The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 559

whole, for just ne in the New Test.\ment there is grest prominence given to the death or Christ and its relation to sin, 001Tesponding to the prominence in the Old 'l'estament or the sacri6cee which foreshadowed it, so the position of the eternal King in Zion in tire one book is in the same Teuitive proportion 'to that of the temport\l klna who eo conspicuouely Rhadowed .forth his reign in the other. The great interest thus at.taching to the life of David renders his last words of unusu&l importance. \Ve shall best ~ring o_ut their teaching by noting in succession the very fruitful topics suggested by this section. I. THF: t:r-TLUENCE OF DYING wonl)s OF GOOD MEN. We feel that there is a value in these lsst words of David, not simply by what an examination of their strict sense ma;r yield_, but because they are his last words. All last words are weighty in com- parison with others; for they close the record, or end the intercourse, or give, as in dying words, the matured expression of one's long experience. The last words of Jacob, of Moses, of Paul, and abo"e all of Christ, are very rich in instruction by virtue of being l&St. The !&St words of children, parents, friends who sleep in Jesus, are most precioue; they are treasured for ever. There are special reasons for attachina weio-ht to them. 1. They are reflective, and to'll,Ched by the influence of the etemal world. Men are earnest, sincere, uttering only what a review of the past and a prospect of the future "'ill warrant. 2. The mind is usually calm. 'l'he passions of life are gone, the strife of tongues is no more heard, the spirit is open to the still, small voice. 3. Worldly influences are in abeyance. The pomps and fa.•hions of this world are .reduced to their proper position. There is scope for things eternal to get their legitimo.te hold on the thoughts, and so to form aright the conceptions of duty. 4. The action of the. Holy Spirit is more direct and strong. The great hindrances to his blessed fellowship are reduced to a minimum, and hence a truer estimate is formed of life, its purpose and perils ; of Christ, his love and power. 5. 'l'he affections are most pure and tender. The heart goes out freely toward the Saviour and toward men. Silver and, gold and the perishable things of active life are now as dross, and words flow forth steeped in love and tender concern for others, and delight in God's great· ea1"ation. . Dying saints preach powerful sermons. Their memory is blessed. Their words are rich in all 1.hat is good and helpful. ll. THE HONOUR .il!l1l RESPONSIDILITY OF RICH MENTAL ENDOWMENTS. David was the man raised up on high, the anointed of God, the sweet psalmist of Israel. These words necessarily imply the coexistence in time of varied mental endowments-wisdom and discretion for ruling, lofty conceptions of the theocracy and the far-reaching character of God's dealings with Israel, and all the qualities requisite for the sweetest poetry. He was certainly most honoured of men in that age, and hence his responsi- bility was very great. The references to the ideal ruler (ver. 3) indicate how conscious he was of solemn obligations. The fact is, every gift of God bestowed on man is honour put on him, and in its nature it is a talent for use, that the world may be the better for its existence. The possession of great a.nd varied gifts---of thought, emotion, will- power, and of aptitude to do the right thi~ at the r~g?~ _time-is a wonderful boob, The men of ten talents may well porader their respons1h1lit1es to God and man, What blessing or woe comes to the world according to the direction in which great gifts are used! III. THE Th'FLUENCE OF SACRED SONG ON THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. The incidental refereuce to the "sweet psalmist" throws n sudden and unexpected light on the immense influence exerted by David on the spiritual thought and feeling of his own and subsequent ages. He had touched the deepest fcelipgs of the people, and by his _psalms done, perhaps, more to conserve their faith a.nd hope than by all his acts of formal leo-islation anJ words of distinct exhortation. His influence will never cease. The sain~ of all ages are cheered and comforted by his 61'1'.eet words of song; and they find relief in usin:!; language which so aptly expresses the holiest and pures~ feelings and thoughts of their life. He blessed Israel with a wise and just rule, and the entirn world by the most enduring influence of sacred song. The place of sacred song iu the Church ie moat important. It elevates thougli.t, nourishes the more fine and tender seutiments, strengthens the most secret and radical elements of the religious life by giving form and oce&llion for their exercise, enriches the memory with straiµa that spring up in hour11 of weruui.es11 and sorrow, and stores the minds of young and old with 11 ou. xxur. 1-30.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 5;5