The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 535

Ver. 24 (Pa. xviii 23).-Self-,preservation. "I kept myself from mine iniquity" (perversion, distortion, departure from the line of truth and rectitude), '!'be life of a, good man is a conflict (eh. J:. 12). " A man will never persevere in the practice of uprightness and godliness, unless he carefully keep himself from hi~ inqujty " (Calvin).. His self-preservation- . , I. btPLIES EXPOSURE. TO A DANGEROUS ENEMY. 1. There is none greater -than sin. Every other evil is slight compared with it. 2. Each man has "his ,besetting sin." " I kept myself," not merely against iniquity becoming my own, but against the iniquity which lies near to me, and to which I am specially liable from my constitution ,or con- dition (1 Sam. :1:1:iv. 5). A traitor within the fortress is a more dangerous foe than any other. 3. It besets him at all times, in all places,. and by manifold •• devices." 4. To be overcome by .it is inexpressibly disastrous. IL REQUIB.ES THE ADOPTroN OF PBOPEB KETBODS., 1. Due consideration of the danger. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. 2. Constant and resolute vigilance agailiflt the first approaches of the enemy (Heb. iii. 13). 3. The habitual practice of self-restraint and self-denial 4. 'l'he daily exercise of t\le virtues and graces that are most opposite to the sins to which he is disposed (Gal. v. 16). 5. Familiar acquaint• ance with the Word of God (Eeh. vi. 13-17). 6. Continual looking unto God for his effectual aid. "Kept [guardedj by the power of God through faith," etc. (1 Pet. i. 5).. 7. Unceasing prayer. "Keep yourselves iu the love of God" (Jude 21); "Keep your-, selves from idols" (1 John v. :ll). ill. DEsEBVES TO BE 80.UGHT WITH THE UTMOST EAR:NESTNEBS, because of the advantagea by which it is attended. 1. An assurance of personal sincerity (1 John v. 18; Heb. iii 14). "The ca.reful abstaining from our own iniquity is one of the best evidences of our own integrity ; and the testimony of our conscience that we have done so will be such a rejoicing as will not only lessen the grie( of an afflicted state, but increase the comfort of .an advanced state" (Matthew Henry). 2. An experience of Divine help, of which it is an indispensable condition. 3. An increase of moral strength. 4. A preparation for future victories. " To mortify and conquer our own appetites ill more praiseworthy than to storm strong cities, to defeat mighty armies,. wor.11; miracles, or raise the dead" (Scupoli).-D. Vere. 26-28 (Ps. xvili. 25-27).-Divine rectitU<k. Consider the righteousness ~f God u it appears in : 1. The 6upreme importance whicli he attaches to moral distinction, 0111Wngst men. Such distinctions are often mad~ light of in comparison with wisdom, might, and riches (Jer. ix. 23); and those who possess the latter 'despise and trample upon the ignorant, the weak, and the poor (ver. 27). But God bas chiefly respect to men in their moral attitude· toward himself, their relation to the law _(!)f right;· theit persoDJ1.l character (1 Sam. ii. 30). With him the great distinction is that between the ril!:hteous and the wicked (Ps. nxiv. 15, 16). Whilst his infinite,greatness dwarfs earthly :pawer and honour into insignificance, his perfect righteousness exalts moral worth beyond measure, 2. The di,fferent tr~tment which he adopt, toward men of di.jferent character, In himself he id alway1 the tame (1 Sam. xv. 29); but the aspect cin. xnr. 1-61.J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 551