acceptanr~ of his 1waye1· on behalf of Israel. "I have heard thy prayer" (ver. 12). On a similar basis Jehovah grounds his covenant with Christ concerning the Church of the New Testament, viz. his acceptance of Christ's mediation and intercession-" 'l'hou art [o~( .' this is'] my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. iii. 17; Mark i. 11; Luke m. 22); "Father, I know that thou hearest me always" (John xi. 42). 2. 'l.'he choice C/f his temple a.s a place of sacrifice. (Ver. 12.) 'l'here can be no covenant except on a sacrificial basis (Heb. ix. 16-20). For this reason emphasis was laid upon the choice of the temple as a house of sacrifice. The " house of sacrifice" in the new covenant was the temple of Christ's body (John ii. 21; Heb. x. 19, 20), III. THE PROMISES. 1. For the people. That penilentinl prayer, accompanied with an earnest seeking of the Divine favour, and a genuine work of reformation among them, should be followed by forgiveness and its attendant signs (ver. 14). 2. For the temple. That God's heart should be there perpetually (ver. 16), that his eyes should be open towards it, and his ears attent unto whatever prayer should in future years be made in it (ver. 15). So God still engages to observe every suppliant and hear every prayer made to him in Christ's Na.me, or with an eye to his atoning sacrifice; because his eyes and bis heart are ever on the Son. 3. For the king. That God would establish bis throne according to the covenant made with David, that the throne of Israel should never want a ruler (ver. 18); always provided that he, the king, followed in the footsteps of David, doing all God commanded him, and observing God's statutes and judgments. IV. THE THREATENIKGS. All covenants have penalties attached to them to be inflicted as alternatives in case the covenanting party or parties fail to implement the condition on which alone the promise or promises can be bestowed (see Gen. ii. 17). Here the penalties for disobedience were explicit, if severe. 1. For the king. Failure of the royal line, which would terminate with himself or with a near descendant; This a clear deduction from the terms of the Davidic covenant. 2. For the people. Plucking up by the roots from the land of their inheritance, and dispersion among the nations of the earth as a proverb and a byword (ver. 20). 3. For the temple. Destruc- tion and desolation, which should make of its lofty walls an astonishment to every one that passeth by. Learn: 1. That God's promises of grace and salvation are all conditioned by the faith and obedience of '.those who receive them. 2. That God's threatenings are as certain of fulfilment as his promises. 3. That God's judgments can always vindicate themselves to those who reverently inquire concerning them.-W.
EXPOSITION. t.elling how it was Hiram had come by CHAPTER VIII. "twenty cities in the land of Galilee" by This interesting historical chapter may way of payment, or part payment, for the Tery well be described as by Professor Dr. "cedar," "fu:," and "gold" which he had James G. Murphy, in his 'Bible-Class given Solomon. It is evident that these cities were in need of repair ; possibly they Handbook,' "The Acts of Solomon," or at bad not been previously in the occupation of any rate, some of the miscellaneous acts, for the Israelites; if they had been, the trans- which time was found now that the "two action was scarcely legitimate on the part of houses " "·ere out of hand. Solomon (Lev. xxv. 12-33), and we may suppose they had become largely deserted Ver. l (parallel, I Kings ix. 10).-Twenty when made over to Hiram. It would not, years, wherein Solomon had built the house however, be necessary to suppose either of the Lord, and hill own house. The de- that Solomon had given them because they BCription is intended to be, wba.t it is, chro- were poor property in his eyes, or that nologically exact. Four years of Solomon Hiram, whose good will and generous dis- had passed when he began the Lord's house, position are elsewhere specially notified, had seven were spent in building it, thirteen in returned them as a thankless gift or as a finishina and furnishing it, a.nd in building, bad payment, but for the language of vcrs. finishing, and furnishing the king's house- 12, 13 (1 Kings ix.), which distinotly tells in all twenty-four years. us that when Hiram inspected them they Ver. 2.-The cities which Hura.m had did "not please him," and that he named restored to Solomon. l Kings ix. 11 ex- them "the land of Cabul" (see Dr. Smith's plains the force of the word'' restored" here, 'Bible Diction1ny,' i. p. 237). The prol,a• on. vm. 1-18.] TIIE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 95