The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 425

to those who bow humbly beneath God's hand and wholly trust him" (Erclm,mn). 4. .Abundantly requited. 'fhose who exercise it "are blessed in their doing" (,Jas. i. 25); and receive unexpected honour and benefit from their guests (eh. xix. 33, 38, 3!); Gen, xviii.; Acts xxviii. 8) and from the Lord himself (Heb. vi. 10; Matt. xxv. 34).-D. Ver. 23.-Suicide. Such was the end of the great counsellor of the a"e, who was roge.rded as au "oracle of God" (eh. xvi. 23). Astute as he was, he w:s evidently unprincipled. Hie desertion of David for Absalom, and the advice he gave the latter, show this. His wisdom did not a.va.il for his own good. He died "as a fool dietb," and by his own hand. Yet there wa.e e. thoughtfulness and deliberateness a.bout the deed such as was in e. certain keeping with his intellectual ability. It is not difficult to account for the desperate course he took. He was mortified that Absalom, for whom he had incurred so much guilt, and ma.de so great sacrifices, and who knew and revered his wisdom (eh. xvi. 23), should have rejected his counsel for that of Hushai; and, because of his confidence in the wisdom of his own advice, he felt sure that David would be victorious, and he himself, not only disgraced and ruined, but executed as a traitor. Rather than face this prospect, he hanged himself. Self-murder is not an agreeable subject, yet it may be salutary occasionally to reflect upon it. Many do put an end to their own lives; and doubtless many others are more or less tempted to do so. It :may be hoped that consideration of the matter may fortify the minds of some against the first approaches of such temptation. I. 1'.IIE OA USES OF SUICIDE, 1. Mental derangement is doubtless a com.mon cause. Not so common as we might infer from the verdicts of coroners' juries, an::rious to relieve surviving relatives from the pains and penalties inflicted by antiquated civil and ecclesiastical laws; yet still the most common cause. It is virtnally the same thing to say that disease of the brain is the common cause. This is often hereditary, or it may be induced by overwork, or by excessive indulgeace of the appetites ancl passions, or by the pressure of worldly anxieties. Insanity relieves of the guilt of self-murder; nevertheless, where the insanity is the result of habits which are sinful, the guilt of these remains; and, if the probable issue of them was foreseen, the sinner ea ~not free himself altogether from the guilt which attaches to the act of self-destruction. 2. The pressure or dread of troubles often leads to this crime. Not only as they produce insanity, but as they operate on a sane mind. latense pain. great misfortunes, disgrace, or the dread of it, fear of destitution, etc. Instances: Saul and bis armour-bearer (1 Sam. xxxi. 4, 6); Zimri (1 Kings xvi. 18); Ahithophel ; and the Philippian jailor (Acts xvi. 27). 3. Remorse and despair. Judas (Matt. :xxvii. 5). II. 1TB BIN AND FOLLY. 1. It is contrary to nature. The love of life is one of the .strongest principles implanted in us by our Creator. "Self-preservation is the first law of nature." The natural conscience, which teaches the criminality of taking the life ·of another, equally teaches that of taking our own. We may for adequate reasons, in serving God or men, expose our lives to peril; but we must not ourselns extinguish them, and thus cut short our oppol'tunities of service. 2. It is daring impiety towards God. It is a cowardly abandonment of our trust; an act of rebellion against him who has assigned us our post and work; a contemptuous casting away as worthless, or worse, of God's precious gift. It springs from distrust of God, discontent with his appoint- ments, a proud refusal to serve him unless under such conditions as are agreeable to ourselves. 3. It is a serious injustice to our friends and society. Our life is given us for the sake of others as well as ourselves. To abandon it is to rob and injure them. It is vain to say we can no longer be of service to them. Under the worst circumstances a man can set an example of patience and submission such as is much needed in this world of suffering. And if he have become a burden to others, in bearing the burden they may be enriched and blessed. 4. It is in direct opposition to the revealed will of God. No distinct prohibition can, indeed, be quoted, unless it is included in the command, "Thou shalt do no murder;" which is doubtful. But it is entirely opposed to all the precepts of Scripture which enjoin patient endurance of trials, and thl\t to the end; and to tho examples of such endurance which a.re set before us, especially t!\at of our Lord Jesus Christ. The instances in Holy Writ of fleeing from suffering by rushing out of the world, are all those of either "·icked or deranged persons. 5. It is e1 ll, BAM'O'El,, 2 ~•  ffl TR'E R~COND BOOK OF SAMUET~. [CR. XVI[, 1-29.