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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Still the ark is David's care as well as his joy. In this chapter we
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have,
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I. His consultation with Nathan about building a house for it; he
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signifies his purpose to do it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>)
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and Nathan approves his purpose,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:3">ver. 3</A>.
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II. His communion with God about it.
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1. A gracious message God sent him about it, accepting his purpose,
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countermanding the performance, and promising him an entail of
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blessings upon his family,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:4-17">ver. 4-17</A>.
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2. A very humble prayer which David offered up to God in return to that
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gracious message, thankfully accepting God's promises to him, and
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earnestly praying for the performance of them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18-29">ver. 18-29</A>.
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And, in both these, there is an eye to the Messiah and his kingdom.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Care of the Ark.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1042.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
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2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell
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in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within
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curtains.
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3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that <I>is</I> in thine
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heart; for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> with thee.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. David at rest. <I>He sat in his house</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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quiet and undisturbed, having no occasion to take the field: <I>The
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Lord had given him rest round about,</I> from all those that were
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enemies to his settlement in the throne, and he set himself to enjoy
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that rest. Though he was a man of war, he was <I>for peace</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+120:7">Ps. cxx. 7</A>)
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and did not delight in war. He had not been long at rest, nor was it
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long before he was again engaged in war; but at present he enjoyed a
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calm, and he was in his element when he was sitting in his house,
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meditating in the law of God.</P>
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<P>
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II. David's thought of building a temple for the honour of God. He had
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built a palace for himself and a city for his servants; and now he
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thinks of building a habitation for the ark.
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1. Thus he would make a grateful return for the honours God put upon
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him. Note, When God, in his providence, has remarkably done much for
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us, it should put us upon contriving what we may do for him and his
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glory. <I>What shall I render unto the Lord?</I>
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2. Thus he would improve the present calm, and make a good use of the
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rest God had given him. Now that he was not called out to serve God and
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Israel in the high places of the field, he would employ his thoughts,
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and time, and estate, in serving him another way, and not indulge
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himself in ease, much less in luxury. When God, in his providence,
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gives us rest, and finds us little to do of worldly business, we must
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do so much the more for God and our souls. How different were the
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thoughts of David when he sat in his palace from Nebuchadnezzar's when
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he <I>walked in his!</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+4:29,30">Dan. iv. 29, 30</A>.
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That proud man thought of nothing but the might of his own power, and
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the honour of his own majesty; this humble soul is full of contrivance
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how to glorify God, and give honour to him. And how God resisteth the
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proud, and giveth grace and glory to the humble, the event showed.
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David considered
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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the stateliness of his own habitation (<I>I dwell in a house of
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cedar</I>) and compared with that the meanness of the habitation of
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the ark (<I>the ark dwells within curtains</I>), and thought this
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incongruous, that he should dwell in a palace and the ark in a tent.
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David had been uneasy till he found out <I>a place for the ark</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+132:4,5">Ps. cxxxii. 4, 5</A>),
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and now he is uneasy till he finds out a better place. Gracious
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grateful souls,
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(1.) Never think they can do enough for God, but, when they have done
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much, are still projecting to do more and devising liberal things.
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(2.) They cannot enjoy their own accommodations while they see the
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church of God in distress and under a cloud. David can take little
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pleasure in a house of cedar for himself, unless the ark have one.
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Those who <I>stretched themselves upon beds of ivory,</I> and were
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<I>not grieved for the affliction of Joseph,</I> though they had
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David's music, had not David's spirit
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+6:4,6">Amos vi. 4, 6</A>)
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nor those who dwelt in their ceiled houses while God's house lay
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waste.</P>
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<P>
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III. His communicating this thought to Nathan the prophet. He told him,
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as a friend and confidant, whom he used to advise with. Could not David
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have gone about it himself? Was it not a good work? Was not he himself
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a prophet? Yes, but <I>in the multitude of counsellors there is
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safety.</I> David told him, that by him he might know the mind of God.
