The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 122

They were stunned with their good fortune, and wandered about from tent to tent eating and drinking, and carrying oJ.t the good things they saw, to hi<lo them. W~ can compare with the surprise of these lepers the joy of the soul on its first discovery of" the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. iii. 8). How infinite, grand and varied the provision found !n him, the riches of salvation, the supply for spiritu~l wants, the treasures for the ennchment and beautification of the soull and how wondrously nnd unexpectedly these burst upon the view when God" reveals his Son" in us (Gal. i. lG). At first the absorbing concern is ror one's self-the engrossing thought is to appropriate what Is necessary for our own lire. But this stage, as in the case of the lepers, soon passes by, and gives place to another less selfish. III. THE BRINGERS OF Goon TIDIKGS. 1. Self-rebuke. Four leprous men alone in that great camp, and a city near at hand perishing of hunger: it was a strange situation. The lepers themselves began to feel they were not acting rightly in delaying to carry the news of this astonishing plenty to their famine-stricken brethren. "We do not well," they said: "this is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace." Does not every mind feel that their words were just? Would it not have been selfishness unspeakable had they continued to think only of themselves, and delayed to carry the good tidings to their friends in the city? Acting thns selfishly, might they not justly fear that some "mischief" would come upon them? And did they not at length do right in saying, "Now therefore come, that we may go and tell tho king's household"? The a.pplication is obvious to our own duty as those who possess the saving knowledge of the true God, and of Jesus Christ his Son. "We do not well," if we withhold it from those who are perishing for lack of this knowledge (Hos. iv. 6). How many are in this condition ! The whole heathen world, and ignorant multitudes are around us. " It is a day of good tidings: " shall we not make these good tidings known ? " Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matt. x. 8). "Shall we whose souls are lighted," etc.? 2. Bearing gaod news. The lepers delayed no more, but hastened tu the gate of the city, and told their wonderful story to the porter, who told it to others, who carried it to the king's house. Thus, from one to another, the news spread. It was not reckoned any drawback to it that they were lepers who brought it.-J. O. Vers. 12--20.-The good news verified. The tidings brought by the lepers were so astounding that it was natural there should at first be some hesitation in acting on theru. I. THE KING'S SUSPICIONS. Jehoram was roused in the night-time, but his mood was distrustful and desponding. He was convinced that the Syrians were but playing him a trick. Their apparent retreat was a piece of strategy to get the Israelites out into the plain. Then they would fall on them and destroy them. "I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us," etc. 1. Distrust of man. The susp1c1ous disposition of the king accords with his general character. It has been noticed that Jeh0ram presents hiJJisdf throughout the history as a man of moody, changeful, unreliable nature. " When the prophet leads the enemy into his hands without a blow, he becomes "iolent, and is eager to slaughter them all; then, however, be allows himself to be soothe,!, gives them entertainment, and permits them to depart in safety. At the siege of Samaria, the great distress of the city touches his heart. He puts on ge.rments which are siunificant of grief and repentance, but then allows himself to be so overpowered by anger, that, instead of seeking the cause of the prevailing misery in his own apostasy a.nd that of the nation, he swears to put to death, without delay, the man whom he had once addressed as • father.' Yet this anger also is of short duration. He does not hear the promise of deliverance with scorn, as his officer does, but with hope and confidence. Then, again. when the promised deliverance is announced as actually 1,resent, he once more becomes doubtful and mistrustful, and his servants have to encoura;!;e bim and push him on to a decision" (Bahr). It is shown by the present in,tance how a suspicioUB, distrustful disposition often outwits itself. One could not have blamed Jeboram for being cautious; but hie habit of mind led him to go beyond caution, and to conclude for certain that the news brought was false, and that the Syrians were attempting a deception. Had he been left to himself, he would have rested in that conclusion, and inquired no further. Yet he was wrong, and the Syrians had actually fled. An excess of scepticism thus frequently leads those who iadulge it astray. Jehoram was so accustomed to diplomacy, to intrigue, to strategy, ea. v11. 1-20,] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 1G3