The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 240

the king in a tone which no writtan words can indicate, said, "MephibosheLh l" \Ve all know what volumes of meaning may be conveyed by addressing an individual by his name in a certain tone. An<l, lest this should not suffice, there came the words, "Fear not l " As a brother and friend, on the same level, he speaks to the heart of the weak and troubled one. Foreshadow is this of him who was "meek and lowly in heart;" who would not "break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax;" who touched the outcast leper and inspired the fa.lien one with hope. No reproach, no coldness of heart, no imposition of impossible burdens, but the gentleness and crrace that banish fear and cause the poor outcast to feel that in him there is a tender, l;viag Friend I VI. AN ELEVATION TO HONOUR. David would be content with nothing less than that Mephibosheth should be a free a.ad constant guest at his table. He was to be raised from social degradation and obscurity to a position of greatest distinction. No mere pension, no formal expression of personal interest, no delegation to others of attention to be paid to him, would suit the largeness of the king's heart. His idea of "the kindness of God" (ver. 3) far transcended the best human conceptions of gene- rosity, and this unwonted elevation to honour was but the index of it. What a marvellous change in the condition of this poor, feeble outcast! How contrary to all the usages of monarchs, to the offspring of the fallen, was this overflow of " the kindness of God" l Than this there is not in the Bible a more apt illustration of the exceeding grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who condescends to oUI low estate, seeks us out, bows us down in wondering submission by his matchless gentleness, and then raises us to the honour of being members of hls household, of free access to his Person and closest fellowship with himself and those most dear to him. "Neither do I condemn thee" (John viii. 11; cf. Rom. viii. 1). He gives" power to become the sons of God" (John i. 12, 16; 1 John iii. 1, 2). The "far-off" are made" nigh" (Eph. ii. 13), and are called "friends" (John xv. 15), blessed with constant fellowship (1 John i. 3), and even made heirs of "the glory" given to himself (John xvii. 22-24). It is in the Antitype alone that we find the full and true expression of "the kindness of God" (ver. 3). "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the thlngs which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. ii. 9). VII. A PERSONAL GUARANTEE. A personal guarantee, involving the king's honour, and backed by all the resoUices at his command, was given that Mephibosheth should henceforth be regarded "as one of the king's sons" ( ver. 11), and that ample provision should be made for all his wants (ver. 10). Whatever demands came on him for the sustenance of his dependents, they were met by the arrangement, under royal warrant, with Ziba. Thus all his interests, present and futUie, persona.I and relative, social and material, were provided for. 'l'he king guaranteed all. Now, thls is beautifully illus- trative of what Christ does for those whom he raises from degradation to be his friends. He cares for all their interests. He so orders providence that they sha.11 " want no good thing." It is said of them, " All things are yours" (1 Cor. iii. 22); and, to scatter all fear and afford abundant, consolation, the King has said, " Because I live, ye shall live also" (John xiv. 19). Mephibosheth rested under the care of a. faithful David. All the power and all the high moral qualities of David were pledged to secure to him all his life long the blessings now enjoyed; so all the power and a.11 the ineffable qualities of Christ are pledged to secUie to us the possession and enjoyment of glorious heritage as Christians as long as we live, i.e. for ever. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. It becomes us to follow the example of David and of Christ, and seek out those who may be in need of blessing, and who may have a special claim on our sympathy. 2. We should make the Divine character and conduct the model of oUI bearing towards those in trouble. "The kindness of God" is the ideal to be converted into the realities of our life. 3. The lowly and despised may take encoUiage- ment from all that is recorded of Christ's gracious bearing and deeds of kindness. 4. We may trace, in every instance of Christ's mercy to the fa.lien, the permanently elevating tendency of Christianity. It is the one element which alone lastingly raises mankind in material and social good. 6. The resources of Christ for securing the fulfilment of his promises are so vast as to remove all fear. He is more to the universe at large than David was to his kingdom. 6. We see the dignity of bearing that becomes those who are honoured with the royal friendship of Christ.  246 THE SECOND BOOK 01<' SAMUEL. Len. tx. 1-13,