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Every age of the world and every nation has had its prominent men, its striking instances of Divine endowment and special mission. But we mistake such special cases if we assume that they are intended to absorb our attention, or merely to magnify individuals. They are always designed to be impressive illustrations of great principles which are surely working, though not so manifestly working, in the smaller and the quieter spheres. The" great" is never set before us for its own sake, but always

(1) to show us what "almighty grace can do;" and

(2) to make solemn the possibilities of our smaller and feebler lives.

The mission of all biographies is expressed in two sentences from St. Paul's writings: "They glorified God in me" (Galatians 1:24); "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1 Timothy 1:16). David is set before us as a striking instance of Divine grace overshadowing, guiding, and sanctifying a whole life. God reminds him in these verses of his "gracious goodness" which had ever rested upon him; and with the remembrance comforts him under the refusal of his request which God judged it necessary to send. In this light the life of David may be reviewed.

I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRACE IN DAVID'S SELECTION. Carefully distinguish between sovereignty and favouritism. There is "no respect of persons" with God. He elects, not upon particular affections for an individual, but upon omniscience of fitness for particular work. Election is not to privilege but to service, and to privilege through the service. Here, in the case of David, Divine sovereignty is seen in the selection of one who was not at all in men's thoughts, and was indeed in circumstances which seemed to indicate unsuitability. David was the youngest of his family, somewhat despised by his grown-up brothers, and engaged in simple shepherding work among the hills of Judah. Yet God estimated character, and found in the young shepherd the founder of a kingdom and a dynasty. Illustrate the Divine call of men to be poets, artists, preachers, reformers, and rulers; and show that now, as truly as ever, God calls those he needs to come up out of lowly and unknown places to do his work. And he may have need of us.

II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GRACE IN DAVID'S PROSPERITY. "Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it." To the position to which he was called David in due time attained; because, whenever God bids a man do a thing, he gives the needed grace for the doing. If he tells a man with a helpless hand to "stretch forth his hand," he gives the strength for such stretching forth. Trace in David's life how all hindrances and difficulties were surely overcome; his "enemies were cut off," his throne established, and his name honoured (ver. 8).

III. THE BENEDICTIONS OF GRACE RESTING ON OTHERS FOR DAVID'S SAKE, It is one of the best signs of Divine acceptance of us that others are blessed through us. This exceeding joy our Lord Jesus Christ had. For his life-work of loving service he was "highly exalted." So David was the means of settling the people, introducing all the advantages of order and good government, and restoring to full vigour the worshipping side of the national religious life.

IV. THE CONTINUANCE OF GRACE OF DAVID'S DESCENDANTS. The man who lives in the grace of God himself may be sure that not only God's grace will abide when he is gone, but that the grace will still use his influence and example, as agency, for the blessing of the children for a long while to come (vers. 10-12). Apply to that exceeding great grace which is manifested in our personal redemption. That grace, we may be sure, will cover and hallow all our lives, and all our children's lives, even as it did the life of David, and the story of his descendants. - R.T.

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KJV: Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

WEB: "Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, 'Thus says Yahweh of Armies, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.