The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 443

brave soldier came upon their leader, suspended from "the entangled branohes of the great terebinth,'' in which his head was fastened 110 that he could not extricate himself. He forthwith reported what he had seen to Joab, who asked him why ho bad not despatched him, and said that be would have given him ten }lieces of silver and a military girdle for doing so. A less scrupulous man might have sought even yet to i;ecure the reward. But he replied that nothing would induce him to disobey the king. "So genuine was the revercnc~ with which the loyalty of even a common soldier then inve,;ted the royal di~ity" (Ewald). His fidelity may serve to illustrate that of" a good soldier of Jesus Chri8t" (2 Tim. ii. 3), M it appears in- I. Hrs RESPECT FOR THE KING'S COMMANDMENT; which, unlike that of an earthly ruler, is always wise, just, and good. 1. He reverences the authority by which it is given, as rightful, all-powerful, supreme. 2. He regards it as obligatory on each and all to whom it is given (ver. 12). 3. He remembers it constantly in the absence as well as the presence of the King, from whom" there is no matter hid" (ver.13). 4. He is resolved on performing it with all his might. "'l'hou h8.'1t commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently" (Ps. cxix. 4, 11, 106). II. HIS REJECTION OF STRONG TEMPTATION. He will not disobey the order received, though urged to do so by: 1. The impulse of resentment against the common enemy, 2. 'l'he plea of expediency, or what may seem to be for the common good. 3. 'l'he npproval of a fellow-soldier, or the sanction of any "captain" inferior to the King. 4. The promise of reward, certain, immediate, and great. 11 'l'he Law of thy mouth· is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver" (Ps. cxix. 72, 31, 36). II I. Hrs REBUKE OF ANOTHER'S PRESUMPTION. Joab must have felt himself reproved by this faithful and honest soldier; though he turned away contemptuously, recklessly, and presumptuously to do the deprecated deed. A dutiful soldier may and ought to rebuke the undutifulness of another by : 1. Reminding him of the word which has been spoken by the King. 2. Avowing his own determination to obey it in spite of all inducements to the contrary. 3. Predicting the certainty of the King's displeasure, which outweighs all present gain (Prov. xvi. 14; xix. 12). "What is a man profited," etc.? "In the King's favour is life." 4. Intimating the unreliability of one who favours disobedience and presumes on impunity. "Thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me;" lea,ing me alone to bear the blame and suffer the penalty. "He must be a very bad man who is not attracted to what is good by the good example of his subordinates" (S. Schmid). "Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy command- ments" (.Pa. cxix. 6, 29, 51, 53).-D. Vcrs. 14-18.-{THE wooo OF EPHRAnt.) The end of Absalom. After a long course of flagrant and persistent wickedness, Absalom (at the age of twenty-seven) lllet his deserved doom. There is not in all history a more signal instance of retribu- tion. In it we see punishment following crime, in the way of natural consequence, ond corresponding with it in the manner of its infliction. The sinner reaps as he sowa. "But Justice hastes t' avenge ea.eh impious deed: Some in day's clear e.nd open light; Some in the dusky eveui.ng's twilightshade: Or, by delay more furious made, Some in the dreary gloom of night." (Eschylus.) Absalom wu- 1. A..RB.ESTED BY DIVINE JUSTICE, IN THE PERVERSITY OF ms WAV. (Vere. 9, 10.) When the battle went age.inst him he sought to escape. Possibly he met with some of David's soldiers, who durst not "touch" him (ver. 12); "but though they let him go, yet God met with him, and put a stop to his flight" (Patrick). His eagerness and i.mpetnoeity, hie tall form, his long hair, "the king's mule" on which he rode, all con- tributed to the result. Entangled by the tresses of his hair, and fastened by hi~ neck in a forked bough, he was left hanging "between heaven and e11,rth" (Deut. xx1. 23); "rejected as a traitor by both." None of hie companions i~ _crimo remained with h!-'n, but all left him alone to his fate. 11 A man whom the D1v1ne vengeance 1s pursurng does no1 ei;ce.pe" (S. Schmid). Insensate trees, dumb animals, apparently trivial and on.,xvm.1-88.] THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, 153