Vers. 24-30.-Inability hindering desired service, Although some are di~posed to accept Ziba's account cf his master's conduct (eh. xvi. 3) rather than Mephibosheth's own, as given in these verses, there seems to be no just reason to doubt his truth and sincerity. He did not go with David because, owing to his lameness and the treachery and cunning of Ziba, he was unable to do so. The narrative suggests such thoughts as follow. l. INADILITY DEBARS MANY CHRISTIANS FROM 8O1\IE DEMONSTRATIONS OF LOVE AND LOYALTY TO THEIR KING WHIOH THEY WOULD FAIN MAKE, Indeed, every one, how- ever strong in some respects, is weak in others. The inability may be in body or mind, in understanding, or heart, or speech, or in purse; but to its extent it disables from forms of service which others can adopt. We can only serve Christ with the 490 THE SECOND BOOK or SAMUEL. [on. XII. 1-4.8.
faculties and powen1 we have, To attempt what we cannot accomplieh 11 to be bin• dranoes rather than helps. JI. INABn.ITT IN BOME llESPEOTB WILL NOT PREVENT THE TBUE•REABTED P'BOMi MAKING BUOB JIANIP'ESTATIONI! OF LOVE AND LOYALTY AS ARE WITmN THEIR POWER, IfMephi- bosheth could not follow David in his exile, or take part in the oontest, he could inoum for him, and exhibit signs of mourning; and this be did. He thus ebowed a courage 11.11 great as, or greater than, that of those who took part in the war. In like manner, every one, however feeble, poor, or obecure, may do something for Christ; and, if hie heart be, right, he will. He who cannot preach can speak to a neighbour. He who oannot say much for Christ e11n bring others where they can hear of him, or give them an instruc- tive book or tract. He who cannot give much money towards the evangelization of the world can give a little, and at least ean pray. He who cannot found a hospital, can visit the sick poor. All have some power, and, according to the measure of their. power, are responsible. All who love their King will employ such ability as they have, in serving him. .And the service is accepted by him which comes from a true heart and is according to the ability possessed. Work or gift for Christ is valued by him, not for its quantity, or even quality of the material, or merely mental kind, but for the•, love to him which it expresses; and many a man who wins the plaudits of men for his talents, his outward success in religious work, or his. large gifts for its sustentation, is less pleasing to Christ than some poor and humble friend of his who can give and do. but little, but thinks much of him, mourns in secret the dishonour done to him, and· prays without ceasing for his triumph. Ziba's handsome and timely presents were really of far less worth than helpless Mephibosheth's mourning and self-neglect, .' ' IIL INABILITY IS LI.ABLE TO DE MISUNDERSTOOD AND lllISBEPBESENTED. Not only by the malicious or designjng, as here, but by the inconsiderate. Men judge of. others by their own peculiar standards. If truly zealous in a good cause, they show their zeal: in the W&J most natural and available to themselves, and are ready t.o condemn as lukewarm those who do not adopt their methods, though these may with equal zeal_ seek the same ends by the means natural &nd available to them. Even David judged harshly and unjustly of Mephibosheth. It was, in truth, unreasonable to expect .his. lame friend to accompany him. He could only have been a burden, It was absurdly unjust to accept Ziba's insinuation that his master was hoping to be placed on the vacant throne. But judgments equally unjust are constantly being pronounced upon zealous servants of Christ, whose only fault is that they are not of the same order of mind, or cannot practise the same bustling activity as their accusers, or have not equal incomes, or equal physical strength or energy, or do not care to exhibit their" zeal for, the Lord " (2 Kings L 16) in the same manner or to secure similar results. • Happily, the King knows his servants better than they know each other. JV. INABILITY IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITIES THAT RECONCILE TO THE DISil>VANTAGES WHICH llELONG TO IT. Mephibosbcth was enabled to bear meekly what he had to endure, because he was humble, thankful, sincerely and disinterestedly devoted to the king, and ready to submit without murmuring to his will; Similar qualities are of great value to those servants of our Lord who are de6cient in some endowments or possessions by which others are equipped for Christian service. 1. Thankful1ne8S for, and contentment with, tks powers and opportunities granted to them, and tks kind and measure of succe.ss accorded. to them. 2. Humility arising from the conscW'll,/JnesB of their dejects or unworthiness. 3. .Absence of envy of those who are more abundantly favO'IJ,red in respect to talents or success. 4. Consciousness of sincei·e devotion to tks King, however men may rejfoct on them. 5. Joy that; by whomsoeveri1ind in wl,atever 'IJ}Q,y, the King's cause iB triumphing. Such qualities are frequently found: associated with deficient abilities, and go far to compensate those who possess them for, the la.ck of power, or obvious efficiency, or appreciation of them and .their work, which may be their lot. Let the less liberally endowed cultivate them. _ , , V. ll-ABILITY WILL AT LENGTH BE EXPLAINED AND JUSTIFIED, When the. King comes back, all hi.a servants will receive commendation and reward, not according to their several abilities, but according to their fidelity. Mistakes will be rectified, unjust judgments revereed. Many a plaudit will be hushed; many an inflated reputation will collape~; many e. brave-looking building will be reduced to a mass of rubbish by the 11earching fires, and the builder put to shame, if noL utterly rejected (1 Cor. iii. 12-16), on. XX. 1-26.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 491