the children, of whom they must say, they are the sons of my sorrow! Generally speaking, Generally speaking, most children are a source of grief and sorrow to their parents. Few are the parents who find their offspring a comfort and stay in their declining years. Many a parent's heart is often wrung by the unkindness of their children; and, in consequence of their misconduct, often is the gray head brought down with sorrow to the grave. (Gen. xxxv. 18.)

The blessing of Moses, pronounced on the tribe of Benjamin, was remarkable. "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders." (Deut. xxxiii. 12.) Safety, protection, security, are clearly implied in these expressions. Is not this the blessing of every child of God, as a true believer in Jesus Christ? Is he not beloved of the Lord? Does he not dwell in safety by him? Does not the Lord cover him all the day long? Is he not always upheld and preserved by him? (See Ps. lxxiii. 23-26.)

But in the course of time the tribe of Benjamin became exceedingly wicked. Most of them were cut off. Nearly the whole tribe was destroyed. The wickedness recorded in the latter part of the Book of Judges (ch. xx.) is shocking to think of; and shews how greatly they had degenerated from the prophetic character given by Moses. Is this, alas! an uncommon case? Is not the natural tendency of the human heart from bad to worse? Do not individuals, families, congregations, churches, nations, sometimes take a rapid course in the downhill path? Nay, is not this proneness to evil so inveterate, that, were not God to keep alive the spark of grace in the heart, and a seed of believers in the church, every good impression would soon be swept away, and every vestige of godliness would ultimately disappear from the earth? How greatly and how constantly are we indebted to the grace of God, if we are preserved from the prevalent impiety of mankind!

The mention of the names of Saul and Jonathan brings many sad and many pleasing reflections to mind. The kindness and love of Jonathan to David are delightful. We should never forget such a pure and disinterested friendship as they exhibited. At

VOL. II.

the same time, let us look beyond them to a far more illustrious instance of divine love in the person of Jesus, who undertook our cause, and died to redeem our soul. What manner of love is this! His love never ceases; and his mercies never end. But Saul's case is miserable, and alarming in the highest degree. Though called to a kingdom on earth, he never entered the kingdom above. Though wearing a glittering crown, he lost his precious soul. And why? Because his heart was never right with God. There is no more dangerous case for any man to be in, than for the heart not to be right in the sight of God. He who is in that state, is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. Take warning, then, by the example of Saul. Never trust in your own heart. Let not your heart deceive you. Let your prayer be, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. li. 10.)

CHAPTER IX.

1 The original of Israel's and Judah's genealogies. 2 The Israelites, 10 the priests, 14 and the Levites, with Nethinims, which dwelt in Jerusalem. 27 The charge of certain Levites. 35 The stock of Saul and Jonathan. NO all Israel were reckoned by genealo

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gies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.

3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;

4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.

5 And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.

6 And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.

7 And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,

8 And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;

9 And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six.

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All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.

10 ¶ And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,

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11 And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;

12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;

13 And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

15 And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;

16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

17 And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;

18 Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.

20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.

21 And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

22 All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their "set office.

23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.

24 In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.

25 And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them.

26 For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their "set office, and were over the 7 chambers and treasuries of the house of God.

27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.

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28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.

29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the 'instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.

32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the 12 shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.

33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for "they were employed in that work day and night.

34 These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:

36 And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, 37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

And

38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

39 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.

40 And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Merib-baal begat Micah.

41 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.

42 And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;

43 And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael,

THERE are some things in this chapter which may suggest much profitable consideration and improvement.

It is said, "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgressions" (v. 1). Now, on this passage you may observe, how careful they were to preserve the names of the genealogies of the several tribes. They were all written in the royal books. They were all distinctly noted. They had only to refer to those books; and there each one might find his name, and the tribe to which he belonged. Is there not some reference to this fact in other parts of Scripture, in a far higher sense than any earthly pedigree? Is there not the "Lamb's book of life?" Do you not read of the names of the people of God "written" in that book of life? Does not this truth, more or less, pervade the sacred volume? When the Lord writeth up the people, will he not rehearse "that this man was born there?" Are not they, whose sins are purged away, "written among the living" in Jerusalem? Is there not a book of remembrance "written before the Lord for them that fear the Lord and think upon his name?" And in the last day, is it not said, that whosoever is not found "written in the Lamb's book of life" shall be cast into the lake of fire? Let no one, then, think this a light matter. One way or the other, it is every thing to us all. All who are born of God; all who are interested in Christ; all who are saved by grace; all the chosen, redeemed, justified, and sanctified people of God, are written in that book. They belong to the spiritual genealogy of Christ; and their pedigree is recorded in heaven. May our names be written there; and our portion be with them for ever! (Rev. xxi. 27; xx. 15; Ps. lxxxvii. 5, 6; Is. iv. 3; Mal. iii. 16, 17.)

Next observe, why it was they were carried

away captive. That a nation so highly favoured as they had been; that a people so wonderful in every respect as they were, from the origin of their existence to the date of their downfall, should have been cast off in this manner, and become such a byword and proverb among all nations, must have sprung from some fearful cause. The question is, what was that cause? and the passage before us gives the true reply. They were carried away for their transgressions. This was the cause. They had transgressed against the God of their fathers; and they went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land whom God destroyed before them. And is is not sin the cause of all the calamities which befall nations and individuals in all ages? Doubtless it is; and, therefore, let all lay this to heart. Let all repent of their sins. Let all cry for mercy. Let all amend their ways and their doings. Let every thing displeasing to God be cast aside; and let all aim to live and walk according to the truths of his holy Word. Then shall they prosper and have good success. Then shall it be well with us in this world, and in that which is to come.

