The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 371

such filial ingratitude-and the enlightoned mind seea in them more than physical sequence. The doctrine tliat every sorrow that falls is for a epeci6c sin need not bo held. Yet 1111 trouble is connected with the fact that sin is in the world, and a con• sciou~nt>~s of personal shortcomings makes us feel, when adversity in home, estate or ht>nlth falls, that we deserve every pain that enters the heart. 'l'herc is no assertio~ of right to be free from the trouble; rather the true heart sllys, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed" (Lam. iii. 22). II. ACQUIESOENOE IN GoD's RIGHTEOUSNESS. To a hum11n observer It might seem that it was a \'ery unrighteous thing for the Supreme Ruler to allow so wise and good a king to be set aside and humiliated by a man so base and vain as Absalom, and mo.ny a man in his anguish might question the equity which allowed such sorrow to fall upon him when he had recovered from his special sins. David's spirit was the re- "erse of this. Not a word of complaint, not a murmur or a fret in trouble. During his long exile, when death encompassed him about, and he had washed his hands in iunocency, and a.11 the blame lay with Saul and Doeg the Ed\lmite, he trusted in the justice of God; and this confidence, won in the days of comparative innocence, failed liim not now, when, after his recovery from a fall, the storm burst upon him with more terrible violence. He knew and rested in the precious truth that the Lord reigned in riJ!hteo11s11ess and brought correction to his servants for their good. Yes; this is the faith of the faithful. Never do they, however terrible the disaster in this life, distrust the righteousness of God. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him," was true for Job and all of kindred spirit. Men who kngw not the new life cannot understand this. It is the alphabet of religious experience to all who are really born again and accepted in Christ. None of these things move them. III. AccoMMODATION TO 1'"'EW crncu:usTANCEB. David does not yield to fretfulness and irresolution. He vacates his home, provides for his house, goes out to a place of safety, and, by his discreet arrangement with Zadok and Abiathar, keeps up means of connection with the city (vers. 27, 28). Utter prostration under calamity does not come where there is the counteractive element of recognition of personal unworthiness and of the righteonsness of God. Whether this trouble would pass he knew not, but as a wise man he adapted himself to the storm. As Jacob to his exile (Gen. xxviii. 10-22), as Moses to his deprivation (Deut. iii. 25-27; cf. xxxiv. 1-6), so David makes the Lest of his position. Providential chastisements are not designed to paralyze action ; their Lenefit is secured when, in a spirit of resignation and trust, we use our powers to Lear them and to mitigate their incidence (Heb. xii. fr-12). Adversity becomes truly educational when we are stirred up to adjust our life to its conditions. JY. CoNSIDERATION FOR OTHERS, THAT THEY DE NOT UNNECESSARILY DRAWN INTO our: sor:llows. David's removal into the open country was partly from policy and partly frum feelings of kindness. He probably had euspici~ns, seeing that his trusty counsellor had been drawn over to Absalom (ver.12; cf. Ps. xli. 9; lv. 10-14), that Absalom had nmuy friends in the city, and should he in concert with them come suddenly upon him aud his friends, multitudes would fall victims to his malice. It was the same generous feeling that prompted him to suggest that Ittai, not being a Hebrew, should not embroil himself in this sad conflict, and so run a risk in cnee another king should reign. We &ee the same David as in earlier years, ever mindful of others, and magnanimous to the <!7treme. The dreadful sin had not destroyed his noble qualities, but had given a sadly tender form to their expression. There are beautiful instances in Christian life of this kindly consideration for others. Fatbers and mothers i;trive to shield their children frow the woes which they may connect with their own want of wisdom or goodness. 'I'L,- great Saviour himself, in his dire trouble, sought to shield _his faithful followers (,l<>lm xiv. 1, 27; xvii. 9-12; xviii. 8). Y. GitATEFCJL .ACCEPTANCE OF SYMPATHY AND AID. Tbe voluntary sympathy o.nd aid of the faithful body-guard, and the six hundred who had sbared his fortunes prior and subsequent to hiJ; departure from Gath, was as cool water to a thir_s~y soul_; and t~e fret services of lttai and Zadok were greatly valued. In the advers1t1es which Prov1- deuce permits to come for purposes of disci1jline there is the merciful admixture of so~1e, J•ruvision to meet the pressing need of the hour-some human channel for Divmo ,,vmpathy and compassion to enter the heart. Submission to the inscrutable will al ways includes a grateful recognition of this relief. The love and presence of Ruth  'l'HE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 377