The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 544

lncapacitnting it from <lisceming and spprecisting the holy. (2) He acts towards them holily. He requires boliaess of them, and works it in them. All bis dealings with them are in accordance with holiness, and have for their end to promote their sanctifi- cation. I-Ienco he does not indulge his children, but, when necessary, a.ffiicts them, that they may become more and more "partakers of his holiness" (Heb. xii. 10). H~ will not be satisfied until they perfectly reflect his image, and he can "present them holy aucl unblo.meable and unreprovea.ble in his sight" (Col. i. 22). IV. THE FROWARD FIND HIM FROWARD. 1. Sinners are froward. They are perverse, unre1Lsono.blo, ungovernable, impracticable. They show this in their feeling and con- duct towards God, his Word and ways. They will not submit to bis instructions or obey his commands. They "walk cont,rary unto" him (Lev. xxvi. 21), do the opposite to. that which he enjoias. 2. To them God shows himself froward. It is a bold expres- ~ion, and therefore, perhaps, the translators of this book softened it into "unsavoury," or distasteful. But the ea.me word is rightly translated in Ps. xv iii. 26, "froward." 1 l'he meaning is c,lear. God acts as if perverse towards the perverse. As they will not pay regard to his will, be will not to their desires and prayers. As they oppose him, he opposes them, thwarts their purposes, disappoints their hopes. As they "walk con- trary unto" him, he "will also walk contrary unto" them (Lev. xxvi. 24). It is a universal truth, discernible: (1) In nature. If we would have nature work good to us, we must learn and obey its laws. If we wjll not, they will work us harm. (2) In the affairs of life-in business and association with men. If we will not ascertain and live according to the laws which should regulate our conduct, they will avenge themselves, inflicting pain, loss, perhaps utter ruin. (3) In respect to religion and sal va.tion. These originate in the benevolent will of God; and if we would experience their benefits, we must have humble and obedient regard to that will. We must ask of him," What must I do to be saved?" and "What wilt thou have me to do?" If we choose to reject the Divine revelations and requirements, and in pride and perversity take a course opposed to them, the Almighty will not alter his plans to please us, but will bring upon us the just consequences of our frowardness. He will appear froward to the froward, in that, when they call upon him, be will not answer; when they seek him early, they shall not find him (see Prov. i. 24--29). It is vain and foolish for man to assert his own proud, capricious will; he will find that there is another and stronger will, that will a.ssert itself to his discomfiture and destruction, unless he repenr. -G.W. Ver. 28.-God observing and humbling the proud. "Thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down." '!'he mention of "afflicted people " in the first clause of this verse renders it probable that the psalmist, in the second, referred to proud oppressors who bad afflicted them. But the words express a general truth. I. Gon's OBSERVATION OF THE PROUD. "His eyes are upon the haughty." 1. He sees them ; knows who they are, distinguishes them from others, overlooks none of them, 2. He sees through them, with those piercinq eyes of his, that search the hearts of men. However they may conceal or disguise their pride before men, they cannot before him. 3. He notices all the exercises and manifestations of their pride. Their self-complacency and self-laudation; their contempt of others, their insolence, their injustice, their oppression of the meek and humble, their self-assertion as towards him, their resistance and unsubmissiveness, etc.; all is open to his view; and he notes all for remembrance, exposure, and punishment. If the proud did but realize that the eyes of the Infinite One were upon them, how ridiculous would their pride soon appear to themselves! how unbecoming and contemptible as well as impious! How would the things on which they pride themselves-their strength, intellect, knowledge,. wealth, honours, mastery of men, virtues, etc., shrivel into insignificance as they looked upon them with the con- sciousness that God wns looking on I 4. Be keeps them ever in sight. So that nothing can escape his view, and they cnnnot elude him or <lo auything to the real injury of his servants. II. HIS HUMILIATION OF TUEM. At the right time and in the most effectual way. "Every one thnt exalteth him~elf shnll be abased" (Luke xviii. 14). 1. Jehovah 6•,metimes brings down the haughty f roin the position which fosters or displays their pride. Ha may deprive them of that on which tbey pride themselves-their property,  5110 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [oR, nu. 1-lil,