David
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and compassion for the weakness of erring man, and promises, if he
transgress, to punish him, and if he repent, to forgive him.
The closing years of David’s life were marked with faithful devo-
tion to God. He mourned over his sins and departure from God’s just
precepts, which had darkened his character, and given occasion for
the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. The Lord, through his angel,
instructed David, and gave him a pattern of the house which Solomon
should build for him. An angel was commissioned to stand by David
while he was writing out, for the benefit of Solomon, the important
directions in regard to the arrangement of the house. David’s heart was
in the work. He manifested an earnestness and devotion in making
extensive preparations for the building, and spared neither labor nor
expense, but made large donations from his own treasury, thereby
setting a noble example before his people, which they did not hesitate
with a willing heart to follow.
David feels the greatest solicitude for Solomon. He fears that he
may follow his example in wrong doing. He can see with the deepest
sorrow the spots and blemishes he has brought upon his character, by
his falling into grievous sins, and he would save his son from the evil
if he could. He has learned by experience that the Lord will in no case
sanction wrong doing, whether it be found in the loftiest prince, or
the humblest subject, but would visit the leader of his people with as
much severer punishment as his position is more responsible than the
humble subject’s. The sins committed by the leaders of Israel would
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have an influence to lessen the heinousness of crime on the minds and
consciences of the people, and would be brought to the notice of other
nations, who fear not God, but who trample upon his authority, and
they would be led to blaspheme the God of Israel.
David solemnly charges his son to adhere strictly to the law of God,
and to keep all his statutes. He relates to Solomon the word of the Lord,
spoken unto him through his prophets. “Moreover, I will establish his
kingdom forever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my
judgments, as at this day. Now, therefore, 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. And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou
the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a