Bible Commentaries

REFLECTIONS.—In a temporal view the promise made to David, that his house should for ever fill the throne of Israel, must be regarded as a branch of the great national covenant, and consequently subject to the same conditions. How else shall we harmonize it with the chasms which frequently happened in the government under the Asmonæn family after the captivity. But in a spiritual view, if we refer it to Christ, as we are taught to do in the new testament, Luke 1:33, we see its full accomplishment: and to David as a type of the Messiah, the promise was made. Surely all the considerations which result from this subject, should be weighty arguments for the conversion of the Jews. Where is the Jew now living, who can trace his descent to the house of David, or bring forward satisfactory claims to his throne?

The piety of David is more largely expressed here than in the 7th of the first book of Samuel. Though he was descended from Nahshon prince of Judah, yet he chooses rather to mention the “sheep-cotes;” for pure religion is ever distinguished by humility. He attributes the gift of the throne wholly to grace. Dwelling now in a Tyrian palace whose beams were cedar, he retraced the vast line of divine mercies to him as a man and a prince, and blushed with the weight of favours, when he considered that the ark of God still dwelt in tents. How pure, how pious, how noble were the motives which animated his soul to build a temple to the Lord. May the same pure and noble motives ever actuate our hearts in all we may wish to do for God.

His piety was not confined to himself, it extended in a most grateful transition to all the mercies vouchsafed to Israel. What one nation of the earth, he asks, is like thy people? So when divine meditations inspire the heart, we see both heaven and earth full of the lovingkindness of the Lord, and are ready to ask what returns we can make for all his mercies.

David was content and happy when his purposes were not accepted. He discovered no chagrin, he took no offence, though heaven refused the warmest of all his wishes. He had shed much blood; so neither his reign nor his situation allowed him to be a figure of Christ’s peaceable kingdom. But he was thankful that the Lord gave him a hope in his son, and he proceeded in collecting materials and treasures for the work. Learn, oh my soul, never to be offended when thy God, or thy brethren do not accept the pious overtures of thy heart. Still do all the good thou canst, though denied of doing all the good thou wouldst.