The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 80

R~ mnn Bhould be. It wns his moat 11nd drink to <lo hie I<'atlrnr's will. 'l'ho p;onl uf redempt;ion is to rniee us to tho full ~tature of men in Christ Jeeue, 'l'hie view of iiunum life, inwrought M a principle into 11ll the operations of heart 11nn mind, will tlo much to hring about the final harmony of our 0l\'n lives, and indood of all thinge, for rliecordll ,\•ill cease in proportion as rational cre1ttcd wille move in unison with the Divine. ll. 'l'HE PRINCil'LE ON WHIOR LIFE 8110ULD llE CONDUCTED llEING O.LEARLY mi:coo- NIZED, JT SERVES Ail A J,IGR'I' ·ro 11lE CHO[CE AND REJECTION OF Mll:ANB DY wmoH TIIB A"l'TATh"lllENT OF THE END MAY BE SECURED. Between David's revealed predoe- tioRtion to be king over the chosen race, and the realization of the Divine will in the· actual facts of history, many acts on his part had to be performed. It would be per- plexing to an ordinary mind to prostate the agencies and methods by which the shepherd-boy and exile should at last peacefully ascend the throne and reign over· a united people. Had human pa.ssion, or bare calculation, or mere pt>litic b&!o.noiog· of advantages been taken as guide and governor of action, there would doubtless have been, in his case, a reproduction of the tragic struggles so often recorded in the history of public affairs. But conformity of self to the holy "'ill of God being the root-prin- ciple of lifu, conjoined with the never-absent oonviction that Providence was sure to.be on his side in seeking to conform self to the revealed will, this illumined his pathway even amidst the darkest of earth's shadows, and enabled him to see what courses should be avoided and what pursued. Clearly he must not !tive scope to mere lust of power; for where the need nod what the use of that when the Holy One had sworn that he should reign? Clearly, also, he must not use force and conquer the people over whom as king he is to rule; for had not God chosen him to be l!..i-:ig o,er a chosen race, for the realization of high spiritual issues stretching far into a glorious future? Equally plain was it that there is no need i;o have recourse to the cunning o.nd craft and false~ hoods-the policy void (!)f moral principle-which a godless spirit might suggest; for was he not the chosen servant of the Holy One of Israel, who has no need of low-born policies to establish his dominion over men? Hence David's patience in· exile, his tender regard for Saul even when others suggested revenge, his merely defensive action at Hebron, and his manifest unwillingness to force Ishbosheth from the throne and to: compel Israel to submit to himself. He had faith in God and in God's supremacy over the hearts and destinies of men. In so far as he had a policy it was suggested by his fundamental principle, and embraced three things·: (1) Use of peaceful means. (2) Waiting on Prnvidence for some free movement on the part of lerael. (3) .ii regard for the susceptibilities of the house of Saul and the natural interest of the pr.ople in· that house. Hence~ (1) His abstention from hostilities during Saul's lifetime, and hie subsequent non-aggressive action against lshbosheth, as also his willingness to accept• the services of Abner with the elders of the people. (2) His acceptance of the alle-: giance of Abner, viewing it as simply a fa.et brought about apart from any bril;>e or effort on his part, and being in its outward form, with which he was alone concerned,, con-· fonnable to the revealed purpose (ver. 9), and consistent with his belief in an over- ruling Providence which reaches to the spirits of men. (3) His laying down the condition (vers. 13-16) on which he wonld accept the services of Abner; for while personal affection a.nd oonjugal duty alike suggested the restoration of Michal from her enforced banishment (1 Sam. :a:v. 44), such a course would prove to lshbosheth and Israel that he still cherished his old regard for the house of Saul, and thus tend to win all parties over to a ~ u l settlement.. Here, the~, :was a sound an~ wis~ IJC?licy grounded on, and in fact isswng out of, the abiding recogn1t1on of the mam pnnc1ple that God had a will concerning his life, to effect which was at once his glory and delight. The facts suggest their own application and lessons. They find their highest and truest counterpart in the life of t~e Son of David, :~vhose ~vance to. univ~rsal supremacy proceeds from the declared will of God (Ps. lxxu.), and 1s secured m patience, by means in nature pure and peaceful, by an uuseen action on the spir:itij of men making them willing, and by a kind and considerate regard for the varied susceptibilities ·of human nature. They also furnish illustrations of how the Church, may combine policy and principle, displaying the wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove. We furthermore learn that, in pursuing our individual course through the world, we may, by keepiDg the main principle of having a holy Divine purpose to work out clearly before the mind, ever have at hand a pure, bright light by which. we 1:1h11,ll soa en, 111. l-30.J THI~ SECOND DOOK OF SA!IWEL.