to fight against Egyptians and Moabites, and then give in and let some lion destroy the power so valuable-power which might have done such splendid service. To say" No" to our own weaknesses, to protect the interests of others, to oppose whatever by its falsehood, sin, or mischief threatens the true well-being of our friends and neighbours. Oh, how much there is that needs fighting I bow much of evil in our own hearts! how much in the worlu ! How much of evil is daily assailing and destroying the hap- piness and well-being of multitudes, but for want of brave hearts that think of more than merely getting t-0 heaven themselves, and that are willing to make some sacrifice of comfort and ease and to risk what is dearer than either! "Fight the good fight of faith ; lay bold on eternal life;'' and oppose whatever harms your brethren. III. THAT THERE ARE A GOOD MANY DIFFERENT KmDS OF ENEMIES TO BE TACKLED IN THE COURSE OF OUR LIFE. Sometimes Egyptians; sometimes Moabites; wmetimes lions; sometimes some other foe, like the Philistines encamped round Bethlehem, through whom Benaiah and two others broke to fetch David a draught of water from its well. Yes; there is more than one or two or even three sorts of enemies against which we have here to fight. Now it is a subtle whisper that denies there is any Providence here or heaven hereafter; now it is some passion that, rising up within us, clamours for mastery over the reason and duty; now it is greed, which makes the fingers stick to the money they should part with; now it is one of what are called the minor faults, but which yet are capable of inflicting much pain and injury that needs to be put down; now it is the ignorance of the children of the people; now it is their vices, their drunkenness; now it is the system which is permitted to increase the wealth of individuals at the expense of corrupting the life of the people. Oh for a few Benaiahs, that in conflict with such evils will put forth a nobie strength. Let us not live a merely private life. Hise and assail the foe which is injuring society, beginning, I must say again, with the enemies that fight in your own heart-unbelief in Christ, unwillingness to follow him, indulgence of your own weakness. There are too many Reubens in every age who, when great issues are being fought out big with bliss or woe to generations, "abide" ignobly "among the bleating of the sheep." Keener interest in all efforts of philnn- thropy and politics to further human well-being, is what is required at our hand. Lastly, observe that- IV. IN ALL FIGBTmo, THE SOUL IS THE MAIN TBmo. Doubtless Benaiah had great muscular strength, but that was but a little of his equipment. The splendid audacity that engaged with the Egyptian, meaning to kill him with his own spear. The fine superiority to thought of consequences to himself of engaging with that hungry lion on a winter's do.y, in close quarters, where neither could escape tho other. It was that brave spirit in him which, never shrinking from attempts that seemed impossible, nor kept back by the discretion that seeks to save its skin, wrought its grand mn.rvels. Oh, how little of this grand courage marks us I How much solicitudo we have about our name, our peace, what people may think of us, our money, the cha.nee of failing I In this world the timid don't always go most safely. It is the brave heart that comes best out of all its conflicts. Pluck up a little strength, and call to God for more, and venture bravely wherever duty calls you, and, like Benaiah, you will find fame, safety, useful- llcss, attendant on your steps.-G. Vers. 1-4.-David's anointing. This chapter properly follows the twelfth chapter. The union of heart to make David kinu is taken up at the commencement of this eleventh chapter. This event happened° on the death of Ishbosheth (sec 2 Sam. v. 1-3). The repeated anointings in the presence of the heads of the ltingdom seem to have been necessary to the general acknowledgment of the sovereign by the nation. In David we are to see Christ. In the "oneness of heart" to make him king (see eh. xii. 38), we see that love to Christ which constitutes all true subjects of the Haviour. It was simply love to hirnself which drew all these horoes around David. At his yearninu0 for the water of the well of Bethlehem, it was this love that made them brave all dancrer and, at the risk of their lives," break through the host of the Philistines." In all ihis we see the personal love of the Lord's people to their King, Jesus. Love is the micrhty bond-love to himself, love that will bravo nil dangers, love that will lay down°its life for him-the reflection of his own shed abroa,l in their hearts. And the object of this great gathering was one, even as their hearts were 0110, 168 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [oll. xr. l-i7.
viz. to make David king. Thus is it also the one desire of all the followers of Christ -that he shall be King. They would cast every crown at his feet and say, "Thou art worthy," and they long for the time when he shall be" King of kings and Lord of lords." But while they were "of one heart" to make David kin er, he, on his part, made a covenant with them. In this covenant he made himself ov:r to them as their leader and captain, and that they should partake of the reward of his victories and of his glory. All this would be included in that covenant. In this, again, we see Christ our true David, engaging to his faithful people all covenant blessin"'S. "I will giv~ unto you the sure mercies of David." His own wondrous love has bo;nd them to him- self, and that same love ensures to them, in a covenant that nothing can set aside every spiritual and temporal blessing. "He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessina~ in heavenly places in Christ."-W. b