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I. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOOD ON EARTH IS IMPERFECT. Secular concerns, physical infirmities, incongruities of mind, temper, education, worldly condition, and other circumstances, expose it to interruption. "On the eighth day he sent the people away." Follow them in imagination. Some go south to Bethlehem, and Hebron, and Libah; some to the east, to the pleasant vales of the Jordan, etc.

II. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOOD ON EARTH TENDS TO THE PROMOTION OF ALL GOOD FEELING.

1. Increased attachment to those who are over them in the Lord. "And they blessed the king" (1 Peter 2:13-17).

2. Increased sympathy with, and delight in the work of God. "Joyful and glad of heart, for," etc. No petty jealousies, no sectarian strifes, no proud boasting. The tribes are lost in " Israel." Solomon and David are one. "The Lord" is "all in all." What a lesson to Christians.

3. Increased aptitude for the service of God in their several houses. They seem to have had a deep sense of the transitoriness of earthly things. "Went unto their tents." The word stands for houses. It had come down from the time of the patriarchs. Would suggest the thought, "we are pilgrims. What are our houses, and the fabric of our families, the organisations of our churches, but tents?" (Hebrews 12:27, 28).

III. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOOD ON EARTH PROPHESIES OF A MORE PERFECT AND ENDURING FELLOWSHIP HEREAFTER.

1. More perfect. No distractions, no weariness, no incongruities, nothing to mar or interrupt the universal harmony.

2. More enduring. All things earthly are transitory. The sweetest song must come to an end, the pleasantest book must be laid aside, the most endearing "fellowship," etc. Not so hereafter. In heaven there is no sending away.

(William Forsyth.)

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KJV: On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

WEB: On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David his servant, and to Israel his people.