The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 424

v,·ho has committed life to men as a trust; and whose will in relation to it is intitnated in yarious ways. "In every society where the Christian and old Pythagorean idea -if hfe, as a talent and a trust, is unknown or forgotten, and where its value Is measured by enjoyment, suicide will be likely to become common" (Thirlwall, • Letters to a Friend'). It is "a complication of ingratitude, contempt of the Lord's gift of life defiance, impatience, pride, rebellion, and in:6.de!Hy" (Scott; Wardlaw, • Sys. Theo!.')'. "What a mixture do we find here of wisdom and madness!" (Hall). "'l'hus ho displayed the miserable infatuation of worldly policy" (Wordsworth). Under the ligbt which the gospel sheds upon the present and the future, the act of the eelf- d~stroyer is rendered peculiarly criminal and awful. III. A DREADFUL RETRIBUTION. (Ch. xii. 10-12.) The course of sin on which he had entered was attended (as it ever is in others) by most baneful effects on himself, and ended in destruction; the culmination at once of his sin and of his punishment, He became: 1. His own tormentor; rushing against impassable barriers, and bringing ~:pon himself irreparable misery. 2. His own tempter; being urp:ed onward by inward impulses to further transgression. 3. His own executioner; inflicting with bis own hand the extreme penalty of the law; a retribution more dreadful than when inflicted Ly the direct stroke of Heaven (eh. vi. 6-8) or the hands of other men (eh. iv. 12; x,·iii. 7, 14). "The wages of sin is death" (Prov. xiv. 32). "Thus it falleth out that wicked counsel doth chiefly redound to the hurt of the author thereof" (Willet). Like Judas, Abitbophel went to "his own place" (Acts i. 25). IV. AN ADMO?-.TI'ORY END; the consideration of which should lead to : 1. 'l'he conviction of the enormous evil of suicide; which may exert a preserving influence in an hour of temptation. 2. The abhorrence of the principles which induce its commission, and the avoiding of every sinful way. The sinner is a self-destroyer (Hos. xiii. \:!). 3. 'l'he cherishing, with renewed earnestness, of the opposite principles of humility, faith, patience, godliness, uprightness, charity, etc. "If the affections are '<"iolently set upou anything in this world, whether fame, wealth, or plea.sure, and are disappointed, then life becomes insupportable. Therefore, the moral is this : ' Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.' "-D. Vers. 24-29.--{M.uuNAIM,) Hospitality. Shobi (eh. x. 1-4; xii. 26-31); Machir (eh. ix.. 4); Barzilla.i (eh. xi.x. 31-40). On hearing of the arrival of David at :Mahanaim, these three men came with one accord, bringing presents, and "provided the king of sustenance while he lay" there (eh. xi.x. 32). "We are inclined to regard them as representative men: Shobi., of the extreme border-inhabitants, or rather foreign tributaries; Machir, of the former adherents of Saul; and Barzillai, of the wealthy landowners generally" (Edersheim). Whilst acting, specially, from feelings of loyalty, gratitude, and affectionat,e regard, they displayed a hospitality such as is often enjoined (Lev. :xxv. 35; Isa. !viii. 7; Luke xiv. 13; Rom. :xii. 13), but frequently omitted (Heb. :xiii. 2). It was: 1. Much mede,d by David and his followers, "who were like a band, of beggars or maranders" (Delitzscb), driven from their home, in a comparatively strange land (Ps. W. 2), beset by hostile forces (ver. 25), in want of shelter, rest, and provision (ver. 29). "The Son of man had not where to lay his head" (Luke ix. 58); e.nd in his "brethren" he is often persecuted and in want of all things (Matt. xxv. 35; Gal vi. 10; 1 Tim. v. 10; 3 John 6, "6), 2. Admirably exempUfied, (1) Spontane- ously, without being solicited. (2) Promptly, without delay. (3) Cordially, with sympathy and pity; for they said, "The people ha.ve become hungry, and weary, and thirsty in the wilderness." (4) Considerately; those things which were most necessary e.nd agreeable being supplied. (5) Generously; according to ability, and "without grudging" (1 Pet. iv. 9). (6) DiNinterestedly, unselfishly, with self-denial and at no little risk.. (7) Perseveringly; not (as in another familiar instance) for throe days ~Acts n:viii. 7), but for nearly as many month~. It not unfrequently happens that the poor and the stranger receive the most hospitable treatment from those on whom they have the least claim. 3. Eminently helpful, comforting and encouraging ; a sign of the Divine care for him (Gen. xxxii. 2)-a. proof that he was not forsaken by all the people, and e.n influence adapted to gather others around him. "The faithfulness of human love, strengthening in need and cheering in misfortune is not only the copy, but e.l&o tbe means and instrument of the fa.i,thfulness of the Divine love, granted Oil. XVII, 1-29.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMOEL. 433