1 Chronicles 22:16

1Ch 22:16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, [there is] no number. Arise [therefore], and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

Ver. 16. There is no number.] See 1Ch 22:14.

Arise therefore, and be doing.] Up and at it, laying hold on the opportunity of time, which is, saith one, aliquid aggrediendi atque conficiendi facultas, the best advantage of any business.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch_22:16

Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.

Davids charge to Solomon

This charge has respect to and gathers force from--

I. The past. Upon the life and conscience of Solomon were concentrated the considerations and responsibilities which arise out of--

1. The relations of the family covenant. Solomon was a sou of promise.

2. The influence of parental example.

3. The Divine faithfulness.

II. The present. From the present several motives and , encouragements are drawn.

1. Problems have been solved, paths of duty have been made clear, and avenues of effort and usefulness have been opened up.

2. The present was made rich in material which had been prepared and laid up in the past.

3. These preparations brought within the reach of Solomon opportunities such as had been enjoyed by no one before him. The preparation of means and material create opportunities. Providence has created for every Christian greater spiritual opportunities than Solomon enjoyed, and the responsibilities arising out of these opportunities are solemn and urgent.

4. All these motives, arguments, and considerations, drawn from the past and present, unite in a resistless appeal for action: Arise and be doing.

III. The charge has respect to the future.

1. Encouragement in his undertaking. Solomon had the promise of the Divine presence and blessing.

2. He was also encouraged in his undertaking by the fact that in the accomplishment of it the desires, hopes, and prayers of pious ancestors would be fulfilled.

3. By thus fulfilling the pious desires of godly ancestors, Solomon set in operation spiritual agencies which carry down to future ages blessings in ever widening streams of diffusive beneficence.

Application:

1. In our work we use materials and agencies which have been prepared by kings, prophets, apostles, and martyrs. All the achievements and improvements of modern science and civilisation are available in Christian work.

2. In the kingdom of God them is a place and a sphere for talents and service of all kinds. (S. J. Wilson, D. D.)

Christian activity and its reward

I. Every good man has an important work to do in his day and generation.

1. We have much to do for ourselves in the cultivation of our own minds, the improvement of our hearts, and the faithful application of our various talents.

2. We have much to do for the conversion of others.

3. We have much to do for God.

II. It behoves us to address ourselves to this work with activity, zeal, and energy.

1. Reason dictates this.

2. Gratitude impels it.

3. The brevity of life calls for this.

4. The solemn account we shall have to give should further stimulate us to zeal, activity, and energy.

5. The example of Christ tells us to Arise and be doing.

III. When occupying our talents in the exercise of our best efforts we may confidently look for the presence and blessing of God. And the Lord be with thee. This might be rendered, The Lord shall be with thee.

1. There is a general presence of God with His people, which they enjoy in common with all mankind.

2. There is an especial presence of God with His people, which is the promise of His covenant.

Reflections: This subject will--

1. Reprove the idler.

2. Admonish those who are attempting to work without due dependence upon God.

3. Heaven is a place of ceaseless activity. (George Clayton.)

A new years exhortation

I. The sphere of Christian service.

II. The manner of Christian service.

1. Be ready and on the look-out for something to do.

2. Let us find something to do.

3. When youve finished one job, set about another. Be doing.

III. The vower of Christian service. The Lord with thee.

1. His presence will quicken our energy.

2. Will lighten our labour. (R. S. Latimer.)

Inactivity the dry-rot of young men

In-activity is the dry-rot of thousands of Christian young men. You will never gain a good appetite for Gods Word, or a flush of joy on your countenance, until you lay hold of some earnest, self-denying work and keep at it. Nothing will impart such a holy vehemence to your prayers as to spend an hour by a sick-bed, or in close labour with an impenitent heart. Nothing will stiffen your muscle more than tough up-hill work in behalf of some unpopular cause or moral reform. The only cure for indolence is honest work; the only cure for selfishness is self-sacrifice; the only cure for timidity is to plunge into duty before the shiver benumbs you; the only cure for unbelief is to put Christ to the test every day. Prayer must kill unbelief, or else unbelief will kill prayer. The Christian warfare is not a single pitched battle; it is a campaign for life. You may often imagine that you have attended the funeral of some besetting sin--and lo! it is on its feet again next morning! You wont fire the last shot until the gates of glory welcome you in among the crowned conquerors. (T. C. Cuyler.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 22:16. Of the brass and the iron there is no number — The meaning is, the quantity of brass and iron was not numbered, as that of the gold and silver was. Arise, therefore, and be doing — When thou shalt come to the throne. The sense of God’s presence must not slacken our endeavours; because he is with us, we must rise and be doing. Then he will be with us even to the end. Work out your salvation, and God will work in you.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That is, go about it quickly.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(16) Arise therefore, and be doing.—A phrase which recurs at Ezr_10:4.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. Arise therefore] R.V. omits therefore.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

David also commanded all the princes of Israel,.... His courtiers and nobles that were about him:

to help Solomon his son; by their advice, and with their purses, should he need them, and by overlooking the workmen, directing and encouraging them:

saying; as follows.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Be doing, to wit, when thou shalt come to the throne in my stead.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Arise and be doing. The first and last words of Ezr_10:4 are found here, and note may be made of the similarity of theexpression.

Be doing.

When David had done all that lay in his power, he commended the rest to his son Solomon. The son was not to rest in indolence because the father had wrought with zeal and given with liberality. Nor, because assured of the approval and the help of Heaven, was he to remit diligence and devotion. This David clearly impressed upon him in addressing to Solomon the brief but stirring admonition of the text: "Arise, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee." The summons may well be addressed to every Christian heart.

I MAN"S NATURE IS ACTIVE. We are made, not only to think and to feel, but to do. The contemplative man, if his contemplations have no influence upon his life, is justly despised. "In all labour there is profit." "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

II THE DEMANDS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE ARE FOR ACTION. The world in which we find ourselves corresponds to the nature with which we are endowed. In every position of life there is a loud call for activity. Without exertion and labour no good can be accomplished.

III THE SUMMONS OF TRUE RELIGION IS TO ACTIVITY. The sloth of men may sometimes misinterpret religion; may endeavour to persuade them that all they need is to believe the truth, and to feel deeply when religious truth is addressed to them. But the Scriptures give no countenance to such errors, but teach us to "show our faith by our works," and so prove the sincerity of our love.

IV THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST IS AN EXAMPLE OF ACTIVITY. He both did the will of his Father and taught men to do likewise. This was his meat and drink; of this he never wearied. "He wrought the works of him that sent him while it was day.

V THE BLESSING OF GOD MAY BE EXPECTED TO REST UPON SANCTIFIED ACTIVITY. The Holy Spirit of God alike inspires, directs, and prospers the labours of his people. T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Be doing - When thou shalt come to the throne. The sense of God's presence must not slacken our endeavours; because he is with us, we must rise and be doing. Then he will be with us even to the end. Work out your salvation, and God will work in you.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

David also commanded all the princes of Israel,.... His courtiers and nobles that were about him:

to help Solomon his son; by their advice, and with their purses, should he need them, and by overlooking the workmen, directing and encouraging them:

saying; as follows.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)