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158 king's friend: and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king's host was Joab. And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies

34. after Ahithophel] Cp. ver. 33.

Jehoiada the son of Benaiah] Either we must read, "Benaiah the son of Jehoiada" (cp. xviii. 17), or we must assume that a person known only from this passage is meant.

and Abiathar] Possibly such a phrase as "And Zadok and Abiathar were priests" (cp. 2 Sam. xx. 25) originally stood here.

XXVIII, XXIX.&emsp;

1—8 (cp. xxii. 17—19).&emsp;

The glorious reign now reaches a fitting climax. David summons the assembly of all the princes and commanders of Israel, and, in the presence of the heir to the throne, addresses them in a final oration. He recounts his Divine election and rule over Israel and the promise that the same Divine Power will be with Solomon his son (xxviii. 1—10). Then, handing over to Solomon the inspired plans for the Temple (11—21), and briefly describing the treasures he has amassed for its enrichment (xxix. 1—5) he appeals to the liberality of the people and is met by a magnificent response (6—9). Finally, in a prayer of fine humility and faith (10—20), he commends his son and his people to the eternal and all-powerful God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. How immense the contrast between this and the pathetically real picture of the closing days of David portrayed in 1 Kin. i., ii. 1—11! There the dying monarch is seen, exhausted in mind and body, surrounded by the intrigues of an Eastern palace. With a last flicker of his strength, he rouses himself to secure the succession of Solomon by firm but ruthless orders against the leaders of the opposing faction. Whilst the narrative in Kings is indispensable to us in preserving some record of the actual history of the last days of David, Chron. is also of great value in its own way as a religious interpretation of history (Introd. pp. liii, lv). Rightly understood, this farewell speech is in many respects a noble and inspiring passage of Scripture: so ought a perfect reign to end. Here David dies, leaving his country peaceful, powerful, and contented. He dies believing that his people's true prosperity is in its zeal for the worship of God; and for that end, with the popular approval, he has made marvellous preparation. And lastly he dies, in no vain-glorious spirit, but conscious of the littleness of man and the majesty of God, and in humble dependence on the continuance of Grace.

1. the princes of the tribes] Cp. xxvii. 16—22.