2 Samuel 15:24-26

(24) В¶ And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. (25) And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: (26) But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

I have often admired the blessed frame of mind David was in, when he thus expressed himself. Surely nothing but the grace and presence of the Lord with him could have induced it at such a season. It is delightful to see that though the Lord (according to his solemn declaration by Nathan) had raised evil out of his own house, and though the Lord was correcting, he at the same time sustained him under the pressure. His direction to Zadok is as high an evidence of David's devotion and resignation, as we meet with in his whole history. Go Zadok, carry back the Ark! what though I have not the symbol and representation of Jesus, yet I shall have Jesus himself with me; and that will abundantly answer for all. What the designs of my God are in this humbling, sorrowful providence, I know not. Whether I shall ever see Jerusalem again, or whether I shall not; let my Jesus choose for me, I have no choice myself. If I shall find favour in his eyes to return, the Ark will be doubly sweet to my view; the habitation of God's house, and all things pertaining to ordinances. But, if my God say nay to this, he will not say nay to my soul in loving me. He hath spoken peace, and therefore will not unsay it. Oh, Reader! what a frame of mind is here. Better to be thus in God's hottest furnace, living upon Jesus, than at ease under any pleasing frames, or supposed attainments of our own.