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35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

38 And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;

42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

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43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

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she had David's piety, would she not have felt something of David's joy? Would she have despised him in her heart, if she had loved the Lord whom David loved? See here an alarming discovery. Husbands and wives are not always one in the faith. Many, who are joined together in this world, will be separated for ever in the next. Unbelieving wives are not always sanctified by believing husbands and the last day will make sad disclosures in this respect. Despisers of all sorts, open or secret, will then perish. This woman first despised David in her heart; and then she spake in a despising manner with her tongue. Ah! take heed. See you that holy, humble, self-denying, godly, joyful believer in Christ? Look into your heart. What feeling passes there? Do you love him for the Lord's sake? or do you despise him in your heart. Your state before God is according to that feeling, either way; and your end will be according to your thoughts and works.

Let us turn from this despising wife to the more pleasing character of her happy and joyful husband. How happy, how joyful, did he feel on that occasion! How anxious does he appear to impart somewhat of that joy to all around him! It was, indeed, a time of good things. He blessed the people in the name of the Lord. And then what a sweet psalm did he deliver on that occasion! How he calls upon all the people to unite with him in this act of praise! How he exhorts them to seek the Lord! How he reminds them of his merciful goodness! How he acknowledges the truth of his word; the power of his arm; the fruits of his love; the abundance of his mercy; the fulness of his kindness and grace! How he calls upon them to magnify his name; to extol his goodness; and to utter forth his praises! How he prays for further exhibitions of his love; and that others, also, may be brought to glorify his name! Such fervent breathings are seldom met with. He seems more like a happy spirit above, than a struggling saint amidst cares and trials here below. what must heaven be! If one happy saint here on earth could pour forth such lively strains of gratitude and praise; what must the happiness of heaven be, when all the

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multitudes of the redeemed shall be gathered together above; and all, with one heart and one soul, shall pour forth the praises of our adorable Redeemer for ever and ever! Dwell upon this delightful prospect. Learn the praises of the Redeemer on earth; and then will you be prepared to join the happy multitudes on high for ever! The great

object of faith on earth always is, and the grand theme of praise in heaven ever will be, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

CHAPTER XVII.

1 Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God an house, 3 after by the word of God forbiddeth him. 11 He promiseth him blessings and benefits in his seed. 16 David's prayer and thanksgiving.

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OW it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. 3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,

4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

5 For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but 'have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?

7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even 'from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

8 And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.

9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. More

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over I will subdue all thine enemies. thermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

11 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

16¶ And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

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18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.

19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.

20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.

24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

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THIS is another interesting chapter concerning the spirit and the piety of David. Surrounded with blessings on every side, with peace in his kingdom, and the grace of God in his heart, how does he employ his time? What is the chief thing which occupies his heart? The interests of religion, and the glory of God. "I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains" (v. 1). This was the subject of

David's thoughts. Is it not a delightful thing to have a spiritual mind? Is it not life? Is it not an evidence of spiritual life? Does it not tend to promote spiritual life? The more spiritually-minded any person may be, the more will he be employed, in the exercise of his thoughts, in spiritual things. What can I do for Christ? How can I best promote the glory of God? By what means may I further the best interests of my fellowcreatures? May I not be useful in one way? May I not assist some one in another way? Are not the poor Jews dispersed? Are not the heathen perishing? Are not multitudes in our land lost for lack of knowledge? Can I not help? Can I not pray? Then, if I look at myself, what a sinner am I! how vile, how unthankful! How little am I affected by the love of Christ! How little How little do I enjoy of his grace! How cold is my heart towards him! What need have I of more life, more grace, more faith, more hope, more of his spirit, more of his salvation! If I look at him: what a Saviour is he! How loving, merciful, kind! How able, willing, and mighty to save! How ready to hear my cries; to pardon my sins; to subdue my corruptions; to conquer my enemies; to bear with my infirmities; to heal my back

slidings; to love me freely! These, and a thousand other such-like considerations, will often dwell in the mind of him who is born of God; and will most delightfully verify the truth of our Lord's words, "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John iv. 14.) Such were some of David's thoughts. Such are some of the reflections which pass in the believer's mind. Next, let us view the matter of

David's prayer.

