The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 31

IIJ. AN IMPRECATION ON THE SCENE OF DIBABTER, "0 mountains in Gilboa, nor dew nor rain (be) upon you, Nor fields of &!ICred offerings I For thcro lies rusting the shield of heroPs, The shield of Be.ul nnanointed with oil." (Vor. 21.) "Over against the exnHant joy of victory of Israel's enemies, which he would be gladly spared, David sets the attitude of mourning, in which he would behold the mountain~ of Gil boa, the scene of the heroes' death-struggle" (Erdmann). As that scene presents itself to his imngination, its beauty and fertility appear incongruous with the degrada- tion of the slain, the misery of Israel, and his own absorbing grief. Has it no sympathy with them in their woe? He impatiently resents its indifference to his sorrow, and says in effect, "Oh that it might no more enjoy the favour of Heaven, nor produce the oblations by which its wrath is propitiated, but be a perpetual memorial of the mournful event I" (Ezek. xxxi. 15). 1. It is the tendency of grief to dwell upon the objects that are associated with its cause, and by the contemplation of them it becomes intensified. 2. Under the influence of strong emotion the mind seeks sympathy with itRelf even in material and inanimate objects, and is apt to indulge in wishes that are incapable of literal fulfilment. 3. The aspects of nature correspond in greater or less degree with the mental mood in which they are regarded. Sorrow projects its shadow over the external world, and clothes the fairest scenes with gloom. 4. The language of poetic inspiration must not be interpreted in its literal, prosaic sense, but in the light of the feeling and imagination of the poet. David's imprecation was no more intended to have an actual effectr on the fields of Gilboa than Job's (Job iii. 1) on the day of his·birtb. • ·Iv. A CELEBRATION OF'THE VIRTUES OF THE FALLEN. "From blood of slain, From fat of heroes The _bow of Jonathan turned not backward, And the sword of Se.ul ;returned not unsatisfied. Saul and Jonathan I the beloved and lovely! In their lives and in their death they were not parted: Than eagles fleeter, Than lions stronger." (Vere. 22, 23.) The poet turns away from the melancholy scene to contemplate the heroes as he bad known 'them, and describes their warlike prowess, their amiable dispositions, their mutual affection and faithful companionship, their agility and strength. Sincere sorrow over the dead : 1. Imposes a becoming silenc.e concerning their imperfections, !s forgetful of personal injuries, and puts out of sight everything that is contrary to itself (vers. 11, 12). De mortui.~ nil nisi bonum. 2. Delights to dwell upon the special aspects of their character which are worthy of admiration. 3. Sees in their extra- ordinary virtues a measure of the loss that bas been experienced. "'l'he nobility of Jonathan's character cannot easily be over-estimated. The rival claims of friendship and of nature, of David and Saul, were adjusted with admirable delicacy. He strengthened his friend's hands (1 Sam. xxii. 16) and saved his life; but be clung to his father. 'l'he shadows were falling on Saul, yet he did not join David's party, though he knew that he would succeed to the throne. With a gallant loyalty and a. true-hearted despair, he followed his doomed sire to Gil boa" (B. Kent), V. AN ENUMERATION OF THE GIFTS OF A. BENEFACTOR. "0 daughters of IB?Bel, wail for Saul I He clothed you in scarlet with loveliness; He put jewllls of gold upon your applllel ..ii.laa ! fall en are the heroea In the midst of the battle." (Vera. 24, 25.) "The stream of sorrow, which down to this point bas been united, here divides." David calls upon the daught1;1rs of Israel to wail, wbilo the daughters of the Pbili~tinea  28 TH11: SECO~l) 13OOK or SAMtr~L. (en. r. 1-21.