682. 2SA 7:18-29. DAVID’S ADDRESS TO THE LORD

2Sa_7:18-29. David’s Address to the Lord

"Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come," &c.’972Sa_7:18-29.

The occasion of this very interesting and instructive passage, is to be found in the commencement of the chapter. David at this time enjoyed peace round about; ver.

1. His heart was set on rearing a house for the Lord; and he piously expresses it; ver.

2. Only, as yet, had there been a movable tent for the Lord’s worship.

Nathan encouraged him to do what was in his heart, and assured him of the Lord’s gracious presence; 2Sa_7:3. But, that night, God revealed to the prophet his holy will, and gave him a message to David. In this God rehearses his dealings with the king, and gives promises of love and mercy to his seed. But he defers the erection of a house for his name, till after his death; and that Solomon should have that honor.

David had answered the designs of divine providence in his labors; but Solomon, the great type of the Messiah, whose hands were not stained with blood, was to erect the house of peace, for the Lord of Hosts! All this was fully stated to David, and then follow the pious sentiments contained in the paragraph we have read.

In looking at it, let us notice,

I. The course David adopted.

Observe here,

1. The place to which he repaired.

"Before the Lord!" He went into the tabernacle where the ark of God was, and where God revealed himself by the symbol of his glory. How important to go and worship God in his public sanctuaries! but the time now is, when every spot may be holy ground. In every place God may be found; but then, the tabernacle was the especial place of communion with God; 2Sa_7:18.

Notice,

2. The object David had in view.

It is clear that he went to reflect, to meditate, to bless God, and to pray. All acts of spiritual worship. One word may include the whole’97"Communion with God." All worship is designed for this’97should effect this; or, else it is in vain. Notice,

3. The posture he assumed.

"He sat before the. Lord," 2Sa_7:18.

This is the only instance in Scripture, where worship is represented as being offered while sitting. Standing, kneeling, and being prostrate, are the usual postures, which the godly have used in the worship of the Lord. But the posture of the body is of secondary moment. "God is a spirit," &c. Yet, perhaps this arose from the mingled character of David’s service. Had it been praise, or prayer only, he would probably have knelt or stood. But his soul was to meditate, and to talk with God; therefore, he sat before the Lord.

II. The sentiments David expressed.

They were sentiments evidently,

1. Of lowliness and humility, respecting himself.

2Sa_7:18.

He refers to his utter insignificancy, and to the lowliness of his father’s house. No evidence of self-elevation,’97no exalting himself before the Lord. His soul was evidently clothed with humility. He refers,

2. To God’s providential goodness towards him.

2Sa_7:18, 2Sa_7:19.

God had brought him, &c. All the steps of his advancement had been of God; even to that time. "Hitherto." He refers also to the great things God had done for him; 2Sa_7:21; and also the things he had revealed to him; 2Sa_7:21. How countless were those! Who could estimate them’97or enumerate them? Utterly impossible! He expresses his mind, how different this was to man’s mode of acting; 2Sa_7:19. That God’s ways are infinitely higher and better than the ways of men.

3. He refers to God’s supreme greatness and glory.

2Sa_7:22. No being like to God. Infinitely great! So his name’97and works’97and word declare. Most high and most blessed! How futile and contemptible the idols of the heathen! All other objects of divine truth and worship, are lighter than vanity.

4. He speaks of God’s great doings for Israel.

2Sa_7:23, 2Sa_7:24. He had distinguished them above all nations. He had redeemed them. He had made them his peculiar people. He had done great and terrible things for them. He had confirmed his doings, and had become their God, before all nations.

5. He states his entire submission to the divine will.

2Sa_7:25. He refers to the divine engagements. He approves of it. He pleads it with God. So let it be. Do as thou hast said. Both as it concerned himself, and his house in future. Let it be so. The will of the Lord be done.

Then notice,

III. The prayers he presents.

1. The first refers to the glory of the divine name.

2Sa_7:26. "Let thy name be magnified," &c. Be thou exalted,’97display thy glory, proclaim thy name! How in accordance with Christ’s prayer, which he taught his disciples,’97"Hallowed be thy name." This is to be the first object’97the leading object’97the great object. That God may be exalted and magnified.

2. He refers to God’s goodness to his house.

2Sa_7:27. David felt for his family’97his successors. That God’s gracious promise might be fulfilled; and that the throne and the kingdom might be blessed of Jehovah.

3. He seeks the perpetual blessing of God on his seed.

2Sa_7:29. He repeats the perpetuity of the Divine mercy, in this one verse. Doubtless, the eye of his faith here, had reference to Christ the Messiah, and his spiritual seed. He looked beyond Solomon to Christ. Beyond Salem to the gospel kingdom. Beyond national prosperity to the extension of the spiritual empire of the Messiah. Hence, the last Psalm he composed, fully confirms this view; Psa_72:17, &c.

4. In all this, he pleads the truth and goodness of God.

2Sa_7:28. Now these are the two main pillars of believing prayer. God is true. He will fulfil his word. He will not, cannot lie, nor change. Besides he is good, he will delight to do it. His goodness is unfailing, and his mercy endureth forever. Then how delightful to plead them! How effectual the prayer must be, resting on the truth and goodness of the Lord. "For thou, O Lord, hast spoken it;" 2Sa_7:29.

This, then, is ever enough. For shall he say and not do it? The world shall fail and pass away, but not one jot or tittle of his word can ever fail. Learn,

1. The condescension of God in allowing men to have audience with him.

2. The humility befitting all worship of the Lord.

3. The gratitude with which our services should be presented.

Recollections of the Lord’s goodness to us, should inspire this.

4. The public spirit we should cherish in matters of religion.

That God’s name be exalted, and his kingdom enlarged and perfected.

5. The necessity for prayer in reference to the Church of God.

6. The strong grounds of faith and hope the word of God presents to us.

"Truth and goodness."

7. The final and universal diffusion of the divine glory.

"His kingdom shall come," &c. "All nations shall be blessed in him."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS