The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 87

ness or mnlice, but of a mind anxious to show its sense of the desert of the evil-doer; and no doubt it intimated his belief the.t some such terrible issue would in the conrsP, of provi<lonce be tho reward of the crime. This is analogous to what God has been pleased to do. To remove the fears and perplexities arising from the fact that sin is often long unpunished in this world, he has distinctly made known how he regards it, whe.t terrible issues will come of it, and how just is the outcome of all crime on th" perpetrator, 'fhe words of David concerning Joab's desert are mild compared with those of Christ nnd his apostles concerning the desert of those who deliberately reject Christ, pierce him with their sins, and trample on the blood of the everlasting coveoant (Matt. xi. 20-24; Heb. x. 26-31). IV. MEANTIME, GoD DOES MANIFEST :MUCH SYMPATHY WITH THOSE WHO BUFFER FROM WRONG-DOING, David's lament over Abner as one noble in position and in some aspects of character, and yet brought to a premature end as though he were a mean, weak, and inferior person; his taking upon his own heart the anguish which he knew must afflict multitudes ; his abstention from food and present comforts because of the common calamity; his revulsion of feeling from the "men too hard" for him ; and his use of authority for securing for Abner the highest funeral honours ;--all this, so natural and beautiful in Israel's king, so soothing to the hearts of the troubled people, is strikingly suggestive of the wonderful way in which God, while denonncing sin and foretelling its punishment, manifests his sympathy with a world afflicted with the deeds of evil-doers. This is largely the meaning of our Saviour's life among men. This is one element which enters even into the great transaction on Calvary. This is the explanation of the manifold ministries of comfort and encouragement raised up by the Head of the Church for the relief of those who a.re bowed down, and the mitigation of many of the calamities which come in consequence of the sins of others. V, WHILE PROVIDING THUS FOR THE DUE PUNISHMENT OF SIN AND THE MITIGATIOY OF THE CALAMITIES IT ENTAILS, Goo ALSO EXERCISES A. RESTRAINING POWER OVER EVIL TENDENCIES. The continued presence of David, asserting his rightful authority and infusing his own generous spirit into the administration of affairs, could not but have the eflect of lessening the influence of Joab and setting a limit to the range of evil he otherwise might do. The king was among his people for their good and the restraint of one who, in spirit, was their calamity. Here, again, do we not get a glimpse of what is true in the spiritual sphere? God does not leave evil men entirely unrestrained to carry out their designs and to afflict the world with their base spirit. As responsible beings, they have their freedom to act for a while, but he "restrains the wrath of man;" he is present in our human affairs, checking and controlling so that other influences less powerful in appearance shaU be brought to hear and find full and free scope. It is never to be forgotten that, though there are J oabs amongst us, "hard" in spirit and cruel of purpose, and. bearing on their conscience the blood of others, there is amongst us the eternal King, whose love, generous sympathy, and determination to care for the faithful never fail. • GENE!lAL LESSONS. 1. It is characteristic of a just man that, free from personal il\- will, he will have faith in tho retribution of wrong-doing, and will even forecast aml acquiesce in its form. 2. A righteous indignation will induce a denunciation of men in power in spite of any resentment that ma.y arise. 3. The guilty conscience is so cowardly that righteous denunciation may even increase the moral power of the just. over the unjust man. 4. It is important to cherish strong faith in God's methods of government if we would be ea.Im and strong in assertion of right and awaiting a proper adjustment of rewards. 5. It will be a matter of sincere grief to a. generous mind to see men of great abilities come to an ignoble end, even though in the past those abilities have not been used in the desired direction-allowance being made for the strong temptations to which such men are liable. 6. A manifestation of sympathy with the sorrows of a people, and an effort to draw out their more tender feelings, is a sure wa_y to the exercise of o. moral influence more potent than the assertion of authority. 7. A man proves his capacity for ruling othern when, without sacrifice of principle, he can by generous sentiments win theiJ: good will and awaken t\ prevailing kindly seuti1m nt iowards hi rne;clt~  8G T:tllll SI~COND BOOi{ 01.<' SAMUEt. [di!. ttr. 1-89,