1 Kings 1:53

REFLECTIONS

READER! do not overlook, in the melancholy view which is given us in this chapter of poor David's cold and perishing body, what dying worms the greatest of men are; and how sure and certain it is, that death passeth upon all men, because all have sinned! Precious Jesus! what a relief is it to the souls of thy people, that amidst all the dying circumstances of themselves and the world around, thou livest forever. Oh! the unknown, inexpressible glory, contained in these words, Jesus Christ; the same yesterday, and today, and forever. And, because I live ye shall live also.

How sweet is it to behold dying saints, like David, anxious to provide gracious successors. Particularly dying ministers and servants of our Jesus. Of all the thoughts which lie near the heart of a faithful pastor in Jesus, this must be one of the most anxious, Whom will my God appoint over this household? Whom will the Lord send to go in and out before his people! David's anxiety for thrusting out Adonijah, and establishing Solomon in the kingdom, could not be half so interesting as to a dying, faithful minister, is the concern that the Lord would cast out all the Adonijah's who serve not him, but their own bellies, and send the people pastors after his own heart, which should feed his people in understanding and knowledge. But Reader! amidst the anxious concern of faithful stewards in the household of Jesus, let us comfort ourselves with this pleasing assurance, Jesus hath still the keys, and is still in the midst of the throne to govern. As the church of Jesus, let all his people hope and trust in him. When David dies Solomon shall reign. If he puts out one light he can easily cause another to shine. He hath the stars in his right hand.

But Reader! let us not close the chapter before that we have taken another view of the coronation of Solomon. Surely, as we behold our eyes may well be directed to the contemplation of a more glorious person: for a greater than Solomon is here. Yes, dearest Jesus! if Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, anointed Solomon king; and if the shouts of the multitude, on this occasion, were so great that the very earth rent with the noise; surely heaven and all its powers must take a part in that unequalled joy, when every poor sinner, such as I am, is by thy almighty grace enabled to crown thee Lord of all. Thou hast on thy head many crowns. The crown of the Godhead, being one with the Father. The crown of thy God-man, thy mediatorial glory. The crown of redemption which thou host won, and now wearest. The crown of victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. And yet, oh! thou dearest Jesus, is not the crown which the sinner puts upon thy sacred head, when thou hast not only wrought out salvation for him by conquering all his foes; but wrought out salvation in him by conquering his own wayward will, which opposed thy government over him; is not this crown precious in thy sight! Oh! Lord Jesus, be thou my sovereign God and king! Gladly do I bow the knee before thee; gladly doth my heart, my soul, and all within me confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.