of men. 3. The moral significance of the sacri,fice of Ghrist is immeasurably greater than of the o,(fering of any number ef animal sacri(icu. As a. revelation of God and man, of holiness and sin, of the Divine hatred to sin and love to sinners, of the boouty and glory of self-sacrifice, et-0., it is altogether unique. 4. The efficacy of the sacrijice of Ohri.st trar1scends incalculably that of th~ sacrijices o_ffered by David. (1) The value of the latter for atonement depended wholly on the will and appointment of God; the worth of the former was essential and intrinsic. (2) The one atonement was of limited, the other of boundless, efficacy. The former removed limited guilt-of o. single nation, and for the time; the other was for the sins of all men, everywhere, and in all ages of the world (John i. 29; 1 John i. 7; ii. 2; Heb. x. 14). (8) 'l'he sacrifices of David arrested a pestilence, and thus lengthened the lives of many; that of Obrist MVes rrom et.emal punishment, and secures et.ernal life(l Thess. i.10; John vi. 61-64). (4) The former had doubtless some influence on some of the Israelites,.favourable to repentance, faith, and obedience ; the latter has produced and will yet produce a com- plete revolution in the position and character of vast multitudes belonging to many nations. '!'hose who believe are by the death of Christ brought to God (1 Pet. iii. 18; Heh. x. 19, 20), made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Gal. iii. 13, 14), pardoned and justified (Eph. i. 7; Rom. v. 9), sanctified (Rom. viii. 3, 4; Eph. v. 25-27), led to thorough consecration of life to him who died for them (2 Cor. v. 14, 15), and to assured hope and unspeakable happiness (Rom. v. 5-11; viii. 32-39), issuing in the perfection, glory, and hlis~ of heaven (Rev. vii. 9, 10, 13-17). 6. The animals offered by David ceased to exist ; the great Redee=r obtained for himself by his self-sacrijioe ea:,aJ,ta.tion to universal dominion and immortal glory, including the honour of leading and sa,ing those for whom he died, and of receiving their loving and devoted homage (Rom. xiv. 8, 9; Eph. i. 19-23; Phil. ii. 8-11; Heh. xiii. 20; Rev. i. 17, 18). 6. The ben~fits of David's offerings came to the people through his faith, penitence, and obedience; those of the sacrijice of Ghrist co= to each Christian as the result of his own. Its moral and spiritual power is thus enhanced. 7. The burnt offerings of David laid tkefoundationfor his tha'flk offerings; much more does the death of Ghrist call for, induce, and render acceptable, thank offerings of a nobler kind, and these innumerable, unaasi-ng, and throughout eternuy. Such are the presenting of ourselves to God, and the offering~ of praise, prayer, a.nd beneficence (Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heh. xiii. 15, 16 ; Rev. viii. 3, 4). Let us not fail to present such thank offerings. Let us take up the song of the banished apostle (Rev. L 5, 6), "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood ... to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Let us now join angels and the Church and all creation, and purpose and hope to join them for ever, in the sublime anthem (Rev. v. 12, 13), " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain t.o receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing ... Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, h~, unto him that litteth upon the throne, and Wlto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. -G. W. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.
TI!EME PAG~ CHAPTER I. 'l'BEllB PJ.GE Divine Guidance ... 51 Waiting on Providence 7 David anointed King of Judah 52 A Subtle Temptation 8 Commendation 53 Secularity and Spirituality of Mind Opposition to the Divine Purpose 51 in Contrast 11 Fratricidal Strife ... 55 Sorrow for the Miscarriage of Life's The Untimely Fate of Asahel: to Great Purpose ... 12 Young Men 56 The Incidental Teachings of a Great War 57 Disaster H: The Sorrows of Victory 59 The Hebrew Monarchy 16 Inquiring of God ... 60 1 David's Reign 19 Gratitude and Policy 61 . A Change of Dynasty 21 Longing for the Cessation of Wars 62 Selfish Craft 22 Unselfish Grief 23 Oapite.l Punishment 23 CHAPTER m The Song of the Bow 25 Rival Interests 69 David's Lamentation over Saul ~nd Faithfulness in Small Things 73 Jona.than 26 Policy without Principle 7-! " How a.re the Mighty fallen I" 28 Policy with Principle 77 Wonderful Love .. , 29 Defective Sympathy 80 A So.d End of a Perverse Life 30 The Incidence of Guilt 82 A Weighty Question 31 Deferred Punishment 84 Joy amongst the Enemies of the "The House of David" 86 Church 33 The Character of Abner S7 A Beloved Friend's Death lamented 33 The Dissensions of the Wicked SS A Domestic Episode 89 CHAPTER Il. An Urgent Appeal: an Evo.ngelistic The Beginnings of Prosperity 40 Address 90 The Uses of Partial Success 42 The Vengeance of Joo.b 91 An Instructive Episode ... 44 David's Lament over Abner 93 Fanatical Patriotism 45 Aoceptance with the People 94 Instructive Youthful Imprudenoe 47 The Fall of a Prince and a Grea.t Man 94 The Alternationa of Paasion and The Sons of Zeruiah 95 Reaaon 49 Doing Right wrongly 95 ii INDEX.