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It was certainly a good work, but it was uncertain whether it was the
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will of God that David should have the doing of it.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Nathan's approbation of it: <I>Go, do all that is in thy heart; for
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the Lord is with thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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We do not find that David told him that he purposed to build a temple,
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only that it was a trouble to him that there was not one built, from
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which Nathan easily gathered what was in his heart, and bade him go on
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and prosper. Note, We ought to do all we can to encourage and promote
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the good purposes and designs of others, and put in a good word, as we
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have opportunity, to forward a good work. Nathan spoke this, not in
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God's name, but as from himself; not as a prophet, but as a wise and
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good man; it was agreeable to the revealed will of God, which requires
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that all in their places should lay out themselves for the advancement
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of religion and the service of God, though it seems his secret will was
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otherwise, that David should not do this. It was Christ's prerogative
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always to speak the mind of God, which he perfectly knew. Other
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prophets spoke it only when the spirit of prophecy was upon them; but,
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if in any thing they mistook (as Samuel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:6">1 Sam. xvi. 6</A>,
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and Nathan here) God soon rectified the mistake.</P>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa7_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>God's Covenant with David.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1042.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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came unto Nathan, saying,
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5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, Shalt thou
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build me a house for me to dwell in?
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6 Whereas I have not dwelt in <I>any</I> house since the time that I
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brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day,
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but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
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7 In all <I>the places</I> wherein I have walked with all the
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children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of
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Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why
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build ye not me a house of cedar?
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8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus
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saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from
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following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
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9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut
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off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a
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great name, like unto the name of the great <I>men</I> that <I>are</I> in
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the earth.
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10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and
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will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and
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move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict
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them any more, as beforetime,
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11 And as since the time that I commanded judges <I>to be</I> over
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my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine
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enemies. Also the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> telleth thee that he will make thee an
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house.
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12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with
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thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall
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proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
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13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will stablish the
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throne of his kingdom for ever.
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14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit
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iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the
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stripes of the children of men:
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15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took <I>it</I>
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from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
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16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for
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ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
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17 According to all these words, and according to all this
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vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here a full revelation of God's favour to David and the kind
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intentions of that favour, the notices and assurances of which God sent
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him by Nathan the prophet, whom he entrusted to deliver this long
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message to him. The design of it is to take him off from his purpose of
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building the temple and it was therefore sent,
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1. By the same hand that had given him encouragement to do it, lest, if
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it had been sent by any other, Nathan should be despised and insulted
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and David should be perplexed, being encouraged by one prophet and
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discouraged by another.
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2. The same night, that Nathan might not continue long in an error nor
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David have his head any further filled with thoughts of that which he
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must never bring to pass. God might have said this to David himself
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immediately, but he chose to send it by Nathan, to support the honour
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of his prophets, and to preserve in David a regard to them. Though he
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be the head, they must be the eyes by which he must see the visions of
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the Almighty, and the tongue by which he must hear the word of God. He
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that delivered this long message to Nathan assisted his memory to
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retain it, that he might deliver it fully (he being resolved to deliver
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it faithfully) as he received it of the Lord. Now in this message,</P>
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<P>
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I. David's purpose to build God a house is superseded. God took notice
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of that purpose, for he knows what is in man; and he was well pleased
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with it, as appears
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:18">1 Kings viii. 18</A>,
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<I>Thou didst well that it was in thy heart;</I> yet he forbade him to
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go on with his purpose
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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"<I>Shalt thou build me a house?</I> No, <I>thou shalt not</I> (as it
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is explained in the parallel place,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+17:4">1 Chron. xvii. 4</A>);
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there is other work appointed for thee to do, which must be done
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first." David is a man of war, and he must enlarge the borders of
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Israel, by carrying on their conquests. David is a sweet psalmist, and
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he must prepare psalms for the use of the temple when it is built, and
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settle the courses of the Levites; but his son's genius will better
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suit for building the house, and he will have a better treasure to bear
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the charge of it, and therefore let it be reserved for him to do. <I>As
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every man hath received the gift, so let him minister.</I> The building
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of a temple was to be a work of time, and preparation made for it; but
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it was a thing that had never been spoken of till now. God tells him,
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1. That hitherto he had never had a house built for him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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a tabernacle had served hitherto, and it might serve awhile longer. God
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regards not outward pomp in his service; his presence was as surely
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with his people when the ark was in a tent as when it was in a temple.
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David was uneasy that the ark was in curtains (a mean and movable
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habitation), but God never complained of it as any uneasiness to him.
