2 Samuel 7:12

( JERUSALEM .)

The prospect of death.

The view of earthly glory is apt to suggest, by contrast, the thought of its transitory duration, and no one can look forward to the days to come without having "the shadow of death" presented before his mind. Of its unavoidable approach, the message which David received, telling of his present prosperity and future prospects, reminded him. It is:

1 . An event of inevitable occurrence. "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?" ( Psalms 89:48 ). "The small and great are there" ( Job 3:19 ). "The path of glory leads but to the grave."

"Death comes with irrespective feet,

And beats upon the door

That shuts the palace of the great,

The cabin of the poor."

(Horace.)

2. An end of allotted time. "When thy days be fulfilled." There is "an appointed time to man upon earth" ( Job 7:1 ; Job 14:5 ; Psalms 31:15 ), in which to pass his probation, form his character, and perform his work. Unknown to him, it is determined by God, and, however brief, it is sufficient for that purpose. Happy is he who therein "serves his own generation by the will of God" ( Acts 13:36 ).

3 . An exit from earthly cares, labours, conflicts, and sorrows. "Thou shalt sleep," and be at rest ( Job 3:17 ; John 11:11 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14 ); not necessarily in absolute unconsciousness and inactivity. Death is a "decease" ( 2 Peter 1:15 ), departure, exodus of the spirit from "this tabernacle" to an eternal home ( 2 Corinthians 5:1 , 2 Corinthians 5:8 ).

4 . An entrance into heavenly fellowship. "With thy fathers;" in the possession of conscious, personal, immortal life, of a common heritage in God, and happy communion with each other ( 2 Samuel 12:23 ; Psalms 16:11 ; Psalms 17:15 ). David's hope of this, indeed, was dim, in comparison with the Christian hope, as the morning twilight compared with the perfect day ( 2 Timothy 1:10 ; Matthew 8:11 ).

5 . An enlargement of beneficent influence. "I will set up thy seed after thee," etc. He lives in his children; his words; his works; the manifold influences which he exerted on others, and which continue operating after his decease, and contribute to the building up of the temple and kingdom of God. His departure is even expedient and necessary in order to the activities of others;. and, instead of becoming extinct, his power for good is thereby extended and exalted. His name "liveth forevermore" (Ecclesiasticus 44:14).

6 . An object of profitable contemplation. By meditating on it, especially in its moral and spiritual aspects, he learns to moderate earthly attachments, sanctify earthly relationships, to be humble in prosperity, patient in trial, and diligent in duty. "Thou must shortly die! O man, set thy house in order. There is a house of thy conscience, a house of thy body, a house of thy family, a house of eternity. All these must be set in order" (Christopher Sutton, 'Disce Mori'). Learn to die. Learn to live. Learn to pray.—D.