We have no certain knowledge of the regularity of
Tabernacle worship during the period from Joshua to this
time. Quite probably the services were maintained with more
or less regularity. Shortly after Israel entered Palestine
Joshua located the Ark at Shiloh. That it was still there at the
close of the period of the Judges and while Samuel lived with
Eli is shown by 1 Sam. 1:3. The sons of Eli took the Ark with
them into battle against the Philistines ... the Lord permitted it
to be captured. However, while they possessed it a curse
seemed to accompany it. The Philistines loaded it upon a cart
and started the oxen in the direction of the Israelites. From
the time of its return the Ark was in the custody of Abinadab.
R3252:2,3
David was in his thirtieth year at the time of Saul's death.
During the ten preceding years he had led a varied life ...
banished from Saul's court, hunted by the king as a wild
beast, chased as a brigand and looked upon with distrust by
the majority of the people. R4234:3
David waited upon the Lord those many years, fully confident that
in the end he should be the king of Israel, not hastening the event in
any way but simply standing ready for the responsibilities and the
power of the office where the Lord should put him. It was
more than seven years after this before he became the king of
all Israel. R5674:2,3
When David -- Type of Christ. B255
Now in his 30th year. R4234:3
Of the Amalekites -- Typical of wilful sinners in the
Millennial age. F174
Came to David -- David and his men had been living in
the country of the Philistines and had been treated by them as
allies. R3245:6
Slay me -- Probably manufacturing this part of the story to
bring honor to himself. R5674:2
Fall upon him -- Demonstrating David's patience in
waiting for God's time and way to give him the kingdom, and
his unwillingness to sanction the death of the king at the
hands of another. R3245:3,6
This lamentation -- The Dead March from Saul, based on
this poem, is identified with the funeral services of the great
today. R5674:1
The use of the bow -- Called the Song of the Bow.
R5674:1, R4224:2
Lovely and pleasant -- No suggestion of how Saul had
persecuted him or sought his life. R5674:1
Passing the love -- Illustrating the still more wonderful
"love of Jesus." R4224:2
David -- Not wishing to choose his own course. R3246:1
He had a great appreciation of justice and also a breadth of
sympathy for his enemies. R5674:4
Of the LORD -- Probably through the High Priest,
Abiathar. R3246:1
What a wonderful example we have in David's course! How
much Christians can learn of patient waiting for the Lord's
time in all their affairs. R5674:2
Hebron -- A central city of the tribe of Judah, where he
and his family were well known and safe. R3246:1
Men of Judah came -- Thus falling in line not only with
the divine anointing, but also with their own preferences.
R1996:5
Anointed David king -- As in the case of David, Jesus did
not begin his reign immediately after being anointed. He first
needed various experiences. So with the Church. R4210:5
David sent messengers -- Illustrating greatness through
gentleness. R1709:1*
Blessed be ye -- Wishing them to know that he did not
regard their act as an act of enmity, but rather one of decency
and loyalty. R4235:3
How different was this from the evil spirit that would triumph
over the death of a powerful rival and relentless enemy.
R1996:6
Anointed me king -- Hinting that the men of Jabesh might
like him as king also. R4235:4
King over Gilead -- David made no attempt to coerce the
other tribes. R5674:3
King In Hebron -- Patiently waiting for the Lord's time
and way to make him king over all Israel. R3245:3
So the Lord's people, having been anointed kings and priests
unto God, it is their part to wait patiently for the Lord's time
for their exaltation. R1996:5
Long war -- Brothers fought against brothers--one party of
God's favored people against another. This continued for two
years. R4235:5
Pictures spiritual Israel, when brother shall be against brother,
which the Lord will permit just prior to the establishment of
the Kingdom. R4235:5
Maacah -- The daughter of a heathen king. Absalom was
brought up under the influence of a heathen mother with little
respect or reverence for the true God. R2024:6, R3261:6,
R5700:2
Prince and a great man -- A courageous statement in the
presence of his own ablest soldier. R5674:4
The LORD shall -- In the future (the Millennial age).
R2613:6, R723:4
A righteous person -- David was broad-minded and
generous toward his enemies. R5674:4
A league with them -- Probably a kind of charter outlining
the rights and limitations of the people and the king.