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He did not dwell, but walk, and yet fainted not, nor was weary. Christ,
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like the ark, when here on earth walked in a tent or tabernacle, for he
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<I>went about doing good,</I> and dwelt not in any house of his own,
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till he ascended on high, to the mansions above, in his Father's house,
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and there he sat down. The church, like the ark, in this world is
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ambulatory, dwells in a tent, because its present state is both
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pastoral and military; its continuing city is to come. David, in his
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psalms, often calls the tabernacle a temple (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+5:7,27:4,29:9,65:4,138:2">Ps. v. 7;
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xxvii. 4; xxix. 9; lxv. 4; cxxxviii. 2</A>),
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because it answered the intention of a temple, though it was made but
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of curtains. Wise and good men value not the show, while they have the
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substance. David perhaps had more true devotion, and sweeter communion
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with God, in a house of curtains, than any of his successors in the
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house of cedar.
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2. That he had never given any orders or directions, or the least
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intimation, to any of the sceptres of Israel, that is, to any of the
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judges,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+17:6">1 Chron. xvii. 6</A>
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(for rulers are called <I>sceptres,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+19:14">Ezek. xix. 14</A>,
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the great Ruler is called so,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+24:17">Num. xxiv. 17</A>),
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concerning the building of the temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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That worship only is acceptable which is instituted; why should David
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therefore design what God never ordained? Let him wait for a warrant,
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and then let him do it. Better a tent of God's appointing than a temple
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of his own inventing.</P>
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<P>
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II. David is reminded of the great things God had done for him, to let
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him know that he was a favourite of heaven, though he had not the
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favour to be employed in this service, as also that God was not
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indebted to him for his good intentions, but, whatever he did for God's
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honour, God was beforehand with him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
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1. He had raised him from a very mean and low condition: <I>He took him
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from the sheep-cote.</I> It is good for those who have come to great
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preferment to be often reminded of their small beginnings, that they
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may always be humble and thankful.
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2. He had given him success and victory over his enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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"<I>I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest,</I> to protect thee
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when pursued, to prosper thee when pursuing. <I>I have cut off all thy
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enemies,</I> that stood in the way of thy advancement and settlement."
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3. He had crowned him not only with power and dominion in Israel, but
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|
with honour and reputation among the nations about: <I>I have made thee
|
|
a great name.</I> He had become famous for his courage, conduct, and
|
|
great achievements, and was more talked of than any of the great men of
|
|
his day. A great name is what those who have it have great reason to be
|
|
thankful for and may improve to good purposes, but what those who have
|
|
it not have no reason to be ambitious of: a good name is more
|
|
desirable. A man may pass through the world very obscurely and yet very
|
|
comfortably.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. A happy establishment is promised to God's Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This comes in in a parenthesis, before the promises made to David
|
|
himself, to let him understand that what God designed to do for him was
|
|
for Israel's sake, that they might be happy under his administration,
|
|
and to give him the satisfaction of foreseeing peace upon Israel, when
|
|
it was promised him that he should <I>see his children's children,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+128:6">Ps. cxxviii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
A good king cannot think himself happy unless his kingdom be so. The
|
|
promises that follow relate to his family and posterity; these
|
|
therefore, which speak of the settlement of Israel, intend the
|
|
happiness of his own reign. Two things are promised:--
|
|
|
|
1. A quiet place: <I>I will appoint a place for my people Israel.</I>
|
|
It was appointed long ago, yet they were disappointed, but now that
|
|
appointment should be made good. Canaan should be clearly their own
|
|
without any ejection or molestation.
|
|
|
|
2. A quiet enjoyment of that place: <I>The children of wickedness</I>
|
|
(meaning especially the Philistines, who had been so long a plague to
|
|
them) <I>shall not afflict them any more; but, as in the time that I
|
|
caused judges to be over my people Israel, I will cause thee to rest
|
|
from all thy enemies</I> (so
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>
|
|
|
|
may be read), that is, "I will continue and complete that rest; the
|
|
land shall rest from war, as it did under the judges."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Blessings are entailed upon the family and posterity of David.
