The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 449

Ver. 13.-The omniscience of our King. "There is no matter hid from the king." This .is given, by the man who informed Joab that Absalom was hanging in an oak, as a reason why he might have been sure of death himself if he had killed Absalom. It shows how well informed David was understood to be of all that took place among~t his subjects. Such an impression respecting governors and magistrates in general as this man had respecting David, would go far to extinguish crime. The assertion here made as to King David's knowledge may be made absolutely, and without exception, in reference to our great King. I. THE OMNISCIENCE OF CHRIST. This is claimed for and by him in Holy Scripture (see John ii. 24, 25 ; Rev. ii. 23; and the repeated declarations in the letters to the seven Churches, Rev. ii. and iii., as to his acquaintance with their works and condition. Also John x. 14; 15). 1. The sources of his knowledge. His own essential Divine faculty of knowing. He does not depend, like ordinary rulers, on informants. His "eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Prov. xv. 3). 2. The extent of his lcnowledge. He knows, not only the actions of men, but their hearts; all thoughts, emotions; motives, plans, purposes; all movements and events that can affect his kingdom. His enemies take counsel against him under his very eyes. 3. The impos- sibility of concealing anything from him. "There is no matter hid from the King." Nothiag can hide aught from him. Not physical darkness; not distance; not efforts at concealment; no hypocrisy; no simulation or dissimulation; no excuses, contra- dictions, or evasions. '!'he assertions in Ps. cxxxix.; Job xxxiv. 21, 22; 2 Tim. ii. 19; Heh. iv. 13, are as applicable to the Son as to the Father. Il. THE EFFECT' WHICH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE OMNISCIENCE OF CHRIST SHOuLD HAVE UPON us. 1. To confirm our confidence in his fitness to be King. Rule over such a kingdom as his-extending over numbers so vast, and reaching to the inmost souls of his subjects-requires omniscience as one of the attributes of the Ruler. 2. To deter us from wrong-doing. As a similar knowledge deterred this Israelite from slaying the king's son. 3. To assure us that :judgment will fall on the guilty, and only on them; and on each according to the measure of his guiltiness. For want of better knowledge in human rulers and magistrates, some innocent persons suffer as guilty, and many guilty ones escape punishment. 4. 'l'o encourage us in all that is good. Christ's perfect knowledge of us is a great comfort for Christians who are unknown or unac- knowledged amongst men; for the maligned and misunderstood; for workers in obscurity ; for such as do good quietly and secretly. "Lord, thou knowest all things ; thou knowest that I love thee'' (John xxi. 17). "Thy Father "-thy Redeemer and Lord-" which seeth in secret shall recompense thee" (Matt. vi. 4, Re'°ised Version). "Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God" (1 Cor. iv. 6, Revised Version). "Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not. The Master praises: what are men?" 6. :Z,o comfort us in all troubles. "Thou hast seen my ailliction; thou hast known. my aoul in adversities" (Ps. xxxi. 7, Revised Version). A special comfort for those whose troubles are too peculiar or too sacred to communicate to others. Though our King be so exalted, he interests himself in each one of his subjects, even the least, knows all that pains them, and sympathizes with them in 1111.-G. W.  THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. (err. :nm.1-33,