Ver. 12.-(HEBRON,) The reward of the wicked. This book contains an account of many sudden and violent deaths (in addition to those that took place in battle) by asse.ssinatioo, suicide (eh. xvil. 23), the direct judgment of God (eh. vi. 7), the judicial sentence of man. Capital punishment for murder was of old deemed right and necessary and divinely sanctioned (see eh. i. 13-16). In this execution, we see that: 1. The agents by whom the purposes of God are effected (ver. 8) without his commission and from selfish motives are not entitled to the reward of faithful service, although they sometimes expect to obtain it, being turned aside by "a deceived heart." 2. The reward which wicked men obtain for their wickedness is the opposite of that which they expect (ver. 10). Even if they gain their immediate object, they fail to find therein the happiness they anticipated, and sooner or later suffer loss and woe. 3. The guilt of the crime which such men commit against a fellow-man is aggravated by his inno- cence and the circumstances under which the crime is committed. "A righteous person in his own house upon his bed." 4. The author-ity to which they vainly appeal in justification of their conduct surely requires their condemnatio!l. " He will by no means clear the guilty" (Exod. xxxiv. 7). What they did as private persons to Ish- boaheth without Divine commission, David, as king a.!ld "minister of God," was com- missioned to do to them, and "take them away from the land" which the Lord had given, but which they had polluted and wertl unworthy to enjoy. "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men" (Ps. xxvi. 9). 5. The examplt1 afforded by a severe nnd signal punishment is sometimes necessary to maintain public justice; to manifest the evil of sin ind the certninty of retribution ; to deter others from wrong-doing. '!'he hands that did the dee<l and the feet that "I'llll eagerly for reward" were cut off, and their bodies exposed to opw.i. shame. 110 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. 1v. 1-12.
"He thnt'e meroifnl Unt-0 the bad is oruel to the good." 6. The termination of strife in a land is usually attended with melancholy circmn- stancee. "And they took the head of lshbosheth," etc. 7. The saddest events aro often succeeded by a season of gladnEll!s (1 Chron. xii. 40) and prosperity and even directly conducive to it. With the death of Ishbosheth "the whole re~istance to David's power collapses;" and "thus at last, not by his own act, but through circum- stances over which he had no oontrol-allowed by him who gives liberty to each man, • though he overrules the darkest deeds of the wicked for the evolving of good-David was left undisput.ed claimant to the throne of Israel. Faith, patience, and intecrrity were vindicated; the Dh'ine promise to David had come true in the course of natural e'l"ents ; and all this was better far th,m even if Saul had voluntarily resigned his place or Abner succeeded in his plans" (Edersheim). "Thus God will make all the sins of e\·il men t.o be one day ministerial to the extension and final settlement of the universal dominion of Christ" ("·ordsworth).-D.
Ver. 4.-.A lifel.ong affiiction. Wars inflict innumerable evils which find no place in the history of them. This verse affords an illustration. When news reached the household of Saul that he and his sons had been slain in battle, a grandson, a boy of five years, was hurriedly borne away by his nurse, and, falling, was lamed in both feet; His lameness continued throughout life, and involved him in serious disadvantages and troubles. There are many who, like Mephibosheth, are weak and suffering from child- hood to death. Either inheriting weakness of constitution, or deriving it from some early attack of disease, or injured through accident or the carelessness of those in charge of them when children, they are permanently disabled more or less; With reference to such troubles, notice- • I. THE Evn.s THEY INVOLVE. 1. Sometimes constant 'bodily suffering. 2. ~lways many privations. Incapacity for active employments and their emoluments. Yet, it is wonderful how far this may be conquered. 'fhe writer knew a lady who was one of many pupils who learnt drawing from a teacher born without arms or legs, but who, by indomitable perseverance, became proficient in the art. Such affliction also involves inability to share in many enjoyments. 3. M'U,Ch dependence on others. And hence liability to be neglected, ill treated, imposed upon, robbed, etc. Ziba's conduct to Mephibosheth is an instance ( eh. xvi. 3, 4; xix. 24-27). 4. Various temptations) To despondency, spiritlessness, indolence; to discontent, murmuring, fretfulness; to resentment against those who may have occasioned the affliction; to envy of such as are free from similar trial • II. THE DUTIES THEY IMPOSE. 1. Trustful resignation and patience. However they may have arisen, they are the appointment of the infinitely wise and good Father, who thereby calls for and exercises faith and submission. If active service of God be impossible, the service of patient endurance is not, and may be equa1ly acceptable and w;efuL 2. Thankfulness. For the blessings which remain, and those of which the affliction is a channel ; and for the affliction itself, as a sign of God's fatherly love and care. 3. Watchfulness against the pecuUar temptations of such a condition. 4• .Endeavours after the good which is attainable notwithstanding, or by means of, the offiiction. ill. THE ALLEVIATIONS .AND COMPENSATIONS BY WBICB THEY ABE OFTEN ATTENDED, 1. Larger enjoyment of spiritual blessings. If the earthly is a good deal closed by such. a trouble, the heavenly is all the more open and accessible. '!'he needs of the soul may be the more constantly felt, and their supply the more habitually sought. Reading, reflection, and prayer may be more practised. The grace of God may be more abun~ dantly enjoyed. CoOBtant affliction brings the Christian into fuller communion with the sufferings of Christ, and larger participation of his Spirit and realization of his love and salvation. The consolation rec.eived may outweigh the suffering. 2. Hence a highe.r (JJ.rutian life and more beautiful (Jhristian c/w,racter are often attained by those who are so afflicted. '!'hey become more fully "partakers of God's holiness." 3. Hurnan sympathy and l,ind1,ees are 'IUJually e.njoyed in 9reate1· measure and continuance. A 6uurce Loth of pleafiure and profit. 4. Even the power for goud over others is often u,crta~td. The iocreascd Christian intelligence and force and beauty of character, the cm. 1v. 1-12.J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUF:L. 111