God. There are two ways of estimating greatnes!-ono that strikes the mere out- ward seuse, and one that looks at God. It may be that the building is only a hut but if it is to the Lord it is infinitely greater than the grandest building eve: erect.ed by the art of man. And because it was for the Lord, David had prepared for it" with all bis might." It is this motive which gives power and strength and delight and l'arnestness to all work. But it was not only as a king David bad thus prepared. In this world men may separate the office from the person ; but not so in the kincrdom of God. (!o~'s claims on m~n are not only official but personal; not only as kings, but as Chr1st1an men, David had prepared so much (see ver. 2) as Israel's king, but he had also prepared so much of "his own proper good" (see ver. 3), A minister of Christ has not only to walk worthy of his vocation as a minister, but also as a man; not only in the pulpit and parish, but as a man in all the private relations of life. Having fulfilled both of these relations to the house of God, he can now make his appeal to others. He has set the example : who will follow it? "Who then is willing to consecrate his ser,ice this day unto the Lord?" "'!'hose things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do" (Phil. iv. 9), • And consecration is simply to" fill the hand" (see margin). "He has his hands full" is a familiar saying. Yes; it is every faculty of the man-body, soul, and spirit taken up with the Lord and his work. No room for anything else. Not even a grain more can the hand hold. "To me to live is Christ," All our secular work done to him. Thus life becomes transfigured. And this is not for to-morrow. It is "this day." God asks for it now. Two of God's requirements there are which admit of no to-morrow. One is the salvation of the soul: "Now is the accepted time ; now is the day of salvation." Another is consecration-dedication to God: " Who then is willing to conse• crate his service this day unto the Lord?" It is not so much a command as an appeal,. It must come from the heart or it cannot be accepted. "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Isa. vi.) is made to the l,eart of the prophet. That heart bad "seen the Kin~," and out of the fulness of a love that had penetrated its inmost recesses it exclaimed, " Here am I, Lord; send me." So it was here. All the princes and rulers and congregation of Israel responded to this appeal from one whom they loved, and offered largely and" willingly." No wonder all was joy. 'l'he king, the princes, the congregation, were overflowing with joy. It was the response of a "perfect heart," a true, whole-hearted, joyous surrender of themselves and all they had to the Lord. This is the spring of all real joy. It is nowhere else-an unconditional surrender of ourselves and all we have to him" who loved us and gave himself for w.."-W.
Vers. 10-24.-David's prayer and blessing. In this blessing we observe how every- thing is ascribed to God-greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty, riches, honour, the kingdom ; all are his and from him. What an exalted vir\,. of God is here ! And there follows that which always follows on man's side, "hur::.:.!!!~y" (vers. 14---16). God's greatness bows down the soul in conscious littleness. We are" strangers," " sojourners ; " our days a" shadow" and " none abiding." In order, then, to be humble, we should ever have God's greatness and God's grace filling the soul. The eye on God, and there is no room for the creature but in the dust. David's prayers close with one for the people (ver. 18) and one for Solomon (ver. 19). He prays for the congregation, that God would keep them ever in this frame of heart, viz. of willing, joyful, whole-111111.rted surrender of themselves and all they had to him; and also that their hearts might be ever set towards God himself. For Solomon he prays that God would give him an undivided heart. And this whole-heartedness would show itself first in relation to God and his truth-" To keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, thy statutes, and ,to do all these things;" and secondly," to build the pa.lace for the which I have made pro- vision." This is ever the Divine order in Davids mind-God and his truth first, and the work of God next. And finally, he calls upon the whole assembly to praise the Lord, which they did, bowing before the Lord and the king, and worshipping, In order to sea.I their confession thus made in word and deed, they proposed a great ieasL on the following day, consisting of a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with drink offerings and thank offerings to correspond. 'l'hus ended the con- secration, the prayer and praise, viz. in joy and "great gladness." These are ever t!Jc results, and there never will be joy and gladness in t-he Lord without them.-W. (lH. XXlX. 1-30.] 'l'HE FIHST BOOK OF THE cnno~Icrns. 455