cares of this life (Luke x:d. 34; Matt. vii. 14). 4. They whose eyes are opened are naturally impelled to seek the salva.tion of themselves and others, and are under the obligation of doing so (Jude 22, 23). "Take a censer," etc.; "and he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed "(Numb. xvi. 46-68; Joel ii. 17). II. A FERVENT ENTREATY FOB THE PEOPLE, that they may be spared. In his intercession for them (1 Sam. xii. 23; xv. 10, 11, 35) David: 1. Takes the burden of their guilt upon himself; whilst he recognizes his responsibility, openly confesses his transgression_ in. "comman~i~g ~b~ people_ to be numbered" (1 Ch!on. xxi. 17), and honours the Justice of GJd m mlhctmg punishment; he "forgets their sin is his own " regarding them, "not indeed as free from every kind of blame, but only from the sin which God was punishing by pestilence" (Keil). "Many of those sheep were wolves to David. What had they done? They had done that which was the occasion of David's sin and the cause of their own punishment; but that gracious penitent knew his own sin; he knew not theirs" (Hall). 2. Feels a tender compassion for them in their misery and danger. His language " shows the high opinion he had of them, the ~reat affection he had for them, and his sympathy with them in this time of distress" (Gill). 3. Offers himself freely, and his "father's house" (his life and all his most cherished hopes) to the stroke, that it may be averted from his people. "Hitherto David offered not himself to the plague, because, as Chrysostom conjectureth, he still expected and made account of himself to be taken away in the plague, but now seeing that it was God's will to spare him, he doth voluntarily offer himself" (Willet). 4. Urges an effectual plea on their behalf; not merely that they are blameless (in comparison with himself), and may be righteously spa.red, but that they a.re the chosen flock of the Di vine ·Shepherd, whose mercies are great, whose promises to them are numerous aod faithful, and whose glory they are designed to promote in the earth (1 Sam. xii. 22; Ps. Ix.xiv. 1; xcv. 7). "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous'with the wicked ?n (Gen. xviii. 23); "Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin," etc. (Exod. xxxii. 32; 1 Kings xviii. 36; Dan. ix. 3); "I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ on behalf of my brethren," etc. (Rom. ix. 3); "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they rlo" (Luke xxiii. 34); "The good Shepherd' giveth his life for the sheep" (John x. 11); "He ever liveth to make intercession" (Heb. vii 27). "In his hands intercessory prayer is the refuge of the guilty, the hope of the penitent, a mysterious chain fastened to the throne of God, the stay and support of a sinking world." III. A FAVOURABLE ANSWER FROM THE LoBD. Although David sees not the interposition of God, by which the hand of the angel is stayed, yet bis prayer" ava.ileth much in its working" (Jas. v. 16). "And the angel of the Lord [now transformed from a minister of wrath into a minister of mercy] commanded Gad [who previously announced the message of judgment] to say," etc. (1 Chron. xxi 18); "And Gad came that day to David. and said unto -him, Go up, rear an altar," etc.; "And David went up as the Lord commanded" (vers. 18, 19). The answer is propitious; a sign of Divine reconciliation. But why the command to rear an altar, instead of the direct assurance' of forgiveness (eh. x.ii. 13)? 1. To show forth to all the people (who con- fess by their elders and representatives that they have part in the king's transgres- sion) that forgiveness is possible only in connection with sacrifice, wherein justice and mercy are alike exhibited. 2. To call forth their renewed and open obedience and stlf- devotion. 3. To give there a publio sign of the Divine acceptance and removal of the judgment (1 Chron. xxi. 26, 27). 4, To establish a new and permanent centre of Di vine worship, in fulfilment of previous promises (eh. vii. 13); so overruling the evil for good, and turning the curse into a blessing (1 Chron. xxii. 1). This was a turning-point in the history of the nation ; and henceforth the service of the tabernacle began to be superseded by that of the temple. CoNCLUBION. Let it be remembered that the intercession of Christ (unlike that of David) is the intercession of the Innocent for the guilty; that he is also himself the Altar, "which sanctifieth the gift," and "the Propitiation for our sins;" and that in ,dependence upon him, as well a~ after his example and in his spirit, all our prayers and "spiritual sacrifices" must be presented unto God.-D.
Vers. 20-23 (1 Chron. xx.i. 18-23).-(MoRIAII.) Araunah tlie Jebusite. Araunah (.A.ravna.h, Avamah, Aranyah, Ornan) was: 1. A Gentile by birth; almost the last relio 622 THE SECOND BOOX OF SAMUEL, [en. x:trv. 1-25.