The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 489

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-11.-The Spirit of War. In human histories so much is made of brilliant uniforms, scienti.fio discipline, skilful mancauvres, exploits, surprises, and successes, that readers are carried away with "the pomp ancl circumstance" of so- called "glorious war." In the text we have the other side; aud we are remimlocl of the appeal of James : "From whence come wars and fightings among you'} Come they not hence, even of your own lusts that war in your members '} " (James iv. 1.) Conspicuous amongst these is- I. TBE SPIRIT OF WAR. We see this-1. In Ben-hadacl's message (ver. 3). (1) We do not understand this to be a demand from Ahab for the actual sunender to Ben-hadad of his "silver" and" gold," "wives" and "children." Else it would be difficult to see any material difference between this first message and that which followed (ver. 6). (2) The meaning seems to be that Den-haclad would hold A.l.iab as his vassal, so that Ahab should retain his wealth, wives, and children only by the sufferance and generosity of his superior. He would have the king of Israel reduced to the condition of the "thirty and two kings " who, with their subjects and fortunes, appear to have been at his service (compare ver. 12 with vor. 24). 2. In his confident boasting. (1) He boasts of the vastness of his o.rmy. "AU the people that follow me." The Hebrew is given in the margin, "at my feet," sug- gesting subjection and submission. (2) Of the certainty and ease with which such an army may carry victory. '' The gods do so to me o.nd more also if thc dust of So.maria shnll suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.'' They need not be content with handfuls of dust when they can fill their hands with the most vo.Iuo.ble things in So.maria. (3) This was the boasting which Ahab rebuked by tho use of who.t had probably been a proverbial expression : " Let not him tho.t gircleth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." This caution might be profitably considered by those who are engaged in spiritual conflicts : " De not high-minded, but fear.'' II. THE SPIRIT OF INJUSTICJE. This we see-1. In Ben-hadad'a requisitions. (1) In t~ose of his first message right is outraged. " Thy silver o.nd gold are mine.'' To.king this demand in the sense of Ahab's coming under villenage to Den-ho.do.d, the claim we.~ iniquitous. Man has rights of property and freedom, which, unless they are forfeited to law by crime, should ever be held most sn.cred. The injustice of slavery is horrible. (2) The second message went even farther. It threatened open robbery. Robbery not only of the monarch, but of his subjects also. A starving wretch who steals a loaf of bread may be convicted e.s a felon ; but a warrior who plunders kingdoms-a Napoleon-is glorified as a hero I But how will these weigh together in the balances of the sanctuary'} 2. In his principles of 111JpeaZ. (1) JtiBtice is not named. How often is justice nnmed in wnrfare where 600 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ OR. XX, 1-48.