The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 136

of God's people, Kings by Divine right in 'the strictest aense. A11 suoh Dllvid is hero recognized at length by the tribes of Israel, as before by the tribe of Judah. Aa such the Lord Jesue ie reoognized by his followel"II. Theae reasons had exieted and should have been as powerful immediately after Saul's death ; but they had not been allowed to operate. But the experience of these tribes whilst holding aloof from David, their present disorganized condition, possibly also their knowledge of the benefits of David'& rule t<J Judah, combined to open their eyes, and so impress these considerations on their hearts as to produce a general willingness to accept him whom they had been rejecting. And thus it is with many in respect t.o the great King, Hie claims are l...iown, but other lords are preferred, until, after delay more or less protracted, they beoonie convinced of their sin a11d folly, and surrender themselves to him. Let those who are thus procrastinating beware lest they become convinced too late. Il. TJm SOLElllNITIICS :&Y WHICH THRIB ACOEPl'ANOE OJ!' DAVID, AND BIS OJ!' THEM," WERE SIGNIFIED. 1. ...4. mutual covenant. He engaging t.o rule them, and they to serve him e.ccording to the Law of God (Deut. :r.vii. 14-20). Ip. like manner, when men receive Christ as their King, promising loyalty and obedi~nce, he on his part promises t.o be t.o them all that his gospel represents him. Theee Israelites, indeed, may have imposed special stipulations not expressed in the Law; but we, in accepting Christ, have simply to submit to the terms of the Divine covenant, a,q we are not in any degree independent parties. 2. The a11ointing of Davi,d as king. The third time he was anointed-once by Samuel, once by the tribe of Judah, and now by the rest of the tribes. For the people could in a measure give him authority over them. But our King Jesus can receive no authority from us. He is the Christ (the Anointed) of God; we have simply t.o recognize hie Divine authority. 3. The presence of God was recog- nized. '' Before the Lord." This was fitting, a.s he wa.s supreme Monarch, to whom both king and people were bound kl submit, whose blessing was necessary to render the union happy; and an engagement made as in his sight would be felt as peculiarly binding. So should we, in accepting Christ, place ourselves in the presence of God, first in secret, then in his house, and at the Lord's Table. 4. .A ioyful feast concluded the proceedings. (See 1 Chron. xii 39, 40.) It was to the whole people a suitable occasion for rejoicing. They were again one nation. Their union would be cemented by eatir,g and drinking together. They would the better retain the feeling or union, when they had separated to their various localities and homes, and would be the better prepared to perform their common duties t.o the king and the nation. Thus also our Lord enjoins his subjects to eat and d.rmJ[ together in his Name, that they may recog- nize each other as hie, rejoice together in their privileges, and be more closely united t.o him and the whole "Israel of God." In conclusion: L Happy is the nation whose rulers and subjects alike recognize God as the supreme Ruler over them, and his will as .their supreme law; act as in his sight, and invoke his blessing. 2. Closer union amongst Christians must spring from more thorough acceptance of the royal authority of Christ. They are one in him, aud they will become more completely, more consciously, and more manifestly one in proportion as they, all alike, renouncing merely human authorities, come to· Christ himself, listen to him, and submit to his authority in all things,-G. W. Ver. 10.-Desirab'le greatneu. "And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosta was with him." The growing greatness of David was owing to the presence and favour of God, and was accompanied with them. It was, then- I. GB.EAn."E88 WELL-DEBIVED. All greatness is in some sense from God; but all dues not spring from his favour. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou casledst them down into destruction" (Ps. l.xxiiL 18). He that becomes "a great man" through unjUBt violence, the oppression and swallowing up of the weak, low cunning, UDJ1CrupuloUB ambition, insatiable avarice, or an absorbing activity of mind and body which excludes God from thought and life, cannot rightly attribute his success to the lilessin<> of God. Such greatness is disastrous, and carries a curse with it. It ii; reached by eerring Satan, and accompanied with slavery to him and participation of his doom. He was not alv.,gether lying when he said (Luke iv. 6, 7) that the power and glory of the world were given by him to those who would worship him. The world abounds iD instances of greatness 110 won. But the greatness which is a gift of God's favour on. v. 1-26.) 'l'HE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUl<:L. 139