David and the Man of God

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he 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; and is this the manner of man, O Lord God? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant. For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things, and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemest to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever; and thou, Lord, art become their God. And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of Hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house; therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

In our last discourse, we contemplated the most blessed and glorious hour in the life of the great leader of Israel, the prophet Moses. Let us now consider the moment which most resembles the new-testament dispensation in the history of David. There is no doubt that in the part of Scripture we have read, the royal Psalmist stands at the highest and most glorious point, both of his spiritual and temporal life. He solemnizes the Tabor-hours of his earthly pilgrimage; and whether we look forward or backward, we find no moment in the whole course of his existence equal to this. Let us now regard it more nearly, and contemplate David’s joy in Christ; directing our attention to the occasion of it; — to the circumstances attending it; — and to the disclosure of it in his prayer.

I. The subject of this day’s discourse is David, to whom the Scriptures give the most glorious title which mortal can receive — that of “the man after God’s own heart.” And certainly the soul of David was beautiful, and his character deserving of love. Read his history — peruse his songs — and, in spite of the one black spot in his life, you must confess, that there is scarcely one of the ancient saints in whom the image of God shines forth more clearly and brightly than from this old-testament Cephas. How beautiful is his true and upright character, how glorious his courage, and how brilliant his wisdom! how wonderfully touching his benevolence and magnanimity towards his bitterest enemies! and how unparalleled his condescension and humility! *

His principal virtue, however, consists in his childlike faith. “Jehovah,” as an old author describes it, “was his fortress, his rock, and his strong tower. When all forsook him, he leaned the more firmly by faith upon him, as though he had actually beheld him. Jehovah was his help in time of need, his light and consolation during the night, and his refuge in adversity. He prayed — believed — hoped, and tarried for him. Though he was sometimes surprised by Satan, and enticed into sin; yet he speedily repented, and was received again into the gracious covenant of God. He never lagged behind, he never gave up his claim to divine mercy. He approached without sacrifice, but in humility and faith, and always regained the heart of Jehovah. Faith made him strong in his weakness, serene in the tempest, cheerful in adversity, unconquerable and at last victorious in times of oppression and distress; and, in short, it made him ’ the man after God’s own heart.’”

The chapter of to-day describes king David as being now in every point of view at the brightest and most glorious period of his life. He no longer wanders like a hunted deer amidst the lonely cliffs of the deserts of Arabia and Engedi. Saul sleeps in his grave at Jabesh; and David sits upon his throne in royal purple, beloved and supported by the whole nation. After this hero, who never otherwise than at the command of *God had girt on his sword, and summoned his warlike hosts, — after he had smote the Philistines, and other enemies of his people — annihilating their power at least for a time, and crushing their spirit for farther enterprise — profound peace reigned in the land, and the promises which had been made to the old patriarchs now found their first resting-point and fulfilment. Abraham’s seed is like the stars of heaven in multitude, and now possesses the land; Judah is exalted, and couches himself like a lion; and a prince now rules the children of Israel, on whose head not only rests the garland of the victor and the royal crown, but the anointing oil of the Highest; in whose person is united the dignity of a divine prophet with the majesty of a king, and in whose hands Jehovah himself has placed the sceptre. Never did Israel stand at such a height of power and glory as at present; and never was the type of the Israelitish hopes, and of the unparalleled and glorious future for which they tarried, more clearly distinguishable than in the condition and circumstances of the nation at this moment. All the following periods revert to this glorious point in Jewish history; and henceforth He that should come, and that was to govern the people of God and all the nations with a new sceptre, and to make Israel an eternal kingdom, is designated in the Psalms, and in the predictions of the prophets, as the Son of David — or as another David, of whose dominion there should be no end.

