t> Ps. Ixxxvi. 2. « 2 Cor. i. 12. ^^ 1 John iii. 21, 22.
378.] iiezekiah's appeal to god. 549
But there was in this plea a reference to an express promise made to David, a promise, the accomplishment of which Heze- kiali was now particularly authorized to ask, and to expect. God had assured David that " if his children should walk before liim in truth, there should not fail one of them to sit upon the throne of Israeli" But Hezekiah had walked before God in truth, and yet was about to die without leaving any child to succeed him in his throne '^. This under any circum- stances would have been a great affliction ; but it was pecu- liarly afflictive, now that Hezekiah was in the midst of all his plans for the welfare of the nation, and had no prospect of a successor who would carry them on. Hence there was a pro- priety in this appeal, far beyond what has been generally sup- posed : for if we have complied with any conditions on which a promise is suspended, we may justly urge it with God as a plea for the accomplishment of his promise.]
2. The end for which he desired a continuance of life—
[His desire was, not that he might have a protracted enjoyment of earthly things, but that he might have further opportunities of serving God. This appears from the thanks- giving which he uttered on his recovery". And this was a legitimate ground of desiring life. St. Paul, though he " desired to depart and to be with Christ, which was far better," yet was willing to stay a longer time here below, because it was " need- ful for the Church of Christ." What better plea then could be urged than this ? ' O my God, thou hast put me into a situation wherein I can serve thee to great advantage; and thou knowest I have no desire but to advance thy glory in the world: O take me not away, till I have been enabled to render thee all the service of which thou hast made me capable!' Such was David's plea^; and it may well be urged by aU who desire to fulfil the true ends of life.]
Address,
1 . Those who are in health and strength —
[Who can tell, how soon the message may be sent to you, " Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live." You may be in tiie prime of life, as Hezekiah was ; (he was only forty years of age ;) or, like him, may possess great wealth and honour ; or may be engaged in pursuits of vast utility to the world ; but death will not spare us on any of these accounts,
® 1 Kings ii, 4.
f Manasseh was not born till three years afterwards. Compare 2 Kings XX. G. with xxi. 1.
s Isai. xxxviii. 18, 19. ^ Ps. xxx. 8, 9.