The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 225

All the rather was David secretly in deepest heart convinced of the reality of J)ivine interposition, of providential forces at work. When we allow that Hirarn had received some "hints" and some intimation of the likely desire of David to build a. house worthy of his people and royal state, we have gone as far as we a.re warranted in going. .'\nd to set against all the rest, if not a!!ainst this also, we have here David's evident language, and the evident meaning and drift of it. David "perceived" cerlain things when Hiram" sent messengers, ... and timber," or promise of it, and" masons and carpenters," or promise of them, and these "to build him," forsooth, David, "a. house.'' He "perceived" that something unseen was here-a power, a. hand, a person invisible, at work. That all this kindness should have come upon him; and that all this glory should be about to come upon him, and the quondam shepherd-boy, and .more recently hunted refugee of mountain and cave and wilderness, should be about to be magnifi- cently mansioned,-was demonstration to him that a mighty and benignant providence was at work; that it was bent on its own old purpose, and advancing by its own new methods as well. He found that Hiram's heart was in the hand of some One, nor did he mistake whose hand that must be, even the hand of him who holds all hearts. .And as to that house that was to be, now at a glance be saw and spake it," Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build." He was convinced that God was building. Ill. DAVID RECOGNIZED MOST FULLY THE PRINCIPLE OF WHAT WE CALL IIU:MAN INSTRU:ME!\TALITY. He recognized it now in a twofold sense. It is the same twofold sense we ever need to bear in mind and carry out in practice. 1. With deepest humility, with most unreserved confession, David pronounces himself, in all his grow- ing power and likely splendour. the servant of God and bis people, the instrument in the mighty and the good hand of God, the authorized means to a great end. That is all. That was honour for him, and honour enough. The Lord has confirmed "him king" over Israel, and "his kingdom" is lifted up on high, not for his own sake, not for any merit of his own, not for self-aggrandizement, not to feed personal luxury, pride, ambition, not for any most flattering, mysterious reason, but for his people Israel I When we do remember that we are servants of God, we cannot too well remember this -that it is this very relation we hold-of servants. We are to inquire for and to do, and to speak ltis will, and to have the least possible of our own. 2. He "per- ceives" that he is being made use of in order that he may fall in more than ever .with God's work and service. His humility is real, therefore it does not swamp his sense of duty and responsibility. In one breath he admits himself only tho instrument, but one divinely raised up, divinely fashioned, divinely called; and therefore he is both the more stirred to duty and sustained by the strongest sense of support. . The really humble servant proves the really faithful servant. Hapfy David, that herein too the Lord bad given him an heart to perceive and understand Vers. 8-12.-The type of enmity on the alert.foiled by watchfulness and praylJ'I'. From the conduct of our foe, not less than of the best friend, may we sometimes learn lessons of supreme importance and interest. Feeling and action both own lo possibilities not seen on the surface, and seldom disturbed in their solemn depth. 'l'hey are, however, always liable to be evoked, and, when evoked by any of the forms of enmity, they are almost sure to show in their own more intensified forms. It cannot be maintained that enmity is a mightier impelling principle than love, the.t the force of the one intrinsically surpasses that of the other; the contrary of tbi~ i~ to be maintained. But a very mighty force it is, and it bas signal power to prevail m any conflict where indifference, lax energy, or but a slightly diminished watchfulness characterizes the object of it. Something of the skill of enmity and of its habit is set before us here, and what is said suggests to thought much left u?said.. We he.ve here a little wayside picture of enmity. .And wo may observe m this aspect\ of the bistory- L SIGNS OF WATCHFUL OBSERVATION ON THE PART OF AN UNREMITTING ENEMY. Men like to be at their ease, and rapidly does the tendency grow. We like ~o re~t on our oar8, and delicious awhile are sensation and thought. .And these restmg-t1mes ancl resting-places are not merely welcome; they are necessities at certain intervals, tl)ey are the appointed rewards of certain conflicts and victory, and they aro the prcparat1011 on. :r.rv.1-17.] 'l'BE ,FIRST BOOK OF 'rIIE CllRONICLES. 219