The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 97

b~ G~ to be k(n_g over l\ll ~srl\el. Yet he set up Ishbosheth as king over the cloven tnbe~ ID oppos1t10n to David, and thus caused much unnecessary and usoless delay and bloodshed. When, however, Ishbosheth (whether rightly or wrongly) remonstrated with him for his conduct towards Rizpe.h, he calls to mind the purpose l\nd promise of God, and resolves to oo-opcrate with him (I) in placing David over all the natiou (ver. 9); and he opens communications with David with this view. The known will of God thus becomes a convenient pretext for the gratification at once of his revenge l\nd his ambition. His own lips convicted him of insincerity and hypocrisy. His tl\rdy obedience to the truth he knew wns unreal and unacceptable to God, however useful to David. It was self, and not God, thl\t ruled him throughout. Abner has many imitators-men who, instead of simply and sincerely obeying the truth they know, make it wait on tbeir ambition or covetousness, now neglecting it, now acting according to it, and professing great regard for it, as their selfish aims may prompt. They choose their side in religion or politics, not according to conviction, but accordin" to t.heir supposed interests; end if they change sides it is not because of changed con,ictions, but because their ambition or avarice has been disappointed-they have not been made enough of, or they have quarrelled with somo one, or their pride has been mortified, or they see that they have been on the side of a decaying cause which cannot be of much more service to them. Such men may be welcomed to the side they join, :i.nd may be of some service; but they will not be trusted, and their service will be of doubtful value. In religion especially the adherence of such persons is to be deprecated as wanting in the right spirit, and likely to be injurious rather than beneficial. They tend to corrupt the society in which they are active and influential, and deprive it of its true strength-that of sincere, spiritual, consistent character. Observe: 1. The importance of simple and uniform obedience to the known will of God. 'l'o obey as it suits our worldl.v aims is not to obey at all, and the pretence ·or obedience is hypocritical and hateful to God. Such obedience may have its uses to others; God may overrule it for good; but it will bring no blessiag to the doer. 2. The lang'Uage of Abner may be adopted by 'US in 'l"elation to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Ghrist. "As Jehovah has swom to his beloved Son, even so I do to him." Our knowledge of the purpose and promise of God to establish Christ's rule over all men should stimulate us to devoted service in his cause. It assures us that to be on his side is to be on God'~ side, on the side that must succeed. In being thus workers with God we canaot labour in vnin ; and labouring not in pretence, but in truth, we shall ultimately share in the glory and power of the great King whose cause we espouse (Rev. iii. 21), -G.W. Ver. 38.-Death'of a great man. Abner hl\d great qualities, filled a high position, seemed likely to be of great service to David, who sincerely lamented his untimely end. and the wicked treachery and violence by which he fell. • I. GREAT MEN SHOULD BE HIGHLY VALUED. Great generals and naval commanders. If war must be, it is of vast importance that it should be conducted by able captains. But not only these, men great in the arts of peace,-great statesmen, philosophers, historians, scientist.s, poets, artists, preachers, etc. Especially when distinguished abilitv is combined with unselfish devotion to the good of the nation or the race. For selfish ambition belittles the great, and moral corruption renders them powerful for evil instead of good. Abner's greatness was marred by his unscrupulous ambition, and Joab was worse than he. The multitude are very depen<lent on great leaders, whether in war or peace, and can do little without them. "Thou art worth ten thousand of us" (eh. xviii 3). Leading and inspiring the many, they make them partners in their own greatness. The influence of their deeds, or (in the case of intel- lectual leaders) their thoughts, raises others towards their own level. The character as well as the progress of a people depends a good deal on its great men. IL GREAT MEN :MUST DIE. In liOme conditions of eociety their lives are more exposed to peril than the lives of others-whether from the assassin, or from fickle monarchs or ambitious rivals, using the forms of law to put them out of their way; or the cares i:lcident to greatnPss :nay shorten their days. "I have said, Ye are gods . . . but ye shall die like men " (Ps. lxxxii. 6, 7}-a truth they should bear in mind to keep them sober and humble, to stimulate their diligence, and preserve in the:n a BeMe OH, 111, 1-30,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 97