The National tribune., 1889-11-07

SUBJECT: DAVID THROUGH THE SPIRIT SETS
CHRIST FORTH AS THE MODEL RULER.
1. Data.
The paragraph now to be studied Is written
only in Sam, %: 1T. It Is not unlikely that
Nathan The prophet recorded the words not far
from the time Of their utteranee.
2. Time.
We date the lesson A. M. 1886, or B. G. 1913.
David was not Ear from 60 years old. He had
boon King for about 81 years. He lived three
years after the incident given in the lesson. He
began to rule A. M. 29i9. He was then 30 years
old. (5:4 A. Adding 81 years and we find Da-
vid was 81 to GO years of age. He ruled 10
years. (5:4)
Jerusalem was David's home. That city was
the Capital. In 1t was the Palace. BY reason
of Absalom's rebellion David fled from the city
and was absent three to four months. Most OF
that time he was at Mahanaim. (17: 2i.) But
after the victory over tho rebels David return
ed to Jerusalem. DO: Is, II, 49, 33, 80, 40; 20:
2, 3D. He uttered the words of the lesson in
the Capital.
A. Speaker.
It Is plain David was the author of the para
graph. OF portion Of it. however, he WIS but
the amanuenss of the Holy Spirit. tV. 2)
He was the son of Jesse. Cru, 4:22; Sam,
1871, II, IL, 49, He was born in Bethle-
hem. Whom Saul had made such an utter fail
ure as King, and SUCCESSOR was needed, David
was chosen. He WAS but shepherd youth,
STRIPPING, unknown to fame, and yet Proyt-
dence lifted him to great prominence. He was
selected to become King and the founder of the
royal Hebrew family. He went from the
sheepfod to the throne; from the field to the
palace; from leading a few sheep to become the
head of q great nation. He was anointed King:
Indeed, he was anointed three times. Samuel
the prophet anonted him the first time. That
was at Bethlehem, A. M. 294l, when he was
about % years old. Il Sam, 16: ~ He was
next anointed by the men of Judah at Hebron,
A. M. 2959, being 80 years old. u Sam, 2: a.
The third amounting was at Hebron by the
Elders of Israel, A. M. 1855, when David was
80 years of age. (5:3) We date his Kingship
from the amounting at Hebron, A. M. 2919.
We notice he was anointed at the direction
of the God of jacob. (V. H. Great promises
had been made to Jacob, and David's Kingship
was in the line of pledges made by Jehovah to
the son Of Isaac.
He was tho sweet psalmist Of Israel. (V. u
The margin of tho Repiscd Version has he was
pleasant in the psalms of Israel" We have
reason to rejoice that David was q poet and
a singer. The book OF the psalms Is q precious
treasure TO all ages Tho words he uttered are
yet sweet and pleasant.
It Is said these be the last words of David"
(V.l) But he spoke other words found in the
next chapter and in the next book of the Bible.
He lived for three years after the words of our
lesson. Some explain saying these were Davids
last inspired words tSee Ps, u 20.) Abarbinel
and Patrick take this view. Clarke says " last
poetical composition" Perhaps we could say
among his last words; the last words of pub
lie nature for record in history aud as q part of
the Holy Scriptures; the last words on given
subject occasion. Some think David often
repeated these words aud actually uttered them
sssI lra1r hat
compiler was author of the first verse.
g. Inspirer Of the Words
We notice the verses were not original with
David. He spoke by the influence of tho Holy
Spirit. Our Savior, quoting from Ps. 40, bears
witness to the fact OF Davids inspiration when
writing the Psalms. (St. Matt, - -; Sc.
Mark, II: 36.) We have in verses and 3
combined the doctrine of the Divinity Of the
Holy Spirit, for the Spirit in v. is styled
God in " II Is great comfort in reading
the Psalms 10 know they do not express human
wisdom, even that OF one so wise as David, but
are from Heaven. (See 2 Pet, :21.l The
Speaker il also called tho God of Israel aud the
God of Jacob. (Vs. 1, g. Israel and Jacob ara
interchangeable, as being both names of Isaac's
son. From Israel tho Hebrews were known as
Israelites. The Speaker to David is likewise
called the LORD. Whenever wo find tho word
Lord thus printed in capital letters we know
the original Hebrew is Jehovah, the most sub
lime name Of Deity. He is, moreover, styled
tho Rock OF Israel We are given to under
stand the Almighty Is reliable, powerful, ire
sistible permanent And since sllusion is evil
IDENTIFY made To the rock near Mt. Sinai from
which issued refreshing waters for the famish-
ing iaraelites we learn God is our Powder.
The words uttered by David were His words
Nv. 2)--words Of tho Holy Spirit Tho LORD
(Jehoyah) spoke by David. (V. 81 We see how
such Being as the Speaker could be q Party
to an everlasting covenant. ". 81
@ Subject
The subject Is this: The characteristics Of
good rulers. We are TO understand rulers over
men. (V ST. Such deal with reasonable beings
beings who can appreciate justice and value
conduct which respects Gods will. ". 81
Verses aud arc difficult of Interpretation.
Bishop Patrick says, IL must be acknowledged
that there are NO words so obscure in this book
as these two verses" Diversity of opinion
must therefore exist.
a. We shall first consider verses TO as they
may be said to apply Co David and to his royal
line.
We have q statement of governmental quail
ties, which should be possessed by David and
his successors TO the Hebrew throne 1. They
| should be just, and see that justice prevails
! among their subjects. 2. They must not rule
independently, but have reference To Gods
will, fearing to offend him. If they do so rule
| two results follow: /. They are grateful to
| their subjects, welcome as the cloudless morn
| ing sun after disagreeahle night-welcome as
David when he succeeded Saul. 2. They pro-
duce results which bless tho subjects of Gov
| eminent, bringing joy comparable to the de-
| lightfui sensations one experiences when, after
| a rainy night, the whole vegetable world Is all
| aglow, sparkling and richly green, as the sun
shines forth ia n cloudless sky.
David Jaw that neither his own Government
| nor the prospective rule of his successors met
| the great ideal of verse 4. But this fact made
| the more conspicuous Gods goodness in estah-
| fishing with him an eternal covenant; IN ar
ranging the divine providenees present and
| prospective so as TO insure the stability of the
| Government of Davids regal limo. Il was the
secret of security and the object of the desire of
David that his family might become establish
| ed But even with such covenant David saw
| his own family depleted and not growing
| Clarke renders $50" in verse establish
ed" The Hebrew words for so and feed are
| very similar, and, in fact, alike, If the vowels
| be omitted. Then he puts the words. "my
| house is not with God, into the interTogative
| form. Is not my house (reggl line) firmly fixed
| by an eternal eoyenantf This view is held by
| thorough critics.
| Then the Government Of the dGpraved is con-
! trasted IA TO duration with that of the good.
| b. Let us, however. view tho verses from the
| standpoint OF the Messiah. Most scholars be-
| lieve the primary idea of David ia an exhibit
| of the Messiah's reign. The Chaldee para
/ phrase Boothroyd, A. Clarke, Kennieott, Keil
and Delitzseh so hold. DIR. Clarke says: The
| Messiah seems to DO The whole subject of these