their crimes connived at for the sake of the benefits which they confer. 4. Nothing more surely tests and manifests the charo.cter of the wicked than being reproved hy each other for their faults. " Proud men will not bear to be reproved, especially by those to whom they have been obliged" (M. Henry). It is otherwise with the good (Ps. cxli. 6), 6. The strong despise the weak, and passionately resent their complaints, however reo.sonable and just, 6. The wealc suspect the strong, and, although they may feel justified in speaking, a.re put to silence by their fears. "And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him." 7. The dissensions of the wicked arc the most effectual means of their common overthrow, U8Ually turn out to the advanl:a.ge of the righteous, and promote the extension of the kingdom of God.-D. Vers. 12-16.-(BAHURrn.) A domestic episode. Michal was the first wife of David (1 Sam. xix. 11-17). Of her he had been tleprived when he fled from the court of Saul; she was given to Phaltiel (Phalti), the son of Laish, of Ga.Him (1 Sam. xx.v. 44), by her father, perhaps as a piece of policy, to attach him to his house, and they lived together for many years, apparently in much domestic comfort. We have here- I. AN INJUllED HUSBAND DEMANDING HIS JUST RIGHT. "Well; J will make a leag 11e with thee: but one thing I require," etc. (ver. 13). The demand was: 1. Founded upon justice; David having been unjustly and contemptuously treated. 2. Reverential toward the Law, which had been flagrantly violated. It does not appear that Michal was ever legally divorced from David. 3. Incited by affection toward her and the memory of her early love to him. 4. Adapted to test the sincerity and fidelity of Abner, and prepare the way for further negotiations. 5. Consistent with his honour. He could not suffer his wife to live as the wife of another man without shame. 6. Calculated to remind the northern tribes of his former services against the Philistines (vers. 16, 18). 7. And to increase his injf:uence over them by the maintenance of his family alliance with the house of Saul and' the public recognition of his power. There was policy as well as principle in the condition imposed. II. A FEEBLE RULER ENFORCING A HUMILIATING REQUIREMENT. .. And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son," etc. (ver. 14). "Not to Abner, but to Ish- bosheth (for the league between David and Abner was a profound secret), whom David knew must act feebly, as he was at Abner's dictation" (' Speaker's Co=entary '),"to demand the restoration of Michal, that her return might take place in duly legal form" (Keil), and that it might be apparent that he "had not taken her by force from her husband." Nothing is said of Ishbosheth's feelings on receiving the message. Like other incapable monarchs, he never exhibited any spirit except on the point of his royal dignity; and, even on this, his wrath wa,s extinguished before the frown of Abner. Under constraint, he sent Abner himself, and took his sister from her husc.;Lnd. And the effect of this concession must have been to discredit him in the eyes of the people and hasten his downfall. Henceforth it was hardly necessary that Abner should disguise his intentions (ver. 17). There is no more pitiful sight than that of a man who holds the royal office without adorning it with royal qualities. III. A HELPLESS BUBJEOT SUBMITTING TO A PAINFUi, NECESSITY. (Vers. 15, 16.) The scene is a pathetic one. Michal conducted forth, attended by her husband, "weeping behind her" to Bahurim (eh. xix. 17), on the borders of Judah, where he was com- pelled to part from her, with the contemptuous ortler, "Go, return." "And he returned" in bitter disappointment, grief, and shame. Yet he had brought his trouble on himself. How fruitful in domestic misery are imprudence, ambition, and sinful expediency I It may be long delayed, but it surely comes. Men reap as they sow. "Wherefore all Phaltiel's tears move no pity of mine. Caveat raptur, let him beware who violently takes another man's wife, seeing shame and sorrow are the issue of such ungodly marriage8" (T. Fuller). "His tears ought to have been tears of repentance for his sin against God and against David" (Wordsworth). Perchance there lay hid in the evil he now suffered the seed of future good. Ilut here his history ends. IV. A IIAUGIITY PRINCESS RESTORED TO HER LEGl'l'IMATE LORD. Nothing is said of their meeting. 'l'his silence is ominous; and it is to be feared that the reunion was not one of unmingled sat.isfaction. Time and circumstances may have changed her feelings towar<l David (1 Sam. xviii. 20), separated her more wiJely from him in !10 TTTE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. m. 1-39,
spiritul\l eymp&thy, and developed in her heart her father's pride. She WI\S now only one of many ,vives. At a subsequent meeting (eh. vi. 20) she Wl\S scornful jealous and unspiritue.1. And thl\t which De.vid anticipated with pleasure became an'occnsio~ of po.in and lasting trouble.-D.