avid exhorts the people to the fear of the Lord. (1-10) He
gives instructions for the temple. (11-21)
Verses 1-10: During David's last sickness, many chief priests and
Levites were at Jerusalem. Finding himself able, David spoke of
his purpose to build a temple for God, and of God's disallowing
that purpose. He opened to them God's gracious purposes
concerning Solomon. David charged them to cleave stedfastly to
God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless
we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divine grace.
Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledge
of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the
God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a
willing mind. God is made known by his works and word.
Revelation alone shows the whole character of God, in his
providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his
blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true
believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God.
But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of
the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to
walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper
place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless
worm, deserving wrath, yet expecting every thing needful from
the free mercy and grace of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to
love much.
Verses 11-21: The temple must be a sacred thing, and a type of Christ;
it must be framed by Divine teaching. Christ is the true temple,
the church is the gospel temple, and heaven the everlasting
temple; all are framed according to the Divine counsels, and the
plan laid in the Divine wisdom, ordained before the world, for
God's glory and our good. David gave this pattern to Solomon,
that he might go by rule. Materials were provided for the most
costly utensils of the temple. Directions were given which way
to look for help in this great undertaking. Be not dismayed; God
will help thee, and thou must look up to him in the first place.
We may be sure that God, who owned our fathers, and carried them
through the services of their day, will, in like manner, never
leave us, while he has any work to do in us, or by us. Good work
is likely to go on, when all concerned are hearty in furthering
it. Let us hope in God's mercy; if we seek him, he will be found
of us.
avid exhorts the people to the fear of the Lord. (1-10) He
gives instructions for the temple. (11-21)