David, with his people, as far as outward circumstances are concerned, now stands at the summit of glory and happiness, and now experiences, in these days of peace and joy, the brightest moments of his spiritual existence. Nothing but deeds of mildness and love mark his path; and his temper and disposition evince an uninterrupted progress in devotion, and joy in his God. His heart burns with zeal for the glory of Jehovah, as though at each moment he were ready to make any sacrifice which the Lord might demand from him j and indeed it is only a few days, or at most weeks since, with holy enthasiasm, he danced with joy before the ark of God. When we behold David to-day, he is sitting alone in one of the royal chambers of his beautiful palace, which he had built upon Mount Zion, and for which Hiram, king of Tyre, had sent him the cedar-wood. He seems buried in thought. What then does he think of? Is his soul lost in the contemplation of the splendour which surrounds him? Has the glory of his riches dazzled his mind? Is his memory wandering amidst images of his past victories and triumphs; or with self-complacency is he viewing himself, lately a shepherd-boy, now surrounded by the insignia of royalty 1 No, my friends! he is occupied at present with something totally different. Unutterably beautiful yet child-like thoughts are passing through his bosom, and exciting emotions such as are seldom experienced in the atmosphere of a prince’s throne. When he looks around on the splendid apartment i» which he is sitting, the thought passes through W, mind, “Thou, miserable sinner, dwellest in such -j palace; whilst the Lord thy God has only a wander’s tent for his holy tabernacle!” His heart suddenly becomes sad and mournful, and he feels as though he must, without delay, cast aside his splendour, and exchange his palace for the poorest hut in Jerusalem. He can no longer remain at rest; but his whole soul being occupied with this idea, he calls the prophet Nathan, makes known his project, and takes counsel with him how to put it in execution. “See now,” says the king, with a countenance in which there is a wonderful blending of joy iJAVID AND THE MAN OF GOD. 49

and sorrow, “I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains!” He need say no more: Nathan already understands the king; he rejoices over his plan; and, convinced that it cannot be otherwise than well-pleasing in the sight of God, thus addresses him, “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.” Yet here the holy prophet errs: for though the feeling which originated the project of the king was certainly acceptable in the eyes of God, yet another man, at another period, had been appointed to carry the inspired idea into execution. This man was David’s son and successor: for it was Solomon that was destined to erect a temple to the King of Peace. On the following night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, and revealed to him things the most important to his sovereign. The Lord made known to David, through Nathan, that he needed not a house of cedar; and then reminded him of the numerous proofs of grace and love which he had showered upon him from his youth upward. “So shalt thou say unto my servant David,” saith Jehovah, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.” God then announced to “the man after his own heart,” that he would build him an house; promising him to set up his seed after him, and establish his kingdom. “He shall build an house for my name,” saith Jehovah, referring to Solomon, “and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his Father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; but my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” This was the divine revelation which Nathan was to repeat to his monarch; containing certainly a prohibition with regard to the proposed building of the temple, but softened by glorious prospects and assurances of grace.

II. Scarcely has Nathan received those divine revelations, than he hastens to impart them to his king. He repeats to him, word for word, what the Lord had said unto him; and it fills the soul of David with such joy, that he feels as though he were raised far above all the cares and anxieties of earth. The king receives the divine intelligence that Jehovah will build a house — For whom? — for me, a poor sinner! Boundless and unheard-of grace! After I am gathered to my fathers, my branches shall still continue to flourish upon Mount Zion. One of my sons shall wield the sceptre. The Lord shall be with him, and he shall build unto Jehovah a temple. He now inquires what is the meaning of the words which the Lord hath spoken: “Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee; thy throne shall be established for ever!” His soul is full of mighty thoughts and anticipations while he asks this question. It seems to him, on a sudden, as though a thousand veils were snatched away, and as though scale after scale fell from his eyes. Now, for the first time, he understands the mighty word of God, and sees into the depth of his mysterious counsels. A golden future opens to his gaze, replete with supernatural glory and beauty. He beholds in spirit another seed than Solomon, and another temple than that built of stone and cedar; he sees another kingdom than that earthly one upon the throne of which he sits; another dominion, another sceptre, and another crown, of which his own in Zion are but feeble types, or dark and miserable shadows. What blessed images does he see, like friendly constellations in the horizon of the coming day! — a rapturous train of lovely forms, which, in festive procession, pass before his soul! He is transported out of himself with wonder and joy, and ere one is aware of his intention, he has risen and quitted his palace. Away he hastens, with agitated mind, and his feet carry him to the summit of Mount Moriah. He rushes to the Holy Tabernacle, and here, in the presence of God, the deeply-moved king prostrates himself before the mercy-seat, and pours out his soul in thanksgiving and prayer.

