The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 561

mcnt by all the resouroes of the Eternal ; and as to duration, from everlasting to everlasting (MRtt. xxv. 34; John xvii. 24; Eph. i. 4; 1 Pet. i. 20 • Rev. xvii 8, cf. John iii. 16); as to e:i:ecution., "ordered in all things," everything p~rtaining t~ it: development and issue being so foreseen and provided for that nothing i~ left to ohance or the exigencies of the hour (Luke xxiv. 26, 27 ; Acts ii. 23-28; Gal. iv. 4. Eph. i. 10; 2 Pet. iii. 9; cf. Gen. xxii. 14; Rom. xi. 33; Phil. iv. 19) ; as to stability' " sure," resting on the unchangeable faithfulness of the all-wise and all-powerful C',:oo _(Ps. lxxxix. 1; Iaa. xxv. 1; 1 Thess. v. 24; 2 Thess. iii. 3; cf. Acts ii. 30; Heb; VI. 11). VII. Gon's FAITHFULNESS MAN'S OON'BOLATION, Who can tell the consolation brought to David by the ,fact that the covenant of God was so "sure"? Reflection on his own frailty and on the dangers of life could not but awaken shame and dread, but this sure, well-ordered, enduring covenant, no words suffice t-0 set forth it; preciousness I In this we have a common experience with David. Our hearts are sad and pained by our own shortcomings; we see perils to our salvation on every side • the resolutions we frame for the future partake of our infirmity; the struggle to attai~ to the likeneas of Christ seems to be interminable; and the possibility of so changing our discordant and shattered nature as to present it blameless before his face, seems to us very slight. But the bruised a.ud crushed spirit finds healing aud rest in this~that God is true, and has resolved to save us. Blessed knowledge I Instead of inducing indifference or carelessness, it supplements the comfort it brings by a calm and steady flow of energy toward the holy goal, and develops gratitude in form: of more entire consecration. In health, in sickness, a.midst earthly Htrifes and fears, and when the chilly hand of death lays hold of us, we rest in him who cannot die, and who has said, "Because I live, ye shall live also." Truly we have "abundant consolation." , VIII. Joy IN THE REVEALED PURPOSE OF GoD. To see God's blessed covenant unfold towards ree.lization of the Divine purpose was all David's salvation and desire. His heart was bound up with it. His joys and bis sorrows were more deeply interwoven with the spiritual kingdom than with persona.I ease or regal splendour. Our Saviour sets forth the same more illustriously in his life. It was his meat and drink to do hi11 Father's will To see the blessings of the covenant spread to all mankind was the absorbing passion of his heart. For this he endured the cross and despised the shame. 'fbe prospect of the issue of bis death gave him satisfaction in the hour of death (Ps. !iii. 10). The secret of his life was oneness with the Father's will. The Apostle Paul exhibits, in his measure, the same delight in God's purpose. It is a mark of high Christian feeling that we pass from our own personal interest in redemption to delight in the merciful purpose being realized in others. This is the spring of enterprise, the purifier of the heart from spiritual selfishness, the sure mark of having the mind that was in Christ. IX. THE CllABACTEBIBTICS OF A WICKED LIFE. David, in vers. 5, 6, contrasts the men of Belia! with those who rejoice in at:d work a.long the lines of God's covenant. Their power often terrifies the good, causes much mischief, and seems for a while to te:rid to their permanent prosperity. But their power is barren of good result, noxious in its influence, and destined to be cut short. Here we have the truth exemplified in the case of all who are alien to the gracious purpose of God as revealed in his covenant of mercy. The life of the wicked is: 1. Barren as thorns. Whatever promise of good there may be at one time, it never passes from the bare thorn condition to that of fruitfulness. In highest moral and siI!lplest religious fruitfulness their lives are worth nothing. 2. It is ,nqz;iou,s as thorns. A wicked life pierces and wounds those who come under its influence; it tends not to healing and comfort, but to pain and distress. 3. It is fleeting in power, as tho!"°s destined to be crushed ~y a mightier ~ore~ and c~nsum~. The wicked may be m great power, but the day will come when 1t will be said of him, "He is not" (Ps. :uxvii. 35, 36). These contrasts of the righteous and the wicked should strengthen the hearts of thoae who endure persecution and trial, Vere. 8-39.-The facts are: 1. A genera.I statement of the names of David's mighty men, with a comparative reference to some of thei~ deeds. ~- A mor~ s~cial acco~nt of the dsring of three who procured water for David at the risk of their hves, 3. 'Ihe refusal of the king to drink that which had been obtairied at 110 grea.t a risk, on. x:xm. 1-39.] THE SECOND BOOK OF 8AMUEL. 577