Course 1, Chapter 34: The Messiah promised and prefigured — Seventh promise of the Messiah. (A. C. 1116-1048.)

1. Who was the judge in Israel, after Sampson?

The judge in Israel, after Sampson, was the high Driest Ileli. lie was a man of irreproachable morals; but his neglect to correct his sons brought, severe chastisements upon himself, his family, and the whole people.

2. Who succeeded the high priest Heli?

Samuel succeeded the high priest Ileli. This > great man restored religion and abolished idolatry; he was the last of the judges of Israel. After the judges, the Israelites were governed by kings, of whom the first was Saul. He disobeyed God, who chose in his stead a king after his own heart.

3. Who was the king after God's own heart?

The king after God's own heart was David 9

98 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

David was of the tribe of Juda, and of the city of Bethlehem; he was the son of Jesse, artd was keeping his father's flocks, when they sent for him to make him king. Samuel anointed him secretly, by the order of God.

4. What was the first exploit of David?

The first exploit of David was his victory over Goliah. Goliah was a Philistine, of prodigious size and strength; he each day insulted the Israelites, and defied them to the combat. David, full of confidence in God, presented himself for the fight; with a stone, thrown from his sling, he prostrated the giant, and running up to him cut off his head.

5. What effect had this victory on Saul?

This victory excited the jealousy of Saul, who several times attempted the life of David, but the Lord preserved him. Saul himself perished in battle, and David was recognized as king by all the people.

6. What were the other exploits of David?

David, having been recognized as king, defeated the enemies of his people, and took the citadel of Sion. This citadel was a small fortified city, built on the mountain, at the foot of which was situated Jerusalem. David established his residence in this citadel, which, for this reason, is called the city of David.

7. W'hat promise did God make to David?

Whilst David was thinking of building a temple for the reception of the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord promised him that the Messiah should be born of his race, saying to him: I will raise up thy need after thee, and I will establish his kingdom. . . . / will establish the throne of his kingdom jorever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.

8. WThat do you remark on these words?

I remark on these words that they properly belong only to our Lord Jesus Christ, for he alone is both the Son of God and the son of David: he alone has a throne established forever: neither of these*

things can be said of Solomon, the son and successor of David.

9. What does this seventh promise teach us?

This seventh promise teaches us that the Redeemer shall be of the house of David; that he shall be, at the same time, the Son of God and the son of David, that is, he shall be both God and man.