of the time, the most valuable of the spoils of war became the property ot David; and these, along with the presents brought to him, he devoted to a sacred use-in prepara• tion for the building or the temple (1 Chron. xviii. 8). The spirit which he displayed had been sho,m at the erection of the tabernacle (Exod. xxxv. 29); and it was partici• J>8ted in by many (1 Chron. xxvi. 28-28; xxix. 5-9), Other instances occurred at a much earlier period (Gen. xiv. 30; xxviii. 22). Dl\vid's act was: 1. Unselfish. Th1t evil of eelfishness epeci8lly appears in undue attachment to earthly possessions; "which is idolatry," and "a root of all evil." lt ofttimes increases with the increase of worldly good, " like the Indian fig tree connecting itself vitally at a hundred spots, 'l'.'ith the soil over which it spreads." Hence the injunction, "If riches increase," etc. (Ps. lxii. 10). A good man receives that he may give, and feels that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." 2. Gratefvl,. David recop:nized the band of God in his victorie8; and herein testified hie thankfulnees to his Divine Helper and Benefactor. Wel\lth is his gift; so is the yxiwer t,o acquire it (Deut. viii. 17, 18). But how often ere its possessors forgetful of this, proud, and untbankful I "All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee" (l Chron. xxix. 14). 3. Faithful. Earthly good i1 not an absolute gift, but a trust; it is put into our power only for a brief i;eason; its possession involves the responslbility or its employment according to the will of the Owner; and its faithful use is conducive to the possession of "the true riches" (Luke xvi. 9-12). Whilst it should be altogether employed according to his will, a due _proportion of it should be set npart as sacred to the claims of the needy, the support of Divine worship, and the spread of the gospel. It would appear that every Jewish family in ancient times devoted as much as 'a fourth part qf'its income to religious and charitable purposes. But inasmuch as no definite rule' is now enjoined, every man must determine the proportion for himself by earnest thought and prayer, without reference to what others may do, and with a view to giving, not as little, but as mu,ch as possible. It has been stated that more wealth has been made in England during the last fifty years than during the preceding eighteen centuries. But notwith- standing numerous examples of noble beneficence, bow small a part of it comparatively h98 been devoted to the highest ends (Dent. xvi. 17 ; Prov. iii. 9, 10; Luke xix. 13; l Cor. iv. 2; xvi. 1; 2 Cor. viii., ix.; 1 Tim. vi. 17-19) ! 4. Devotional. David'11 offering was religions; in it be offered himself to God.; and sought to fulfil his purposes concerning the welfare of his people and the promotion of his honour and glory in the earth. This is the highest motive; and those who are actuated by it obtain :w unspeakable blessing both here and hereafter (Ma!. iii. 10; Matt. xxv. 21). .. Largely thou givest, gracious Lord, • Le.rgely thy gifts should be restored; Freely thou givest, and thy word ls, • Freely give.' He ouly, who forgets to hoard, Bea learnt to live." (Keble.)
Ver. 14.-God's preserving care. "And the Lord preserved David, whitbereoover he went" (ver. 6; 1 Chron. xvi ii. 6, 13). The providence of God (his preservation and government of aU things), which embraces the creation in general (Ps. xxxvi'. 6; Neb. ix. 6) and man in parti.cular (Ps. viii. 4, 6 ; Luke xii. 7), is exercised with speciql regard to the _good of those that love him (Ma~~- vi. 32; x. ¥.9, 30). '.Chia is.evident from his relation and Jove to them (Deut. xxxu. 9 ; Luke xu. 32), the promises and declarations of his Word (Ps. xxxvii. 28 ; cx:id. 8), and the facts of observation and experience (Gen. xlv. 6; Esth, vi. 1). • The life of David is full of illustrations thereof (1 Sam. x:ix. 10; :x:.xiii. 28). "The Lord preserveth the faithful" (Pa. xxxi. 23)- L IN LOYAL OBEDIENCE to his will, such as David exhibited . .. For he will give hia angelll charge over thee, 'l'o keep thee in aU Oi,y wa'J••" (Ps. xci. 11.) i.e. the ways of duty; not of preswnption, like those which the tempter (omitting en. vm. 1-18.) THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.