John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Then David the king stood up upon his feet , etc.] Rose from the bed or couch on which he lay, as Kimchi thinks, being somewhat recovered of his paralytic disorder, and being willing to exert himself on this occasion; or he rose up from the seat or throne, on which he before sat, in honour to this august assembly before him, and that he might be the more easily heard; for which reason we are told it was a custom with the ancients even for kings to stand up when they had a number of people about them they spoke to; and if anyone sat it was reckoned a new and strange thing; so Agamemnon, when wounded, did not speak sitting, until he had made an excuse for it: and said, hear me, my brethren, and my people ; having something of moment and importance to say unto them, and which required their diligent attention; and though they were his subjects, he calls them his brethren, being of the same nation and religion, and to show his modesty and humility; in which he was a type of Christ, the King of kings, (see Hebrews 2:11) as for me, I had it in my heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord ; where it might abide, and not be removed from place to place; the same he had told Solomon, ( 1 Chronicles 22:7) and for the footstool of our God ; or “even for it”, for the ark is meant, which is so called, ( Psalm 99:5 132:7,8) for as the Lord sat between the cherubim over the mercy seat, the lid of the ark, it was, speaking after the manner of men, a footstool to him: and had made ready for the building ; prepared materials for it; (see Chronicles 22:4,14-16 29:2-5).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - During David's last sickness, many chief priests and Levites were a Jerusalem. Finding himself able, David spoke of his purpose to build temple for God, and of God's disallowing that purpose. He opened to them God's gracious purposes concerning Solomon. David charged them to cleave stedfastly to God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divin grace. Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledg of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. God is made known by his works and word. Revelation alone shows the whol character of God, in his providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless worm, deserving wrath, ye expecting every thing needful from the free mercy and grace of God ou Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to love much.
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 דויד1732 המלך4428 על5921 רגליו7272 ויאמר559 שׁמעוני8085 אחי251 ועמי5971 אני589 עם5973 לבבי3824 לבנות1129 בית1004 מנוחה4496 לארון727 ברית1285 יהוה3068 ולהדם1916 רגלי7272 אלהינו430 והכינותי3559 לבנות׃1129
