The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 360

be expected, nor always wise or right, that a father "make a clean breast of it" to a young son. But David has done this now, and adds advice, and the tones of an earnest deep feeling which failed not to betray itself. 3. Urges the far more potent inducement of the Divine designation. " Build the house of the Lord thy God, as he hath said of thee." If somewhat veiled, this is in effect the strong argument enwrapt in St. Paul's exhortation, ",vork out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. ii. 12, 13). What a tremendous force has developed itself from the midst of all the weakness of human powers, when these have heard and surrendered themselves to the Divine call/ Nothing so disarms as the consciousness that God and-his truth are against you; and nothing fills the heart with such true fire and such abiding, growing determination as the happy contrary. 4. .Appeals to the principle of sanctified courage. " Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." The strength, the courage, ihe fearlessness, not such as should have to be shown against any outer foe, but against the foo who must be feared from within. To fear responsibility rather than to dare it, is one thing; to run away from duty, from high endeavour, from difficult enterprise because of responsibility, is.another thing, and an ignoble thing. Against temptation of this kind even a man's natural courage should largely defend him, much more should godly courage. II. lNDIBECT ADDRESS, AS OVERHEARD, FOR INSTANCE, IN THE SUGGESTIONS OF FERVENT PRAYER. Of all malevolent influences, one of the most disastrous is when the impression is produced upon one that he is "prayed against." Of all tendering, melting influences, one of the most effective bas been observed to be when genuine prayer bas been over- heard ; the person praying unconscious thereof, and the person prayed for convinced of the same. But in this case David wishes his young son to hear and know his prayer and deepest desires for him. And Solomon hears therein : 1. The prayer that speaks gentle, thoughtful affection. "The Lord be with thee "-the unchanging, almighty, unerring Friend. This petition, too familiar to our ear, too littlt1 familiar to our thought, knows no limit of time, sets no bound to help, begs constant mercy, constant love. 2. The prayer that suggests the memory of need-the need of " wisdom and understanding." Amid high position, great power, immense wealth and glory, David will not have bis son forget the need of that "wisdom and understanding" which were more precious than rubies, and above all price. Nor will he have him forget that from God alone are these to be derived. And the exceeding importance that David attaches to the possession of these is further indicated by the word" only." If only these o.re given by the Giver of all good, if only these are treasured by his son, all else may ba trusted to go well. 3. The prayer that honours obedience. Solomon must" keep t!,e Law of the Lord his God;'' he must "take heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel." His principle, his idea., his habit-none of these must look the way of doing his own will, ruling for his own ends or glory. He is but a vicegerent over God's people, and follows in tilis respect the greatest exemplars aud models of his people from most ancient, most honoured times. God had so " charged" Moses concerning Israel, that Moses had for the most part been obedient and "faithful as a servant;" and David prays that a similarly gracious, con- descending, and commanding " charge " may be vouchsafed to Solomon, and heard and "kept" by Solomon. 4. The prayer that authoritatively pronounces the embryo blessing. "Then shalt thou prosper." So this charge, both for its m~tte! and _for its manner, for its following the precedents of wise human means, and for its 1mplonn~_the Divine blessing and unhesitatingly avowing the perpetual need cf Divine interpos1t1on, was well adapted to produce lasting impression on Solomon. What coull tho lovmg father and the dying king do more for his people, for his son, for his God i' Ver. 19.-The aged king's parting injunctions to the princeR of Ms kingdom. There both seems to have been, and on many accounts it is likely that t~ero wa!, muc~ savouring of the despotic in the position of the kings of Israel, and this even m their best times. It was in part the purposed and jUBt result of their Divine call to the office they were to hold. And the despotic disposition was often as inconspicuous as could be desired, The characteristic evils of th1, despotic temper did not push them- selves into any prominence, did not even make themselves visible, so long as tbo.t king divinely designated remembered faithfully to hold himself o.t the sovereign disposal oJ on. xxu. 1-19.J THE FIRST IlOOK OF THE CHRO.NICLES. 861