|
|
David had purposed to build God a house, and, in requital, God promises
|
|
to <I>build him a house,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever we do for God, or sincerely design to do though Providence
|
|
prevents our doing it, we <I>shall in no wise lose our reward.</I> He
|
|
had promised to make him a name
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
here he promises to make him a house, which should bear up that name.
|
|
It would be a great satisfaction to David, while he lived, to have the
|
|
inviolable assurance of a divine promise that his family should
|
|
flourish when he was dead. Next to the happiness of our souls, and the
|
|
church of God, we should desire the happiness of our seed, that those
|
|
who come of us may be praising God on earth when we are praising him in
|
|
heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Some of these promises relate to Solomon, his immediate successor,
|
|
and to the royal line of Judah.
|
|
|
|
(1.) That God would advance him to the throne. Those words, <I>when thy
|
|
days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers,</I> intimate
|
|
that David himself should come to his grave in peace; and then <I>I
|
|
will set up thy seed.</I> This favour was so much the greater because
|
|
it was more than God had done for Moses, or Joshua, or any of the
|
|
judges whom he called to feed his people. David's government was the
|
|
first that was entailed; for the promise made to Christ of the kingdom
|
|
was to reach to his spiritual seed. <I>If children, then heirs.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he would settle him in the throne: <I>I will establish his
|
|
kingdom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>the throne of his kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
His title shall be clear and uncontested, his interest confirmed, and
|
|
his administration steady.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he would employ him in that good work of building the temple,
|
|
which David had only the satisfaction of designing: <I>He shall build a
|
|
house for my name,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
The work shall be done, though David shall not have the doing of it.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That he would take him into the covenant of adoption
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will be his father, and he shall be my son.</I> We need no more to
|
|
make us and ours happy than to have God to be a Father to us and them;
|
|
and all those to whom God is a Father he by his grace makes his sons,
|
|
by giving them the disposition of children. If he be a careful,
|
|
tender, bountiful Father to us, we must be obedient, tractable, dutiful
|
|
children to him. The promise here speaks <I>as unto sons.</I>
|
|
|
|
[1.] That his Father would correct him when there was occasion; for
|
|
<I>what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?</I> Afflictions are
|
|
an article of the covenant, and are not only consistent with, but flow
|
|
from, God's fatherly love. "<I>If he commit iniquity,</I> as it proved
|
|
he did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+11:1">1 Kings xi. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I will chasten him</I> to bring him to repentance, but it shall be
|
|
<I>with the rod of men,</I> such a rod as men may wield--I will not
|
|
<I>plead against him with the great power</I> of God,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:6">Job xxiii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or rather such a rod as <I>men may bear</I>--"I will consider his
|
|
frame, and correct him with all possible tenderness and compassion when
|
|
there is need, and no more than there is need of; it shall be with
|
|
<I>the stripes,</I> the <I>touches</I> (so the word is) <I>of the
|
|
children of men;</I> not a stroke, or wound, but a gentle touch."
|
|
|
|
[2.] That yet he would not disinherit him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>My mercy</I> (and that is the inheritance of sons) <I>shall not
|
|
depart from him.</I> The revolt of the ten tribes from the house of
|
|
David was their correction for iniquity, but the constant adherence of
|
|
the other two to that family, which was a competent support of the
|
|
royal dignity, perpetuated the mercy of God to the seed of David,
|
|
according to this promise; though that family was cut short, yet it was
|
|
not cut off, as the house of Saul was. Never any other family swayed
|
|
the sceptre of Judah than that of David. This is that covenant of
|
|
royalty celebrated
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:3,4">Ps. lxxxix. 3</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.) as typical of the covenant of redemption and grace.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Others of them relate to Christ, who is often called <I>David</I>
|
|
and the <I>Son of David,</I> that Son of David to whom these promises
|
|
pointed and in whom they had their full accomplishment. He was of the
|
|
<I>seed of David,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:23">Acts xiii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
To him God <I>gave the throne of his father David</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:32">Luke i. 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
all power both in heaven and earth, and authority to execute judgment.
