Vere, 26, 26.-David;s resignation to the will of God. David's character shone moat brightly amid the darkness of adversity-in the early struggleK and perils, and in these luter ones, In these verses we seo his superiority to a superstitious dependence on the presence of the ark as ensuring the presence and aid of God. He was thus much in advance of the Israelites, elders and people alike, in the days of Eli (1 Sam. iv. 3-5). Wo take tho verses, however, as evidencing David'11 profound submission to the will of God, and illustrating the nature and excellence of godly resignation. J. To WHA'.l' HE WAS RESIGNED. To whatever might be the will of God. To tho enjoyment of the Divine favour, or the experience of the Divine displeasure. In par- ticular: 1. To defeat or victory in the contest with his unnatural son; and, as results of one or the other: 2. To the permanent loss or the regaining of his throne. 3. To exile from Jerusalem or return to it. 4. To banishment from the arlc ar,d house of God or restoration to them. This is specially referred to in ver. 25. 5. To death or life. II. THE NATURE OF HIS RESIGNATION. 1. It was not insensi7nlity or ir,difference. How much he felt the position in which he was placed is evident from his languae1e here, and his tears and other signs of mourning refened to in ver. 30. Those who do not feel their troubles cannot cherish resignation to them. Troubles which do not trouble require no exercise of submission. Resignation may be most eminently dis- played by those who are most susceptible of suffering. 2. It was not a stoical submis- sion to the inevitable. 'l'bis is better than vain struggles and useless murmurs, but is not godly resignation. 3. Nor did it involve abandonment of all prayer and effort to secure what was felt to be desirable. David, while surrendering himself to the disposal of the Most High, carefully planned and laboured, and was prepared to fight, that he might obtain the victory. Christian resignation is not fatalism. 4. It was trustful, Joving submission to whatever might prove to be the wi7,l of God. David recognized the hand of God in his adversities, saw that the issue of events would be according to the Divine appointment, and on this account was prepared to acquiesce in it. "Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him." III. MonvEs To SUCH RESIGNATION. 1. The rightful sovereignty of God. He does rule over all, whether we will or no; and the recognition of bis right to rule will much aid in producing willing submission to bis will. "You know, my dear," said a poor man to his wife, when they were mourning the loss of a peculiarly interesting and affectionate child, "this family is God's garden, and be bas a right to come into it and pluck any flower that pleases him best." 2. His omnipotence. "Humble yourselves under the mighty band of God" (1 Pet. v. 6). Because he is almighty, bis will must be accomplished; resistance is fotile. At the same time, be is almighty to support, to bring good out of evil, and to "exalt in due time" (1 Pet. v. 6). 3. His wisdom ancl goodness. Which assure us that be does not act according to arbitrary choice, but that what "seemeth good unto him" is really good; so that in submitting to him we are acquiescing in our own ultimate well-being. 4. Our sinfulness ar,d unworthiness. David was doubtless aided in resigning himself to the will of God by the memory of his heinous sins ( comp. J udg. x. 15; N eh. ix. 33; Lam. i. 18; iii. 39; Dan. ix. H; Micah vii. 9). We deserve more suffering than is inflicted upon us; we merit no good thing; the more readily, therefore, should we resign ourselves to whatever may be appointed for us. 6. The blessings enjoyed by us or assured to us. The memory of pa.st enjoyments, which tends to embitter present griefs, should nevertheless awaken a grati- tude which tends to reconcile us to them. "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job ii. 10). The mercies still rrmaining to us, duly appreciated and acknowledged, will have a similar beneficial effect. The way in which God has led us through past difficulties should strengthen confidence in him, and render us willing to trust him with our future. Specially, if we are Christians indeed, let us keep in mind : (1) 'l'he relation in which we stand towards God, as his children, redeemed, reconciled, renewed; and the childlike spirit which becomes us. (2) The unspeakable blessings which as Christians we enjoy. Pardon, peace with Go,l, access to him, assurance of bis fatherly pity and love, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, with his special guidance, support, and consolation. (3) 'l'he promises made to us of all need- ful good (P;. lxxxiv. 11; !lfatt. vi. 33); the co-operation uf all Lhings for our guuu (Rou1, viii. 23); tl10 Diviue care, symvathy, and ~upport (Ps. lv. 22; lleb. :s.iii. 5, 6); 896 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [arr. xv. 1-31.
an~ fi_nal deliverance from all affliction, and enjo~ent of eternal gl~ry-glory f11,r out- weighing all present trouble, 11,nd prepared for and mcreased through its right endurance (Rev. xxi. 4; Rom. viii. 18; 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18). G. The cross of Christ illustrates and enhances all other motives. The love of God in Christ assures us in the d11.rkest hours that be is love, 11nd bis ways are love. The sufferings of Jesus as our atoning S11,viour m11ke ~ure to us all spiritual 11nd eternal blessings. His greater sufferings 11re adapted to reconcile us to our so much lesser ones. In his resignation we have the brightest and most powerful example, and reasons for imitation of it. As our fellow-Sufferer we know that he can, and are assured that he does, sympathize with us; and that he is the better able to succour us. 7. The benefits which flow from resignation. (1) "The peace of God" (Phil. iv. 7), 11.nd with it stren1'th to endure: power also to do whntever may be possible towards deliverance. (2) Evidence to our own consciousness that we are the children of God. (3) Good influence over others. Proof to them of the worth of religion. In conclusion, let us lay to heart that in any case we must suffer affliction, The only question is how 11.nd with what results? Shall we suffer in faith and hope and submission, and thus secure Divine approval, support, and blessing? or shall we suffer impatiently and rebelliously, thus adding to our strfferings, and gaining no blessing from them? .. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker I" (Isa. xiv. l:1).-G. W.