John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel , etc.] The proselytes, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; that is, proselytes of the gate, who submitted to the seven precepts of Noah, were admitted to dwell in the Cities of Israel, (see Genesis 9:4) and these were ordered to be got together to be employed in building the temple, and making preparations for it; and that partly because they were better artificers than the Israelites, who were chiefly employed in husbandry and cattle, and partly that the Israelites, who were freemen, might not be put to hard service; but chiefly this was for the sake of a mystery in it, denoting that the Gentiles would be concerned in building the spiritual house and church of God, the temple was a type and figure of, (see Zechariah 6:15) and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God ; to dig them out of the quarries, and fit them for the building.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - On occasion of the terrible judgment inflicted on Israel for the sin of David, God pointed out the place where he would have the temple built upon which, David was excited to make preparations for the great work David must not build, but he would do all he could; he prepare abundantly before his death. What our hands find to do for God, and ou souls, and those round us, let us do it with all our might, before ou death; for after death there is no device nor working. And when the Lord refuses to employ us in those services which we desired, we mus not be discouraged or idle, but do what we can, though in a humble sphere.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 דויד1732 לכנוס3664 את853 הגרים1616 אשׁר834 בארץ776 ישׂראל3478 ויעמד5975 חצבים2672 לחצוב2672 אבני68 גזית1496 לבנות1129 בית1004 האלהים׃430
