Vers. 15-22.-Slight services: a sermon to young persons. "And a. wench [the maidser\"ant] went and told them, and they went a.nd told King David" (ver. 17). • 'fhe people of Israel were divided into two parties-the good and the bad; the servants of King Da\"id, who had been driven away from Jerusalem, and the servants of Absalom, who had taken possession of the city and were now intent upon his destruction. The world is also divided into two parties, consisting of those who are for Christ and those who are against him. And the slight but useful services rendered to David illustrate similar services to Christ. L lt is a good thing to be on the right side-to be a servant of" the King of kings and Lord of lords." Outside the city, two young men, Jonathan and Ahimn.az, hiding themselves at En-rogel (the Fuller's Fountain), and waiting to carry news to the king; inside the city, their fathers (the high priests Abiathar and Zadok) and Hushai (the king's friend), preparing to send it: these were "faithful among the faithless found." 2. One who cannot do much can yet do something for bis lord and master. If he cannot lead an army or give counsel in " the assembly of the elders," he can at least carry a message, like the brave Jonathan (1 Kings i. 42) and the swift-footed A.himaaz (eh. xviii. 23); or, like the '.trusty maidservant of one of the higL priests, who (as though going to the well for water) conveyed intelligence to them without suspicion. She could perform this service even more effectively than others in a higher station (2 Kings v. 2). The servant who has only" one talent" must not " hide it in the earth " (Matt. xxv. 25). Consider what you can do for Christ. 3. Small services may disp'lay great principles and qualities: love, obedience, diligence, veracity, fearlessness, faithfulness, self-control, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. " He that is faithful in that which is least," etc. (Luke xvi. 10). 4. Hardly any service can be performed without diffiC'/1,lty and danger. "And a lad [probably on the watch] saw them," and gave information; so that they were closely pursued by Absalom's servants (soldiers) as far as Bahurim (cL. xvi. 5). It was a race for life. 5. The servant who dots his best will seldom fail to obtain opportune l1elp. " And the woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth," etc. (vers. 19, 20). "It was not the first nor yet the last time that an Israelitish woman wrought deliverance for her people" (Edersbeim). Her motive was good; not her equivocation and deceit. Many circum- stances and casual events, under the ordering of Divine providence, conduce to the safety and success of a faithful servant. 6. There is as much need of small services as C'H, XVH, 1-29.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 129
great; Bnd such services have frequently important issues; it may be escape frnm death. '£he message ,of Hushai, carried by the maidservant and communicated by the young men, contributed to the security and welfare of the king, "and all th1, people that were with him" (ver. 22). "In this information sent to him so opportunely, David believed thn.t he had reason to recognize a new sign that the Lord still though~ of him in love and cared for his deliverance" (Krummacher). "Like the O(,()}neBB of snow on a hal'Vest day Is a faithful messenger to them that send him: He refreeheth the soul of his master." (Prov. xxv. 13.) 7. They are surely noticed, and will be abundantly recompensed. "And the king said, He is a good man," etc. (eh. xviii. 27). "And whosoever shall give to drink," etc. (Matt. x. 42).-D. Vere. 21, 22.-David's escape across the Jordan. "And they passed over Jordan," etc. (ver. 22). Leaving Bahurim behind them, David and his company pursued their rough and dreary way along the wilderness of Judah until they descended into the plain of the Jordan; and there in some place (Ayephim, equivalent to "weary," Authorized Version; "The Traveller's Rest") at an easy distance from the ford of the river (opposite Jericho, and near Gilga.l, eh. xix. 15) they rested at nightfall. "Amongst the thicket3 of the Jordan the asses of Ziba were unladen, and the weary travellers refreshed then:.- selves, and waited for tidings from Jerusalem" (eh. xv. 28, 36; xvi 14; ver. 16). David had been uncertain whether . to cross the river; but during the night the messengers arrived, saying, "Arise," etc. ; the encampment was broken up, and "by the :inorning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan." That night was another memorable one (l Sam. xix. 8-18). "It has been conjectnred with much probability that as the first sleep of that evening was commemorated in the fourth psalm, so in the third is expressed the feeling of David's thankfulness at the final close of those twenty-four hours,:of which every detail has been handed down, as if with the consciousness of their importance at the time" (Stanley). Ps. iv. 'An Even-song'- "In peace will I lay me down and straightway sleep : For thou, Jehovah, a.lone wilt make me to dwell securely." (Ps. iv. 8.) Ps. iii. (see inscription), 'A Morning Prayer•- 11 I lo.id me down and slept: I awaked, for Jehovah sustaineth me." (Ps. iii. 5.) What a brilliant light do these psalms cast upon the inner life of David! Consider him e.t this time e.s- I. BESET BY FEROOIOUS FOES; numerous, powerful, and crafty (eh. xv. 12, 13; xvi. 15; vers. 1-3); seeking to take away his crown, his h ''lour, and his life; by fraud, treachery, and violence. His trouble represents that 01 tne persecuted and afflicted servant of God in every age. 1. The feeling C1f trouble is usually intensified with the approach of night, the season of peril and emblem of distre5s. 2. The good man in trouble seeks relief in God (Ps. cxxi. 4); whilst acknowledging his sins, he is conscious of sincerity, trusts in Divine mercy, and derives from his experience of former mercies an ai::gument for bis prayer. 3. He regards his adversaries in no vindictive spirit; and, although he desires their overthrow as the enemies of God, still more he desires their conversion. " The address is directed to the aristocratic party, whose tool Absalom had become" (Delitzsch). "When I cry, answer me, 0 God of my righteousness, Who ho.at made room for me in straitness; Be merciful unto me, and hear my pmyer 1 Ye sons of men I how long shall my glory become shame? How long will ye love vanity, will ye seek after lies?" etc. (Ps. iv. 1-5.) 430 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cu. XVII, 1-29.