PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel
Robert Payne Smith [1818-1895] · 562,410 words · 620 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 541
Vers. 17-20.-Rescue from mighty foes. In vers. 8-16 the psalmist depicts Jehovah as appearing in his glory for the deliveranc.e of his servant. The picture may have been occasioned by a storm which, in one of his battles, had terrified his enemies and aided in their discomfiture (comp. Josh. x. 11; 1 Sam. vii. 10). I…
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aoqualnt ourselves 11.B fully aa possible •with hie excellences and works, that we may better praise him by declaring them ; but our own experience of bis power and good- ness will give us the liveliest apprehension of them, and stimulate 118 to the most ardent praise.-G. W. Vera. 21-26.-God rewarding the righte(}1,f,…
1,045 wordsSECTION 543The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 543
\'"crs. 26, 27.-Correspon_dence between the character_ef men and the conduct of God. t<Ju·ards them. The psalmist, having spoken of God's treatment of himself accordin<r to his righteousness, now shows that his case was no exception to the general rule of the Divine proceedings, but an illustration of it; that, univer…
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lncapacitnting it from <lisceming and spprecisting the holy. (2) He acts towards them holily. He requires boliaess of them, and works it in them. All bis dealings with them are in accordance with holiness, and have for their end to promote their sanctifi- cation. I-Ienco he does not indulge his children, but, when nece…
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mentlll vigour, physical strength, reputation (by permitting them to fall into some di&gI11.ceful sin, or otherwise), power over others. He may bring revel'Bes upon them in the full caroor of tbeir prosperity or enterprises; :snatch from them the coveted prize just as they are about to grasp it; rescue the humble victi…
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long p11et or recent; the consciousness of proneneee to evil. 3. Spiril'U,(U gloom. When the lights of heaven seem blotted out, and God seems himself to have deserted the soul (Pe. xxii. I, 2; xiii.), 4. Troubles. Afflictions of body; bereavements, making dark the home; unkindness or unfaithfnlneas of friends; worldly …
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of God vmh a eonfidence suiterl to its entire trostWO'l'thinea.,, 2. Let w be glad and lhaflk/ul, that, amidst llO much that is unreliable, we have here a firm foundation on tOhiah to rest our l~fe and hop,.s, 3. Let our word correspond with that of God in its freedom from all insincerity and untrwthlulness, i£ it cann…
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God deserves the nRme of B !tock, (1) They Bro limited in their worth; he, unbonn,lc<l One or nnother of tLem mny be B refuge against some dangers; he, against all. They may not ho at hand in the time of most pressing: need; he is always near. (2) They are feeblo nnrl unstBble; he, strong and firm. (3) They are tran…
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Ver. 36.-Greatness from Goil's condescension. "Thy gentleness bath made me great." David had been raised from a humble position to one of greatness. He had become great in arms, in royal dignity, in the extent of his dominion. In these words he ascribes a.II his greatness to the condescending goodness of God. The wo…
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consider what le involved In the Divine processes by which they are exalted, they resolve themselves into attention (so to speak) to, and animating or controlling inHuence over, a countless multitude of small matters. Yet we shall not be astonished at this when we remember that not a sparrow is forgotten by God, and th…
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hi11 doctrines, end even contend for them, to appropriate the comfort he gives; but to obey him, to let him nt7~ in their minds end heart,s end livee1 In their homes, in their business, in their pleasures, in their eooial life, in their national effairs,-that is quite another matter. And those who etrive earnestly t…
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I find refugo, the God who has eaved me and is saving me, and in whom I trust that he will fully save me, from the guilt, power, and consequences of my sine, and ell the 11.t1s11ults of tho dendly enemies of my soul. II. 'l'nE DF:CLA.RATION MADE RESPECTING HIM. "The Lord liveth." Which expreRses: 1. His real ea;iste…
