Ver. 11.-Remembrance of God. "Let the king remember the Lord thy Go,1." This passage oc-eurs in a singular bit of history, which illustrates, inter alia, the carc- f uluess which even the most favoured and powerful of the subjects of an Eastern monarch must at times exorcise in seeking to influence him; and, on the other hand, the accessibility of such a monarch to the meanest subject desirous of his interposition. Perhaps, however, t.his "wise wome.n" may have belonged to a class which, like prophets, could (or would) take special liberties with royal and other J!:rea.t persons ( comp. eh. xx. 16-22, the only other passage in which the phrase, " wise woman," nccurs in the same sense). This woman showed herself" wise" in her management of the case which Joab had entrusted to her, It was after she had succeeded in making a favourable impression upon David, that, desirous of a more solemn and speci6o assur- e.nee, she addressed him in the words of the text. This appeal hnd the desired effect: the king declared with an oath that no harm should be done to her son, whom she had represented as in danger of death from having killed his brother. The exhortation is ever suitable and seasonable. I. THE REMEMBRANCE OF GoD WHICH SHOULD BE PRACTISED. It includes mindful- ness of: 1. His existence and perfections. 2. His relation to the universe and to our- ~cl vcs-Crea.tor, Sustainer, Ruler, Redeemer, Father of spirits, etc. 3. His revelations nnd commands. 4. His goodness to us. What he has done, is doing, and has promised t11 do. II. WHEN WE SHOULD REMEMBER HIIL When should we not? The remembrance should be: 1. Habitual, "I have set the Lord always before me" (Ps. xvi. 8); "Be ye mindful always of his covenant" (1 Chron. xvi. 15). 2. At stated times, Without sp!!cial remembrances the habitual will not be maintained, Hence the value of the hours of devotion, private and public. 3. At times of special need. When duty is har<l, temptation urgent, trouble pressing. III. WHo ABE REQUIRED TO BEMEMDEB HIM. AU-kings as well as subjects. The higher men are raised above their fellow-men, the more they need to keep in mind him who is higher thaa they, and who will call them to account. The greater the trust God has committed to any, and the more they are independent of others in dis- charging it, the more they need to look to God for help in discerning and practising what is right. In an unlimited, or only partially limited, monarchy, the king has peculiar reason to keep the King of kings in mind, that he may be preserved from injustice, partiality, and oppression. But people of all classes are bound to remember God, and live as in his sight. IV. WHY WE SHOULD CHERISH SUCH BEl4EMBBANCEB. 1. It is our plain duty. From our relation to God, and from his commandments. And it is no less absurd than impious to forget him "with whom we have to do" (Heb. iv. 13) more tho.n with any and all others. 2. It is greatly for our profit. It will be productive of: (I) Piety and holiness. These spring from the knowledge of God, but only as it is kept in mind. To have God in our creed, but not in our memory, is much the same as t.o have no God at all It is thought which stirs emotion and nourishes moral principle, (2) Strength and safetv under temptation. (3) Happiness. In ordinary life, and in times of trial and suffering. Remembrance of God will sanctify all things, heighten all innocent pleasures, turn duties into delights, afford consolation and support when all el;;e fails. 3. It will save from the pangs of too-late Temem7Jrances 0'11, eaTth or in hell, (See Prov. v. 11-14; Luke xvi. 25," Son, remember.") Mindfulness of God is universal in the eternal world. for joy or sorrow. V. THE 1o~ED THERE 18 TO REMIND MEN OF THIS DUTY, "Let the king remember," etc. Men are apt to forget God, even when the memory of him is most desirable and incumbent. Such forgetfulness may spring from: 1. Negligence, 2, The pressure of o?Ler thoughts. The worldly. The anxious and troubled. It is often a great kind- ness to remind troubled Christians of their God. 3. Dislike of God. Unwillingnes~ tl,at he should interfere with life and action. 4. Love of sin. The pleasure of sin, ii nut sin itself, would be impossible if God were thought of. 5. Pride and aelf-eatisfac- tiun (Deut. viii. 10-19). 011, XIV, 1-33,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEf,. 3fi3
Finnlly : 1. Remembrance of God, spontaneomly and lovingly cherished, is n .r7oorl evidence of sincere piety. 2. 'l'he compatibility or incompatibility of it with any act (fl" habit furnishes a safe guide when distinct precepts are wanting.-G. W.