The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 298

terity that will never be extinguished; and the first idea we should attach to the promise is that David and his descendants' empire should be of long duration, and of a stable character. It is a further truth, embodied in the expression, that the material kingdom of David should by-and-by pass into the spiritual kingdom of David's crreater Son, and that in him should be established that spiritual theocracy which could be, and should be, absolutely eternal, enduring as long as there should be a God to rule, an<l creatures of God to be ruled. Taking the Old Testament term "for ever," we may sec what thoughts are properly suggested by it, and consider them in their advancing order. I. "For ever" means LASTING THROUGH MANY GENERATIONS, Matching the idea concerning "length of life" is the idea of "continuance and permanence of dynasty." To live long was, to the Jewish mind, the direct reward of virtue, a sign of the Divine recognition of personal goodness. And so the pious king who founded a kingdom passed the thought on to the life of his race. Its prolongation through many genera- tions would be the proof of Divine favour and acceptance resting upon it. Show how the writer of a book seeks fa.me in the continuity of its influence. 'l'he rich man, now- adays, hopes to found a family which shall outlast the generations. And this desire for permanence of influence is found, in various measures, influencing all men. So still God can promise to us that noble living and faithful working shall be made to bear the "eternal " stamp. In this first sense the good man never dies ; on earth he may be said to live" for ever." David lives on to-day. He influences men now, rules hearts und lives, more tnily than ever. II. "For ever" means UNDER CHANGED FORMS LASTING THROUGH ALL HUMAN GENERATIONS. W o must find what is the very essence of David's kingdom, for tho notion of its eternity can properly only be applied to that. The essence is this-God's immediate rule of men through the administration of man. David's kingdom was this -the theocracy practically realized. Then all that belonged to the mere human form and order may change to meet the exigencies of changing ages; the essence would remain, and by-nnd-by appear in the theocracy of the Church, in the administration of the exalted Man Christ Jesus. We now are members of David's everlostiog kingdom; since Christ's kingdom is essentially David's. In its central principle-its spiritual principle-of direct governmentfl relations with Jehovah, David's kingdom must lasl absolutely for ever and ever. ' III. "For ever" has this limitation-IN 1TB EARTHLY FORM IT IS DEPENDENT ON THE ALLEGIANCE OF DAVID'S DESCENDANTS TO THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE. So far as their earthly features are concerned, God's promises are always conditional. And the con- dition is always tho same. It is loyalty, full loyalty, the obedient service of the true- hcarted. This point David anxiously impressed on his son Solomon (eh. xxviii. 9, 10). Work out the conditions of perpetuity still. "He that doeth the will of God abideth for evor." And show what is the assurance of our earthly nnd our heavenly "for ever." We shall live on liere, we shall livo on yonder, in what wo have been for God, and done for him, in his grace and strength.-R. T. Ver. 24.-God's relatio1t to his people. I. The relation which God bears to his people. 1. He has chosen them out of tho world, which Jieth in wickedness. 2. Ho hos given himself to them in a peculiar way. 3. He avows that refation to them before the wholo universe. II. Inquire what, under that relation, we may expect at his hands. 1. The care of his providence. 2. The communication of his grace. 3. The manifestations of his lovo. 4. The possession of his glory. III. What, under that relation, he is entitled to expect from us. 1. Thnt we "ho a people to him." 2. That we give ourselves to him, as ho has given himself to us. Conclude with two proposals: 1. That wo, at this very hour, accept Jehovah as our God. 2. That we now consecrate ourselves to him as his pcoplo (Rev. C. Simeon, M.A.).-R. 'l'. Ver. 26.-The faitlifu.l Promiser. David pleads before God the fact of his having promised; be reminds God of his own Word, But ho docs more than t.his. He testilies hill perfect confidence that tho promise will be fulfilled because of wliat God is. "'l'hcu, 2DG THE FIRST BOOK OF 'l'RE CHRONICL~S. [oII, xvn. 1-27.