Vere. 26-31 (1 Chron. xx. 1-3).-The fall of Rabbah. This event, which occurred after a two years' siege, between the fall of David and his repentanre, presents several significant contrasts. 1. Material success associated with moral fail?J,re. His army victorious, his enterprise. terminating in triumph; David himself overcome by temptation, and troubled with a guilty conscience. Worldly success and prosperity are no true measure of moral worth and inward peace and happiness. 2. Praiseworthy conduct displayed by an unworthy character. Having captured the lower city, Joab, before attacking the citadel, "sent messengers," etc. (ver. 27). The politic general may have wished to escape the envy and secure the favour of the king; apparently, however, his conduct exhibited consideration for the honour of his master, modesty, and humility. Even the worst men have some good qnalities, and often perform excellent actions. "It is possible for a man to be faithful to some one person, and perficlious to others. I do not find Joab other than firm and loyal to David in the midst ·of all his private falsehoo<ls" (Hall). 3. A disastroU8 end following a presump- tuous beginning. (Ver. 29.) In this.city the great conflict was commenced, wantonly, proudly, and contemptuously (eh. L 1-4). On the king (slain in battle) and the people a terrible retribution fell; and their confidence in Moloch (Malcom) was dis- appointed. 4. Excessive severity practised by a generous-minded ruler (ver. 31); not sanctioned by God; but expressive of David's present temper (eh. xi 22-27), and demanded by the excitement of popular indignation. (1) 'fhe cruel conduct of the Ammonites (1 Sam. xi. 2; Amos i. 8); (2) the common practices of the age; (3) an intense zeal age.inst idolatry; (4) the strong conviction of being an appointed ·instrument of executing Divine vengeance (Ps. cxlix. 7) ;-may palliate the culpability, though they cannot justify the procedure of David; which, in the light of truth and righteousness, must be condemned and regarded as e. blot upon his great renown. This proceeds on the assumption of the correctness of the explanation usually given of the text, which is by no means certain (see critical Commentaries).-D.
Vere. 5-7.-Unconscious self-condemnation. Great sinners are generally able to discern and condemn in others wickedness similar to their own. This gives an advantage to those who would convince them of their sins. Nathan made use of it in dealing with David, and with good effect. I. NATHAN'S PARABLE. It presents e. picture of conduct sufficiently like that of David to prepare the way for his self-condemnation, and yet so far different that its drift should not be at once detected. It is a picture of: 1. Gross covetousness. For a poor man to covet some po.rt of e. rich man's abundance is natural, though wrong; but for e. rich man to covet the little of a poor man is monstrous wickedness. Such had been David's conduct towards Uriah. 2. Robbery, 3. Oppression of the weak by the strong. 4. Violation of feelings which should have been tenderly respected. The attachment of the poor man to his pet lamb. The counterpart was the affection of Uriah for his wife, and, till she was seduced, of the wife for her husband. II. !Ta EFFE0T ON THE KING. It seems surprising that he did not at once see the prophet's meaning and intention. Perhaps Nathan had been e.ccust.~vd to ~ome to him to plead the co.use of the injured who could obt.<\in no redress otherwise, and David imagined this to be hie errand now. Besides, it was a good while since David'3 sine were committed; yet the prophet had hitherto been silent about them, and would the less be suspected of coming to administer reproof for them now. Hencto, all unconsciously, he: 1. Displayed hot anger against the wrong-doer. 2. Passed a severe sentence upon him; saying that he deserved death, and condemning him to thti fourfold restitution which the Law required (Exod. uii. 1)-a remarkable illustration aJ8 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. xn. 1-31.