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CHAPTER xxm A morning without clouds: Yea, as the tender grass from the earth, Ver. 1.-'Row theae be the last wordl of from sunshine, from rain/~ • David. .A long interval sepamtes this psalm from the preceding. The one WBB written A king who rules his people justly is as when David had j11St reached the zenith of…
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For nil my enlvBtion Bod nil my deeire, In the Reviaed Version the corruption is ~hall he not mBke it to grow?" confessed in the mildest term•, but there i• something po.infully ludicrous in giving But eurely David had failed In realizing Josheb-basshebeth o.s the man's no.me. The the hotter purposes of his heart, an…
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there :find him in oomm11,nd of the second in vet. 13' where, however, we find In division of the army. For "Dod&i," how- Chronicles the orJ.iuary name for o. hoat sub- ever. we ollght to read the1'8 "Eleazar the stituted for it. '1.'he Reviserd hove retnined son hf DO<iai." Ahohite; Hebrew, the •on of in the rmn;.(…
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to Bethlohem, nm!, to gurud thoir position, iii, of the brigade. He was thu~ the son or the Philistines hehl Bethlehem with a the Jehoilido who was leo.der of the house strong garrison. Of courso the heroes would of Aaron, and whose coming to Hebron with use every precaution; for to be disco1'ered three thoasa.nd seven…
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nnu,nnl, but is expl&ined by the history. the fifth brigade. "Izro.hlte" ia by some re- In honour of the exploit of brin!(ing the garded a8 l\n error for "the Zo.rhlte," that wster from the well of Bethlehem, this ia, a memher of the dnn descended from IK'OOnd order of three was institnted, lower Zerah the son of Ju…
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of Shage the Hararite." The word" of" is Ver. 37.-Zelek the Ammonite. The pre- not in the Hebrew, and is inserted in the sence of an Ammonite among the thirty Authorized Version to make sense. Really, reminds 118 of the fidelity of Shobi, the son b'ne, sons, is e. careless repetition of the of Nahash the Ammonite king,…
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whole, for just ne in the New Test.\ment there is grest prominence given to the death or Christ and its relation to sin, 001Tesponding to the prominence in the Old 'l'estament or the sacri6cee which foreshadowed it, so the position of the eternal King in Zion in tire one book is in the same Teuitive proportion 'to t…
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troasury of precious Christian truth. He who writes a good hymn blesses tho gcnera.tions to COmti, • IV, THE UNKNOWN WORK OF THE HoLY SPIRIT. When David said," The Spirit of the Lord spake by me/' he seemed to speak of what was a. familiar truth. He "·as no strangor to such Divine help, as our Lord's testimony to the…
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mcnt by all the resouroes of the Eternal ; and as to duration, from everlasting to everlasting (MRtt. xxv. 34; John xvii. 24; Eph. i. 4; 1 Pet. i. 20 • Rev. xvii 8, cf. John iii. 16); as to e:i:ecution., "ordered in all things," everything p~rtaining t~ it: development and issue being so foreseen and provided for th…
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Mi,qhty men. The account here of the heroes who figured in the course of Davirl's life is supplementary to the general history, and, while intended to set forth incidents in his career, is also most probably designed to give a place of honour iri the national records to those whose strength and valour contributed to es…
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II. THIB RISK OF LIFE IS AN OFFERING WORTHY OF CHRIST. The position of David I\B the anointed of the Lord and distinct ruler of the kingdom of God on earth rendered it right and reasonable for the personal risk on hie account. For the cove~ant ,vith David &nd &11 the great issues involved were at stRke. And so, &part…
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epirituol utterances, and_ beneficent influence (eh. vi., viii.); hie rejection (eh. xv. 13), betrnyal, and overwhelm mg sorrows (eh. xv. 80); his final victory (eh. xviii.; John xii. 31, ~2), glori_ous restoration, and diligent l?repa.ration for an enduring reign of pea.cc. 4. Extraordinary contrast. Even wherem the f…
