The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 194

"returns to bless his household," but also: 1. Meditates on the best things: the Name of the Lord, his greatness and goodness, his works, his ways, his Word, his worship, lind the welfare of men. Be considers "the days of old," and "communes with bis own heart" (Ps. l:s:xvii. 6, 6) of his benefits, obligations, condition, nnd prospects (Pa. Iv. 11 ; Matt. vi. 5; John i. 48). 2. Talks of these things in a right manner. 3. Cultivates soc_i11l fotercourse with good men," the cxoollcnt, in whom is all his delight" (Ps. xvi. 3; cux. 63). He prefers their society to any other, befriends them, and makes them hie friends (Luke xvi. 9). Nor is there any greater treasure on earth than a faithful friend, such as David had in Nathan. The manner in which men spend their leisure hours is a sure indication of their real character. • IT. ARDEl\'T GRATITUDE TO Gou FOR succxss in his undertakings, labours, conflictA (ver. 1), e.nd whatever rest and prosperity he enjoys. 1. These he ascribes, not to his own skill or power (Deut. ,·ii. 17), but to the Divine hand; and, in considering what God " hath done for his soul" (Ps. lxvi. 16) : 2. He is deeply affected by his exceeding kindness, so condescending, undeserved, and inexpressible (vers. 8, 9, 20)1 While he muses the fire burns (Ps. xxxix. 3). 3. And he is constrained to testify his thankful- ness in word and deed. "Those who stretch themselves upon beds of ivory (Amo~ vi. 4-6), and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, though they had David~s music had not David's spirit" (Matthew Henry). "Though tbe Prophet David \\'.11,S guilty of many of the most deadly sins, yet be was said ,to be a man afte~ God's own heart, because he abounded more with thankfulness than any other that is mentioned in Holy Scripture" (lsaAc Walton). , III. 'TEl>"DER OONCERN FOR THE Dxvn.'E HONOUR. "See now. I dwell in a house of cedar," etc. The devout and grateful heart feels: 1. That with the ho:nour.of God the house of God is intimately connected. No material fabric, however stately, can now possess the same significance or rela.tive importance as the tabernacle or templ11 (1 Sam. L 3, 9). But wherever God's children meet for Divine worship and spiritual fellowship (thus constituting the true temple and Church), the place is "hallow.ed ground." Standing amidst other dwellings, tbe house of God is a. constant witness for him ; and, by its sacred associations, religious exercises, and the holy influences therein received and thence diffused, it greatly conduces to his glory, as well as to the good of men. 2. That it ought to correspond with its declared purpose, and the circumstances and abilities of those by whom it is erected and attended, All "temples made with l1ands" fall infinitely beneath the dignity of the Eternal (1 Kings viii. 27 ; Acts xvii. 24); yet it is becoming that "strength and beauty should be in his sanctuary,", tpaj; i:n.en sbould offer their best in his service (eh. :niv. 24), and that, while they <lwell in "ceiled houses," his house should not "lie waste" (Hag. i. 4). , 3. '£hat it is a duty ,and a privilege to employ the gifts bestowed by God for the improvement of hi1;1 house and the promotion of his honour. When he has done much for us we should do much for him. "Four great mea.ni; for administering the religion of Christ have been divinely appoint.ed : t.he Book of God, the da.y of God, tqe worship of God, and the house .of God. This last is for the sake of the former three. Without it tqcy cannot be upheld. In the li.O'UJJe of God the truth of God is proclaimed,, the day of God is hallowec!, and tLe worship of God is solemnizei. All good gathers into and around God's house. 'I will make, saith he, ' the places round about my hill a blessing.' '!'here gather pious families. There arise schools for neglected children. There benevolent activities prevail. There spring up fountains of missionary liberality. A.nd from humble i;anctuaries in England, gospel light streams forth to distant regions of the earth--,-the wilds of Southern .Africa, or the populous hives of Chinese idolatry" (Algernon Wells). IV. HIGH EBT!llATION OF FRIENDLY oouNSEL, Unlike some successful and powerful men, who ta.kc counsel of their own hearts and despise the advice of others, David valued, sought, and received the advice of Nathan as the counsel of God himself. "The first great office of a friend is (1) to try our t71()"1]ht$ by the measure of his.judg- men t and to taile the wholesomeness of our designs and purposes by the feeliugs of his heart'. As this office of a good friend is to guard us against, the imper(ections. of our own nature, aod protect the world from the effects and oqrselve11 from the ,responsi- bility of OLU' folly, the .next office of a fril!nd is (2) to protect J.U from. ihe ~el~sh and wilfal and malicious pa.rt of our nature. A third great office -of .fJ-1endsh1p 1s (3) to awaken us and lift us up, and set us on nobler deeds. 'l'he fourth good office of a frh,nd Oll, VII, 1-29,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. HJO