The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 52

give the world the full benefit of their exercise. 4. In e. choice of what seem to be opposing evils, we should endeavour to be guided by some clear and broad principle lrrospoctive of oonsequences. Tlie alternations of pa8sion and reason. The battle between the forces of Abner and Joab wns a small affair ae compared with many of the conflicts recorded in Jewish history; and this is probably to be ascribed to the conviction which both leaders entertained of the weak.nose of the cause of Ishbosheth. Abner evidently had not. made preparations commensurate with an unchangeable determination to see right done to his nominal master. The gathering of bis few broken forces on the brow of a hill, and hie appeal in their presence to Joab, were the outward signs of his virtual surrender, In his plea of humanity, "Shall the sword devour for ever'?" and in Joab's prompt answer, we get revelations of human chal'acter common to every age. J, lT IS THE LOWER PASSIONS OF MEN THAT LEAD 'l'HEM TO BEEK TO ESTABLISH WHAT THEY CALL THE RIGHT BY VIOLENT MEANS, Ostensibly Aboer was engaged in establishing the right of Ishbosheth to the rulership over the entira natioo. As Joab reminds him, it was his will that led to war that day. In the eye of ordinary men, and judged by the customs of both ancient and modem peoples, Abner was justified in seeking to establish his right by force, But in his case, at least, the use of force was not the result of calm reason and conscience applied to the sohrtion of a question of right. His past acquaintance with all the incidents connected with Samuel's recogni- tion of David, and with the general evidence of the Divine rejection of the house of Saul, must have made him feel that however much personal ambition may have inclined him to identify himself with Ishbosheth, reason and conscience pointed the other way. In the depths of his heart, therefore, he knew that his was not the right side, The same may be said of most of the wars into which men have entered. How- ever much they may have talked about their right, it has been passion-love of domination, selfishness, greed, jealousy, family feuds, or some other low-born feeling- that has darkened the eye of reason and drowned the voice of conscience. Let any one study the words and read the feelings of a people at war, and be will soon see how low and base are the passions that sway their conduct. As when an arm is stretched. out to smite an individual, there is a flow of passion that dethrones reason for a while, so is it with communities when they enter into strife. As to the abstract question of right being enforced by might, it may suffice to say that while an orderly government is a terror to evil-doers (Rom. xiii. 2, 3), in the disputes of nations no might can make a right, and if rulers and people will but suppress passion of every kind, and give sole heed to the guidance of a calm reason and to the subtle dictates of conscience, they will not be long in doubt as to what the light is; and seeing it, they will not be able to do in the name of reason and conscience what can only come from the domi- nation of low passions. The fact is Christianity is consistent. In so far as men are lJhl'istian they will not bring on war. The war-spirit is a disgrace to e. people calling themselves Christian, and must be shocking to the Blessed One, whose acts were the outcome of light and love. II. A DEFEAT OF PLANS AND PURPOSES .AFFORDS A NEW OllANCE FOR THE DICTATES OF REASON, The inflaming of some of the worst of passions, which necessarily takes place in carrying on war, is a sad detriment to the finer susceptibilities of human nature, Abner was deaf to reason before and during the turmoil of conflict, when the lust of power and the passion of self-defence were at work within him. The frustra- tion of his schemes by the defeat he encountered toned down these strong feelings, and gave some room for higher influence to come into action. The animal had spent its powers, and reason remained, On the brow of the hill, among his exhausted men, he , thinks of peace, and recognizes the barbarity and folly of human slaughter. How truly, is he e. type of others! How often have natious slain and inflicted miseries, and when the fierce passion has spent itself have begun to speak of peace, and the need of staying, the devouring sword I That the defeated are the first to do this makes no difference to the bearing of the fact on the moral question, since before defeat they were aa, much the slaves of passion as the victors. It is sad to think how little human life is governed by high and holy principle. A similar reassertion of the authority of reason upd cooscience on the occasion of defeat of purJ>ose is se~n in ipqivic\u~s who, having U. BAMUEJ., $ flO THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [c1t. n. l-.'J2,