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possession of every good men; he is a partaker of the Divine nature (2 Pet. I. 4), raised up with Christ, 11nd made to sit with him in heavenly pla.ces (Eph. 1i. 6), and an heir of 1111 thing8 (1 Cor. iii. 23). "The Christ.fan believes himself to be a. king, how moon soever he be, and how great soever he be; yet he …
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"To me speaks the Rock of Israel" (1 Sam. Ii. 2; eh. xxii. 2, 3, 32, 47). "He is faithful that promised" (Heh. x. 23). His faithfulness is the foundation of his pron,ises. "And the he1Lvens eh1Lll prniee thy wonders, 0 Jehovah: !Lnd thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones" (Pe. lxx.xix. 1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33).…
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t.he ~romiee, but a prophetic declaration concerning the true king or the kinitdom of God '(Keil). "They -~~rm the key-stone of his )ife; his prophetic legacy; to wliich the cycle of psalms cx:uv111.----cxlv. must be regarded as supplementary" (Hengslenberg)', "If there is any pa.rt or Scripture which betrays the mo…
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"And (his appearanoe is) as the light of morning, (o.t) the rising of the sun, A morning without olouds: (and the effect thereof as when) From brightness (o.nd) from rain verdure (springs) from (out of) the earth." Ae the influence of an unjust and ungodly ruler is powerful for evil, so the influence or the King Mess…
1,128 wordsSECTION 569The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 569
Vers. 8-12 (1 Chron. :tl.10-14).-Thefirst three heroes. Jashobeamtheson ofHach- moni (Zabdiel,, 1 Chron. xxvii 2), who came to David at Ziklag (1 Chron. xii. 6), and became general of the first division of the army; Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, general of the second division (1 Cbron. xxvii. 4); and Shammah the…
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qu111i6cation for a wsrrior" (Macaulay, 'History of England'). Even in modern times (when the superiority of strength of mind has been so manifest) it has accom- plished extmordinary fests. But how much greater and nobler have been the achieve- ments wrought by moral courage and spiritual weapons (2 Cor. x. 4) ! II. I…
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" e.ccording to nat~re" (in the ~st sense), it neverthelees requires to be cm trolled, regu- lated, 11nd subordmated to a higher law tbn.n that of 1>leasing ourselves; 'and it is too frequently : 3. Inordin.a,tely indulged; so that it becomes a dominant selfish hnp~se, "'!'he he.bit of wishing and hankering for thos…
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of the power even of e. klnj!; to m11ke use of it according to his own pleasure or for a selfish end. 3. A solemn recognition or the sovereii.,'llty of God over "life and breath and all things." 4. An unreserved submission, surrender, and sacrifice of every gift to him who alone is worthy. David's offering must he.ve d…
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Leader (I Sam. xvii. 60); that he eees us, is ready to help us, and will greatly honour "him that overcometb" (vere. 22, 23; Rev. ii. 26). " Though the f!Ona of night blBBpheme, More there are with us th&n them; Hell is nigh, but Christ ie nigher, Circling ue with hoete of fire." 7. We should be encouraged by the …
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poor nn~l feeble, the widows and the fatherless, instead of being protected by the mighty, were often trampled clown by them, that at length a Ruler would arise who would be just, and would oause justice everywhere to triumph. These prophecies receive their fulfilment in the character and reign of the Lord Jesus. (a) H…
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words e.re obscure, 11.nd variously interpreted. Most modem scholal'!I translate substan- tially as in the margin of the Revised Version," For is not my house so wlth God? for he . . . for all my salvation and all my desire, will he not m11.ke lt to grow?" So taken, the wnrds are altogether words of assured confidenc…
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Becure and euro. Goel takes care of his own Word. Enemies may ass!tll it, but ho watches ovor and preserves it. Foolish friends or professed friends may misinterpret it, m~y nnrrow it so as. to make it speak the langu~ge of their own particular sect, and prormso good only to its members, may overlay 1t by traditional i…
