The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 577

Ver. 8.-The king's mighty men. From this verse to the end of tho chapter is given an account of men who had distinguished themselves in the service of David by their might and prowess, and who were rewarded with promotion and a place in this honour- able list. Our King, Jesus Christ, bas also bia mighty ones-mon, women, and children -whose exploits are not forgotten. I. THEIR QUALITIES. 1. What they are. They are the ordinary characteristics of a Christian eidsting in a high degree of strength and fervour. (1) Strong faith. The eye that sees the invisible; the hand that grasps the promises; strong confidence in God and Christ (see Heb. xi.). (2) .Ardent love. Warm attachment and devoted loyalty to their King; love to his kingdom and all who belong to it; love to men in general; love disinterested, unselfish. A selfish man cannot be a hero. (3) A strong sense of duty, overpowering the desire for ease, safety, pleasure, or gain. (4) Intense prayerfulness. Earnest prayer is "power with God and with men" (Gen. xxxii. 28). (5) Clear and impressive knowledge. "Knowledge is power." "A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength" (Prov. xxiv. 5). Knowledge adds strength to the character of its possessor, and is a powerful weapon in the service of our King. It is by "the truth" that Christ's battles are fought and victories won. "The gospel is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. i. 16). Christ's "mighty men" a.re "mighty in the Scriptures" (Acts xviii. 24). (6) Dauntless courage. (7) Unwaver- ing constanc_y and perseverance. 2. Whence they spring. David was brave himself, and inspired his men with bravery. They became "mighty men" through the influence of a mighty leader. Consciously or unconsciously, they imbibed his spirit and imitated him. In like manner, our "Leader and Commander of the people" (Isa. Iv. 4) infuses his own Spirit into hie faithful followers. '£hey become mighty through close union and association with him. They are "strong in the Lord, and in the power of hie might" (Eph. vi 10) ; "strengthened with might by God's 8pirit in the inner man" (Eph. iii. 16). II. Tm:m WORKS. Their might is exercised: 1. In resisting and overcoming tempta- tion. In conquering the enemies of Christ as they assail and would destroy themselves. A man may be a hero in the service of his country and a miserable coward and slave morally and spiritually, yielding without resistance to the impulses of lust and passion, covetousness and ambition, led "captive by the devil at his will" (2 Tim. ii. 26). 2. Jn patient endurance of suffering. Martyrs, confessors, ordinary sufferers. Some of the noblest of Christ's" mighty ones" are found in sick-chambers, enduring pain and perhaps privation for long months or years without a murmur. 3. In assailing and conq'IJ,e'T'i,ng reli,gious errors or practical evils. Especially when the many favour them, and not only opposition, but obloquy, has to be encountered. 4. In promoting the salvation and wdfare of men. David's "mighty men" displayed their strength and courage chiefly in destroying men's lives; Christ's in saving and blessing; though occa- sionally they too are called to take up material weapons in the service of their King. In this service the noblest heroic qualities are often called into exercise, as in the case of missionaries bearing their message among savages or into perilous climates; minis- ters of religion at home patiently and loviogly labouring on in obscurity and poverty; d.sitors of those suffering from infectious diseases ; teachers in ragged schools, etc. III. THEIR VARIETIES. David's" mighty men" were from various tribes of Israel, some even Gentiles, and had each hie own peculiarities of character and achievement. But all were alike loyal to their king and brave in serving him, Thus it is also with Christ's mighty ones. They a.re from every country and nation where he is known, from every section of bis Church, from every class of society; and they all bear some marks of their origin. But they all are one in their devoted love to their King, and their readiness to labour and suffer for him even unto death. They differ also in respect of the special elements and mall;ifestations of their power. Some owe their pre-emineoce in part to physical peculiarities; others are great in spite of theirs. Some have the might of intellect; others, of heart. Some, the power of inflexible determination; others, of gentleness and tenderness. Some conquer by intense activity; others, by  OH, XXIII. 1-89.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 693