The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 171

are the most likely to feel as if their own will might bo their law, Thus carnalit,y anrl worldlineRB come to regulate the ntfairs of the Church, 11nd the Law of God is violated in letter or in spirit. Hence the "will-worship, the volunteered, self-imposed officious, supererogatory service" (Lightfoot on Col. ii. 23), which has so extensively' prevaile,l in Christendom, and which has originated or fostered errors of doctrine; hence also the terrible crimes against Cbristio.n liberty and love which have been committed ad majorem Dei gloriam, and thought to be sanctified thereby. 3. There remain the cW1mon lessons taught by every death, especially by sudden deaths, and yet more especially by sudden deaths in the midst of displays of human power and glory, The uncertainty of life, the certainty of death, the awfulness of death in sin (,John viii. 21 24), the vanity of earthly pomp aml splendour, the necessity of habitual preparedness' the value of sincere and spiritual worship and service of God, the appropriateness of th; admonition, "Be ye also ready," and of the prayer, "So teach ue to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."-G. W. ' Ver. 9.-Dread of God. .The death of Uzzah made David "afraid of the Lord," and deterred him from fulfilling his purpose to bear the ark into the place which he had prepared for it in his newly founded metropolis. He seems for the time to have dreaded lest it should bring evil with it instead of good-a curse instead of a blessing. So tho vast assembly was dispersed, and the day which was to have been so glorious and auspicious ended in disappointment and gloom. David's feeling is an illustration of religious terror, or the dread of God. I. 1TB NATURE, 1. It is to be distinguished fr<YTn that "fear of the Lord" which i,s so often inculcated in the Word ef God, and which is especially characteristic of the piety of the Old Testament, This is reverence of God, of his nature, authority, and laws. It includes, indeed, a dread of offending him, because of the certainty and terribleness of punishment ; but it includes also veneration, esteem, and love. The feeling which is described in the text is simply alarm, terror. 2. It may be awakened by various causes. (1) Terrible acts of God: sudden deaths, as that of Uzzah, those of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts v. 5, 10, 11); violent tempests; earthquakes; deadly pestilence. (2) Terrible aspects of his nature. Holiness and hatred of sin; justice, displeasure against sinners; together with his perfect knowledge and unbounded power. (3) His threatenings. (4) The consciousness of sin. This is the secret of the dread which springs from the thought of God. A solemn awe is compatible with innocence, but the holy would not be "afraid of God," or if for a moment, at some startling and threatening event, only for a moment. II. lTs VALUE, In itself and standing alone, it is of no religious worth at all. It is compatible with enmity to God, which is the opposite of true religion. When it springs into the heart of a good man it may be associated with very wrong feeling. David was "displeased" with God, while" afraid" of him (ver. 8). It tends to drive men from God rather than draw them to him (comp. Luke v. 8; viii. 37). It may drive them from him while seeming to uraw them to him; for it is apt to generate a religion without love, without even reverence-an obedience which is slavish and destitute of true virtue. It is favourable to superstition, indeed, and ruay stimulate to great libernlity; but, while acting alone, it cannot produce genuine godliness and true holiness. It is the feeling on which priestcraft in all lands flourishes. Yet it is good as e. first step in those that need it, and e. preparation for what is better; and some measure of it, blended with other emotions, is always of value to many, if not all. In Ps. cxix., where every feeling of a pious soul finds expression, this is included (ver.120). And our Lord enjoins it as e. safeguard against the fear of man (Luke xii. 4, 5). This fear is of great value: 1. 'fo arouse the conscience and prepare for better things. Many are so hardene<l. that they are incapable of boiog, in the first instance, drawn by love; their fears must be excited. 2. To make the gospel welcome ; which, revealing the love of God and the redemption which is by Jesus Christ, is fitted and intended to allay the dread of God and awaken confidence and affection. 3. To stimulate in obedience to God and deter from sin. It is true that love is the noblest stimulus, and that perfect love casts out fear (1 John iv. 18); but love is not perfect in this world, and feo.r is needed when temptation is strong and the better feelings are for the time dormant.-G. W.  176 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ OH, VI, 1-23,