The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 470

humanity. It is the abeence of ideals whioh marks off the beast from man. When we are expected to provoke one another to love and good works, we at onoe think of the standard after which we are, es Christians, bound to strive (Phil. iii. 12-14). 'l'he feot that othen; surpass us is a reminder of the vows we have taken, and so, setting the "mark" before us afresh, we press forwnrd with renewed zeal. The healthful effect on us of the preoonoe of a superior ChristiBn is well known, The sight of holy men and women devoting their energies to the service of Christ in the world rebukes sloth points to "whet manner of persons" we ought to be, and so, by rendering the ideai more real to the mind, enable us to be more faithful to our Lord. llI. THERE IS, HOWEVER, A RISK OF LOSING SIGHT OF BROAD PRINOIPLEB, AND BEING ABSORB~D IN _SIDE ISSUES. Judah and Israel were right in provoking to loyalty and reassert10n ol allegiance, and so far as they purely followed out the first impulse of riva)ry all was well; but the ~deal before them became obscured ~s soon as they began to dispute on a matter of detail as to precedence and personal motive. The question as to whether the motive of Judah was pure arose out of the zeal of Judah on the one side and the zeal of Israel on the other. Probably Judah did design to outwit Israel. The secrecy was not purely for the sake of loyalty to David, but to gratify pride in being first. It was not an open competition. Thus, by the minor feelings of the rivalry being allowed to gain ascendancy, there arose an issue which exposed a wholesome rivalr_,. to the danger of being the occasion of sowing the seeds of permanent mischief. Here lies the great danger of rivalry in deeds and enterprises perfectly good in them- aelves. Especially is there a great risk in the matter of the competition of denomina- tions and religious parties. Work is done, perhaps, to outstrip others, to gain notoriety, to i;ratify a love of pre-eminence, and also, in the heat of zeal, motives are impugned, and time and strength spent in mutuo.l recriminations which had better be spent in rendering service to Christ. IV. RIVALRY llRINGS FORTH ITS WORST l"BUIT WHEN IT ISSUES IN PERMANENTLY DEBASED FEELINGS AND MUTUAL ESTRANGEMENT. We see in this controversy the beginning of an unholy feeling of jealousy and ill will, which, we know, issued at ·last in positive aversion and enmity. They were one people, the people of God, called to do a good and holy work in the world, and held under the government of God's anointed. This consideration ought to have been uppermost in all time& of effort and of difficulty. For one to seek to gratify pride at the cost of another was base; for the other to cherish bitterneSB of spirit was wrong; for both to weaken, by fierce controversy, the brotherly sentiment, and to create separate interests, instead of being one in devotion to their king and country, was a moral debasement from which they never recovered. To do Christian work well in rivalry requires watchfulness over motives, generous consideration of others, and delight in what they accomplish for the Master's sake, and a conscientious maintenance of the honour and glory of Christ above all the petty considerations of personal or denominational interest. The mutual estrangement of Christians is a great calamity. It has its root in the inferior feelings which have been allowed to mingle with genuine zeal for the kingdom of God; and the removal of it is to be sought in deep searching of heart, and a return to the simplicity of entire consecration to Christ's service. GE?.'ERAL LESSONS. 1. The holy rivalry of the primitive Christiane (John xx. 1-4) to be first at the sepulchre should be preferred as a model, both as to aim and spirit, to that of Judah o.nd Israel. 2. The temptation to indulge in a feeling of personal pride should be met by a reflection on the serious evils that may issue from even one departure from purity. 3. In all our Christian enterprises it should be our endeavour to keep Christ and his honour clearly in view, and get inapiration from the zeal of others, not simply to outstrip them, but to bring more glory to him thau any one else can. 4. In our efforts we should remember that we are all equally "kin n to Christ, and are equally dear to his heart. 6. In our estimate of Churches we are to give more weight to apiritual qualities than to numbers. 6. If on our guard against lurking evils, we may frequently ask ouraelves how we can Ulore perfectly prove our fidelity to our Lord 11nd ~vance the honour of bi, Name, OH. XIX, 1-43,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 481