The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 352

th0se who repent, and punishes the guilty; and for the king to eparo the guilty on iusullicient grounds, or pardon the impenitent, would be to harden the wicked in their wicke<lneFs, and to act contrary to the purpose for which he is made "an avenger for wmth to him that doeth evil." The reasons assigned, though excellent in themselves were inapplicable and fallacious. The noblest truths may be perverted to a bad purpose. A. weak argument appears strong to one who is n.J.ready disposed to accept its conclusion; and is a sufficient excuse for a course which he is inclined to pursue. By the manner in which her words were received by the king, the "wise woman" :perceived that her point was practically gained; enough had been said, and leaving it to work its effect on his mind, she returned to the ostensible occasion of her petition for help; and "now she would go home happy (she said), as if this reference to the king's beha,iour had been only the casual chatter of a talkative woman" (P. Thomson). III. A.:s- APPROPRIATE llUT FLATTERING APOLOGY for intrusion on the king (vers.15- 20); expressive of: 1. 'l'he anxious/ear and hope with which she had been impelled to make her request (ver. 15). 2. The joyful anticipation and grateful assurance of rest which she now felt (vers. 16, 17). 3. Devout admiration and praise of the king, on account of his wisdom in judgrnent; with a prayer for his prosperity: "May Jehovah thy God be with thee!" Fully acknowledging that, as the king surmised, she had acted under the direction of Joab, "in order to bring round the face [aspect] of the matter" (to alter A.bsalom's relation to his father), she again commends the discernment of the king : "My lord is wise," etc. (vers. 18-20). "When we are most commended for our discernment we generally act most foolishly ; for those very pro.ises cloud and penert the judgment" (Scott). "And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have. done this thing: go and bring the young man A.bse.lom be.ck" (ver. 21). "The feelings of the father triumphed over the duty of the king, who, as supreme magistrate, was bound to execute impartial justice on every murderer, by the express Law of God (Gen. ix. 9; Numb. xxxv. 30, 31), which he had no power to dispense with (Deut. xviii. 18; Josh. i. 8; 1 Sam. x:. 25)" (Jamieson). A.ltLoughneither the end of the woman's address nor some of the means she employed can be approved, yet much may be learnt from it concerning the art of persuasion; e.g. the importance of (1) knowing the character and sentiments of those who a.re addressed; (2) having a definite aim in view; (3) arresting attention and awakening interest and sympathy; (4) earnestness and fervency of man- ner; (5) using argument and illustration adapted to present the matter in the most attractive light; (6) saying enough and no more, especially on a difficult and delicate subject; (7) advancing step by step with a persistent determination to succeed.-:--D, Ver. 14.-" As water spilt upon the ground." Water is a gift of God, very precious, especially in lands where it is scarce, and often longed for as a means of quenching. thirst, renewing strength, and preserving life (eh. xxiii. 15; Ps. lxiii. 1). But it may be thrown away, poured out and lost, by design or accident, through the overturning or fracture of the vessel in which it is contained. Human life, also, is a Divine gift, precious beyond all earthly possessions. But it is contained in "a body of fragile clay" (2 Cor. iv. 7), which is sooner or la.ter destroyed like "the pitcher shattered at the well" ( Eccles. xii 6); and thus " we are as water," etc. We have here- L .AN llll'REIISIVE ASPECT OF DEA.Ta 1. It must take place in all, without excep- tion. "It is appointed," etc. (Gen. iii 19; Rom. v. 12; Heb. ix. 27). 2. It ma,y occur to each of us at any moment (1 Sam. x. 3). 2. It puts an end to the useful service which might have been rendered. Only while the water remains in the vessel can it be of immediate uee. 4. It cannot by any possibility be repaired, or "gathered up again." "A,;, the waters fail from the sea," etc. (Job xiv. 11; vii. 10); "as waters melt away," etc. (Ps. !viii. 7; mix. 13; x.lix. 7-10; cili. 16). "Death is of all things the mos~ terrible, for it iB the end" (Aristotle). " What is your life? 'Tie e. delicate shell, Ca.et up by Eternity's flow; On Time's bank of quickse.nd to dwell, A moment its loveliness show. Returned to its element grand Is the billow that brought it on shore; See, another is washing the strand, A.nd the beautiful shell is no more." on, XIV, 1-33.] TllE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 357