The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 487

ibis violent cho.rge." " It is not for the overpowered to capitulate." Besides, who knew ·what the " soft answer" might effect? If smooth words could do no good, rough ones would certainly do much h!U'm. The meek always have the best of it, and so inherit the earth. Ver. 9.- 11 This thing I may not do." "Better die than live in disgrace,'' says +.he Greek proverb. The king of Samaria was in o. similar strait to those four rngical lepers who, a few years later, in another siege, lay at the gate of the city (2 Kings vii. 4). He could but die in any case, and he might percha.nee live if he stood on his defence. Even a wo1m will turn when trod upon. We should think scorn of Ahab, had he not me.de a stand for his life and wife and children. Ver. 10.-11 The gods do so to me," &c. How often has the swearer to eat his words. The hero does; he never talks of what he will do. 11 Victory is to be achieved, not to be sworn." This vulgar fashion of calling upon God to do oneself some hurt thus appears to be of great antiquity. But it always proceeds from those who have very little belief in God at all. The profane swearer is practically an infidel, so far as the gods he invokes are concerned. An Italian workman was once reproved in a Roman studio for the oaths which he swore by the sacred name of Gesu. " Oh," said he boldly, "I'm not afraid of Him at all.'' Then, lowering his voice to a whisper, he added, "I'll tell you what I'm afraid of: it is His blessed mother." He never swore by the Deity be believed in. Ver. 12.-" Set yowrselves in Q/l'Tay" (Heb. ~C 11P). The command was prompt and decided enough. But observe, he himself went on drinking (ver. 16). Thie helps to explain his defeat. He was a man of words only. The successful generals -it is a trite saying-are those who say "Come," not II Go.'' Ver. 13.-" There came a prophet.'' 0 altitudo I For years past the prophets have been proscribed, hunted, harried to death. Yet in his darkest hour, when other refuge fails him, Ahab finds a prophet at his side. God bee.re no grudges. It is sufficient to give us a claim upon His help that we are helpless (Pea. lx.viii. 5 ; Hosea xiv. 8). He " comforteth '' (i.e., strengtheneth, con fortis) " those that are cast down" (2 Cor. vii. 6). '' Who can wonder enough at this unweariable mercy of God ? After the fire and rain, fetched miraculously from heaven, A.ho.b hud promised much, performed nothing, yet God will ago.in bless and solicit him with victory; one of those prophets whom he persecuted shall comfort his dejection with the news of deliverance and triumph." This act of gro.ce should have proved that the Lord was God, o.nd that the prophet was His messenger. It is not in mo.n to act thus. " Tho1t shalt know that I am the LO'l'd.'' "Not for thy righteousness or the uprightness of thine hen.rt dost thou go in to possess their land, but for the wicked- ness of these nations," &c. (Deut. ix. 4, 6). The drought, the fire, the great re.in, none of these had convinced the king o.nd queen. Will deliverance from tho jo.ws of deo.th move them ? Will they believe in o. God of battles? Will they recognize His finger in o. superhuman victory? Ver. 16.-" The young men . . . were two hundred and thirty-two." 11 Not by might nor by power" (Zech. iv. 6). God's host is ever o. little f:lock (of. Judg. vii. 2-7; 2 Chron. xx. 12; 1 Cor. i. 27-29). The "weo.k things" were chosen then, o.s subsequently, 11 tho.t no flesh should glory in his presence." God never depa.rts ~om that rule. The "carpcnte1°s son," the II fishermen," the "unleo.rned and 1gnoro.nt men" -it is the same principle underlies His choice in every case. Ver 16.-" Drinking himself drunk . . . he and the kings." Of strong drink it may justly be so.id, 11 Mo.ny strong men ho.ve been slain by her" (Prov. vii. 20). "It is not for kings to drink wine " (ib., xxxi. 4). Nor is it for warriors. Aloxo.nder, c~>nqueror of the wor~d, was conquered by wine. Our great genera.ls of modern times have been e.bste.mers. The march to Coomussie, to Co.ndo.har wo.s effected without the aid of intoxicants. The Russian soldiers in the Crimea were drugged with vodka, but it did not prevent their defeat. Ver. 18.-" Take them alive." 11 Security is the certain usher of destruction. We h:i.v~_never so much co.use to fear as whe.Q we fear nothing" (cf. Dan. v. 1, 80; Luke xvu. 27 ; 1 These. v. 8), 1 KPl'GS 2 K 498 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ou. xx. 1---48,