HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 2.-" The Lord ... confirmed him king." To many readers this phraseology seems simply the language of superstition, to be classed with similar language in which primitive and heathen nations are wont to attribute the triumphs of their warriors and the greatness of their kings to their tutelar and national deities. But believers in the inspiration and authority of Holy Scripture will see in this declaration an assurance of that wise and watchful care which God exercises over all men and all communities, and which is, for wise purposes, so clearly and devoutly related and recorded in the documents of Hebrew history. L THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE PREPARATION OF RULERS ABE FROM GoD. The strength of character, wisdom and sagacity, firmess, justice, clemency, affability,-all qualities that make an able ruler of men, are the endowment of the supreme Lord. In the case of David we observe peculiar gifts lavishly bestowed. The same providential care is to be recognized in the long and severe discipline by which the son of Jesse was fitted for a throne. It was doubtless this preparatory trainin~, combined with the sore experience through which the nation had passed, which rendered David's accession so popular. II. THE JUST EXERCISE OF CIVIL POWER 18 DIVINELY AUTHORIZED, The Lord havin~ prepared David for the throne and the throne for him, the monarch proceeded to fulfil his royal duties with the happy assurance that the hearts of his people were subject to him, and with the knowledge that he was supported by faithful and powerful allies. It cannot, indeed, be said that monarchy is the favourite form of government with the Lord of all ; for when he gave Israel a king it was in condescension to their infirmities. The/orm of gover!lment is of secondary importance, but the necessity of civil rule is written upon the constitution of man and of society. Equity, impartiality, righteousness,-these are the principles of all true moral rule, human and Divine. The governor who is guided by personal ambition, who is the prey of petty prejudices, who is given to intrigues, who rules by oppression, is no true king of men. Ill. THI!: CON8CIOUSNEBB OF A DIVINE COMMISSION GIVES POWER AND GRACE TO THIC EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY. "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king." Thus his faith was strengthened and his courage was sustained. The man who, in the fulfilment of life's duties, cannot s(,e beyond his own purposes and plans, is for all hi,:!;h intents enfeebled by this unworthy view of his life; whilst he who recognizes that he is the "minister of God," is supported by this conviction, his aims are ennobled and his iafluence is hallowed by it. Especially must this be the case wi1h tliose whose influence and responsibility are unusually great, err. XIV. 1-17.] THJt: FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 223
IV. IF AUTHORITY IB FROM GoD, ACCOUNTABil.ITY IS TO GoD. Some rulers have been called to account by their fellow-potentates and some by their subjects. There is, however, danger lest the powerful should forget tbeir inevitable responsibility. At the bar of God all kings must stand; at his throne they too must sue for mcrny, when there they take their places with their subjects, as before the highest and the final tribunal. "Be wise now therefore, 0 ye kings : be instructed, ye judges of the earth."-T. Vers. 9-11.-The God of battles. This is one of the many passages in the Old Testament where God is represented as presiding over and prospering the military expeditions of the Israelites. Rationalists see in such passages nothing more than evidence that the Hebrews were a warlike people, and that they, like other nations, attributed their successes in war to the intervention and favour of tbeir Deity. But those who believe in the inspiration and authority of Scripture cannot be satisfied with snch an explanation. The text suggests some reflections which may cast light upon this difficulty. I. 'fHERE IS A GENERAL SENSE IN WHICH JEHOVAH WAS AND IS THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GoD OF BATTLES. It would be barbarous and absurd to suppose that the benevolent Ruler of all prefers war in itself to peace, that he takes pleasure in the carnage and agony, the bereavement and desolation, which ar6 distinctive of war. But as all strength and valour, all foresight, skill, and patience are his gifts, to him must ultimately be traced the force, the generalship, by which victories are won. II. THERE IS A DIVINE PROVIDENCE WHICH OVERRULES THE CONFLICTS OF THE NATIONS. There can be no question that the course of human history has been, to a large extent, governed by the wars which have occupied so much of the energy and have consumed so much of the blood and the treasure of mankind. We have read of" the fifteen decisive battles of the world." 'l'hey who believe in the providential government of the world at all can scarcely refuse to believe that the warfares of the nations have been permitted and overruled for good by God. Great principles, even principles of a moral kind, have sometimes been fought upon the field of battle. Civilization and barbarism, slavery and freedom, brute force and enlightenment, have thus contended toiether for the mastery and the victory. III. THERE WERE SPECIAL REASONS WHY GOD SHOULD HAVE INTERESTED HIMSELF IN THE WARS OF THE JEWS. 1. The contests between Isrnel and Israel's enemies were contests between a morally superior and certain morally inferior races. When wars took place between the Israelites and the Canaanites or Philistines, it is plain to every student of history that the victory of Israel was the victory of monotheism and morality over idolatry and the most flagrant and disgusting vice. 'l'he cause of Philistia was the cause of heathenism, cruelty, and pollution; the cause of David was that of comparative justice, purity, anti spirituality. 2. 'l'he victories of Israel furthered the best interests of mankind. Had Israel been subjugated or annihilated, the best prospects of the human race would have been clouded with awful darkness. The independence and nationality of the Hebrews formed a distinct step forward in the march of humanity. 3. The triumphs of David were a link in that chain which led to the redemption of mankind. We cannot separate the Old Testament, historically ur religiously, from the New. 'l'he kingdom and the conquests of David have relation to the kingdom and the conquests of him who was Son of David and Sou of God.-'l'.