The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 448

command, to require, to enact, But be evidently feH that thil! was an occasion on which it was far better to persuade. After pleading the youthfulness of bis son (ver. 1), the sacredness of the work (ver. 1), the energy be himself bad shown in the matter (" With all my might," ver. 2), the affection be felt, and the personal sacrifices he had made (vers. 3, 4), the consideration he had shown for tho various necessities of the case (ver. 5), he appealed to the congregati~n, "Who then is willing?" If King David, under the Law, thus resorted to persuasion rather than to enactment, much more may we under the gospel. '!.'he spirit of the gospel is the spirit of persuasion. We need not wish for" compulsory powers;" we should rejoice that the better way is given us of convincing by argument, of affecting by entreaty, of winning by earnestness. And, on the part of those who are influenced, there must be- ll. WILLINGNESS. "Who then is willing 1" (ver. 5). "Then the chief of the fathers . . . offered willingly" (ver. 6). Nothing is gained of any vital consequence until the heart is willing, until every barrier of indifference and objection is broken down, and our will consents to go in the path of service, of contribution, of activity. III. EAGERNESS. David had shown not only readiness, but eagerness. lle " prP,- pared with all his might" (ver. 2); he "set his affection to the house of his God" (ver. 3). The people were not only prepared to respond to the king without demur, they consented cordially; "With perfect heart they offered willingly" (ver. 0). A very great step is taken when willingness passes into eagerness; when those whom we ask to serve not only come forward, but walk in the path of usefulness with elastic step, as those who have a heart as well as a hand in the undertaking. IV. SERVICEABLENESS AND SUITABLENESS. David gave of the spoils of war (ver. 2), and also of his own personal property (ver. 3), things which would be of practical value for the work before them-gold, silver, etc.; so did the people (vcrs. 7, 8). Anrl not only generally serviceable, but specially suitable things he and they took care to offer; "Gold for things to be made of gold," etc. (ver. 2). David was mindful of the thought that commoner as well as rarer metals would be of use, and he furnished both. We must bring to the work of the Lord (1) that which is practical and precious (gold and silver), that which we esteem as valuable for the purposes of human life; and (2) that particular contribntion which the special service demands-not cleverness wheu kindness is wanted, not learning when sympathy is demanded, not counsel when money is the only thing that will avail, not retinement when rugged simplicity is the desirable thing, etc. ; gold for the things of gold, brass for the things of brass, ere. V. GLADNESS. "'!'hen the people rejoiced" (ver. 9). 'l.'he outcome of devoted work for Christ aud man is heartfelt joy. '!'here is no deeper, stronger, purer joy than that of" consecrating our service unto the Lord" (ver. 5), and doing this with the" perfec& heart" of entire willingness, giving ourselves freely and lavishly for him who gavo himself for us. It is "more blessed to give than to receive." 'l'hey who do not know the joy of the people at Jerusalem on this occasion, the joy of hearty devotedness, have not ascended to the summit of human blessedness. VI. CONTAGIOUSNESS. David communicated his enthusiasm to the people. Their fire of devotion was caught from the fiame that was burning on the altar of his heart. Similarly their joy was communicated to him. "'l.'he peoplo rejoiced . . . and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (ver. 9). Unhappily, evil passions are extended through this channel of contagiousness; one mind passes on its sinful principles and unholy excitements. But, happily for the world, goodness is as diffusive o.s evil. We catch animation, zeal, consecration from one another; we light our lamps from the fire that burns in our brother's heart; we pass on our joy in God till "all the congregation" "rejoice with great joy" in him and in the victory of his cause.-C. Vere. 10-22.-Rejoicing before God. The verses present to us a scene of sacred joy. Israel had seen and would see few happier days than t,his, and its joy wo.s godly. David's end drew near, and they might, as patriots, have entertained some very serious anxieties as to the future of their country. But all these, if such there were, were lorgotten in the joy of devoting themselves to the service of God by large contributions to ihe house which was soon to rise. Concerning this sacred gladness, we remark- I. THAT IT RESTED ON CO:SSCIOUSNESS OF PERSONAL mTEGRITY, and belief in the integrity of others (ver. 17). If we realize that God is one who "tries the heart, and 452 'l'HE FIRST DOOK OF 'fHE CHRONICLES. rcn. xxtx. 1-30.