The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 126

h1mt out 11nd bliU!:e forth at the first opportunity. Drilliance is a very fnRcinating thing, whrther it be on the throne or in parliamentary government, or in the courts of lillv, or in business, or in the school. Dut what is its end? 'l'o what issues does it lend? Urnally it conducts to poverty, to serious error, to discomfiture, often to a rotAstrophe. But, where brilliance breaks down and is ruined, steady and conscientious faithfulness, under the guidance of heavenly wisdom, will succeed-will lead on to a real enrichment, to a lasting safety, to an honour that may be accepted and enjoyed. II. THE WISDOM OF OONTEMPLATION Al\"'D OONSULTATION. "He said . . . Come age.in unto me after three days. . . . And be took counsel" (vers. Q, 6). It is, indeed, true that no good ultimately came of this delay and this consultation. But that was because Ilehoboam consulted the wrong men. He did well in asking for time and in appealing t-0 others at this critical juncture. Supposing that this demand took him by surprise, nothing would have been more foolish than to have given a reply offhand. A remon- strance is very likely to excite anger in the first instance, and no wise man will come to an important decision when he is out of temper. It is in the hour of complete self- control that we should settle grave matters affecting our destiny. Moreover, we do well to take the judgrnent of others. It was due to the nation that his father's wise statesmen should be asked for their advice in a great national crisis. It was due to himself that his inexperience should secure the inestimable advantage of their ripe sagacity. It is always due to ourselves that we get the additional light which can be gained from an impartial judgment. No man can possibly look at his own affairs in a perfectly pure atmosphere; no man can take an entirely unbiassed view of his own temporal interests. Men who look from outside see what we cannot possibly see, and their counsel is sure to be worth our consideration. "The physician who prescribes for himself, or the lawyer who advises himself, has a fool for his patient or for his client." This saying will hold good in every department of humo.n action. Take time fo~ thonc:ht, and invite the frank and full counsel of your true friends. III. Oun TRUE COUNSELLORS. These are: 1. They who have had an opportunity of knowing. The young men whom Rehoboam consulted could have given him very good advice on some subjects, on those that belonged to their period of life-athletics, fashions, etc.; but of statesmanship what could they tell? We should take care to consult those who lmow, who have learned in the best schools. 2. They who give us frank rather than palatable counsel; who will tell us what they believe to be for the best, rather than that which will humour our own fancies. 3. They whose counsel makes for peace rather than for strife. There are times when the wisest will be for war, but in nine cases out of ten the true Christian advocate will urge conciliation and concord.-C. Ver. 18.-Ignominy, its s011,ra and its avoidMU!e. For the son of Solomon and the grandson of David to meet the tribes of Israel in solemn assembly, and, after holding conference with them, to have his officer and ambassador scornfully stoned to death, and then to betake himself to his chariot with all speed and flee to J erusalem,-this was a pitiable illustration of human ignominy. We almost pity the abject prince for his misery as much as we blame him for his folly. L THE sou&cE OF IGNOMINY. What is it that brings men down to such dishonour? It is: 1. When they assume a position to which they are Mt entitled; when they take a hiuher place than they can fairly claim, and the "more honourable man" comes in to supplant them. and they "begin with shame t.o take the lower place" (Luke xiv. 9). An assumption of social or literary or ecclesiastical superiority, unwarranted by the facts, must sooner or later end in an ignominious surrender. 2. When they undertake a task for which they are t1,nfitted. The son of Gideon wisely shrank from the act of' execution for which his immaturity rendered him unfitted. "As the man is, so is his strength," said be. Youth must not undertake the task of manhood, nor ignorance that of learning, nor inexperience that of trained and proved ability, nor mental feeble- 1.e.•s that of intellectual vigour, nor moral frailty that of spiritual strength. Else it will sustain an ignominious fall. 3. When they adopt a course which should have been scrupulously avoided. What could have been the result of such insensate folly as that of which Rehoboam bad just been guilty but this ignominious flight? When his far stronger father had incensed the citizen.s by heavy and burdensome taxation, what a cu. x. 1-10.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 127