The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 189

1md pa.rent whose hopes sometimes seem blighted, rejoice to be able to think of an issue of their life which, in spite of a.II a.ppearances, redounds t.o the glory of God. "Here am I, and the souls thou hast given me," is to be true of multitudes. God will give a godly seed, "a house" better and more enduring than any we could build for him (Ps. cxxvi. 6, 6 ; Matt. xix. 29). Vere, 12-29.-Tbe facts are: 1. The prophet declares to David (1) that he shall have a. seed who she.II build a house for the Lord; (2) that this successor shall bo regarded as a son, and, while the subject of discipline, if needed, shall not be cast off as was Saul; and (3) that the house and kingdom thus established shall endure for ever. 2. David, in response to the message, acknowledges the condescenAion and bounty of God in what he had done and promised. 3. He confesses that all is of the free unmerited loving-kindness of God, and regards this wonderful superhuman good- ness as being an illustration of the existence of a love transcending all that is known to man.· 4. He recognizes the blessedness of Israel in being under the ea.re and guidance of One so supremely good, and in being honoured to be distinctively his people. 5. He prays that the good and glorious things said of his house and of Israel may come to pass, and so bring out into public view and for ever the glory of God. 6. He con- cludes with a prayer, based on the faithfulness and goodness of God., that grace may be bestowed on the house of David, so that it may fulfil the purpose so graciously formed and now more explicitly revealed. The testing period, and its rewards. We have here brought out a contrast between Saul and David. Both were accepted of God (1 Sam. ix. 15-17; xvi. 7-12, 13). A period of testing was assigned to each of them, and Saul failed in his (1 Sam. xiii. 13, 14), while David succeeded (eh. vii. 8-12, 15). The whole facts show that for each of them, in his official capacity, there was a probation or testing-time, which was not coextensive with the duration of life, but sufficient to prove fitness for being the instru- ment for the furtherance of the Divine purpose of redemption through the Messiah. David was found fit for Divine use, and hence, in the prime of his days, he was assured of the completion of his life's work and of issues most glorious. I. THE EARLY STAGES Oli' A 0AREER'. DETERlllINE ITS ISSUE. From his call and anointing up to his desire to build a house for the Lord, David had been taking the first steps of his· public life; on the whole, he had been wise, devout, loyal to God, zealous for the Divine kingdom among men. The great work of his entire life was thereby virtually ensured. All future successes were now germinal. Saul's futnre was blasted because the early testing years were unimproved; David's future was made sure because his .trial had proved his sterling qualities. The years of early manhood carry in them the future of the man. A Christian "found faithful" enters on a wider ministry (1 Tim. i. 12). The Church that has kept true in trial is safe in view of future perils (Rev. iii. 10-12). The proper use of five talents carries with it the promise of use of ten talents. According to the development of Christian character in the early stages of religious life will be its power and victories unto the very end. The beginnings of things are the ends of things in miniature. Character is a prophecy. IDtimate successes lie hidden in first adjustments. JI. THE BLESSED ISSUES OF A PROBATION ABE IN THE ORDER OF NATURE. The bestowment of tho honour of being founder of a great line of kings on David was an act of Divine favour, marking approval of his fidelity during the testing-time of life; but it was not a mere artificial, arbitrary arrangement. It was the announcement of the fact that God had so ordered things that he, by faithfulness, thus far had acquired the qualities which a holy God could and would use up in bringing to pass his great purposes. Saul was proved naturally unfit to inaugurate a permanent line; David was proved naturally suited for that end. This mns through all things. A sapling that has, in spite of storms, passed well through the ordeals of early life contains within itself the vital qualities which will develop into a perfect tree. It is by force of the virtues 1md acquirements of the testing-time of early manhood that subsequent achieve- ments are won. The spiritual characteristics of the man "counted worthy " of a ministry explain the triumph of his life's work; for, though the blessing of God is essential, yet it is the order of nature in the religious sphe~ ~r:e.t the blessing comes U, SAMUEL, O 194 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ (llt, VII, 1---29,