The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 287

Vers. 7-15.-Three spiritual necessities. The message which Na.than was charged to deliver to David calls before us three necessities of our spiritual nature, which apply to all men everywhere, in every position, and in all ages. We have need of- I. .AN OPEN lllIND TO RECEIVE Goo's SPECIAL TEACHING, Natha.u was familiar with the broad and general principles 01 religious truth. He was an enlightened servant of Jehovah-a prophet whose inspiration was from on high. But he needed a special vision (ver. 15) to see the truth which was to be declared on this occasion. Until he received that vision he was under the impression. that David would do well to carry out his pious purpose (ver. 2), but from that time he discouraged and, in.deed, arrested the intention of the king. If such a man as he, with whose spirit God was in close com- munion, needed to be instructed on particular occasions, how much more do we? Our general knowledge of Divine truth, even taken in connection with an a.biding relation to the Spirit of God (1 Car. vi. 19), does not ensure to us an understanding of special questions without special illumination from the Source of all wisdom. Again and a.gain we need to have the quick eye to see the pointing of the Divine finger, the open ear to bear the Divine voice, the sensitive heart to respond to the Divine touch. '!'his in respect to our temporal affairs, to the government of the home, to the ordering of the Church of Christ. II. A BEADY REMEMBRANCE oF Goo's PAST MERCIES, (Vere. 7, 8.) David was to be disappointed in being denied the gratification of this strong wish of his heart; but he was to remember what great things God had done for him, ta.kiug him from the sheep- cote and placing him on the throne, attending his steps as Guardian and Guide, giving him the victory over his enemies, raising him to a position of eminence even among kings. It was a small thing to be denied this one desire. We should carry about us at all times such a sense of the great blessings God has given us-the endowments, the deliverances, the recoveries,' the bestowments of our whole past course-that at any time this may weigh down and bury out of our sight any small disappointment which the Ruler of our lives may permit us to suffer. A strong and full sense of mercies in the past will silence the first sigh of discontentment, will turn it into a song of holy gratitude. IIL A:s. DITELLIGENT GRASP OF DIVINE PROMISES, It may be that v,e may need en. xvn. 1-27.J TUE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 285