|
|
He was to build the gospel temple, a house for God's name,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+6:12,13">Zech. vi. 12, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
That promise, <I>I will be his Father, and he shall be my Son,</I> is
|
|
expressly applied to Christ by the apostle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:5">Heb. i. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
But the establishing of his house, and his throne, and his <I>kingdom,
|
|
for ever</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>,
|
|
|
|
and again, and a third time
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>for ever</I>), can be applied to no other than Christ and his
|
|
kingdom. David's house and kingdom have long since come to an end; it
|
|
is only the Messiah's kingdom that is everlasting, and <I>of the
|
|
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.</I> The
|
|
supposition of committing iniquity cannot indeed be applied to the
|
|
Messiah himself, but it is applicable (and very comfortable) to his
|
|
spiritual seed. True believers have their infirmities, for which they
|
|
may expect to be corrected, but they shall not be cast off. Every
|
|
transgression in the covenant will not throw us out of covenant. Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.) This message Nathan faithfully delivered to David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
though, in forbidding him to build the temple, he contradicted his own
|
|
words, yet he was not backward to do it when he was better informed
|
|
concerning the mind of God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) These promises God faithfully performed to David and his seed in
|
|
due time. Though David came short of making good his purpose to build
|
|
God a house, yet God did not come short of making good his promise to
|
|
build him a house. Such is the tenour of the covenant we are under;
|
|
though there are many failures in our performances, there are none in
|
|
God's.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa7_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Prayer for God's Blessing.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1042.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Then went king David in, and sat before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and he
|
|
said, Who <I>am</I> I, O Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>? and what <I>is</I> my house, that thou
|
|
hast brought me hitherto?
|
|
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>; but
|
|
thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to
|
|
come. And <I>is</I> this the manner of man, O Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>?
|
|
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>,
|
|
knowest thy servant.
|
|
21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast
|
|
thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know
|
|
<I>them.</I>
|
|
22 Wherefore thou art great, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God: for <I>there is</I> none
|
|
like thee, neither <I>is there any</I> God beside thee, according to
|
|
all that we have heard with our ears.
|
|
23 And what one nation in the earth <I>is</I> like thy people,
|
|
<I>even</I> like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to
|
|
himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things
|
|
and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou
|
|
redeemedst to thee from Egypt, <I>from</I> the nations and their gods?
|
|
24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel <I>to be</I>
|
|
a people unto thee for ever: and thou, L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, art become their
|
|
God.
|
|
25 And now, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God, the word that thou hast spoken
|
|
concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish <I>it</I>
|
|
for ever, and do as thou hast said.
|
|
26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of
|
|
hosts <I>is</I> the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant
|
|
David be established before thee.
|
|
27 For thou, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to
|
|
thy servant, saying, I will build thee a house: therefore hath
|
|
thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
|
|
28 And now, O Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>, thou <I>art</I> that God, and thy words be
|
|
true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
|
|
29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy
|
|
servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O
|
|
Lord G<FONT SIZE=-1><B>OD</B></FONT>, hast spoken <I>it:</I> and with thy blessing let the house
|
|
of thy servant be blessed for ever.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the solemn address David made to God, in answer to the
|
|
gracious message God had sent him. We are not told what he said to
|
|
Nathan; no doubt he received him very kindly and respectfully as God's
|
|
messenger. But his answer to God he took himself, and did not send by
|
|
Nathan. When ministers deliver God's message to us, it is not to them,
|
|
but to God, that our hearts must reply; he understands the language of
|
|
the heart, and to him we may come boldly. David had no sooner received
|
|
the message than, while the impressions of it were fresh, he retired to
|
|
return an answer. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The place he retired to: He <I>went in before the Lord,</I> that is,
|
|
into the tabernacle where the ark was, which was the token of God's
|
|
presence; before <I>that</I> he presented himself. God's will now is
|
|
that men pray everywhere; but, wherever we pray, we must set ourselves
|
|
as before the Lord and set him before us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The posture he put himself into: He <I>sat before the Lord.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. It denotes the posture of his body. Kneeling or standing is
|
|
certainly the most proper gesture to be used in prayer; but the Jews,
|
|
from this instance, say, "It was allowed to the kings of the house of
|
|
David to sit in the temple, and to no other." But this will by no means
|
|
justify the ordinary use of that gesture in prayer, whatever may be
|
|
allowed in a case of necessity. <I>David went in, and took his place
|
|
before the Lord,</I> so it may be read; but, when he prayed, he stood
|
|
up as the manner was. Or he <I>went in and continued before the
|
|
Lord,</I> staid some time silently meditating, before he began his
|
|
prayer, and then remained longer than usual in the tabernacle. Or,
|
|
|
|
2. It may denote the frame of his spirit at this time. He went in, and
|
|
composed himself before the Lord; thus we should do in all our
|
|
approaches to God. <I>O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is
|
|
fixed.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The prayer itself, which is full of the breathings of pious and
|
|
devout affection towards God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He speaks very humbly of himself and his own merits. So he begins as
|
|
one astonished: <I>Who am I, O Lord God! and what is my house?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
God had reminded him of the meanness of his original
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>)
|
|
|
|
and he subscribed to it; he had low thoughts,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Of his personal merits: <I>Who am I?</I> He was upon all accounts
|
|
a very considerable and valuable man. His endowments both of body and
|
|
mind were extraordinary. His gifts and graces were eminent. He was a
|
|
man of honour, success, and usefulness, the darling of his country and
|
|
the dread of its enemies. Yet, when he comes to speak of himself
|
|
before God, he says, "<I>Who am I?</I> A man not worth taking notice
|
|
of."
