John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the Lord , etc.] Whom this assembly represented: and in the audience of our God ; before him, as Jarchi, in whose presence they were, and who heard and saw all that passed, and to whom David appeals as a witness; the Targum is, “before the Word of the Lord.” before whom all things are naked and open, ( Hebrews 4:12,13) keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God ; seek to know them, search for them in the word of God, and endeavour to keep them: that ye may possess this good land ; continue in the possession of it, for by their obedience they held it, ( Isaiah 1:19) and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever ; that so they might not be removed from it, and carried captive into other lands, as they were for their disobedience.
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 ועתה6258 לעיני5869 כל3605 ישׂראל3478 קהל6951 יהוה3068 ובאזני241 אלהינו430 שׁמרו8104 ודרשׁו1875 כל3605 מצות4687 יהוה3068 אלהיכם430 למען4616 תירשׁו3423 את853 הארץ776 הטובה2896 והנחלתם5157 לבניכם1121 אחריכם310 עד5704 עולם׃5769
