time for II good man to recover from the natural, and, therefore, reasonable, outflow of his feelings; but when he does recover, he retains all the sanctity and softening influence of his anguish in combination with a calm spirit, concerned now in ministering to the consolation of others (ver. 24), and cheered by the hope of a time when the breaches caused by sin will be healeJ (ver. 23). GENERAL LESSONS, 1. It becomes u1 to regard all death in our homes as connected with sin, and we should always give due weight to its moral causes in our considemtion of the course of providence. 2. There may exist high mora.l reasons why intense earnestness in prayer is not always successful; and yet it may be true that God does answer fervent prayer, 8. Men not familiar with the secret life of a Christian are not in a position to understand his conduct on special occasions, just as David's servants could not understand bis conduct in relation to the death of the child. 4. We should avail ourselves of such light concerning the future as may be vouchsafed, in order to obtain consolation a.midst the bereavements of life (ver. 23). 6. The doctrine of recognition in heaven is certainly in accord with sanctified instincts, and may be held as variously hinted at in Scripture (ver. 23; cf. Ma.tt. xvii. 8, 4; 1 These. ii. 19). Tokens of restoration. In vers. 23, 24 we have two statements which incidentally reveal the reality and completeness of the restoration of the fallen king to the favour and care of God. (1) The name (Solomon) given by himself, probably at circumcision, to his son; (2) the name (Jedidiah) which the prophet was instructed to give to the son, not as a. substitute, but as a. supplement. The one indicated David's sense of peace with God and in himself, the other God's abiding favour. Here, then, we may observe-- I. THAT BESTOBATION TO Gon AFTER A FA,LL IS A. REALITY. It is not a state rendered problematical by the observance of conditions extending over a long period. David was a.t peace with God, and God did regard him with unqualified favour. Old things had passed a.way-the displeasure of God, the fear and apprehension of the man; the relation of complacent delight and tender care on the one side, and filial love and trust on the other, was now complete. It is important to keep this truth clear. It is bound up with the great doctrine of justification. God once accepting and forgiving a sinner becomes and .remains to him a gracious God, forgetting all the past and cherishing only love and tender interest. It is a. misreading of the gospel, and implies an ignor- ance of the most blessed Christian experience to imagine that a rea.lly forgiven one is kept in suspense and dread, or that God is holding back the fulness of his favour till we have repented n little· more, or more fully perfected our general life. We are accepted in Christ. When he "restoreth" our "soul" (Ps. :x:x:iii 3), it is actual, not possible, germinal restoration. II. 'rHAT THE TOKENS OF RESTORATION VARY ACCORDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES. The inward token in David's case was the assured peace of a conscience purged by the grace of God (Ps. li. 7-10, 12), which came in answer to his penitential cry. The ontwa.rd token was the life of another child, the peaceful order ot' the kingdom, and especially this welcome message of the prophet (ver. 25). The reality of restoration was known as soon as the almighty word of pardon was spoken, the confirmatory signs of it-to strengthen the heart and ward off subtle temptations of the evil one-came in process of time. No doubt fallen Peter found pardon during the dark night of his penitence; but the outward token, which was also an instruction to the other disciples not to dis- trust and shun him, came in the gracious message of the angel of the Lord, "Tell his disciples, a11d Peter" (Mark xvi. 7), and a.gain in the exhortation and encouragemirnt given in the presence of those who might otherwise have distrusted him, "Feed my sheep" (John xxi. 16-17). The ordinary sign of full restoration is in the "witness of the Spirit" (Rom. viii. 14--16), and the outward care and blessing vouchsafed to our work of faith e.nd labour of love (John xv. 7, 8). God will be sure to give his people some " token for good'' (Ps. lxxxvi. 17). III. THAT SIGNS OF GoD's FAVOUR SHOULD BE GIVEN IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HIS WONDERFUL CONSIDERATION FOB RIB PEOPLE. There is something truly wonderful in this grace shown to David. Not only is he forgiven and treated in all things spiritual n11 though he had not sinned; not only permitted to reign over Israel, and enter into close, though it may be very subdued, fellowship with God; but God goes, as it were, out of the ordinary course of providence, and sends a rue~senger to give him, in this other 800 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [oB, XII. 1-31.
name for his child, a special sign of full restoration. Thua the occaalonal doubts sug- gestt'd by the evil one, the possible distrnst of the prophet in Israel and those under him, and the sneen, of the profane, are all anticipated by the love that elumbere not and that caree most t.enderly and minutely for all the need of the reconciled ones. "How excellent is thy lovincr-kinclness, 0 God I" (Pa. xx:r.vi. 7); "He is rich in mercy and plont,eoWl in redemption!' '