R2001:3, R4236:1
Anointed David -- The third time that anointing oil was
put upon his head. R5674:5
King over Israel -- David was 37 years old when made
king over all Israel. This was 7 1/2 years after the death of
Saul and about 17 years after David had been first anointed
by Samuel. R5674:4
And six months -- Thus David actually reigned more than
40 years. HG68:4
Jerusalem -- Chosen by David for the capital of the now
united kingdom; within Judah, but central to all Israel.
R2001:3
Jebusites -- Jerusalem was still inhabited by the Jebusites,
a remnant of the Canaanites, whom Israel was commissioned
to destroy. R2001:6
Blind and the lame -- Boasting defiantly that even the
blind and lame among them would be able to defend the city.
R2001:6
Strong hold of Zion -- Tower of David, near the Jaffa
gate. R1390:2
Up to the gutter -- The water courses. R2001:6
Established him -- The secret of David's success was not
merely fixity of purpose, but additionally that his purpose was
kept fully in accord with the divine will. R4255:3
Shall I go up -- We should never engage in battle without
the assurance that the battle is the Lord's, nor forget that our
weapons are not carnal. R2015:3
Baal-perazim -- Type of God's deliverance of regathered
Israel. D555
Smote them -- Illustrating God's "strange act." (Isa.28:21)
R564:6
David -- Type of Christ. B255
Gathered together -- To revive the religious sentiments of
the people. R3252:4
30,000 -- It is wiser, better every way, that all the Lord's
people participate in any prominent matter connected with the
Lord's service, according to ability. R3252:4
Baale of Judah -- Or Kirjath-jearim (margin). The Ark
was at Kirjath-jearim a total of 70 years. R3252:3, R5679:3,
R2003:1
To bring up -- David's spiritual nature began to assert
itself in respect to the government of Israel. R5679:3
Between the cherubims -- Between love and power and
above a foundation of justice, represented by the Mercy Seat.
R3252:3; T123-125; R5680:1
Upon a new cart -- After the example of the Philistines.
R2003:1
Instead of upon the shoulders of the Levites as instructed by
the Lord. R3252:6, R2003:1
Against Uzzah -- For his loss of respect of the Ark as
representative of God and for the bad example in the sight of
all Israel. R3252:6
God smote him -- God had tolerated the ignorance of the
Philistines, but he slew Uzzah as a reminder of his displeasure
with Israel for their carelessness in complying with the
requirements of the Law. R2003:2
Illustrating the importance of types being kept in every
minutiae. T12
For his error -- In handling the holy things of the divine
Word and service of the truth. Spiritual Israelites are not at
liberty to do as they please, merely assuring themselves that
their motives are good. R4260:1
There he died -- No injury was done to Uzzah's eternal
future. R3253:2
Was displeased -- With his former determination to bring
the Ark to Jerusalem; and that through lack of care matters
had gone astray. R3252:5
Divine providence gave him a great lesson of reverence for
the Almighty and carefulness in respect to his laws.
R5679:3,5
A breach upon Uzzah -- This was no injustice, because he
was already under the death sentence anyway. F174
It was necessary because everything connected with the
Tabernacle (Ark) typified something greater and more
important to come afterward. T12
David was afraid -- The king and the people understood
the smiting of Uzzah as a rebuke for their disobedience, their
lack of proper reverence for the symbol of God's presence.
R2003:2
Blessed Obed-edom -- The Ark was in the house of
Abinadab 70 years, but without bringing him any special
blessing. Similarly, the Bible in some families brings no
blessings from year to year; but in others it brings great
blessings in a few short months because of greater reverence
for the Lord and his Word. R3253:4
Obed-edom was a Levite who doubtless reverently received
the Ark. R2003:2
Brought up the ark -- This time it was reverently borne
according to divine directions. (See 1 Chron. 15:1, 2, 13-15,
28) R2003:4
Bare the ark -- By the divinely directed method. It is not
for us to be inventive in respect to divine services, but rather
to be students of the divine will. R5680:3
David danced -- An expressive symbol of joy. R2003:5
The 24th Psalm is supposed to have been sung as marching
accompaniment on this occasion. R4260:4
Brought up -- King David composed Psalm 24 for this
very occasion. R5680:4
The ark -- The Ark represented Christ. The bringing of it
into the city corresponds in a measure to our receiving of
Christ. R5680:5
The ark of God -- A symbol of the divine presence.