There is, also, another thing to be observed in the opening of this chapter. It is generally understood that these Books of the Chronicles were compiled or written, under the immediate inspiration of God, about the time, or soon after the restoration of the Babylonian captivity. The facts, therefore, recorded become exceedingly interesting in many respects; especially so in regard to the fulfilment of the foregoing predictions respecting Israel and Judah. Now, it is here expressly recorded that, upon that restoration, both Israel and Judah dwelt in their possessions; and that Israel was the first to settle in this In the second and third verses it

manner.

is said, that the Israelites and others were "the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities; and that the children of Judah and others dwelt in Jerusalem. The same you may find in Ezra ii. 70; and Neh. vii. 73. From that epoch it appears they were one people; and the edict of Cyrus. seems to have embraced both. Hath this fact been sufficiently attended to by many who have undertaken to write on prophetical sub

6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Phi listines came and dwelt in them.

8 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

We have now reached the point at which the sacred historian appears to have been all along aiming; namely, the introduction of the reign of David. To make way for this event, there is another historical circumstance first to be mentioned, as here recorded; which is, the removal and death of Saul; together with the cause of his rejection and death. Many salutary truths will here be suggested for our improvement. We will arrange our remarks under these two heads, namely, Saul's overwhelming distress, and the cause of his deplorable death.

First, Saul's overwhelming distress. It is clear that his distress was very great. The Lord was departed from him: and his enemies pressed him sorely. He had no hope in God; and he had no help from man. En

tirely left to himself, vain was the struggle for victory. Every moment added to his perplexity and increased his misery. Disheartened in their conflict with the Philistines, his army fled from them, and fell down slain in vast numbers on mount Gilboa. He himself was hard pressed by them: his sons were slain before his eyes; the battle went sore against him; the archers hit him; and he was wounded. In this miserable condition, without a friend and without a helper, unable to resist or escape his foes, and dreading to fall alive into their hands, he first directed his armour-bearer to put an end to his life; and when he refused to do so, he took a sword, and fell upon it, and killed himself. Who is not pained at the end of Saul? Who does not grieve over his unhappy fall? Who is not ready to weep

and say, Alas! for the misery of poor Saul; and for his wretched and untimely end? But while you mourn and grieve, are you not, also, warned and instructed? Is there not here a solemn word against the dreadful crime of murder? Was Saul justified in destroying himself? Was his armourbearer justified in imitating his example? Is not murder of every kind expressly forbidden by the law of God? Is not he as much a murderer who destroys himself, as he who violently takes away the life of another? Are you not, also, loudly reminded of the sin of yielding to the dictates of false honour? Because Saul feared he should be abused by the uncircumcised Philistines, was that a reason why he should kill himself? To avoid one possible danger, was that a reason why he should rush upon sure and certain destruction? Are you not, also, here loudly admonished against the devil's last resource? Many are the snares of that enemy. Many are the ways in which he seeks to deceive and destroy immortal souls. But, his last device is the most deadly of all. When he gets a man into trouble, and that trouble presses him sorely on every side, and he sees no way of escape, and fears he may yet suffer still greater; then comes in that artful enemy with the dreadful thought, put an end to your life, and then it will be all over! In too many cases the snare succeeds; and by the halter, pistol, knife, sword, poison, or water, the poor sinner makes one bold plunge and rushes headlong into everlasting woe! Let all cry to the Lord for help, and he will deliver you out of all your troubles. Never despair of grace or mercy; there is always hope; and if you look to Jesus, you will not be suffered to perish (v. 1-7).

Secondly, the cause of Saul's death. Three things are here assigned as the cause of Saul's miserable end. Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not; and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord; therefore he slew him; and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse (v. 13, 14). What shall we say to these things? Do they not speak loudly to all to beware? Do you keep

the word of the Lord in all things? Do not many transgress against it? Is it not much to be feared, that many ask counsel of those whose business is to deceive, to inquire of them; whether real or pretended, makes no difference? difference? Is it not, also, equally certain that many do not inquire of the Lord in their troubles to help and deliver them? In what respects do such persons differ from poor unhappy Saul? Oh, let his terrible end warn you of your danger. If you take Satan for your helper, what can you expect but his doom in the torments of everlasting fire?

Let us improve these solemn records. Let us shun the commission of all sin; especially the sin of forsaking the Lord. Let us also remember, that the gospel reveals a blessed hope for the encouragement of all sorts of sinners to repent of their evil ways, and seek for mercy while it may be found. Thus the wretched may become happy; and perishing souls may be saved for ever.

CHAPTER XI.

1 David by a general consent is made king at Hebron. 4 He winneth the castle of Zion from the Jebusites by Joab's valour. 10 A catalogue of David's mighty men.

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HEN all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt 'feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.

3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

4 ¶ And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.

5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.

6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be 'chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.

7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called 'it the city of David.