. All worldly greatness is fleeting in
character and worthless at last. "We brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
2. Moral splendour. "Wisdom and knowledge" higher than material
wealth. The riches of Cr?sus would not add a fraction of value to a
man. "The gold is but the guinea stamp." "How much better is it to get
wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than
silver." Better, for it enriches its possessor, creates higher
enjoyments, invests with greater dignity, and is destined to longer
existence. "King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for
riches and for wisdom."
SOLOMON'S CHOICE.-2Ch
Probably at the close of festivities on Gibeon, when the mind of Solomon
had been elevated, and his heart touched, that God appeared to him in a
dream; gave him the option of everything good in the world. He felt intense
desire, and offered earnest prayer for wisdom. Whether the dream was
imaginary or not, the choice was made, and God's grant of it real. Learn-
I. That ability to discharge the duties of our calling is most desirable.
Some time since a paper appeared in a popular Review under the title, "What
knowledge is of most worth?" the object of which was to show the
sufficiency of what is generally called science to guide in life. "The
universal reply is science. This is the verdict on all counts." But what is
meant by science? If mere education without religion, knowledge without
wisdom, we cannot agree with it. There is a difference between science and
wisdom. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Science seeks truth for its
own sake, wisdom for practical uses. Science exercises the intellect,
wisdom affects the heart. A man cannot be wise and able to fulfil his
mission who does not use what he knows. Wisdom is the principal thing,
therefore get wisdom, to govern as kings "in righteousness and judgment,"
to rule as masters "in the fear of the Lord," to win souls as ministers,
for "he that winneth souls is wise."
II. That this ability can only Come from God. Solomon's surroundings
favourable, education good, friends numerous, and wealth enormous, but he
lacked wisdom, and looked to God for it. True wisdom is needed as much to
build up the Christian Church, to govern a kingdom and rule a house, as to
rear the tabernacle. If there be capacity, culture and application may make
a scholar, a philosopher, or an orator. But "the wisdom which is profitable
to direct" is "the wisdom from above." We must look to the source from
whence Bezaleel and Aholiab gained their skill and ability (Exo ). "Give me
wisdom a