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Ver. 8.-The king's mighty men. From this verse to the end of tho chapter is given an account of men who had distinguished themselves in the service of David by their might and prowess, and who were rewarded with promotion and a place in this honour- able list. Our King, Jesus Christ, bas also bia mighty ones-mon, wo…
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pe.ssive endure.nee or quiet influence. Some e.re powerful through their e.bility to attre.ct e.nd lead numbers; others, acting alone. The special sphere of some is the home; of others, the Church ; of others, the exchange, the factory, the workshop, or the public meeting. Some are mighty in argument; others, in e.pp…
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of tlim~ Ng(J,rd. Like the three heroes whose exploit is here recorded, Like Mary In her lavish anointing of her Lord (John xii. 8). Warm love prompts to generous deeds and gifts. There is need of these in the service of Christ; and if ardent love to him were more oommon, they would be mol"e frequent. Love should, h…
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the people generally. It ie too often the man numbered, ie not merely gwtuitoue, oaee that 11 n11tion uees the bravery whioh but ie disproved by Joab's remonstmnce; hBB obt11incd for it freedom from foreign for he objecte to the censue absolutely. oppression, to impose the yoke of el11very From what, too, we know of Jo…
1,032 wordsSECTION 581The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 581
sin; bnt In its fine.I result it led to good, tainty a.a to the Amer here meant. There in that the ohttetisement oured the people ia first a city of thnt n1tme in the tribe of of their thirst for we.r. And as Satan can Gfl.d facing RBbbah (Josh. :r.iil. 25), and RCt only so fttr e.e the Divine will permits, this is …
1,053 wordsSECTION 582The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 582
Joab moved his 011mp northwards, and by their own le.ws. But as they were bound pltoherl In Gilen.d, on the river Jahbok; and, to serve in the lsr1101ite armies, they were he.vlng completed the counting in this pint incladed in the census, and possibly one df of the tribe of Gad, would next enter the i te maia objec…
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is, ho1'·e~er, quite possible that the additional Ver. 11.-For. when, etc.; BebNw and thrcc hundred thousl!.nd men were made up Damd ttroBt in the morning, and a ~rd of of 1lie thirly-eight thoul!Rnd Levites, as Jehouah came unto Gad, a ,ee,o of I1mn'd numhere<l on a later oocaeion by David, of saying. The visit of …
1,039 wordsSECTION 584The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 584
meaning. For Jerome, who made the tre!la- Jsre.el. The Lord repented. Jn all the lation, says, '''tern pus conetitutum ' mee.ne dealings of God's providence, hie actions are the hour when the evening sacrifice was made to depend npon human conduct. offered'' (' 'fre.dd. Heb. in Duos Libros Looked e.t from above, from…
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atonement, he might stand betwetin the de&d more clearly how hearty and idncere he was In Rnd the living, ILi! Al\l'On h!Mi done in the hie offering, the narrator ad<ls, In AraunRh's wilderness (Numb. xvi. 46--48). He is own wor<ls, his pmyer for God's aooeptanoe therefore to leave the tabernacle, e.nd mount of Davi…
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themselves to the work, and at the end of nine months and twenty days return the number of men capable of serving in war at 1,300,000. 'l'he difficulties involved in the statements of this section may be, at least, lightened by a few considerations. The parallel passage in 1 Chron. xxi. mentions, in an indefinite way, …
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The subtle power of a sinful motive. The narrative simply states outward facts; but the form of them compels the belief that David's actions were now governed by a subtle motive, sinful in its nature, complete in its mastery over intellect and will, and so able to dominate bis entire nature that its own real charact…
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Vers. 10-17.-.A king's sin and a, people's chastisement. The facts are: 1. David, reflecting on the accomplishment of his purpose, comes to a consciousness of his sin, and makes confession before God. 2. In the morning the Prophet Gad is sent to him from the Lord, offering him, as a choice of a chastisement, either sev…
