Sons of Japheth — Supposed to be the original settlers of Europe. D556

Sheba and Dedan — Supposed to be original settlers of northern Africa. D556

Sons of Shem — Supposed to have settled Armenia, Western Asia. D556

The Kenites — Sharing in the promised land because of the help given by Hobab in guiding Israel through the wilderness (Num. 10:29; Jud. 4:11). R3061:5

Of Bath-shua — It was in Solomon's favor that his mother was not of an heathen family, but an Israelite, and therefore more in sympathy with the divine arrangements. R5701:5

Rest of the Amalekites — Representing sins. The Lord's command comes to us to put away sin entirely. R3225:3

Unto the sons of Joseph — Indicated by Jacob's giving Joseph the coat of many colors: a royal garment. R1635:4

Above his brethren — In Genesis 49 the blessings of both Joseph and Judah are great, but that of Judah is far greater. R2124:6

Trust in him — Pray, having faith in God. R5380:2*

Gershon — Meaning "Refugees" or "Rescued," type of the saved world of mankind. F129

Kohath — Meaning "Ally" or "Comrade," type of the Ancient Worthies. F129

And Merari — Meaning "Bitterness," type of the Great Company. F129

Amram — Meaning "High People" or "Exalted People," type of the Little Flock whose head is Christ Jesus. F128

Reckoned by genealogies — Clearly kept to show the outworking of every item of God's plan "in due time." R1420:1

All the valiant men — Whom Saul had rescued 40 years earlier. R4234:5

Buried their bones — So no further indignities could be expressed. R4234:5

Fasted seven days — Illustrating the fact that the human race, though sadly fallen, retains elements of the original image of God in the flesh. R4234:5

Saul died — The threatened punishment. R755:1*

Which he kept not — Of these commands Saul was well aware. R755:1*

Asking counsel — Advice. PD42/52

Contrary to God's command, of one that had intimacy with a spirit. R755:1*

A familiar spirit — A witch at Endor. PD42/52

Communication with fallen angels. R2172:1

We are warned against having anything to do with occult powers. R5800:1

To enquire of it — We should not suppose that God would recognize or use any means of communication which he had prohibited on pain of death and condemned as wicked. R265:6

That leddest out — Performing all the duties of a government in protecting from the incursions of the bordering tribes. R4225:1

Made a covenant — Agreeing to serve as a king under a limited monarchy, under a constitution spelling out the rights of the people and the rights of the king. R4236:1

Not drink of it — Few indeed among the kings of earth would consider any sacrifice of their fellowmen too costly to be bestowed on them. R2015:6

Poured it out — Such water he considered too costly to drink. R2015:6

To the LORD — Tendered the water as a thank offering to the Lord and as an expression of highest appreciation to his followers. R4225:2

They that came to David — A large band of discontented people, mostly victims of Saul's persecution. R4225:1

With every leader — It is wiser, better every way, that all the Lord's people be invited to join in any prominent matter connected with the Lord's service. Even in a small congregation it will be found disadvantageous to have one person do all the speaking, all the leading, all the serving. R3252:4

Let us send abroad — Gathering 30,000 representatives and making the Ark's restoration a national act. R2003:1

The ark of our God — Symbol of the divine presence, the most sacred thing about the typical Tabernacle. R2002:3

Possibly its movements may have included the movement of the other articles of furniture of the Tabernacle. R3252:1

To us — To the capital city, making it the city of the great King, directing the minds of Israel, through the earthly king, to the heavenly King whom he represented. R3252:4

As David desired to be near the Tabernacle, close to the Lord, so should we long for a closer walk with God, a nearness to the Mercy Seat-Christ Jesus. R4260:5

Between the cherubims — Representing love and power; upon a foundation of justice, represented by the Mercy Seat. T125

In a new cart — Instead of upon the shoulders of the Levites as instructed by the Lord (Num. 4:15; Num. 7:9). R3252:6, R2003:2, R5679:6, R4259:5

It is not our part to change one iota of the ordinances of God. R2003:5

Uzza and Ahio — Sons of Abinadab the priest. R3252:3

Drave the cart — Probably by oxen. R2003:1

Put forth his hand- God is guiding his own affairs and he is fully capable of their management. R4260:1

