The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 59

of itB attainment, ond expose themselves to great, risk and peril (Titus ii. 6; 1 Tim. vl. 9). "Ah I who con tell how hard it is to climb 'I'he steep where Fame's proud templo shines e.fe.r?" (Bel\ttie.) 3. Heedless of salutary warning. "And Abner looked behind him, and said," etc. (vers. 20-23). "Tum thee aside," etc. "Slay one of the common soldiers and take his nccoutrements ns booty, if thou a.rt seeking for that kind of fame" (Keil). He cared little about t,he safety of his men, and was chiefly concerned about hi8 own; but his advice was considerate, wise, and once and again repeated. Asahel, though swifter of foot, was not his equal in experience and skill; and (like many other young men) he despised the warning of the old warrior, was headstrong and over-confident of success, and rushed rashly and blindly upon his fate. "Heat of zeal sometimes, in the indis- creet .Pursuit of a just adversary, proves mortal to the agent, prejudicial to the service" (Hall). 4. Struck down in youthful prime. "And Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him," etc.; suddenly, unexpectedly, and when he seemed on the point of accomplishing his purpose. With one blow his life was cut short, his hope disappointed, his promise of a brilliant future extinguished. "Often do men fancy themselves about to seize upon happiness, when death stops their career and lays them in the dust. And if they will rush forward in the road to destruction, though plainly warned of their danger, they can blame none but themselves" (Scott). "Fe.me is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (The.t le.at infirmity of noble mind) 'l'o scorn delights, and live laborious days; But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, And think to burst out into sudden blaze, Comes the blind l!'ury with the abhorred shears, And slit~ the thin-spun life." (Milton,• Lycidas.') 6. Regarded with mournful pity. "As many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still" (see eh. xx. 12), overcome with surprise, compassion, and grief; "and they took up Asahel, and buried him," etc. (ver. 32). 6. Remembered with mis- cl,ievous resentment. (Ch. iii. 30.) He left behind bim a legacy, not of peace and good will, but of wrath and revenge. Pause at his tomb in Bethlehem. and lay to heart the lessons taught by his untimely fate (Jer. ix. 23). Let your ambition be different from his; to overcome carnal and selfish ambition in your own heart, to save life rather than to destroy it, to follow in the steps of him who was servant of all (Matt. xx. 28). Here is scope for your noblest aspirations and most strenuous efforts. And your hope will not be destroyed, but crowned by death. "Fool not: for e.11 may have, If they dare try, a glorious life, or grave." (Herbert.) D. Vers. 24-29.-(GIDEON.) War. "Shall the sword devour for ever?" (ver. 26; eh. xi. 25). The sword is more destructive than ravenous beasts, famine, pestilence (eh. xxiv. 13; Lev. xxvi. 26), earthquake, tempest, or fire. The history of its ravages constitutes a considerable portion of the history of mankind. Of these we have here a slight but noteworthy instance. Twenty-four brave men of the same nation (half of them chosen from each of the opposing forces) fell, pierced by each other's wee.pons. In the succeeding battle and flight several hundreds were slain (ver. 31). At sunset the defeated general rallied his scattered troop11 on the hill of Ammah, and appealed to the commander of the pursuing forces to withdraw them a!ld avert the bitter consequences that would otherwise ensue. "Now the battle is going against him he complains of the devouring sword; and, though it had been employed but a few hours, it seemed long to him-a sort of eternity" (Gill). Joab answered that bnt for his challenge in the morn- ing there would have been no conflict e.t all; but (probably e.s yet unacquainted with \he denth of his brother Asahel) he sounded a retreat (ver. 28); and Abnet and his meu 68 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ou:. n. 1-32.