hns been faithful in "e. few things" (Matt xxv. 22, 23). A monarch, a bishop, a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, a pious domestic servant, and a day-la.bourer, may each ba distinguished by faithfulness to the work in hand. True spiritue.l honour lies more in the spirit of loyalty to our divinely appointed calling than in the specific deeds trans- acted. Hence the moral prospects of all Christ's servants. It is extremely important to impress this on the young, and on those who are prone to be discouraged by reason of the lowliness of their position in society and in Christian endeavour. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. The disorganization produced in the world by the action of sin renders it inevitable that much human suffering, much collision of man against man, be endur~d even in the historical processes of Providence, by which the blessings of redemption are finally brought into full operation. The woes of the Moabites (ver. 2) and of others were humanly necessitated incidents in the ages, givin<:?; birth to the promised Christ; and much suffering will yet be endured ere the full triumph of good over evil is achieved (Rom. viii. 18-22). 2..The most certain of the promises of God Rhould be embraced in full confidence, and yet the most strenuous exertion on our part to bring about their fulfilment is reasonable. David's kingdom bad been assured (eh. ·vii. 127). But, nevertheless, he set garrisons in defence of his heritage, and took pains to organize his administration on a judicious basis (vers. 16-18). Fatalism or pre- sumption is irreligious as truly as is unbelief. 3. Resources obtained from men not religious :may be used in the service of God (vers. 9-11). The deference paid ·by Toi to David is similar to that paid by many men destitute of vital godliness to Christians, and their gifts, though not in the most enlightened spirit, may be employed for the holiest of purposes. 4. There js a prophetic truth in the turning of the golden shields and other instruments of the heathen into the peaceful uses of the sanctuary (vers. 7, 9, 10). As a. fact, the weapons and splendour of kings will some day be turned into uses subservient to the reign of Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isa. ii. 2-5; lL 5-11).
HOMILIES ,BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-14 (1 Chron. xviii. 1-13).-(JERUSALEM.) David's wars and victories. Summary: (1) The Philistines (ver: 1); (2) The Moabites (ver. 2; N urub. xxiv. 17). (3) The Ammonites (ver. 12; eh'. x.). (4) The Syrians of· Zobah, under Hadadezer (v~r. 3; eh. x. 15, 16). The point here touched (ver. 4) in the struggle appears to have been after the Ammonites had commenced hostilities, aided by Hadadezer, (5) the Syrians of Beth-Rehab, (6) the King of Maachab, and (7) the men of Tob; and had been defeated (in a first campaign) by Joab and Abishai at Medeba (eh. x. 1-14). Hadadezer now recruited his forces in Mesopotamia, and made .immense preparations; but he was defeated by David, who took the :field in person (in a second campaign), at Helam; his general, Shobacb, being slain (eh, x. 15-19). (8) The Syrians of Damascus (vers. 5, 6). (9) Toi, King of Hamath (vers. 9, 10). "Thus the Aramean supremacy, which had in previous centuries become so formidable to the Hebrews, and even to the Ammonites, was now broken once more by the heroic arm of David" (Ewald). (10) The Edomites, in league with (11) the Amalekites (ver. 12) and others, threatening to render previous victories fruitless, overcome (in a third campaign) by Abishai and by Joab (vers. 13, 14; 1 Chron. xviii.12; 1 Kings xi. 15; Ps. lx., inscription). "David himself came at the close of the campaign to arrange the conquered territory" (Stanley). (12) The siege of Rabbah, the capital of the Ammonites, which still held out, by Joa.b (in a fourth campaign), while the king remained at Jerusl\lem (eh. xi. l); and its capture by David (eh. xii. 26-31; 1 Chron. xx. 1-3). These wars of Israel with ~urrounding nations were not ordinary wars (eh. ii. 24---29). They were a special embodiment of the great conflict which was ordained from the beginning (Gen. iii. 15), and of which the sacred history is a record. They involved principles and issues of vast importance; and they must be considered in the light of the peculiEU' position or the people of Israel, the measure of Divine revelation vouchsafed to them, and the "ruling ideas in early ages," in order that they may be judged of correctly, aud just inferences drawn from them in relation to the conduot of Christian nations. They were waged- I. WITH POWERFUL ADVERSARIES. Numerous, varied, confederated, selfish, proud, and •' delighting in wo.r" (Ps, Ix.viii. 30). The Ammonites (1 Sam. xi.1-15) first attacked 232 THE SECOND BOOK OF t5AMUmL. (OH, VIII, 1--18,