The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 399

of cur~e~; with heRd bowed to the eitrth, he BI\W not the mRn, and the thud of the stones mRde no impression. "The Lord bath said unto him, Curse David." y 08 , it was the Lord. 'l'he words of the prophet were true (eh. :a:li. 10-14). Spiritual per- ception is spontaneous, and, to the godly man, infallible. It passes by the visible to the invisible. Second causes are lost in the efficient Cause. Speculative questions as to human freedom and conseoution of events are left behind, The solution of the actual experience in the passing events is found. It is God. This is the signiftcance of all t.o David. 'l'he "waves and billows" are his, They roll to do his will, The force of almightiness is in them. This spiritual discernment plays on important part in the lives of all true Christians. It is not ignorance, it is not a disregard of philosophy on their part, it ie not a violation of the sequences of scientific law, when, with an intuition clear and irresistible, they see God in the troubles that fall upon themselves. For spiritual intuition is a higher f&Culty than logical judgment, and relates to a sphere above all physical ReqUenoes. There is no more possibility of men setting this aside by reasonings and discussions concerning physical laws, than the perception of an external world by vision can be set aside by the proof of the existence of a physiological structure of the eye. If commercial disaster falls, if health foils, if friends die, if children become rebellious, if the seeds of former sins bear their bitter fruit,-in all God ill seen. Nothing comes in form of trouble to his children bttt that he bas a will in it. 'l'here may be a human, even physical side, but the child will discern the Father's will (Heb. xii. 5-10). V. THE SENSE OF PERSONAL DEIIERIT AND DIS<llffll,'lfENT OF THE WILL OF Goo TONE DOWN THE HARDER TDo"DENOIES OF HUMAN NATURE. Abishai was true to bis nature in wishing to cut off the bead of the "dead dog ; " and David was true to the chastening effect on his nature of these terrible trials when he resisted the suggestion (ver. 10). The heart becomes tender and gentle when under the chastening hand of God, provided, as in David's case, there ill a due discernment of personal unworthiness, and of the gracious though jnst purpose of God in the trouble. We are reminded of One who also endured the contradiction of sinners against himself; who when reviled, reviled not again, and even when bearing more than David could here was pitiful and kind to hill foes (Heh. :xii 2, 3; 1 Pet. ii. 23; Luke :uiiL 34). It is the mark of a true endurance of the righteous will-of God, e.nd conformity of self to the scope of the Divine purpose, that there is in time of trouble no fretting and chafing against the instruments which he may use, be they men or things. Who can curse when the holy will is doing its work? Who can be in wrath and find time for antagonisms when the soul is absorbed in contrite recognition of sin and humble prostration before a storm designed to purify the heart? What gratitude is due to God for the softening influences of calamity I How much richer in meekness and gentleness and the milder and more Christly virtues are many for the poverty and pain they have experienced I The sons of Zeruiab, still so ■trong and fierce in the world, little know the blessedneBS of being like unto him who WBB "meek and lowly in heart." VL WITH SILENT HOMAGE TO THE llUJEBTY OF GOD THERE IS BLENDED TBUBT IN HIS KERCY. David was not playing a part before the eye of man. There was nothing histrionic in hill conduct. The profound homage to the Holy One which underlay bis confession before Nathan, "I have sinned" (eh. xii. 13), was now again rendered in the secrecy of his own soul The head bowed in submission to the fierceness of the storm indicated an acknowledgment of the righteousness of God. Much rather would the humbled king have been free from the necessity of speaking with the " sons of Zeruiah," and have borne the terrible storm without a thought of protest or feeling of complaint. It is in the most critical moments of life that the soul shrinks from tho outward strife of tongues, and in the solemn silence of its own thoughts renders to God a sinful creature's homage. But with this utter surrender to the rights and punitive appointments of the Eternal there is blended a quiet, modest trust in hill great mercy. "It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction" (ver. 12). "It may be." Note the content of the words: "He is merciful and gracious. It is inherent in the nature of the Author of the covenant with Israel to be so. The words of the past are evidence of this. I am undone and have no claim; all that comes to crush me comes jnstly; what he does he does for his Name's sake. Other poor sinners liave waited nut in vpjn ; the hour ma.y come wbeo he will see his glory tQ be one with Oh. XVI, 1-211.J THE SECOND Molt OF SAMUEL. 405