Domestic hindrances to piety. A day of high festivities and holy gladness was closed by an event which must have made David feel how imperfect is the best estate at which man can arrive in this world. The reviling of his wife Michal was indeed a bitter efement in the cup, and suggests to us a sad subject, too frequently illustrated in the lives of good men, namely, the hindrances to piety in domestic life. I. THE MOST PERFECT HUMAN CONDITION IS MARRED BY SOME BLEMISH. To an ordinary observer David would seem to have been on that day the happiest and most honoured of men-monarch of the chosen race, in the flush of health and fulness of power and intellect, beloved by his people, and filled with joy in having brought to pass an event of great religious significance. But even for him there was a bitterness most bitter. In his home, where love and joy and full sympathy with all his noble aspirations ought to abound, there awaited him scorn, distrust, and the venom of spite. 'fruly, royal personages are not free from common woes. The fairest, most beautiful life is shaded by some sorrow. Every heart knoweth its own bitterness. In this we have, doubtless, an illustration of what has been true in all ages of all men. Behind all grandeur there is some destroying moth. The most charming prosperity is attended with some defect. 'l'here is "a crook in every iot." Even the great apostle k11ew the " thorn in the flesh." II. DOMESTIC OPPOSITION TO PERSONAL PIETY IS AMONG THE MOST BITTER OF TRIALS. Though, as king amongst men of stubborn will and perverse disposition, David carried on his heart many a care, there was, doubtless, no trouble of his life comparable to that of the opposition of his favourite wife to the conduct which he, as a pious man, felt bound to adopt. Such sorrow presses heavily in the home where only j,,y ought to be found, e.nd attends, as a dark, unwelcome shadow, the pathway of daily duty out of THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. v1. 1-21',
the home. In so far as we believe godliness to be the best of all things, and the particular expression of it we may adopt as the tribute due to God, so must the antagonism of those we love most of all embitter the spirit. This wearies and worries when, after the toil of day, the domestic circle is sought for repose and refreHh- ment of heart. Apart from the pain of being opposed in what is most sacred and binding and precious, there is the oppressive feeling that two human beings abiding under the same roof, and pledged to mutual love and confidence, 11re pressing tow11rds eternity with no assurance of being one there. 'l'his is a tender subject, the very mention of which may open the floodgates of weeping. III. THE FORMS OF .U."TAGONISM MAY VARY, BUT THE AIU IS ONE-TO WIN OB DRIVE FROM HIGH·TO?-.'"ED SERVICE. The sharp tongue of Michal was employed to reproach David for a form of service in which he rejoiced, and which he believed to be due to God and for the good of the people; and the ulterior aim was to Linder his adopting such courses in future. Others may meet with smiles and persuasions and all the engaging arts of the charmer, which in themselves do not assume the form of anta- gonism, but are designed for the same end. The manifestation of earnest piety is too earnest, too spiritual, too elevated, for the carnal mind; and hence must be brought down to a lower level. There are unspiritual wives who thus strive to despiritualize their husbands~ and sometimes, but not so often, husbands strive to despiritualize their wives. Through unfortunate alliances many a godly soul bas to experience this dreadful evil. IV. THE TRUE WAY OF MEETING THIS TBIAL IS BY OOMBINED MEEKNESS AND FIRMNESS. The rasping tongue of Michal and her base insinuations only provoked a. gentle reply in a firm spirit. David would not increase the trouble by bitter, cutting words. Referring to God's choice of him and the consequent obligations to do all he could to raise the tone of religion, he calmly informed his wife that his purpose was unchangeable, and expressed the belief that some at least would see honour and not disgrace in his conduct. It is a hard fight to hold one's own in such a contest, aml many, it is to be feared, gradnally yield for the sake of what is called "peace," only to sink down to a formality in religion congenial to the unspiritual companion of the domestic hearth. Those thus tried have need to lift up their hearts to God for the wisdom and grace by which they shall know how to be true to their God and disarm the opposition or else neutralize its power. They have this encouragement, that, while the favour of the world can only tend to spiritual death, fidelity to God is sure to win the respect of all the good, command the silent reverence of even the hostile mind, and gather up daily strength wherewith to bear the burden of sorrow, and at last end one's courae as a" good and faithful servant.n
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2 (1 Chron. xiii. 1-6).-(Juus.&.LEM.) The ark sought after long neglect. 1. The ark was the central point of the religion of Israel. In this sacred chest were deposited the two tables of the Law (the testimony, the great document of the cove- nant); on it rested the covering (kapporeth) propitiatory (LXX.), expiatory (Vulgate), or mercy-seat (Authorized Version)," above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat," whereon the invisible King of Israel, the Lord of hosts, was enthroned; and there atonement was made, by the sprinkling of blood, for the sins of the people (Exod. xxv. 10-22). It was a symbol of Jehovah's presence and fellowship, his righteousness and mercy, his protection and blessing; a type of heavenly things. 2. Of the ark nothing is recorded since it was placed, about seventy years previously, on its return from the land of the Philistines, iu the house of Abina.dab, on the hill, at Kirjath- jea.riD;l; and Eleazar, his son, waa consecrated to keep it (1 Sam. vi. 21, 22). During this long period it continued there, separated from the tabernacle (in Nob, 1 Sam. xxi. 6; :xxii. 13, 19; and afterwards in Gibeon, 1 Chron. xxi. 29), unsought and neglected (1 Chron. xiii. 3), "buried in darkness and solitude." The worship and service of God were necessarily incomplete-an effect and evidence of the imperfect relations subsisting between the nation and its Divine King, and of its divided and distracted condition. 3. The time had now come for the r"llltora.tion of the ark to ita proper place as the OH, VI, 1-23.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 161