Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/275

 triumph to  Mount  Sion. The procession  was  very  grand,  comprising all the  princes  of  Israel  in  purple  robes,  the  priests  in  their  rich vestments, and  thirty  thousand  armed  men. The sound  of  all manner of  musical  instruments  made  the  procession  still  more imposing. David himself  went  before  the  Ark  playing  on  the harp and  singing:  “Lord,  who  shall  dwell  in  Thy  tabernacle,  and who shall  rest  in  Thy  holy  hill?”



At every  few  paces  taken  by  the  Levites  who  carried  the Ark, an  ox  and  a ram  were  sacrificed  to  the  Lord. And when the Ark  had  been  placed  in  its  destined  position,  a great  number of victims  were  offered. David then  divided  the  priests  into  24  classes, who were  in  turn  to  officiate  in  the  divine  worship. He established a like order  amongst  the  Levites,  four  thousand  of  whom  were chosen to  sing  the  praises  of  the  Most  High.

Religion, the foundation  of  all  government. David  was,  therefore, a wise as  well  as  a holy  ruler. He knew  that  a nation  cannot  be  happy and contented,  nor  rights  and  laws  be  respected,  unless  religion  be observed,  and  God  feared. Hence, as  far  as  lay  in  his  power,  he furthered  religion. He arranged  the  solemn  services  of  God,  and  he kindled  the  hearts  of  the  people  and  awakened  their  religious  sense  by his  sacred  music  and  Psalms. Above all,  he  himself  gave  them  the example of  piety  and  reverence. He did  not  shrink  from  openly