The National tribune., 1889-10-10
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUBJEcTi DAvID's RECEPTION OF NATHANa
DECLARATION OF COPS WILL Az TO THE
BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE.
/. Data
The lesson Is recorded In two books Of the
Old Testament, to wit, 2 Sam 7: 8-29, and 1
Chron., IL; 1927. 1t is generally held that
Samuel wrote the first "a chapters of Samuel,
and that the remainder of | Samuel and the
entire book of ii Samuel were composed by the
events were probably written on the spot or
soon after their occurrence. Ezra compiled or
composed the two books of the Chronicles.
9. Time
We date the lesson A. M. 1862, or B. @. 1912.
Then ". 18) refers to the time just after
Nathan had revealed to David Gods will rs to
the building of a temple and as to the perma-
nency of David's governmental line. David
had been King for, say, Is years, and was about
45 years old. The temple was begun 81 years
later snd was dedicated seven years after that,
to wit, in the year 1898 A. NJ. Zone should
read carefully the entire chapter, including the
lesson.)
3. Place
David resided in his palace built by Hiram.
Is: III The house is referred TO in z: L. Da-
vid sat therein and saw how 10 contrasted with
the provisions made for Gods abode. He was
ashamed, and decided to build suitable struct-
ure. Nathan went to the palace and revealed
Gods will. Then David went to the taber-
nacle and "sat before the Lord" David had
before that brought the ark from Gibeah and
placed it in the tabernacle which he had con-
structed for its location. g.: IT, The taber-
nace then became the center of worship. To
it David in deep concern repaired to express
thanksgiving to God for past goodness at the
hands of Deity, and to pray for future bless
ings Jerusalem was then the Capital, and in
it were palace and tabernacle.
q. Circumstances.
Saul's Government displeased God and was
wrecked. David was chosen successor to the
throne He spraug from lowly origin, and was
promoted to greatest distinction. Tho first
part OF bis reign was great struggle But at
length he gained the mastery, aud had time
for reflection. 1.-THE Lord had given him rest
round about from all his enemies" GID First
OF all he noticed the contrast between his pal
ace and his place of worship. He decided to
set to work at once. the construction of a suita-
bic sanctuary God appeared to Nathan, the
prophet of that day, aud gave him a message
for the King. Nathan sought immediate inter-
view with David. aud told him Gods words
Jehovah approved of the building Of temple
but babe David leave tho construction thereof
To his son Solomon. He made known the future
of the Jewish race, Church, and Government
The throne of David was TO continue for ages
1t was reserved for Solomon TO build the tenn
pie, as being man of peace. and as living in q
more peaceful aud therefore appropriate time.
David was precluded because he had been
man of war. q Chron., 23 81
5. The Copcnant
We fnd God aud David entering into n mu-
tual agreement. Jehovah promised certain
blessings to David and his race on certain con-
ditious By means Of Nathan as nexus God
and man were able to make each other mutu-
ally understood. In every covenant there are
two parties
8. The Parties.
First In the compact was God. As we study
the lesson we learn much of God, aud are able
TO sos what reliance can DO put on his promises.
a. His titles He is called in the lesson Lord,
Lord God, Lord Of hosts, God of Israel. David
is styled his servant aud hence God was his
master.
b. His attributes. l. He is omniscient. This
isRpparent in Nathan's revelation. No one but
a Being able TO see into tho future could fore
tell such facts. God spoke of the future of
David's throne for great while to come"
". 49, David felt it was useless for him to
go into particulars as though God needed in
formation. ". 20.) No one but the All-wise
knew that David would not build the temple
and that Solomon would construct il. g God is
great so David said, addressing Deity, Thou
art great" ". 22) He declared God did
great things" ". 2I.) lie referred to the
terrible wonders performed by Jehovah in con-
nection with the exodus Of the lsraclites from
Egyptian bondage. " 23) g. There is no
other God ". 22.) All heather deities-all
o.called gods-are as nothing. They have no
life nor power. L. Jehovah is unlike any gods.
~. 22-) No god has ever redeemed his people.
Heather gods are eyeless, heartless lifeless,
powerless. They are mere names. They are
real only to imagination, and therefore exist
only in fancy. OF course Jehovah is conse-
Quentiy superior 10 them, for he has knowledge,
consciousness, existence, feeling. 5. God is pow
erfnl. He redeemed the Israelites from Pharaoh
lie did great things and terrible (V. 23.) The
account In Chronicles gives q more definite
statement. tSee V. 81 Allusion is therein
made to the expulsion of the Canaanites TO make
room for the lsraelites, who wero coming from
Egyptian slavery TO take up residence in the
Promised Land. 9. God is eternal He spoke
of a great while to come. (Y. 49, He promised
tho lsraelites blessings reaching into eternity
Tor fulallment. tVs. "a, 25, 20 and l Chron.,
H:27.1 z. God Is truthful. do as thou hast
said" ~. 49, "Thy words be true" (Y. 28.)
g. God Is to be worshiped. No other being is
ft object of religious devotion. Gods house
is for prayer. To worship other than Jehovah
Is violation OF the First and Second Com
mandments. 0. God ID love. lie loves. lie
has heart (See V. 21.) 10. God is unlike man.
His manner is different from that of human
beings. ". 1917
So much We learn In our lesson as to Jehovah.
1t Is pleasant TO read the statement, God is our
God. (Vs "a, 26.) We do not worship an idol
nor mere god. Our God ia me God, the onlr
God. 1t was safe for David to enter into agree
ment with Jehovah. There was reliability as
10 the frat party of the covenant.
The second party in the compact was man,
David representing the jewish race, and thus
distantly but really the whole human family.
l. David in special Is named. He was of hum
BILE origin. US. g. l5; Sam, l5: 49, He was
servant of God. ". 49, He was King of the
lsraolites. ". 49, He knew God recognized
God; considered God in all his acts looked
To God for aid and counsel. ". 2l.) lie was
known of God; noticed by Providence; assist
ed from Heaven; watched over and protected
guided and confOrted by our Heavenly Father
". 20. z. David's family is considered in
particular. 1t was Davids great anxiety to
secure firm establishment of the Government
In the line Of hig descendants. (Vs IS, I9, 90,
20, 29.) Literally his wish was realized for a
long time--indeed, down to the death of our
Savior, A. ID. 20, or for l07l years. In the
spiritual seuse David still rules in our world
Jesus having descended from the royal line
s. The lsraelites in general were included in
the SECOND party to the covenant. They were
Gods nation. ". 23.) They were unlike any
other people. ". 49, The distinct individu.
ality of the Jews d race is remarkable They
were peculiar in the fact of enjoying special
PrOvidential care. They had been redeemed
from Egyptian bondage, from heather gods
aud from contamination with idolatry. David
speaks In V. 10 AS though Gods conduct in
favor OF Israel WAS exceptional and not the law
or manner" in general of God with man.