They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
Ver. 69. They gave after their ability] Men must take heed they stretch not beyond the staple, and so mar all. But few are herein faulty; few Macedonians, that, to their power and beyond, are willing of themselves, &c., 2 Corinthians 8:8. Rari quippe boni.
Threescore and one thousand drams of gold] That is, nineteen thousand sixty-two pounds ten shillings.
And five thousand pound of silver] i.e. Fifteen thousand pounds sterling. These sums of money, together with the costly priests' garments, though they fall far short of what was provided and given in David's days, 1 Chronicles 22:1,19 1 Chronicles 29:1,30, towards the building of the first temple; yet, considering the mind of this poor people, and their small ability, this gift was as great in God's account. See Luke 21:1,2. The widow's mite was beyond the rich man's magnificence, because it came out of a richer mind.