The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 179

their heads on account of guilt and sin. They are "bitter of soul;" for sin has wounded them, the world has wounded them, Satan has pierced them through and throucrh, They had "no hope, and were without God in the world." 'l'hey were "hateful a°nd hatina one another." They were "dead in trespasses and sins." Drawn to Jesus by his love~ he is now their " All in all." He has risen from the dead and has ascended on high. He has "become a Captain over them "-the "Captain of their salvation, made perfect through sufferings." The host thus gathering round the true David is indeed "the host of God." It is increasing and shall increase till it becomes "a multitude that no man can number," which shall come with Jesus when he shall return in glory, and shall reign with him, "King of kings and Lord of lords." There is one very precious word in this narrative, "And David went on going and growing: for the Lord of hosts was with him" (see margin, 2 Sam. v. 10. and ver. 9 of this chapter). What a word for each of us-" going and growing"! Yes; they are inseparable I In your "walk" with God you must "grow." Oh, how many are in the way to heaven, but stand- ing still! Reader, are you growing? Are you "walking" with God? then you must grow; but not otherwise. Less each day in your own eyes, but more in his. Growth in grace is a going down-a reversal-to ourselves. Christ's glory so rises till the soul is lost in it. "Going and growing" I And what was the secret· of it? Not David's natural prowess; not the numbers who were daily flocking to his standard. No ; none of these: " for the Lord of hosts was with him." Yes ; God's presence- abiding in Jesus-is the secret of all "going" and the secret of all "gi;2.wing." None without it.-W. Vers. I-3.-God's providences fulfil God's promises. 'l'he fact is brought promi- nently before us in these verses that eventually, after Jong waiting and much trial of faith and patience, the promised throne was secured for David, and that in a most hope- ful way, by the good will of the people and the providential removal of all possible rivals. It has been said that "They who wait on providence will never want a provi- dence on which to wait." But we must guard against making providence something operating distinct from God. It is really the living God working in the sphere of material things for the highest good of his people. I. Gon's PROMISE oF THE THRONE TO DA vrn. It had been mado long years before, when David was but a youth (1 Sam. xvi. 13). It was made by the significant act of anointment, and by the inward witness of God's Spirit. But it was not accom- panied with any assurance of immediate fulfilment. God's promises still may serve for years unto the culture of our dependence and trust, until he finds the fitting time for their realization. The Christian man now has the promise of the "inherit- ance undefiled," but only the promise; yet to him "faith is the substance of things hoped for." JI. WHEN THE PROMISE WAB GIVEN THE FULFILMENT SEEMED MOST UNLIKELY. Another king was actually seated on the throne. There were no outward signs of weak- ness in his rule; no perilous dissatisfactions among the people; and he was a strong, hale man, and likely to live and rule for many years, Moreover, this King Saul had a family, and, in the natural order of things, it would be expected that they should succeed him on the throne. And, as time advanced, Saul's enmity against David could not fail to create ~uch party feeling as would greatly hinder, if not absolutely prevent, his ever securing the full allegiance of the nation. Taking these things fully into account, any one, looking on from his youth-time to David's future, would say that it was of all possible thincrs the most unlikely that he should ever occupy the royal throne. But oue has skilfully said that "the unexpected is the thing that happens," and the seemingly impossible often becomes the fact. A man who ho!ds fast ~o_d's promises need never be troubled by disadvantageous appearances. Followmg the D1vme lea.cl, a man's way unfolds step by step. Ill. THOUGH HE HELD FAST THE PROMISE, DAVID NEVER FORCED ITS FULFILMENT; herein setting us a most noble and pious example. Ho never tried to make a national party; he never pressed himself into high court positions; he never resisted the enmity of Saul; when his enemy was actually in hi~ power, ~nd a _spear-thrust appeared to b~ the step on to the throne, he would n0t take matters mto his own hands (l Sam. xxv1. ~-11). And even when Saul was dead, David did not press forward or attempt to OH. :u.1-47.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. lil