Course 1, Chapter 35: Th 3 Messiah promised and prefigured — Sixteenth fig~ ure of the Messiah — David. (A. C. 1022-1015.)

1. Did David remain always faithful to the Lord?

David did not remain always faithful to the Lord — he committed two great sins.

2. Did David remain long estranged from God?

David remained in his sins, estranged from God, about one year, so great is the darkness which sin spreads over even the most holy souls. God, however, had pity on him, and sent the prophet Nathan to open his eyes to the miserable state in which he was living. David acknowledged his fault, and bewailed it the rest of his davs.

3. Did the Lord pardon David?

The Lord pardoned David; but he sent him great afflictions in order to satisfy his justice. Absalom, his son, revolted against him. David was obliged to rty, and to leave Jerusalem weeping and on foot. Absalom was killed in battle, and was bitterly bewailed by David, who returned to Jerusalem. David afterwards lived many years and died full of days and merit.

4. Was David a figure of the Messiah?

Yes, David was the sixteenth figure of the Messiah. 1st. David was born at Bethlehem; our Lord \ras born at Bethlehem. David, armed only with a

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100 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

sling and shepherd's crook, slew the giant Goliah; oui Lord, armed only with his cross, vanquished the devil. 2d. David sinned, and to atone for his sins was obliged to go out of Jerusalem; our Lord was innocent, but to atone for the sins of the world, which he had not committed, he was conducted out of Jerusalem. David crossed the torrent Cedron, weeping; our Lord, penetrated with grief, passed over the?ame Cedron. David went barefooted up to Mount Olivet; our Lord also ascended Mount Olivet. 3d. David was accompanied by a small number of faithful servants; our Lord was followed by his holy mother, St. John and a small number of pious souls. David, in his affliction was insulted by Semei, whom he forbade his followers to injure; our Lord, on the cross, was insulted by the Jews, for whom he prayed, David returned in triumph and received the 'homage of his subjects; our Lord rose in triumph from the tomb, and received the homage of the whole world.