II. THIB RISK OF LIFE IS AN OFFERING WORTHY OF CHRIST. The position of David I\B the anointed of the Lord and distinct ruler of the kingdom of God on earth rendered it right and reasonable for the personal risk on hie account. For the cove~ant ,vith David &nd &11 the great issues involved were at stRke. And so, &part from the subjective feeling which prompts to fnll devotion to Christ, there is in him and the vast enterprise of working out the redemption of m&n everything to justify this devotion. Tho surrender of life and all is an offering most worthy. Our mortal interests are as nothin"' compared to the requirements of his kingdom. He is worthy of all might, all riche~ all hfe, all that men or angels can lay at his feet. Ill. CHRIST RAS NO JOY IN THE LOSS OF HIS SERVANTS WHEN SEEKING TO SERVE DIM, David felt no satisfaction that such valued lives were risked for him. It was no pleas~e t.o th_ink th~t widows might have had cause to ·weep in consequence of noble devotion in his set'V'loe. He was always tenderly regardful of the lives and comfort of his people. And although, from tbe necessities of the case in a world where evil has to be fought at all costs, many a noble life has to be sacrificed and many a pain endured, yet Christ finds no pleasure in the sufferings of his people any more than he had ic. his own. His and their sufferings were to him a painful condition of conquest over sin. He feels for them in their woes. IV. BUT CHRIST PAYS HONOUR TO THE SPmIT WHICH FREELY FACES GREAT RISKS, David's refusal to drink the water, and his pouring it out before the Lord as thou"'h it were too sacred for mortal lips to touch, was bis way of paying honour to th:Se devoted men. His feeling in regard to their personal Jevotion is, so far as the human may be a symbol and measure of the Divine, a representation of the feeling cherished by Christ with respect to noble deeds in his service and the spirit from which they spring. He looks with admiration on the self-consuming zeal of his followers; he sees in it the reflection of that spirit of self-sacrifice which enters into his own sufferings and death for men. They are partakers with him of the cup of which some have not the courage to drink (Matt. xx. 20-23). Those who have won great honours in his service are to be welcomed as " good and faithful servants," and to be made "rulers over many things." The loss of parents and houses and lands is to be compensated by others more enduring, with life etemel (Mark x. 30). His care and love assured to them in trial, his grace given according to their need, his distinct promise of distinction among the redeemed, all point to the tribnte which he hears to the noble self- sacrificin~ spirit which animates them (John :xiv. 18, 19, 27; xv. 18-21; 2 Cor. xii. 7-10: Rev. ii. 10; iii 10-12).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-7 (Matt. i. 1).-The son of Jesse, and the Son of David. The relation of David tu Jesus, regarded in the light of prophecy and history, was one of: 1. Hereditary connection; inasmncb es he not only belonged to the tribe of Judah (Gen. :rlix. 10; Heh. vii 14; Rev. v. 5) and the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite (Isa. xi. 1), but was ancestor of J esl.16 (Matt. i. 16; Luke iii. 23); who Wfl.s thus lel!el heir to " the throne of his father David," and was born in "the city of David" (Micah v. 2; Matt. ii. 6). 2. Typical representation, in his ojfice as theocratic king, divinely chosen, "the Lord's anointed" (messiah, christ), the representative of God and of the people; hie devotion to the purpose of his calling, fulfilling the will of God, contending against his enemies, and ruling his people righteously; his ezaltation, through suffering (1 Pet. i. 11), by the mighty hand of God, to power, honour, and dominion; _bfs influence i? securing national deliverance, reli!rions benefits, temporal order, prospenty, and happiness; whereby he foreshadowed a;; incomparably greater Ruler of a kingdom " not of this world," who saves his people from their sins, reconciles them to God, and gives them eternal life. 3. Bisturical resembl,aince (closely associated with the former, but without, so far as is revealed, being expressly designed by God), in his ~owly l;>irth, ;r~uthful ~onsecration (1 Sam. xvi. 12; Luke ii 49), and humble occupation; his dec1s1ve conflict (1 Stirn. xvii. 50 • Matt. iv. 11), public services, and bitter persecutions; his attracting around him a bend of faithful followers (1 Sam. xxii. 1; Matt. x. 1), incree.eing fame, and popular recognition (eh. ii. 4; John vi. 15; Matt. xxi. 9); his great achievements, en. xxrrr. 1-39.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 67fJ