And David assembled all the princes of Israel. 1 Chronicles 28:1-8 David's address to the princes J. Wolfendale. I. The ATTITUDE which David assumed. II. The SPIRIT which David manifested. III. The AMBITION which David cherished. IV. The CONFESSION which David makes. ( J. Wolfendale. ) The testimony of a noble life J. Wolfendale. I. IN HIS CHOICE TO THE THRONE GOD DISPLAYS HIS SOVEREIGNTY. II. IN HIS ACQUISITION OF THE KINGDOM GOD MANIFESTS HIS PROVIDENCE. III. IN HIS SON'S SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE GOD FULFILS HIS PROMISE. ( J. Wolfendale. ) He shall build My house The material and the spiritual temple I. THE JEWISH DISPENSATION MAINLY EXTERNAL. 1. Sacrifices. 2. Types. 3. Observances. 4. Priestly caste. 5. Sacred buildings. II. REASONS FOR THIS. 1. Early age of the world, revelation, and human thought. 2. Necessity of strong stamps to impress the nation in its youth, and keep it separate from heathendom. 3. Consequent necessity of indulging it in manifold visible symbols. 4. The repetition and induration of signs prepared the way for the purely mental reign of the Messiah. III. HENCE THE FUNCTION OF THE TABERNACLE AND THE TEMPLE. 1. As the place where God had demonstrably set His name. 2. Where the visible glory had been and could be seen at a due crisis. 3. Where the embodied signs of the covenant were stored. 4. As the house of sacrifice ( 2 Chronicles 7:12 ). 5. As the house of prayer ( Isaiah 56:7 ). 6. As the symbol of unity in worship ( 2 Chronicles 32:12 ). 7. As God's own dwelling-place ( 1 Kings 6:12, 18 ). IV. AFTER ITS POLLUTION AND PILLAGE. 1. By Shishak ( 1 Kings 14:25, 26 ). 2. Under Jehoash ( 2 Kings 12:17 ). 3. Under Ahaz ( 2 Kings 16:14 ). 4. Under Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 18:13 ).Its sanctity had been impaired through the defections of the people. Spiritual religion began afterwards to grow, so that Isaiah was able to proclaim before the captivity ( Isaiah 66:1, 2 ). "Heaven is My throne... what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord"; Malachi was able decisively to prophesy ( Malachi 1:11 ), "In every place incense shall be offered to My name." The old worship was gradually ceasing to fulfil its function; the new dispensation of the law of the Spirit and of liberty was coming in; and at last the Messiah declared irrevocably that old things were passed away, and that the hour was coming when neither in Gerizim nor in Jerusalem the Father should be worshipped, no more for ever, locally or visibly, but only truly with the inner worship of spirit and of truth. This was a great point with St. Stephen ( Acts 7:48 ) and St. Paul ( Acts 17:24 ). V. WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE BY WHICH CHRIST REPLACED THE OLD HONOURED VISIBLE SIGN? 1. The whole invisible company of those who are righteous through faith ( 1 Peter 2:4 ; Isaiah 57:15 ; 1 Corinthians 3:16 ). 2. The body of every true son of God ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ; John 14:13 ). 3. In heaven, the special pervading presence of the Almighty ( Revelation 21:22 ; Acts 17:28 ). VI. WHAT, THEN, ARE CHRISTIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP? 1. Not representatives of the temple, but of the synagogue. 2. In all places where Christians meet for meditation and prayer Christ is equally present ( Matthew 18:20 ). 3. Venerable and solemn merely from association, intention, and consent. 4. All adornment of them a question of edification for the congregation. 5. No one part of them more holy than another except by association. VII. MORAL REASONS OF THIS IN THE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY. 1. Danger of putting trust in anything short of God Himself in His own immediate moral relations to the soul. 2. Temptation to set our affection on things below instead of things above, and making our worship one of act instead of disposition and the intelligence. 3. Tendency of all religious bodies to idolatrise their symbols. VIII. LESSON: TO AVOID SUPERSTITION. ( W M. Sinclair, M. A. ) And leave it for an inheritance The Christian inheritance Bp. Baker. Good and great men have always been jealous for the cause of God in the world, and when about to die, that feeling has sometimes been intensified. Moses, Eli, etc. I. THE ESTATE OF CHRIST'S CHURCH IS AN INHERITANCE. It consists of the knowledge of the triune God, our relations to Him and our obligations as revealed to us in His Word. II. THIS INHERITANCE IS YOURS. III. THE FORCES WHICH WOULD BRING WRECK AND RUIN TO THIS INHERITANCE. Sacerdotalism on the one hand, rationalism on the other. ( Bp. Baker. ) And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father. 1 Chronicles 28:9, 21 God's relation to human life J. Wolfendale. Learn — I. THAT OUR LIFE IS EXPOSED TO GOD'S INSPECTION. II. THAT OUR SERVICE TO GOD SHOULD SPRING FROM SINCERE MOTIVES. III. THAT OUR WELFARE DEPENDS UPON OUR CONDUCT TOWARDS GOD. ( J. Wolfendale. ) The God of thy father J. Wolfendale. 1. The rich experience behind these words. 2. The force of parental affection in giving that experience. 3. The susceptibility of youth to profit by the teaching. ( J. Wolfendale. ) Fathers and children M. Braithwaite. We see here one generation — 1. Transmitting the knowledge of God to its successor. 2. Enjoining the service of God upon its successors. 3. Indicating God's method of dealing with its successor. 4. Bequeathing its unfulfilled intentions to its successor. ( M. Braithwaite. ) The knowledge of God the first principle of religion J. Mason, M. A. I. WHAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IMPLIES. 1. A firm belief of His existence. 