The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 25

governs, protects, nnd perfects his people. 6. Iris wide dominion. 7. Hie endless oontinuanco. "His N nme shall endure for ever." EXHORTATION. 1. Submit to his rule. "Kise the Son,'1 etc. (Ps. ii. 12). 2. Rejoice In hie e11,lv11tion, 3. Co-operate with his purposes. 4. Look forward to hie final trlumph.-D. Vere. 1, 2.-(ZIKLAG.) A change of dynasty. "When he ea.me to David be fell to the enrth, and did obeiHance" (ver. 2). 'l'he title of David to the throne was primarily oonferred upon him by the will of God, as declared by Samuel. But it remained in abeyo.nce while Saul lived, and began to take effect only at hie decease. On returning to Ziklag from his pursuit of the Am11,lekites, David occupied himself in repairing its ruins, and awaited tidings from the field of battle. On the morning of the third day there came a young man, "the son of a stranger, an Amalekite," bringing news of the defeat of Israel and the death of Saul and Jonathan. In proof of his statement ho brought the king's diadem, "a sme.11 metallic cap or wreath which encircled the temples, serving the purpose of a helmet, with a very ems.II horn projecting in front, e.s an emblem of power" (Jamieson), and bracelet (or armlet worn above the elbow), e.nd laid them e.t the feet of David, as the future king (ver. 10). His conduct reminds os of a well-known custom, according to which, whenever a French monarch departed this life, an official of the roynl household appeared at the window, broke his staff, and cried, Le roi est mort I (" Tbe king is dead I ") ; then took a new staff and shouted, Vive le roi I (" Long live the king I "). The change that occurred was- I. OCCASIONED BY THE FALL OF AN UNFAITHFUL RULER. "After the death of Saul" (ver. 1). I. Men are entrusted with power by God that they may employ it, not according to their own will and for their own honour, but according to his will and for his glory. This Saul failed to recognize. 2. Whenever a man misuses his trust he is sooner or later deprived thereof, and suffers the penalty of his sin (1 Sam. xv. 23). 3. No man can fall into sin and destruction without involvin~ others in his ruin. How often has a monarch's unraithfulness cause<l the downfall of his dynasty l 4. The place from which he falls is thereby prepared for a more faithful man, and such a man is seldom wanting for the place. "Take therefore the talent," etc. (Matt. xxv. 28). "Saul's elevation was a. first experiment in monarchy doomed to failure from the beginning; it was only when the people had been trampled down by his tyranny and involved in his fatal defeat that a fasting monarch was set according to the Divine will in the ~rson and family of David, who was in this sense the man after God's own heart" (P. Smith, • Ancient History,' i. 168). II. AWAITED WITH PATIENCE BY A RIGHTFUL SUCCESSOR. II David abode in Zikla.g." He was long ago assured of his royal destination. But : 1. The purpose of God is often slow in its accomplishment; which requires to be waited for in faith and patience. 2. Its slow accomplishment presents a strong temptation to impatience, and the adop- tion of rash and unworthy expedients that hinder rather than promote the desired end. David was subject to such a temptation,·and for the most part overcame it. In so far as he yielded to it he suffered the consequences of his imprudence (I Sam. xxvil. 1). 3. By patient continuance in well-doing men are best prepared for what God has prepared for them. David did not deem the crown II a thing to be grasped at." "What God has destined for him, he would not have until God gave it to him" (Hengstenberg). 11 Endurance is the crowning quality." Qu.i dura. vince (" He conquers who endures"). 4. To those who await the accomplishment of the Divine purpose in a right spirit, it comes surely and at the right time, often suddenly and by unexpected means. "By degrees doth the Lord perform his works to exercise the faith, the hope, the patience, and constancy of his chosen, but at last to the full he accomplisheth whatsoever he promiseth" (Guild). III. RECOGNIZED AS INEVITABLE BY A SELF-SEEKING OBSERVER. It is remarkable that one of an alien and hostile race shoulli be the first to perceive and acknowledge the Rpeedy and certain transfer of the crown. He was a watchful observer of the course of events; ncqu11inted, probably, with the general opinion concerning David, and with hie present position; and, although possessincr little love for his character and expecting little good to tho Amalekites from his ncces~on, he was desirous of using the occasion for the furtherance of his personal ends. I. 'l'he tendency of human affairs is oiten so  22 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. (en. 1.1-27.