Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-10


ner Of announcing him on various occa-
sions
FoRBIDDEN.-On the night sue
Seeulh$ TIE Interview with the king
Nathan mad vision. and the Lord spoke
TO MN Werse ~. fulfilling the promise
made TO Moses concerning the pronhetir
Once tNumb.. Nii:6D. He was directed 70
so to David with an extended message.
"hich occupies the remainder of our les
son. The first part OF that message il
here given IN the form OF a refusal in
which David is forbidden to build, thus
reversing Nathan's former advice BY
this II appears that good men, even after
consulta ton. both moved by pure motives
one at the head OF the nation, the other
GODS inspired representative, may err
When they come at first to consider A
SUBJECT, and that the decisions and plans
OF one may be revised and abandoned
under the added light that may come out
OF Gods word. There were two encour-
aging features in the message to Nathan
David was called my servant" by the
AImlghty. and the thing which he pro-
worthy Kings, Willis. This recogni-
tlon prepared the king for a statement
OF reasons following
UNREQUIRED.-Th first OF those
reasons was sufficient in itself-God had
not asked for the buildings This point ia
covered with considerable detail and en-
phasis oversees go. From the year 1891
BE-, down 10 that year 1O43. a period of
foo years, God had made His abode in a
tabernacle. The children OF Israel had
been brought out OF Egypt. they had lived
In the wilderness. they had settled in Ca
naan-Moses, Joshua, the judges and Saul
nad nourished: yet during all that time
he qua not dwell in any house. More
over, the institutions customs and man.
ners had all be arranged under Divine d.
rect1on. When anything new was needed
He had ordered 1t. and He alone had the
right to order it HIeb.. viii:0. To whom.
a nv In, all
the nation did He speak saying why
build We not Me an house of CEDAR" That
question was equivalent to an assertion
that God was satisfied with tent And
II He was satisfied why should any man.
even the king, be concerned on this mat
ter. Ii was quite enough to do the will OF
God and not go beyond the express dis
closures of that will.
M1SS1ON.-The message which Ma
than was appointed to deliver referred
next to the mission of David 1t was nee
essary, inasmuch as he had desired what
God had not told him to do. that the king
should be reminded Of his legitimate place
and work. Briefly stated IL was this:
That he should be ruler over Israel For
that purpose he had been taken from the
sheepcote q Sam, xvi:2). and he had pros
pered in all. his way. His enemies had
been cut off on all sides. and there had
been given to him great name like unto
the name of the great men Of the earth,
And all that had been done. not for Da.
vid's honor and pleasure. but for the ma
tional welfare. and that Israel might
have permanent abiding place (verse 10)
and might not be afflicted any more. And
as to his own house (verse .. about which
he reflected. God had told him to build it
and enjoy it (verse I'D, SO that he need not
house of God. The performance OF his
royal duty and the enjoyment of the per-
quisites and privileges of lis Office ought
to satisfy him. In after years David
l>l ~
this connection, which may have been
communicated by Nathan Il Chron..
xxii:SD.
UCCESSOR.-Having forbidden the
building Of the temple and having assign
ed two good reasons, the message OF God
which Nathan was required to deliver to
David presented a series Of encouraging
promises calculated to reconcile the king
to the Divine will. The first of those prom
ises pertained to the succession. When
his days should be fulfilled David's own
son should ascend the throne. To an ORR
entalist this promise would be extremely
gratifying. Throughout all eastern lands
a man in ancient times lived largely for
posterity. He desired nothing much as
to transmit to his children unimpaired
whatever good he possessed psalm
xc:16). He expected in this way to obtain
enduring fame. This was true Of David
more than any other. He had seen the
house of Saul, including the beautiful JON
athan go to ruin. and had contemplated
the calamity with intense pain QI Sam.
i:25o. Possessed of an ardent nature, he
longed for the welfare of each Oh Sam.
Kviii:33).
BUILDER.-But the promise OF a son
to reign was made more comforting by
another promise that he should build the
house of God What David was forbid
den to do his successor. Solomon, would
do This promise contained several ele-
ments worthy of notice. The temple would
be built; the thing proposed was not i'm
proper. David had the satisfaction OF
feeling that the idea originated in his
own mind. and that it was approved.
although it's realization would be delayed
II Solomon should build 1T, that implied
that he would have zeal for God. ana
comfort to his father-it would give char
acter and purpose to Solomon's reign.
which would be in many respects con-
tinuation of Dayid's. Besides. II the son
would do what the father desired to do.
that fact would bind the two together. the
one communicating. the other receiving.
and both co-working. Finally possessed
of this intelligence. David might devote
ton of materials and funds. as he actual
~ did q Chron. xxiX:2), for the temple,
and find great pleasure in that employ
ment.
SUPPORT-what is a man without
God? What can he do? What can he
when other men think him to be wise
and strong. his best undertakings are
liable to fall. The worlds history sets
forth the folly of men. What is builded
in one generation needs to be reformed
or torn down in another generation. Only
as men are enlightened, guided ana
strengthened by the Almighty does their
work endure. Oh Sam. xiv:15l David
might therefore appropriately desire to
know whether God would support his SON
when he became king and when he at
tempted to build the temple. The third
promise covered this point God would
be father. and would act a fathers
part. furnishing for iniquity. but never
withholding mercy. Werses 13-15.) In this
way the new king. by the Justice and
goodness shown, would learn righteous
ness This support so promised would
not be limited to the next generation.
but would be extended. so that the throne
of David would be esta blished forever.
Without doubt this part is Messianic.
psalm lxxxix: 36)
INSTRCCTION-We may learn by
this passage that God had a plan in pro-
noting His cause. Some things are to be
done at one time and other things at
other times Men are called for places
and seasons, to each man his appropriate
work (Acts. ix:l0 Every one must be
careful to know his appointed task tActs.
tx 90 and to be content with that thereby
making possible the work of those who
come after. Fathers transmit to their
son sther unfinished plans, and one gen.
Grafton receives the products of toll and
skill of prior generation to be used in
still gretaer achievement. We are all
II f.1n hos In,