2. Just and regular sentiments concerning the perfections of His nature. Whatever argues a real imperfection or frailty in men ought not in the most distant resemblance to be ascribed to God. 3. A reverent contemplation of Him, according to the discoveries He hath been pleased to make of His perfections in His Word, works, and the ways of providence. Let us frequently contemplate — (1) His almighty power. (2) His holiness. (3) His wisdom. (4) His veracity. (5) His infinite mercy. II. THE EFFICACY AND INFLUENCE THIS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD OUGHT TO HAVE UPON US. The design and end of knowledge is not only to enlarge and enlighten the mind, but to direct the practice and mend the heart. The true knowledge of God should produce in us — 1. Reverence. 2. Holiness. 3. Dependence upon Him for wisdom ( James 1:5 ). 4. Confidence in His promises. 5. Fear. 6. Gratitude. ( J. Mason, M. A. ) Solomon succeeding David F. E. Clark. No better advice could have been given to the young sovereign of Israel. No better advice can to-day be given to the young sovereigns who fill our churches and Sunday-schools. So far as Solomon followed this advice he was prosperous beyond any that went before him; as soon as he forgot this advice the terrible warning with which the verse ends was fulfilled, and the disappointed misanthrope in the Book of Ecclesiastes tells us of the sorrows of a man whom God has forsaken. As God chose Solomon, so does He choose every young man and woman for some special work, which they alone can best accomplish. There are four things to be noticed in this charge. I. KNOW THOU GOD. 1. Through the Bible. 2. Providence. 3. Through the communings of our own heart. II. Know thou thy FATHER'S God. Every generation need not begin at the beginning, as though the fathers knew nothing about God. There is much foolish talk about thinking these great truths concerning God and religion through for ourselves. That our fathers served God is a reason why we should not discard Him. III. SERVE HIM WITH A PERFECT HEART. IV. SERVE HIM WITH A WILLING MIND. It is said that when the Princess Victoria was called to the kingdom, the messengers, who were the highest dignitaries of State, arrived at her palace from the death-bed of the king very early in the morning. They had great difficulty in arousing any one; but at length the princess's maid appeared, who said that her mistress was in such a sweet sleep that it was a pity to disturb her. "Tell her," said the Archbishop of Canterbury, "that we have come on business of importance to the queen, and even her slumbers must give way to that." Very soon the princess appeared, and was invested with royal robes and prerogatives. To every young person comes the messenger of God telling them of their Father's good pleasure that they should inherit the kingdom. No one can afford to neglect the summons. ( F. E. Clark. ) David's charge to Solomon Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons. These words contain — 1. Advice given to a hopeful son. 2. By an excellent father. 3. Under most affecting circumstances. I. THE COURSE PRESCRIBED. 1. TO know God. This implies —(1) That mankind by nature do not know God. (a) They do not understand God's relations to mankind, as their rightful Sovereign; their Guide in difficulties; their Redeemer from evil; their Friend in necessities ( Psalm 10:4 ). (b) They do not acknowledge God in these relations. (c) They do not enjoy God in these relations ( Ephesians 2:12 ).(2) That the knowledge of God must be sought to be enjoyed. 2. To serve God with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.(1) By preserving attention to His guidance ( Acts 3:22, 23 ; Hebrews 12:25 ).(2) By habitual dependence on Christ's mediation ( Colossians 2:6 ).(3) By steadfastly resisting Satan ( 1 Peter 5:8, 9 ).(4) By aspiring after spotless purity ( 2 Corinthians 7:1 ; 2 Peter 3:14 ).(5) By doing good to mankind for God's sake ( Galatians 6:10 ; Romans 14:17, 18 ).(6) Serve Him alone ( Matthew 4:10 ).(7) Seek to please Him in all things ( Matthew 6:22 ; 1 Corinthians 10:33 ).(8) Serve Him from a principle of grateful affection ( Romans 12:1 ).(9) And in cheerful hope ( 1 Peter 1:13 ). 3. Thus to know and serve God must be justly denominated a course of acceptable piety. It is acceptable piety —(1) In opposition to the complimental piety of the Antinomian; for it includes actual service.(2) To the affected piety of the hypocrite, for it includes sincerity of heart.(3) To the erroneous piety of the superstitious, for it includes piety directed by the knowledge of God.(4) To the servile piety of the Pharisee, for it includes service cheerfully rendered.(5) To the inconstant pious intervals of unstable professors ( Hosea 6:4 ). II. THE ARGUMENTS BY WHICH IT IS URGED. 1. From the knowledge of God as our Observer. 2. From His goodness as our Redeemer. 3. From His just severity as our Judge.(1) God cannot be imposed upon ( 1 Samuel 2:3 ; Proverbs 16:2 ; Ecclesiastes 12:14 ).(2) Forsaking God is highly resented by Him, as implying ingratitude, treachery, and folly ( Jeremiah 2:13, 19 ).(3) Apostasy from God is justly punished with eternal banishment from Him ( Job 21:14 ; Matthew 25:41 ).Application: 1. You must serve God on earth, or you cannot live with Him in heaven ( Matthew 7:21 ). 2. That you may serve God acceptably you must first know Him ( Exodus 5:2 ). 