we know to have been David's fait.h in tho coming kingdom of God ever Rince thll 11nointing by Samuel, it means this: ''You e.re perplexed and anxious ab0ut the interests of the people of God e.nrl their future. Do not yield to tbat state of mind. De true men; do your part e.s patriots in this time of change; for Saul, your master, is dead, and every man, therefore, ~hould do his best for the common weal. I have been made king over one section of the people of God, and I, therefore, am in a position t,; do my part. Let us, then, work as brave men for the bringing on of the better time." Thus, in the bnt partial fulfilment of the prediction by Samuel, and amidst the private affairs of life, David cherishes clear and full faith in the on working of the Divine purpose towards final realization. His destiny as king over all the chosen race, in God's Name, was still the predominant thought. All along during those bitter days of exile and persecution the thought was uppermost, and nerved him with patient courage; and even now, when more than half the people did not want him to be king, he keeps the thought clearly in view. So was it with our Saviour. He came knowing he was to be Lord of all-Head of a united people. "For the joy that was set before him "-in prospect of this-"he endured the cross,and despised the shame;" and when only partially recognized as Lord by a few, he still had faith in the outworking of Divine purposes, and believed that to him "the gathering of the people" would be, and that there would be "one flock and one Shepherd." Those, e.lso, who enter into the Saviour's Passion likewise keep the spiritual purpose of life clear above all earthly things, and adjust tbe partial successes, the deferred hopes, and even the private intercourse of life to the one absorbing ideal. Blessed men, who thus see Christ's final triumph before it is realized! What tone, elevation, and patience does it give to life! III. THAT TRUE MEN IN EXALTED POBITIONB GIVE TONE TO SOCIETY. During exile, David was at the head of a band of men, and now he became the ruler of a people with title of king. As leader and chief his spirit had influenced his followers. 1'1ow that he is king, the people told him of the men of Jabesh-Gilead burying Saul. Why? Was it that he might be revenged on men who had done honour to a persecuting enemy? Not thus had they leamt of their leader. They knew him of old as generous to Saul (1 Sam. xxvi. 9-12); they had heard his pathetic lament over Saul (eh. i. 17-Z"i), and they were sure that he would be comforted in knowing how poor Saul's corpse had been cared for. Obviously, the leader had given a nobler, more generous toae to men beneath him. In ordinary life, such men would have rejoiced in the death of a foe. It is doubtless true that the tone of society proceeds largely from the higher to the lower in position. A good monarch affects the peasant and the peer. The lower grades of society get their tone very much from what prevails in ranks above them. If our rulers and persons of position display kindliness, temperance, and piety, they do much there}ly to fashion the character of others. 'l'he same principle applies to thought. Ideas are wrought out by the highest minds, and gradually permeate the thinking of the undisciplined and uncultured. Hence the serious responsibilities of station!
Vers. 8-17.-Fanatical patriotism. The facts are: 1. By degrees, and with the aid of Abner, those parts of the country not subject to David, and which, during the decay of Saul's power, had come under the control of the Philistines, now became consolidated under the rule of Ishbosheth. 2. The jealousy between Israel and Judah, owing mostly to the hostility of Ishbosheth's adherents to David, assumes threatening form, and the leaders on eo.ch side, attended by a small army, come together face to face, probably to consider the points in dispute. 3. 'l'he political questiot,s not being solved by discussion, Abner proposes (vers. 13, 14; cf. ver. 27) ns alternative a settle- ment by a combat of twelve select men from each side. 4. The combat issuing iu. mutual destruction, the main forces come into conflict, and Ahner suffers defoat. The men who entered into the strife here recorded doubtless prided themselves on the zeal they felt for their country, and were ready to justify in words the deeds of the sword. It is customary to credit people with patriotism, and to that extent condone their savage passions. But too often the plea of patriotism is only a cover for a lack of reason and a domination of infeiior impulses. J. ATTACHMENT TO KING AND COUNTRY 1B SUBORDINATE TO A HIGHER LAW. Con- sidered in the abstract, such attachment is worthy only of admiration, and it forms an element in a people's well-being. But human feelings, with their corresponding acts, f.6 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [mr. II, 1-32,