The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 217

high prieat came up, opened the box, put the money in bags, e.nd made a strict account of the sums. Strictness in pecuniary details may seem a minor matter, but it is really not so. The me.n who ie honest in his pecuniary affairs ie likely to be honest all through, Nothing shakes confidence BO much as the suspicion of small unfaithfnlnesses in money tmnsBCtione. Instinctively we apply the principle, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the lea.~t is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke xvi. 10, 11). III. DILIGENT WORKERS, The money contributed by the people was applied to hire the services of workers to execute the needed repairs. 1. The WOf'kers were many. '!'here were carpenters and builders, stonemasons and hewers, and part of the money was expended also on the purchase of materials. .As in this t~rnple-building so in the Christian C4urch, there is need not only for givers but for workers, and every variety of gift provea to be of service. Some can give who cannot work ; others can work who cannot give; others can both give and work. There are needed those with mission talent-the quarrymen and excavators; there are needed those who can educate, or hew and polish the stones when obtained; there are needed the organizers and builders-those whose function it is to put the stones in their places, and build up the holy temple to the Lord, 2. The workers were diligent. They were set on as soon as funds were forthcoming to employ them, and they wrought with good heart till the work was finished. Labour in the kingdom of God should he diligent. The many workers did not work separately, but together, all of them helping one another; and similar combination and co-operation are necessary to overtake the work of Christ. IV. FAITBFOL OVERSEERS. .Another step in the right direction, following up the previous precautions to inspire confidence, was the appointment of men to superintend the work: who could be implicitly trusted. It is a noble testimony borne concerning these men who did the part of overseers in the work of the temple, that they did not need to be reckoned with," for they dealt faithfully." 1. They were faithful in their oversight. They were men of probity and honour, who conscientiously looked after the men set under them, seeing that the work committed to their care was properly done. It is difficult to estimate the value, even in an economical respect, of the higher moral qualities of character. How much Joss, suffering, disease, death, not to speak of minor annoyance, is inflicted on mankind through badly inspected, ill-done work? There is a sphere for faithfulness in the discharge of every kind of duty. Carlyle says of Louis XV., " His wide France, look at it from the fixed stars ( them- selvea not yet infinitudr.), is no wider than thy narrow brickfield, where thou, too, didst faithfully, or didst unfaithfully . . . . It 1s not thy works, which are all mortal, in.finitely little, and the greatest no greater than the least, but only the spirit thou workest in that can ha,·e worth or continuance." 2. They were faithful in their money dealings. :::o perfectly faithful that it was not felt necessary to keep a strict reckoning with them as to their expenditure upon the workmen. No better tribute could be paid to their incorruptible integrity than the trnst thus reposed in them. It was only a very high degree of intc~ity which would warrant it. As a rule, it is wise to keep account even with those whose integrity we do not dispute. V. RESPECT FOR RIGHTS. It is added that the revenues which properly belonged to the priests, the trespass money and sin money, were not touched for the purpose of the repairs. Neither was the money given for the restoration of the building applied, until the repairs were completed, to purchase new vessels for the sanctuary-bowls of silver, snuffers, trumpets, etc. Probably in connection with the above arrangements for collecting the people's money other steps were taken to put the priests' legitimate income, the tithe dues, etc., on a more satisfactory footing. A regard for justice is thus observable throughout the whole of these dealings. Right is the proper basis to take one's ste.nd on in works of reformation.-J. 0. Vers. 17-21.-Darlc days for Judah. The reign of Joash began with bright pro- mise, but ended in gloom and tribulation. It furnishes another instance of the evil consequences of forsaking God. I. JoABH's APOSTASY. Of this a fuller account is given in the Book of Chronicles than here, though the stl\tement in ver, 2, "Joash did right all his days wherein 260 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. [cu. xn. l-21.