The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 35

death. Yet the person to whom this que.stion was addrosscd could, perhnpe, haJ'dly apprC'Ciate its significance. Supposing hiH narratfre truthful, he may have been actuated by compassion in what he did; and he hoped for reward from David, in whom he saw the coming king of Israel. Dut, however this may he, the question may bo ueed as applicable to those who assail with deadly intention him who is pre-eminently the anointed (the Christ) of God. First, to those who actually slew him, or took p1ut in bis dt>ath; and then to all who become sharers in their guilt by endeavouring to destroy his authority and sway amongst men. I. Wno lllAY BE THUS ADDRES!>ED. 1. Those who assail the gospel of Ohi-ist. 2. Those who endeavour to destroy his w01·k in the souls of men. Such as resolutely resist and i;uppress the thoughts and emotions he produces iu themselves, resisting his Spirit. Such also as set themsehes to prernnt or destroy his influence over others; endeavouring to undermine their faith, to corrupt their morals, to entice them from the paths of piety and goodness (see Matt. xviii. 6, 7). 3. Those who persecute his people, "Saul, Saul, why pt,rsecutest thou me 1" rr. WHY THEY ARE NOT AFRAID. 1. IgnoraMe, in some, of what they are doing.: Ai;, seems to have been the case with this Amalekite. This palliation of guilt is a<lmitted in the case of those who put our Lord to death (Acts iii. 17; 1 Cor. ii. 8), And he told his disciples that their persecutors even unto death would think they were "doing God service" (John xvi. 2). But ignorance itself may be guiltiness, though not so great as sinning against the light, knowing it to be light and hating it on that account. 2. Disbel,ief as to the truth of Ohristi,a,nity, as to God himself, or even as to the reality and worth of godliness and goodness. 3. Moral insensibility. Which may spring from disbelief, or from habits of godlessness and wickedness, or of mere worldli- ness. 4. Expectation .of impunity. Because of the seeming weakness of him whom. they assail (Matt. xxviL 42, 43), or his delay in punishing (Eccles. viii. 11), or from faL--e notions of the goodness of God. All these reasons cannot exist in the same. person ; but some in one, some in another. Ill. ~'HY THEY OUGHT TO BE AFRAID. 1. Berause Jesus iA the Lord's .Anointed-- the Christ ef God. He comes to men with Divine authority, appointed to be their King aud Saviour. There is sufficient proof of this. "This is my beloved Son" was not only uttered from heaven·; it appears in the whole character, teaching, miracles, in the life, death. and resurrection of Jesus Christ; in the correspondence of prophecy and history; in the testimony of the apostles and the miracles which attested their mission; in the birth, growth, and perpetuation of the Church; in the mighty beneficial, influence of Christianity in the world; in its effects on individual character a.nd happiness, on family life and national life. It is echoed in the hearts a.nd consciences of men ; in the happy consciousness of every Christian. It is fa.sbionable now to apologize for unbelief, and treat sceptics very tenderly, as if their love of truth made them sceptics. But compare the sayings of our Lord, "He that is of the truth heareth my voice," and "If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God." If, then, Jesus be God's Anointed, to fight against him is to fight a,,crainst God, which is both impious and perilous. 2. Because of the penalties incurred by opposition to Christ. The injury they do to themselves now, the judg- meut which will come upon them hereafter. Him whom they assail they will one day see coming in the clouds of heaven, to take vengeance on his foes. "Those mine enemies . . . bring hither e.od slay them before me." 3. Because of the infury they do to others. Men with a.ny regard to the welfare of others ma.y well be asked to pa.use· before they endeavour to rob them of their faith, and all that springs out of it, in sound moral principles, right character, happiness, comfort under the troubles and burdens of life, and hope in death; especially as avowedly they have no adequate substitute to offer. They ought to be afraid of taking a course which. if successful, would deprive the lowly and the poor of their chief consolation, leave unrestrained by any sufficient check the passions of meu, and so demoralize and disorganize society. IV. THE EXPOSTULATIONS WRICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THEM, "How is it that thou art not afraid," etc.? Christian speakers and writers sometimes oppose those who are opposing Christ iu a style suitable to the discussion of some abstract question. The conflict is conducted as if it were one of mere opinion. Dut surely those to whom Christ is dear ought to make it felt that they regard the questiou of his positiou aud CD, I, 1-27.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 33