All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. Sermons
I. THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN UNITY. The unity to be desired is not nominal or formal, but real. This unity consists of: 1. Submission to one Lord. As Israel did homage and rendered obedience to one king, David, so we, as Christians, are bound to be subject to the authority of our rightful Prince, even Christ, David's Son and David's Lord. 2. Acknowledgment of one faith. The unity of the faith is real. All who are Christ's receive the truth of Christ, and hold it fast for his sake. A common principle, a common sympathy, a common aim, impart unity to those who cherish them. 3. Reception of one baptism. The same Spirit descends, in copious showers, upon all the followers of Jesus Christ, making them partakers of the same purity and the same spiritual life. II. THE PROOFS AND SIGNS OF UNITY. Unity consists in one attitude towards Heaven, but it declares itself by certain palpable manifestations amongst Christians. Especially mutual love, confidence, and helpfulness, and common sacrifices of prayer and praise, and common labours for the world's enlightenment and salvation. III. THE BLESSED RESULTS OF UNITY. These are: 1. Happiness. Discord is fruitful of misery; harmony of felicity and joy. A united Church is a happy Church. 2. Strength. L'union fait la force. Israel under David was powerful, because all were of one mind and heart. So in the Church of the living God. A united Church is a strong Church. Its enemies cannot reproach or despise it. 3. Efficiency. Christ, the great Head and High Priest of the Church, saw this. Hence the language of his prayer: "That they all may be one... that the world may know that thou hast sent me." Oh that the whole world were "of one heart" in acknowledging Jesus as King of kings, in crowning him Lord of all! - T.
All these men of war. I. THE CAUSE OF JOY.1. United under one king. 2. A king chosen of God. 3. Universal loyalty to the chosen king. II. THE MANIFESTATION OF JOY. 1. In unity of purpose. 2. In sincerity of feeling. 3. In social fellowship. III. THE EXTENT OF THE JOY. (J. Wolfendale.) For there was Joy in Israel The man who was the darling of the people, and from whose administration they had raised expectations, being now, by Divine appointment, made king over all the tribes, "there was joy in Israel." There is abundant reason for much greater joy in the spiritual Israel, on account of David's illustrious son, the King Messiah, the Saviour of His people (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 25:9).I. THE CAUSE OF JOY OF ISRAEL, WITH RELATION TO THE KING MESSIAH, THE SON OF DAVID, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. 1. This coming in the flesh is a matter of joy, as He then appeared King of Israel, and the Saviour thereof. Salvation is the source, the foundation of spiritual joy in Israel. (1) (2) (3) (4) 2. The spiritual coming of Christ in the hearts of His people at conversion is another event that causes joy in Israel. 3. In the latter day, when Christ will be more manifest, and, like David, will be King over all the house of Israel, and over the whole world, then there will be joy and gladness. II. WHERE AND AMONG WHOM IS THIS JOY? Not only in Israel but in the whole world. Christ is not the God of the Jews only. III. THE NATURE OF THIS JOY. 1. It is spiritual. 2. It is the joy of our Lord. 3. It is the joy of faith. 4. It is a joy that the world knows nothing of. 6. It is unspeakable. 6. It is a joy to be continually exercised. 7. This joy will be at last full and complete. (J. Gill, D. D.) (G. Turner.) "I had lived," says the Countess Schimmelmann, "all the spoiled child of the Court; so much so that the Crown Priam (afterwards the Emitter) Frederick introduced me to a stranger as 'the most highly favoured young lady of Germany, and of several other kingdoms besides.' These worldly honours had never satisfied me, and the longing for something higher and better became increasingly stronger. My prayers at that time always culminated in the cry, 'O God, give me but a drop of the love of Christ and a spark of the fire of the Holy Ghost.' A short time after, in response to my prayer that I might love Jesus and Jesus only, I heard the Saviour say to me, 'My child, thy salvation does not depend upon thy love to Me, but upon My love to thee, just as thou art.' Then broke upon my heart a sun of joy, in the beams of which I still rejoice, and whose light will shine upon me eternally."9People Aaron, Aaronites, Adnah, Ahiezer, Amasai, Asher, Attai, Azareel, Azmaveth, Bealiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Berachah, Danites, David, Eliab, Eliel, Elihu, Elkanah, Eluzai, Elzabad, Ezer, Gad, Gadites, Gedor, Gibeon, Ishmaiah, Ismaiah, Israelites, Issachar, Isshiah, Jahaziel, Jashobeam, Jediael, Jehoiada, Jehu, Jeremiah, Jerimoth, Jeroham, Jesiah, Jesse, Jeziel, Joash, Joelah, Joezer, Johanan, Josabad, Jozabad, Kish, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Machbanai, Manasseh, Michael, Mishmannah, Naphtali, Obadiah, Pelet, Reuben, Reubenites, Saul, Shemaah, Shemariah, Shephatiah, Simeon, Simeonites, Zadok, Zebadiah, Zebulun, ZilthaiPlaces Anathoth, Gederah, Gedor, Gibeah, Gibeon, Hebron, Jordan River, ZiklagTopics Array, Arrayed, Battle, Cause, David, Desire, Determined, Draw, Expert, Fight, Formation, Full, Fully, Heart, Hebron, Intent, Israelites, Keeping, Likewise, Making, Mind, Order, Ordering, Perfect, Purpose, Rank, Ranks, Reign, Rest, Serve, Single, United, Volunteered, WarOutline 1. The companies that came to David at Ziklag23. The armies that came to him at Hebron Dictionary of Bible Themes 1 Chronicles 12:38 4458 grape Library Drill and Enthusiasm'[Men that] could keep rank, they were not of double heart.'--1 CHRON. xii. 33. These words come from the muster-roll of the hastily raised army that brought David up to Hebron and made him King. The catalogue abounds in brief characterisations of the qualities of each tribe's contingent. For example, Issachar had 'understanding of the times.' Our text is spoken of the warriors of Zebulon, who had left their hills and their flocks in the far north, and poured down from their seats by the blue waters … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Channel of Power. God's Answers Beneath his Banner Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop . The King. Watching the Horizon 'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid' The Section Chap. I. -iii. Chronicles Links 1 Chronicles 12:38 NIV1 Chronicles 12:38 NLT 1 Chronicles 12:38 ESV 1 Chronicles 12:38 NASB 1 Chronicles 12:38 KJV 1 Chronicles 12:38 Bible Apps 1 Chronicles 12:38 Parallel 1 Chronicles 12:38 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 12:38 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 12:38 French Bible 1 Chronicles 12:38 German Bible 1 Chronicles 12:38 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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