|
|
|
|
(2.) Of the merits of his family: <I>What is my house?</I> His house
|
|
was of the royal tribe, and descended from the prince of that tribe; he
|
|
was allied to the best families of the country, and yet, like Gideon,
|
|
thinks his family poor in Judah and himself <I>the least in his
|
|
father's house,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:15">Judg. vi. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
David thus humbled himself when Saul's daughter was proposed to him for
|
|
a wife
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+18:18">1 Sam. xviii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
but now with much more reason. Note, It very well becomes the greatest
|
|
and best of men, even in the midst of the highest advancements, to have
|
|
low and mean thoughts of themselves; for the greatest of men are worms,
|
|
the best are sinners, and those that are highest advanced have nothing
|
|
but what they have received: "<I>What am I, that thou hast brought me
|
|
hitherto,</I> brought me to the kingdom, and to a settlement in it, and
|
|
rest from all my enemies?" It intimates that he could not have reached
|
|
this himself by his own management, if God had not brought him to it.
|
|
All our attainments must be looked upon as God's vouchsafements.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He speaks very highly and honourably of God's favours to him.
|
|
|
|
(1.) In what he had done for him: "<I>Thou hast brought me
|
|
hitherto,</I> to this great dignity and dominion. Hitherto thou hast
|
|
helped me." Though we should be left at uncertainty concerning further
|
|
mercy, we have great reason to be thankful for that which has been done
|
|
for us hitherto,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:22">Acts xxvi. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In what he had yet further promised him. God had done great things
|
|
for him already, and yet, as if those had been nothing, he had promised
|
|
to do much more,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, What God has laid out upon his people is much, but what he has
|
|
laid up for them is infinitely more,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+31:19">Ps. xxxi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
The present graces and comforts of the saints are invaluable gifts; and
|
|
yet, as if these were too little for God to bestow upon his children,
|
|
he has spoken concerning them for a great while to come, even as far as
|
|
eternity itself reaches. Of this we must own, as David here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That it is far beyond what we could expect: <I>Is this the manner
|
|
of men?</I> that is, <I>First,</I> Can man expect to be so dealt with
|
|
by his Maker? <I>Is this the law of Adam?</I> Note, Considering what
|
|
the character and condition of man are, it is very surprising and
|
|
amazing that God should deal with him as he does. Man is a mean
|
|
creature, and therefore under a law of distance--unprofitable to God,
|
|
and therefore under a law of disesteem and disregard--guilty and
|
|
obnoxious, and therefore under a law of death and damnation. But how
|
|
unlike are God's dealings with man to this law of Adam! He is brought
|
|
near to God, purchased at a high rate, taken into covenant and
|
|
communion with God; could this ever have been thought of?
