there may be something about one of these which makes it unsuitable for us and desirable for some one else to do the work which is requirerl to be done. III. MAINTAINING PERSONAL INTEGRITY. (Vers. 11-13.) "Prosper thou, and build the house . . . that thou mayest keep the Law of the Lord thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed," etc. God distinctly promised to be Solomon's I1'ather, and to establish his throne (ver. 10); but this prosperity must depend on loyalty and the keeping of the Law. Without the maintenance of our moral and spiritual integrity we cannot expect to be prospered in any work we do for God. IV. MAKING ALL DUE PREPARATION. Solomon would have found himself overtasked and unable to do as he did if David had not "in bis trouble prepared for the house" (vers. 14-16). The aged king may be said to have laid the foundation of the building by all the pains he took to collect material and make everything rearly for his son to begin the work. We never strike a. better stroke in the service of God than when we a.re engaged in the work of preparation. Moses in Horeb, Paul in Arabia, the Master himself in the quiet home in Galilee and the still more quiet resting-place of the mountain-fold and the seaside of after days, we ourselves in the chamber of com- munion and at the study desk, are "working for God," for we are doing that which is positively essential to true, abiding issues in the field of Christian labour. V. ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVEALED WILL OF CHIUST. "Build the house of the Lord, . . as he hath said of thee" (ver. 11). VI CHE!USHING THE CONFIDENCE WfilOH IS CLOSELY ALLIED TO STRENGTH, "Be strong, and of j?Ood courage" (ver. 13). There is a. confidence which is presumption, and which will be dishonoured; but there is a confidence which is in the truth and in God, and which is a large element of success. Where the diffident arc defeated, the assured and courageous win. Let the Christian workman feel that behind him are Divine promises which "cannot be broken,'' and he will advance boldly and strike successfully. VII. MAKING THE WAY PLAIN FOR OUR SUCCESSORS. (Vers. 6-16.) Nothing is more hateful than the spirit of "apres moi le deluge." No worthy Christian workman will be content unless, like David, as he considers who and whnt are to come after him, he feels a. devout thankfulness that he has made a plain path for his successors, in which they may walk in peace, honour, and usefulness. We may place by itself as a con- dition of success which is involved in some of the foregoing, but yet which deserves to be mentioned separately, cultivating and exhibiting the spirit of devotion. 'l'hrice in this paternal counsel does David invoke the presence and blessing of Almighty God (vers. 11, 12, 16). It is in the spirit of conscious dependence on God and earnest uplooking to him for his Divine help (Ps. xxx. 10) that the workman of the Lord will render successful service to his Master and mankind.-C. Vers. 17-19.-The wisdom of the strong. We may take the "princes of Isrncl '' as types nnd representa.tiveR of the strong men, the leaders in tho kin;::dom, or Church, or society of which they a.re members, those who are responsible for the measures which are adopted, for the course which Is chosen, for the principles which are professed. 'l'hus regarding them, we may gather from the text- I. THAT IT IS THE WISDOM OF THE STRONG TO GAIN THE FAVOUR OF GoD for themselves and for the community. "Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God" (ver. 19); i.e. strenuously and perseveringly endeavour to gain God's approval, to do his will and win his smile. 'l'hat is the " beginning of wisdom'' and the end of it, in all cases now, with all leaders everywhere. 'l'hey are to do this by (1) takmg earnest heed to his revelation of himself; (2) accepting him who is the Mani- festation of his mind and will; (3) fashioning their own lives and directing thoso of oth~rs according to his holy Word. !I. THAT THE WISDOM OF THE STRONG IS IN MAKING THE MOST OF FAVOURADLE -'PPORTUNITY. David urged the princes to activity on the ground that tho time hacl come for action. "Is not the Lord your God with you? and bath he not given you rest on every side?" etc. (vcr. 18). Now that the energy of the peoplo ncede<l not to Le devoted to the art of war, it was most fitting that it should be given to the building of a house for the Lord. 'l'ho time of peace is the hour of national industry and prugtcss, when the usuful arts and religious institutions should receive particular attention. It is S.613 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [oH. xxn. 1-19.
the part of wise and con~cientiou~ leaders, in the Church as well as in the state to watch for the time or opportunity, to make the utmost of the "golden hour," to st;ike when the blows will tell. Carefulness or negligence in this matter may make all the difference between success and failure. These are favourable times for (1) reorganization (2) re-conciliation, (3) evangelization. ' III. THAT IT IS THE WISDOM OF THE STRONG TO BUILD UP THAT WHIOH HOLDS THE -MOST SACRED THINGS. "Build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house" (ver. 19). The princes could do nothing better for Israel than build the house in which the ark would abide; for the Lord himself would dwell above the mercy-seat, and so lonu as Israel worshipped purely in the house they were building they mi~ht count o:t his presence and his favour. Our leaders do well to incite us to build (1) ho'IJ,Ses of the Lord in which he himself will dwell, and receive tho homage of his people and teach them his truth; (2) institutions-Churches, societies, families-in which the holy principles Christ has taught us shall be incorporated; (3) national character, which shall contain and embody those pure and righteous habits which are found in the lifo of the great Exemplar. These a.re of more value than all the "holy vessels" which David's zeal could collect.-C.