They made for him what he willed of elevated chambers, statues, bowls like reservoirs, and stationary kettles. [We said], "Work, O family of David, in gratitude." And few of My servants are grateful.
Tafseer
{ يعملون له ما يشاء من محاريب } أبنية مرتفعة يصعد اليها بدرج { وتماثيل } جمع تمثال وهو كل شيء مثلته بشيء، أي صور من نحاس وزجاج ورخام، ولم يكن اتخاذ الصور حراما في شريعته { وجفان } جمع جفنه { كالجوابـ } ـي جمع جابية وهو حوض كبير، يجتمع على الجفنة ألف رجل يأكلون منها { وقدور راسيات } ثابتات لها قوائم لا تتحرك عن أماكنها تتخذ من الجبال باليمن يصعد إليها بالسلالم وقلنا { اعملوا } يا { آل داود } بطاعة الله { شكرا } له على ما أتاكم { وقليل من عبادي الشكور } العامل بطاعتي شكرا لنعمتي .
{They made for him whatever he wished of sanctuaries} high buildings that are ascended by stairs {and statues} the plural of statue, which is anything that is represented by something, i.e., images of copper, glass and marble, and making images was not forbidden in his law {and large bowls} the plural of bowl {like reservoirs} the plural of reservoir, which is a large basin, a thousand men would gather around the bowl and eat from it {and firmly fixed pots} fixed, with legs that do not move from their places, made from the mountains in Yemen, which are ascended by stairs. And We said {Work} O {family of David} in obedience to God {in gratitude} to Him for what He has given you {and few of My servants are grateful} working in obedience to Me in gratitude for My favor.
