The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 81

wlll\l, merinB an,l methods in detail may be safely and honourably 11sed for seckin~ the end we havo in viow. lIJ. A POLIOY THUS J.l'OUNr>ED ON PRINOIPLE IS BURE JN THE COURSE OF' TIME TO JBBUl!l JN '1'IIE TRIUMl'Il 01r J.JirJ',, '!'here is evidence in David's early career that he 110.d to endure the blame of eager and less conscientious men for being Ro very scrupu- lous in the use of means. 'l'he sons of Zeruiah were, also, not satisfied with what they would call hia timorous policy (vere. 24, 25, 39). Those years spent in Hebron, merely keeping in check the assaults of Ishbosheth's men (vers. 1, 22), seemed to give a doubtful meaning to the Divine promise which had become the property of both Davirl. and the true sections of the nation (vers. 0, 10, 17, 18). But the man of God held on, and would not swerve from the policy founded on clear principle. Events proved th:i.t he was right and the over-eager men wrong. In due course, Providence so governed the action of ieading forces, that the entire people were brought (vers. 17-21) under influences which at last issued in his realizing the end on which his heart had been so long set.. In fact, he allowed God to work where man cannot work, i.e. on the spirits of men beyond the reach of our own hand and voice. Once more we see it illustrated that God's time and methods are best. 'l'he same peaceful issue is coming on as the result of "the patience of the saints," and their undying faith in the action of the Spirit of God on the spirits of men. It is when professing Christians lose their faith in God, and have recourse to questionable devices, that, in seeking to hasten on, they really l'etard the progress of that which they have at heart. Taking a wide view of the government of God in the unfolding of the moral order, we see the ~ame attain- ment of remote ends by means of righteous and quiet acting through long epochs. What is thus true on a large scale will be found true also of the individual life-the effort to realize the holy will of God in our personal experience. In public and private affairs, in working out our lines of policy founded on principle, we should not forget to leave .a very broad margin for the action of God beyond anything we can do or attempt. This has ever been the case with the best men. There are springs which God's hand alone can touch. He can govern the free actions of leaders of men, so that the actual course they freely take, though not most pure in motive, shall, in its form, harmonize with the main purpose of the Eternal. Would that man had more faith. in God as the living God! Gu:NERAL LESSONS, 1. The sincere satisfaction of those who, like David, restrain feeling and bad impulse, and wait for God to open the way and change the course of events. 2. The important contribution to the realizing of the purpose,, of Christ the Anointed One sometimes .made by men whose acts are not pervaded by his Spirit. As Abner's acts accelerated God's purposes, so the gains of commerce, of science and art, though not always made in the name of God, become means of advancing his kingdom. 3. The survival of sacred feelings amidst and in spite of the turmoil and commotions of life. The old love for Michal was still alive, as many an old affection cherished in early days reappears and asserts itself when occasion offers. 4. The deep wounds and secret sorrows induced by harsh and arbitrary acts. As the cruel deed of Saul (1 S:i.m. xxv. 44) left its traces. in the lives of David, Michal, and Phaltiel (ver.15), so it is with other deeds of the same spirit but different in form. 5. The apparent subordination of great public interests to private is, in the case of men of principle, only on the surface ; the reverse is really the truth. David's promotion of the unification of the nation, on condition of getting baok his wife (ver. 13), was, as seen above, in the reel interests of the unification under himself; and so when the acts of really good men are traced down to their principles, they only, in outward form, appear to be too persooal. 6. 'l'he great extent to which the mass of men are biased eveu against what is plain truth (vers. 9, 17, 18) by prejudice, and are swayed by able leadership. 7. 'l'he com• pleteness with which, in the course of providence, influence slowly gathered and widely exercised against the cause of God, may be suddenly turned to work round in prornoiion of it (cf. Saul of 'l"arsus and Abner, vers. 17-21). Vars. 22-27.-The facts are: 1. Joab, returning from an expedition, finds David at Hebron after Abner's departure. 2. Hearing from the people a general statement of what had transpired between the king and Abner, Joab repn,aches ·David for bis peaceful conduct, anti insinuates. that Abner was simply 1•laviw the soy. 3. Sendinli: 80 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ea. m. 1-39.