Vers. 13-17.-(GmEoN.) Fratricidal strife. ".And that place was called Helkath- Ha.zzurllll." (ver. 16). The hostile attitude assumed by .Abner appeared to David to render necessary active measures in self-defence. It is not said that he inquired of the Lord. If he ha.d done so the conflict which ensued between brethren might possibly ha.ve been averted. .As it was, he sent an army of observation under ,the command of Joab, who (although not mentioned before) ha.d doubtless accompanied him in his exile (1 Sam. xxii. 1), and was now general of his forces. .And Joab and "the servants of David" marched to Giheon and encamped opposite .Abner "and the servants of Ishbosheth" (ver. 13). .At length .Abner, impatient of delay, challenged a conflict between certain picked men on each side, not merely "to see which were best" (Jose- phus), but either to decide the day by the issue or to draw on a general engagement. Joab readily accepted the challenge, and the conflict commenced. It was- I. BEGUN RECKLESSLY. "Let the young men arise and play [fight] before us." "Let them a.rise" (ver. 14). 1. Self-interest, ambition, and envy often quench the love of brethren (vers. 26, 27), and indispose them to seek reconciliation with each other. 2. The indulgence of evil passion blinds men to the consequences of their words and actions. 3. Familiarity with scenes of strife and war tends to produce insensibility to human suffering and slaughter. That a deadly struggle could be spoken of ns a pastime shows how lightly life was estimated and how heartlessly it was sacrificed. ".Ambitious and bloody men ofttln consider the dire trade of war and the slaughter of their fellow-creatures as a mere diversion" (Scott). "Some seek diversion in the tented field, And make the sorrows of mankind their sport. But war's a game whioh, were their subjects wise, Kinga should not play at." (Cowper.) 56 'riIE S'ECON"D nook OF SAMtJtlt. tcu. tt. 1-32,
II. WAo~n FEROCIOUSLY. "And they caught each other by the head," etc. (ver. 16). 1. When the love which should prevail among brethren gives place to wrath, that WnLth is generally mo~t intense e.nd cruel. Civil wars are }lroverbially more bittor thn.n any other. 2. Men are 11ometimes so intent upon injuring their opponents RB to forget t.o defend themselves, And rush upon their own destruction. 3. The attempt to end 11trife by means of strife is commonly vain; "it is rather a spur t.o further effusion of blood than a bridle to binder the se.me." "What can war but endless war still breed?" 4. The issue of the conflict does not necessarily prove the justice of the ce.uee. 6. Mutua.\ strife tends t.o mutual extermination. "All they that take the 111rord shall perish by the sword" (Matt. xxvi. 52). The "field of sharp blades" was a lallt.ing memorial of destructiveness rather tha.n of courage ; a warning rather tha.n a pattern. III. EXTENDED RAPIDLY. "And there W&S a very sore battle that day," etc. (ver. 17). l. The strife of a few excites the wrathful passions of many, by whom it is witnessed. 2. Every injurious word a.nd act furnishes an additional impulse to wrath and retaliation; and the conflict goes on increasing. 3. That which at first may be easily checked passes entirely beyond control. "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water,'' etc. (Prov. xvii. 14; xxvi. 21). IV. ENDED LAMENTABLY. "Abner was beaten,» o.nd three hundred and sixty of his men died; J oab's brother Asahel was slain, with nineteen of David's servo.nts. "In war God punishes the sins of both parties." l. He who gave the challenge and commenced the conflict was the first to complain of the as'ult (ver. 26), and was bitterly reproached as the cause thereof (ver. 27). 2. He who accepted the challenge 'WIIS filled with grief and revenge. 3. Both sides experienced heavy loss and sorrow. 4. Even David could not but regret the weakening of the nation in presence of the common foe; or fail to see in the strife of brethren the consequences of his own faithlessness (1 Sam. xxvii. 1, 10, 11). If he had not taken up his abode with the Philistines the conflict would probably never have occurred. RE:1,u.RKs. l. Vvhen men commence a quarrel they little know where it will end. 2. Strife should be diligently checked at the beginning. 3. "Let us fight that good fight only whereof the apostle speaks, which is between the flesh and the spirit, which only hath the profitable end, the glorious theatre, the godly armour, and the blessed ,eward of assured triumph" (Guild).-D.
Ve1'B. 18-23.-(GmEON.) The untimely fate of Asrzliel,: to yoong men. Asahel was the youngest of three brothers; the others being Joab and Abishai. They were the sons of Zeruia.h (half-sister of David) and a Bethlehemite (ver. 32) whose name has not been recorded; and they had much in common. When Asahel fled to David at the cave of Adullam (some ten or twelve years before the events here mentioned) he waa probably a mere lad; he shared his uncle's hardships and participated in his exaltation. He was one of the famous thirty (eh. xxiii 24), "valiant men of the armies" (1 Chron. xi. 26); accompanied Joab and Abishai in their march to Gibeon, and took part in the battle with Abner and "the servants [soldiers] of Iehbosheth." He was : l. Possessed of eminent gifts. "Asa.he! was as light of foot as a gazelle" (ver. 18); like "swift- loot.ed Achilles," and like Harold L (son of Canute), surnamed Hare-foot, "because he wa.s light and swift of foot" (Rapin). He was also distinguished by enterprise, courage, perseverance, and other admirable qualities. Mental endowments are incomparably superior to physical; but both are gifts of God, and should be recognized as such; they enable those who possess them to render valuable service to his people; and they should be employed in humble obedience to hi11 will. Yet not unfrequently they become an occasion of vain-glory, and are perverted from their proper exercise and end. 2. A~tuated by an =wuie amlYition. "And Asahel pursued after Abner," etc. (ver. 19). He sought to take him prisoner or pnt him to death, and so end the conflict; and doubtless, also, to display his own superior speed and strength, and obtain the glory of the achievement. He was on the right side, and, considering the circumstances of the case, there was something laudable in his attempt. But it is possible, even in connection with the kingdom of God, to entertain an improper desire of worldly honour and power (Matt. xx. 20-23). Those who do so generally set an inordinate value upon the object at which they aim, exhibit an undue confidence in their own abilities, depreciate the difficulties 'l':l:tE SECO~D tmok otr sAMUtL. 57