boUDd him to royal fidelity with a solemn pledge: they met the king in Hebron and "he m_ade a covenant with them .. _. before the Lord" (ver. 3). This was most ,~ise; they did not then know for a certarnty what manner of monarch David would prove. lt would have been blind and foolish on their part, in the last degree, to have committed themselves absolutely and without any guarantee into the new king's hauds. Here are lessons for all communities (nations, societies, Churches, etc.) for all time. (1) 'rhink well before taking an important step which involves large issues. (2) Choose for a leader the m:i,n who is likely to cherish a real and living interest in the well-being of the col!1:r:numty. (3) Prefer the m~n. wh? h~s g\ven assurance, by past action, of integrity and ab1hty. ( 4) Make mu~h ofD1vme md1cat10ns. (5) Have a distinct understanding, carefully and solemnly ratified, before actually entering on the new relationship. Let there be no possible mistake on either side as to what is expected. II. THE WISDOM OF THE KING. David did two wise things on this occasion. 1. He commenced bis reign over united Israel by an act of courage and patriotism (vers. 4, 5). 2. He gave prominence and power to the man who earned them by his merit (ver. 6). Here are two lessons for leaders of all times. (1) Strive to start well. To make a favourable commencement of a ministry, or of a government or office of any kind is not everything; bnt it is much. lt is a great step toward a real success; therefore in beginning a new work with new workers, put forth the utmost energy and start promisingly. (2) Show favour to the deserving. Let not kinship, nor friendship, nor the commendations of others, but personal merit shown in the face of duty and diffi- culty, be the condition of honour. Let the prize be to him who has won it. Partiality will soon destroy confidence and wear away affection. Impartiality will secure respect and love. Then as "David dwelt in the castle." will the wise leader of the com- munity dwell in the stronghold of the esteem and affection of the Church or the co=unity.-C.
Ver. 9.-God's enlarging presence. If God is with us in the sense in which he was "with" David, we also shall "wax greater and greater." I. How GoD's PRESENCE PROVED AN ENLARGEMENT TO THE KING. It resulted in: 1. An increase in his territory. God prospered him in war; his enemies were beaten; his dominion was enlarged, so much so that the prophecy of Gen. xv. 18-21 was ful- filled. 2. The growth of power and influence in his royal person. David became more and more established in the regard, the confidence, and the affection of Israel. The whole nation came to yield him a full and unhesitating allegiance. 3. '!.'be rise of national power and influence over neighbouring nations. The kingdom of Israel had been little or nothing to the surroUDding peoples. Now, however, it.acquired considera- tion. The potentates of the East were glad to make treaties, to be on amicable terms with it. 4. The enlargement of his spiritual nature. We cannot say that David's spiritual course was" the path of the just, shining brighter and brighter unto the per- lect day." It certainly suffered temporary eclipse, even if it did not, after a certain period, steadily decline. But we may indulge the belief that, for some time after his elevation to supreme power, it was not only in circumstance but in soul that he" waxed greater and greater." IL How GoD'B PRESENCE IB AN ENLARGEMENT TO OURSELVES. If God be with us, with his Divine favour, with his providing and protecting care, with his Spirit's influ- ence, it may be that he will give us enlargement in the shape of: 1. Temporal pros- perity. He may "set our feet in a large room" (Ps. xxxi. 8). We may be made by him to "wax greater and greater" (see 1 Tim. iv. 8). It is certain God will grant us increase in : 2. Our views. We shall see, know, understand, more and more of him- self, of ourselves, of the meaning and the capacity of our human life, of his holy will as revealed in his Word. 3. Our affections. He will "enlarge our heart" (Ps. cxix. 32). We shall embrace more in our kindly sympathies. Our purer, nobler, more generous feeling will flow forth to all those who are the most necessitous-to the" little ones" of Christ, to " them that are afar off." 4. Our influence. We shall become.more of a blessing to those with whom we have to do. As God teaches us, disciplines us, ennobles us, we shall have a gathering and growing power over our kindred, our asso- ciates, our neighbours. 5. Our hopes. 'l.'hese will be graclually withdrawn from the small r.irr.le of time, and reach forth into the va~t amplitude ff eternity; and they will ou. XI, 1-47.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHTIO~ICLES. IGI
become ever higher and nobler as immortal life presents itself to us less as a mero encl- loss enjoyment and more as a ceaseiess service.-C.