The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 199

of the ho'U8e of David, was "the foundation of all Messianic prophecies and hopes in the prophets concerning the completion of the kingdom of God, its revelations of grace e.nd its blessings of sfllvntion" (!Grdrnann). It was- I. AN EXPDl!:BSION OF ABOUNDING GRACE. 'fhe free, condescending, unspeakable favour of God toward David, this it was which so deeply affected him (vers. 19-21). 'l'he good pleasure of the Lord hnd been shown in "the word of the Lord by Samuel," in David's exaltation to the throne after long sufferiniz and trial (ver. 8), and in his subsequent prosperity (ver. 9); and it was further manifested in this great premise of continued grace to bis house, "for e. great while to come;" whereby bis noblest aspira- tions would be fulfilled (eh. xxiii. 5), and through him and for his sake blessin;:s would abound unto many. Jn like manner" the exceeding riches of his grace" are apparent in all the promises pertaining to eternal life and salvation, and the whole history of the pro"ress of tbe kingdom of God from its commencement· to its consummation. "The progress of God's kingdom, or of true religion, should be the progress of David's line. 'fhis point constituted the Messianic element in the prophecy. lt limited the hopes of the world's redemption to David's line, as Jacob's prophecy had long ago limited it to the tribe of Judah" (P. Thomson). TI. AN ABSUnANCE OF EXTRAOilDINARY GOOD. To the view of David the future was, by means of the promise, lighted up with glory. He beheld: 1. The existence of the royal house, of which he was the founder, TI1ade sure by the Divine oath. "Jehovah telleth thee that Jehovah will build thee a house" (ver.11; Ps. cxxxii. 11; l.xxxix. 3, 4). 'l'his was the general substance of the promise. "The royal office was elevated to the position of being the controlling and centralizing point of all the theocratic main elements of the national life." 2. The elevati()'11, of his posterity, and especially of one of his sons, to the royal dignity. "I will set up thy seed after thee" (ver. 12; 1 Chron. xvii. 11). "Behold, a son shall be born to thee . . . Solomon," etc. (1 Chron. xxii. 9; :xxxvili. 10; 1 Kings v. 5; viii. 19). 3. The establisliment of the kingdom in security, peace, and happiness, all enemies being subdued; "and I will establish his kingdom;" which was,necessary to the fulfilment of David's purpose. 4. The erecti()'11, of the temple and the dwelling of the Divine King in the midst of his people. "He shalI build a house for my Name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever" (ver. 13). "The building of the house here goes hand-in-hand with the eternity of the kingdom . . • . The. essenc.e of the temple consists ia. it-q being a symbol-an outward represen- tatfon .of the kingdom of God under Israel. The real import of oar passage, then, is that henceforth the kingdom of David and the kingdom of God should be closely and inseparably linked together" (Hengstenberg, .' Christology '). "The idea of a number of descendants following one another (a line of kings) is evidently contained in the promise" (Keil); anu in this seme David must have understood it. "The collective he (vers. 13, 14) includes in itself (like Gen. iii. 15) the Son of David in the highest sense and the Founder of the true temple of God, which is his Church." 5. The relation of Father and son subsisting between Goel. an.-1 th-, theocratic king. " I will be to him a Father, \lnd he shall be to me a son." i::uch was the relationship between Jehovah aud Israel (Exod. iv. 22; Deut. :xiv. 1; xxxii. 6; 1 Chron. :x.:xi:x. 10; Isa. lxiv. 8; Jer. :xx:xi. 9; Hos. xi, 1), and it would be made specially manifest in the head and repre- sentative of the chosen people. A son (1) derives his being from his father, bears a close resemblance to him, stands near him, represents him, and shares his possessions; (2) is an object of his tender affection, under his protec.ting care, and subject to his merciful discipline; e.nd (3) is bound. to reciprocate his affection, to honour him, and obey his commandments. The fatherly love of God l:1 here more pe.rticularly presented to view; and "whom the Lord loveth be chasteneth" (Heb. xii. 6). "If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him," etc. (ver. 14). 6. The unchanging merry of God, founded on this relation. "But my mercy shall not depart awe.y from hin:, as l took it from Saul," etc. (ver. 16). If, indeed, the individual king should forsake the· Lord, he would be "cast off for ever" (1 Chron. xxviii. 9). "The contrast is that between the punishment of sin in individuals and the favour that remains permanently with the family, whereby the promise becomes an uncondi'tional one" (' Christology '). The kingdom of God is a kingdom of righteousness. 7. The eternal duration of his dynasty and kingdom once more assured, with all the advanta"es of i. government faithfully exercised according to the will of God. This was "th: everlastiug covenant, ordered in all things, aud 204 THE SECOND DOOK OF SAMUEL. [on, vn. 1-29,