NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
By W. N. Glenn
ABOUT six years after the death of Absalom, and the scenes described in the last lesson, David was tempted to number the people. In 1 Chron. 21:1 it is said that Satan stood up and provoked him to do it. That it was a wrong move, even Joab and the captains were aware, and remonstrated with the king, but to no purpose. After the work had been completed, however, David's heart smote him, and he made humble confession before the Lord and sought forgiveness. So the Lord gave him choice of three modes of punishment—seven years of famine, to flee three months before his enemies, or to have three days' pestilence in the land. David was in a great strait, but he chose to "fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great." WE have here an evidence that direct personal reproof is often necessary to guide men in the path of duty, and that the greatest kindness that can be shown a man is to acquaint him with his faults. It would appear that David, notwithstanding the remonstrance of his officers, was not fully sensible of the magnitude of his offense until reproved by his seer, the prophet Gad; and having found that he could muster thirteen hundred thousand men of war, there is no telling what rash measure his ambition might have prompted him to undertake. This is the second time he was checked in a downward career by timely warning from the Lord. And be it said to his credit, he bowed with becoming humility to the penalties affixed to his crimes. He realized the mercy of God, and preferred to fall into his hands, though grievously offended, rather than into the hands of an enemy. His experience was that "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him." THE character of the pestilence shows the submission of David to a punishment that might include himself. As Dr. Clarke says: "Had he chosen war, his own personal safety would have been in no danger, because there was already an ordinance forbidding him going to battle. Had he chosen famine, his own wealth would have secured his and his family's support; but he showed the greatness of his mind in choosing the pestilence, to the ravages of which himself and household were exposed equally with the meanest of his subjects."471 THE characteristic mercy of God is shown in stopping short of the time proposed for the pestilence to continue, and accepted by David. Jerusalem might have been destroyed, and the angel had already stretched forth his hand to afflict the city. But the Lord mercifully stayed the destructive hand short of the appointed affliction. Wordsworth says: "God stayed the hand of the angel from destroying Jerusalem in the same place where he had stayed Abraham, who had the knife in his hand, from sacrificing his son Isaac." "BUT these sheep, what have they done?" It is a prominent fact that the people are always the sufferers for the misdeeds of their rulers, as children have often to suffer the consequences of parental sins. But it is seldom that a ruler is found like David, who, notwithstanding his faults, never tried to lay the blame upon others. Few are ready to personally make the sacrifices necessary to avert the evils of misgovernment. AT the command of the prophet Gad, David went to offer sacrifice in the threshing-floor of Araunah, the Jebusite. Araunah is called a king, and probably had been a king, and was even now a representative man of the Jebusites. He, however, showed entire submission to David and was ready even to give him whatever was wanted for sacrifice. But David had been the cause of the pestilence upon the people, and he did not propose to let another do the sacrificing rendered necessary as a consequence. So he insisted on purchasing the oxen and materials for fire, etc. For these he paid fifty shekels of silver. In 1 Chron. 21, we learn that David also bought the place for 600 shekels of silver. From this chapter we also learn that the Lord answered David by fire when he had offered the sacrifice, which was positive proof of his pardon and the returning favor of God. On this spot was erected the temple of Solomon, as is shown in chapter 22. ON David's sacrifice, Matthew Henry says: "Those who know not what religion is, all whose care it is to make it cheap and easy to themselves, are best pleased with that which costs them least pains or money. What have we our substance for but to honor God with it, and how can it be better bestowed." With the principle agree the words of David's honored son and successor: "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9. Sacrifice has ever been deemed a token of earnestness and devotion, and is the practical basis of the redemption of fallen man. The remission of our sins cost the life of the Son of God, can we do less than honor him with our substance? FROM this lesson we learn that, though Israel be the Lord's people, yet it shall suffer, and suffer more than other peoples for its sins. That God's power in destruction is made manifest in order to show his power and grace in salvation. That God's plans may change, though his purposes are unalterable. That the true penitent confesses his sin, and seeks not to cast the responsibility upon others. That the altar is the meeting-place where God's judgment ends and his mercy begins.—Lesson Commentary. SO FAR as the record goes, this was David's last fall. The rest of his history, continued in 1 Kings, is concerning his physical decline, his charge to Solomon, and his death. Notwithstanding his honor and wealth in this world, he looked not for satisfaction until he should awake in the likeness of his Saviour (Ps. 17:15), who will bring the reward of every man when he comes in glory. Rev. 22:12.