_And David commanded to gather together the strangers._ WHAT WE CANNOT DESTROY MAY BE USEFULLY EMPLOYED Whom we are not able to destroy we may be able to employ in holy service, is a doctrine which is not applicable to persons only, but has a distinct reference to emotions, passions, impulses, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And David prepared iron in abundance._ BUILDERS It sometimes becomes difficult to say who really did build the temple, so little was left for Solomon to do. Is it not so with all the temples of civilisation? Who built the temple of literature? Who erected the temple of science? Who is the archite... [ Continue Reading ]
_And David said, Solomon my son is young._ THE IDEAL TEMPLE I. The motive which set David to work in preparing for building the temple. This motive was thankfulness for a great mercy--God’s mercy in arresting the pestilence. God sends us deliverances from earthly calamities, not merely, not chiefl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then he called for Solomon his son._ DAVID’S CHARGE TO SOLOMON I. A father’s privilege. 1. To cherish a lofty ideal for his son. This does not require that the father should undertake to decide the particulars of his son’s career. This would involve the danger of weakening his will, of lessening... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, my son, the Lord be with thee._ A FATHER’S PRAYER FOR HIS SON I. For the possession of moral qualities. 1. Wisdom and understanding. 2. Strength end moral courage. II. For the presence of God. III. For successful undertaking. (_J. Wolfendale._) CONDITION OF SUCCESSFUL EFFORT I. Persona... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord._ GREAT ENTERPRISES FOR GOD I. That great things done for God look poor in the sight of the noble souls by whom they are done. “Now, behold in my trouble,” or as rendered in the margin, “in my poverty,” or as it is given in the m... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee._ DAVID’S 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 fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God._ SEEKING AFTER GOD I. The occasion on which this injunction was given. II. The injunction itself. 1. The great object of our life. 2. In what way we are to prosecute it. (1) Avail yourselves of the opportunities afforded for public u... [ Continue Reading ]