_I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains._ PROPOSAL TO BUILD A TEMPLE 1. The spirit of David was essentially active and fond of work. Even in Eastern countries, with their proverbial stillness and conservatism, such men are sometimes found, but they are far more co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?_ FOLDED HANDS 1. Let us understand that a purpose may be good, yet Providence may see fit to deny its accomplishment. That is to say, God may take the will for the deed. We may work up a sort of personal enthusiasm, and because the end appears righ... [ Continue Reading ]
_I took thee from the sheepcote._ GOD’S MAKING OF A LIFE Though he was a born king by nature and character, David was not born a king. His father was a simple farmer, and his childhood was spent in the quiet scenes of a humble village. Jesus was born in the same Judean village-city, little Bethlehe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go, do all that is in thine heart._ DIVINE CORRECTION OF A PROPHET’S MISTAKE AND DIVINE DENIAL OF A KING’S DESIRE 1. It is pleasant to glance at the circumstances which gave birth to David’s desire to build the temple. The regal position into which he passed on the death of Saul was no bed of rose... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house._ GOD’S COVENANT WITH DAVID 1. This narrative is an interesting illustration of the truth that God will honour the man who seeks to honour Him. David wanted to build a house for the Lord, and he was moved to it, we have reason to believe, by th... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will be his Father, and he shall be my son._ DIVINE RELATIONSHIP I. Jehovah’s relationship. God has written in His Word, saying, “I will be his Father, and he shall be my son.” Here I commence with a fundamental principle, and that because fundamental principles, in our day, are become almost o... [ Continue Reading ]
_But my mercy shall not depart away from him._ BUT ONE FORSAKEN AND HE VICTORIOUS At Mildmay, Mr. Spurgeon related the story of an aged saint, who, depressed much with bodily infirmity, asked a friend if he ever knew anyone forsaken of God, for that was his condition. “Only one,” was the reply, “b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever._ THE ADVANTAGES OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT CONTRASTED WITH THE BLESSINGS OF THE SPIRITUAL KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST I. The first and primary advantage expected from every well-constituted human government is security and the sense of security. The de... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then went King David in and sat before the Lord._ DAVID’S ADDRESS TO THE LORD I. The sovereignty of Divine grace. A purpose of love is disclosed here. It is seen in the choice of David and his house, and in the merciful designs which were announced to them. The text furnishes us with a striking i... [ Continue Reading ]