3. The knowledge of God should be restlessly and confidently sought ( Proverbs 2:3-5 ; Jeremiah 31:31-34 ). ( Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons. ) David's instructions to Solomon John McNeill. These words were not spoken from the death-bed, and yet behind them there is the background of death, judgment, and eternity. When dying men or women are speaking to us we know their words are few and well ordered. Especially so are the last utterances of parents to their children, if there is sufficient strength left of mind and body. In this instruction to Solomon we feel just as if the Spirit of God gave David inspiration. Just as if he looked into Solomon prophetically and saw both his weakness and his strength, words shaped themselves upon David's tongue that exactly fitted the best and worst in the youthful life that lay before him. 1. David felt, "I cannot offer the chart of ray life to my own son when he is beginning his voyage and say, 'Just sail as I sailed,' for if so, he will run on reefs that I was nearly foundering upon, he will run on the quicksands that nearly ruined me." Those lights that lie around our dangerous rock-bound coast are all very fine, and our lighting system is one of the glories of our British commerce. How all our coasts are lighted up at dangerous places at the expense of millions of money spent in building lighthouses, fitting them with the best lights, and keeping efficient men to take charge of them! But take the best of them, and ask any sailor, and he will tell you that five minutes of the sun itself is worth them all together. So it is with the best human testimony, the best earthly wisdom, and the best human experience. What a blessing when we can lift our heads right above it all to the sun that never fails us! "Know thou the God of thy father." 2. See how David recommended his God to Solomon. In Old Testament days to name His name apart from any human qualification and attachment was then something too large, too vague, too profound. But when David speaks of "the God of thy father," how homely it makes God! 3. After all, grace is not an heirloom. It cannot be bequeathed. Solomon had to know God for himself. Of the godly Eli's family it was said, "Eli's sons were sons of Belial." 4. What wonderful instruction in the philosophy of conduct is in religion, if we would only believe Him! Know Him, and let your knowledge be of the practical kind. I said this to my son the other day: "My lad if I were beginning just where you are, and only twelve years of age, if I knew about myself and about what a fool I am at bottom, about how bad I am by nature, and what sin and grace really mean, what the Word of God means, and what Christ means — oh, my lad, if I were back with you, I think I would make more of life than I have done." I think David is saying all that to young Solomon. "If I could begin all over again, Solomon, if I could stand where you are standing, I would make life to mean just one thing — God! God! God! God!" ( John McNeill. ) The duty and advantage of knowing and serving the God of our fathers J. Guyse. I. THE NATURE OF THE DUTIES HERE SPOKEN OF. 1. You are to know the God of your fathers. This means such a practical acknowledgment of Him as engages a religious regard to Him as our chief good and highest end, that we may glorify Him here, and enjoy Him for ever, in the way of His own appointment. 2. You are to serve the God of your fathers. His ordinances and institutions are to be observed in all acts of religious worship, and His commands are to be obeyed in a departure from all iniquity and in a performance of all moral duties, with a professed subjection to the gospel of Christ. 3. You are to serve the God of your fathers with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. There is a sort of perfection which consists in integrity and uprightness, in opposition to prevailing hypocrisy, and which must be found in the heart if ever we serve God in an acceptable manner ( 1 Kings 15:3, 14 ; 2 Chronicles 25:2 ). II. THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE DUTIES ARE RECOMMENDED. 1. This important advice is directed to every one of you, as if you were mentioned by name. 2. It is the God of your fathers who is recommended to you. 3. It is the God whom your fathers themselves have recommended, and can recommend to you. 4. It is the God to whom your fathers have devoted you, and for whom they have trained you up. 5. It is the God of your fathers, who has encouraged you, by His covenant promise, to know and serve Him. 6. It is the God of your fathers, who has as much right to your knowing and serving Him as to theirs ( Deuteronomy 29:10-12 ). 7. It is the God who will so much the more resent your disregard of Him, because He was your father's God. 8. It is the God before whom you must appear, together with your fathers, in judgment at the last day. ( J. Guyse. ) Godly parents concerned for the piety of their children James Hay, D. D. I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN CHILDREN RECOGNISING GOD AS THE GOD OF THEIR FATHERS? 1. That they stand in a covenant relation to God through His promise to their fathers to be their God and the God of their seed. 2. When children are required to recognise God as their father's God they should recall to their minds the pious instructions which their parents have communicated to them. 3. When children are required to recognise God as their father's God, this should remind them of the many instances of God's faithfulness, and kindness, and mercy which their fathers have experienced at God's hand. II. THE EARNEST DESIRE OF GODLY PARENTS FOR ADVANCING THE SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL INTERESTS OF THEIR CHILDREN. 1. It is necessary that children should know the God of their fathers. 2. There is nothing on which the heart of a pious parent is more deeply fixed than the religious interests of his children. III. THE MOTIVES AND ARGUMENTS BY WHICH THIS DUTY OF CHILDREN IS ENFORCED. 