The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 198

Ver. 12.-(JERUl!ALE:1!:.) The prospect of death. The view. o'r earthly glory ls apt to suggest, by contrast, the thought of its transitory duration, and no one can look forward to the days to come without having "the shad.ow of death " presented before his mind. Of its unavoidable approa.cb, the message which David received, tolling of his present prosperity and future prospects, reminded him. It is: 1 . .A~ event of inevitable occurrence. "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?" (Ps. lxxxix. 48). "The small and great are there" (Job iii. 19), "The path of glory leads but to the grave." "Death comes with irrespective feet., And beat.s upon the door That shuts the palace of the great, The e&bin of the poor." (Hora.oe.) 2. .An end of all,otted time. "When thy days be fulfilled," There is "an appointed time to man upon ea.rth" (Job vii. 1; xiv. 5; Ps. xxxi. 15), in which to pass his proba- tion, form his cha.racter, and perform his work. Unknown to him, it is determined by God, and, however brief, it is sufficient for that purpose. Happy is he who therein "serves his own generation by the will of God" (Acts xiii. 86); a. An ezit from eai·t/ily cares, labours, conflicts, and sorrows. " Thou shalt sleep," and be at rest (Job iii.17; John xi. 11; 1 Thess. iv.14); not necessarily in absolute unconsciousness and inactivity. Death is a "decease" (2 Pet. i. 15), departure, exodus of the spirit from " this tabernacle" to an eternal home (2 Cor. v. 1, 8). 4. An entranCfl into heavenly fellowship. "With thy fathers; " in the possession of conscious, personal, immortal life, of a common heritage in Goe, and happy communion with each other (eh. xii. 23; Ps. xvi. 11; xvii. 15). David's hope of this, indeed, was dim, in com- parison with the Christian hope, as the morning twilight compared with the perfect day (2 Tim. i. 10; Matt. viii. 11). 5. An enlargement of beneficent influence. "I will set up thy seed after thee," etc. He lives in his children; his words; ,his works ; the manifold influences which he exerted on others, and which continue operatin~ after his decease, ·nnd contribute to the buildiug up of the temple and kingdom of God. His departure is even expedient and necessary in order to the activities of others; •and 1 instead of becoming extinct, his power for good is thereby extended and exalted. His name "liveth for evermore" (Ecclus. xliv. 14). 6. .An obje-ct of profitable contemplation, By meditating on it,· especially in its moral and spiritual aspects, he learns to moderate earthly nttachments, sanctify earthly relationships, to be humble in prosperity, patient in trial, and diligent in duty. "'l'hon must shortly die I O man, set thy house in order. There is a house of thy conscience, a house of thy body, a house of thy family, a honse of etemity. All these must be set ill order" (Christopher Sutton, 'Disce l'1fori '), Learn to die. Learn to live. Learn to pray.-D. Vers. 12-16 (1 Chron. xvii 11-15).-(JERUSALEM.) The promise of an everlasting kingdom. ".And thy house and thy kingdom shall be pennanent; Thy throne shall be established for. ever." (Ver. 16.) 1. The position of David was a very exalted one. He was the chosen earthly head of the theocracy, or kingdom of God; and on him, rested the hope of its glorious con- summation. He was the Lord's messiah-"the mediator through whom Jehovah dispensed help, safety, and blessing" (Riehm). 2. But was the hope of Israel to be completely realized in him ? And were his rlynasty and kingdom to be permanent, or to pass 11.way, like others? 3. To these questions the promise now given fumished an n,lequate answer. David would be succeeded in the theocratic throne by bis posterity, 0.1,d his dynasty and kingdom would endure for ever, 4. This promise, the great charter ()11, vu. 1-20.) '11HE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 203