The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 315

in reference to their course of life, their duty to others, or any particular action, or even their religious fo.ith and obeervo.ncee, what the will of God ie; but are content to follow without question the customs of the world around them, or their own inclinationR and habits. 2. Those who refuse to give heed when their attention is rolled to them. Which may be by their own consciences, or by other men. 3. Those who disobey them. And the degree of contempt shown by disobedience will be in proportion to (1) their knowledge; (2) their remembrance, at the time, of the commandment, its Author, and its sanctions; (3) the difficulties of disobe<lience which have to be overcome; and (4) the remonstrances of conscience, and of the Spirit of God, which are resisted and conquered. II. THEm BIN AND FOLLY. They may be addressed as the prophet addressed David, "Wherefore," etc. L What rational ground have y()'ll,for doing it 1 Seeing the com- mandment (1) is "or the Lord," who has the highest right to the obedience of hie creatures; (2) proceeds from the perfect reason and the infinite love; and therefore (3) is adapted to promote the good or each and all. " The Law is holy, and the commandment holy,. and just, and good (Rom. vii. 12). Consider any particular com- mandment you have disregarded, and you will see that all this is true of it; and that, therefore, your conduct is foolish and wicked. 2. How can "you" do it, Who have ,been laid under obligations so weighty by the kindness of God; who know so well bis character, claims, and laws; who have so often and in such various ways professed love and loyalty to him; who a.re bound by so many considerations to set a good example; or (as in David's case) are appointed to be an upholder of law, a guardian of innocence, a. protector of the public morals. 3. How "d,are" you do it 1 In view of the shame and moral injury you bring on yourself; the evil you do to others; the terrible threatenings of the Word of God against sinners; his knowledge of all you do; his awful holiness and justice; and his almighty power to execute his threatenings. In view also of death, and of the day of judgment, when your most secret sins will be brought to light and punished.-G. W. Ver. 10.-Despis&rs of God. "Thou hast despised me.• In the dreadful sins or which David bad been guilty he had treated God with contempt. He had treated as of no account all the kindness of God to him; had disregarded his claims; shown contempt practically for his authority, bis precepts, his observance of his conduct, bis justice and its penalties, his favour, his voice in the conscience. The charge brought against David may be brought against many who are not guilty of gross and flagrant crimes like his. I. WBo ARE GUIL'l'Y OF DESPISING GoD? 1. All sin involves contempt of him. It shows : (1) Indifference as to his Being and perfections. If the sinner does not boldly say, "no God," he practically ignores him, leaves him out of account in his conduct, a.nd treats his presence and observation of him, his hatred to sin, his threatened judgments, as of no importance, not worthy of serious consideration (see Ps. x. 13). (2) Contempt for his authority. (3) Despisal of his kindness (Rom. ii. 4). (4) Con- tempt of his wisdom, as expressed in his lawR. As if the sinner thought he could guide and govern himself better than God. (5) Disesteom of his favour and friend- ship. 2. Certain kinds of sin may be mentioned as showing such contempt. (I) Unthankfulness and discontent. As if God's gifts were not worth having. (2) Rejection of Obrist and salvation-his best gifts, in which he appears more fully and manifestly than in aught else. "He that despiseth me dcspiseth him that sent me" (Luke x. 16). "Bath done despite unto the Spirit of grace" (Heb. x. 29). (3) Neglect of the Holy Scriptures. In them God comes to instruct ns, to make us ·partakers of hie own wisdom, to make known his will, etc. To neglect them is to show contempt of him. (4) Negligence as to his service. As to the hours and exer- cises of devotion. God invites us to converse with him, to make known our requests, with the promise of gracious answers. To disregard prayer, or offer unreal worship, is -to treat him with contempt. He is most worthy to be praised. To decline to praise him, or to praise in words only, is to despise him. In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper he comes specially near to us, to commune with us in Christ, to fee,\ us with the body and blood of hill Son. 'l'o turn away from the holy feast, or come with hypocrisy, •Jl' with hearts or hands 11tained with unrepented sin, is to treat him  820 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [OH, XII, 1-31,