The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 575

words e.re obscure, 11.nd variously interpreted. Most modem scholal'!I translate substan- tially as in the margin of the Revised Version," For is not my house so wlth God? for he . . . for all my salvation and all my desire, will he not m11.ke lt to grow?" So taken, the wnrds are altogether words of assured confidence e.nd hope. Dut taken 11.e in the ..\.uthorized Version, e.nd substanti11.lly in the text of the Revised Vemion, shadows mlnglo 't'l'ith the brightness. The glorious vision of the future reminds David of the contrast presented by the past e.nd present. His own reign has not corresponded, or only in n. small me11.sure, with the picture be bas drawn. Yet he finds consolation in the "ever- lasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure." He doubts not that the promise given him through Natha.n (eh. vii.) will he fulfilled; and in its fulfilment he recognizos the fulfilment of his own ardent "desire," and the accomplishment of his" s11.lvation." So let us, amid all the blighted hopes, the fears and troubles of the present, sto.y oumelves on God, and admit to our hearts the comfort which springs from his coven11.nt in Christ, and the conviction that it cannot but be faithfully and fully performed.-G. W. Vet. 5.-Comfortfrom the everlasting covenant. David, e.s he approached the close of life, bad this vision (vers. 2-7) of the just king, and the happiness which would attend his reign. It reminded him of what ought to have been the character of his own rule, and what might have been its blessedness. The perfect realization of the picture by himself and his subjects we.s not, indeed, possible; but the actual condition of things was not inevitable. He knew that he himself had largely cpntributed to the sins and troubles of his "house" and of the nation. And nolV life was nearly over; and as the past could not be undone, neither could he hope to repair the mischief it bad produced. Under the sadness of his reflections, he finds relief and consolation in the memory of the "everlasting covenant" which God had "made with" him, which ensured that from his house should arise One in and by whom would be realized the perfect ideal of a Divine King and kingdom. His utmost "desire" would then be fnl- filled, and his" salvation" effected. For it seems that e.s David, in the hundred and tenth psalm, calls bis great Son his" Lord," so here he recognizes him as bis Saviour. These words of Dtwid have often been used by godly people for their own comfort ; and the hymn of Dr. Doddridge, founded upon them, commencing, "My God, the covenant of thy love," has ministered consolation to thousands. We shall see that there is good reason for such an application of them. I. THE COVENANT. The word properly signifies a mutual agreement between two or more persons. When used, however, of a trans:i.ction or arrangement between God and men, the idea of agreement as between two contracting parties retires into the background. or vanishes altogether; and the word designates, on the one band, the promises of God. and, on the other, his requirements. In this passage it refers to the Divine promise to David and his house of an everlasting kingdom (eh. vii. 12-16), which was in fact the promise of the Christ, and of all the blessings (poetically set forth in ver. 4) which his coming and reign involved. In the time oflsaiah it was seen that this covenant was in effect made with all repentant and believing souls, and that the "sure mercies of David" (the blessings promised to him) included the spiritual mercies for which they hunger and thirst (see Isa. lv. 1-3). Indeed, in the fourth verse of that chapter, David and his illustrious Descendant are identified, as in other Scriptures the latter is called "David" (Jer. xxL 9; Ezek.. xxxiv. 23, 24; xxxvii. 24, 25; Hos. iii. 5). It will thllli be seen that our text may be used by Christians in its original purport. But if there were a.ny doubt of this, the direct application of the term "ever- lastin9: covenant" to the promises of God in and through the "Lord Jesus," and sealed with his "blood" (Heb. xiii. 20)-promises made to all who have faith in Christ- establishes the propriety of the use of the words by Christians, though it were in a sense only o.nalosi;otL~ to that which they originaUy bore. Notice: 1. The contents of the covenarit. (1) The promises of "all spiritual blessings," yea, of all needful tem- poral blessings-pardon, renewal, adoption, sanctification, guidance, sueport, comfort, preservation, etc., terminating in eternal life; in a word, salvation. (2) The require- me:.its of faith in Christ and obedience to his laws. 2. Its qualities. (1) "Ordered in all things." Well arranged; the product of perfect wisdom, and worthy of it; so con- stituted as to be adapted to it.s purpose, fitted for the wants of men, suited to reveal and glorify God. (2) "Sure." More literally, "guarded," "preserved," and therefore cu. xxm. 1-39,J THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL.