The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 326

Vers. 1-3.-Further consequences of.folly, etc. We learn these five lessons- 1 THE LONG TRAIN OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLY. It is long before the whole penalty of a great mistake is paid. Hanun and his foolish princes (eh. xix. 3) doubtless felt crestfallen enough when they were miserably defeated in battle, but they probably comforted themselves with the consideration that they had borne their punishment, and would have no more bitter fruits to swallow. If so, they were mistaken. In the next chapter we meet with more consequences of their folly. The next spring, they had to encounter another army in the field (ver. 1). Often, when we think we have escaped from the wretched results of our thoughtlessness or our sin, we find that we have not : there they are again, walking at our side, or meeting us sword in hand. Let us earnestly pray and vigilantly watch, that we may not be surprised into folly, may not fall into the power of temptation, so that our life may not be darkened by the appearance and reappearance of the penalties of wrong-doing. II. THE EVIL OF ABSOLUTISM. No doubt this little kingdom of Ammon was auto- cratic. It is true, indeed, that the princes advised, but the king decided. And what terrible penalties his poor people paid for his decision! The city of Habbah was sacked (ver. 2), and its inhabitaIJts not only lost their property but were subjected to cruel tortnres; and "even so dealt David with all the cities," etc. (ver. 3). Our heart is touched with sorrow and indignation as we think how one man's (or how a few men's) incensate folly brought down upon thousands of the innocent such a wretched fate. Let us thank God that public policy is largely taken out of the hands of one man who may be shamelessly selfish or utterly incapable, and is deposited with the many who consult the large and general interests of the nation. IIL THE PERILS OF POWER. One may well believe that Hanun had little happiness, if any at all, in the subsequent years of his reign. Surely the cries that came from these mutilated subjects and from these bereaved homes must have rung in his ears, and made discord of every other sound that greeted him. Men covet power, but it is a perilous thing to possess. One great mistake, and we involve numbers of our fellow- men in suffering and sorrow. 1. How should they who wield it be solicitous and prayerful that they may be preserved from abusing it! 2. How well may those who are denied it be content to take the lower place, and be secure from such solemn and weighty responsibilities as they would otherwise incur I IV. THE NEED FOB REFLECTION IN THE HOUR OF ANGER. It would be altogether unjust to judge David by the humane and merciful standards of our own age; yet we cannot but regret that he inflicted such cruelties on the children of Ammon (ver. 3). We should have liked it (and him) better if he had entertained and acted upon the thought which, on another occasion, he admitted to his mind, "These sheep, what have they done?" (2 Sam. xxiv. 17). He had been greatly provoked, but he carried his lndignation further than he was obliged to do, and beyond the point at which a large- minded, God-taught man should surely have stopped. In anger we should pause aod think, for we are in great danger of speaking too harshly and striking too hard (Rom. xii. 19). V. 'l'HE BEST CROWN TO WIN AND WEAR. (Ver. 2.) David seems to have set much store on this crown, which was taken from the King of Ammon and placed on his head (Ps. xxi. 3). Better far the crown of God's favour, the crown of righteousness, the crown of grateful love, the crown of glory. These are (1) untarnished with severities; (2) adornments of our true selves (our souls); (3) unfading with time.-C. Vera. 4:-8.-Little things and great. How small and insignificant in our esteem are the physical peculiarities of these "children of the giant" I How little we care to trea- sure their names and deeds in our memories I They probably thought much of them- selves, and were made much of by their contemporaries; but they have sunk into entire lnsignifi.ca.nce now. We feel that- Cll. ix. 1-8.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CIIRONICLES. 325