The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 571

" e.ccording to nat~re" (in the ~st sense), it neverthelees requires to be cm trolled, regu- lated, 11nd subordmated to a higher law tbn.n that of 1>leasing ourselves; 'and it is too frequently : 3. Inordin.a,tely indulged; so that it becomes a dominant selfish hnp~se, "'!'he he.bit of wishing and hankering for those things which Providence denies, though natural to us and often given way to, even by godly men, in an unguarded hour, is a degree of rebellion against the Lord; and it shows the remaining sensuality and selfish- ness or the heart, and loods to many snares and evils" (Scott), 4. Inconsiderately uUe,red. D!vid may not intend his men to bear wh_at he says (still lees to che.llenga their devotion); he may hardly be aware of their presence. But, knowing their character and his relation to them, he is none the less responsible for the effect of his w01:ds upon them; and 11hould have put a bridle on his tongue (Ps. xxxix. 1; cvi. 33; ex.Ji. 3). Unregulated impulses and imprudent epeech-what mischief have they wrought in the world I "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Il. THE HEROIC DEED performed by his follower,i, " And the three mighty men broke through the host," etc. (ver. IG). "It was a. foolhardy thing to do," some one says; "they might easily have seen that a draught of water was not worth the conflict and hazard necessary to obtain it." Happily they did not see it; else we had never heard or their heroic enterprise. Without calculating consequences, they act from a sense or duty, an impulse of unselfish devotion, a spirit of chivalry, "which shrinks from no sacrifice in order to do the smallest service for .the object of its devotion;" therein exhibiting: 1. .An intense attachment to their leader, love to his person, 11ympathy with his need, loyalty to his office, desire to please him and to do his wiH (as they interpreted it). It could have been inspired in them only by a man of great ab:lity, generosity, and enthusiasm. They learnt it of him (1 Sam. xvii. 50). His self- indulgent and momentary wish was no true index of his prevailing diEposition. 2. A spontaneous, prompt, and cheerful purpose and endeavour. They say nothing and do not hesitate, but go together "into the jaws of death." 3. Invincible courage; a principle which is as needful in moral and spiritual conflict as in physical warfare (eh. x. 12). " Most probably it made such an impression as rendered the host of the Philistines an easy prey to the Israelites " (Blaikie). 4. l!.ntire self-denial and self-sacrifice; dis- regarding alike their own pleasure and peril, and laying down their lives for his sake. "Greater love bath no man," etc. (John xv. 13). "Pure love has its measure in itself, aud disregards in its outward expression every critic (Matt. xxvi. 7-13). This exploit of the three heroes was a sacrifice offered, not so much to the man David, as rather in him to the ' Anointed of the Lord,' and therefore to the Lord himself" (Krummacher), How does it rebuke our lack of devotion to our Divine ;King I Were we as ardent, loyal, courageous, and self-sacrificing as they, what victories should we gain over his adversaries and ours ! IIL 'l'BE SACRED OFFERING presented before the Lord. "And he would not drink thereof," etc. For the first time, probably, he becomes acquainted with their desperate exploit, when they come into his presence, stained with blood, and place the vessel, con- taining the water for which he longed, in his hands. To him it is as if it were their blood, and he cannot drink it (Lev. xvii.11, 12). To do so would be to justify his former wish, and grntiry himself at the hazard of their lives. Their devotion evokes within him a nobler feeling and impulse than he before displayed; so that he practically con- fesses his fault, personally shares their suffering and self-denial, and publicly testifies his thankfulness for their preservation and his devotion to their welfare. And this he does in the highest and most effectual manner-by making of their gift a libation (1 Sam. vii. 6), or drink offering, and thereby giving ho11ou1· to God. "It was too sacred for him to drink, but it was on that very account deemed by him as worthy to be con- secrated in sacrifice to God as any of the prescribed offerings of the Levitical ritual. Pure chivalry and pure religion there found an absolute union" (Sta11ley). Alexander denied himself of a draught of water because he could not bear to drink it alone, and the cup was too small to be divided among all his i,oldiers; Sir Philip Sidney, that he might give it to a wounded soldier, whose necessity appeared to him greater than his own (' Percy Anecdotes'); David, that he might present it unto God. "He never was more magnanimous than at this moment. This deed was a psalm, sublime in its signifi- cance, and for ever sweet to all loving hearts in its pure simplicity." In his offering there is: 1. An exalted estimate of the value of human life. 2. A humble renunciation Oil, XXIII. 1-39,) THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 587