The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 471

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-8.-(MAHANAJM.) Immoderate grief. Thie interview between David anrl Joab throws light upon the character of both, and the relations snbsistina between them: 1. The best of men are by no means perfect. David's grief, although natural, and, m some respects, commendable, was unseasonable, excessive, and injurious• and exposed him to just reproof. 2. The worst of men are not altogether bad, bnt 'often exhibit admirable qualities. When Joab put Absalom to death against the king's order he was actuated partly by regard for the king's interest and the national welfare, "loyal disobedience;" .he was also desirous of preventing unnecessary slaughter (eh. xviii. 16), and showed a thoughtful concern for Ahimaaz (eh. xviii. 19, 20, 22); and now although his bearing toward the king was harsh and cruel (eh. iii. 24), he was full..; justified in expostulating with him (as on another occasion, eh. xxiv. 3). 3. The wor;t of men are often intimately associated with the best of men, and render them invaluable services; but their association is usually uncongenial, and productive of trouble and mischief (eh. iii. 39). By his great abilities Joab made himself necessary to David, and became confirmed in his high position (1 Chron. xi. 6); and by his complicity "in the matter of Uriah," he gained a despotic influence over him; hence his daring disobedience and overbearing attitude, and when the king, resenting his conduct, seeks to replace him as captain of the host, he strikes down his rival, then "calmly takes upon himself to execute the commission with which Amasa had been charged; and this done, 'he returns to Jerusalem, unto the king,' and once more he is • over all the host of Israel'" (Blunt, 'Coincidences'). David's inordinate grief was- I. REALLY REPREHENSIBLE. "And the king covered his face,'' etc. (ver. 4). It was connected (as cause or effect) with: 1. The lack of due ccmsideratil)'ll, of the moral causes of the event which he mourned over, and which was their natural and deserved consequence; and of the salutary influence which that event wonld have upon the nation. In surrendering himself to sorrow for the loss of his son, he was in some measure blind to the justice of his doom. 2. The absence of humble submi.~sil)'ll, to the Divine will, such as he had previously displayed in "the day of his calamity" (eh. xii. 20; xv. 26; xvi. 10). 3. 'l'he feeling of bitter resentment against those who had despised his commandment and disappointed his hopes. He would at first, perhaps, blame all his" servants;" and, when he was informed (eh. xviii. 13) of the circumstances under which Absalc,m came to his end, would naturally regard the conduct of his executioners in its darkest aspect. "To understand this passionate utterance of anguish, we must bear in mind not only the excessive tenderness, or rather weakness, of David's paternal affection toward his son, but also his anger that Joab and his generals should have paid so little regard to his command to deal gently with Absalom. With the king's excitable temperament, this entirely prevented him from taking a just and correct view of the crime of his rebel son, which merited death, and of the penal justice of God, which had been manifested in his destruction" (Keil). 4. The neglect of urgent duties: thanks- giving to God for victory, the commendation of his faithful soldiers, the adoption of proper measures to confirm their attachment and secure peace and unity, the subordi- nation of private grief to the public weal. "The deliverance that day was turned into mourning unto all the people,'' etc. (ver. 2). "Their hearty participation in the sorrow of their beloved king, for whom they had perilled their lives, soon changed to gloomy dissatisfaction at the fact that the king, absorbed in private grief, did not deign to bestow a look upon them" (Erdmann). II. RUDELY REPROVED. "And Joab came into the house of the king," etc. (vers. 5-7). His reproof (eh. xii. 1) was: 1. Unfeel.ing, hard-hearted, pitiless. He had no respect whatever for the natural feelings of the father; no sympathy with David's intense and peculiar emotion. 2. Unscropulous and reckless; whilst declaring the truth in part (ver. 5), and 11s lt appe:.ued on the surface, casting unjust reproaches on the king for his heartless selfishness, ingratitude, and. hatred (ver. 6). 3. Unbecoming the relation of a subject to his sovereign; in language and manner, as well as in substance. 4. United, nevertheless, with wise coonsel and solemn warning. "And now arise, go forth," eto. (ver. 7). No doubt David felt greatly hurt; and "the lmmediate effect of his indignution was a solemn vow to ijllpersede Joab by Amasa; II. BAll L' EL. ~ l  THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on. XIX. 1-43,