The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 203

or promised to do; but by means of bis doings and revelations wo are enabled to know him nnd dmw nigh to him in worship and adoration, wherein the soul finds its noblest activity, rest, and joy. VI. GENEROUS BYMPATI!Y with his people. "And what one nation in the earth is liko thy people,'' eto. (vers. 23, 24)? An incomparable people! 1. Redeemed by mighty nets. 2. Designed for B speciaf purpose-to be his posses11ion or property, a.nu t() "show forth his praise," · 3. Established in covenant relationship for ever (ver. 16; Ilcv. xxi. 3, 7). David "glorified God" in them; n.nd in doing so he showed his love for them, his sympathy and identity with them (eh. v. 12). His tba.nhgiving and prnise were large-hearted and disinterested. '!'be selfish heart (like the proud heart) is nover a thankful heart. The more we esteem others the more numerous the occasions we :find for gratitude to God, and the more we abound therein. VII. ENTIRE CONSECRATION to his service and glory. He a.vowed himself the serva.n of God (ver. 21), freely and gladly surrendered his will to him, sought what he promised, and desired that his Na.me might be "magnified for ever" (ver. 26). This is the essence of the sacrifice of praise. "Father, glorify thy Name" (John xii. 28; Phil. i. 20). 11 As of their will, the angels unto thee Tender meet sacrifice, circling thy throne With loud hosannas ; so of theirs be done By saintly men on earth." (Dante, 'Pnrg.,' xi.) D. Vers. 25-.-:29 (1 Chron. xvii. 23-27).-(ZrnN.) Promise and prayer. "Do as thou hast said" (ver. 25).. 1. God has spoken to men. "His greatness is unsea.rch- e.ble" ( ver. ~2 ; Ps. cxlv. 3); nevertheless, he has surely spoken to them in his Word (ver. 4; Heb. i. 1). 2. He has spoken in the way of promise (ver. 28). .A. large portion of Divine revelation consists of promises, "exceeding great and precious" (2 Pet. i. 4), pertai11ing to the life that now is, and that which is to come. 3. And as God b~s spoken to men in the way of promise, so they should speak to him in the way of prayer (1 Sam. i. 9; viii. 6; xiv. 16, 36). " A breath that fleets beyond this iron world, And touches him who me.de it," (Tennyson.) L PROMISE SUPERSEDES NOT THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER; inasmuch e.s the latter is commonly the expressed or implied condition of its fulfilment. As a bank-note must be presented that we may obtain the gold which it represents, so the Divine promise must be sought in prayer that we may receive the good of which it gives assurance. A child does not refrain from asking his father for what he wants because it ha.~ been promised, but rather asks him all the more. David prayed for what he had been promised. "I will yet for this he inquired of," etc. (Ezek. ::i:xxvi. 37). "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matt. vii. 7; Ps. 1. 15; Zech. x. 1). "The prayer that prevails is a reflected promise." II. PROMISE CONFIRMS TIIE DUTY OF PRAYER; by indicating the will of God con- cerning us. To neglect the condition of receiving the blessing, or to refuse to comply with it, is to despise the blessing itself. Why such a condition? 1. To give to God the honour which is his due. 2. To teach a s.pirit of dependence. 3. To promote personal and direct intercourse with God. 4. 'l'o call into exercise the noblest principles of our nature. 5. To incite co-operation towards the attainment of what is promised. 6. To make its bestowment more beneficial to the recipient. Some things may be beneficial in connection with plj\yer that would not be so without it. III. PROMIBl!I AUTHORIZES THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER. What greater privilege can there be the.n that of" making known our requests unto God"? But who, without his promise, could venture to believe that theso req nests would be heard; esp€cially when made for the" great things" contained in it? Even now, how doubtful and timicl are we in claiming the privilege I 'l'he promiso gives encouragement and confidence; and ~hould, therefore, be pondered in the heart, as it was by David; who was thereby  208 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. vn. 1-20,