1. Youth is the most advantageous period for entering on a religious life. In every science or profession early application is deemed necessary to future excellence. 2. The children of godly parents have pre-eminent advantages above other young persons for entering on a religious life. 3. The obstinacy of young persons who have been religiously educated, and after all forsake the God of their fathers, is especially criminal, and attended with great aggravation. 4. That those young persons who have been religiously educated, and forsake the God of their fathers, are in danger of greater punishment than other men. ( James Hay, D. D. ) Christian education Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times. " I. WITHOUT SINCERITY AND SERIOUSNESS, OUR RELIGION CAN BE OF NO VALUE IN THE SIGHT OF THE OMNISCIENT GOD. II. IT IS IMPORTANT IN EVERY POINT OF VIEW THAT YOUNG PERSONS, EVEN FROM THEIR EARLIEST CHILDHOOD, SHOULD BE TAUGHT THIS HIGH AND HOLY LESSON — TO BE SINCERE AND SERIOUS IN THEIR RELIGION; that is, in their whole conduct. III. TO "SERVE GOD WITH A PERFECT HEART'' IS THE SUM AND SUBSTANCE OF ALL PRACTICAL RELIGION. ( Plain Sermons by Contributors to the "Tracts for the Times. " ) David's charge to Solomon Homilist. I. THE FOUNDATIONS OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE. 1. The knowledge of God ( Jeremiah 9:23, 24 ; John 17:3 ). This knowledge is not a mere abstract conception of God, but a burning memory of the Friend of the family. 2. A dedication of ourselves to His service. II. THE SAFEGUARDS OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE. 1. A consciousness of the Divine presence in the heart. 2. A consciousness of the Divine omniscience prevents evil thoughts. III. THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE. "If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee." 1. In every department of life man is a seeker. 2. In the department of spiritual life our gain is the greatest. IV. THE WARNING OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE. ( Homilist. ) Royal regard for the right training of children Rev. Benjamin Smith, in his "Gems Re-set," reminds us of an interesting circumstance concerning the royal family of England. A dignitary of the Established Church had been examining some of the royal children in the Catechism. The divine was thoroughly satisfied with the readiness and the correctness of the replies. Doubtless he would be pleased to be able with truthfulness to commend the children of the Queen. He manifested his good sense, however, by doing this in an indirect manner, praising the lady who was their ordinary instructress. He said, "Your governess deserves high commendation for teaching you the Catechism so accurately. I am delighted with your proficiency." The young folk replied, "Our governess does take great pains with us in our other lessons, but it is mamma who teaches us the Catechism." There is reason to believe that the Queen of England was deeply solicitous that her children should from their earliest years be well acquainted with God's truth. That truth had been commended to her when young by her mother's tuition and example. In her husband, Albert the Good, our Queen had one to counsel and aid her in the training of their children. Thus the highest lady in these realms, with cares of State constantly pressing on her attention, and with godly and learned men ever able and willing to impart Scriptural instruction to the royal children, deemed it her duty and privilege to teach the Catechism to her loved ones. And serve Him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind. To serve God the best way to prosper in the world J. Mason, M. A. I. WHAT IT IS TO SERVE GOD 1. To serve God is to sincerely practise all the duties of piety.(1) We must take heed to our private devotions — reading, meditation, prayer.(2) We must discharge the duties of public worship. 2. To serve God is to practise all those duties which we owe more immediately to our fellow-creatures and to ourselves. II. WHAT A TENDENCY THE SERVING GOD IN THIS MANNER HAS TO SECURE HIS FAVOUR AND BLESSING IN ALL OUR SECULAR CONCERNS. 1. This is evident from the promises God has made in His Word ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ; Deuteronomy 8:18 ; Proverbs 10:22 ; Psalm 34:10 ; Psalm 84:2 ; Matthew 5:5 ; Romans 8:28 ; Ecclesiastes 2:26 ). 2. This is apparent from the very nature and connection of things. "Godliness with contentment is great gain."(1) It secures a man the most durable peace, the most valuable possessions, and gives him much more satisfaction and comfort in that share of the world which providence hath allotted to him than the most affluent fortune ever afforded, which I take to be the meaning of the promise, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."(2) It preserves a man from running into vicious habits and customs.(3) It obliges to the practice of that integrity, wisdom, and industry which have a natural tendency to improve our circumstances. 3. This is confirmed by constant experience and observation. Conclusion: How greatly mistaken are they who think to prosper in the world by stepping aside out of the path of duty, or who dare to violate the sacred obligations of virtue and religion for the sake of a temporal advantage. ( J. Mason, M. A. ) In what manner we are to serve God J. Mason, M. A. I. THE RULE OF WORSHIP LAID DOWN IN THE TEXT, which we should carefully observe in all our religious transactions with God. We must worship God — 1. With a perfect heart. That is —(1) An upright heart: "in spirit and in truth" ( John 4:24 ).(2) A pure heart. This stands in opposition to all vile affections and corrupt ends in worship ( 1 Kings 15:14 ; Psalm 26:6 ).