The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 164

more fully recognized, and its recognition cannot but produce in the home thoughtful- ness, reverence, and self-restraint, 2. Obedience to his commandments; which were deposited in the ark (2 Chron. ii. 10), 'l'he Law must be written on the fleshy tablets of the heart; made the rule of life; and diligently taught to the children (Deut. vi. 4-9). The sins which it forbids will thus be a.voided, the virtues which it enjoins practised; "righteousness, 11:oodness, e.nd truth," the foundation on which the home is built; and the will of God being recognized RS supreme, order e.nd harmony will prevail. 3. Confidence in his mercy; according to the appointed method of reconciliation set forth by the mercy-seat, und fulfilled in Christ (Rom. iii. 25; 2 Cor. v. 19; 1 John ii. 1), The fatherly love of God, being "known and believed," becomes a perpetual incentive to love God and one another (Eph. iv. 32; Rom. xiii. 10). The pervading element of the home should be love. "Jesus Christ-Love; the same." 4. The enfoy- ment of his fellowship; which WW! assured at the mercy-seat. "There will I commune with thee" (Exod. xxv. 22). "Communion with God is the very innermost essence of all true Christian life;" and it is maintained and perfected in the home by family prayer (ver. 20). 6. Repose under his protection; represented by the overshadowing cherubim. While Obed-Edom guarded the ark of God, he was himself guarded by the God of the ark. "The Lord is thy Keeper" (Ps. cxxi. 5). "He shall give his angels charge over thee," etc. (Ps. xci. 1, 11). 6. The recer,tion of his blessing. "And Jehovah blessed Obed-Edom, and all_his household" (ver. 11), "all that he had" (1 Cbron. xiii. 14)-blessed him with spiritual, providential, enduring benefits (1 Chron. xxvi. 4-8). "It paid well for its entertainment. The same hand that punished U zzah's proud presumption rewarded Obed-Edom's humble boldness, and made the ark to him 'a savour of life unto life'" (Matthew Henry). "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children" (Prov. xiii. 22; Ps. cii. 28). 7. The promoti(/'11, of his honO'lllr and glory. "And it was told King David," etc. Religion in the home "cannot be hid;" the fame thereof goes abroad and incites many-perchance a whole nation -to render to God the honour which is his due, "so that glory may dwell in our land."-D. Vere. 12-15 (1 Chron. xv.).-{JERUSALI!!M.) The ark Zed forth with devout enthu- siasm. A man's ruling passion, although repressed for a season, surely reappears. It was thus with David's affection for the ark of God, and his desire to bring it up to Zion, where he bad prepared a new tent, tabernacle, or pavilion (Ps. J1.X.vii. 5), for its reception (ver. 17), in or adjoining his own palace (1 Chron. xiv. 1; xv. 1). His zeal, which had been checked by fear, now revived "As florets, by the frosty air of night Bent down and closed, when day has blanched their leaves, Rise all unfolded on their spiry stems." (Dante.) I. A _RENEWED PURPOSE is ofttimes: 1. Incited by the example of another, and the manifest success attending his conduct. "And it was told King David," etc. (ver. 12); "And David said, I will go and_ bring back the ark with blessing to my house" (Yul- gate). To this also his study of the Le.w, meditation and prayer, during the preceding three months contributed. 2. Accompanied with the conviction and confession of the cause of previous failure·(ver. 13; 1 Chron. xv. 2, 13, 15). "Pious men will profit by their own errors, stand the stronger for their foils, and not abate in their zeal and affec- tions, but learn to connect them with humility, and to regulate them according to the precepts of the sacred Scripture" (Scott). 3. Carried out with more careful and diligent preparation than before. "David gathered all Israel together "-the priests (Abia.thar, 1 Sam. xxx. 7; Zadok, 1 Chron. xii. 28) and the Levites (mentioned only once in 2 Samuel, viz. eh. xv. 24); charged them to sanctify themselves to bring np the ark, and directed the chiefs of the latter to appoint singers with musical instruments for the procession (1 Chron. xv. 12-16), among whom he seems to have "found a faculty of song and music nlready in existence" (Hengstenberg). II. AN AUSPICIOUS COMME:<:CEMENT. "When they had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings" ("seven bullocks and seven rams," 1 Chron. xv. 26)-"a thank offering for the happy beginning, and a petition for the prosperous continuation of the under-  168 TRE SEOOND BOOR. 'or SAMOmL,