from the beginning till now glorified myself in thee and my people (vers. 8-11), will build IL house for thee (ver.11); and then thy son shall erect a. house for me" (Thenius). 1. The purpose of man depends for its fulfilment upon the purpose of God. 2. The purpose which one man is unable to accomplish is often wrought out by another, who comes after him, under more favourable circumstances. 3. Although the former is not permitted to see the execution of his purpose, he may contribute greatly towards it, and does not go unrewarded. 4. Many n seeming failure is a. real and glorious success; and "heaven is made for those who fail in this world."-D. Ver. 9.-(JERUSALEM.) A great name. Among the great things which God did for David, he gave him a great name, like that of others, statesmen, warriors, kings, who, on account of their abilities, successes, power, and inflnence, were renowned "in the earth." "The fame of David went out into all lands" (1 Chron. xiv. 17). "Glory consists in the honourable and widespread reputation of numerous and important services rendered to one's friends, his country, or the whole human race" (Cicero). lt is: 1. A desired possession. The love of human esteem, praise, and honour is natural, universal, beneficial, though often perverted to unworthy ends, and not subordinated to the voice of conscience and of God. "That characteristic of man which is at once the most unworthy and the most exalted is his desire of glory. It is the last passion that becomes extinct in the heart of man. 'l'here is such a. charm in glory that, what- ever we connect with it, even death itself, we love it still" (Pascal). "Desire of glory is the last garment that even wise men lay aside" (0. Felltham). 2. A Divine gift. "And in thine hand it is to make great" (1 Chron. xxix. 12). Although it necessitates, in most instances, strenuous human endeavour, it is never attained a.part from or in opposition to the working of Divine providence; which in this, as in other things, is frequently mysterious, but always wise and just and good. How many strive after it in vain I " Some Bink outright; O'er them, and o'er their names, the billows cloae; To-morrow knows not they were ever born. Others a short memorial leave behind, Like a flag floating when the bark's engnlf'd- It floats a moment, and is seen no more : One Cmsar lives, a thousand are forgot." (Young, 'Night Thought.a,' Vll4 3. A weighty responsibility. As it is given by God, so it should be ascribed to him and used for him, according to his will, not for selfish but beneficent ends (eh. v. 12). Even when righteously gained, it is not always righteonsly maintained. Some of" the great men that are on the earth" have, by its abuse, fallen from their nest amona the stars (Obad. 4), like "Lucifer, son of the morning" (Isa. xiv. 12). 4. An unsatiifying portion. In the midst of its enjoyment the soul craves something higher, a.nd can find rest only in the approbation and fellowship of God (Ps. iv. 6; lxxiii. 25; cxi.:r. 57). It cannot impart inward peace; it endures but for a season, and then passes away. "Where are those rulers of the earth gone, with their guards, armies, and carriages, of whose departure the earth stands a witness unto the present day? " (' The Hitopadesa '). "The noise Of worldly fame is but a blast of wind, That blows from diverse points, and shifts its name- Shifting the point it blows from. Shalt thou more Live in the mouths of mankind, if thy flesh Part shrivel'd from thee, the.n if thou hadst died Before the coral o.nd the pap were left; Or ere some thousand yelllB have past1 and that Is, to eternity compared, a sp1L08 Briefer than is the twinklin~ of an eye To the heaven"s slowest orb.' (Dante, 'Purg.') Remarks. (1) A great name is not always a good name. (2) A good name mny be 202 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [OB. VII, 1-29.
possessed, though a great name m11.y be tmatt11ina.ble, (3) To some men (like D11vid) it is given to poseeSB both. (4J True greatness consists in Christ-like goodness (Mntt. xx. 25-28), a.nd true glory 1n "the honour which cometh from God only" (John v, 44).-D.