The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 272

HOMILIES BY VARIO:US AUTHORS. Vers. 1-5.-(THE KING'S PALACE.) Dawi's fall into sin. "But David tarried still at Jerusalem" (ver. 1; 1 Chron. xx. 1). 1. He was about fifty years of age; had been reigning in Jerusalem upwards of twelve years; dwelt in a stately pa.lace on Moiint Zion; and possessed numerous sons and daughters, ~ splendid cour~ and a powerful army. He had been "preserved whithersoever he went," subdued ·bis enemies, and returned in triumph. His natural gifts and fervent piety (Ps, xxlv; 4; ci:- 7) were even more extraordinary than his material prosperity; and he now stood on the pinnacle of human greatness and glory. 2. "We might well wish, in our human fashion, that, as he stood at this elevation, he had closed a life hitherto (as far as was possible before Christianity) almost entirely spotless, and bequeathed to posterity a wholly unclouded memory, and the purest type of true royalty. But tbe·ascent of the dizzy bei<Yht."ie always attended by the possibility of a slip and then of a headlong fall" {Ewald). 3. "Rising from the couch where he bad indulged in his noonday siesta to nn undue length, David forthwith ascended to the roof of his house. So ambition commonly follows excess; nor do they whom the contagion of luxury once corrupts readily seek- after model'lLte and lowly ways. But that ascent of David, alas I was a prelude to his deplorable downfall For he ascended only that he might fall, beholding thence, as from a watch-tower, Bathsheba the wife of Uriah, and immediately becoming passion- ately enamoured of her" (J. Doughty, 'Analecta Sacra:' 1658). 4. It was the tutning- poi.nt of his career, which wes henceforth marked by a long series of calamities. And "it is sad to think that the cup of life, after being filled for him by God and made pure and sweet by previous suffering and self-restraint, sh!)uld have been recklessly poisoned by his own band" (Binney). . "Hie steps were tnrn'd into deceitful ways, Following false images of good, that make No promise perfect." (De.nte.) His fall occurred (serving as an instructive warning to others)- !. AT A SEASON OF SLOTBFUL RELAXATION. In the spring of the year; ,, when kings go forth towa.r,• instead of going forth with_hi.lrarmy to complete the subjugation of Ammon, "David Bent Joab," etc., and abode m Jerusalem. Formerly, when "the Lord had given him rest" (eh. vii. 1), he spent his leisure in a worthy manner, and displayed an ardent and even excessive zeal; but now, in choosing rest for himself, he showed a lack of zeal, and hie unhappy choice wa.s followed by disastrous consequences. "Bis actual fall into sin seelll.l to have begun by the abdication of his functions 1111 captain of Israel" (Macl.11.ren); which was itself the effect of "previous relaxation of the girded loins and negligence of the untrimmed lamp." Inactivity (volun~ily chosen, without adequate reason, and regardless of opportunities of useful service) 1B commonly: 1. Induud by a cour,e of 11UUeB1ful enterprise, and the attainment of ·great prosperity. U adverl!ity has ■lain it■ thollS&llds, prosperity has slain its tens of thoU8ands. •• Who~ ctl. xr. 1-27.J THE S:EOOND BOOK ut SAMUEf,. 217