for this is a changing world, and he who expects least from it, is likely to be most happy in it.

4. We may infer, that God's grace is necessary to quicken our endeavours. When the sound is perceived in the mulberry trees, then bestir thyself. We are not to sit still, and do nothing, under pretence of dependence upon divine assistance; but attend to the motions of God's providence, and the influence of his spirit. When God goes before, we should gird up our loins, and follow him. Wherefore let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure.

CHAP. VI.

David's design to bring up the ark is defeated; his second attemfit proves successful and honourable; but his joy is abated by the ill temper and perverseness of his wife.

GAIN, David gathered together all [the] chosen [men}

of Israel, thirty thousand, to whom he made a proposal of bringing up the ark, which had been much neglected in Saul's 2 time." And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, or Baalah, that is, Kirjathjearim; to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts, that dwelleth [between] the cherubims; or, as in 1 Chron. xiii. 6. whose name 3 is called on it. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibe. ah and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new 4 cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which [was] at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio 5 went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of [instruments made of] fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbols.‡

6

And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the 7 oxen, by reason of their stumbling, shook [it.] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error, or rashness; and there he died by the ark

David's heart was so much set upon this, that he could not rest till he had found a place for it, Psalm cxxxii. The people cheerfully consented to the proposal; and a noble assembly was convened, consisting of thirty thousand chief men, beside a great multitude of common people; probably it was the feast of tabernacles, i Chron - xili. 1—4.

This was contrary to the law, which required them to carry it on their shoulders. The Philistines had done so, 1 Sam. vi. 11. and they thought they might do the same: their zeal made them hasty and inconsiderate. The ark had been forty six years in obscurity, perhaps longer; and probably there was not a priest now living who had seen it removed.

↑ It is probable he composed the sixty eighth psalm to be sung on this occasion.

8 of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah; he was deeply grieved at it, and in the midst of such a solemnity it eclipsed the glory of the day; and he called the name of the place, Perezuzzah, that is, the breach 9 of Uzzah, to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? he thought himself in danger, and therefore waited for further diret 10 tions. So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite, a Levite, who readily received it, knowing the ark was a safe and honourable guest, if treated 11 with due respect; he therefore bid it welcome. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household, he had a great increase of cattle and corn.

12

And it was told king David, saying, the LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God.† So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David 13 with gladness. And it was [so,] that when they that bare the

ark of the LORD had gone six paces, and saw that there was no ** danger, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings, to atone for their past 14 fault, and in thankfulness to God for his goodness. And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] 15 girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the 16 sound of the trumpet, And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart; she showed some of her fath er's spirit, imagining that David degraded himself by putting off his ornaments, and dancing before the people. 17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for its not the old tabernacle, that was gone much to decay, except some of the curtains; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD, he made supplications for himself and 18-the people. And as soon as David had made an end of offering .. burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the

name of the LORD of hosts, prayed for their peace, and prosperity; and on this occasion the hundred and sixty second psalm was çom

Uzzah was much to blame, as he must know that none were to touch it but the priests, upon pain of death. Perhaps he advised this way of carrying it, and God awfully punished hum for his presumption, by making his life a sacrifice to the honour of the Mosaic institution, and to recover a reverence for the ark. But there is no reason to conclude that he would be miserable hereafter on this account.

From hence they were led to hope that God was reconciled to them. See 1 Chron. xv. 1-3,12-15 They were sensible of their former error, and resolved not to repeat it.

This was an honourable garment, being part of the priest's vesture; and by wearing it. he expressed his willingness to appear as the meanest servant of God. So great was his pleas ure on this occasion, that in the height of his affection, and the warmth of his gratitude, be leaped or danced for joy; and it was a very natural expression of the greatness of it,

19 posed and sung. And he dealt among all the people, [even] among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece [of flesh,] and a flagon [of wine.] So all the people departed every one to bis house, highly pleased with the bounty and munificence of their prince.

Then David returned to bless his household, to pray with them and for them. He governed his family, as he did his kingdom, well. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth him21 self! And David said unto Michal, [it was] before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: 22 therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight; and of the maid servants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had 23 in honour. Therefore, on account of this proud, petukint, and ungodly spirit, Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death; which was a great affliction to her, as shẹ was a person of the highest dignity, and her son would probably - have been heir to the crown.:

"T"

"REFLECTIONS.

HE return of the ark from obscurity, and the reviving of God's public ordinances and worship, are occasions of great joy to all pious people. David was not easy till he had contrived and executed some scheme to bring home the ark; all Israel cheerfully concurred, and the ceremony was performed with great joy. It is a great happiness to a nation, when the restraints of public worship are taken off, and when the civil power supports and encourages religion. We should be thankful for the revival of neglected ordinances. When religion is openly and freely professed, and had in reputation, it is deservedly matter of the greatest joy.