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> Do men usually deal thus with one another? No, the way
|
|
of our God is far above the manner of men. Though he be high, he has
|
|
respect to the lowly; and is this the manner of men? Though he is
|
|
offended by us, he beseeches us to be reconciled, waits to be gracious,
|
|
multiplies his pardons: and is this the manner of men? Some give
|
|
another sense of this, reading it thus: <I>And this is the law of man,
|
|
the Lord Jehovah,</I> that is, "This promise of one whose kingdom shall
|
|
be established for ever must be understood of one that is a man and yet
|
|
the Lord Jehovah, this must be the law of such a one. A Messiah from my
|
|
loins must be man, but, reigning for ever, must be God."
|
|
|
|
[2.] That beyond this there is nothing we can desire: "<I>And what can
|
|
David say more unto thee?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
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|
What can I ask or wish for more? <I>Thou, Lord, knowest thy
|
|
servant,</I> knowest what will make me happy, and what thou hast
|
|
promised is enough to do so." The promise of Christ includes all. If
|
|
that man, the Lord God, be ours, what can we ask or think of more?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:20">Eph. iii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The promises of the covenant of grace are framed by him that knows us,
|
|
and therefore knows how to adapt them to every branch of our necessity.
|
|
He knows us better than we know ourselves; and therefore let us be
|
|
satisfied with the provision he has made for us. What can we say more
|
|
for ourselves in our prayers than he has said for us in his
|
|
promises?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He ascribes all to the free grace of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
both the great things he had done for him and the great things he had
|
|
made known to him. All was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) For his word's sake, that is, for the sake of Christ the eternal
|
|
Word; it is all owing to his merit. Or, "That thou mayest magnify thy
|
|
word of promise above all thy name, in making it the stay and
|
|
store-house of thy people."
|
|
|
|
(2.) According to thy own heart, thy gracious counsels and designs,
|
|
<I>ex mero motu--of thy own good pleasure. Even so, Father, because it
|
|
seemed good in thy eyes.</I> All that God does for his people in his
|
|
providences, and secures to them in his promises, is for his pleasure
|
|
and for his praise, the pleasure of his will and the praise of his
|
|
word.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He adores the greatness and glory of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou art great, O Lord God! for there is none like thee.</I> God's
|
|
gracious condescension to him, and the honour he had put upon him, did
|
|
not at all abate his awful veneration for the divine Majesty; for the
|
|
nearer any are brought to God the more they see of his glory, and the
|
|
dearer we are in his eyes the greater he should be in ours. And this we
|
|
acknowledge concerning God, that there is no being like him, nor any
|
|
God besides him, and that what we have seen with our eyes of his power
|
|
and goodness is according to all that we have heard with our ears, and
|
|
the one half not told us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He expresses a great esteem for the Israel of God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:23,24"><I>v.</I> 23, 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
As there was none among the gods to be compared with Jehovah, so none
|
|
among the nations to be compared with Israel, considering,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The works he had done for them. He went to redeem them, applied
|
|
himself to it as a great work, went about it with solemnity. <I>Elohim
|
|
halecu, dii iveruni--Gods went,</I> as if there was the same
|
|
consultation and concurrence of all the persons in the blessed Trinity
|
|
about the work of redemption that there was about the work of creation,
|
|
when God said, <I>Let us make man. Whom those that were sent of God
|
|
went to redeem;</I> so the Chaldee, meaning, I suppose, Moses and
|
|
Aaron. The redemption of Israel, as described here, was typical of our
|
|
redemption by Christ in that,
|
|
|
|
[1.] They were redeemed from the nations and their gods; so are we from
|
|
all iniquity and all conformity to this present world. Christ came to
|
|
save his people from their sins.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They were redeemed to be a peculiar people unto God, purified and
|
|
appropriated to himself, that he might make himself a great name and do
|
|
for them great things. The honour of God, and the eternal happiness of
|
|
the saints, are the two things aimed at in their redemption.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The covenant he had made with them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Mutual: "They to be a people to thee, and thou to be a God to
|
|
them; all their interests consecrated to thee, and all thy attributes
|
|
engaged for them."
|
|
|
|
[2.] Immutable: "Thou hast confirmed them." He that makes the covenant
|
|
makes it sure and will make it good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. He concludes with humble petitions to God.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He grounds his petitions upon the message which God had sent him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast revealed this to thy servant,</I> that is, "Thou hast of
|
|
thy own good will given me the promise that thou wilt build me a house,
|
|
else I could never have found in my heart to pray such a prayer as
|
|
this. I durst not have asked such great things if I had not been
|
|
directed and encouraged by thy promise to ask them. They are indeed too
|
|
great for me to beg, but not too great for thee to give. Thy servant
|
|
has found in his heart to pray this prayer;" so it is in the original,
|
|
and the LXX. Many, when they go to pray, have their hearts to seek,
|
|
but David's heart was found, that is, it was fixed, gathered in from
|
|
its wanderings, and entirely engaged to the duty and employed in it.
