The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 232

Ver. 6.-Divine preservation. 'l'he Revised Version translates, "The Lord gave victory to David;'' but in the margin," saved David," which is equivalent to the trans- lation in the .Authorized Version, and is the more literal meaning of the original, from which there is no necessity to depart. In the Psalms, in which David praises God for his help against his enemies, he speaks as much of the protection he experienced a■ of the victories he won. His preservation in so many perils of war was worthy of special! mention. The record is one that might be made in an acconnt of the lives of most of. us ; in some respects, of all. I. THE PRESERVATION EXPERIENCED. 1. Physical. Th!K of bodily life and health and of the senses. Protection in perils by land or water. Preservation from serious illnesses, or deliverance from them. The uniformity of good health and wholeness of Jim bs is a greater blessing than restoration from sickness or repair of fractures, although it does not usually excite so much notice or call forth so much gratitude. 2. Mental. That of the soundness of the mind, of perception, memory, rea.'lOn. h1 might be salutary for each of us to pay one visit to a lunatic asylum. Such impressions of the value of our reason may be obtained there as can be obtained nowhere else. 3. Moral and spiritual. That of faith and a good conscience, of principles and habits of religion and virtue. Protection from specially powerful temptations which, yielded to, would have been onr ruin. 4. Of reputation. From slander or misunderstanding. A good name is conducive, not only to our comfort, but to Olll' success in life, and to our usefulness. To some, owing to peculiar circumst.ances, its continua.nee is marvellous. 5. Prolonged. In many cases for very many years, in which dangers numerous, various, repeated, and imminent, have been met with. The greater the perils and the longer the period, so much the more noteworthy the preservation. II. To WHOM IT IS TO BE ASCRIBED. "The Lord." David owed much to faithful friends and brave soldiers, who regarded his life as their special care, and defended it at the p1,ril of their own (see eh. xxi. 15-17); but the historian ascribes all to God; and David, when he reviews his life, or any part of it, does the same. In like manner, as we look back, we may remember many who have in various ways ministered to our preservation, and towards whom we rightly cherish gratitude; but these, and all else that has contributed to our well-being, we rightly ascribe to God (comp. 2 Tim. iii. 11; iv. 16, 17). III. 'l'nE EMOTIONS IT SHOULD AWAKEN. 1. Gratitude. Expressed in praise and renewed self-dedication. "My life, which thou hast made thy care, Lord, I devote to thee." AIRo in zealous endeavours to preserve others from evil, especially the young and inex- p,erienced (see Ps. cxvi., cxvii.) 2. Oonji,dfJTlce and hope. .As to future physical and mental preservation, so for as seems good to the infinite wisdom and goodness; but  238 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. vm. 1-18.