The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 335

Vere. 9-15.-Divine and human pity. A very striking and a most unusual incident is here related; it has very few parallels in the page of ancient history. The hand that struck down the enemy very rarely failed to strike him when he was down. Here we have e. refreshing picture or human relenting; or men who had just presented the cup of woe putting to the lips of the suffering a cup of mercy. But first we have a picture of- I. DIVINE PITY IN THE MIDST OF DIVINE PENALTY. It is clear that the people of Judah owed their defeat entirely to the fact that they had grievously sinned against the Lord (see ver. 9). But there was a point beyond which justice did not demand that penalty should go. And at that point Divine pity might appear. There it did appear, and it arrested the hand of the cruel smiter. God sends judgment, but in wrath he " remembers mercy" (Hab. iii. 2). He sends the serious sickness which brings pain e.nd weakness, but at a certain point he sends the remedy and restoration. He brings down upon the guilty the strong indignation of their kind, but he raises up the compassionate and the considerate who visit the prisoner or the lonely with words of friendly sympathy and cheer. He brings the strong but rebellious kingdom to defeat and humiliation, but he causes it to grow up again to competence and power. He bruises, but he does not shatter; he lays low, but be raises up. II. OFFICIAL FAITHFULNESS. Oded had a difficult and dani!:erous part to play on this occasion, but he bore himselr right nobly (vers. 9-11). He did not flinch from words of energetic condemnation (vers. 9, 10), or from words of unpalatable advice (ver. 11). If God puts us into any responsible position. whether in the family, or in the Church, or in the city, or in the councils of the nation, we are most sacredly bound to play our part courageously. No man is fitted to occupy a post of trust and honour unless he is prepared, at times, to say and do that which is likely to be resented. '!.'hough we may not be called upon to face a. triumphant army with words of remon- strance and command, a.s Oded did now, yet we are sure to be under obligation to say that which is unacceptable and to confront the dislike and disapproval of men. If we a.re not prepared to do that, we had better stand down a.t once, and take a. lower place. Certainly we are not qualified to speak for God. III. HUMAN INFLUENCE. We have two instances of human influence being exercised with remarkable success. The outspoken prophet persuades the princes, and they in their turn persuade the soldiers to release the captives and to abandon the spoil which they had taken. This was a. truly remarkable success. To induce men who are flushed with victory to forego the advantages they have won with the sword is to accomplish a. great feat. It shows what man can do with man; what influence a. strong voice can exert upon the human heart. 1. It is always well worth while to inter- pose between men and the wrong th6y a.re meditating; we may save them from great guilt and others from great suffering. 2. We must be in downright earnest, and speak with entire fearlessness and frankness, as both prophet and princes did now, or we shall not succeed. We must speak as those who a.re perfectly convinced, as those who know what is right, and have no hesitation a.t a.11 as to the course which should be taken. IV. HUMAN PITY. Instead of slaughtering their prisoners, which in that age might have been done without pity or remorse, we have these soldiers or Israel showing a.11 possible kindness to them (ver. 15). It is a. common thing now for men to show a. magnanimous kindness to their fallen enemy even on the battle-field. But the teach- ing of the Lord of love has done its work to some considerable extent, e.nd has merci- fully modified the cruelties of war. The scene of the text was something of an anticipation of the injunction, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." It is for us to illustrate the spirit then sho\vn, on every opportunity. We should spare those who a.re in our power; it may be in the domain of business; it may be in the social circle; it may be round the domestic table; it may be in some- thing so simple as a debate, so common as a.n ordinary argument. But wherever or whatever it be, to spa.re our opponent when he is down, to save him from the miseries of defeat, to put him in the way of return to self-respect and honour, to "take back our captives to Jericho," is to do no more the.n these Israelites did on this particL1lar occasion; it is to do no less the.n our Master requires of us at all times and under every circumstance (Ml\tt, v. 43-48).-C, II. Cllfi0NICLES. S  838 THE SECOND 1300K OF 'l'HE CHRONICLES. [arr. xxvm. 1-27,