We continue our reading during this month with the life of David. In the first book of Samuel we followed him during his rejection, where we have found him to be frequently the type of a rejected Christ. We are now to see him enthroned where he still typifies his Lord, especially as the enthroned king and head of the line. Our Lord frequently referred to Himself as the " Son of David."We have already, in our last number, looked at the main divisions of the book. It will suffice to point out some of the striking chapters.

The first four chapters give us the history of the transition of the kingdom from the house of Saul to David. Hebron is here the centre, and David is there enthroned king of Judah. This in itself is rather a suggestion of that which culminated in later days under David's sons when the kingdom was again divided in two, and Judah with Benjamin – significant exception – only remained faithful to the house of David. During the period of his stay at Hebron the power of David increases, while that of the house of Saul constantly diminishes. There is much here that we cannot approve and which David himself reprobated but was powerless to control. Joab, his kinsman, had strange influence over him. He was a man of violence and without scruple, and the death of Abner unquestionably was a blot even upon the beginning of David's reign.

Finally the opposition of the house of Saul is entirely overcome and from the sixth to the ninth chapters of the book we have David in all his power, king over the whole people. Here he is a type of Christ in His Kingdom of glory when He shall reign, not merely over Israel, but -over all the nations. We find in this part that David overthrows his enemies and brings them into subjection just as Christ our Lord will do when He takes His power. Scripture clearly indicates that even after the appearing of our Lord there will be a season of conflict; of victory indeed, but that the peace to the ends of the earth will not be secured until all enemies are beneath His feet. It is the reign of David which answers to this first part of our Lord's Kingdom, as that of Solomon does to the second. We find also in this part, Chap. 6:, that the ark is brought to its true centre, Jerusalem, and while the temple is not yet built, God is enthroned in the midst of His people. In connection with this, we have the promise of God to establish David a sure house forever. This promise is fulfilled, not in Solomon, but in David's Son and Lord, Christ.

There are many precious gems in this portion. The familiar one of the king's grace to Mephibosheth, the grandson of his old enemy Saul, must not pass unnoticed. Here we have a lovely picture of the kindness of God being shown to an undeserving enemy. But this bright picture closes all too soon, and in the next portion-chaps, 10:- 12:-we have again the personal history of the king rather than the typical. The dreadful sin of the king in connection with Bathsheba is too painfully familiar to require more than a mere mention. It is well, however, to note that it was idleness on his part which paved the way to this dreadful chain of sins which left its scar and stain upon his whole after life. We see the lovely blending of God in His government and in grace in His dealing with the king, and in the midst of all the wreck we see the heart of the poor sinful monarch turning in faith to the God whom he had dishonored. The fifty-first psalm is the outpouring of a broken and contrite heart which God did not despise.

The next portion of the book (chaps. 13:-21:) is a solemn illustration of that truth which is woven throughout the word of God that, " Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." God's forgiveness could not set aside the result of David's sin, and the lust, the violence, the deceit, were all reproduced in the bosom of his own family. Solemn and awful thought! A picture which God in His mercy has given us in connection with one of the loveliest characters of Old Testament history and one of the fullest types of Christ Himself, showing us three things:

1st. That it is utterly impossible for any mere man to be aught than a type of Christ. The best men that have lived have had their blemishes, yea, some of those who have been most highly honored have sinned most deeply.

2nd. Christ alone can be before the soul as the Object of its delight. " Let no man glory in men."

3rd. We see the faithfulness of God who would not cover the sin of one so dear to Him but would give the lesson for all His people. May it be written in all our hearts!

The history of Absalom is another illustration of the painful weakness there was in the character of David, and the rebellion of that wayward son is but an illustration of what we have already had in the history of Eli. If government is disregarded, there will be unquestioned shipwreck and disastrous results.

David's faith again shines out brightly in his rejection, and here again we get a glimpse of him as type of One who was rejected. Weakness is again seen in the lack of cohesion between the two tribes and the ten, sad premonition of the division which was later to occur.

In the last portion of the book (chaps, 21:-24:) there seems to be a return to-the early and brighter days of the king, and his song of triumph and last words beautifully illustrate the spirit of dependence upon God and boasting in Him. This is particularly seen in the " last words" (Chap. 23:) which together with the list of his mighty men, form a most instructive portion. The theme, we might say, of his last words, is, "Christ is all," and it is in connection with this precious fact that his mighty men and their deeds are recounted. It is only as Christ is glorified that there can be any reward for faithfulness to Him. In the day of His glory all His servants will have their place in association with Him.

The book closes with the account of the judgment of God upon the people because of David's-pride in numbering them. This is made the occasion of bringing out the faith of the king in God:" Let us fall now into the hand of the Lord " and not of man; and we have here also in the sacrifice upon the threshing-floor of Oman the Jebusite, the foundation, as it were, chosen for that abiding temple which was to be God's dwelling place, temporarily indeed during the history of Israel prior to Christ, but one day yet to be His temple; and the glory of that latter house shall be greater than the glory even of Solomon's.

Passing to the New Testament, it will be easily seen how Matthew, as the gospel of the Kingdom, fits in with the history of David as a type of Christ. Everything in Matthew is connected with the Kingdom. That is the key to the entire Gospel. Its seven divisions will indicate this. We have:

1. (Chaps. 1:and 2:) The genealogy and birth of the King.

2. (Chaps. iii-7:) The announcement given by John the forerunner, and the principles, as we might say, the constitution of that Kingdom as unfolded in that wondrously spiritual enforcement of the law called, "The Sermon on the Mount."

3. (Chaps. 8:-12:) This portion is devoted to the works of power which authenticate the King, together with the foreshadowing of that rejection by the people which was to culminate in His crucifixion. In this portion we have the disciples sent out by our Lord as His messengers, and His warning that they would receive the same treatment as Himself. The twelfth chapter closes this part with the twofold rejection; that by the leaders of Christ, and our Lord's rejection of them. Here we have the solemn warning as to the fearful sin against the Holy Ghost. We might say, in passing, that this sin was the deliberate accusation that our Lord did His miracles by the power of Satan instead of by the power of the Holy Ghost.

4. (Chaps. 13:-20:) This division is devoted largely to the development of the Kingdom in the hands of men. The thirteenth chapter with its seven parables gives us a sevenfold picture of this development which covers the whole time until the second coming of our Lord. It is the mystery form, with the King rejected and absent in heaven. It is also in this portion that we have our Lord's transfiguration and glory, and the government of God's house-binding and loosing in the Assembly.

5. (Chaps. 20:29-23:) This is devoted largely to those parables of the end which speak of the responsibilities of the leaders, their rejection of Christ, the marriage of the King's Son and our Lord's conflicts with the unbelieving leaders of the people. Chap. 23:is a solemn arraignment by our Lord of these leaders.

6. (Chaps. 24:and 25:) This is our Lord's great prophetic discourse in which He unfolds the future in connection with the Jew, the(Gentile and the Church of God.

7. The last portion of the book is the consummation of all, where we see the Lord offering Himself up as a trespass offering in death, and as raised again from the dead declares Himself the recognized Leader of His people. It is the King throughout.

The short epistle of Titus is also to be read, of which we will say but little. It is devoted to the great- and important truths of church-order and that godly walk which is ever the accompaniment of all true order, and from which it should not be separated. It is well for us to remember that no amount of ecclesiastical correctness will avail without that practical godliness; nor, on the other hand, should the latter be used as an excuse for indifference as to God's order in His house. Several lovely gospel passages occur in this epistle.