The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 567

t.he ~romiee, but a prophetic declaration concerning the true king or the kinitdom of God '(Keil). "They -~~rm the key-stone of his )ife; his prophetic legacy; to wliich the cycle of psalms cx:uv111.----cxlv. must be regarded as supplementary" (Hengslenberg)', "If there is any pa.rt or Scripture which betrays the movements of the human individual soul, it ie this precious fl'tl.gment or David's life. If there be any part which claims for itself, and which gives evidence of the breathings of the Spirit of God, it is this also, Such a rugged two-edged monument is a fitting memorial of the man who was at once the king and the prophet, the 1Jenitcnt and the saint of the ancient Church" (Stanley). 4. The ideal of a theocratic ruler was only partially realized in Solomon and other kings of tl,e house of David (Ps. xlv.; b.xii.; Isa. xxxii.). 6. Although the hope of a more adequate rea.liza.tion thereof was again and a11:ain disappointed, H was not eKtinguishl'd, but became mo1·e and more spiritual and exalted (Riehm, 'Me8sianic Prophecy;' C.•'\. Row, 'The Jesus of the Evangelists;' W. F. Adeney, 'The Bebrew Utopia.'). 6. At length the hope of Israel was perfectly fulfil,led in the Pei·son, work, and glory of 011,r Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke i. 32; Matt. xxii. 43; Acts ii. 36; Eph. i. 20-22; Rev. i. 18.) "In using the Old Test-a.meet now, especially for purposes ot edification, we should feel that we fail to do justice to the Old Testament, if, when expounding any truth taught in it, we do not bring into connection with the passage explained the highest form of the truth as revealed in the New Testament" (A. B. Davidson, 'Messianic Prophecy,' Ezpositor, viii.). What is here said must, on thi~ principle, be referred to Christ; and it ma:v be referred to him, with more, or less propriety, in his earthly life, in his heavenly dominion, or at his second appearing. It indicates- • I. Hrs EXALTED CHARACTER and principles of government. As if present at t~e commencement of "the golden age," David beholds "A ruler over men [literally, • in man'], just I A ruler fearing God I " Mnny a ruler, like " the unjust j~dge," neither fears God nor regards ma.n. He acqnires his position by craft and bloodshed, and exercises his power in oppression and ungodli- ness. Not so the ruler here depicted; who is distinguished by: 1. Rectitude of heart, of speech, and of conduct; in the laws according to which he rules, and his adminis- tration of them, rendering to every man according to his deeds; herein resembling, reflecting, and representing the rectitude of Gorl ; and protecting and promoting the best interest.a of men (Ps. h:xii. 4; ls&. iL 7; xi. 1-10; J er. xxiii. 5; xxx. 9; Ezek, xx.riv. 23, 24; Hoe. iii. 5; Micah v. 1-5; Zech. ix. 9, 10). "'l'he history of the actual David supplies the subject-matter for these idealizations. David is the original prot°". type on which they are formed, and round whose person they cluster. They mo.y be described as David idealized" (C. A. Row). 2. Piety; the fear of offending God, reverence for his Name, delight in his fellowship, obedience to his will, opposition to his adversaries, dependence on his strength, and devotion to his honou1· and glory. "When he tha.t rules is just, it is as if he did not rule, but the fear of the Lord rule<l in the earth" (Barrett, • A Synopsis of Criticisms'). 3. Rectitude united with piety; founded upon it, pervaded by it, and expressive of it; his supreme aim and constant endeavour being the establishment of the kingdom of God. All this is realized, even beyond expectation, in the wonderful Person of Christ, and his just and merciful reign over mankind. "Put together your ideal of true greatness of soul-power combined with gentleness; dignity with no pride; benevolence with no weakness; sympathy and love for humanity as it is, and especially for the poor, the sad, the suffering. Let your ideal be stainless, 11.nd even unsuspected of stain; and let him cheerfully and patiently live and die for men who misunderstood and even hated him. This is what you will see in the hiBtory of Christ . . . the Messiah of humanity as well as the Jews" (J. M. Wilson). "'l'he type set up in the Gospels as the Christian type is. the essence of man's moral nature clothed with a personality so vivid and iotense B8 to excite through all ages the most intense affection; yet divested of all those peculiar characteristics and accidents of place and time by which human personalitied are marked. What other notion than this can philosophy form of Divinity manifest on earth?" (Gold win Smith, quoted by Liudon, 'Some Elements,' etc., p. 218). 11 llrs BENEFlOENT INFLUENCE. OH, XXIII, 1-30,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 583