It is while in this state, that the heaven of the new testament is first opened to him, and that the veil is completely removed from his eyes. It is here he breaks forth in the memorable words, “And is this the manner of man, O Lord God?” — or according to Luther’s version, which appears to us the most accurate, “Is this the manner of a Man who is God the Lord V In other words,- “Is this the manifestation and establishment of the kingdom of the Man who is God the Lord V* In the first book of Chronicles also Luther translates it thus:” The form of a man who is God the Lord in the highest.” If this be correct, it is a certain proof that David had not merely a general knowledge of his great Descendant, and of his future kingdom; but that the Saviour had been manifested to his eyes in a wonderful and glorious form. The great mystery of Jehovah’s love, in the foundation of an eternal kingdom of peace upon earth, under the mild sceptre of an Incarnate God, was now revealed in extraordinary clearness to the soul of David. His spiritual eyes now behold in all its brilliancy that unsearchable plan of God, by which a Shepherd was to be sent to sinful mankind, to gather them together with the staff of mercy, to bruise their great enemy under his feet, to govern them with love, and to shelter and cover them with the shield of Almighty grace and compassion. All these manifestations of divine mercy are comprised in the sentence, “In the form of a man, who is God the Lord.” But, as said before, David does not merely hear this; he sees also — living pictures pass before him; all that is glorious takes form and substance in his eyes — he beholds in spirit the God-man, and he rejoices. The promised One stands so vividly revealed before him, that he feels as though he were touched by his breath. ‘What a wonderful manifestation! A man, and yet not a man! a mortal, and yet illuminated by the rays of eternal splendour! in form like unto himself, but with the countenance of the Almighty Father! a child of ciay, and yet the Godhead in his person! his feet resting upon the earth, but his head touching the stars of heaven! the words of man proceeding from his lips, and around him the thunder which makes the universe tremble! kindness and benevolence beaming from his eyes, and at the same time a majesty which constrains every knee to bow. His hands laden with blessings, are extended towards sinners, though at the same time they appoint to the stars their course, and set bounds to the whole universe. Thus David in spirit beholds him; around him the blessed inhabitants of his kingdom are basking in the rays of his mercy; in the midst is the wonderful temple, built of living stones, resounding with jubilees and hosannas; and on its summit the ladder reaching up to heaven, by which the angels of God are descending to the earth. What a beatific vision! Is he awake, or is his enraptured soul merely deluded by happy dreams? Is he in reality enjoying the full and sunny splendour of the new testament; or is it only airy forms which he beholds in the mirror of the future 1 What a heaven of peace surrounds him I and what a vivid consciousness of the grace and mercy of God is uplifting his heart! In beholding the Incarnate God, he seems to participate already in the joys of heaven; and without doubt it was this manifestation, hovering in his recollection, that caused him to break forth to the music of his harp in those words of rapture, Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.”

O, be ashamed, ye who have not once uttered an Uosanna to that Redeemer whose far distant Advent was yet sufficient to transport David with such joy! Remember that this God-man has actually appeared among us; if ye regard Him with indifference and lukewarmness, how the saints of old will condemn you! — they, whose hearts were kindled with the flames of love, when they only beheld him indistinctly and faintly. Yes! those ancient patriarchs could not contain their astonishment and emotion when merely an obscure shadow of the promised One was traced before their eyes in feeble characters; while ye who have seen him, gaze on his appearance and his divine form as coldly as though ye only beheld a marble statue. They were carried upwards on the wings of joy as often as a transient glance into the mysteries of redemption was vouchsafed to them; and ye, before whom the secrets of Godhead have been unveiled on every side, scarcely deem them worthy of earnest consideration. Ye grudge even one tear of joy and thankfulness! And yet, would you not be displeased with us were we to accuse you of indifference, and call your heart worldly and stony? Now, for a certainty, we know your thoughts! Ye think, “That which the ancients beheld in Christ, we cannot see in him. We behold the Man; but not him who is God in the highest!” Thus ye seek to excuse your dulness of perception by attributing it to unbelief: Alas! the lies which you utter will not excuse the icy coldness of your heart. Ye say, “I cannot discern God in Christ!” So ye might speak if ye only beheld the Man of Nazareth in the house of the carpenter, or at the table of Martha; but do ye not meet him coming from the grave of Lazarus, and do ye not see him on the stormy waves of the Sea of Tiberias? “The God-man is veiled from my eyes in the form of the son of Mary!” Thus ye might excuse the poverty of your love towards him, had the sacred histories been unknown” to you: but ye have read enough to hear distinctly the rustling of the feet of Him, who, though he lay on the bosom of an earthly mother, yet sat from eternity on the throne of majesty and glory. — “His unity with the Father seems to me doubtful!” Perhaps ye are induced to say this, because ye look for the proofs of his divine power in the narrow limits of your own circle; but ye know nothing of those new creatures who daily spring into life by the wonder-working efficacy of his word and Spirit all over the world; and even in the desert wastes of heathenism. “I cannot realize how he still lives and acts!” Yes; so would your indifference strive to justify itself before him, did there exist no other proof of his lively influence than the cold and worldly aspects of our Christians; but ye surely know what is taking place amongst the children of nature in uncivilized life: lions and bears they were but yesterday, while to-day they are lambs and gentle doves: for He is the Ruler of the earth who said, “Behold I make all things new;” “the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;” and “the solitary place shall be glad!” Verily, verily, it is most wonderful folly, and a proof of the soul being dry and withered, when one can hear and see these things, and not be constrained to cry out with Manoah, “What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?”

