The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 237

Jonntban; and wbe.t the historiRn here plnces before us in the narrative concerning Mephibosbet~ i~ simply t-b_e ultimate wellinp; up, from tho depths ef the memory, of the old a11B001at1ons clustermg around the name of Jonathan in such strength 11s to issue in the deerla here recorded. I. HALLOWED ASl!OCIATIONB ARE A GREAT POWER m LIFE. Human life Is not determined in its condition or conduct at any particular hour by what is purely new in thought, in feeling, or in circumstance. The past furnishes the seed on which the present acts as new environment1 11nd the nature of that past is a more potent element in determining the conduct than is the new environment. The chief clue to David's later oharacter is to he sought in bis earlier expetiences. The mightiest inner forces that thus influence life are those which centre in strong and sacred associations, The memory of Jonathan's love worked unconsciously a.s a spell throughout David's career. Kvery man is subject to this law of life. As a rule, the early mental associations of our ltfe give tone and colour to all that_comes after. Tb_e power !;ring in the memory of a mother's love over even the va;::ar1es of later years 1s proverbutl. The mention of a name may suffice to flood the eyes with tears and break down the stoutest heart. David never knew how much of rc~traiut, of tcndernetis, of noble aspiration, and of •fidelity to truth end honour be owed to the associations carried in his memory with the name of bis friend Jonathan. So to us the" Nnme that is above every name" is the centre of associations as powerful a.s they ILI'e blessed; and the more we c:in enrich our nature with kindred associations, the richer and more Christlike will our lives become. !I. 'l'HERE ARE OOCABIONB WHEN HALLOWED ASBOOIATIONS OAN EXERT THEIR PROPER INFLUENCE. During the first few years of his reign David seems to have been utterly absorbed with the work of.restoring the civil and religious order of his kingdom, and of securing it against the pressure of surrounding foe~. A consideration of the actual state of things consequent on the misgovernment of Saul, and of the enormous labours involved in an absolute monarchy when its obligations are faithfully carried out, will account for the apparent ne~lect of Jonathan's house till the present date. It is only reasonable to suppose that David had sometimes thought of this matter, and the manner in which it is introduced in ver. 1 suggests that now wa.s the time to give effect to his own previously cherished desires. It might have been politically unwise, and to Saul's descendants personally injurious by placing them in the way of temptation to conspiracies, had he souj!:ht to reinstate any of them during the rebellion of Isbbosheth and immediately on his decease. The safe and full establishment of his authority was evidently the occasion for the old and piously cherished associations with the name of Jonathan to put forth their strength. We all have within us a reserve power in the .hallowed &SBociations we cherish. They are never without an unconscious influence ; but there may come seasons when we may do well to open the doors and let them come forth in full .force to sway our conduct. Thus at Easter and Christmas do Christians give free scope to blessed memories. Thus our family birthdays, and days sacred to the memory of those now more blessed than ourselves, are times when our nature becomes enriched with holy feelings, and our vows become more influential Sometimes, apart .from our will and special seasons, by the spontaneous force of mental laws, sacred memories pour forth into our barren experience streams of blessing; and if by pressure of secular business the channels of thought and emotion are clogged, it is well now and then to pause, and, by an effort in quiet solitude,~ open some sacred 8pring within our nature, 80 that it shall send forth its blessed streams to quicken and beautify our spiritu.al. life. IlL A TBUE HEART WILL SEIZE OCCASION FOB REVIVING THE POWEB OF HALLOWED .A.SSOCIA.TIONS. '.!.'be occasion arose in the course of David's public life, and because bis heart was still true to God and man, he seized it. 'l'he cares of official life and the attractions of exalted position had not yet done him spiritual damage. The David that swore love &nd fidelity to his friend (1 Sam. :u:. 13-17, 42) wo.s still alive. The man was not .lost in the king. There are sad instances of the reverse. Old friends, former vows, a.re forgotten in the satiety of wealth or power, or, if not entirely for- gotten, no OCC88ion is sought to let the love of former days assert itself. M_ueh of our power over our future lies in the use we are disposed to make of the founta10s of holy iho~ht 11,nd !eel4lg which bave 'beell for.1De4 within by ih11 experiences <>f former day11. Oil, IX, 1---13,] THE BECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 2-1.J