to hew stones (ver. 2), and prepared abundance of iron and brass, and of cedar (vers. 2-4). Thus his zeal discovered a sphere of activity; nor was he wantin" in the discernment of a reason for action. He might have argued that while his actvanciu_g age would excuse inaction on his part, the youth of Solomon would ensure and demand the utmost activity. That is the light in which lukewarmness would have viewed it. Not so the king. He argued that, as Solomon his son was young and tender, and the house was to be magnificent, etc. (see ver. 5), he had better bring his experience to the work, that it might be as complete as possible. If we are really in earnest in the work of the Lord, we shall not see the reasons which might be found for our absten- tion or delay ; we shall readily observe strong grounds for immediate and strenuou~ exertion. What is seen, in this as well as in other spheres, depends far more upon the eye than upon the object. IV. How MUCH BOOM THERE IS IN THE FIELD OF HOLY USEFULNESS FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF LATER YEA.RB. There is good reason why all the work of the Lord should not be left to those who are "young and tender." By all means let maturity bring its solid strength; and let age, also, bring its varied experience, its gathered and garnered wisdom to the chamber of consultation and the field of labour. "Old age hath yet its honour and its toil," its witness to bear, its counsel to give, its work to finish.-C. Vers. 1-6.-David numbering the people. In considering this act of David, our attention must be first directed to the statement in the very first verse of this chapter, in connection with the corresponding passage in 2 Sam. xxiv. 1. In one chapter it is stated that" Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel;" in the latter passage it is said, "Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them." Manifestly there needs some way of reconciling these two statements so apparently conflicting. 'l'he latter passage implies that there was some guilt in Israel for God to take this step, and this may be found in the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba against David's kingdom. The word " a.gain " points back to the judgment of God on Israel recorded in 2 Sam. xxi. But although there was guilt on the nation on account of these rebellions, David himself was the instrument by which Israel was to be punished. On the other hand, there was, as Joo.b's words imply, considerable pride and vo.nity in David's heart in wishing for this census of the people. As be was about to glory in the number of his people, God reduced that number by seventy thousand, so that he should not have the glory. God's law i~ to compel wickedness hid in the heart to manifest itself outwardly by furnishing the oppor- tunities for its manifestation. Hence it is perfectly true to say, on the one.hand, that God used David's sin to punish Israel for their guilt, and, on the other, that Satan moved David to number them. The latter was but God giving David the opportunity for the evil of his heart to manifest itself, while of course Satan was the source of that evil. God used David's sin to punish Israel; God gave the opportunity to Da.vicl to number Israel in order to manifest the evil of David's heart outwardly. Thus God punished Israel and humbled David. This may suggest to us the difference in the Bible between trial and temptation. In the Book of Genesis it is said, "God did tempt [or,' try'] Abrabe.m." In the Epistle of James it is said of God," Neither temptetb he o.uy man." God tries; Satan tempts. Let us illustrate. Some thousands of pounds are lying on the parlour table when a servant enters the room. This is a trial of the servant's honesty, and thus is from God. Satan says, "Steal some;" this is the temptation. So that every trial from God may at the same time be o. temptation from Satan. To return now to the act of David in numbering the people. We have seen tho sin of this act in that he was about to glory in the number of his people. "No flesh shall glory in his presence;~ and so God reduced the number by seventy thousand. 'l'bo mentiou of Satan as the author of this act is intended to show us that David's purpose in it was, from the very first, an ungodly thing. Joab was aware of this, and regarded tho act as "abominable." His language in reply to the kiug indicates its enormity: "Why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?" The word "trespass" here is significant. It means not only a trespass committed, but one which must bo atoned for. 'l'his shows iu what a heiJious Jiabt be regarded David's a.et. The king's word prevailed, however, and Joab reluctantly obeyed. Levi and Benjamin were not collutcd with the number. 344 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. xn.1-30.
The tribe of Levi was always exempt in such censuses, and the tribe of Benjamin was not numbered because David, in the mean time, having become conscious of his sin, stopped the census before it was completed. Joab gave the sum of the people to the king. It amounted to one million one hundred thousand men in Israel. '!'his great population in so limited an extent of country is a proof of the fulfilment of the promise (Gen. xv. 5). Such great prosperity, however, is too frequently a snare, as it was in this case. It proved too strong a temptation to David's pride and vanity; and though the Lord used it to discipline David's soul into deeper humility, it led to lamentable c?nsequences. We see how little God can trust his children long with prosperous circumstances. It is for this reason the pressure of God's hand is laid on many of them, and continued, in one form or another, through life ; for, were it withdrawn, the heart would soon wander from God, and run the risk of forfeiting its heavenly inheritance, or its future glorious reward.-W.