III. The inexpressibly touching words in which the blessed seer pour out his soul in prayer before Jehovah, show us how he was inspired by the intelligence of the future kingdom, and by the presence of the Man who is God the Lord in the highest. What moved him to make this prayer, is explained in the twenty-seventh verse: “For thou, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house; therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.” How true and how beautiful is this! “As soon as I understood the joyful prophetic intelligence, I took courage: it sounded in my ears like bells on a feast-day, and it appeared to my eyes like a vessel richly laden with encouragement and hope.” Thus David relates the history of his prayer; and thus it #always happens: there first falls a gentle voice upon the heart, a salutation from above, a sound of promise, and a renewed assurance of grace; at this blessed sight the thoughts which have been scattered, quick as lightning rush together, in order to step into the presence of the Lord; the whole soul, like a beautiful church, is suddenly filled with melodious singing, and the sweet tones of the organ; and like caressing children round the lap of their mother, the desires are directed in love and confidence towards the good Shepherd, and like ivy, clinging to him with their tendrils, remain for ever hanging upon him in tranquillity and peace.

What is now the prayer of the deeply-moved king? Bowed to the dust, and like a lamp about to be extinguished from excess of oil, he cries out,” Who am I

O Lord God? — and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” In countless multitudes, the proofs of divine mercy and compassion which have been showered on him from his childhood now pass through his soul. He sees in spirit those bears from whom Jehovah delivered him, and the lions that he tore in pieces by the aid of divine power. Those lovely songs sound in his ears which the Lord taught him on Bethlehem’s hills; and he thinks upon the pebble in the sling, which became in his hands like the death-bearing thunder-bolt. He calls to mind the lance of Saul, which would have transfixed him had not Jehovah been his shield and his defence; — his penetrating into the camp of the Philistines, when the Almighty protected him as the apple of his eye; — the assassins who lurked around his house, but whose designs were brought to shame; — the persecutions with which he had been harassed by the envy and hatred of the courtiers and the unjust displeasure of his sovereign, but which could not harm even a hair of his head. He remembers, when in the days of his outlawry, he had often been unable to find a place where to lay his head; how he often suffered want and hunger even unto death, and was exposed to the rage of wild beasts in inhospitable wildernesses; — how he fell as a prisoner into the hands of the heathen, was betrayed by false friends, and was a hundred times on the brink of destruction; — how his Lord and God had not merely drawn him out of every peril in a wonderful and glorious manner, but had also spoken to him in the midst of those dangers and perplexities, comforted and raised up his soul, assured him again and again of his grace and assistance, and at last had exalted him, the poor shepherd-boy, and the frail sinner, to sit crowned with glory and honour upon the throne. All this passes rapidly in characters of light before his inmost soul; and well might he then with shame cover his face: “Who am I, O Lord God,” he cries, “and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was 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”

It is this futurity which David now sees in spirit. “See!” cries out the happy dreamer, “the form of a man who is God the Lord in the highest!” An eternal King of peace! An Incarnate God! And yet this wonderful and glorious One is to be my seed!

