The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 113

occupy, evon for those most remote, little The first, the.t they wore Davirl'e hono and more than o week; ond it was well worth flesh. In other words, the tri:,es wero all of the while of the tribes thus to oome to- one re.ce, and united by tho closest ties of gether. It made them feel the value of relationship. For the clescencfants of 11 unity, and gave them a knowledge of their common ancestor to be at war with one strength. Their tribal independence during another wae both morally and politically the time of the judges had made them too wrong. The second, that David had been weak even to maintain their liberty; but their e.ctual leader in we.r even in Saul's now, welded by the kingly power into a time. His persona.I que.litiee, therefore, nation, they soon, not only won freedom for justified their choice of him to be their themselves, but placed their yoke upon the deliverer from the evils which had over- shoulders of their neighbours. As for the whelmed the land after the disastrous defeat difficulty of supplying them with food, all e.t Gilboe., when San! had no loni:;er the aid would bring victu&ls from home ; and the of David's presence. The third, that .J e- neighbouring tribes showed great hospi- hovah had by the mouth of his prophet tality. Especially we read that those who were given the throne to David. It is remarkable nigh unto Hebron, "even as far as Issachar the.t the elders pie.ea this last. Their view and Zebnlun and Naphtali, brought bree.d proba.bly was that the Divine command on asses, and on ce.mels, and on mules, and must be proved by outward circumstances, on oxen, victual of meal, cakes of figs, and the.t so reason might confirm faith. So clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and Se.ul's publio appointment by Samuel was oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there ratified by the people only e.fter he he.:l was joy in Israel" (1 Chron. xii. 40). It shown himself worthy to be a king by the was a grand national festival, joyously kept defeat of the Ammonites. because the people saw in the election of Ver. 2.-Thou shalt feed. In biblical De.vid an end to all their troubles; and so language the pastoral office is that of the vast a gathering overbore all opposition, and civil e.nd not of the spirftual ruler. Captain; gave both to them and their king the con- Hebrew, nagid, prince; so the Revised scionsness of their might. But while we Version ( e.nd see note on 1 Sam. ix. 16). The find in the Book of Chronicles the account word refers not to military matters, but to of this mighty multitude, it is here (ver. 3) the civil administration. David had proved expressly so.id that it was the elders who himself a competent leader in war when made a league with David, and anointed Saul we.a king. Wha.t Jehovah uow gives him king. The people by their presence is the government of Israel in time of peace. testified their joyful assent to what we.s The Authorized Version renders "captain" done; but David's election was made legiti- from not perceiving the.t the Divine pro- mate by the decision of the constituted mise ensured to David fo.r more than a authorities in each tribe. It would be most military chieftainship. interesting to know the various steps taken, Ver. 3.-A. lee.gue. The enrly kin;;s of and how the agitation grew and spread from Israel were not invested with despotic tribe to tribe, until all hesitation and re- power. Thus, on Se.ul'e appointment, sistance were overcome. But the object of "Samuel wrote in a book the manner of this book is to show us the great qualities, the kingdom" (1 Se.m. x. 25, me.de most the sin, the repentance, and the punishment emphatic in the Revisetl Version by the of the man who added to the old routine of note in the margin, that the Hebrew is "the sacrifice bright services of song, and who book"). The revolt against Reb.obo1un wrw we.a the author of that book of devotion the result of the too great extension nf the which to this day best expresses the feelings roye.l power in the days of Solomon (1 Kings of the bee.rt, o.s well in the joys as in the xii. 4). Tl10ugh subsequently the kings sorrows of life. The manner of his election seemed to he.ve retained their suprem~cy. throws no light upon his chnracter, and is yet when the gcod and patriotic Jehoiucfa passed over. Enough to know that in those restored the family of D.i'\""iu to the thron~. fiv£> years after Ishbosheth's murder David he reverted to the old "ays, and "made a won the approval of all Israel, and that his covenant between the .king and the people" appointment ·to the kingdom was by the (2 Kings ::ci. 17). Besides personal rights, free choice of the tribes, acting in a legiti- the trib~s, oocustomed to their own leaders, mate manner, and sending each their elders and unused to yield obedience to a centntl to Hebron to notify to David their consent; authority, would certainly stipulate for a. nnd tha.t their decision was mtilled by this large measure of tribal independence, and joyful gathering of a mighty multitude from the management of loce.1 matters by them- a.II pa.rte of the land, Three reasons 11re selves. They Bll.Ointad De.vid king. This given by the elders for David's eleotion, wns the public ratification of Samuel's 11nd we may be sure thnt they represent the anointing, and by it David bece.me de facto, arguments used in their popular 11os1Jmblks. ii~ well a~ de j1"c, king. Tlw vrnpl.ct, c,ml(j II. RAMUF.I., l  114 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cu. v. 1-25,