1 Samuel 20:25 And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side… I. THE EMPTY PLACE IN THE PERSECUTOR'S HOUSE: "David's place was empty." David had good reason for vacating his place at Saul's table, for the passionate king was so malicious, and so embittered against him, that he sought his life. The child of a Roman noble had stepped into some little place where humble and unlettered people met to hear the gospel preached, to sing songs in the name of Jesus, and to keep holy one day in the week; and there that youthful heart had learnt the story of the cross, and by the grace of God had been brought to love the Saviour. As soon as the fact was made known, the officers of justice would take away the child from the father's house, and hale the young believer off to prison, and so another seat was empty. You know how it was in our own land, how many a seat was empty during the persecutions of Queen Mary. If martyr days should come back again, could we vacate our places? Could the husband let his wife and children go for Christ's sake? II. THERE IS ANOTHER PLACE WHICH SOMETIMES BECOMES EMPTY, THAT IS, THE PLACE OF SINFUL PLEASURES. This empty place is the result of the working of God's grace in the heart. III. THE PLACE OF OUR OCCUPATION HAS BEEN EMPTY. IV. During the past year, many of you now present have had A PLACE IS THE ASSEMBLY OF GOD'S PEOPLE. V. I have now to say just a few words specially to the members of the church about THEIR PLACE AT THE PRAYER MEETING. VI. There is another David's place that is sometimes empty, and that ought not to be so, it is THE PLACE OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE. VII. Again, I hope that OUR PLACE AT THE LORD'S TABLE will not be empty at any time when it is possible for us to occupy it. VIII. When you will be keeping the Christmas feast, there will be many family gatherings, and in those family gatherings there will be SOME HOUSEHOLDS WHERE DAVID'S PLACE WILL BE EMPTY. IX. THERE WILL BE NO EMPTY PLACE IN HEAVEN. In that great family gathering up above, they will not be able to say, "David's place is empty." ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. |
    |