patriarchs and prophets-第196章
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after the death of David they suffered the penalty of
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their crime。 The execution of the sentence upon the son of David completed
the fourfold judgment that testified to God's abhorrence of the father's
sin。
From the very opening of David's reign one of his most cherished plans had
been that of erecting a temple to the Lord。 Though he had not been permitted
to execute this design； he had manifested no less zeal and earnestness in
its behalf。 He had provided an abundance of the most costly materialgold；
silver； onyx stones； and stones of divers colors； marble； and the most
precious woods。 And now these valuable treasures that he had collected must
be committed to others； for other hands must build the house for the ark；
the symbol of God's presence。
Seeing that his end was near； the king summoned the princes of Israel； with
representative men from all parts of the kingdom； to receive this legacy in
trust。 He desired to commit to them his dying charge and secure their
concurrence and support in the great work to be accomplished。 Because of his
physical weakness； it had not been expected that he would attend to this
transfer in person； but the inspiration of God came upon him； and with more
than his wonted fervor and power； he was able； for the last time； to address
his people。 He told them of his own desire to build the temple； and of the
Lord's command that the work should be committed to Solomon his son。 The
divine assurance was； 〃Solomon thy son； he shall build My house and My
courts； for I have chosen him to be My son； and I will be his Father。
Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever； if he be constant to do My
commandments and My judgments； as at this day。〃 〃Now therefore；〃 David said；
〃in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord； and in the
audience of our God； keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your
God： that ye may possess this good land； and leave it for an inheritance for
your children after you forever。〃
David had learned by his own experience how hard is the path of him who
departs from God。 He had felt the condemnation of the broken law； and had
reaped the fruits of transgression； and his whole soul was moved with
solicitude that the leaders of Israel should be true to God； and that
Solomon should obey God's law； shunning the sins that had weakened his
father's authority； embittered his life； and dishonored God。 David knew
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that it would require humility of heart； a constant trust in God； and
unceasing watchfulness to withstand the temptations that would surely beset
Solomon in his exalted station； for such prominent characters are a special
mark for the shafts of Satan。 Turning to his son； already acknowledged as
his successor on the throne； David said： 〃And thou； Solomon my son； know
thou the God of thy father； and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a
willing mind： for the Lord searcheth all hearts； and understandeth all the
imaginations of the thoughts： if thou seek Him； He will be found of thee；
but if thou forsake Him； He will cast thee off forever。 Take heed now； for
the Lord hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary： be strong； and
do it。〃
David gave Solomon minute directions for building the temple； with patterns
of every part； and of all its instruments of service； as had been revealed
to him by divine inspiration。 Solomon was still young； and shrank from the
weighty responsibilities that would devolve upon him in the erection of the
temple and in the government of God's people。 David said to his son； 〃Be
strong and of good courage； and do it： fear not； nor be dismayed； for the
Lord God； even my God； will be with thee； He will not fail thee； nor forsake
thee。〃
Again David appealed to the congregation： 〃Solomon my son； whom alone God
hath chosen； is yet young and tender； and the work is great： for the palace
is not for man； but for the Lord God。〃 He said； 〃I have prepared will all my
might for the house of my God；〃 and he went on to enumerate the materials he
had gathered。 More than this； he said； 〃I have set my affection to the house
of my God； I have of mine own proper good； of gold and silver； which I have
given to the house of my God； over and above all that I have prepared for
the holy house； even three thousand talents of gold； of the gold of Ophir；
and seven thousand talents of refined silver； to overlay the walls of the
houses withal。〃 〃Who then；〃 he asked of the assembled multitude that had
brought their liberal gifts〃who then is willing to consecrate his service
this day unto the Lord？〃
There was a ready response from the assembly。 〃The chief of the fathers and
princes of the tribes of Israel； and the captains of thousands and of
hundreds； with the rulers of the king's work； offered willingly； and gave；
for the service of the house of God； of
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gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams； and of silver ten
thousand talents； and of brass eighteen thousand talents； and one hundred
thousand talents of iron。 And they with whom precious stones were found gave
them to the treasure of the house of the Lord。 。 。 。 Then the people
rejoiced； for that they offered willingly； because with perfect heart they
offered willingly to the Lord： and David the king also rejoiced with great
joy。
〃Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation： and David
said； Blessed be Thou； Lord God of Israel our father； forever and ever。
Thine； O Lord； is the greatness； and the power； and the glory； and the
victory； and the majesty： for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
Thine； Thine is the kingdom； O Lord； and Thou art exalted as head above all。
Both riches and honor come of Thee； and Thou reignest over all； and in Thine
hand is power and might； and in Thine hand it is to make great； and to give
strength unto all。 Now therefore； our God； we thank Thee； and praise Thy
glorious name。 But who am I； and what is my people； that we should be able
to offer so willingly after this sort？ for all things come of Thee； and of
Thine own have we given Thee。 For we are strangers before Thee； and
sojourners； as were all our fathers： our days on the earth are as a shadow；
and there is none abiding。 O Lord our God； all this store that we have
prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand；
and is all Thine own。 I know also； my God； that Thou triest the heart； and
hast pleasure in uprightness。
〃As for me； in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all
these things： and now have I seen with joy Thy people； which are present
here； to offer willingly unto Thee。 O Lord God of Abraham； Isaac and of
Israel； our fathers； keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of
the heart of Thy people； and prepare their heart unto Thee： and give unto
Solomon my son a perfect heart； to keep Thy commandments； Thy testimonies；
and Thy statutes； and to do all these things； and to build the palace； for
the which I have made provision。 And David said to all the congregation； Now
bless the Lord your God。 And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of
their fathers； and bowed down their heads； and worshiped the Lord。〃
With deepest interest the king had gathered the rich material
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for building and beautifying the temple。 He had composed the glorious
anthems that in afteryears should echo through its courts。 Now his heart was
made glad in God； as the chief of the fathers and the princes of Israel so
nobly responded to his appeal； and offered themselves to the important work
before them。 And as they gave their service； they were disposed to do more。
They swelled the offerings； giving of their own possessions into the
treasury。 David had felt deeply his own unworthiness in gathering the
material for the house of God； and the expression of loyalty in the ready
response of the nobles of his kingdom； as with willing hearts they dedicated
their treasures to Jehovah and devoted themselves to His service； filled him
with joy。 But it was God alone who had imparted this
