The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 122

on our own faithfulness in daily life. 4. It is helpful to the observance of obligationa that we recognize them with the solemn ee.nctioneofreligion, "before the Lord" (ver. 3). TM acqu&Bition and building-up of Zion. This narrative exhibits David as a now man-freti from the old trials and embarrassments, and with 11, clear course before him to raise up the government which should embody the religious principles of the theocr11ocy, and be prospective of 11, grand spiritual development in tlio distant future. As one relieved from great cares and oonscious of vast unexpended energy, he at once applies himself to the adoption of the means which at that stage of a!fo.irs seemed most conducive to the attainment of ulterior issues. The principles on which he acted, while excellent for the circumstances of the time, admit of a wider application to human affairs, and with this in view we may indicate the wisdom of his conduct and the bee.ring of the narrative on other matters by a succession of single terms suggestive of both facts and principles. I. IKITIATIO~. All along, even in exile, David had learnt to regard his life as linked in the pro,idence of God with some great events in the far-distant future. His mission to the world and his own nation was underst.ood to be the raising of his own people to such a position of social order and righteousness as should fit them to be most perfectly instrumental in hastening on the la.tter-d11oy glory. Now that be was me.de king, and bad the confidence of the people, be devises those initiatory measures which, being well planned and executed, will render the attainment of remoter ends more probable. The record tells us of the facts, and we have to fill in the mental processes by which David was led to the particular course recorded. His work was great, far-reaching, and, full of energy and faith and confidence, he makes ii. beginning in the work of consolidation and administration. 'l'he first movement was born offaith in his call to service-faith in the bearing of his life's work on the destinies of men, faith in the existence of a Divine purpose which had to be wrought out in connection with the chosen race, faith in the value of human labour in relation to Divine purposes, and faith in the presence and help of God in all undertaken in his service. How wisely and broadly the founda- tion was now about to be la.id we may notice further on; the fact here to be noted is the laying of a foundation in deeds for subsequent efforts. All wise rulers and govern- ments, when entering into recognized power, take initiatory measures as their wisdom may suggest. The first stages of action bear an important relation to what follows. The same holds good of other departments of human activity. This reminds us of the initiatory work of the kingdom of Christ; how his life, sufferings, death, and resurrection may be regarded as the initiation of that long course of activity by which the king in Zion will wondrously affect the destinies of the world. We know with what clear prevision, what sense of being sent of God, what faith in the value of human effort and in the presence and blessing of the Eternal, all that W&'l done which constituted the beginning of the reign of the Anointed of the Lord. . II. CLEARANCE. In making a survey of the inheritance into which, as king, he had come, David saw that the presence of alien J ebusites, defiant of himself and worshippers of blind and lame idols, was an evil which ought at once to be got rid of. F~r such an alien element to occupy a stronghold in the very heart of the country was a most galling thought to one intensely patriotic and brave, and could not but have· suggested'. to him the defective courage and faith of his ancestors in Israel, who allowed such e. thing to be possible. It was no mere love of fighting, no desire to create e. diversion on acceding to power, that induced him to challenge his best men to seize the position; it was statesman.ship, regard for the purity of the national life, and the honour of him who originally ga~ the land to Israel for an inheritance. 'l'he people of God must be separate from the heathen. Powers of darkness must not dwell in the land of light. A beautiful example this to all who have an inheritance to hold for Christ. Our nature is a holy land, in which he alone is to be honoured, and it is a prime duty that we take strenuous mtasures--call upon the co-operation of our best powers-to cast out the evil elements from the'centre of our nature, so that there may be nothiJJg within that ddileth, or is an abomfoation, or that maketh a lie. The work may be difficult, the forces strong and defiant, and faint-hearted rulers may suffer the evils to remain from hheer la.ck of courage and confidence ; but their removal at an early stage of life is e. cur,dition of a prosperous government, in the name and service of God, of the. powerB Oil, V, 1-25.) THE SIWOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 123 ---------------------------------- 