The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 295

,lcsigned to be imprcssi,e illustrations of great principles which are surely workinl?, t.hough not so manifestly working, in the smaller and the quieter spheres. The" great" is never set before us for its own sake, but always (1) to show us what "almighty grace can do;" and (2) to make solemn the possibilities of our smaller and feebler lives. The mission of all biographies is expressed in two sentences from St. Paul's writings: "They glorified God in me" (Gal. i. 24); "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me fi i-st Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which ~bould hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1 Tim. i. 16). David is set before ns as a striking instance of Divine grace overshadowing, guiding, and sanctifying a whole life. God reminds him in these verses of his "gracious goodness" which had c,er rested upon him; and with the remembrance comforts him under the refusal of his request which God judged it necessary to send. In this light the life of David may be reviewed. I. TrrE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRACE IN DAVID'S SELECTION. Carefully distinguish between ~overeignty and favouritism. There is " no respect of persons" with God. He elects, not upon particular affections for an individual, but upon omniscience of fitness for particular work. Election is not to privilege but to service, and to privilege through the service. Here, in the case of David, Divine sovereignty is seen in the selection of one who was not at all in men's thoughts, and was indeed in circumstances which seemed to indicate t11n$uitability. David was the youngest of his family, somewhat alespised by his grown-up brothers, and engaged in simple shepherding work among the hills of Judah. Yet God estimated character, and found in the young shepherd the founder of a kingdom and a dynasty. Illustrate the Divine call of men to be poets, artists, preachers, reformers, and rulers ; and show that now, as truly as ever, God calls those he needs to come up out of lowly and unknown places to do his work. Aud he mav have need of us. II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GRACE IN DAVID'S PROSPERITY. "Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it." To the position to which he was called David in due time attained; because, whenever God bids a man do a thing, he gives the needed grace for the doing. If he tells a man with a helpless hand to "stretch forth his hand," be gives the strength for such stretching forth. Trace in David's life how all hindrances and difficulties were surely overcome; his "enemies were cut off," his throne estab- lished, and his name honoured (ver. 8). IIL TrrE BENEDICTIONS OF GRACE RESTING ON OTHERS FOB DA VID'B BAKE. It is one of the best signs of Divine acceptance of us that others are blessed through us. This exceeding joy our Lord Jesus Ghrist had. For his life-work of loving service he was " highly exalted." So David was the means of settling the people, introducing all the advantages of order and good government, and restoring to full vigour the worshipping bide of the national religious life. IV. THE CONTINUANCE OF GRACE ON DAVID'S DESCENDANTS. The man who lives in the grace of God himself may be sure that not only God's grace will abide when he is gone, but that the grace will still use his influence anrl example, as agency, for the blessing of the children for a long while to come (vers. 10--12). Apply to that exceeding great grace which is manifested in our personal redemption. That grace, we may be sure, will cover and hallow all owr lives, and all our children's lives, even as it did the life of David, and the story of his descendants.-R. T. Yers. 11-15.-The purposes of God concerning Solomon. In the Divine communi- cation made to David through the Prophet Nathan, there is a tone of very tender con- 1,ideration, and an evident desire to solace and comfort the aged servant of God, whose request it was found necessary to refuse. In one way the desire of his heart could be met. He should have an immortality in his descendants and in his dynasty. He should live on in his son, and accomplish even his purpose concerning the temple. And he may have, before he dies, the comforting assurance that God's purposes were sot upon bis son, and the Divine favour would overshadow his reign. '!'hose gracious Divine purposes are indicated in these verses. Man's brief life on the earth, which so seldom permits him to accomplish any great thing, would be very painful to him were it not lor the l,ope he cherishes that he will live on in his children, and by them his great life-work may win completion. We cannot bear to think that death cuts off our  CH. xvn. 1-27.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 203