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perBiste11Cll would, by psychological le.w, enfeeble pnrpose. He could not go on for ever in e. line of sin; exhaustion of more.l motive is e. reality. 3. 'l'he gracious action of Gorl would revive the latent e.nd suppreBBed sense of right; for though the Holy Spirit ls grieved, he does not depe.rt for ever from the er…
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prosperity were to be dependent on perfect obedience to God's commands (Lev. xxvi. 3, 4). It ia expressly Added that then a few men will suffice against a host, and, on the other band, disobedience and "pride of power" (ver~. 14, 15--19) will entail defeat and desolation. Tbo.t this "pride of power" wo.s the real sin i…
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"these ebeep" bad not gone &&tray. We are not certain whether they bad indulged in feelings of pride in the strength of Israel, and so were virtually one with their king in the sin of numbering; but we know that they had sinned in the revolt of Abaalom and Sheba, and the anger of the Lord against Israel may, ae we have…
1,139 wordsSECTION 592The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 592
Devotion of property to Gorl!s se1"1Jice. Araunah waa eager to provide a place and oxen for the celebration of the services about to be rendered to God. His interest in David, in Israel, and bis homage for God seem to have prompted the generous proposal. On the other band, David's sense of what was due to God from hims…
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Plagm a'lld prayer. The narrative plainly teaches that this plague was ordained of God for moral ends, and that it was stayed by means of the intercession offored in the manner suited to the age of shadowy sacrifice before the offering of the eternal sacrifice by Christ. l. AFFLICTIVE EVE..,q,rg ARE SOM:ETnt:ES TO …
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1, 2 (1 Chron. xx.i. 1, 2).-(JERUSALEM.) A sinful census. 1. This census appears to have been ordered by David in one of the later years of his life. The word "again" (ver. 1) indicates that it was subsequent to the famine (eh. xx:i. 1, 14; ver. 25); and a. measure that occupied Joab…
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Israel's dominion by foreign oonqueete (oh. xxii. 44, 45). "Warlike thoughts certainly stand in the bRCkground; if we fail to see this, we lose the key to the whole transac- tion, and the Divine judgment is incomprehensible" (Hengstenberg); but it can hardly be supposed that he formed the definite purpose of" transf…
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which had been called forth by their success." Or: 3, Both people and ruler may alike participate in the same prevalent, sinful diBposition or tendency of the age, As formerly (eh. xv. 1-6), "soft indulgence" and sensual desire; so now," the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (1 John ii, 16) seem to have taken pos…
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"Bec11uBe David WlUI about t<> boast proudly and to glory in the number of hie peoplo God determined to punish him by reducing their number, either by famine, war1 0 ; pestilence" (S. Schmid). 1. Sinful actiona serve to manifest the hidden sin of the heart. 2. 'l'hey show the connection between such sin and its just re…
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1imilar spirit, nnd bringing untold miseries upon them. What oppression, strife, and other deadly fruits grow out of this "root of bitterness" (Exod. xiv. 5) I VII. A RUINOUS TENDENCY IN RELATION TO MAN HIMSELF. (Dan. iv. 28; Prov. :xvi. 18.) "Pride wishes to dethrone God. Pride takes occasion from virtue itself. Prid…
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David remained ineenBible to hh1 eln, and waited for the reeult. At length the work we.s finished (e.bout wheat-harvest), and the number given to the king; but, whilst he looked at the definite proof of the nation's increase, and at firet, perhaps, felt elated at the thought of commanding e,n army of more the,n a mi…
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spiritual progress since the time when it required the pnra.ble of Nathan, and the prn- phetlc announcement,' Thou art the m1m,' to awaken him from his spiritual slumber. At this period of his life ho examined himself and weighed his own actions in private, eRpecinlly at night-time; and no sooner we.s the census of the…
857 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.