(3) A devout and engaged heart. This stands opposed to — (a) Worldly and wandering thoughts; (b) a dull and drowsy frame in worship. 2. With a willing mind.(1) We should always preserve an habitual readiness and disposition to the service of God, and oppose and break through every accidental reluctance of the mind thereunto.(2) Our minds should be excited to the service of God from a principle of gratitude and love.(3) With cheerfulness of heart in worship. II. WHAT IS ESSENTIAL AND PECULIAR TO CHRISTIAN WORSHIP? It must always be performed in the name of Christ ( Colossians 3:17 ; John 14:13, 14 ; John 16:23, 24, 26 ). To serve God in the name of Christ implies — 1. A dependence on His mediation for the acceptance of our services. 2. A dependence on His grace for our assistance ( Philippians 4:18 ). 3. A dependence on His merits for the atonement of our guilt ( Romans 3:24, 25 ). 4. A thankful acknowledgment of this gracious constitution of His, in appointing His Son to be Mediator between Him and His apostate creatures.Application: 1. How vain it is to lay a great stress upon any particular place, or external forms and modes of worship. 2. This should lead us to inquire in what manner our worship, hath been performed, and what hath been the ordinary frame of our mind therein. 3. This shows the need we have to prepare our hearts to serve Him, and to avoid everything that would unfit us for this service. 4. Hence likewise appears the necessity of keeping the heart with all diligence in the service of God. ( J. Mason, M. A. ) Heart service Homiletic Review. That which we do with the heart is done without grudging, or toil, or weariness. A willing heart goes all the day on its path of duty, art unwilling one soon tires. All is nimble and cheerful which is done by the heart. This is the only kind of service God accepts of His creatures. This is the only condition in which men can render true service to Him. If the heart is dull, our service will be inapt and untoward. ( Homiletic Review. ) God the searcher of hearts, and found of them that seek Him J. Mason. — God the searcher of hearts, and found of them that seek Him : — 1. When God is said to search the heart, the meaning is He perfectly understands it. 2. The knowledge which God has of the human heart is universal: "Searcheth all hearts." 3. The hearts of men and the imaginations of the thoughts are mentioned here as distinct objects of the Divine knowledge, and the difference between them is — by the former we are to understand the passions and purposes of the mind; and by the latter, the paintings of fancy, or the mere casual rovings of thought. I proceed now — I. Briefly to PROVE THIS PROPOSITION, the Lord searcheth or knoweth all hearts. 1. This is evident from the reason of things. He that gave to man an understanding heart must understand the heart He gave ( Psalm 94:9-11 ). 2. This may be further argued from His omniscience. 3. This is expressly ascribed to Him in the Scriptures ( Jeremiah 17:9, 10 ; Jeremiah 20:12 ; Acts 1:24 ). II. TO SHOW HOW FITLY THIS CONSIDERATION IS URGED TO ENFORCE THE DUTY ENJOINED, or how proper it is to induce us to guard and govern our thoughts at all times, especially in the service of God. 1. A total neglect of our thoughts and the frame of our spirits in the service of God shows a great contempt of His authority. 2. God, who knows our thoughts now, will call us to an account of them hereafter. 3. It is the turn and temper of the heart which forms the character of every one in the sight of God. 4. To keep a strict and constant guard over our hearts at all times, and especially in His worship, is the best evidence we can have of our sincerity. III. MOTIVES TO ATTEND TO THE EXHORTATION GIVEN. "If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee," etc. These words contain the most valuable promise and the most awful threatening that are to be found in the whole book of God. Notice particularly the promise. To seek the Lord is usually applied to the duty of prayer, but in the Bible it is often put to denote the whole of practical religion ( Psalm 34:10 ; Isaiah 45:6 ; Isaiah 9:13 ; Isaiah 6:5 ). If we seek we shall obtain — 1. His favour. It is a much easier thing to please God than some men. There is no such thing as pleasing these sometimes without the most servile compliance with their caprice, a conformity to their manners, and a connivance at their follies. 2. His help ( Luke 13:24 ; Hosea 5:15 ; Jeremiah 2:27 ; 2 Chronicles 33:11, 12 ). 3. His direction ( James 1:5 ; Proverbs 2:6 ; Proverbs 3:5, 6 ). 4. His Holy Spirit ( Matthew 7:11 ; Luke 11:13 ).The Holy Spirit is comprehensive of all the good things we can desire. 1. There are His renewing, sanctifying, supporting influences. 2. His preventing, quickening, assisting grace. He is our guide, teacher — earnest of the heavenly inheritance. ( J. Mason. ) The moral discipline of the imagination S. E. Keeble. The moral cultivation of the imagination is of the first importance to the young. I. ITS NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE. The imagination must be restrained — 1. Because our lower nature will master our higher. 2. We inherit a sinful nature, prone to evil imaginings from our youth up. 3. We may sin in thought as well as in deed. This raises the question —(1) Of literature. We must give heed to right reading. A few moments of tainted literature may impart a fever to the imagination which will blight its beauty for ever.(2) Of art. There is much pagan art in Europe, The value of Ruskin's art-criticisms lies not in its infallibility, but in its moral elevation.(3) Of pleasure. II. ITS POSITIVE DISCIPLINE. We must seek the things which stimulate and refine the imagination. 