The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 494

(when not unde~ the influ_ence of ~Lb and revenge), and _their eueceptiblllty to the power of persuainon. 4. Being determined to make every posaible e,ffort and sacrifice and undergo any pel'IIOnlll risk and euffering for the Mke of peace. She was doubtleae ~ill• ing (as othel'll have been) to lily down her own life lf thereby the lives of others might be spared. •• Peacemakers are fire-quenchers, who, although they mny with plying of engines and much ado, rescue a pile of buildings from the fie.mes, yet their eyes will be sure to sme.rt with the smoke" (R. Harris). II. ADOPTED AN ADMIRABLE METHOD; thereby justifying the "wisdom" with which she was credited. Perceiving that there was some misunderstanding between the con• tending parties, her aim vtas to clear it up; if there were e.ny real cause of contention· to remove it; and thus dispose them to peace. '!'his she ends,-voured to effect by: 1: Seizing the opportune moment for interposition; promptly avRillng herself of the pause before the attack. Instead of .. battered the wall" (Authorized Version), read, "were' devising to throw down the wall." There is generally such a time for the work of a peacemaker, which, if it be neglected, may be afterwards too late. 2. Making use of cour• teous, gentle, reasonable, and impressive speech. "Hear the words of thine handmaid." Like the woman of Tekoah (eh. :xiv. 4), she was a mistress in the art of persuasion. "The tongue of tbe wise is health" (Prov. xii. 18); "a tree of life 11 (Prov. xv. 4; x. 20, X'l"iii 21). 3. .Ascertaining the nature of the misunderstanding, and the occasion of complaint; e.nd, for this purpose, going directly and separately to the persons con~ cerned, and learning it from their own lips. She knew the sentiments of her people;' especially that they felt aggrieved that no communications should have been made to them by Joab, and suspected his destructive and merciless designs. And now she sought to discover what were his real thoughts and purposes in relation to them. How mucb mischief would be prevented if contending parties would only be at pains to understand one another! 4. Removing all misconception, and producing the conviction in each party of the just aims and good intentions of the other. To Joab she said, "You evidently deem this city deficient in good sense; whereas it has been always noted for its wisdom and conciliatory disposition and connsel. You think the people· contentious and rebellious; I assure you in their name that we are among the moat peaceable and faithful in Israel Yet, without any communication with us, ao as to ascertain our feelings, and without any reasonable cause, you are a.bout to give an' important city of Israel to the devouring sword. Why will you bring to ruin what belongs to the Lord?" On the other band, from his reply, it was made apparent that· he was not desirous of their destruction (as they supposed), but 011:ly sought to inflict a just punishment on a notorious traitor in their midst, and was Q.IIder the necessity' (if, as he had snpposed, they harboured him, participated with him in rebellion, and resolved to defend him to the utmost) of making an attack upon them for that purpose. "Far be it, far be it from me . . . The matter is not so," etc. (vers. 20, 21)._ Mis- underRtanding was now at an end, but a real occasion of difference remained. 6,: Obtaining needful, concessions on both sides. "Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city . . . Behold, bis head shall be thrown to thee through the wall." If (as ia· doubtful) the people had (from whatever reason) at first shown favour to the cause of Sheba, they were now persuaded by her to do otherwise, "and so they ended the' matter." 6. Requiring no sacrifice of principl,e; but only urging a course conformable to "goodness, righteousness, and truth," and consistent with professed obedience to the· will of the Lord. "The just punishment of one atrocious criminal is frequently mer1:y- w great numbers" (Scott). "Follow peace with all men, and holiness" (Heb. xii. 1,4 ;' Rom. xiv. 19; Jas. iii. 17, 18). ·_· . III. ACHIEVED AN Ellil.INENT 'XBIUMPH-the triumph of peace. "And he blew the trumpet 11 (ver. 22) summoning to peace, as Sheba had blown it summoning to war (ver. 1). It was a victory over error, u,,;Lrust, wilfulness, wrath, injustice, rebellion;' and one by which: 1. An immense evil was prevented. 2. The general 11:ood was pro•· mated. 3. The Divine kingdom (as represented in the government of David) was confirmed. 4. '!'he peacemaker's joy was fulfilled. The wise woman accomplished what' she had set her heart upon; e.nd in blessing others was herself blessed. "Blessed are the peacemakers," etc. (Matt. v. 9). "Of the followiag things," said a Jewish rabbi,' "men reap the fruits both in the present and the future life-honouring father :ind' mother, bestowing benefits, and making peace between me11." ':: on. u. 1-26.] Trm SJWO:Nt> BOOK OF SAMUE!L. 507