Quite possibly long association with the Ark had bred in Uzzah a familiarity and loss of respect for it as representative of God. R3252:6

The poet has noticed this tendency of some to "rush in where angels fear to tread." R3253:1

The anger of the LORD — Not violent passion, but sufficient displeasure to warrant punishment. R3252:6

Against Uzza — For his lack of reverence and for his open violation of the divine regulation in the sight of the representatives of all Israel. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Prov. 9:10) R3252:6

God tolerated the ignorance of the Philistines who were not his people; but gave Israel a severe reminder of his displeasure at their carelessness. R2003:2

To the ark — Let us not feel for a moment that everything will go to pieces in the Church unless we steady the ark. R3613:2

And there he died — But 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

A breach upon Uzza — This was no injustice, because he was already under the death sentence anyway. F174

It was necessary because everything connected with the Ark typified something greater. T12

How shall I bring — The lesson was one of avoiding irreverence-in manner, language, jokes on religious things. R5680:1, R3253:1

Obed-edom — A Levite, possibly a priest. R5679:6

Blessed the house — Because Obed-edom reverently received the Ark. R2003:2

Abinadab received no special blessing during the years the Ark was in his house. Similarly the Bible in some families brings no blessing from year to year, but in others it brings great blessings in a few short months. R3253:4

So that King David noticed, and resolved again to restore the Ark to Jerusalem. R5680:1, R3253:5

David smote them there — Illustrating God's deliverance of regathered Israel. D555

But the Levites — David read the lesson clearly--this time the symbol of divine presence should be reverently borne according to divine directions. R2003:4

Upon their shoulders — The lesson was learned that obedience to the letter is better than sacrifice. R4260:3

Came to the city — The justified can enter the city of God, the Church, only by consecration; not sorrowful at the cost of sacrifice, but joyful. R4260:5

Remember — The spirit of praise was cultivated by calling to mind and recounting what the Lord had done for Israel. R2031:6

His marvelous works — So must the Christian continually call to mind the works of the Lord, especially in his own individual experiences. R2031:6

And to Israel — The twelve tribes of Israel after Jacob's death. A78

Mine anointed — King Saul was God's anointed. In sparing his life David acted in harmony with the Lord's will. PD40/50

He cometh — When he appears day appears, life appears, fruitfulness appears. The curse departs. The "bondage of corruption" (Rom. 8:21) is no more. Clouds, storms, troubles, sorrows vanish. The face Of nature reassumes the smile of Eden times. It is earth's festival, the world's Jubilee. R302:3

To judge the earth — The judgment day will be a glorious and desirable day. A147

"He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness." (Acts 17:31) R3028:6

David said to Nathan — Some in the present time anxious to establish the kingdom of the Lord, have not taken counsel of the prophets of God to know his will. R4261:3

Under curtains — David thought of the incongruity of his living in a grander house than that of his God. R4260:3

Thou shalt not build — "Because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood." (1 Chron. 28:3) It was not part of the divine program for David to build, but for his son Solomon. These were types of glorious things to come. R4260:6

We are not to conclude that because our plans are reverential and designed for the glory of God they must have the divine approval. R3258:6

From tent to tent — The Lord prefers that his representation in the world in the present time shall be extremely simple and unostentatious. R3259:2

From the sheepcote — Representing the plane of the fallen natural man. R3259:4

Moved no more — Temporari1y fulfilled under David and Solomon but really to be fulfilled in the Millennial age. R3259:4, R4261:1

Will build thee an house — The Lord would not cut his family off from the throne. This will be fulfilled by Messiah and his Kingdom. R4261:2

His kingdom — Solomon's kingdom, typical of Christ's Millennial reign. R3259:6

He shall build — Primarily Solomon, who built the typical Temple; but the antitype, Christ, will build the real Temple. R4261:2

An house — Typifying the Church of the living God, through which all prayers to God and all blessings from God will pass. R4261:3; PD45/55

His throne for ever — The period from Zedekiah's reign to that of Christ being merely an interregnum, a suspension of David's kingdom, which might not go to another. R3259:5; PD47/59

Our Lord sprung not from Solomon's line. Christ was the heir prophesied who should establish David's throne forever. R4261:4

When David heard of it — It should be noted that David's wars were not aggressive wars, nor wars of conquest, but that they were always defensive. R2015:2