1. By means of noble literature. 2. By means of Christian conceptions.A cultivated imagination is an aid to faith. Let it kindle over Christian truth, the nature of God, the incarnation, redemption, etc. Application: 1. Some think there is no harm in imagining evil, if it is not committed. Read Sermon on Mount. 2. This should convince the unconverted of sin. ( S. E. Keeble. ) If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee Seeking the Lord Charles Voysey, B. A. God is to be sought and found not merely by the intellect, not alone by processes of accurate logic, but by other faculties that have been bestowed upon us for this purpose. The moral sense, the consciousness of our high obligations, must be carefully and scrupulously nourished and cultured till we acquire an appetite for the noblest virtue — till, in fact, we hunger and thirst after righteousness and learn to satisfy our craving in communion with God and getting moral food and strength from Him. There must be a Divine discontent with our own righteousness in order to drive us to His footstool to ask for more. We must cherish our spiritual affections. We must put ourselves in the way of loving God. We must teach ourselves to pray or beseech Him to teach us. It is contrary to all common sense to expect feelings to arise in our heart spontaneously while we remain in conditions in which those feelings are all but impossible, and while we refuse to use the faculties which were given us for the express purpose of bringing us to love God. If the soul will not seek after God it cannot find Him. God will wait long enough, no one knows how long or how patiently; but it must germinate for itself and put forth its tender sprout and green leaves above the mouldy ground, and thus ask for God's air to breathe life into it, and His gracious rain to feed it, and His glorious sun to shine upon it, and give warmth and beauty and fertility to it in time to come. Neither sun nor rain nor air can do for that hidden seed what it must first do for itself. "Seek ye the Lord." ( Charles Voysey, B. A. ) Seeking God T. J. Judkin, M. A. I. THE DUTY. 1. Whom are we to seek? God in Christ. 2. How must we seek Him? (1) Not in our own strength. (2) With an integrity of purpose and a singleness of determination. (3) By forsaking and standing aloof from the world; by putting down self and walking with a mortified spirit. 3. Where are we to seek Christ? (1) In the Scriptures. (2) In the sanctuary. (3) At the family altar. (4) In the secret exercises of prayer. 4. When are we to seek a God in Christ? Now. 5. Why are we to seek Christ? II. THE ASSURANCE. ( T. J. Judkin, M. A. ) Seeking the Lord The Study and the Pulpit. I. YOU SHOULD SEEK HIM. 1. You cannot do without Him. 2. You have everything when you have found Him. The true light ( John 1:9 ). The bread of life ( John 6:35 ). A refuge from the storm ( Isaiah 25:4 ). Your rock and fortress ( Psalm 31:3 ). A sure foundation ( Isaiah 28:16 ). An advocate ( 1 John 2:1 ). A surety ( Hebrews 7:22 ). The truth ( John 14:6 ). Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). 3. He has sought you, has come from heaven for you, is seeking you now. 4. You know you will find Him. II. THE MANNER OF SEEKING. 1. In His Word, by obeying it. 2. In thine heart, by confidently expecting Him to come and dwell in thee. When He knows that thou really desirest Him, He will be found. ( The Study and the Pulpit. ) Decision in religion recommended C. Clayton, M. A. I. THE PROMISE. We must seek Him — 1. Scripturally. (1) With penitence. (2) With faith. (3) As He is to be found in Christ. 2. Earnestly. 3. Early in life: They that seek Me early shall find Me." II. THE WARNING. Those who forsake God, who turn towards God their back, and not their face; who forsake His house, Word, day, people. I once visited, upon his death-bed, a professional man who had evidently forsaken God all his life, and whom God forsook in the hour of death. He then sought God earnestly, but it was too late. He could not find Him. When I prayed with him, he tried to follow my petitions, but his mind — distracted and bewildered — would not allow him. He told me over and over again that he sought to pray, but he never could find words. He also told me that he endeavoured to write his prayer upon a slate, but that his fingers refused to move. And in that awful state of mind he went to his final account. Another whom I visited seemed to be actually amid the pains of hell, whilst his body was still upon earth. As the large drops of perspiration stood upon his agonised forehead he exclaimed, "There is nothing you can tell me. I know it all. I have heard these things from you and from others, and that is my misery. I am entering hell with my eyes wide open." These are no im

Benson Commentary 1 Chronicles 28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 28:1 . David assembled all the princes, &c. — A great deal of business David had done in his day, and had served his generation according to the will of God. But now the time draws nigh that he must die, and the nearer he comes to his end, the more busy he is, and does his work with all his might. He is now recovered from the weakness, mentioned 1 Kings 1:1 . He therefore improves his recovery, as giving him an opportunity of doing God and his country a little more service. 