The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 13

i,eemed to the minde of hie dieoiplee (John xiv, 1; xvi. 19-22; Luke niv. 21) to be dieaetroue to hie cause; and yet all th'l'Ough he never distruated the Father, and in fulnees of oonfidenoe could anticipate the results of a steady unfolding of the Divine pu~pose (Joh~ x. Hi). So likewise we in secular and spiritual affairs may be said to ~1t on Pl'?vidence when, in spite of difficulties that almost crush out our life, we, hl;mg conscious of oneness with Christ, stagger not in our belief in the all-controlling "".Jsdom and power, and rest in the certainty of an order of things which is being directed towards the realization of the Divine purposes with which our entire life is identified. "Hove faith in God." He slumbers not; he sleeps not; he works, end who she.II let? IY. READINESS FOR ACTION, REGULATED BY RESOLVE ONLY TO ACT IN HARMONY 'WITH HIGHEST LAW. David was ready to act whenever occasion offered; but he would not create occasion, and that because be saw that, in the continuance of Saul's life and reign, there was involved a great principle. For had he not been chosen by God? e.nd was not God now allowing him to work out his own chastisement in harmony with far-reaching moral laws? David could only act in harmony with the Divine lo.w which seemed to be expressed in Saul's sad life-namely, the removal of the unworthy by a natural process. There was a reserve of power in Christ during his life among nien which could have accomplished startling results had he put it forth-just as Bavid could have precipitated events by putting forth his strength a,,crainst Saul-but he restrained himself. He was patient, and abstained from any action that would run counter to the moral and physical laws by which God was then gotrerning mankind. On the same principle he now carries on his work in the world. Men do not under- stand him when they look for an extension of Christianity in violation of the laws of moral and social life which God has ordained. We are entrusted with more power than it is fit to put forth. Its exercise is to be regulated by regard to law. Especially in embarrassed circumstances, when it seems as though, in our business, our dom·estic aff'airs, or Church action, we could make marked advance by a vigorous effort in a given direction, does it become us to ask whether such action woHld be in harmony with the law of righteousness. During the sorrows of the Church (Luke xxi. 9-21), when i~ seemed as though active resistance by tho sword was essential to self-preservation, the disciples were to be patient, and not run counter to the law of the gospel by endeavour- ing to maintain a kingdom of peace by carnal weapons. We must wait for God, be ready to act when action will harmonize with the holy laws of God's government. V. JUDICIOUS USE OF TIME, AS JUSTIFIED BY THE CIBCUMSTANCES OF OUR POSITION. David could not act against Saul; he could not benefit Israel by seeking to rid them of an unworthy ruler; but he could seek to remedy the evils caused by the Amalekites at Ziklag (1 Sam. m. 1, 26), and also discipline and organize his adherents (1 Chron. xii.), and so put himself and his men in a position to move towards Palestine when God opened the way. The disciples of Christ were powerless to act on the world for some weeks after his death, but they cherished faith in their Lord, and, till the time appointed by Providence came, they wisely kept together for prayer and mutual encouragement (Acts i. 14; cf. ii 1-13). The Christian Church may believe itself called to enter on a great missionary enterprise in an at-present inaccessible country. It mllf!t not violate tbe laws of God by rushing into disaster under plea of promoting a good cause, but must gather up materials and become ready to enter in when a higher power opens the way. The same principle applies to our extension of business, our enterin" on new or wider professions, and especially if we are ambitious to consecrate ourselv;s to the work of the Christian ministry. 'l'hose who, after the example of David, wait on Providence, mll find in the end that the ways of God, though apparently slow and often trying to patience, are indicated by the issue. .A subtle temptation. The .Amalekite who came to David may be· regarded as an instanct of a quick-witted cUDning man, observant of facts affecting the interests of others, and swiftly ingenious to work them up into a plausible form, ostensibly for the advantage of strangers, but really for his own advancement and material gain. He knew just enough of the outward development of the kingdom of God to see in events an opportUDity for making them subservient to his own purposes. Like some of the rJresent day, who are aliens to the spiritual Christian commonwealth, but who scruple on. r. 1-27.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.