Although the Levites were set apart for the service of the Lord's house, even from the days of Moses, it is certain that the Levitical services were more fully organized by David, and that from his time there was more of system and more of efficiency in their ministrations. There is so marked a difference between the Jewish Church and the Christian Church, that we can only apply the general principles of the former to the latter. Yet the text may well suggest to us that -

I. PUBLIC WORSHIP HAS SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY. Worship, to be acceptable, must be from the heart. But out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. It is natural and appropriate that the sentiments and desires of the soul should find a vocal utterance; and it is also natural and appropriate that those who have the same tribute to offer should join together and offer it in common. The Book of the Acts in the New Testament sanctions such worship equally with these Books of Chronicles in the Old.

II. PUBLIC WORSHIP SHOULD CONSIST LARGELY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. According to the text, the Levites recorded and celebrated the glorious deeds of the Most High, adored his attributes, gave thanks for his forgiving mercy, his bounty, and loving-kindness. We do not want less prayer in our congregations, but we do want more praise. "His mercy endureth for ever;" and while his mercy endures his praises should not cease.

III. PUBLIC WORSHIP SHOULD BE LED BY APPOINTED MINISTERS. Common sense may teach us so much. If praise is to be sung, some musical leaders must conduct it. If the Scriptures are to be read, some human voice must read them. If prayer is to be offered, some one must pour forth the language of petition, in which others may join, whether silently or audibly. If the gospel is to be heard by men, "how shall they hear without a preacher?" Scripture precedents abound for ministerial service.

IV. While public worship must be properly conducted, IT MUST NOT BE DELEGATED ANY FUNCTIONARIES OR OFFICIALS, WHOSE SERVICES MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THAT OF THE PEOPLE. Levites under the old dispensation, pastors and teachers under the new, may aid the devotions of the people, but their offering cannot be accepted in the place of what God requires - a song, a prayer, from every heart. "Praise the Lord, all ye people!" The Christian Church admits of no exclusive priesthood; all Christians are priests unto God the Father, inasmuch as all offer to him sacrifices of willing obedience and grateful praise.

CONCLUSION.

1. A rebuke to the ungrateful and undevout, who, whilst they daily receive God's mercies, acknowledge not the Giver.

2. A rebuke to the formal and ceremonial, who excuse themselves from offering sacrifices of praise on the ground that this "religious duty" is fulfilled by appointed officials.

3. A reminder and summons, to which all sincere Christians will do well to take heed. Some spiritual ministry and service may be fulfilled by every Christian; and it is a high honour to be permitted to lead the praises and the supplications of the people of the Lord. - T.

Public exercises of religion, when properly conducted, have a happy tendency to prepare the mind for those of a more private nature. Our text tells us that David returned to bless his house — that is, to present them to God in prayer and entreat His blessing upon them. This suggests the duty of family prayer.

I. THIS DUTY IS A PRACTICE BY WHICH GOOD MEN HAVE BEEN DISTINGUISHED IN EVERY AGE.

II. FAMILY PRAYER IS A NATURAL AND NECESSARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE DEPENDENCE OF FAMILIES UPON GOD, and of the innumerable obligations they are under to His goodness.

III. THIS DUTY IS ENFORCED BY ITS TENDENCY, UNDER THE BLESSING OF GOD, TO FORM THE MINDS OF CHILDREN AND SERVANTS TO THE LOVE AND PRACTICE OF RELIGION.

IV. Family worship may be expected to have A MOST BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE ON THE CHARACTER AND CONDUCT OF THE HEADS OF FAMILIES THEMSELVES.

V. PROBABLE PLEAS WHICH WILL BE URGED FOR THE NEGLECT OF THIS DUTY.

1. Want of ability. Answer —(1) Forms of prayer may be used with advantage.(2) The plea of mental inability will not stand the test of examination, unless it include an incapacity to read.(3) It is more than probable that those who complain of this inability have never made the trial, and consequently never can form any accurate judgment of their qualifications.

2. Want of time. Consider on what principle this plea depends: that religion is not the grand concern; that there is something more important than the service of God; that the pleasing and glorifying our Maker is not the great end of human existence — a fatal delusion, a soul-destroying mistake.

3. It has been neglected so long that they know not how to begin.

VI. HINTS ON THE PRACTICE.

1. Let it ever be joined with reading the Scriptures.

2. Let it be constant.

3. Attend with a full decision of mind, with the utmost seriousness.

4. Seek the aid of the Spirit.

(Robert Hall, M. A.)