The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 98

of responsibility to God; B truth which others should remember, that they may not idolize the great, nor unduly confide in them (see Ps. cxlvi. 3, 4) or dread their an,,er (Isa. Ii. 12), nor, to secure their favour, sin against him who lives for ever· and that they may be themselves the more content to die. ' III. GREAT MEN SHOULD DE HONOURED AFTER DEATH. By general mournin- ; by honourable burial; by commemoration of their virtues and services, in elegi~s (as here), or biographies, or monuments to their memory; by carrying out their unaccom- plished purposes for the public good ; and withal by praise to God for them and their services. Such honour is due to the men themselves, and tends to the good of society by exciting emulation, etc. In conclusion: 1. Let Britons bless God for the large number and long succession of great men who have adorned and served their country in all departments; and pray that the succession may be maintained to the latest times. Not only are such men invaluable while they live; their works and memories survive them as a perpetual treasure. The truly great do not die altogether. " But strew his ashes to the wind Whose sword or voice hae served mankind- And ie he dead whose glcn·ious mind Lifts thine on high? To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die." (Campbell.) 2. Let us be thankful that H is not necessary to be great in order to be either happy or useful. Goodness is the essential thing. A comfort to the many who can never be distinguished. 3. Yet real greatness is possible to all, Through faith in Christ we become children of God, "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ," to be "glorified together" with him (Rom. viii.: 17). In the kingdom of heaven greatness is secured by conscientious obedience to the Divine co=andments (Matt. v. 19), humility (Matt. xviii. 4; Luke ix. 48), and self-abasing, self-denying service of others (Mark x. 42- 46), Such greatness is substantial and immortal ( 1 John ii. 17). 4. Let us rejoice that the great "Captain of our salvation" lives for ever, in fulness of power to save and bless all who trust in him.-G. W. Ver. 39.-.A weak king. " I am this day weak, though anointed king." David, indignant and distressed on account of the murder of Abner, could not venture ta attempt to punish the murderers. They were too powerful for even him. Hence this lamentation. It was hardly wise to express his feeling-it would help to confirm the power of Joab and his brother. Many a monarch has been similarly weak, owin)!; to the power of those who are nominally his servants. This is injurious when it prevents the execution of justice; but as to measures of government it is often best, the servant being wiser and abler than the sovereign. We may take the words as a picture of w'hat has place in human nature. Man has over him rightful kings, which too often are not, in fact, his rulers. I. THE EVIL, 1. Objectively. Truth, the expressed will of God. is rightful sovereign of men, but it very partially rules. Many " sons of Zeruiah" are " too hard for" it, silence its utterances, oppose its power, prevent its sway. But it is king not- withstanding, and, by the Divine judgments it expresses, will determine me11's destiny, though they may refuse to let its precepts regulate their conduct. 2. Subjectively. Conscience, enlightened by truth, is anointed by God as king, "Had it stren,,oth as it had right, had it power as it had manifest authority, it would absolutely govern the world" (Bishop Butler). But in actual government it is often "weak." The lower part of human nature is in rebellion against the higher. Appetite and passion and ill-regulated lawful affections, and all these hardened into habits, are "too hard" for it. Hence come degradation, ruin, misery, now and hereafter, II. THE REMEDY. The redemption effected by the death of our Lord, realized in the heart by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit, is the only effectual remedy. "Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henseforth we should not serve sin." " Sin shall not have dominioll over you; for y~ II. SAMUEL. H 98 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. m. 1-39.