The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 497

the no.tural product of the gospel in those who rea11y believe it. "The kingdom of God is righteousness nnd peace" (Rom. xiv. 17); "The fruit of the Spirit is Jove, joy, pence, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness" (Gal. v. 22, Revised Version); "Love truth and peaoe" (Zech. viii. 19, Revised Version). I. PEAOEABJ,ENEBB. This Christian virtue is very frequently inculcated in the Scriptures, especially the New Testament. 1. Its natwre. It consists in a disposition to live in harmony and friendliness with all. It shows itself by courtesy and kindness; by avoidance of contention and quarrels; by carefulness not to give just or needless provocation to others; by meek endurance of provocation and even injustice from others; by readiness to give and receive explanation and apology; by quiet, unobtrusive per- formance of one'R own duties, a.nd abstinence from intermeddling with other people's business; by overlooking small offences, and readiness to forgive greater. 2. Its sowrces. In some it is a natural disposition. As a Christian virtue it springs from: (1) Christian love-love to Christian brethren as such, a.nd love to all. This prompts those in whom it reigns to seek the happiness of others, and to put the most charitable con- struction on their conduct. It also subdues the irascible dispositions, and the selfish- ness which so readily leads to alienation and contention. (2) Christian humility. "By pride cometh contention" (Prov. xiii. 10). The proud exaggerate their own claims, expect too much from others, resent slight offences, insist on unreasonable reparation. But the humble avoid, without effort, such occasions of strire. Thus love and humility promote peace; and all the influences and motives which produce and foster the former are equally favourable to the latter, 3, Its benefits. (1) To the peaceable themselves, It is itself happiness. It secures the good will of others, the enjoyment of which is happiness. It 1s a. frame of mind favourable to the cultivation and growth of all Christian virtues; and to a.11 those devout exercises by which these are nourished and the favour· of God realized. (2) To society. The :i.bsence of the annoyance and discomfort which the contentious occasion. The enjoyment of quietness and rest. Tbe peaceable are also peacemakers, and promote a pacific disposition in others. If all men were peaceable, wars, small and great alike, would cease. II. FAITHFULNESS, "Faithful," on the lips of the wise woman, probably meant "loyal" to the king. It might well include also uprightness in general. "We are a people not only peaceful, but (as the word is) reliable, trustworthy. We are honest, just, steadily occupied with a faithful discharge of our duties, a.t once to God, to each other, and to the state." Fidelity must be associated with peaceableness to form a noble Christian character; fidelity to Christ and God, to conscience and conviction, to truth and duty, to promises and engagements; fidelity to those to whom we are variously related in family, social, ecclesiastical, and national life. This gives strength to the character, as gentleness and peacefulness give beauty. The two qualities are not incompatible, but mutually helpful. A peaceful spirit prevents fidelity from becoming harsh, censorious, meddlesome, fierce. Fidelity prevents peacefulness from becomin!!; an immoral weakness, which disregards justice and truth, is ever ma.king unworthy compromises, and would rather sacrifice the highest principles than run the risk of arousing the passions of men by asserting and defending them. Only "the wisdom that is from above," which "is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy" (Jas. iii. 17, Revised Version); in other words, the teaching of the Holy Spirit,--can enable us to give to each of these virtues, peacefulness and faithfulness, its due place.-G. \V. Ver. 19.-Seeking to destroy God's inheritance. "Wby wilt thou sw:illow up the inheritnnce of the Lord?" The nation of Israel was called the " inheritance " of God, because.specially chosen and set o.pa.rt for himself, and therefore specially valued and cared for (llee Deut. iv. 20; ix. 26, 29). The "wise woman," in remonstrating with Joob against his assault on Abel, applies the term to that part of the people which dwolt there. It was an assertion of their right, as belonging to the chosen people, to be protected, not destroyed. The corresponding word in the New Testament is used of the everlasting possession which Christians will inherit, not of Ch.Tistiane themselves (unless Eph. i. 18 be an exception). But the idea is presented in other words (see 1 Pet. ii. 9, "a people for God's own possession,'' Revised Version); and the remon- 1trnnce might be appropriately addressed to any who ~cek to destroy the Church of G,id. 610 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xx. 1-20,