MPV Commentary

David Apologizes for Solomon's Youth and Announces His Own Contribution

David addresses the assembly of leaders to explain why he is making such a grand effort to prepare for the construction of the temple, despite his son Solomon being young and inexperienced. David notes that Solomon's youth is not necessarily a disadvantage, as there are examples of wise governance during minority rule. However, David's reference to Solomon's age serves to justify his elaborate preparations for the project.

In addition to the vast treasure he has already set aside for various temple purposes, David makes an additional contribution from his personal wealth to be used specifically for overlaying the walls of the house. This gift consists of three thousand talents of gold and seven thousand talents of refined silver, both carefully selected with great care. The gold is renowned as the finest in the world, known as "the gold of Ophir" (Job 22:24; 28:16; Isaiah 13:12).

David then invites others to contribute voluntarily, using a phrase that means "to fill one's hand," or make an offering (Exodus 32:29; Leviticus 8:33; 1 Kings 13:33). This is a sacrifice that each person can make, and by presenting it, the offerer becomes their own priest. David's request for freewill offerings for the temple follows the example of Moses in reference to the tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-8).

The leaders of the people, including the heads of families, tribal princes, and officials responsible for the king's work, respond by offering willingly according to their abilities. Their combined contributions total five thousand talents of gold, ten thousand darics (a Persian coin worth about 25 shillings), ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of brass, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. Those who found precious stones among the offerings gave them as well, depositing these gifts in the hands of Jehiel, whose family was responsible for managing the temple's treasures (1 Chronicles 26:21).