genuine, was probably superficial and transient, po.esing awa.y with the critica.l occasion which called it forth, We have now to consider, not the character of the speaker, bnt the import of his words. They indicate the ne.ture, motive, e.nd pervading principle of godly martial CO'Urage; the.t it should be disple.yed- I. IN STRENUOUS OPPOSITION TO THE ENEMIES OF THE KINGDOM OF Goo. .. Be strong" (in spirit)," and show yourselves l!trong" (in action) in your struggle with numerous and powerful foes; not prive.te, but public enemies; not men as such, but as imbued with principles and devoted to practices which a.re antagonistic to the righteous and beneficent purposes of God; "principalities and powers," etc. (Eph. vi. 12). " Who will rise up for me e.gainst the evil-doers?" etc. (Ps. xcvi. 16). There must be: 1. Firm resistance to their e.ttack. "Whom resist steadfast in the faith" (1 Pet. v. 9). 2, Patient endurance of the sufferings which such resistance involves. "Here is the pe.tience of the se.ints." 3. Active endeavour for their defeat and subjection. "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan. xi. 32). "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor. xvi. 13). The chief instrument of this opposition is "the sword of the Spirit." "A humble Christian battling against the world, the flesh, and_ the devil, is a greater hero than Alexander the Great." II. FROM SINCERE DESmE FOB THE WELFABE OF THE PEOPLE OF Goo. Not for pay and plunder (like the mercene.ry Syrians), nor for glory, nor even for personal safety or life; but "for our people" (to whom we are bound by the closest ties), "and for the cities of our God" (his chosen property and possession, the many separate centres where his people dwell and his worship is maintained), imperilled by the attack of hie enemies and ours. Pro aris etfocis. "Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just." This, however, is an appeal, not merely to a sense of ju.tice, but also and chiefly to patriotism and piety, which, in the men of Israel, were inseparably blended. There is a place for patriotism in the heart of a Christian (1 Sam. xxiii. 1-6). But his love for his country must be held in harmony with and subordina- tion to his love for the Christian brotherhood, united in spiritual fellowship and confined to no nation; "the people of God" (1 Pet. ii. 9, 10), "his inheritance" (Eph. i. 18), "the Church which is his body" (Eph. i. 22; v. 25; Acts xx. 28), the light of the world, and the salt of the earth. " I endure all things for the elect's sakes" (2 Tim. ii. 10; Col. i. 24). 1. The preservation of their faith and holiness, their unity and peace, from corrupting and destructive influences. 2. '.rhe maintenance of their privileges and services, their freedom and independenc_e. 3. The promotion of their prosperity and pro~ess. .4. The fulfilment of their purposes, aims, and hopes. "They Bhall prosper that love thee " (Ps. cx.rii. 4--9 ; cxxxvii. 7). III. WITH STRONG OONFIDENOE IN THE RECEPTION OF THE HELP OF Goo. " And the Lord do that which seemeth him good" (Authorized Version); expressive of humble submission to the Divine will. "It may be understood as the language of: (1) Un- certainty and modesty. (2) A firm persuasion that the event of war entirely depends upon the providence of God. (3) A humble submission to the disposal of Providence, let the event turn out as it would. (4) And it may intimate that, let the event be what it will, it will afford us satisfaction to think that we have done the best we could" (Samuel Davies). But the proper reading is, "And Jehovah will do that which is good in his sight," really good for his people. The root of Christian courage, as of every Christian excellence, is faith in God. 1. In his readiness to co-operate with us, when we strive against the enemies of his kingdom and for the welfare of his people. "The Lord is on my side, I will not fear." 2. In the sufficiency of his might to strengthen the weakest and overthrow the strongest. "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (2 Kings vi. 16; 1 Sam. xiv. 1-15). 3. In the certainty of his affording to his faithful servants all the help they need. Even though he should permit e. temporary reverse, he will surely give them the victory over all their adversaries. Such confidence is warranted by his relation to them, his regard for them, his express promises, and his past achievements. "The battle is the Lord's." "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Rom. ix. 31-39).-D.
Vera. 2-4.-Kindness misinte1preted and ill-requited. "I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for wai·" (Ps. cxx. 7). It is not probable that these words were 262 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [oe. x. 1-19,