R2010:5
Shalt thou build -- No justification for elegant church
buildings and furnishments. R2010:5
For me to dwell in -- We are not to conclude that, because
our plans are reverential and designed for the glory of God,
therefore they must have the divine approval. R3258:6
In a tabernacle -- The Lord prefers that his representation
in the world in the present time shall be extremely simple and
unostentatious. R3259:2
Unto my servant -- To David and will evidently have a
partially literal fulfilment, although the substance is in Christ.
R1364:2
From the sheepcote -- The low estate we occupied on the
animal plane. R3259:4
Ruler over my people -- The Lord has advanced the
Church step by step until now we are joint-heirs with Jesus
Christ. R3259:4
All thine enemies -- David, as the man of war, represents
the saints of God in their present militant condition, warring
with the world, the flesh and the devil. R3259:2
And move no more -- A prophecy of the Millennial age.
R3259:4
Thy days -- The reign of David prefigured the preparatory
work of this Gospel age. R2010:4
Thy seed after thee -- Partially to Solomon, ultimately to
Christ. R2010:4, R2372:6
A prophecy of the Lord's first advent. R1673:6
Establish his kingdom -- The reign of Solomon
represented the glorious reign of Christ. R3259:3,6, R2010:4
An house -- The construction of Solomon's Temple
typified the resurrection of the Church. R3259:3
A symbol of future spiritual Israel. R2010:5
I will stablish -- The final confirmation of the Abrahamic
covenant. R2372:6, R3114:6
His kingdom for ever -- The Period from Zedekiah's reign
to that of Christ being merely an interregnum, a suspension of
David's kingdom. R3259:5; PD47/59
I will chasten him -- May be properly applied to the
spirit-begotten sons of God. "What son is he whom the father
chasteneth not." (Heb. 12:7) R3259:6
Established for ever -- See comment on 2 Sam. 7:13.
Shields of gold -- The spoils, dedicated to the Lord, were
reserved for the Temple which Solomon was to build.
R2015:5
Did dedicate -- The mission of the Church in this present
time is to prepare the gold, silver and precious things (the
saints) for the future Temple. R3259:3
Is there yet any -- David's search for opportunities to do
good reminds us that such should be our attitude. R4269:1
For Jonathan's sake -- David had promised to show
kindness to Jonathan's posterity. (1 Sam. 20:14-17) R2010:5
There is no more worthy trait to adorn a righteous character
than that of gratitude, that returns filial affection to God and
encourages loyal devotion between friends. R2010:6
So the glorified Church will remember its covenant to bless
the Ancient Worthies first. R1908:5
Fell on his face -- His fear that the king's words might be
treacherous caused him fear and trepidation. R4268:6
And did reverence -- Shaw-kaw, worshipped. Worship of
Christ is not displeasing to Jehovah. E73
Restore thee -- This shows David's confidence that the
kingdom should not be taken from his posterity. R4268:6
Eat bread at my table -- With people of Oriental lands
this implies a pledge of friendship and fidelity; and to eat
continually implies membership in the family. R4268:6
Seemeth him good -- If the battle is the Lord's it is sure to
be victorious. R2015:5
And served them -- Under David Abraham's seed first
possessed the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates.
(Gen. 15:18) R2015:5
And it came to pass -- This narrative is given as a part of
the genealogy of King Solomon, son of Bath-Sheba. R1420:2
Roof of the king's house -- It is easier to live a consecrated
life in poverty than when surrounded by the wealth and
liberties of court. R5681:1
Very beautiful -- It would be a great mistake to suppose
that the blindness of intoxication with the spirit of the world
constitutes a proper excuse for sins committed in that state.
R2017:1
Sent and enquired -- First, David coveted his neighbor's
wife. R5681:2
And David -- Possibly to some extent influenced by the
prevailing notions that whatever the king was pleased to do
was proper because of his exalted station. R3253:6
Took her -- He was awake to sin, asleep to righteousness.
R5681:2
Lay with her -- Considering the higher interpretation of
adultery and murder in Matt. 5:22, 28 some Christians may
find themselves near the plane of David as respects sin.