1 Chronicles 28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me , I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 1 Chronicles 28:2 . Then the king stood up upon his feet — Out of reverence to God, and respect to this great and honourable assembly. And said, Hear me, my brethren — So he calls the princes and chief rulers, both because they had a share with him, though under him, in the government; and in compliance with the divine command, that the king should not be lifted up above his brethren, Deuteronomy 17:20 . A house of rest — A place where it might be fixed, and no more removed from place to place, as it had been. For the footstool — A house for the ark is here styled, a house for the footstool of our God. Heaven is his throne: the earth and the most magnificent temples thereon are but his footstool. So much difference is there between the manifestations of his glory, in the upper and in the lower world! 1 Chronicles 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. 1 Chronicles 28:4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 1 Chronicles 28:5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 1 Chronicles 28:6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 1 Chronicles 28:6-7 . He shall build my house, &c. — So was he a figure of him that was to come, who is both the founder and the foundation of the gospel temple. I will establish his kingdom for ever — This was to have its accomplishment in the kingdom of the Messiah which shall continue in his hands through all the ages of time, ( Isaiah 9:7 ; Luke 1:33 ,) and shall then be delivered up to God, even the Father, with whom, however, he shall continue to reign to all eternity. If he be constant to do my commandments — The promise is absolute with regard to the Messiah, but conditional with regard to Solomon. As at this day — As he hath begun, and hitherto continued to do, in some good measure. If we are constant in our duty, then, and not otherwise, we may expect the continuance of his favour. 1 Chronicles 28:7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. 1 Chronicles 28:8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. 1 Chronicles 28:8 . In the audience of our God — I exhort and charge you every one, calling God, who is here present, and this congregation, wherein all Israel are present by their representatives, for witnesses against you, if you do not follow my counsel. Keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord — Keep those commands which you know, and seek for or search into what you are yet ignorant of, that you may distinctly understand the whole will of God, and seriously give yourselves to the practice of it. God’s commandments cannot be kept without great care. And it concerns those who profess religion, as they regard the favour of God, or even their reputation with men, to be faithful to their profession. 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 . Know thou the God of thy father — Thou knowest that there is a God, a living and true God, and that the God of thy father is that God: thou knowest not only that he is, but what he is: that he is a Spirit, an infinite and eternal Spirit, self-existent, and therefore independent of, and supreme over, all other beings, who are only the workmanship of his hands. Thou knowest that he is possessed of all possible perfections, of unsearchable wisdom, of almighty power, of unfathomable goodness, of inviolable truth, of impartial justice, of unspeakable mercy and love: that he is thy Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, to whom thou art indebted for all thy powers and faculties of body and mind; for thy life, and breath, and all things: that he is thy Redeemer and Saviour, thy Governor and Judge. But know him as he makes himself known to his people when he gives them a heart to know him, ( Jeremiah 24:7 ,) and manifests himself to them as he does not to the world. Know him as a sin-pardoning God, merciful to thy unrighteousness, and remembering thy sins and iniquities no more, Jeremiah 31:34 . Know him so as to be acquainted, intimately acquainted, and at peace with him, Job 22:21 ; so as to love and live to him: for God is love, and God is holy, and he that loveth him not, knoweth him not, 1 John 4:7-8 ; and, he that saith he knoweth him and loveth him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 1 John 2:4 . And serve him — That is, worship and obey him, and endeavour to serve and promote his honour and interest in the world, which is the interest of piety and virtue, of truth and grace. With a perfect heart — Not only with a sincere and upright heart, but with an entire and undivided heart, or with thy whole heart, being fervent in his love, and zealous in his service, and therefore with a heart entirely changed and made new, Ezekiel 36:26 . And with a willing mind — Not with reluctance, as if his service were a bondage and drudgery; but with alacrity, delight, and joy, and from a principle of love to him and his service, knowing by experience that it is perfect freedom. For the Lord searcheth all hearts — And as he has made it the indispensable duty of all ranks and conditions of mankind, of kings as well as their subjects, to know, love, and serve him, in sincerity and truth; so he takes notice, and perfectly knows, whether they do so or not; nor can any one impose on him by false pretences. If thou, Solomon my son, only take up a form or profession of religion to please me and others; or if thy obedience to God be insincere, thou mayest indeed deceive man, but thou canst not deceive him, for he searcheth the desires and designs, the counsels and intentions, nay, the thoughts and imaginations, and all the motions of the heart. If thou seek him — In the way he hath appointed, by prayer, meditation upon, faith in, and obedience to, his word; if thou seek him sincerely, perseveringly, and with all thy heart; he will be found of thee — Will manifest himself to thee by his holy and enlightening Spirit, will make himself known to thee as thy friend, and father, and God