|
|
That prayer which is found in the tongue only will not please God; it
|
|
must be found in the heart; the heart must be lifted up and poured out
|
|
before God. <I>My son, give God thy heart.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He builds his faith and hopes to speed upon the fidelity of God's
|
|
promise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Thou art that God</I> (thou art <I>he,</I> even <I>that God,</I>
|
|
the <I>Lord of hosts,</I> and <I>God of Israel,</I> or <I>that God
|
|
whose words are true,</I> that God whom one may depend upon); and
|
|
<I>thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant,</I> which I am
|
|
therefore bold to pray for."
|
|
|
|
(3.) Thence he fetches the matter of his prayer, and refers to that as
|
|
the guide of his prayers.
|
|
|
|
[1.] He prays for the performance of God's promise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Let the word be made good to me, <I>on which thou hast caused me to
|
|
hope</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:49">Ps. cxix. 49</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>and do as thou hast said;</I> I desire no more, and I expect no
|
|
less; so full is the promise, and so firm." Thus we must turn God's
|
|
promises into prayers, and then they shall be turned into performances;
|
|
for, with God, saying and doing are not two things, as they often are
|
|
with men. God will do as he hath said.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He prays for the glorifying of God's name
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let thy name be magnified for ever.</I> This ought to be the summary
|
|
and centre of all our prayers, the Alpha and the Omega of them. Begin
|
|
with <I>Hallowed be thy name,</I> and end with <I>Thine is the glory
|
|
for ever.</I> "Whether I be magnified or no, <I>let thy name be
|
|
magnified.</I>" And he reckons that nothing magnifies God's name more
|
|
than this, to say, with suitable affections, <I>The Lord of hosts is
|
|
the God over Israel.</I> This bespeaks the <I>God of Israel gloriously
|
|
great,</I> that he is the <I>Lord of hosts;</I> and this bespeaks the
|
|
<I>Lord of hosts</I> gloriously good, that he is <I>God over
|
|
Israel.</I> In both, <I>let his name be magnified for ever.</I> Let all
|
|
the creatures and all the churches give him the glory of these two.
|
|
David desired the performance of God's promise for the honour, not of
|
|
his own name, but of God's. Thus the Son of David prayed, <I>Father,
|
|
glorify thy name</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:28">John xii. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:1">John xvii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Glorify thy Son, that thy Son may also glorify thee.</I>
|
|
|
|
[3.] He prays for his house, for to that the promise has special
|
|
reference, <I>First,</I> That it might be happy
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant;</I> and again,
|
|
<I>with thy blessing.</I> "Let the house of thy servant be truly and
|
|
eternally blessed. <I>Those whom thou blessest are blessed
|
|
indeed.</I>" The care of good men is very much concerning their
|
|
families; and the best entail on their families is that of the blessing
|
|
of God. The repetition of this request is not a vain repetition, but
|
|
expressive of the value he had of the divine blessing, and his earnest
|
|
desire of it, as all in all to the happiness of his family.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> That the happiness of it might remain: "Let it be
|
|
<I>established before thee</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>);
|
|
|
|
let it <I>continue for ever before thee.</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
He prayed,
|
|
|
|
1. That the entail of the crown might not be cut off, but remain in his
|
|
family, that none of his might ever forfeit it, but that they might
|
|
walk before God, which would be their establishment.
|
|
|
|
2. That his kingdom might have its perfection and perpetuity in the
|
|
kingdom of the Messiah. When Christ for ever sat down on the right hand
|
|
of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:12">Heb. x. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and received all possible assurance that his seed and throne shall be
|
|
as the days of heaven, this prayer of David the son of Jesse for his
|
|
seed was abundantly answered, that it might <I>continue before God for
|
|
ever.</I> See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:17">Ps. lxxii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The perpetuity of the Messiah's kingdom is the desire and faith of all
|
|
good people.</P>
|
|
|
|
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