The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 469

IV. A DEAUTJB'UL 01,D AGE JS AN ABIDING CHARM IN THE Ml!:M0RY, David and Barzil!o.1 never met o.gain on eo.rth. Their parting partook of all the sweet tenderness of a fine.I severance, Before David had finished his career, the venerable man hn.d passed awo.y to bis blessed reward (1 Kings ii. 7). But it could not but be, aR was evident from his charge to Solomon, that throughout his life David cherished the memory of the good old m1m, and found amid the cares and sorrows of life much com- fort therein. 'l'he vi~ion of tho.t bent form, la.den with precious fruits of a. long and godly experience, bending before him and bidding him God-speed in his high vocation, would often rise up and again cheer bis spirit. The dead yet speak to us. Our memo- ries retain the cherished form and words and tender embraces of venerable saints, and, e.s we think of their faith and hope and triumph over the world, we take fresh couraae0 and struggle on. '!'hank God for aged Christians living or departed! GENERAL LESSONS. 1. We see how wondrously God does, in bis kind providence, sweeten the bitters of liff:l by friendships which would not bave been formed but for the troubl.~. 2. There is great blessedness in being enabled to render encouragement to God's serva.nts when they are engaged in arduous and perplexing service, and this form of usefulness may be sought by all, especially by the aged. 3. We should, in our own lives Rnd in others, look for an advance of moral powers proportionate to the advance of age. 4. We should .covet the honour of bringing our ripest and best attainments and placing them at the service of Christ. The uses and perils of rivalry. It was natural that, at first, there should be some hesitation in o.t least the leaders of the people, both in Judah and Israel, in making overtures to David and i_n sending deputations to welcome him back. Israel, however, overcame this feeling first, a11d David, reasonably anxious that Judah, so near to him, should not be 1outdone, took means to inform them of what was in contemplation, and urged that they certainly need not hesitate, seeing that his promotion of Amasa. was p~oof of his unchanged feelings of interest in t,hem (eh. xix. 11-13). Influenced by desire not to be outdone in expressions of loyalty, they were first at Jordan, and Cl!,rried off the honour of accompanying the king to Jerusalem. There is no evidence .that David wished Judah to steal a march on Israel, o.nd so embitter the feeling between them.. Probably he thought that a conference would take place for joint action. His sole anxiety was that Judah should not be tardy in indicating restored allegiance and taking mea.sures for showing it. For reasons not stated, Judah acte,l o.lone, mi.eh to .the chagrin .of Israel, and hence the controversy (vers. 41-43) as to 'the relative right to manifest special interest in the king. -It wa.s a rivalry in good works, not unmiired with questionable feeliogs. Rivalry has its uses and its dangers. I. IT TENDS TO sT,MULATE AOTION AND DEYELOP LATE!iT POWERS. The thoL1ght that Israel might reach Jordan first, and so get the honour of showing attachment tu the king, stirred up zeal in Judah, and drew forth whatever feeling of loyalty was latent in the community; and the fact that Judah outstripped Israel roused the heart of Israel to give verbal evitience of strong attachment to the king. This rivalry in accomplishing a common Vl'ork enters into all life; it seems to have its roots deep down in our nature. It is nssociated with the conviction that duties have to be attended to, and that our honour is concerned in attending to them, at least as well as other people. 'l'hus it is a side issue of the o.ctio:n of conscience, though it may easily develop unworthy feelings which will render its connection with conscience very obscure. Leaving out the question of improper feelings for the present, it doubtless does develop our powers, and even draws out latent forces, the existence of which had not been known. By the parallel action of the rivals much mutual instruction is gained as to methods of work, and weakness and strength of chRracter, which instruction bein:,1; applied, renders effort more successful. II. IT TENDS TO KEEP THE IDEAL OB' DUTY lllOBE CONSPICUOUSLY BEFORE THE lllL."1>. The suggestion ,tho.t Israel wo.s about to welcome the king o.t once set before Judah in striking form the highest ideal of allegiance. Any thoughts concerning it hitherto cherished now were cleared of obscurity, and the duty was manifest. Rivalry among pupils, workmen, statesmen, and literary men necessarily causes all who enter into it to direct their attention from their own achievements o.s adequate, to the ideal towards which all are striving. This constant pre~ence of a lofty ideal is a great gain to  THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, [err. XIX. 1-48.