2 Samuel 7:18-19 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house… I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF DIVINE GRACE. A purpose of love is disclosed here. It is seen in the choice of David and his house, and in the merciful designs which were announced to them. The text furnishes us with a striking illustration of the plighted love of God to Christ and His people. The element of election is conspicuous in this narrative. The great truth that God has, in Christ Jesus, chosen to Himself a church, is brought to the level of our comprehension. II. THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST. You may have remarked that the promises were made to David personally, although his family was included in the blessing. The covenant was with Jesse's son, who was regarded as the progenitor of a chosen seed — "Thine house, — thy kingdom, — thy throne shall be established for ever." David elsewhere alludes to this, for, amongst his last words, he says that God had made a covenant with him, ordered in all things and sure — meaning that He had promised to him certain irrevocable blessings. Here, then, we have another very important truth connected with our salvation, namely, that Christ is the covenant-head of His Church; that he is the representative of His people in all that concerns their salvation; that "all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen." III. THE MARVELLOUS PRESERVATION OF THE CHURCH. David, in the text, speaks of God's providential care during the past: "Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?" and he expresses confidence in His promised favour for the future: "Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come." David and his family had been, and were still to be, the objects of God's providential care; and Christ and His people being typified by them, we must regard that circumstance as declaratory of the duration and stability of the Church. Observe, that from the beginning there has always been a preservation of — 1. A godly seed amongst the wicked. The Lord's people have ever been in a minority. They are variously described by the inspired penman as a remnant," a "garden enclosed," a "vineyard;" and by our Saviour as a "little flock." It is interesting to observe that the righteous seed maintained in the world has been expressly "taught of the Lord:" and consequently that in all ages there has been a preservation of — 2. The truth amidst error. At first it was imparted by Jehovah Himself to Adam, and to Enoch, and to Abraham, and to Moses. Afterwards the Lord was pleased to raise up prophets whose special mission it was to declare His will. Then came our Saviour, who was "the Truth" itself, and after him the apostles and evangelists. The doctrines of salvation were declared to Adam as they are preached to you now. Man's lost estate, redemption through Christ, justification by faith, and the need of personal holiness have been set forth in every era of revelation. They are to be found in the first promise, in the ceremonies of the Levitical law, and in the writings of the prophets as well as in the New Testament. The truth has never been extinguished. (A. B. Whatton, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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? |
    |