The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 365

magisterial bench, in the factory, in the shop, in the mani;ion, in the oollege. (2) Zimri had also a desperate resolution to bend circumstances to his object. Hie rank as a cavalry officer, commanding hnlf the chariots of Elnh, gave him access to the palnce. There, finding his lord helplessly drunk, he sacrificed gratitude and duty, and struck the fatal blow. What a warning to drunkards I Death is especially ten-ible when it surp1-ises the sinner in his sin (see Luke xxi. 34). (3) With infernal promptitude Zim1-i proceeded to slaughter the whole of the seed royal In the massacre he involved also the "kinsfolk and friends," so as to leave no 1-ival to contest the throne. (4) But how little did he dream, after wading through this sea of blood, that his reign should be limited to a single week I How disproportionate was the end to the means I If men could duly estimate the end, how it would lea.d them to hesitate over the employment of the means I 2. But the providence of God is over all. (1) God foresaw everything. This is evident in the word of prophecy. And He so controlled the actors that the results answered the ends of justice. This also is evident in the same word. (2) But this did not excuse the wickedness of the executioners. God allows the wicked to punish each othEl,r for Him. So makes He the wrath of man to pmise Him (see 2 Kings ix. 31). (3) He has better work for His saints. To bless is more congenial to them than to destroy. The ambition of the spiritual is too noble to be satisfied with an earthly crown, or to pay its price.--J. A. M. Vers. 8---20.-.A Divine judgment arul, its instrument. I. THE JUDGMENT. 1. It was del,ayed in God's long-suffering. Baasha had reigned nearly twenty-four years; Elah nearly two. The Lord is swift to bless but slow to strike. He has no delight in a sinner's death. Do we remember that God's long-suffering to-day is not forgetfulness or indifference, but the restraining of infinite love 'l 2. It cams ,qion him in his sin. The army was in the field, but he was not there. He was deaf to the calls of duty and honour. He had lost his self-respect ; he " was drinking himself drunk in the house" of his chamberlain. And now in a moment pleasure was swallowed up in terror, the misused life in death. The suddenness of God's judgments: "at such an hour as ye think not," &c. 3. Ita extent. It was not less than was predicted. His kindred and his :6.-iends were cut off and their offspring (ver. 11). Every word was fulfilled. God's threatenings are not exaggera- tions meant to frighten us away from sin ; they 0/TB descriptions. God's eye is resting on the woe which is hid from us, and His words are those of perfect truth and tenderest love. II. THE INSTRUMENT. 1. Zimri was his servant. He had trusted and advanced him. Again we notice how ingratitude and rebellion ago.inst God are repaid in kind. If there be no love and truth toward God in us, let us not be surprised if we find these wanting in others toward us. 2. Though his deed fulfilled God's word, it was not of God : "he sinned in doing evil in the sight of tlie Lord ; " it was " treason that he wrought." That which punishes evil may itself be sin. God's shield was withdrawn from around the house of Baasha, and an ambitious, cruel heart was allowed to work its will upon them. It is no justification of our act that the nation or persons against whom it is done were wicked and deserved their fate; the question remains, Were we righteous in inflicting it 'l 8. The scourge was soon broken and cast away. He reigned but seven days. In slaying the king he was but ending his own life ; in entering the palace gained by blood, he was laying him- self upon his funeral pyre. The cup we covet may be a cup of death. Take God's way, and bide God's time: He will give that which is good.-J. U. Vers. 15-22.-The Kingdom of Men. Though" the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men," yet is He not responsible for the principles by which such kingdoms are actuated. For these are in striking contrast to those which shall obtain in the "kingdom of God." In the kingdom of men as represented in the specimen before us we encounter- !. FOLLY. 1. True religwn ia pwre wisdom. (1) It is the "wisdom of God" revealed--()'U,twOITdly, in His word-inwMdly, by being written by His Spirit iu  on. xv. 25-xvi. 28.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 871