August 1924
514
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
the scholars and let them read it. To Mephibosheth is given the restoration of all the land of his father; a place at the table of the king; and his lame, feet were hidden beneath the king’s table. A wonderfully human story of the heart and devotion of a king to the memory of a devoted friend. Topics for Study (1) What place should a house of God have in the heart of the people? (2) What should the church building be used for: a dance house and movie show, or a place for medita tion on the Word of Goc| and worship? (3) What was the temple to be a type of? (John 2:19-21). (4) Does God recognize and honor the purpose of a heart that longs to honor Him? (vs. 13; 14). (5) What three things concerning God’s Word, God’s pur pose and God’s faithfulness are found in Ch. ’7? (6) Were the wars spoken of in Chapters ,8 and 10 jus tifiable? and why?, (7) What verse in Ch. 8 gives an insight into the char acter of David’s reign? 7 :2 . He dwells in his house of cedar, and thinks it an unseemly thing that Jehovah’s ark should dwell within curtains. We see once more, how a man’s heart may be right with God and his thoughts wrong.— Grant. 7 :7 . Because God had hitherto been COMMENTS -satisfied with the'tabernacle and had FROM THE manifested Himself there; David was COMMENTARIES forbidden to build a temple! A finer V. V. Morgan edifice might, easily corrupt the spirit ual simplicity of the Hebrew religion Chronicles gives' the further reason that David had been a man of war, and temple- building could best be done fly a man of peace.— Peloubet. What did David do toward the building of the temple’ Solomon’s work would have been impossible without the great store of material which David made ready against the building.. If you. cannot have what ,you hope(l, do not sit down in despair and allow the’ energies of your life to rim to waste; blit arise, and gird yourSelf to help Others to achieve.— Meyer. 7:13, Observe, that the “ house” God promises to build fdr David, (vv. 11, Í3) , is neither'á material nor a spiritual one, but, ás distinguished from either, a political one. It is a .house in the: sense of ah earthly ¡kingdom to be set up in his son. But it is clear that, the son is not merely Solo mon who immediately succeeded to the throne, but the Lord JeSiis Christ, of whom, in a limited sénse, ¡Solomon Is a type. The word “ forever” in this vérse foreshadows this, but the first sentence of verse 14, compared with Hebrews 1:8, settles it.-—-Gray. 7:16. This covenant, upon which the glorious kingdom of Christ “ of the séed of David according to the flesh” is to be founded, secures: (1) A Davidic “ house” i. e. posterity, family. (2) A “throne” i. e; royal authority. (3), A “ king dom” i. e. sphere of rule. (4) In perpetuity i. e. “ forever,” (5) Arid this fourfold covenant has but one condition; dis obedience in the Davidic family is to be visited with chas tisement, but not to the abrogation of the covenant (2 Sam. 7 :15 ; Psa. 89:20-37; Isa. 2 4 :5 ; 5 4 :3 ). The chastisement fell; first in the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam, and finally, in the captivities (2 Kgs. 25 :1 -7 ). Since that time but one King of the Davidic family has been crowned at Jerusalem and He was crowned with thorns. But the Davidic Covenant confirmed to David by the oath of Jeho vah, and renewed to Mary by ,the angel Gabriel, is immut able (Psa. 89:30-37), and the Lord God will yet give to thát thorn-crowned One “ the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-32; 15:14-17).— Scofield. 7:18. It is plain that we have Such a full declaration of divine grace in a promise which, ministered through David, is the only hope of the world as well, that man’s self-right eousness, so ready to manifest itself even in a saint, is abashed and humbled. David, from a would-be worker, is brought to sit before God in rest and adoration.— Grant. 7:19. He seemed to have recognized by faith the Mes sianic character of Nathan’s words, if we may judge by Horsley’s and Clarke’s translation of vs. 19: “ Lord God, and introduce idolatries.
nitude of the finished work, which God hath wrought in Jesus Christ in your behalf overwhelmed you and have you not, with David, been compelled to say, > ‘*For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have hearil with our ears.” (vs. 21, 22) and has your soul welled up in gratitude and praise for His marvelous grace; and have you burst out in a song of praise, “ Great is thé Lord and greatly to be praised;’’ and have you gladly re-dedicated yourself to Him? “What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus; What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord.” " Let us pray as did David, “Let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant.” * (2) THE HOSTILE PÉOPLE CONQUERED, Chs. 8 and 10, “And David smote the Philistines and subdued them.” 8:1. 1. Recognition of Conditions. There are some things which we are forced to face as the servants Of God. We afé saved. We are His. We must use all of God’s appointed privilèges for the preservation of our lives and for the Church.* Israel was in a land surrounded by the enemies of God. In order that she be protected, the enemy must be subdued. The land must bé surveyed, the-facts obtained and the cam paign commenced and carried on until complete. This is wisdom. So it is with the church today. . God’s enemies are the enemies of the Christian and of the church. They are many and complex. The Christian life' is the life of a warrior. We are foolish if we do not make a survey and take up the war, and . then dedicate, ourselves and ,all that, we have to His service. ■« 2. Resort to Arms. “ Fight the good fight of-faith..’-’ The battle, is the Lord’s, lie is the Leader. lie gives the orders. He conquers and He must have the praise. Th,e call today to the church is to put on the whole armor (Eph. 6:11-17). The enemy ip. powerful, but our Leader has nevér lost a battle (Eph. 6 :1 8 ). “Praying: always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,’and w-atchinig therèiintò with all perseverance mill .sup plication for all saints.” • ’ ’ " ’ ■’ . - Victory is assured. (Read Chapter's TO, TÌ ànd l 2 ) . 5' 3. The Righteous Reign. Thé conflict was ’completed and one verse tells the,story of success. (8 :1 5 ). .“And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed jus tice and judgment to all his people.” Justice and judgment unto all is what we must seek and what God delights to give. So our David will some good day sit upon the throne and with the world sceptre in His hand give to the people, a righteous reign. God speed the day! . . , (3) THE HONORABLE PROVISION FOR MEPHIBO- SHETH, Ch. 9. “ Is there any that is left of thè house of Saul?” v. 1. David is on the throne. He is reigning in righteousness. But he has not lost his memory. He thinks back to Jona than and is mindful of his promise to him. (1 Sam. 20:14, 15). In the first verse of this chapter David expresses a desire to show kindness for Jonathan’s sake, and in the third verse hé says “that I may show the kindness of God unto him.” A good many years have passed. Mephibosheth, thé child, has grown to manhood and has a son (v. 12). Hère is a wonderful story— a love story— worthy the whole time allotted for our lesson. Give the Scripture to
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