The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 274

o.ace and fervent prayer, but, aleo of inelllnt flight. "The temptation of the fleeh le overoome and impure paesion mortified by flight, and not by fighting fsoe to face. He then who fliee fast.est and furthest ie most sure of victory. Once more I say to theo 1 Fly I for thou art as stubble. Therefore fly, fly, if indeed thou wouldeet not be over- taken, led captive, and slain!" (Scupoli). III. AoAINST THE RESTRAINTS OF RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION. "And David aent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Ii; not this Bathsheba," etc.? (ver. 3), Whilst be knew not who she was, there might boat least some excuse (considering the position of an Oriental monarch, and the common practioes of the age) for his paRsion (oh. iii, 1-5); but now that be was informed that she was" the wife of Uriah," the clnims of a higher law than his own inclination must have risen up distinctly before him; and he bad to choose between renouncing his evil desire or breaking through the numerous restraints placed in his path. These restraints are: 1. Set up by the ezpress command- ments of the Divine Law, which says, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife;•~ "Thou sbalt not commit adultery;" "Thou shalt not steal" (eh. xii. 4-6). 2, Strengthened by the special responsibilitus of peculiar position and relationship; such 88 David held, as King of Israel, under Jehovah, with respect to his subjects, and more particularly his faithful servant Uriah. 3. Enforced by the terrible consequence, threatened against transgressors (Lev. xx. 10; Deut. xxviii. 15). It is nevertheless possible to burst through all such restraints. And in the exercise of his freedom a.nd the abuse of his power, David set them at nought, and '·' despised the commandment of the Lord" (eh. xii. 9). "When lust has conceived, every restraint generally increases its vehemence, the thoughts of future consequences and the consideration of the presence, purity, and justice of God are excluded; his Law and authority are disregarded; faith and fear and love are out of exercise; a.nd the enhanced imal(ination of the satis- faction to be found in indulgence possesses and engrosses the soul" (Scott). IV. w ITH THE PERSISTENCY OF WILFUL PBEBtJMPTION. .. And David sent messengers, and took her," etc. (vers. 4, 6). Regarding himself as a special favourite of Heaven, he perhaps imagined (as others have done) that he might leave the ways of lowly obedience and self-denial, and go whither.soever he pleased, a.nd yet be preserved from harm (Deut. x:s:ix. 19; Ps. xiL 13; Matt. iv. 6); and under this delusion he persist11d in. his purpose, and fell from his moral elevation into the depths of sin and to the verge of destruction. '' How are the mighty fallen ! " By such persistency: 1. The siufol purpose of the heart is confirmed and completed in outward action. 2. The guilt incurred is aggravated. 3. The natural consequences of sin become more serious a11d extensive; and, in some respects, they cannot possibly be averted (eh. rii;ll-14). • OBSERVATIONS. 1. No me.n. however holy, is exempt from the liability of falling into sin. "Be not hicrhminded, but fear;" "Let him that thinketh he standeth," etc. "If such a. strong and°tall cedar as David fall, how ought weaker Christians to fear ,and to pmy that God would deliver them from temptation I" (Guild). 2. Material prosperity, and outward show are frequently associated with moral failure and secret iniquity., Whilst the conquest of Rabbah went forward, David became the victim of his own. unfaithfulness. 3. The fall of men into sin is to be attributed to themselves-their voluntary choice of evil; and not to their circumstances, or constitut\on, or the with- holdincr from them of the help of God. "Let no man say when he 1s tempted, I am tempie°d of God," etc. 4. It is of unspeakable importance to maintain the ~xercise of the spiritual life in full vigour, and to watch against the first approach of evil. "The narrow way has precipices on both sides; Jet as walk it awake and watchful, for we are not more exact tha.n David, who by a moment's neglect was precipitated into the very gulf of sin" (Chrysostom). 6. By the record of the sine of good men (1 Sam. xxi. 2), the truth and worth of the Word of God are plainly shown. "If such a story does not give one a view of the unfathomable depths of sin and of its power, he will never learn what sin is" (Schmid). 6. In the whole course of hi~tory One alone has appearod "without sin;" he was tempted and overcame, and he 1s the Succourer of them that are tempted.-D. Ver. 4.-Bathslieba. The Books of Samuel furnish abundant materials for instrnc- tive studies of female character, in (1) the praying Hannah, (2) the provokin~ Peni~nah, (3) tbe broken-hearted wife of Phineas, (4) the proud Michal, (5) the persuasive Abigail; OH, Xt. 1-27,] 'fHE SECOND BOOK 01<' SAMUEL. 27D