The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 138

Ver. 19.-Dioine assurance of trictory. The enlargement and establishment of David's kingdom, while a joy to Israel, was a grief to their old and formidable enemies, the Philistines. These came in great numbers into the territory of Israel, hoping to seize David himself (ver. 17), as the shortest way of putting an end to the newly united st.ate. So formidable was the invasion that the king found it desirable to leave bis new city and go " down to the hold,'' the fortress probably of Adullam, with such forces as be could collect; and when the enemy "spread themselves in the Valley. of Rephaim," he BOnght direction and promise of vict.ory from God before attacking them, and received the answer, "Go up," etc. Christians are called to a warfare with powerful enemies, who are the enemies of Christ and bis kingdom; and it is their satisfaction that they have received Divine assurance of victory. They have to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, as they as.sail themselves and endanger their salvation, and as they prevail in the world and even invade the Church. They are powerful foes, with many resources at command, and their onset is at times alarming. As the Philis- tines with David, they may be expected to make specially violent assaults when special prosperity has been attained, but the results are not yet fully established. But it is the joy of Christ's warriors that victory is certain. Each faithful soul shall successfully fight his own way to heaven, and the Church shall gain final and complete success in the battle with evil L How THE ABBUBANCE OF VICl'OBY IS Dll'ABTED. How docs God assure us that we shall be successful in the Christian war? 1. By the intuitions of the soul, When we distinctly place before our minds the combatants, we cannot doubt which will ultimately be victorious. It is a conflict between good and evil, truth and error, right and wrong, holiness and sin, God and Satan. Evil is mighty, but good is almighty, because the living, true, and holy God is almighty. 2. By the promises and prophecies of his Word. These assure victory to every faithful soul in hie own personal contest (see 1 Cor. L 13; Eph. vi 10-13; Jas. iv. 7; Matt. :niv. 13), and triumph to the Church in the conflict with error and sin in the world, notwithstanding the deep and firm hold they have upon men, their extensive prevalence, their long reign, These e&mrances aboUDd throughout the Scriptures, culminating in the -descriptions of the conflict in the Apocalypse, and of the victories of the great Leader and bis forces, und summed up in the triumphant shout of the great voices in heaven: "'.!.'be kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of bis Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. xi. 15). 3. By the mission and work of owr Lord JesU/J Christ. He came as our "Leader and Commander" (Isa. Iv. 4), and, by his personal confilct, endurance, and conquests, not only led the way for his followers, but secured victory for them. "Be of good cheer," be says, "I have overcome the world" (John xvi. 33; see also Heb. ii. 9, 10, 14-18; 1 Cor. xv. 24, 25). 4. By the victories already won. The gift of the Holy Spirit and his mighty operations in apostolic times and all through the Christian centuries. The victories over the old paganism; the Reformation; the revivals of religion at various periods; the successes of modern missions. Every true-hearted Christian has in his own experience not only a pledge of final victory for himself, but an encouragement to seek the salvation of others. l I. 'l'HE EFFECT WHICH BUCH ASSURANCE SHOULD l.lA VE lJPON UB. "Go up." EngAge in tu1: baLtl1: with evil; anrl do so with: 1. Oo'fljidence and C()'U,rage, 2, Resolute zeal OR, V, 1-25.) THE SECOND BOOK Ob' SAMUEL. 141