The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 76

act in faith that an overruling Providence is at work above us and above all forces, l\nd that the greRt issue will in some unknown way and time be brought to pRBs, 'l'ho stat,esman cannot mRke the nation great and strong; he can only set in motion socinl and m:1terial forces which in due course may accomplish the purpose in view. 'fhe missione.ry cRn but contribute an item of force towards rendering the whole earth sub- missive to Christ. The parent can contribute but some of the elements which in the end will tend to form the final chara.cter of his children. The far-reaching aims of life nre binding on us, but their realization is not all in our power. It i8 absolutely within our power to perform single acts of justice and consideration as occasion offers. As tho products or will, they may fill but a small place in the world in comparison with tho realization of those other wider nims which are products of many wills; yet they afford opportunities for proving our fidelity to truth and righteousness as surely as do the great events to bring about which we can only contribute our pa.rt. David's pro- found regard for what was right Nhone forth in his care for a single individunl 1 just :Ii! truly as his faith in Providence appeared in subordinating the attainment of his political ambition to this act of justice. III. HUMAN DUTY IS PLEDGED TO THAT WHICH IS KNOWN AND DISTINCT. David kuew that Michal was bis wife, that she bad been forcibly separated from him in the day of adrnrsity, a11d that as a goo<l man be was bound to nmend her wrongs as soou ns occasion offered. Though a. king,·he saw that domestic were prior to political obliga- tions. There may have been, as a matter of fact, policy in showing his .regard in this way for the house of Saul, but the evident motive was to do a right deed as soon as it was seen to be right and scope offered for its performance. In morals, .prompt action is homage to righteousness. A known duty and scope for its performance should never be deferred. As nir, in obedience to the law of .its action, rushes in to fill a vacuum, so does a just mind at once seize opportunity for doing what is clearly known to be right. If men linger and hesitate to do specific acts discerned to be just, it is clear evidence that they are defective in righteousness of principle. Their inner lifo is :pro tanto alien to that of God. This explains, in one way at least, how it is that some men do not at once turn from positive sins and surrender themselves to Christ. They see what is the right thing to do, but defer it till some great scheme of their lire is completed. IV. FAlTHFO'U.'ESS IN THAT WHICH IS LEAST GIVES MORAL POWER FOB OTHER AOTB. Having discharged this more private domestic duty, and so satisfied bis conscience in reference to an obvious obligation in which a sulferer was concerned, David was a stronger man for carrying through whatever might be useful for realizing the great purposes of Providence. A good conscience is a moral tonic. The impression produced on Abner and others by this rege.rd for what is right in the more private sphere of life, could not but be favourable to the public interests of tbe king. Evil men are awed by pronounced goodnese, and the halting are won to allegiance, History presents many instances of influence &U.,"111.ented by conscientious attention to duties in private and domestic life. The habit formed by such carefulness to do the right thing in minor matters gives momentum to the action of the will when it is called to act in reference to great questions in the face of strong opposition. Many men become morally enervated by careless inattention to obligations of a private nature, yet lying close at !,and. and clear as daylight. Their influence on great public questions is weakened by their consciousness of neglect, and by the disgust with which men regard public separated from private righteousness. PoUcy without principle. The Bible narratives do not enter into details concerning the inner motives of those whose actions are recorded; they rather state outward facts, and leave them to produce their natural impressions. The strange and apparently irreconcilable procedures of Abner are no doubt resolvable into some ono governing feeling which, with unvarying consistency though in varying form, _shaped hie entire public actions. The whole facts from first to last reveal the operat1ou at the base of his conduct of one master-passion-the love of pre-erniuence; and it is in the working out of this powerful feeling that we find a remarkable illustration of a policy in life apart from principle. • l. A LOVE OF l'Bl!l-EHINEN('E IS OF'fEN A CLUE TO MUCH IN LIFE '1'1IAT 18 OTIIEU- oa. m. 1-3!J.] 'rl:IE SEUOND BOOK O.&' SAMUEL. 7G