"with the 11word of the children of Ammon" (eh. xii, 9). 1, There u seldom wanting a tuitabk accomplice in effecting a ei,ifv,l purpate, however iniquitous it may bo, 'l'he cha.mcter of Joob WM well known to David. " It was- his very wickedness thA.t commended him to the king 1111 the most fitting instrument for carrying out his infamous design." He had formerly deprecated his wickedness (eh. iii. 29, 39); but now that he had himself fallen into sin, he associated himself with it, and made uee of it for his own ends, although., as he afterwards found, to his own cost. "How Joab must have rejoiced when David 11&ok down to his own level I" 2. In serving another, such an aocomplioe ie chiefly concerned about serving himself. He seeks supremely hie own advantage. Joab acted not from loyalty, but self-love. "'l'o make himself great, powerful, indispensable, was the object of his life" (Plumptre), "Possibly he had some information that Bathsheba hlld been with David" ('Speaker's Commentary'). Anyhow, perceiving the design of the king against Uriah, he served him, in order that he might gain complete power over him; and in this he succeeded. "When David made him a· partner and secret agent of his guilty purpose touching Uriah, he sold himself into his hands, and m that fatal letter he sealed away his liberty and surrendered himself up to this his unscrupulous aocomplice" (Blunt). "All fellowship in sin begets despotism.'-' Henceforth Joab did with the king very much as he pleased. 3. No authority of man can ;"w;tify tl~ violation qf the Law of God. How often have men imagined that the command or sanction of one in authority has been a sufficient warrant for doing what their own consciences condemned, and laid the blame of their conduct on the instigator thereof rather than on themselves! J oab probably needed little self-excuse; but if ever he should want a defence, he might plead the king's letter. He was reckless of human life; to effect his purpose made a greater sacrifice of it than the king intended (ver. li), and became more hardened than ever in wickedness. "We ought to obey God rather than meo." 4. There may be exemption from punishment when there is fW exoneration from blame. "How must this example needs harden Joab against the conscience of Abner's blood! while he cannot but think, 'David cannot avenge that in me which he acteth himself"' (Hall). Nevertheless, his guilt, in the sight of God, remains; and judgm.ent comes at last (Eccles. xii. 14).-D. Ver. 21.-(JEBUSALEM, RABBAH.) Warnings from history. "Who smote Abime.;. le.eh," etc.? "History is philosophy teaching by example." It is full of doctrines, principles, examples, warnings (l Sam. xii. 8-12). 'l'his event, which bad taken place two hundred and thirty years before, was familiar to Joab and others.; and, viewed as a warning, likely to be recalled by the king to point his reproof (Judg. ix. 53). Of such warnings observe that they- L ARE OF DDI.ENSE SERVICE; in making general lessons concerning danger and duty: 1. More distinct. 2. More i.mpressiv.e. 3. More beneficial.· '!'hey are beacon- lights, danger-signals, st&rtlliig voices; and teach that in the way of inconsideration, rashne&I!, and presumption, there is imminent peril; that destruction may come unexpectedly, suddenly, and by a feeble hand-" a woman Riew him;" and that (although neither Joab nor David laid it to heart) every violation of God's Law is 11 urely followed by J"etribution,(Judg.-ix.. 56; 57),· • 'l'hey J&re "written for our admoni•
tiof{'1~~~,:~; 1 ~UL~ ~~D~D. 1. ~teHigen~y' ~filed, • 2. · 0o~s~~t~; '.r~me~- bered. a. Praoticall-y -obeerved. They are. "'Writ-ten for our learning" (Rom. xv. 4). "The world- eDSt!i fer the education ·of each man." ·'l'here ill no age, or· state of ·society or mode of action in :hiiJtory ~ which tbere•is wt something cerrespbnding 'in Ms- life, Everything tendB in a most wonderful manner to'abbreviate itself and yield-its whole nature to him" (Emerson). III. MAY BE DELIBERATELY BLIGHTED. 1. For some immediate personal advantage. 2. From the persuasion. of immunity, though others perish (ver. 17). 3. With a plall!iible excuse, when remonstrated with. "'l'hy servant Uriah the IIittite is dead also," "Joab quoted God's Word, but was not careful to keep itn (WordBwQrth). IV. WILL BE .a.SSUBJ!:DLY VINDICATED, 1. By the occurrence of similar events (1 Kings ii. 34). "The history of the past is a prophecy of the future." 2. In the bitter experience of the obdurate. 3. With ever-increasing clearness and force to tiUCctflllive generation&. "Remember the day• of old," etc. (Deut, uxii. 7).-D, Olt, Xt, 1-27.) 'l'llt SlWOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, 283