2. The awful story of Uzzah's death, should teach us to rever ence the Most High, to speak honourably of him and his worship, and show the greatest respect to whatever relates to him or his ser vice. It is an awful illustration of that truth, I will be sanctified in

Michal could not stay to reprove David in private, but went out to meet him, and took a public opportunity to expose him, and herself, more. It shocked her pride to see her husband, the king of Israel, demeaning himself so; putting off his royal robes, joining with the mob, and exposing himself to every girl who went to see the procession, as any vain fellow, that had lost all sense of decency and shame. This was a very unjust aspersion upon David, and he thought it proper to take down her pride, by putting her in mind that God had rejected her family, and chosen him to be king; and therefore he could never do too much to express his thankfulness to God.

As if he had said, " Instead of being discouraged, I will go on in it, as nothing is too mean to stoop to tor God's honour; and instead of being slighted, I shall be honoured by the people; they will think better of me for my affability and pious zeal; and on this account I value the esteem of the meanest, more than all your praise, if I must gain it by neglecting God's service."?

all them that draw nigh unto me, and before all the people I will be glorified. Uzzah's intention was good, but the action was bad. In all matters of worship we should keep close to our rule, reverence God's sanctuary, and not be rash with our mouths to utter any thing before the Lord; but since God is holy and jealous, we should serve him with reverence and godly fear.

3. Let us learn, from the example of Obededom, to give the ark a hearty reception into our houses, as the way to secure God's blessing. Let us set up the worship of God there, and invite him to dwell with us. He is a good guest, and all about us will fare the better for him. The greatest men should not think this below them. David acted as his own chaplain, and blessed his household. It is the highest honour to worship God; and another day he will say to those who sincerely do so, Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord.

4. A good use is made of divine judgments, when we are brought to repentance and reformation by them. We should fear them ourselves, as David did, and rectify our errors as soon as we are sensible of them. Afflictions answer the design intended by them, if they promote humility for what is amiss, and double our care to please God and keep close to the rule of duty. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have kept thy word.

5. There is reason to lament that this worthy, pious man, was yoked to a termagant, an illnatured woman. Michal, David's wife, first scorned him in her heart; and when he came home to bless his household, scolded him, and publicly called him a fool and a shameless fellow. This was highly ungrateful to David, after the affection he had shown her, and the terms he had made to bring her back: he would not accept the crown without her. It was highly imprudent to censure her husband in that public way; and highly impious to reproach him for his piety and devotion. Her charge was absolutely false, for the story shows, that being girded with a linen ephod, there was nothing indecent in his dress or be haviour. We may justly retort her words and say, 'How glorious was the king of Israel's wife when she made such a foolish and ungodly speech! Poor David! after all his zeal and joy, to meet with such a reception at home! See to what lengths pride and passion will lead persons. Let all guard their hearts, and not censure others for devout and pious practices. And especially let every wife see that she reverence her husband, and not speak unadvisedly with her tongue.

6. We may learn, from the example of David, what use to make of those reproaches which men throw upon us for our religion. Let us take great care to approve ourselves to God; and if we do so, it signifies little what men say of us. They often call devotion enthusiasm and folly, and the warmth of it rage and madness. But Jet not this move us. David's was a noble resolution, worthy to be imitated: If this is to be vile, I will yet be more vile. Instead of being discouraged by such reproaches, let us set our faces like a flint. If Satan and his agents take ever so much pains to shake our re

ligion, or shame us out of it, let us hold it so much the faster, and be the more resolute in it. To encourage us to this, remember what David adds, that this is on the whole a sure way to gain reputation. Resolute piety will have its praise: those that honour God, he will honour; but those that despise him, his servants and worship, shall be lightly esteemed.

CHAP. VII.

We have here God's gracious acceptance of David's purpose to build him an house, and his promise thereupon; with David's prayer and thanksgiving.

'A

ND it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, reflecting on the meanness of God's habitation, and the splendour of his own, and the LORD had given him rest round 2 about from all his enemies ;* That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, whose advice he was desirous to have, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within 3 curtains. And Nathan, willing to encourage any scheme for the glory of God, said to the king, Go, do all that [is] in thine heart; for the LORD [is] with thee; he answered as a man, and not as à prophet.

4

And, that the error might be corrected, and David not be disappointed after the work was begun, it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell 5 my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me 6 an house for me to dwell in ?t Whereas I have not dwelt in [any] house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a 7 tabernacle. In all [the places] wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, any of the judges, or those whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? and therefore thou shouldst not have attempted it with8 out a special order from me. Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler 9 over my people, over Israel: And was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, in the time of thy banishment, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great

• God had promised that when the people were settled, he would choose himself a place, to put his name there, and David thought this was the time.

This implies that he should not do it; and the reason is given in another place: David Bad shed much blood, and had more wars before him. But he might prepare the ceiling, settle the Levites, and get materials ready for his son to do it.

* The tabernacle was built with boards and pillars, and covered with fine linen and hangings. This is given as another reason; that there was no absolute fired of it at present, since God had done so long without is.