The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 570

qu111i6cation for a wsrrior" (Macaulay, 'History of England'). Even in modern times (when the superiority of strength of mind has been so manifest) it has accom- plished extmordinary fests. But how much greater and nobler have been the achieve- ments wrought by moral courage and spiritual weapons (2 Cor. x. 4) ! II. INDEPENDENCE and single-handed effort (vers. 9, 10). When" he alone remained" (Josephus), "he arose and smote the Philistines, until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword," etc. In like manner, when "the people fled from the Philistines" (vers. 11, 12), Shammah stood alone ngainst their attack. The valour of eomo men depends upon the presence, sympathy, and help of others, and fails when they Bre left to themselves. 1. Under such circumstances, the courage of a true hero is fully brought out (Isa. \xiii. 3). 2. He is independent of men because he depends upon God. 3. By his single-handed effort, one such man is sometimes able to "chase a thousand" (Josh. xxiii. 10). 4. His courage and success infuse fresh vigour into fearful hearts; and " the people return after him," though it be "only to spoil." He alone is fit to be a leader of men. III. STEADFASTNESS in passive endurance and active endeavonr. "He stood in the midst of the ground," which was "full of lentiles," or barley, "defended it, and slew the Philistines" (who had probably come up to carry away the ripe crops); like Eleazar, he "endured to the end," and conquered. It is not enough to exhibit fearlessness and independence at first; we must continue to do so (Luke ix. 51), otherwise nothing will be gained, but everything_be lost. "Whatever is each man's post, chosen by himself as the better part, or appointed by his leader, there, as it appears to me, he ought to stay in spite of danger; taking no account of death or anything else in comparison with dishonour" (' The Apology of Socrates'). 'fhis is the crowning quality: "Having done all, to stand [hold the field]. Stand therefore," etc. (Eph. vi. 14); "Be ye stead- fast," etc. (1 Chron. xv. 58; Gal. vi. 9); "Stand fast in the Lord." IV. DIVINE HELP. "And Jehovah wrought a great deliverance" (ver. 10, repeated in ver. 12). Here is the chief source 'Jf success. Human effort is needful, but in itself ineffectual. It avails only through the help of God (Ps. cxxvi. 1; c:ui. 2). Nor is this withheld from such as seek and rely upon it. He will fight for those who fight for him. How often has he enabled them to prevail against an overwhelming host! "Salvation is· of the Lord." To him it should be ascribed. And every great deliverance calls for great thanksgiving.-D. Vers. 13-17 (1 Chron. xi. 15-19).-The well of Bethlehem. When a shepherd- youth, David doubtless often sat beside " the well by the gate," and refreshed himself with its cold, clear, sparkling water. But those days have long since departed; and he is now a king, with many cares. Bethlehem is occupied by a part of the Philistine host, and he is once more in "the hold" (eh. v. 17; 1 Sam. xxi. 1), accompanied by his heroic band of men, to whom his every wish is equivalent to a co=and. "What a circle of names are associated with his name, some of them names and scarce anything beside-men who would have been unheard of but for the occasions which brought them into temporary connection with so famous a man, and of whose lives, apart from that connection, we know nothing ; yet all of whom had a life, had a character, were as precious as individuals in the eye of God as the great soul to whom they owe what little interest they have in the eyes of men !," The names of these three "knights" are not recorded; but their chivalrous achievement is i=ortalized. "God kaows them, as he knows the noble acts of all his saints and martyrs, and will reward them at the great day " (Wordsworth). In the threefold scene here described we have-- I. THE NATURAL WISH expressed by the king. "Oh that one would give me drink!" etc. (ver. 16). It is: 1. Involuntarily excited. "In the harvest-time," oppressed with heat, and exhausted by conflict and toil, David is parched with thirst, and overcome with o. great longing for a refreshing Jraught from the wel! of Beth_lehem, whose familiar walls he, perchance, sees from a distance. So men sometimes desire, not merely the satisfaction of bodily appetites, hut also the gratification of deeper yearn- ings, for youth and home, and happier conditi~ns a~d experiences. "Oh_ that I had wings like the dove! " etc. (Ps. 1v. 6). 2. In !tself innocent. . ~any a wish, even for o'ojects at present out of reach and beset by difficulty and pen!, 1s as blameless as the thirst ofa trn.veller "in a dry and weary land where no water is." Although it may be 686 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [oH, x.xm, 1-39,