in covenant: yea, he that commanded light to shine out of darkness, will shine into thy heart, and give thee the light of the knowledge of his glory; so that, beholding his glory with open face, thou shalt be changed into his image, and shalt resemble the God thou lovest and servest, 2 Corinthians 3:18 . But if, after having known, and loved, and begun to serve him aright, thou forsake him — Desert his love and service, and turn from following him; he will cast thee off for ever — Notwithstanding his promises to me and my seed, and that great honour and favour which he hath showed thee. Reader, observe, this advice and charge, given by David to his son Solomon, is given by the Holy Ghost to thee, and every human creature into whose hands these divine oracles come. O! see that thou attend to it, and make it thy chief care, and the constant business of thy life, to comply with and reduce it to practice. 1 Chronicles 28:10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it . 1 Chronicles 28:10 . A house for a sanctuary — That is, a sanctuary, or holy place, for the ark to dwell in. Be strong, and do it — Take courage and resolution to break through all difficulties, troubles, discouragements, and oppositions, which thou mayest possibly meet with. 1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 1 Chronicles 28:11 . David gave Solomon the pattern of the porch — To wit, of the temple, which is necessarily to be understood. And of the houses thereof — The houses of the temple, namely, of the holy place, and the holy of holies. And of the inner parlours thereof — Those rooms which were made against the walls of the house round about, 1 Kings 6:5 . And of the place of the mercy-seat — In what particular part of the holy of holies it was to be placed. 1 Chronicles 28:12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: 1 Chronicles 28:12 . The pattern of all he had by the Spirit — By the Spirit of God, as is evident from 1 Chronicles 28:19 . All the particulars of the tabernacle built by Moses were suggested to him by God’s Spirit, and it is not credible that God would use less care and exactness in the building of this far more glorious and durable work. All this, it seems, was given him in writing, probably by the ministry of an angel. The temple was to be a sacred thing, a type of Christ, of his church, and of heaven. Therefore it was not to be contrived by man’s invention, but to be framed by divine institution. So Christ the true temple, the church, the gospel temple, and heaven, the everlasting temple, are all framed according to the divine counsels, and the plan laid before the world began. It is supposed, the tabernacle of Moses, with all its utensils, being wanted no more, was laid up here. 1 Chronicles 28:13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service: 1 Chronicles 28:15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick. 1 Chronicles 28:15-16 . According to the use of every candlestick — Whether they were to be fixed in one place, whereof there were ten in the holy place, or to be carried from place to place. Gold for the tables — There were divers tables to be used about the show-bread; but one of them seems to have been of more eminence than the rest, and therefore it is commonly called the table of the show-bread, in the singular number. 1 Chronicles 28:16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver: 1 Chronicles 28:17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver: 1 Chronicles 28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings , and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:18 . For the altar of incense reigned gold — Purer than any of the rest. For that was typical of the intercession of Christ, than which nothing can be more pure and perfect. The chariot of the cherubim — Which Solomon was to make, (for those which were fastened to the mercy-seat were made by Moses long before,) which he fitly compares to a chariot, because within them God is said to sit and to dwell. And because a chariot is made to carry a person from place to place, this expression may be used to intimate, that God was not so fixed to them by the building of this temple, but that he would remove from them if they forsook him. Covered the ark — Not above it, for that was done by Moses’s cherubim, but before it, to keep it from the eyes of the high-priest, when he entered into the most holy place. 1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David , the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. 1 Chronicles 28:19 . The Lord made me understated in writing — The meaning is, either, 1st, That God revealed this to Samuel, or Gad, or Nathan or some other man of God, to be by them put in writing, and communicated to David: or, 2d, That God did, as it were, by his own hand and finger, (wherewith he wrote the ten commandments,) write these things upon the table of his mind. 1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it : fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:20 . The Lord, even my God, will be with thee — He whom I have chosen and served, who has all along been with me, and prospered me. I recommend thee to him; he will be with thee, to strengthen, direct, and prosper thee. The God that owned our fathers, and carried them through the services of their day, will, in like manner, if we are faithful to him, go along with us in our day, and will never fail us. God never leaves any, unless they first leave him. 1 Chronicles 28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment. Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.

Expositor's Bible Commentary 1 Chronicles 28:1 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.