R3254:1
Set ye Uriah -- Compared with other contemporary kings
David's course was moderate; not directly taking Uriah's life
but merely conniving at his death. R3254:5
Sent Nathan -- It required courage, but whoever has a
message from the Lord must needs have the courage to deliver
it wisely and faithfully. R5681:3, R2017:1
The prophet was sent directly to the king. PD43/53; R4271:5
There were two men -- The prophet made a parable
showing the injustice and asked what would be a just
decision. PD43/53; R5681:3, R4271:5
Anger was greatly kindled -- King David asked the name
of the unjust man that he might be punished. PD43/53;
R5681:3, R4271:5
Shall surely die -- David unconsciously condemned
himself to death. R2017:3
Thou art the man -- It was a critical moment for David.
Would he proudly resist the power of the truth, claiming that
the customs of the world, instead of the Law of God, were to
him the standard of privilege? R2017:2,3
Blessed is he who is not condemned by his own declarations
in respect to the affairs of others. R3255:6
Of thine own house -- Absalom's rebellion was the means
employed for this punishment. R1397:2
I have sinned -- The king saw the horrible mistake and
humbly confessed the sin to the Lord. PD43/53; R5681:3,
R4271:5
David saw his own conduct, not from the standpoint of other
kings and what they did, but from the standpoint of the divine
law of righteousness. R5681:3, R1396:6
The 51st Psalm is generally recognized as his expression of
contrition for the sin. R3254:2
Put away thy sin -- Justice would have been required in
respect to the sins; but to the repentant soul the Lord's favor
would, nevertheless, still be granted. R5681:4
God showed mercy on David (as to all Jews under the Law's
typical sacrifices) in that he made allowance for his fallen
condition. R1397:2
Realizing the Lord's forgiveness for the penitent moves one
toward repentance. R3254:2
For the Christian, involuntary sins are cancelled; but
wilfulness has a penalty attached. R1397:4
Sinful Christians find great consolation in the Lord's
compassion if they are exercised as was David by their sins.
R3254:2
Thou shalt not die -- Because he had confessed and
repented. R5681:3, R2017:5
The penalty of David's sin was death, under two indictments:
Lev. 20:10 and Lev. 24:17. In view of his repentance the
Lord remitted the death penalty, inflicting only such
punishment as was necessary for the correction. R2017:4,
R5681:3
If sin is fallen into, God does everything to encourage the
acceptance of forgiveness and reformation, though the sinner
is obliged to bear some severe penalty. R5681:4; Q281:3
To blaspheme -- While David's sin has given occasion to
blasphemers, his repentance and forgiveness have given hope
and encouragment to many who have been overtaken in a
fault. R3260:6
The child died -- Though the Lord indicated his
forgiveness, yet there must be a punishment. R5106:4,
R3255:5
Solomon -- His name signifies "the peaceful," thus
commemorating God's promise concerning him. R2045:3
The LORD loved him -- God accepted David's penitence
and restored him to his favor. PD43/53
His name Jedidiah -- Meaning "Beloved of Jehovah";
indicating David's forgiveness and restoration to divine favor.
R2045:3
Put them under saws -- While we mark with pleasure the
noble traits in David's character, we must deplore the steps of
his decline leading to unnecessary cruelty, not only
conquering, but triumphing ignobly over his foes. R2016:3
And it came to pass -- This narrative is given to account
for Absalom's estrangement from his father David. R1420:2
After two full years -- For two years no punishment was
inflicted because David did not know what to do even though
the matter (vs. 10-21) sorely vexed him. R4275:5
Kill him -- A modern method of assassination is
slanderous words, by insinuations, etc., often committed in
the presence of the heavenly brotherhood. R4275:6
Absalom fled -- Fearing David's indignation. R2025:1
Went to Talmai -- Absalom's maternal grandfather.
R2025:1
To Geshur -- Surrounded with the influences of a heathen
land. R2025:4
And did obeisance -- See comments on 2 Sam. 9:6.
Not the king's face -- As a continued showing of disfavor.
R4276:1
This experience fastened upon the mind of Absalom the
conviction that his father no longer loved him. This prepared
him to set at defiance his kingly authority. R2025:1,
R4278:1
See the king's face -- Absalom realized that as an exiled
prince his chances of acceptance as king of Israel would be
comparatively small in the event of his father's death.
