11-13). Their oonduct displayed: 1. Gratitude toward their benefactor, whose kind- ne88 they returned with kindness. 2. Fidelity toward their king, whose fo.ithfulnesa they repaid with faithfulness. 3. Reverence toward their God. 11 'l.'o bury the dead with the Jews was always reckoned an instance of humanity and kindness, and, indeed, of piety; an act done in imitation of God, who buried Moses; and so it might be e:i;:pect.ed the Divine blessing would attend it" (Gill). Il. WoRTHILY BESTOWED by a king of royal disposition. 1. U,Mwpecting. Others rnight find reason for suspecting their intentions, but he could see only what was deserving of praise. 2. Genero'US, with respect to Saul ; appreciating and sympathizing ,\ith their kindness to their master, even though he had been his enemy. "Use the memory of thy predecessor fairly and tenderly; for if thou dost not, it is " debt will sure be paid when thou art gone" (Bacon). 3. Practical. "David sent messengers," etc. 4. Devout. "Blessed be ye of Jehovah," etc. Recognizing God as the Observer and Rewarder of men, he invoked for them his commendation and blessing-kindness for kindness, faithfulness for faithfulness-as the highest good (Ps. xl. 11; lxxxvi. 16; Matt. v. 7; Heh. vi. 10). 5. Becomi'fl!J. "And I also "-as one whos~ office it becomes to observe and recompense good as well as evil-" requite yon this kindness" (send you this message), "because," etc. 6. Encourag,:ng and stimulating. "And now," as heretofore, "let your hands be strong, and be ye valiant" in the new circumstances which have arisen through the death of your master. 7. Candid, considerate, and dignified. "For me have the house of Judah anointed king over them." He indicated delicat.ely, but not obscurely, his claims to their allegiance, and assured them of his protection and help. " To act nobly is always the best policy." • Where'er a noble deed is wrought, Where'er is spoken a noble thought, Our hearts in glad surprise To higher levels rise. The tide.I wave of deeper souls Into our inmost being rolls, And lifts us unawares Out of all meaner cares. Honour to those whose words or deeds Thus help 118 in our daily needs; And by their overflow Raise us from whai ill low I" (Longfellow.) m WISELY ADA.Pl'ED to effect a laudable end. 1. To confirm good men in a Vll'tllous and praiseworthy course. 2. To win the confidence and support of such men. 3. To secure the benefit of their services to the nation and the kingdom of God. 4. To manifest to all the spirit of a just and generous rule. OBIIEBVATIONB. I. One good action tends t.o produce another; in performing it one knows not how far its influence may reach, or what blessings it may bring upon himself. 2. Although we ought not to do good simply for the sake of reward, yet the desire of the approval of the good is a proper motive of action. 3. We should be as ready to give commendation u to receive it. 4. We should desire, above all things, the appro- bation of God.-D. Vers. 8-12.-(MAHANilll.) Opposiei.<m t.o tle Divine purpose. The purpose of God, to make David king over his people, was as yet only in part accomplished; and its fulfilment was opposed by Abner (1 Sam. xiv. 50; xvii. 65; xx. 25; xxvi. 6) on behalf of "the house of Saul." Having escaped from the battle of Gilboa, he "took lahbosheth. the eon of Saul" (a man of feeble character, and fitted to become a tool in his hands), "and brought him over to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead," etc. .After five years of great exertions (while David reigned peacefully at Hebron) he drove the Philistines out of the country, openly proclaimed Ishbosheth (now forty years old) " king over all Ierael,~• and " wen_t ou_t f~om Ma1:18naim to Gi~n" wit~ t~e _view of subjecting J odah to his away. His principal motiv~ w~ the des1re of main~ining on_d increasing his own power. "He was angry that this ~nbe _had set up De.~d for their king" (Joeeph111). His conduct was" not only a_contmuation of the hostility of Saul on. u. 1-32.] THE SECOND BOOK 011' SAMUEL. /;5
towards David, but also an open act of rebellion against Jehovah" (Keil), whoRe pul'pose, as well as the wish of the elders of Israel, he well knew, as he afterwards acknowledged (eh. iii. 17, 18). Bis opposition represents a.nd illustrates that of men to the purposes of God generally, and more especially to hie pwrpose that Chriet shall reign over them nnd all mankind; of which observe that- I. h lB PLAINLY REVEALED, By the testimony of: 1. The Divine Word (1 Sam. xvi. 1). "To him give all the prophets witness," etc. (Acts x. 43; 1 Pet. i. 11). 2. Significant events, in confirmation of the Word; the overthrow of adversaries, the exaltation of "his Chosen," the growth of his power (Acts ii. 22-24). 3. The irre- sistible convictions of reason and conecience, and the confessions which even opponenta have been constrained to make. Abner was present when Saul said, ''Thou shalt both do great things and shalt also still prevail' (1 Sam. xxvi. 25). Bis opposition was therefore inex<;usable. " While men go on in their sins, apparently without concern, they are often conscious that they are fighting against God" (Scott). II. IT MAY B~ WICKEDLY OPPOSED (in virtue of the freedom which, within certain limit~, men possess) because of: 1. The delusions of unbelief. The tempter whispers as of old, "Yea,.hath God said?" (Gen. iii. l); they "wilfully forget" what ha., taken place (2 Pet. iii. 5); "neither will they be persuaded" of the truth and obligation of the Word of God (Luke xvi. 31). 2. The plea of present ezpedi.ency, and the expec- tation that, if they must submit, there will come a "more convenient season" for doing so. .Abner thought "that he might be able, upon better terms, to make his peace with David when the time should come that the Lord was to advance him to be ruler over all Israel" (Chandler). 3. Selfishness, pride, and ambition; the love of pleasure and power, the ha.bit of self-will, the self-confidence engendered by success, "the mind of the flesh," which "is enmity against God." "Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost" (.Acts vii. 51). III. IT CANNOT BE EFFECTUALLY DEFEATED. "He must reign," in fulfilment of the Divine decree (Ps. ii. 7; ex. 1), which: 1. Changes not. "The Strength of Israel will not lie, nor repent" (1 Sam. xv. 29). 2. Is effected by infinite wisdom and might, against which the skill and strength of men contend in vain. 3. Comee to pass either with or without their will, in mercy or in judgment, in the salvation of the penitent or the destruction of the persistently rebellious. "These mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before ~e-n (Luke xix. 27).-D.