Children of Ammon came — The disposition of these nations was to exterminate Israel. David's only righteous course was to fight. R2015:2

So dealt David — While outwardly prosperous, David declined an inward piety, resorting to unnecessary cruelty. R2016:3

To number Israel — Contrary to the Law of God and the counsel of his wisest men, putting his trust in numbers and equipment rather than in God. R2016:3

I have sinned — David was presumptuous in not first ascertaining the will of God, the true King of Israel. God's people should not lean to their own understanding. Q832:2

Three years — Mentioned as seven years in 2 Sam. 24:13. The numbers 7 and 3 resemble each other closely, so that one of these is probably incorrect. R4018:4*

A great strait — Realizing his own weakness David, in humility, declined to make a choice. R5106:4; Q281:4

Upon Israel — The sin of David was esteemed a national sin and carried a national penalty. R4200:3

He repented him — Before the punishment reached David he had received the Lord's forgiveness for his sin. R5106:4; Q281:4

Exceeding magnifical — To represent the labor and care and sacrifices of the loving hearts and active hands of a people devoted to God. R2030:6

The humble Tabernacle, whose beauties were hidden, typified the presence of God with his people in the present time, while the glorious Temple typified the Church in glory during Christ's Millennial reign. R1237:4

And David — Typifying the Church in the flesh. R1901:3,6

Said to Solomon — Typifying the Church in glory. R1901:3,6

To build an house — Like David, the Church in the flesh is not privileged to build the Temple of God. R1901:6

Hast made great wars — Typifying the continual warfare of the Church in the flesh. R1901:6, R4261:6

This was no reproach against David, for he had done so in the name of the Lord and for his people. R2030:3

Name shall be Solomon — The Lord's choice among David's sons to succeed him. R2045:3

Peace and quietness — An apt symbol of the reign of the glorified Church. R1901:6

Build the house — Over every other ambition, David's zeal for God predominated. R2030:6

And of good courage — Both strength and courage are necessary to every Christian and are developed by patient endurance and faith in God under trials. R2031:1

From the age of 30 — Not until Jesus attained the age of 30 was he the full-grown man, ready for sacrifice. R1682:5

Gershon — Meaning "Refugees" or "Rescued , type of the saved world of mankind. F129

Kohath — Meaning "Ally" or "Comrade," type of the Ancient Worthies. F129

And Merari — Meaning "Bitterness," type of the Great Company. F129

Amram — Meaning "High People" or "Exalted People," type of the Little Flock whose head is Christ Jesus. F128

Nadab and Abihu — Type of the class that sin the sin unto death during the Gospel age, and of the Great Company class. T40

A scribe — In the days of the kings, scribes appear to have been appointed to keep records of important events, which were preserved and incorporated with the Law. R1145:3

David assembled — To ratify Solomon's appointment and anointing. R3276:2

David's course of seeking the cooperation of the entire congregation points a good lesson to those who would serve the Lord's flock. R3276:2

Stood up — Notwithstanding his age and decrepitude and the fact that it was usual to sit in such assemblages. R3276:3

Upon his feet — Implying the importance of the matters to be dealt with. R3276:3

Hear me, my brethren --A gracious salutation that was not haughty, domineering or tyrannical. R3276:3

A man of war — Typifying the battling of Christ and the Church while in the flesh. R4261:1; PD44/53

And hast shed blood — Our God is a God of peace, but the gods of the heathen are gods of war and their mighty ones are their bloody ones. Most of the names made prominent in Westminster Abbey are those of generals and admirals and men of the world. R3276:4

Chose me — Similarly, "God has set the members in the body as it hath pleased him." (1 Cor. 12:18) R3276:6

For ever — The kingship should be in the line of David's posterity. R3276:5

Hath chosen Solomon — At this time about 20 years of age; of milder disposition than his elder brothers; born after David's sin and humiliation; educated by the prophet Nathan. R3276:1

Upon the throne — It is appropriate that the Lord's anointed king should be charged with this important business since it was a national project and he was their representative and head. R2030:6

Antitypically The Christ shall sit upon the throne of his glory. SM600:1

Corresponding to the clothing of purple, symbolically representing royalty, in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19). HG428:2, HG161:5