The Lord knew what David intended; and he soon sent him a message of peace. As the Lord had chosen him to fill the station alloted him; so would he raise up his successor to do that work which then came into David's mind. Cheered and encouraged by this gracious message, his first act was prayer. And, oh, what a prayer is here! What a spirit of deep humility! what a gracious fervour! What holy familiarity in speaking to the God of his salvation! He is astonished at the Lord's goodness. He is overwhelmed by his unmerited kindness. He is drawn nearer and nearer to the Majesty on high. He is at a loss to give utterance to all those melting sensations that filled his soul. At length he takes up the Lord's own words spoken to him; sends them back again to heaven; desires nothing more than their full and complete accomplishment: then calmly submits to his will; and patiently abides his good pleasure. Oh! my dear friends, come and look over this chapter. Come and read God's gracious message to his servant. Come and survey the spirit of this most lovely, most delightful, and most heavenly prayer. Come and see the high privilege to which all believers in Christ are raised; and learn to improve the gracious access to the Father, which is opened to you through the precious bloodshedding of Christ. All comment on this prayer is lost. It is darkening counsel by words without knowledge. You must have the Spirit; and then the language will be rightly understood; and somewhat of the blessing will then be imparted to your humble, prayerful, grateful, and rejoicing soul.

CHAPTER XVIII.

1 David subdueth the Philistines and the Moabites. 3 He smiteth Hadarezer and the Syrians. Hadoram with presents to bless David. and the spoil David dedicateth to God. garrisons in Edom. 14 David's officers.

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9 Tou sendeth 11 The presents 13 He putteth

TOW after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 ¶ And David smote 'Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

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8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9¶ Now when 'Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

11 Them also king David dedicated unto

the LORD, with the silver and the gold that brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover 'Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

13 ¶ And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

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We have here some further particulars relating to David's victories, and the conflicts he had to endure with his enemies. Several of these enemies are mentioned by name. The Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and others, all felt the power of David's arm. This was soon after what took place in the former chapter, when God sent him that gracious message; and David offered that fervent prayer.

Grace prepares the way for trial; and insures the victory. Very often the Lord visits the soul in some signal manner, for the purpose of imparting some holy preparation for a coming storm. Grace is given; then it is exercised. Faith is nourished or in

creased; then it must struggle. Great peace often leads to great shakings; great assurance to great conflicts; great joy to great depressions. There is wisdom in this arrangement; and mercy shines throughout the whole.

Suppose the trial came with

out the previous blessing: how much more. sorely might it press on the mind! how much more grievously might it assault the soul! Bless the Lord, then, for all his loving and gracious dealings with you; and when your strength or comfort may be greatest, then learn to suspect an enemy; and stand prepared for the trial, which may not be far off.

In all these conflicts David was victorious. The Lord gave him the victory on every side. The Philistines were smitten. The Moabites

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became his servants, and brought gifts. The king of Zobah was utterly vanquished. The Syrians were subdued. The Lord preserved David whithersoever he went (v. 13). these things the Lord did for him. All these events the Lord brought to pass by him. Every victory thus gained was a token of the Lord's love; and proved the valour of David's arm, strengthened and guided as it was by the mighty God. Now, cannot the Lord make you victorious over all the enemies of your soul? Can he not enable you to overcome the world; to subdue the flesh; and to bruise Satan under your feet shortly? If God be for you; who, or what shall be against you? Only be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; only put on the whole armour of God; only stand thus armed and thus strengthened for the combat; only pray for grace and mercy to help in time of need; and you will soon say, "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." (2 Cor. ii. 14.)

Let us not omit his liberality (v. 11). These wars were not undertaken for David's aggrandisement; neither were these victories gained for his glory; but the spoils were all devoted to the Lord. Laid up in store for the object that lay near his heart, they were afterwards employed in the erection of the temple. Thus, the very spoils of the enemy were made to set forth the glory of the Lord. How wonderful are his ways! When he gives a heart to man to devise great things, he can open the way to accomplish them. He can bring in the silver and the gold from the east, west, north, and south; and cause them all to be laid down at his feet; to be used in his service; and to promote his service and glory!

The character of David's reign. It was very extensive. He "reigned over all Israel." It was equitable and just; and he "executed judgment and justice among all his people." What a pattern for all princes and kings! Let them aim to do the same. What a beautiful type of Jesus! He reigns over all worlds, and all things. He reigns over the whole Israel of God! He reigns in righteousness, and executes justice and judgment in the earth! Glorious Prince! Blessed are

they who are the happy subjects of thy glorious kingdom, which shall endure for evermore!

CHAPTER XIX.

1 David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun the son of Nahash, are villanously entreated. 6 The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, are overcome by Joab and Abishai. 16 Shophach, making a new supply of the Syrians, is slain by David.

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OW it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammondied, and his son reigned in his stead. 2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, 'Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?

4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

6¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves 'odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria-maachah, and out of Zobah.

7 So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.

10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the 'choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.

11 And the rest of the people he delivered

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