2 Samuel 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said… Our text points to the more enlarged view of gospel expansiveness — the extension of our religious privileges to those around us, in order that they in their turn may extend like blessings to others. I. THE DUTY OF FAMILY WORSHIP. 1. First, then, the consent of all pious antiquity, patriarchs and prophets, of evangelists and holy men, whether dwelling in wilderness-tents or in houses of cedar, in an upper room at Jerusalem or in a lonely hut by the sea-shore, that they all prayed with and blessed their households. 2. On the score of its reasonableness, on the identity of interests and sympathies which must exist in the same household. 3. The consideration of that law of stewardship which, in spiritual things as well as in temporal, makes each man his brother's keeper, his brother's instructor, his brother's counsellor, and priest and friend. What that master would be thought of who should neglect to snatch a servant from the flames, or what that parent would be thought of who from his children should withhold their daily food, we need not be told; yet wherein is he to be otherwise accounted of, who should behold his servants day by day as brands unpitied in the burning, or who should feed his children only with "the meat that perisheth," when their immortal natures were hungering for that which "endureth to everlasting life?" II. SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES WHICH RESULT FROM A DEVOUT OBSERVANCE OF THE DUTIES OF FAMILY RELIGION. 1. The low ground of worldly interests and worldly comforts as being furthered thereby. You know your happiness lies largely in the faithfulness, the trustworthiness, the affection and love of your domestics: what more likely to kindle such qualities within them than to witness your daily and devout mindfulness of the fact that you also "have a Master in Heaven?" 2. Again, the duty will be of the highest practical benefit to yourselves. When you have risen from your knees you will feel that a solemn necessity is laid upon you to live and speak and act according to the spirit of your prayers: be it even from no worthier motive than a regard to your own consistency, temper will be curbed, uncharitableness will be repressed, pride will bring down its lofty looks, and anger hold out the kind and forgiving hand. 3. Another benefit of a devoutly conducted family service is good to the souls of others; to the souls of the servants that wait on thee, of the relations that tarry with thee, of the stranger who — though it may be but for a night — may be sojourning within thy gates. 4. Once more, by keeping up these devout solemnities in your household, you secure a remembrance in the private intercessions of its members. When all pray with you, then all will pray for you: the walls of every chamber shall hear mention of your name: prayer shall watch over your infant's slumbers: prayer shall smoothe for you the bed of languishing: "as the mountains are round about Jerusalem," shall prayer compass your daily path: as guardian angels shall prayer stand round your bed. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! |
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