1 Kings 8:17-19 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.… I. IT WAS WELL THAT DAVID IN HIS PROSPERITY REMEMBERED GOD AS THE AUTHOR OF ALL PROSPERITY. This proved David's own piety. But others, besides himself, were concerned in what David did. He was a king, and had the interests of a people to promote. And it was well that such were his thoughts, because it proved that David knew the real foundation of happiness; that happiness of his subjects, which it was his duty to consider. The house of God is the main instrument of religion. Without it, religion can hardly exist, certainly can only be in a languid state, unless there is a place where the word of God be regularly proclaimed, to teach the ignorant, to satisfy the inquirer, to warn the careless, to edify the devout and godly. And without religion, what is human life? We might compare it to a dream, except for the awful difference, that a dream leaves no consequence behind. David, therefore, judged well, rightly understood the welfare of his subjects, when he resolved to build an house to God's name, and so provided, as far as in him lay, that the rich among his people should walk in the fear of God, and live to his glory. II. IT WAS WELL, BECAUSE HE THUS GAVE PROOF, UNDERSTOOD HIS WEALTH AND HONOUR TO BE TALENTS FOR WHICH HE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT. It was well that he did not incur the reproof due to one who is "rich to himself, and is not rich towards God." And, further, it was well, it showed a right state of mind, a concern for the real welfare of the community under his charge, that he desired to raise a temple where "the rich and the poor might meet together," and worship the Maker of them all. III. THE DIVINE TESTIMONY TO A CHARACTER. Judge concerning yourselves by this analogy. All religion must be judged of by its fruits; by the conduct to which it leads. David was approved, because he set himself strenuously to promote God's glory; because, having been placed upon the throne of Israel his first thought was to honour the God that is above. (J. B. Sumner, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. |
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