chapter, though separated from it by a considerable length of time, it brings before us much s~iritual instruction. 'l'he previous chapter contains an account of the many "exceedmg great and precious promises" made to David, his confidence in them and also that which invariably flows out of such grace-his communion with God. Com- munion with God is the outcome of grace received. But out of realized grace and communion with God flow warfare and victory. This is the opening record of this chapter. The former supplies strength for the latter, and he who goes forth from his knees to fight the good fight of faith will, in every battle, be "more than con- q eror" through him that loves him. And mark how David is single-handed amon" many foes, and all of diverse character. "Edom, Moab, the children of Ammon, th: Philistines, Amalek, and the Syrians. What a host, and how diverse! Yet God's eye follows the single-handed servant amid all these foes. A "wall of fire" is round about him-" the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went." So is it with every servant of God who goes forth to fight the Lord's battles direct from communion. " Victory! " is inscribed on his banner. He is invincible, because "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." He may be single-banded, and his foes may be legion and of every character, but he triumphs over all and, like David here, lays all the trophies of victory at the Saviour's feet.-W. Vers. 4, 9-11.-David, Hadarezer, and Tou. The Spirit of God is a faithful Biographer. If he records the good features of character in God's children, be is no less faithful in desc1ibing the dark side of their character, In this the Word of God is a striking contrast to all human biography. David's cruel conduct in "houghing tho chariot-horses" is in keeping with the imperfect light of that dispensation, and is not recorded for our imitation any more than the records of crime in our daily press. It teaches us that there is only One perfect. There is a blot on every escutcheon except that of the Lord Jesus; and they are recorded by the Spirit of God in order .that the eye of the soul should be ever turning from the best of earth's heroes to him who is the "chief of ten thousand, and the altogether lovely." Let us be warned by the cruelties of David's time and mark his graces, and follow him so far as ho followe1l Christ. Hadarezer's spoils and every other are consecrated to God, Not a trophy falls into David's hands but is laid there. Hadarezer's spoils and 'l'ou's gifts are all alike-- the Lord's. May we follow him here, and cast every crown at the feet of Jesus!-W. Vere, 6, 13.-Divine preservations in work and war. In the record given of Davi<l's expeditions :1nd wars, one thing stands out prominently and impressively; it is twice repeated here, as if to it attention was to be particularly drawn : "The Lord preserve,! David whithersoever he went;" or, in the quaint language of Nehemiah," The good band of his God was upon him for good." It may be noted- I. 'fHAT DAVID WAB IN ALL THINGS Goo's SERVANT. This relation set him in an especial manner under God's care. As his creatures, we come under his providences. As his children, we come into the grace of his fatherly tending. And as his servants, we are assured of hie safe keeping while engaged in bis mission. The fuller and nearer are our relations with God, the more complete may be our security and our rest in tbo Divine hands. Compare the expression, "Man is immortal till his work is clone." Our Lord Jesus knew that no harm could come to him while he was about "his .Father's business." II. THAT DAVID'S WHOLE LIFE WAS IN Goo's KEEPING, Because he never broko free of the idea of service. He never wanted to isolate any part of his life, and keep it for self. It is this which alone severs a man from Divine keeping. A man's wil- fully taking his life into his own hand involves the withdrawing of special Divine ,;race, and then the man learns the evil of his own waywardness by the unrelieved troubles into which he falls. This is the permanent lesson for the ages taught by Eve's wilful- ness in the garden of Eden. The man who can say," We serve the Lord Christ," and apply it to his whole time and powers and spheres, may be sure that he is altogether safe in" the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of tho Almighty." The angels have charcre concerning him, to keep him in all his ways. 'l'hey will bo 10 near that they shall even bear him up lest he "dash his foot against a stone." Ill. THIS IN NO WAY INTERFERED WlTH UIS SUOWlNO ENEL:GY AND E~n;m'RIRE. It r. Clll!ONl(;J.F:s. ~ THE FlilST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. xvrn. 1-17.
might seem that such assurance of Divine preservation would give & sense of security t.bat would lead to indolence and indifference. But it never does do so because such 11 temptation is resisted and overcome by the impulse to faithfulness. l'o loolc at tho good man's life should in these respects he the same as the worldly man's. on' tho surface there should be the energy, enterprise, perseverance, and skill which are the conditions of success in worldly undertakings. The difference lies below. The good man lives and labours for God, and in his strength. The worldly man has no other end than his own fancied good. It may be fully proved and illustrated from Bible examples, and from those of the Christian history, that full consecration to the senice of God has ever been the impulse to a nobler living than any other motive can inspire men to reach. God's servants always strive to be the best possible in every sphere where they are set. IV. IT BROUGHT DAVID STRENGTH FOR DUTY, AND REST FOB TIIE IIEART, TO BE ASSURED TIIAT Goo's SHADOW WAS OVEU HIM. Compare such expressions as," I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety•" "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" And compare su~h experiences of strength as when fighting the lion and bear, or the giant Goliath· and such experiences of preservation as when hunted by King Saul upon the mountains. All new undertakings were entered upon with the quiet heart. God bath kept• he has promised to keep. "He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." ' Here meet the ever-recurring difficulty of practically fitting together man's energy and God's inspirations; man's enterprise and God's preservations; man's free-will and God's abs~lute wilL Show that~ the man who fully trusts, the difficulty fades away; and that, m a most real and practical sense, God's care and preservation and grace are the sanctifying shadow under which noble lives are now lived.-R. T.