The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 442

HOMILIES BY V.ARIOUS AUTHOR:: Vers. 1-8.----{MAllANAm.) Davia's victory over his rebellious subfects, Havjng found refuge in the fortified city of Mahanaim (eh. ii. ,8), and recrui_ted their exball6ted energies, David and those who were with him· prepared for the conflict which now seemed inevitable. Meanwhile (during several weeks) Absalo'm collected a great army (eh. xvii. 11), appointed Amasa captain, crossed the Jordan, and encamped in the land of Gilead ( eh. xvii. 24-27). Here, "in the wood of Ephraim" (ver. 6; Judg. xii. 4), he was met by the forces of David, and the issue was quickly decided. "The traveller who only knows Palestine to the west of the Jordan·, can form no idea of the luxuriance of the hillsides of Gilead. Here we crossed sparkling rivulets, where the sunlight glinted through the foliage of handsome oak, terebinth, and carob trees, a.nd traversed glades seldom disturbed by the foot of man, which led into the deep solitudes of the forest. In one of these Absalom met his end; and one could well understand, a.a one came suddenly upon the brink of some rock or gorge, why possibly, in headlong and disastrous flight, so many of the combatants on that fatal day should have been numbered among the missing, that it was said the wood devoured more than the sword" (Oliphant). Attention is especially directed to David, cc.ncerning whom observe- !. THE RENEWED ENERGY OF ms CHARACTER. .After his deep humiliation, the old king is himself again. His youth is "renewed like the eagle's." Passive subm\s6ion is succeeded by active exertion, to which he is urged by inward impulses J!.Dd new circumstances. There is a time to pray, and a time to work. 1. He actively musters his friends around him; and constantly attracts and receives reinforcements from the )"'ople who dwt:11 on the east of the Jordan (eh. xvii. 27-29; Pe. :uvii.; xxviii.; ex. 3). 2. He skilfully organizes his forces, apvointin~ captains of thousands and  OII. xvm. 1-33.J 'fHE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 461 ---------------------------------- captains of hundreds, and arranging them in three divisions under Joab, .Abishai, and ltt.ai (oh. xv. 19-22), well knowing. the worth of able leaders and of strict order and discipline (oh, viii. 15-18). 3, He courageously purpoees to go forth himself into the conflict (oh. xxi. 17), and is prevented from doing so only by their considerate determination (ver. 4). "Those who engage others in arduous and perilous attempts must be willing to take their full share of hardship; but true courage and firmness of mind are very different from rashness and obstinacy, and wise men are always mc>st ready to listen to prudent counsel, even from their inferiors" (Scott). 4. He speci:illy charges them to do his son no harm. "Gently for me with the young man Absalom" (ver, 6); "Beware, whoever it be," etc. (ver, 12). A general and intense feelin"' of resentment is naturally felt against him; and none are concerned abollt his welfare save. his father, whom he has chiefly wronged. "See what a thing a. godly father'; affection is to his child. No undutifolness, no practice on a child's part, no, nor death itself, can divide between him and his child. What though Absalom can forget David, yet David cannot forget hllll; what though he be a. very ungracious imp, yet ' be is my child, my child,' saith David, 'I cannot but love him;' and, indeed, be over- loves him; which I do not commend, but only observe, to note the strength of parent~• Jove, if it be natural-a love indeed a.s strong as death. Is the love of an earthly father so great? What, then, is the affection of our heavenly Father towards u.s ? " (R. Harris: 1610). · ·· II. 'fHE ARDE:s'r ATTACHMENT OF HIS FOLLOWERS; in contrast with the disaffection and hostility of others. 1. They offer themselves willingly to his service, and readily risk their lives for his sake. 2. They set an inestimable value on his lire in comrarison with their own. "Thou art worth ten thousand of us" (ver. 3). How much often depends on one man! The safety, unity, religion, prosperity, of a. whole nation. Both patriotism and piety require the utmost care for his preservation. 3. They see the peculiar peril to which .he is ex posed, and seek to guard him against it. "They will pay no attention to 1111/' etc. Of Washington, one of his officers wrote, "Our army love their general very rriuch; but they have one complaint against him, which is the very little care he takes of. himself." 4. They deem it expedient to provide, in case of need, for receiving his aid.,,·" lt is better that thou succour us out of the city." Their proposal is prudent, courteous, and honourable. Whilst he waits in the city with the ~• reserves,'' he still commands them, prays for them, and co-operates with them. They go forth under his sanction (ver. 4), a.re animated on the battle-field by the remembrance of him, anrl look forward to his approval as their recompense (eh. xix. 3). Sllch devo- tion is rare, not merely towards an earthly commander, but even on the part of those who war a spiritual warfare towar.ds the heavenly Leader and "Captain of their salvation." • . III. .THE SIGNAL OVERTHROW OF HIS ADVERSARIES (vers. 7, 8); which is accom- plished by the valour, discipline, and devotion or his "servants," and chiefly: 1. By the interposil.ion of Divine providence (vers. 28, 31). "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong" (Eccles. ix. 11). ".Providence is" by no means "always on the side of big battalions.'' • 2. In retribution upon the disobedient and ungodly, over whom mercy lingers long, but not for ever, and who, though used as instruments of chastising others,are themselves ultimately broken in pieces. 3. For the deliverance of the faithful, the restoration of the "Lord's anointed,'' and the maintenance of the theocracy. 4. As a preparation for, end a foreshadowing of, the nobler victories of the King Messiah. It was another of the decisive battles of the world. "The contest was _of short duration. The victors were soon vanquished. The storm was like a whirlwind, and like a whirlwind it passe(l away, leaving the enemies of God under the foot of the Messiah. 'l'o the depth of David's fall, to the height of his exaltation, there is but one parallel. • We see it in tli<l-Passion, tleatb, and resurrection of Jesu.s Christ. The two Davids fell in o. manner o.like mysterious to their astonished friends. The two Davids rose again in a manner alike terrible to their astonished foes'' (M. Hill, 'The Typical Testimony to the Messiah ').-D. Vers. !l-14.-(THE woon OF EPHRAIM.) A faith/al soldier. "Though I shoul,l receive [literally, 'weigh'] I\ thousand pieces of silver in mine baud, yet would l nut put forth mine hand against the king's son" (ver. 12). Wbile pmsuing th~ enemy, 11 452 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, [on. xvm. 1-33,