The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 422

II. AIDED BY FAITHFUL FRIENDS, who sympathize with him, strive to defeat his enemies, give him Ul!eful counsel, 1md share his dangers (eh. xv. 16, 21, 23 • vere. 7 16 17). 1. A time of advel'!lity tests the firlelity of friends i and manifests it,' as the n'ight brin~ out the_ sta~ that were unseen by day, 2. It _also makes their aid peculiarly precious ; and 1s a sign of the fuvour of the EtemAl Fnend. 3. When friends begin to despond in a time of trouble, it is the part of a good man, "strong in faith," to encourage them, by directing their thoughts to the Divine Source of consolation, his own "exceed- ing joy," "Many eay, Who will show ns goodP Lift up the light of thy oountene.noe upon us, 0 Johove.b I Thon h&Bt put gln.dnees into my bee.rt More than when their oorn a.nd wine abound," eta. (Ps, iv. 6-8.) lII. DELIVERED DY DrvrNE FAvou11.; shown in his preservation, the salutary we.ming received during the night, the S1Lfe passage of the Jordan, so that "by the morning light," etc. (ver. 22), a.nd the complete defeat of Ahithophel's counsel (vers. 14). 1. In their hostility t-0 the good, wicked men rely on their own wisdom a.nd strength alone, ignoring God; but " the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly," etc. (2 Pet. ii. 9), 2. Ofwn when e. good man is despised as one abandoned of God, he is taken into closer fellowship with him and more signally protected and delivered. 3. In the morning light of every day he perceives fresh tokens of Divine favour. Whilst God " giveth songs in the night" (Job xxxv. 10), "his mercies are new every morning" (Lam, iii. 23; Ps. v.; nx. 5; cxliii. 8). "Jehovah, how many a.re mine adversaries! Many rise np age.inst me, Many say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, Jehovah, &rt e. Shield about me, My Glory and the Lifter-up of my hee.d. I cry to Jehove.h with my voice, And he answereth me from his holy mountain,'' etc. (Ps. iii, 1-6.) IV. INCITED TO VJCTOBIOUB CONFIDENCE ; by the contemplation of what God is to him and has done for him (Gen. ::i:v. 1); as, having now esca,PBd his mos.t immediate peril, he travels on "by the morning light" toward Mahanaim (ver. 24). Troubles do not always "pe.ss a.way with light." Enemies still threaten (Pa. iii. 1), and with each returning day the servant of God has to begin the conflict afresh (eh. v. 22, 23). But: 1. Even when most formidable, they do not terrify him whose hope is in Jehovah. 2. They are regarded as if already overthrown. 3. And to JehC!Mah alone is the victory ascribed. " I will not be afraid of ten thouse.nds of the people Who he.ve set themselves against me round about. Arise, 0 Jehove.h ! Help me, 0 my God I For thou BDritest all mine enemies on the cheek, Thon bree.kest the teeth of the ungodly, To Jebove.b belongeth the victory I Upon thy people be thy blessing I" (Ps. iii. r-9.) To the period of David's erile beyond Jordan have been also referred many other psalms: Ps. lxi., lxii., lriii. (see inscripti-0n), cxliii. (S?ptua~t, "w_hen hie son pursued him"), :xxvi., xxvii., xxviii., etc.. "A man who ce.n, hke David, amidst _th? first mutter- ings of an unexpected storm display such lofty composure and subm1-ss10n, and then amidst its fiercest outbursts sing hymns like the third and fourth psalms, penetrated with the purest trlll!t in God, is already raised in an eminent degree a.hove human weak- ntss and trailty, and, whatever be his outward fate, he can only quit this life as one of God's victon.1" (Ewe.ld).-D. Ver. 28.-(Gu.oa.) The Bfl,icide of Ahithophel. Displeased with the decision of the on. xvn. 1-20.J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 431