The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 468

the beautiful character of the venerable man who had befriended him In his mlefor- tt~ne11, and no_w, with a consciousness that hie own earthly oouree is nearly run, bid~ him an affectionate fe.rewell. There are many venerable aaints referred to in the Bible-from the time of Enoch to the beloved exile of Patmos-and they all convey to us a certain common instruction concerning life and its destiny, blended with what i~ peculiar to each; but we shall here confine attention to those foatures of a beautiful old age which are specially brought out in the description given of Barzillai. I. OLD AGE ITSELF NATURALLY AWAKENS A TENDER INTEREST. This is the natural basis of all our regard for the aged, and is an element entering into the beauty which in some cases we recognize. In every age and clime, and among all except the most savage, age has won respect and developed tender feelings in the younger. We regard it as a sign of moral debasement when men fail to cherish tender consideration for the aged. •The reasons that account for our best feelings are not always definite, and in this = they are certainly very subtle-being hidden away in the thoughts and ,;entiments that grow with our growth. If we seek the analysis of our sentiment towards age, we shall find these items : a sense of our inferiority in all that makes up t11e deepest experiences of .life; a conviction that the venerable form is the symbol of many a veiled sorrow and buried hope; a perception of traces of unrecorded conflicts; a feeling of sympathy with increasing infirmities; a remembrance of the fleeting character of the best and most vigorous manhood; and a retiectiou that a responsible being is getting near to the eternal world. In the presence of agti we cannot but feel tl,at to live is a grave and solemn business. !I. OLD AGE EXlUlllTS A SPECIAL BEAUTY WHERE IT IS PERVADED BY KINDLY FEEL- INGS il"D Eilll<"'EST PlETY. Sometimes we meet with old age rendered hard, bitter, venomed, and remorseful, and, while our hearts are touched with tender interest, we feel that we can only pity-there is no admiration, because there is .no moral, and probably no physical, beauty. In Barzillai we see all the natural, physical beauties of e.ge crowned by Yirtues of the most attractive kind. His generous provision for the king when in need, and his making an effort to see him happily on his way home, revealed kindliness. His desire to share in such valued society so far as strength permitted, his right estimate of what befits the closing llays of life, and his quiet con- t.eat with tbe comforts and joys of home, show his wisdom. His anxiety not to be a burden to the king amidst the duties and <:ares of government, and his request for a favour to his son (1 Kings ii. 7), prove his considerate11ess. His wish to live a~d die and be buried among the kindred whom he bad loved so long, was evidence of his domestic affection,. His having befriended, honoured, and loved the banished king wheu appear.,. ances were against him, and his being privileged to take so tender a lea.ye of the Lord's anointed, was a sign of distinguished wyaJ,ty. His obvious faith in the right cause when the rebellion was at its height, his bold identification of his interests with those of the Lord's afflicted servant, his doing all for the right cause without any idea of compensation, was proof of deep piety. Thus the beauty of old age lies much in years beina crowned with kindliness of disposition, wisdom of conduct., consideration of feel- ing, deep affection for one's own people, faithfulness in the relationships of life, and calw and stron" piety, How lovely is old age when so adorned I • III. AN OLD CAGE THUS BEAUTIFIED IS VEBY HELPFUL TO OTHERS. Barzillai was helpful to David in his trie.l.s and triumphs; but it was µot the mere food (eh. xvii. 28, 29) which he, with others, brought that ga_ve strength to David's heart and raised his hope in God. The how:y head, ?rowned. with the gl?ry of .true goodnes~, was more to David than all the material supplies. To have the 1r1endsh1p and the krndly atten- tions of a venerable man of God, was to the king a real spring of new life and vigour, '1.'he vain and trifling young man might go off to take sides with rebellion, but age, with its wisdom, its deep experience, iU! large-heartedness an~ settled piety, was with him. A.6 cold water to a thirsty soul was the loyalty a.nd affection of so honoured a man. It is a blessiog and real help to have the favour and_ syml?athy of men who have had large experience in life, and have won for themsel~e~ 1mpenshable honours; and, though the infirmities of age 111ay seem to· set a narrow limit to the usefulness of the aged, yet their moral i:,ower is very great. Their influence is quiet, bnt real and perve,djng. ' 'l'he 1-0ue they impart to home affects the world outside, and their known interest in Chris,'@ iit1naots Mid the work they are qoing, is pawer ~qd cheer tp me,117 a he~t, OD, XIX, 1-13,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 479