The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 495

TIEHARK8. 1. It is he.rdly po~sible to estimate too highly the worth of peace amon.,. men. 2. '!'hose who would me.ke peRce between others must themselves be at peac; with God, with their own bee.rte, e.nd with their neighbours. The peacemaker must not be a pea.cebreaker. 3. The greatest Pea.ceme.ker the world has ever seett is Jesus Christ, who is "our Peace" (Eph. ii. 14). 4. In proportion as we partake of his spirit we shall ondee.vour to heal a.II unholy strife and promote "peace on earth."-D. Vere, 1, 2.-Departure from and aaherence ta (Jhrist. A sudden change in the aspect of e.ffe.irs. The occasion was a fierce dispute between the Israelites and the men of Judah as to the right of the latter to go so far towards the restoration of the kin" without consulting the former. 'l'he causes, however, are to be found partly in old jealousies between the tribes; partly in the unallayed resentment of the Benjamites on account of the setting aside of the house of Saul from the royalty, and its transfer to the tribe of Judah; partly in the excitement of men's minds by the rebellion under Absalom, and its suppression. A spark only was wanted to produce another desolatin" flame, and that was supplied by the sudden summons of Sheba to the men of Israel Hence another insurrection, which seems to have been begun without consideration, and which was brought to an end speedily and ignominiously. The men of Israel followed Sheba; but those of Judah "clave unto their king," and conducted him "from Jordan even to Jerusalem." The division thus for the time produced bas its counterpart in the spiritual sphere. It may serve to illustrate especially the more open and manifest departures from the Divine King which at times occur, under, perhaps, some leader, and the steadfast adherence to him of his friends, which, at such times, becomes more pronounced e,nd manifest;, I. THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF DEFECTION FROM CHRIST. 1. Its nature. It is the casting off of his rule over mind, heart, life. It may be secret or it may be open, and may be with or without emphatic declaration, with or without open adherence to a leader of rebellion against him. But it ought not to be confounded with separation from a, particular Church, or renunciation of a particular humanly constructed creed. We do wrong if we condemn any one as having departed from Obrist because he has departed from us. There is room for great variety of conception and expression as to Christian truth, and of modes of sincerely and truly serving Christ; and be recognizes, as loyal subjects of his, many in all Churches, and not a few outside all Churches. At the same time, it must be, and ought to be, distinctly maintained that to reject his supreme authority in matters of belief and practice, to think and express onr thoughts without regard to his teaching, to feel and act without recognition of his commands, is to reject him; to openly declare that we no longer recognize his authority is open rebellion against him. 2. Its causes. (1) Original unreality in professed adherence to Obrist. The religion of many is hereditary and traditional, and therefore only formal. They have experienced no radical change of heart. They are without true faith and love. "They have no root," and so" in time of temptation fall away" (Luke viii. 13). (2) Dislike of the government and laws of Christ. Their holiness. the extent of their requirements, their unbending nature, the restraints they impose. Pride revolts against them, and self-will, and carnality in general; and the propounders of religions that are more indulgent to the lower nature are eagerly listened to and accepted. (3) Super- ficial feeling as to the need of Chlist. He is not felt to be indispensable to the soul ; to part from him is not felt to involve very serious loss. (4) Neglect of devotion. It is by habits of prayer and other spiritual exercises that the soul is kept in communion with Christ, and his Spirit received, through whose influences faith, love, and obedience are maintained in vigour. The kingdom of Christ is spiritual, and can be realized only through the power of the Holy Ghost. (5) Dissatisfaction with the results of serving Christ. A superficial religion must be unsatisfactory; and when the vanity of its exercises and fruits is felt, no wonder if it should be gi van up altogether. To experi- ence the substantial blessedness of serving Christ, we must commit ourselves to him heartily and wholly. Then we shall know too well his preciousness to heed those who would entice us to forsake him. (6) 'l'he influence of others. The men of Israel would not have deserted David when they did, if Sheba had not blown bis trumpet and summoned them to follow him. In like manner, the latent disloyalty of men to Christ may remain concealed, and they may appear to be, and regard themselves as being, hill  608 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on, xx. 1-28,