The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 225

HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-18.-The historic mirror. The narrative relates a succession of victories and conquests over the Philistines, the Moabites, the Zobahites, the Syrians, the Ammonites, the Ama.lekites, and the Edomites; the placing of garrisons in Syria e.nd Edom; the voluntary recognition of David's supremacy by the King of Hamath ; the military, ecclesiastica.l, and civil appointments of the kingdom; the dedication of treasure won in conquest and diplomacy to the service of God; the maintenance of a righteous administration throughout Israel; and the safe keeping of David in all his undertakings. History is a. record of human acts. Sacred history is a record of human acts in some special relation to the working out of the spiritual issues of the kingdom of God. In all history we see mirrored human thought and feeling. It gives us a glimpse of e.n invisible world of energy, that is ever seeking to find full expression for itself. In this portion of sacred history we see mirrored not only the strivings of the inner nature of men, but also outlines of truth pertaining to the invisible kingdom which is ever being extended over men. The early and lower developments in Davidic times indicate permanent truths for all Christian times. I. THERE ARE GRADES OF SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM OF Gon. The conquest of these alien peoples, the rough and thorough crippling of their powers (vers. 2, 4, 8, 14), and the distribution of office among competent men (vers. 16-18), was a form of service far below, in the feelings involved, in the tone running through it, the other service rendered by David in the form of a holy, just life amidst his people, and a contribution by speech and song to the spiritua.1 education of Israel. Yet this lower form of service was necessary, and had its proper ple.ce in the f!;l"eB.t scheme of government whereby God was preparing the world for the Prince of Peace. The actual state of mankind, and not some hypothetical state of perfection, conditioned the means by which gradually the final blessing should come. God is not responsible for the imperfect feelings with which David e.nd others may h11.ve done certain work. He a.llows men in his service to apply themselves to the actual circumstances of their position according to the light they have, e.nd then makes their general course of action subservient to the dovelop- ment of his own gracious purposes. The same is true now. In the Church there are higher and lower forms of service. In consequence of the imperfection of some of the workers and of their surroundings, the service draws out, not the highest feelings of which man is capable. There a.re rough men for rough work. Superior men may do such work, but they a.re not so much at ease in it e.s when engaged in purely spiritual efforts, It was more congenia.1 to David to write psa.lms than to hough horses. The actue.l state of the world required both just then. II. THE BUJIJUGATION OF EXTERNAL EVll.B SHOULD GO ALONG WITH INTERNAL RENOVATION. 'l'he first aim of David wBS, as we have seen, to restore unity, justice, peace, and religion to Israel. He worked on the central spring of nationa.l life. But the heathen and restless foes a.round were an incessant trouble e.s long as the political and military strength of Israel under the new regime were untested. Their subjugation was therefore the necessary complement of the internal consolidation. Taking the Davidic kingdom as representing in general features the kingdom of Christ, we see  'l'IIE SECOND BOOR OF SAMUEL. [err. vm. 1-18. ,----- ------------------------------- ' the Mme truth. Its settlement among men rueana Internal change, reformation, nnd ooo~olide.tion of all that is good; but it is bound, for its own peace e.nd extension, to make we.r on all the.t is alien to the mind of Christ. Hence his Church is militant. llo is our Captain. We are soldiers sworn to preserve our heritage and extend his domain by actwi.1 destruction of the forces of evil that lie around, 'l'he same applies to our own life viewed a.s a domain over which Christ rules. Internal harmony should bo accompanied by an effort to overcome everything in our daily circumstances which, if not overcome, ·may mar our peac·e, and possibly gain an unhallowed influence over us. III. TRE DEDICATION OF MATERIAL WEALTH TO THE SERVICE-OF GoD IS AN EVIDENCE OF GODLY WISDOM. The prohibition to apply the spoils of war to private uses (Josh. vi. 19; cf. 1 Sam. xv. 23) was a wholesome restraint on a low class of human feelings. There was a strong temptation for David to enrich himself by conquest, and, reasoning as an ordinary man, he could have made out a good case for himself. But he was a man of God; he saw things, as it were, with the eyes of God, and therefore, ape.rt from specific injunction for each case, acted in harmony with the mind of God. It was godly wisdom thus to devote to the service of God what had been acquired by his own strong arm; for very great wealth brings very great spiritual dangers (Matt. xix. 23, 24). The blet<Sed temporal condition dOeB not lie in abundance (Prov. x:u. 8, 9; Luke :xii. 15). The possession of great wealth, combined. with slender gifts to the cause of Christ, reveals a lack of spiritual perception and of sympathy with the heart and purpose of Christ. The devotion of wealth to Christ is the safest investment, fo, it brings bless- ings on the donor and on others through all ages. The spiritual results of material wealth, well employed, a.re beyond calculation. It is said of the true 'King in Zion, "To him shall be given of the gold of Sheba" (Ps. I.xii. 15). He also is "worthy to receive riches" (Rev. v. 12). There are thousands of ways in which wealth· may now be dedicated to God. The earnest heart will find out the right channel for its devotion. The demand for sanctuaries, labourers, and the claims of Christ's poor, are ever before' the rich ( ef. Hag. i. 4--6; .Matt. ix. 36, 37; Rom. x. 14, 15; .Matt. xxv. 35-40). In so far as Christians enter into the spirit of their Lord will they rejoice in consecrating wealth to him (2 Cor. viii 9; d. v. 13-15). IV. TJIE :BLESSING OF Goo IN OUR EIIDEAVOURS IS THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF SUCCESS. It is said twice (vel'I!. 6, 14) that God "preserved David whlthersoever he went." It is obvious that these various enterprises ·were full of danger to a man like David-danger to his life, his spirituality of mind, his moral conduct, his political reputation. His natural qualities of courage, thoroughness, and his .laudable ambition as 11, monarch, might urge him on to positions of extreme peril; and the incidents of warfare are proverbially prejudicial to piety. The secret of his success lay in his being kept of God. The servant of God, doing rough; dangerous work, not for self-aggrandize- ment, but for God and his people, is surrounded by an unseen shield, which no· dart can penetrate. Here we see a truth ever beiug realized. in private and public life-a true man of God, a man of undivided heart, setting himself to necessary but undesirable work, pressing on every day amidst dangers to life and religion, keeping the one thought of pleasing God clear before him, and ever everywhere guarded by him whoin he serves. Till our work is done no .. arrow that flieth by day" can touch us. It is a fact which should be much insisted on, tbat God does preserve his saints (Ps. xxxvii. 23, 24, 28). No outward sign was visible, yet God was with David. The absence of visible signs with w is no evidence that God is not our Shield and Helper. 'l'he chief thing for us i8 to see that we are bis, that we do his will and not our own, and that we have a holy method in our enterprises, be they strictly spiritual or related to ordinary affairs. V. 'l'HE GLORY OF AN ACTIVE MAN LIEB IN HIS BEING TRUE TO BIS CALLING. David was a king, bound by virtue of his position to rule in equity and righteousness. A greater distinction could not have been awarded to him in that office than that· con- veyed in the declaration tb.o.t "he executed judgment and justice unto oil hie people" (ver. 15). He was true to hie vocation. No man can rise higher than that. The 'glory of a man does not lie in being or doing as others have been and done, for talents, oppor- tunities, and occupatioDB differ; but in performing the pa.rt to which Providence has called him thoroughly well. Every star is perfect in its own full lustre. Eyery man is noble when his whole nature is developed in harmony with the purpose of Ins Maker. "Well done, good and faithful servant," is said of the lowliest of Christ's servants who on. vm. 1-18.J THm eECOND MOK OF SAMUEL. 231