The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 547

of God vmh a eonfidence suiterl to its entire trostWO'l'thinea.,, 2. Let w be glad and lhaflk/ul, that, amidst llO much that is unreliable, we have here a firm foundation on tOhiah to rest our l~fe and hop,.s, 3. Let our word correspond with that of God in its freedom from all insincerity and untrwthlulness, i£ it cannot be free from the unoer- ,e.inty which aprings from ignorance, inability, or mutability. Ill. 'l'HE PROTECTION WHICH Gon AFFORDS TO HIS PEOPLE, 1. The protection iue1,I. "He is a Buckler (Shield] to all them that trust in him," Not only ·he secures protection, be is himself tile Shield that protects. As a hen protects her chickens u11der her own wings (Ps. xci. 4-), so the Lord covers and defends hi9 people with his own Being 11.nd perfect,1ons. Their enemies have to conquer him before they can injure' them. • They are under the guardianship of his knowle<lge, power, goodness, faithfulness; and these must fail before they can perish. 2. The persO'R,8 who enjoy such protection;: "All &.hem that trust in him "-all, as. the word is, who flee to him for ,refuge, (1) It is· one of the characteristics of the godly, that in their perils they flee for refuge to God. It is to God they flee; not to some merely imaginary being whom they call God-,- • God, for instanco, who, however despised in the time of prosperity, is always at the call of men in trouble; too merciful to punish his foes severely; too tender-hearted to disregard tl:.e ·cry of distress, although it come from impenitent hearts ... :Suci.h, con- fidence is vain. God's Word contains not a promise to the ungodly and unholy, however troubled they may be, unless the trouble subdue their hearts to a true repentance. But, shose who live by faith in God naturally tum to hi!Jl in danger and di~tl'ess. (2) :'l'o them he is a Shield. Their fe.ith itself, God-produoed and Godasustained, is a shield (Eph. vi. 16); it inspires their prayers and stroggles .after safety; and in resporu;e to iheir confidence and their prayers the Almighty·bec.omes ,their Defence, aad they are safe. (3) Their sa.lety is according to their faith. Faith which is mixed with doubt is an occasion of peril Intermittent faith brings intermittent safety. If for a time we fi.eefrom our Refuge, we are exposed defenceless to the assaults of our enemies, and shall be wounded nndc distressed. Then." trust in him at all times" (Ps. Ix.ii; 8); and let your prayer lie. "Lord, inct·ease our faith" (Luke xvii. 6); and," Pray for us that out faith fail not" (see Luke :xxii 32).-G. W. l'er. 32.-Jehovah the omy God, the (Y/U,y Rock. David's experience of what Jehovah his God had been to him impels him triumphantly to contrast him with all other that, men called gods. . I. JEHOVAH ALONE IS Gon. David was thinking ,of the idols worshipped by the nations around, which had proved them~-el.ves unable to protect their worshippers from his victorioll6 arms. Too question may be asked as to all other idols, and all persons and thiDgs that men serve as if they were gods-self, wealth, the. world, etc.: 1. Which of them /,as perfections li1": tko6e of Jehovah P He is .the living God, the everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom, and love ; perfect in holiness and righteousness. 'fo whom besides can such attributets be ascribed? "There .is none else" (Dent. iv. 89). 2. Which of them has d<Jfle or. can do works like his P "All the gods of the peoples are idols: but the Lord made the heavens" (Ps. xcvi. 5, Revised,N'ersion; cornp. Isa,. -xiv. 18). 3. Which of them O<Zn help their worahlppers as he, can,·· 'Ji'hey are "vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain" ( 1 Sam. xii. 21). 4. Which of them, then, i, worthy lo receive homage 1uch as is due to him 1 Fear, trust, love, worship, obedience. Yet the unregenerate do honour one or other. pf these vanities more than God. They, aa truly as the heathen, "worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever" (Rom. i. 25, Revised Vei:.sion). • IL J rnov AR ALONE IS A RocK. 1. God, ia a Bock. A term applied to him -by Moses (Deut. :xxxii. 4), and af~rwards very frequently, es~cially in the .Book of Psalms. God is to those who trust in him what a rock, lofty and difficult of ascent and access to strangers, is to a people invaded by powerful foes.. I_a_ him they find sa[ety an~ pr~ t.ection. And as a rock is marked by strength, stability, and permanence, so God 1s mighty to protect, unchangeable, a Rock of ages, "a!1 everlasting Rock" (!sa. xxvi. 4, Revised Version) a Befuge available through ea.eh life aod for all generations. 2. Ee aJm.e ill worthy' of the 11.a1rM. There are other persollS and things which, minidter strength and safety to men. " Wisdom is a defence,. 9:nd money is a defence " (Eccled •. viL 12), friend,;hip alao, and civil gover11me11t aud u11btary force, etc. But none bes1dc1 CU. XXII. 1-lil.] 'l'IIE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 5G3