The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 370

Vers. 7, 8.-The grounds of Divine refusals. God would not permit David to build his temple, and he was graciously pleased to signify to him the grounds on which this refusal was made: "Because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight." For illustrations of the bloody character of David's wars, see 2 Sam. viii. 2 5 • x. 18, xii. 31; 1 Kings xi. 16. David's mission did not appear to consort with Da;id'; wishes'. He did not, however, see an unfitness which God recognized. A man must let God tell him what he may do and what he may not; and full willingness thus to receive Divine direction is a high sign of the true submission. No man ever finds it easy to give up his long-cherished wishes. I. A MAN MAY WILL MORE THAN HE MAY PERFORM. Distinguish carefully between willing, or seriously purposing, and mere wishing. A man's sentimental wishes mean nothing, and cannot stand in place of right deeds ; but a man's definite plans and purposes may be as true expressions of character and righteousness as actual deeds could be ; and so God may say," Thou didst well that it was in thine heart." One of the gravest troubles to the earnest man is the impossibility of carrying into effect one-half of what he can purpose and desire to do. The artist has his visions of more and better pictures than he can ever paint. The author plans more and better books than he will ever write. The Christian resolves upon nobler works than he will ever accomplish and a nobler life than he will ever Jive. From this common fact an important argument for man's immortality may be drawn. There must be the larger sphere in which man may find the room which he vainly seeks here. IL A MAN'S PROVIDENTIAL PLACE MAY PUT mM IN LIMITATIONS. David was where God had put him, and in his wars he had been doing the work which God required him to do; and yet he found his very life-work limited him; and his very faithfulness to God hindered his accomplishment of his own cherished desires. So it often is still. A man's providential place is one he never would have chosen. A man's life-work is one that prevents his following out his own wishes. At this men often fret, fancying them- selves fit for far higher work than is given to their charge. But the true-hearted man accepts the Divine overruling and the painful limitations, learning to say calmly, "My times are in thine hand,'' and thankful that in some sphere he may carry out the Divine purposes of grace. ill. THE DIVINE REFUSAL OF A MAN'S PERSONAL WISH IS ALWAYS WISELY BASED, God sees influences and consequences which the man himself may fail to discern. God works ever for the larger good of the whole, and hie sphere bkes in wider considerations than any individual can reach. God's estimate of what a man is, and is fit for, may well differ from a man's own estimate of himself. And God's sensitiveness to what is befitting we may be sure is keener and altogether more refined and subtle than any man's. Enough that we are sure all God's decisions are based on the judgments of infinite wisdom, and never on mere eccentricities of feeling. JV. YET THE PuEPOSE WHICH A MAN MAY NOT EXECUTE MAY WIN THE DIVINE ACCEPTANCE. David's intention was acknowledged graciously, and the next best thin~ was given him. His son should do what he might not do; and that son should do it ns soon as David had passed away. And even more than this: the preparation work David was himself permitted to arrange, and the plan he might devise; so that, after all, the temple that was ultimately built was more David's than Solomon's. Plead that a man does well who has great things in his heart; but he must be sure that Divine providences and leadings-and nothing else-keep him for carrying them out and giving them practical effect.-R T. Ver. 9.-The miaiion of the men of rest. The anticipative description of Solomon, as the man conceived by God to be fitted for the work of building his temple, is this- " He shall be a man of rest." Very remarkable is the fact which may constantly be observed, that successors in office are usually marked contrasts in character, disposition, ano. modes of working. This is often observed in clergymen and ministers, and it is vt>ry marked in the succession of Solomon to David. 'l'he connections between the two we oftea cannot trace, and it 11eems as if the one could not possibly carry on to its corn• en. xxn. 1-19.J THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHilO:N'IC\..ES. 371