Kingdom of the LORD — Kings of Israel typified the King of glory. SM600:1

Solomon thy son — Typical of the Church glorified. PD44/53

Shall build my house — The divine arrangement complete is not to be established by Christ in the flesh but by The Christ of glory, represented by Solomon. PD45/55

To be my son — In a typical sense; to typify Christ. R3277:1

If he be constant — The promise is specifically conditional; the implication is that unfaithfulness would bar Solomon's posterity from the throne of Israel. E131

If Solomon had obeyed God the throne of David would have been established in his line forever; consequently, the deathless heir to that throne would have come of his seed. R467:3*

As at this day — Solomon at this time was a model young man. R3277:1

And thou, Solomon — Whose name signifies "peaceful." R4286:1

Solomon partook of his father David's religious disposition more than his brethren did. His mother, an Israelite, was more in sympathy with the divine arrangement than David's other wives were. R5701:5

Know thou the God — Only in proportion as we come to know God can we properly trust or serve him. R3277:4

And serve him — Outward service is not sufficient in our dealings with the Lord. R4287:1

A perfect heart — He seeketh such to worship as worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23,24). R4287:1

Will cast thee off — As he did, Solomon's line being rejected. E131

On the ground of lack of obedience alone we must conclude that David's throne and kingdom cannot be established forever in Solomon's line. R467:5*

Build an house — The growing together of the living stones of the antitypical Temple is already in progress. R3277:5

Be strong, and do it — Giving Solomon abundant opportunity for the exercise of his intelligence and ambitions along proper and helpful lines. R4287:2

The Christ, the antitype of Solomon, has been strengthened, faithful, an overcomer and approved of the Father. R3277:5

David gave to Solomon — So the Lord makes known to us his great plans and purposes respecting the future. R4287:4

Candlesticks of gold — In Solomon's Temple, as in the Tabernacle, a type of the complete Church. R3569:4; T115

For the tables — The truly consecrated are the antitypical priesthood whose "table" was typified in the Tabernacle and in the Temple by the table of shewbread. R4782:4

Of shewbread — In the Temple, as in the Tabernacle, a type of the Word of God. R4782:4; T115

Cherubims — Always connected with the immediate presence or with the throne of God. R529:6*

Covered the ark — Type of the divine covenant centering in The Christ. It was transferred to the Temple, which superseded the Tabernacle as the meeting place between God and his covenant people. R3282:6, R3284:1; T121

By his hand — Showing that the Temple was of the Lord's design, not David's. R2030:5

For the LORD God --A building, into every fiber of which should be worked the religious devotion and zeal of the whole nation. R2030:5

The erection of this great Temple at Jerusalem would put the true religion in the most prominent position before the nation of Israel. R4287:2

I have prepared — Typifying that the Church in the flesh prepares the materials of which the true Temple of God is to be constructed. R1901:6

Offered willingly — Voluntary offerings have the approval of both God and men. R4777:6

The second time — This second anointing was like the grand Amen! of the whole nation to the first anointing which had been done in a comparatively quiet way. R2031:4

Throne of the LORD — Before the first of their kings, Saul; God considered himself as Israel's king. R1979:1

Typical in some respects of the Millennial Kingdom. A248; C257

It was God's kingdom established in Israel. God was the king of Israel. King David merely sat upon the throne of the Lord. R507:2, R1358:4, R2364:1, R4722:3, R5700:3; OV82:1

As the Lord's representative he must act with instructions and due authority. Q832:2

God was not only their ruler and king, but also the chief executive officer to administer punishment for the violation of his own laws. R2485:3

Though the earth is now given up to the undisputed dominion of the Gentiles, the time was when God had a kingdom on earth. HG47:3

Instead of David — The kingdom of David is to be restored; but David means Christ. And the kingdom of David was the kingdom of the Lord. HG37:5

Israel obeyed him — Solomon was recognized as king in Israel in the room of his father David. R2030:2

Was 40 years — A link in the chain of Bible chronology. B50; R1980:4

Possibly typifying the harvest of the Gospel age. R4018:2*

The fact that he reigned more than forty years is three times repeated, as in 2 Sam. 5:4, 5. HG68:4

Seven years — Possibly typifying the seven years from 1874 to 1881. R4018:2*

They are written — Scribes kept a careful record of the important events in Jewish history. R1145:3