The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 329

HOMILIES BY VA.RIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-33.-(JERUBALEM.) The crime of .t1.mnon. The chastisements which David experienced came upon him chiefly through his family. The misconduct of his sons was largely due to his own "in the matter of Uriah," and his defective discipline (1 Sam. iii. 13; 1 Kings i. 6) in connection with polygamy (eh. iii. 1-5). "This institution is the absolutely irrepressible source of numberless evils of this description. It ever furnishes a ready stimulus to unbounded sensual desire in the sovereign, and, should he be exalted above it, is likely to introduce a dissolute life among the very different children of different mothers, by bringing the pleasures of sense so prominently and so early before their eyes. The subsequent troubles with Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah were all connected with this fundamental wrong ; and on the same thread hung many of the evils which were felt under David's successors" (Ewald). "Having grown up without strict paternal discipline, simply under the care of their different mothers, who were jealous of one another, his sons fancied that they might gratify their own fleshly lusts, and carry out their own ambitious plans" (Keil). Amnon his eldest son (by Ahinoam of Jezreel, whom David married during his exile, 1 Sam. x.xv. 43; and born in Hebron, eh. iii. 2) was now about twenty years of age. "His character and conduct were doubtless affected by the fact that he was the firstbom son, and of a mother apparently not of the noblest birth." In him (regarded as a warning especially to young men) we notice- I. IMPURE AFFECTION, springing up in the heart, and not repressed, but fondly cherished. His passion was contrary.to the Divine Law, not merely becanse the object of it was his half-sister (ver. 13), but also because of its licentious nature (Matt. v. 28). His subsequent conduct indicates that it was not " True love, that ever shows itself as clear In kindness as loose appetite in wrong." (Dante.) It is not improbable, from his ready entertainment of it, and the question of Absalom (ver. 20), that already he had given himself to unrestrained indulgence of his passions. When once "reason by lust is swayed," the heart becomes a congenial soil for all unholy affections. And the only sure safeguard is to "keep the heart with all diligence," by giving no place to an impure thought, avoiding every incentive to "fleshly lusts, which war against the soul," the e::tercise of habitual self-denial, and prayer for Divine grace (Matt. v. 29; xv. 19). II. INWARD MISERY, proceeding from restless passion and fretful discontent at hindrances and restraints in the way of its gratification (ver. 2). It is well that such hindrances and restraints exist (in Divine Law, public opinion, providential circum- stances) ; for they afford opportunity for reflection, conviction of its sinful nature, and the adoption of all proper means whereby it may be overcome. Where it is still cherished, its strength increas~s and its force is felt more powerfully, as that of a. river appears when a rock opposes its progress (Rom. vii. 7). "There is no peace to  334: THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CR, xm. 1--39,