The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 454

F.XPOSITION. self-reproach betw...in the gates. His eagar CH.A.P'l'ER XIX. inquiries, "Is the lad safe?" meant-Has the Ver. 2.-The viutory (Hebrew, the 11alt,a- hand of justice a.gain smitten me? e.nd when twn) that day .... turned mo mourning. he found that a second blow had fallen, bis Naturally, the people did not underste.nd the self-control gave way. Joab, more sta.tes- poignant emotions caused by the activity of me.nlike, end with bis personal feelings un- David's conscience, and were pained at this moved. notices the fresh wrong that David sooming ingratitude t.o ill.em for their brave is committing, and is vexed e.t seeing bis exertions in bis behalf, e.nd at whe.t they brave warriors slink into Mahenn.i.m ashamed, must have regarded e.s indifference to the instead of being welcomed with deserved welfare of the nation. Nor would it be ea.sy praise. But their conduct in being so de- for us to understand his conduct during pressed e.t David's sorrow is a proof of their the flight from Jernsalem, and in bearing affection for him, end it was pie.inly bis duty Shlmei's imprecations so tamely, did we not to master bis feelings, and to think of m(lking tind in the psalms written at this time that a due return for the great service they bnd David was suffering extreme and even ex- rendered him. The Hebrew word "salva- cessive self-reproach and mental anguish e.t tion," the.t is, deliverance, gives the better his past liin. It was e. relief to bee.r Sbimei's side of the idea., while " victory " is. e. ooarser rudeness, for God might remember it for word, taken from tbe l(lnguage of a people good. Ro.eked thus with •elf-reproach, he had whose trade waa war. urged npon his genere.lil to spare the young Ver. 5.-And Jo&b , , . ■aid. Joab's man (eh. xviii. 5), whose sin was pa.rt of e. speech puts the alternative in a very incisivo web which he had himself begun to spin, e.nd e.nd even rude we.y before the king. Bat iu terror he waited for the result. Mente.Uy what be says is true, namely, that Absalom's it would he.ve been better for him if be be.d success would inevitably have b<:en followed Goue:: to the Le.tile instead of sitting in gloomy by the ma.see.ere, not only of David !Jlmself, OH, XIX, 1-43,] TlIE SECOND TIOOK OF SAMUla,. 465