The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 72

give e. representation, from a J)Olitioal point of view, of David prior to the CLction of Abner in his favour; and in vers. 6-11 to state the circumstance that led to CL trnnafcr of Abner's !!Upport from one 11ide to the othor. 'l'he general effect of the war between the two royal houses and the growth of David's domestic establishment l\re the two prominent items of the situation ptior to Abner's change of policy. Judged solely by the standard of the age, they pointed in the direction of advancing influence, but lookccl nt in the light of a higher standard they suggest a qualified prosperity. The geneml truth~ embodied in this account of rival interests may be set forth as follows. I. DEFENSIVE ACTION IN A JUST CAUSE IS SOMETIMES 'l'llE DEST POLIOY. Thnt the cau~e of David was jnst is evident to every believer in the truth of the First Book of Samuel, and. 118 seen there and in the Psalms, the conviction of this governed his conduct. From a purely human point of view it might seem contrary to natural justice to set aside the son of the fate king; and the effort of lshbosheth to urge, by force of arms, his own olaim mny be a natural sequence of thought and feeling. But kings have no rights apart from the will of God; and, as the sequel shows (ver. 10), hoth the young kin::; and his general were not unacquainted with the Divine purpose. The right being with David, it might seem strange that he did not press his claim to entire dominion by aggressive war. His skill and valour, the coherence of his following, and the entbusiasm created by his personality, to say nothicg of the demoralizing effect on Abner of his own infidelity to conscience, could not but have speedily'made him master of all Israel. Instead of that, we find David simply authorizing such conflict as would suffice to hold his own and check the aggressive efforts of the house of Saul. It is interesting to see here the same David as of old, who had ,,uch faith in God and the gradual unfolding of his purposes that he would never raise a hand against Saul, or do anything, except in necessary self-defence, that could be construed into hostility. Had not Ahner's e,·il cou!lSels prevailed with Ishbosheth, David would have lived in peace at Hebron till a mightier hand than his own cleared the way to the throne of a united people. Statesmen would do well to take such an example in many of the painful coctingencies that arise. To a just man it is half the victory to be calm and strong in the conviction of hie rectitude and the righteousness of his position. There is a watch- ful Providence cherishing the good and frustrating the evil. Forces under the direction of an e,·il geniUB are sure to wear themselves out if only the objects of their hate can hold their own; and the wasting of their strength means the final triumph of the cause of truth and justice. There are seasons in Church life when this policy of pure defence is wise; for at such times God has ends to effect which work in with the scope of more ·aggressive endeavours. lI. A RIGHT CONTn-"TION WILL COYE TO A RIGHT ISSUE. 11 David waxed stronger and stronger." Of course he did. It could not but be so, for he was a chosen servant, not seeking or doing his own will, but simply placing his life in the hands of God, to work out for his people and for future ages, purposes the precise nature of .which he could not understand. No weapon formed against him could prosper. He who coutended against him fought against God. The forces of nature were on his side. Never dicl mortal more vainly contend against iil.te than did Ishbosheth contend against David. The principle involved in this iru.-tance is of wide range. Right is sure to prevail in the issue. The disturbing element introduced by sin into the universe causes strife of the most grave character. 'fhe whole line of Divine government, so far as we can trace it, seems to be a line of conflict between right and wrong, holiness and sin. 'J'h'e anta,,.onism taken up in Eden runs on and becomes more acute on Calvnry, and is app~ent now in a" long war" between the children of light and the kingdom of dark- ness. Time is in favour of righteousness. There is an endurance in truth which cannot be affirmed of error. As perhaps the friends of David thought those years of war very tedious and dispiriting, and sr,metimes even inconsistent with rightness of claim ancj purpose, so we may be weary in the greater strife and become disturbed by cruel questionings; yet the issue is sure. "Stronger and stronger" rnay be affirmed of the kingdom of righteousness on earth. For even the seeming failures and delays only become, in the hands of Providence, the means of acquiring the hardier and more enduring virtues by which at last the final victory shall be won. The sa,me is true of o.ny conflicts in which character is at stake. Our "ri;;hteousness shall be brought forth P,s the light," and our" judgment as the noonday." '!'he parallel may be seen also in CII, III, 1-ao.J 'fHE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 71