The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 188

elevntion of feeling. But the gentle, kindly wl\y in which it is allowed to fAll la a beautiful instRnce of God's tenderness toward his people, I. Goo REOOG1''IZES us AS RIB OWN. There was balm in the words, "tell my ,ert>C1nt David." In the beginning of his career David knew that he was CAiied of God, but m1my a yMr had pRssed, and many a sore spirituRl conflict with varied success had been endured. It was then refreshing to his spirit to be thus distinctly acknowledged to be the servant of the MoHt High-one honoured in heaven and identified with the carrying out of God's will on earth. To be owned of God, to have the witness of his Spirit with onrs that we are his, to know on good evidence that our life is moving along the lines of his purpose,-what more satisfying and comforting when some cherished desire is denied ? Paul's thorn in the flesh and consequent disappointment of holy ambition WI\S even welcome when the Lord sent a message assuring that he wae bis "servant "-to do some work in the world, though not in the form desired, It is much in life if, amidst many failures of character and frustration of cherished desires, a man is permitted to know that God is not ashamed of him, and still honours him with a place among the great body of co-workers with himself. II. PROVIDENCE GRADUALLY MAKES CLEAR, IN PART AT LEAST, THE WISDOM OF THE DISAPPOINTME1''T. The first note of Nathan's message brought sorrow and even an<>uish of spirit. Fond hopes of joyous activity in a blessed cau~e were crushed. The <heam of holy hours vanished. Loving toil was reje~ted. The heart sank. But by degrees, as the message unfolded and the course of Providence in reference to the tabernacle and settlement of Israel were unfolded, and probably reference made to wars yet impending (vers. 6--10; cf. eh. viii. 1-8; 1 Kings v. 3, 4; viii. 19), the reasons of the Divine conduct became manifest, and the troubled heart could rest in an unerring wisdom alone. A similar course was taken with the apostles when their Lord soothed their disappointment at his expected departure by partially expounding the reason of his conduct (John xiv. 1-4). Sometimes Christian workers who have, through sickness, failing opportunities, temporal disasters, and defecti've holiness of life, been denied the privilege of accomplishing all that was in their heart for Christ, have had to dwell in dense darkness for a while; but gradually events have occurred and light from God's Word has come which have shown how just and even kind it was that, under all the circumstances of the case, the disappointment came. The day will come when the bitter experiences of life will be so seen in their varied relations to ourselves and others as to give occasion for thankfulness. III. THERE IB EVIDENCE THAT GoD WILL USE us IN OTHER WAYS, "My servant" meant to David that there was yet noble work to do for God. Human choice of the old form of work is not always best. In the great kingdom that is being established there is scope for many energies in manifold forms ; and as the kingdom is one, every worker is honourable and every work essential. To keep the door of the sanctuary, to wash the feet of weary pilgrims, to give a cup of cold water, to feed the hungry, to place a. mite in the treasury, and visit the widow and fatherless, are services honoured as truly as erecting a temple and as necessary to the perfection of the kingdom of God on earth. The Apostle Paul could not charm men by unfettered eloquence, but he could bless the universal Church by his example of loving acquiescence in the Lord's will (2 Cor. xii. 8--10). Even tbe very ambitions that have not been gratified may be used up by God :!: means to inspire others with generous aims and lofty aspirations. IV. Goo REVEALS TO THE SPIRIT A OBOWNING BLESSING. It was a repayment of David's loving devotion in his own kind when the prophet was instructed to reveal to him that God would "make him a house." To an Oriental monarch, especially after the sad failure of Saul, there could not have been a more coveted distinction than being blessed with a posterity that should hold his place in the kingdom, The blessing in this case, we know, carried with it also a spiritual significance embodied in the expression applied to Christ, "the Son of David." This cannot be regarded simply as a reward for the design to build a house for the Lord-it was part of a great purpose from the beginning ; but it was clearly brought in here as a matter revealed for the BOOthing of David's spirit in a season of disappointment. In this way the future blel!86dnees of the faithful is revealed in order that they may have abundant consolation, Good men do not live and labour for future rewards, but from love of Christ and pas- sionate sympathy with the purposes of his heart; nevertheless, the pastor, missionary, OiJ, VII, 1--20,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. H)3