1.hnt mako up our human nnture. In one respect also we see an analogy in our Lor,\'~ work. His mission in its widest rench is to gather into one all things in himself (Eph. I. 10), to sway 11. blessed sceptre over a perfected humanity, to maintain a kingdom of peace and righteousness that shall never end (Ps. lxxii.); and his first work on ascending tbe throne is to seek the casting out from the heart and life of humanity of foo alien B!Jirit, tho Jobusite, that so Jong has usurped the place of influence, and done B9rious injury to all. The work is now going on, and the Jebusite will be cast down from his stronghold, and th11 entire world won at last to tho Prince of Peace. III. CONBTRUOTION. In reformation and restoration there is a. negative and a positive sido. David hud to clear out the foe of his people, and so secure free scope for their activities and their happiness. But a positive work had to follow the removal of the evil forces. Hence, in his sagacity, he resolved to construct on the site cleared of the alien a stronghold that should serve the important ends of commanding the entire country from an impregnable position, of giving local prominence to his seat of govern- ment, and of facilitating the administration of affairs. 'The possession of Zion, and the immediate development of its military advantages, were positive advances in the rear- ing of the stable state which was to stand out so markedly in contrast with the disin- tegration and weakness of Saul's time. True wisdom is constructive. Evil is destruc- tive and disintegrating. Men prove their capacity to lead and govern hy what they ~n gradually build up. The aim and effort of David all through his reign evidently was to form a. national life on solid foundations, and richly developed in all that con- stitutes true greatness. How truly typical of the Son of David, who, by supremely wise acts in the establishment of his kingdom, laid the foundation for a superstructure of human good which is ever going on toward perfection I How suggestive of the true wisdom of missionary enterprise-laying solid foundation~, in central positions, with a. view to bless whole lands with the peace and blessedness of the gospel, and then gradually adding to the first work by positive developments of the same stable cha- racter I Likewise in education and in individual self-eultnre in godliness, construction should be ever aimed at, ever going on, proceeding upon definite solid foundations of success, laid with care in the very centre of the heart and intellect. Hereby also do we learn the extreme importance of getting supreme mastery of those powerful central forces of our nature which are to the details and outward aspects of our personal life what the stronghold of Jebus was to the varied hills and valleys of the land of Israel. IV. lNsPmATION. The step ta.ken by David was the natural outflow of his own enthusiasm. The force was latent in him, and now came the occasion for its manifes- tation. It was a new thing for the tribes to see a. man of spirit, conscious of a. high destiny to work out and urged, as by a. Divine inspiration, to dare deeds not dreamt of for many generations (Josh. xv. 63; Judg. xix. 10-12). The man rose with his position. The consciousness of new and heavy responsibilities developed heroism. Even the barbarous occupants of the stronghold (ver. 8) seemed surprised that any one should dream of touching them. The strong expression, "hated of David's soul," only reveals the high and all-co=anding spirit that could not brook the defilement of the holy land by idolatrous feet. But the infection of an enthusiastic spirit is rapid, and this action of the king at once raised the national tone. It made men feel that, as a people, they were entering on a new era; the possibilities of a great future opened before them; an ambition of e. lofty kind was enkinclled; the dismemberment of the nation, the low politico.I statue of Saul's time, when they could scarcely hold their own against heathen tribes, must cease to be imagined, and the great ideas of Abraham and of Moses once more must become regnant in their minds. Possibly on that day of coronation, when the elders of the tribes would come into close conference with David, he would speak out from his own clearer vision of their fpnction in the world as the people of God and his own strong faith in the presence of' Jehovah, so that the deeds oo Mount Zion would illustrate in impressive form words of power (Ps. xl. 9, 10). Likewise the inspiro.tion given to the Church in days of the founding of the kingdom of Christ has raised the tone and put e. etrnng and masterfu~confidence in the heart of man. None can fully estimate the widespread and mighty mfluence exerted by the lofty spirit dis- played by our Lord. It has raised new hopes, developed a bolder courage, fixed men's eyes more steadily on the glorious future, and produced the feeling that the faithiul are engaged in an entcrpl'ise not only sanctioned by God, but pervaded by the very life-  124 Til:E SECOND 1300:K or SAMUlL. tort. v. 1-25.