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April 27 Daily Devotional

WE ARE STRANGERS BEFORE THEE, AND SOJOURNERS, AS WERE ALL OUR FATHERS

Henry T. Vriesen

2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 28–29

When David was old and full of days, he became aware that the end of his earthly life was not far off. His oldest son Adonijah at that time expected to become the successor of his father. But David, Nathan and other wise men knew it to be God’s will that Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, should be the next king. David arranged that Zadok the high priest should anoint Solomon for the important office.

A little later David assembled all the princes of Israel in Jerusalem. When they were gathered before him, he spoke to them and said, “Hear me, my brethren, and my people … I had in my heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord … but God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood … Solomon thy son, he shall build my house. Now therefore … keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord … 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.”

Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the temple, and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, and said, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed … The Lord God … will be with thee.” David and the princes of Israel gave for the house of God many talents of gold, silver, brass and iron. Then the people rejoiced, because with a sincere heart they offered willingly to the Lord. And David the king rejoiced with great joy and said, “Blessed be thou, O Lord … for ever and ever.” Thine, O Lord … are both riches, and honor, thou rulest over all; in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee. Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? 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 earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord, keep forever such thoughts in the heart of thy people, and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments. And all the congregation blessed the Lord, and offered many bullocks, rams and lambs. And they made Solomon king, and anointed him unto the Lord to be prince.

A little later David finished his earthly course, and was buried in the City of David. In faith he looked to the coming of his great descendant, the SON OF DAVID.

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