The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 254

conflict inevitable. To this the growing J.?Ower of DBvid and hie reoent subjugation of th11ir kindrPd, the Moabites (cb. viii. 2), doubtless contributed. Their deliberate, "'•llnton, and she.meless treatment of hi8 m£Ssengers waa the occasion of " the fierceet 1,truggle, and, so far BB the lsraelitiah kingdom of God was concerned, the most dangerous, the.t it ever had to suete.in during the reign of David." In it we seo- 1. A PERSONAL OONTRAST. David requited the kindness of Nahash with kindness to hi8 son; condolence on his bereavement, congratulation on his accession (ver. 2); but Hanun Tequited the kindness of David with insult aud injury to his servants (ver, 4; 181\. xx. 4). The conduct of the one displayed gratitude, sympathy, confidence, and benevolence; that of the other ingratitude, oontempt, distrust, and malignity. 1. How different in characwr the men who hold similar positions I David and Hanun were both kin~s, their hel\ds were pressed by the same "crown of pure gold" (eh. xii, 30, Ps. xxi. 3); but in spirit they were wholly unlike. 2. How different the constroctio~ put on simill\r actions! Such actions are regarded by men as good or evil, according to thoir ruling disposition; just 11B the same objects appear of different hue according to the colour of the medium through which they are viewed. Hence what is well meant is ofton ill interpreted. 3. How different the consequences that flow from similar influences l Kindness is like sunshine, that melts the ice and hardens the clay; causes pleasure to the healthy and torture to the diseased eye. It tests, manifests, and mteusifies the good or evil in the heart, and leads to opposite courses of conduct. lts proper tendency is to produce its like; but its actual etfoct is often the contrary (John xiii. 27). Even the kindness of God is perverted by hardness of heart to more abound- ing wickedness (Isa. xxvi. 10; Rom. iL 4, 5). If it be sinful to "recompense evil for evil" (Rom. xiL 17), how much more to recompense evil for good (1 Sam. xxv. 21) I II. A PUBLIC DISHONOUR. It was not a private and personal indignity put on these ambassadors, but an open and national insult offered to their king and people, by He.nun and his court (ver. 3), who probably expressed therein the prevalent suspicion and hatred of the children of Ammon. 1. How prejudicial the indulgence of jealousy and suspicion to the maintenance of peace and good will among nations ! 2. How pernicious the influence of evil counsel and calumny on the political principles and policy of rulers! "We see in this the bitter fruits which evil counsel to. princes, especially to those who are young and inexperienced, produces" (Guild). "'l'he sla.nderer inflicts a threefold wound at one stroke. He wounds himself by his breach of charity; he wounds his victim by injuring his good name; he wounds his hearers by poisoning their minds against the accused" (St. Bernard). 3. How provocative the exhibition of ingratitude, injustice, and contempt to resentment and retaliation (ver. 6) I It turns kindness into wrath, seems to justify the drawing of the sword, and inspires the hope of victory (ver. 12). "Thou k:nowest not what may show itself when thy contempt awakes the lion of a sleeping mind.n ill A Pn.ESUMPTUous AND FATAL DEFIANCE. It was a challenge by the worshippers of Moloch, confident in their strength and success, to the people of Jehovah ; the first step of a renewed attack "against Jehovah and against his Anointed n (Ps. ii:).. The opposition of the ungodly to the kingdom of God, though it slumber for a season, ever breaks forth afresh. L How infatuated their hostility I They are heedless of , the warniugs afforded by the past. 2. How groundless their confidence! "They trust in vanity." 3. How certain their overthrow 1 "He that sitteth in the heavens laughs, The Lord Lath them in derieion," etc. (Ps. ii. 4-9.) The evil which they do returns on their own beads (ver. 14); and "their end is destruction" (eh. xii. 31). "These shall make war with the Lamb," etc. (Rev. xvii. 14-). CoNcLusroN. 1. We should not be deterred from doing good by the fear that it may be requited with evil. 2. .Although others may re0;der ?vii for good, w~ should render good for evil (1 Sam. xi. 12, 13). 3. The noblest v1ctones are those which are gained by patience, forbearance, and all-conquering love (Rom. xii. 21).-D. Vers. 4, 6 (1 Chron. xix. 4, 6).-{JEBxoso.) Ridicuk. "Tarry at Jericho until OH, X, 1-19,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 259