The enraptured saint here stops; for tears of joy, of humility, and thankfulness, choke his utterance. Then with broken voice he continues, “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant” Thou seest his heart, and knowest all that is therein. Scarcely has he spoken these words when a new thought darts into his mind: “The Lord is so good and gracious, and does all those great things for me, not because I am worthy, but that his name my be praised upon earth; for this glorious future has long ago been predicted!”. While he is thus thinking, his prayer becomes more ardent and more joyful. “For thy ivord’s sake,” he continues, “and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.” — According to thine own heart.

Here the heart of the Eternal seems to open before him, in all its unutterable compassion, like a mightyocean of grace and mercy; this fatherly heart, which did not refuse to give his only-beloved Son, but sent him to become a sacrifice for sinners.

According to thine own heart. — “Yes,” David would say; “this could only come into Thy heart; only out of one such as thine could such rivers of mercy flow.” David’s prayer now changes into praise: Wherefore, thou art great, O Lord God” he cries out, “for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

The royal Psalmist is now filled with a deep and lively sense of his happiness in belonging to such a God; and his soul pours out itself in rejoicings over the blessings which his people enjoy. “And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself and to make him a name, and to do for you great things, and terrible for thy land, before thy people, vihich thou redeemest to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? “For,’’1 he continues, becoming ever more joyful in the contemplation of the mercy of the Lord, uthou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel, to be a people unto thee for ever; and thou, Lord, art become their God.” It seems as if he said, “Think upon this people, 0 Lord, hold them in thy hands, and preserve them under the shadow of thy wings!” David’s enthusiasm rises every moment higher and higher; and what the Lord has said unto him, he desires once more to hear confirmed in all its vividness and clearness No wish lies nearer his heart in this hour of grace than this: li And now, O Lord God, the icord that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.1’ Seal it, O Lord, according to thy word: “And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel; and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.” As if his soul had not already attained the highest point of child-like confidence, he seems to attain it now. “O Lord God,’* he cries with joy unutterable,” thou art that God, and thy icords be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant.” His heart expands in the presence of Jehovah, and he becomes bold enough to request the present enjoyment of the first-fruits of the promised glory.” Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee; for thou, 0 Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for

ever Thus David prays; raising himself up, by the grace of God in Christ, out of the very depths of humiliation and abasement, to the highest summit of gratitude and joy. First, like a worm of the dust, he crawls to the feet of Jehovah; then, as a lamb which has been often caressed, he advances to his knee; like a young eagle, he now rises on his wings; until at last, like a confiding child, he nestles in the bosom of his heavenly Father, knowing that he may say and ask what he will. How astonishing it is to meet such a gospel spirit amidst the shadows of the old covenant! What thanksgiving and joy for the promise of that King who was to come! and what happiness in the contemplation of that work of reconciliation which was not to take form and substance until after the lapse of a thousand years!

How is it with us now, my brethren? Is the ardently desired kingdom of peace actually in existence? Is the King already come to govern it, whom David and the whole company of ancient saints desired so much to see, and longed so greatly to behold? Yes! that King has come; the heavenly angels on Christmas night announced Him to the shepherds; and his kingdom is now firmly established in this vale of tears Were all those souls assembled together, who have sworn allegiance to the banners of this kingdom; could you behold the peace of God within them, and see the flame of new life from on high ascending upwards; and if all that which formerly was veiled, lay bare and uncovered before your eyes, and you beheld how those souls were shielded, protected, and borne along step by step by the hands of Almighty power and love; if heavenly things had a visible appearance, so that you could perceive how the eye of the heavenly Father jvatches over, and his heart is yearning day and night for those whom his Son has purchased, and their souls resting on his bosom enlightened by the full sunshine of his love; and if the new Jerusalem could be disclosed to you, and you beheld the garlands and the crowns prepared there for pardoned sinners, and saw those blessed pilgrims, who, casting off the dust of this earth, make their triumphal entry amidst the shouts of the holy angels, — then, indeed, would you say, <; The hope of David is fulfilled! the kingdom is come!” All this, however, is still hidden; for we cannot see that kingdom until we are within it. But strive, my brethren! strive, in God’s name, to enter it by means of prayer through the gates of repentance and faith; and experience how heaven can actually exist upon earth, in the light of the Holy Spirit, in the lively comprehension of the gracious counsel of Eternal love, and in the enjoyment of the favour of God in Christ Jesus; then will you be able to cry out at the manger, and under the cross, “Lo! this is the form of a Man who is God the Lord in the highest!” Amen.