The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-11-13
pAvtp.s LAST WORDS.


November II, 1889.
Especially arranged from 8. s. Quarterly.l
LESSON TExr-2 Sam. 26:1-7.
GOLDEN TExT-He hath made with me an
everlasting covenant, ordered in all things
and sure.-2 Sam. 1915.
CENTRAL TRUTH-The blessed influence OF
the reign Of Christ.
TIME-B C. 1015. At the close OF David's
reign; eight years after the last lesson.
PLACE Jerusalem.
DAvID-Seventy years old, having reigned
forty years. lil
CIosTNG YEARS = Generally peaceful,
spent in perfecting his kingdom and prepa-
ration tor the temple. There was ~ q
famine q Sam. 2D; ~ a census or enroll
ment, either for taxation or military serv-
ice, followed by pestilence (2Sam. "a;
Chron. 2D; (9 David seems to have spent
much of his time during the later years OF
his life in gathering materials and workmen
and treasure for the temple which Solomon
was to build q Chron. 22), and in perfect
ing the organization Of the army, the re-
ligious services and the kingdom general
ly; az the attempt OF Adonijah upon the
throne, and the appointment of Solomon as
David's successor.
LAST WoRDs-Q) To the Princes, in prep
aration for the temple Il Chron. Is, 29); %
to Solomon Il Kings 2:1-9); (3 to the
world, our lesson for to-day.
HELPS OVER HARD PLACEs-The lesson
should be read in the poetic form given IN
the Revised Version. /. Raised up on hf0h:
from shepherd boy to one of the greatest
kings that ever lived Anotated: set apart
for his work by God. 8. The rock Of Israel:
God is SO called Q) because He is everlast-
ing and immovable; e, He is the defense,
the stronghold of His people; (3) shadow
and shelter for the weary. He that ruleth:
David sees, as in vision, "One who rules
over men, just" This is the ideal for all
his successors, but realized perfectly in
Christ, the holy and perfect King. 4. As
the light of the morning' such is the effect
sought by every good ruler. But the figure
illustrates perfectly the influence OF Jesus
upon the sinful heart, and upon an
ignorant, sinful world. He brings light,
life, Joy, beauty, comfort wherever he
shines. As the tender grass: His influence
upon men is like that of the spring sun
shine and rain upon the wintry earth,
bringing forth fruits and flowers. B. A.
thouoh mn house: although David was con-
scious of imperfections, yet God had made
a promise, and all these blessings were to
come forth from his house, through Christ
Jesus His Son, and the: wider kingdom,
which He brought in, every believer being
an heir of the promise to Abraham. But
probably this verse should be read inter-
negatively. Is not my house so with Gods
for He hath made with me an everlasting
covenant, ordered in all things perfectly
arranged) and sure; for all my salvation
and all my desire, shall He not make 1T to
xrowi 6. Sons of Beliat: of worthlessness,
lawlessness. As ui0rr,s: and, therefore,
having no part in the garden Of the Lord.
z. Fenced with iron: armed with iron,
fastened on long staff. The wicked who
refuse to repent are not only useless, but
injurious to others. There is nothing to be
done with them but burn them as with fire.
REVIEW OF DAvID's LIFE. His charac-
ter. David was noble, brave, loving man,
with strong passions, warm heart, and a
ready, generous hand; devoted friend, at
tractive, bright, joyous, poetic, deeply re-
hpious and devotional, strong in faith, I'M
selfish, and since ely good. He fell into
some Of the vices of the age; he committed
RTcdU CTlllC Uub ND repentance eiiN RND
lie confession prove him to have been at
heart true and godly man. q A States
man. It is hard to realize how great a
change David made in his kingdom. He
organized the government; he extended its
boundaries; he developed the resources OF
the nation he promoted the arts; he opened
up commerce; he distributed the Levites,
the religious teachers, over the land; he
unified the people. 8. A General. He was
a wise and victorious military leader; he
conquered the enemies who during the
previous reign had continually overrun and
distressed the nation; he organized the
army in a most skiilful manner 4. A Re-
ligious Organizer. David made Jerusalem
the religious capital of the nation. He or
ganized twenty four thousand Levites in
twenty-four courses for service in the
house Of Cod four thousand were trained
musicians. David introduced many musical
instruments into the service Of the sanct-
uary. ''Their combined performances
must have been sublime" 5. An Author.
"David was undoubtedly the most distin-
guished writer of the sacred songs Of the
Hebrews" Many of his hymns were set to
music and sung by his choirs. He brought
in a new era of worship in song
COMMENSURATE words suggest the end
Of life. With rare exceptions, the last
words Of mans life correspond with that
which has gone before The case Of the
thief on the cross Is an exceptional one, SO
that it does not contradict what has just
been said. As David came toward his life's
end, 30 that last words and last deeds had
to be done, and he realized that he must
soon leave this world, doubt not that he
often reviewed his life. In that review there
must have been many things that had once
appeared to him very valuable, that now no
longer seemed 80. Other things that had
not seemed so desirable must now have been
seen to be very precious.
Much that at the present moment seems
so valuable to us will seem to be Of no value
at all when we come to the ''last things" Of
life Also that what we now consider as
very desirable may not after all be so good
for US. Many man has longed for wealth,
| either for his own sake or for the sake
| of his children. When he has gained
the wealth, 1t has been source Of tempta-
ton to him or Of ruin to his children. This
is one reason why so often the children Of
the rich turn out so shockingly. That which
ought to have helped has hindered them,
and they have fallen far behind IN the race
Of life. Sons OF rich men and sons of great
men are too often very poor and small. 1t
were better for them to have been born poor
and obscure. Their advantages have ruined
them. The moral of all this is: 'Seekest thou
great things for thyselfl Seek them not"
Obscurity and trouble are less dangerous
than popularity and prosperity, and il they
are rightly used they may work out in us
that which shall be more precious than
gold, yea, than much fine gold. before
kept thy word" FPS. 1850. This was true Of
| David and will Drove true nj MANY in Our