The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 565

possession of every good men; he is a partaker of the Divine nature (2 Pet. I. 4), raised up with Christ, 11nd made to sit with him in heavenly pla.ces (Eph. 1i. 6), and an heir of 1111 thing8 (1 Cor. iii. 23). "The Christ.fan believes himself to be a. king, how moon soever he be, and how great soever he be; yet he thiuks himself not too good to be eerve.nt to the poorest sitint" (Bacon, 'Christian Paradoxes'), 3. In e.~pointing hi111 to royal dominion over men. " Anointed," eto. He has "e.n anointing trom the Holy 0ne," and shares in the dominion of Christ, "To him will I give power over the nations," etc. (Rev. ii. 26). 4. In conferring upon him excellent endowments, in tho exercise of which he quickens the spiritual susceptibilities of men, furnishes them with "11ccepta.ble words" in their approach to God, 11nd becomes e. he] per of their noblest life and joy. "Pleasant [lovely] in [by mean~ of]' the praise-songs of [sung by] Israel,'.' " He was not only the founder of the monarchy, but the founder of the Psalter. He ia the first great poet of Israel. Although before his time there had been occasional bursts of Hebrew poetry, Da.vid is he who first gave it its fixed place in Israelite worship" (Stanley). • The harp the monarch-minstrel swept, Tho king of men, the loved of Heaven, Which Music hallow'd, while she wept O'er tones her bee.rt of bee.rt.!! had given: Roo.oubled be her tears, its chords are riven I It eoften'd men of iron mould, It gave them virtues not their own; No ear so dull, no soul so oold, Tbe.t felt not, fired not to the tone, Till David'.s lyre grew mightier the.n bis throne I" (Byron, 'Hebrew Melodies.') Although his greatness was peculiar, yet a measure of true greatness belongs to every one of the "royal priesthood" (1 Pet. ii. 6, 9; Rev. i. 6) of the spiritual Israel. He bas power with God a.nd with men, represents God to men and men to God, employs his power with God on behalf of men, and his power with men on behalf of God; and if, by the culture a.nd use of the gifts bestowed upon him, he has contributed to the highest good of men-this (together with all the Divine benefits he has received) is a matter of gre.teful remembrance and fervent thanksgiving (Ps. xxxvii. 25, 37, 39; ciii.). "It is not what we have done, but what God has done for us and through us, that gives true peace when we come to the end." II. GRACIOUS comroNICA TIONB by the Spirit of God; inasmuch as he is : 1. Filled with Divine inspiration. "The Spirit of Jehovah speaks within me." Such inspiration is of various kinds and degrees, and given for different special purposes. "Men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. i. 21; 2 Tim. iii. 16). But every one who has fellowship with God is inhabited, pervaded, inspired by his Spirit, enlightening, purifying, elevating, gladdening, and strengthening him. Some are "full of the Holy Ghost." In a dying hour, what a marvellous elevation of thought and feeling have they someticnes attained! "Holy men at their death have good inspira- tions" (see • Last Words of Hemarkablc Persons;' 'Life's Last Hours;' Jacox, 'At Nightfall,' etc.; S. Ward, • The Life of Fa.ith in Death;' J. Ha.wee, 'Oonfessions of Dying Men,' etc.). 2. Enabled to utter the Divine Word. "And his Word is on my tongue." Even though there be no new, definite, and infallible revelation of the Word of God, there is often e. new indication of its meaning and application, and a fresh, fervid, and forcible expression thereof. " As the Spirit gave them utterance." 3. Made e. recipient of Divine promises. " The .God of Israel says." He who entered into a covenant- relation with Israel, and promised to be their God, gave to David the promise of an ever- lasting kingdom (eh. vii 12-16), and still gives it, with an inner voice that cannot be mistaken. He e.lso "speaks all th"l promises," not only in the written Word, but e.ll!o in the soul of every one to whom that Word comes in "much assurance." "Oh, might I hea:r thy heavenly voice But whisper, 'Thou art miue ! ' Those gentle words should raise my song To notC!! almost Divine." '- Constituted a witness of the Divine /aith/ulness in the fulfilr:ient of the promises. Cln, XXIII. 1-89.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMU EL. 581