The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 244

Vers. 2-15.-Three valuable virtues: rectification, admonition, obedience. We have- I. A ROYAL RECTIFICATION. We have the useful fiction in England that "the king can do no wrong." It has been too often assumed by the potentates of the earth that they could not be mistaken-, and need not return on their way, David was not so foolish and so faulty. He had the sense to see that he had erred in the way in which he had carried out a good desire, and he was prepared openly and honourably to retrace his steps. So he said to his courtiers, "No one ought to carry the ark of God," etc. (ver. 2), with obvious reference to the transaction recorded in eh. xiii. And be "gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem," and" assembling the children of Aaron and the Levites" (ver. 4), he spoke plainly of the departure from the Law of which he and others had been guilty (vers. 12, 13). We certainly need not be ashamed" to come after the king'' in the way of retractation. \Vhere a monarch leads the way we may be content to follow. There is no more certain indication of foolish and fatal obstinacy than the refusal to admit an error. 'l'hey who cling to their own mistakes and pertinaciously justify them are sure to come to some great grief in time. But they who have tho humility and penetration to see that they are wrong, and also the courage to avow and correct it, are sure to find themselves on the upward road. They may take a wrong turn or two, but they move in the right direction, and, like David and the ark, will reach Jerusalem in time. II. A GRACIOUS ADMONITION. (Vere. 11-13.) There may have been aome doubt as to where the blame really lay, whether on the king or on the priests, or (as was probable enough) on both. David, while ho did not exonerate himself, evidently felt that the priests and Levites were included in the condemnation : indeed, he addresses them and admonishes them as delinquents: "Because ye did it not at the first," etc. (ver. 13). His words and their attitude together may suggest to us that admonition should be graciously given and as graciously received. "\Vo should, on such occasions as this, Hpeak as tlwse (1) who convey their mcssa~e with reluctance and only on constraint; (2) who desire to spare feeling as much as faithfulness will allow; (0) who know thu.li ou. xv. 1-29,] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 239