R4276:1
Prepared him chariots -- A custom from his grandfather's
court. R3262:1
King for judgment -- The king acted as a superior court,
so that cases not satisfactorily adjudicated before the regular
judges were appealed to him. R3262:2, R5700:2
I were made judge -- Would that I were king! It would be
different! R5700:3
Do him justice -- Implying that his hearer had justice on
his side and would be pleased with the results. R3262:2
Stole the hearts -- By feigning humility and zeal for
justice, by careful attention to his personal appearance and by
attention to those in influential positions. R4276.1
Many in our day are willing to steal the affections of another
and to misrepresent another to their own advantage. R3262:3
After 40 years -- After four years; the error of a
transcriber. R2025:5, R4276:2
Four years from his full acceptance back to fellowship with
his father. R3262:3
Let me go -- In order not to excite the suspicion of the
king or others he asked permission to go. R3262:4, R4276:2
Absalom reigneth -- The people would gain the
impression that the revolution of the kingdom was complete
and that David was thoroughly vanquished. R3262:4
Although the Lord restored David to divine favor and
communion, he punished him severely for his sin--Absalom's
rebellion being the means employed. R1397:2, R3262:5
Knew not anything -- Were totally ignorant of the use that
was being made of them. R3262:4
Sent for Ahithophel -- This would mean a tower of
strength to Absalom's position and ambition. R4276:4
The conspiracy -- Begun when Absalom returned from
exile, or two years later. R3262:3
So today: the Lord will permit conspiracies against the truth,
but to go only so far as they will work for his glory. R3262:6
Increased continually -- Political intrigue stole the hearts
of the people and made the cause of Absalom temporarily
very prosperous. R2024:3
Let us flee -- David wished to avoid the horrors of civil
war. He was overwhelmed with grief that his enemy was his
son and that his former friends had become his enemies.
R4277:1
All the people -- His bodyguard consisted mostly of
foreigners. (vs. 18) R4277:2
An exile -- It is supposed that the 4th Psalm and portions
of the 3rd were written from the standpoint of David's
experiences as an exile from his capital. R4277:3
Then said Absalom -- This narrative is given to prove that
the Lord's penalty against David for his injustice toward Uriah
was fulfilled. R1420:2
Then David -- Meaning "beloved," type of Christ.
R3226:4
Passed over Jordan -- Meaning "Judged down,"
"Condemned." R3086:4
David -- Now about 62 years of age. R4277:5
Deal gently -- Mark the father's love, even under extreme,
trying circumstances. He charged the soldiers to do Absalom
no harm. R2025:2, R3268:2, R4277:5
20,000 men -- Absalom's forces. R3268:1
Slew him -- Absalom is a distinguished example of
dishonor to a father. R3262:1
How suddenly God brought to naught the evil designs of this
wicked young man. R2025:2
Joab -- Chief of King David's generals. R3268:1,
R4277:5
Blew the trumpet -- Of victory. The conspiracy had come
to naught, the usurper was dead. R2025:3
To Cushi -- Literally, "To the Cushite," the negro.
R3268:4
With good tidings -- A good man should always seek to
carry a good message. R3268:1, R4277:6
Is ... Absalom safe? -- In harmony with David's parting
words (vs. 5). R3268:2
It was far more pleasing to the Lord that he should love his
enemy too much rather than too little. R4277:6
God so loved us while we were "yet sinners." (Rom. 5:8)
R4277:6
But I knew not -- The Lord's people should be particular
to discriminate between knowledge and belief and hearsay.
R3268:4, R4278:1
O my son Absalom -- David's former attitude of neglect
toward his son was a great mistake, the realization of which
doubtless deepened the grief. R2025:1
Parents should heed well this lesson. If David had exercised
more kindness, loving counsel and sympathy with his son, he
might have been spared this bitter lament. R2025:4,
R3268:5, R5700:5
I had died for thee -- David was more anxious for
Absalom than for his throne or for his own life. R3268:2
We have two parallels in Scripture: Moses (Ex. 32:32) and
Paul (Rom. 9:3). R4278:2,4
For five years David had allowed the hard side of his nature
to conceal his tender emotions. How often is the mistake of
David repeated by parents. R2025:2,4
There is not in all of the Old Testament a passage of greater
pathos than this. R4278:2
At strife -- Israel had been thrown into a state of
confusion, threatening anarchy, being left for a time without
any official head or king. R1690:1
Bring the king back -- This is an illustration of a very
similar condition of things in the world today. Earth's rightful
king is not upon his throne, nor has the world recognized his
right to it nor desired his return. Men have tried every
experiment of self-government and all have ended in failure.
