The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 202

Divine oommunic&tion here reoorded, furnish an ·adtnirabie ei:11.mple of the ,pil'il In which "the sacrifice of thanksgiving" should be presented. • · I. DEEP HUMILITY before the presence of God. "Then went KinR David in" from hie palace of cedar to the lowly tent (the palaoe of the Divine King of Israel)," and snt" on the ground in a lowly posture, according to Eastern custom (expressive of his lowly state of mind)," before Jehovah," the symbol of whose presence stoQd veiled before him, "And (aft.er devout thought on the communication) he said, Who am I, 0 Lord God 'f" etc. (ver. 18). Although in comparison with other men he "might have whereof to glory," yet in the conscious presence of God he h&d a profound sense of his weakness, insignificance, dependence, and unworthiness (Gen. xxxii. 10; Job xiii. 6, 6; Ise.. lvii. 15 ; Eph. iii. 8; 1 Pet. v. 5, 6). The proud heart ill never a thankful heart. Tho poorer we are in our own estimation the more disposed we are to "praise the Lord for his goodness." Humility is the first step of a ladder whose top· reaches •heaven (Matt. v. 3). •' II. CALM REFLECTION on bis benefits. " And this was yet a small thing in thy eight, 0 Lord God," etc. "And this [which thou he.~t graciously promised concerning my house] is the law [established order or decree] of [or pertaining to a mortal] man, 0 Lord God! "(ver. 19). "Is this the law of one who is a mere me.n created from the dust as I am, that I should be elevated to such a glorious altitude as this?" (Words- worth). "'l'hou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree" (1 Chron. xvii. 17). An expression of humble astonishment.. The more he pondered it in his heart, the more he was humbled, surprised, and filled with thankfulness. We have not less cause for gratitude (Ps. viiL 4, 5; 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10). "F_9rget not all his benefits," past, present, or to come. We are apt to forget them, and therefore should contemplate them frequently, enumerate them one by one, and endeavour to estimate their exceeding worth. Meditation is like a lens, by which the rays of the sun are collected into a focus and produce so intense a heat that coals of fire are kindled by it· (Ps. xxxix. 3 ; xlvili. 9; lxxviL 11, 12; Luke ii. 19).. III. h'"TENSE CONVICTION of his claims. "And what can David say, more unto thee? for thou knowest thy servant, 0 Lord God!" (ver. 20). The great things which had been promised, the obligations under which they laid him, and his conviction and impression thereof, were all indescribable. Words failed him; and he could only appeal to Omniscience .to witness the sincerity and dilpth of his grateful feeling (John xxi. 17). Every additional benefit conferred upon us increases the claims 9f our Divine Bene- factor on our love and devotion. His mercies are "new every morning" (Lam. iii. 23); and the debt we owe is ever accumulating. "How ca.n I repay to Jehovah All his benefits toward me?" (Ps. cxvi. 12.) IV. FERVENT GRATITUDE for his grace. "For thy Word's sake;" in fulfilment of thy purpose and promise formerly expressed, "and according to thine own heart," of thy spontaneous, sovereign, unmerited favour, "hast thou done a.II these great things to make thy servant know them," for his consolation and encouragement (ver.. 21). It is the disinterested love and abounding grace of God, displayed in his gifts; that -more the.n BDything else touches the heart and constrains it to fervent gratitude. "To my eye the workings of :i. heart oppressed and overflowing with gratitude are painted stronger in this prayer than I ever observed them in. any other instance. It is easy to see that his heart was wholly posijessed. with a subject which he did not know.how to quit, because he did not know how to do justice to the inestimable blessings poured down upon himself and promiJled to his posterity; much less to the infinite bounty of hiH Benefactor" (Delany). V. LowLY ADORATION of his perfections. "Wherefore thou art great, 0 Lord.Gdd," etc. (ver. 22). The gree.tness of Jehovah, the incomparable One, the only Goel, was manifested in his dealings with his servant, as in the whole history of. Jsrael, ••·accordirni: to all that we have heard with our ears." David had the most exalted views of hiK character as the All~wise and All-powerful, the Condescending, Faithful, Graciou~, Merciful, and Just (1 &m. il. 2; Ps. cxiii. 6); and he delighted in the contemplation and praise of his infinite excellence. Go<! hiQ1self is greater than anything h~ has done OH, VII, 1-20.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 201