The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 381

loud w11.iling of the people, and hal~d for a moment in the Allcent of Olivet DRvid WAS met by Z&dok (of the elder branch of the A11.ronie family), with the Levlte;, carry- ing the ark (oh. vi.), 11.nd by Abiathar (a descendant of Eli, of the younger bro.nob). The former h&d come to him o.t Hebron (11.bout thirty years before), "11. young m&n mighty of v11.lour" (1 Chron. xii. 28); the latter wo.s a still older friend of David (1 Sam. xxii. ~3), ':'?cupying the highest ~flicial position (Za'.1ok being his vicar only, or sagan., 1 Kmgii 11. 27, 35; 1 Chron. xvi. 39), but not to.kmg the most prominent part in active service, and perhaps entertaining "jealousy of his rive.I" (Blunt). 'l'hey doubtless intended to render valu11.ble service to the king by bringing the ark. Wny then, di,d h~ send it back' Not from want of proper regard for it (ver. 25, latter part)'. He did not, indeed, put a superstitious confidence in it, like Hophni and Phinehas. He esteemed and reverenced it as an appointed symbol of the Divine presence and" favour," and a valuable means of Divine worship and servic-e (1 Sam. iv. 11), just as highly as when he conducted it in triumph to its resting-place (eh. vi. 16). But "he would not use the ark as a charm; he had too much reverence for it to risk it in his personal peril" (Stanley). He looked upon it as belonging to God and to his people, not to himself; considered, not only that it would be of no advantage to him in present circumsta.nces, but also that he was not justified. in removing it from the city and depriving the people of its presence; that rather it was the will of God that he should himself be deprived of it, at least for a se.ason; and thus he honoured God in adversity as he had formerly done in prosperity. "David is always great in affliction. His con- duct throughout, his goodness, resignation, and patience, are clearly evinced in all these trying scenes " (Kitto). Consider him as an e:mmple of: 1. Spiritual insight. He perceived. the true nature and worth of the ark; that the symbol was distinct from the reality of the Divine favour, did not necessarily ensure its possession, was not an essential condition of it; that its value depended upon the relation of men to God (1 Sam. vi. 1-9). Affliction often teaches us how to regard the outward pl'ivileges and ordinances of religion. "He was contented at this time to forbear the presence of the ark, having his confidence in God, and not relying altogether upon the external sacrament" (Willet). 2. IJeep humility. Having acted unworthily of the ark of the •· testimony," and disobeyed. the commandments of God, he deemed himself unworthy of the honour of its presence. His deprivation of it was a just chastisement for his misuse and abuse of it. "I o.m not worthy," etc. (Gen. xxxii. 10; Luke v. 8; Matt. viii 8). 3. B.oly ajfection toward the "habitation " of God (Ps. xxvi. 8); toward God himself; and toward his people. Hence, although banished from the ark of God, he dei;ired that the God of the ark should still be honoured. by others, and do them good. "Observe his disinterested self-sacrifice for the good of the people. He would not punish his subjects for his son's sins" (Wordsworth). "It argues a good principle to be more concerned for the Church's prosperity than for our own, to prefer Jerusalem before our chief joy, the success of the gospel and the flourishing of the Church above our own wealth, credit, ease, safety,even when they are most at hazard" (Matthew Henry). "Let thy No.me be magnified. for ever" (eh. vii. 26). 4. Lofty faith in the presence of God in all places, his superintendence of all events, his acquaintance with all hearts, his righteousness and goodness, favour, guidance, mercy, and truth (ver. 20). It is .. an instance of David's clear faith in the omnipresence of God and of his spiritual elevation from the outward symbols of the sanctuary to the Divine essence that was symbolized by them." "Salvation belongeth unto the Lord," etc. (Ps. ill. 8; iv. 3; v. 7). 5. Unqwmchable hope. "If I find favour," etc. (ver. 26). So far from despairing of God's favour he cherished the expectation of being delivered" out of all his troubles," broucrht back io Jerusalem, seeing the ark again, and worshipping in his tabernacle with joy. "My hope is in thee" (Ps. xxxix. 7; xiii. 5; lxxi. 14). 6. Entire re~igna- twn. "And if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me a,; seemeth good unto him" (ver. 26; 1 _Sam. iii. 18; 9h. xii. ~5-23). "He besouuht God as Alexander Severus told his soldiers a generous and a wise man should; pray~g for the best things and bearing whatever should befall" (Delany). "This marks strongly his subdued and right spirit, partly induced, we doubt not, by the humility of his own conscious transgressions. He fell; but it was the fall of_ the upriuht and be rose again· submitting himself meekly in the mean time to the will of God" "' (Chalmers). , , 7. Pra,cti,cal wisdom. "Art thou a seer? return tot he city,• " etc. Oil, XV, 1-37,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.