R1690:2
Return thou -- Practically the whole nation had given
allegiance to Absalom, so it was necessary for them to
publicly request King David to return. R3262:5
Days of harvest -- The reaping of the barley commenced
the harvest, the wheat following. R4127:1
David spake -- The entire chapter is one of David's songs
of praise and gratitude to God for his loving providence.
R2031:1
A type of the Church in her deliverance. R153:6, R264:6,
R265:1, R287:6
The LORD is my rock -- Upon which I safely build my
hopes. R2032:4
And my fortress -- In which I may safely hide. R2032:4
And my deliverer -- In every time of trouble. R2032:4
And the horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
Sorrows of hell -- Sheol, oblivion, the state of death.
E358
In the Revised Version, anglicized as "sheol," as in all poetic
passages. R828:5
A figure in which trouble is represented as hastening one to
the tomb. R2599:3
Compassed me -- Literally David; prophetically
The Christ. E358
Then -- The deliverance of the Body of Christ will be just
before a great time of trouble and manifestation of divine
power and indignation against wickedness. E358
Shook -- A great time of trouble. E358
Of heaven -- The powers of spiritual control. A318
He took me -- See comment on 2 Sam. 22:8 from E358
Delivering his Bride from her fleshly nature into the
perfection of our new nature. R153:6, R265:1
My strong enemy -- Death. R153:6, R265:1
His way is perfect -- He could not be holy in all his works
if he were the author of sin and crime. R1351:4, R849:1
Therefore we cannot conclude that God made us sinners.
HG650:2
The necks of mine enemies -- Enemies of the Lord which
David was commissioned to conquer--prophetic of Christ's
victories over the enemies of truth and righteousness.
R2032:1
Head of the heathen -- Verses 44 to 46 are fully
applicable only to the wider dominion of Christ as earth's
future king. R2032:4
Therefore I will give thanks -- "We love him because he
first loved us." (1 John 4:19) R2031:5
No one can be a true Christian and be unthankful. R2460:2
This principal of gratitude and praise is that which makes
human fellowship possible. R2031:6
Must be just -- This is the meaning of the Lord's careful
selection, instruction, discipline, judging and proving his
people whom he is now calling to a ruling position in the
Millennial Kingdom. R4198:6
But enforcement of justice is not the Lord's rule for his people
in the present time when they themselves are weak and
imperfect. "Judge no man before the time." (1 Cor. 4:5)
R4198:6
Everlasting covenant -- The original grace, or Sarah,
covenant. R4321:2
Well of Bethlehem -- Now (1892) on the principal street
of Bethlehem. R1401:5
Would not drink it -- He considered it too costly to drink,
so he made it an offering to God. R2015:6
Few indeed among the kings of the earth would consider any
sacrifice of their fellow-men too costly to be bestowed on
them. R2015:6
He moved David -- Satan provoked David to number
Israel, contrary to the command of the Lord. R5106:4;
Q281:4
The king said -- As the Lord's representative, he was
acting without instructions and due authority. Q832:2
I am in a great strait -- Realizing his own weakness;
David, in humility, declined to make a choice. R5106:4;
Q281:4
The angel stretched -- The word "angel" here does not
necessarily refer to a member of the angelic order, but
signifies "messenger" or agency which God used; in this case,
a pestilence. R2382:2
The LORD repented -- Before the Lord's punishment
reached David he had received the Lord's forgiveness.
R5106:4; Q281:4
Rear an altar -- A remarkable spot. It was here that
Abraham offered Isaac and Solomon built the Temple. (2Chron 3:1) R2510:6, R1395:6
The LORD was intreated -- Only proper for Israel,
because of God's special covenant with that nation. R2029:2
Offered burnt offerings -- Recognizing God's
chastisement, he prayed for divine mercy. R2029:2