The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 599

David remained ineenBible to hh1 eln, and waited for the reeult. At length the work we.s finished (e.bout wheat-harvest), and the number given to the king; but, whilst he looked at the definite proof of the nation's increase, and at firet, perhaps, felt elated at the thought of commanding e,n army of more the,n a million soldiers (with something of the spirit of another monarch, Dan. iv. 30), the same night " David's heart smote him; and he said unto Jehovah, I have sinned," etc.; "e,nd David &1'088 in the morning," et.c. (ver. 11). What the remonstrance of Joab failed to etfcct was wrought by the operation of his own conscience. "It was well for him that bis own we.ys reproved him, and that conscience sounded the first trumpet of alarm. This is charac- teristic of the regenerate. Men who have no light of grace, no tenderness of conscience, must have their sin recalled to them by the circumstances which at once reveal ite enormity and visit it with punishment; but the regenerate have an inward monitor that waits not for these consequences to rouse its energy, but lights up the candle of the Lord within them, and will not let them rest after they he.ve done amiss till they have felt compunction and made confession" (J. Leifchild). Conscience is of e, three- fold nature-a law, a judgment, a sentiment (1 Sam. xx.iL 20-22). Observe, with respect to it- L TsE c.urs11:s OF ITS oo~"TINUING LONG ASLEEP. These are summed •up in "the deceitfulness of sin " (eh. xii. 6, 6). More especially : 1. The persistency of the infiuencre under which sin is at :first indulged; viz. the pleasing illusion (arising from partia;l views, strong passions, and self-will) that it is different from what it really is, and the agent better than be really is; which (even when the true standard of right is· recog~ nized) perverts the moral judgment and deadens the moral emotion. "A concrete fact is presented in a partial aspect; conscience pronounces its judgment according to the representation made to it; this representation, or rather misrepresentation, is made, directly or indirectly by the infiuence of the rebellious will, the true seat of all moral evil" (McCosh). Hence evil is often deemed good, and self-glory the glory of God. 2. The assumption (arising from self-confidence) that what has been resolved upon is justifiable and right; and indisposition to review the grounds of the determination or to examine one's self so that a too favourable estimate of his character me.y. be corrected. 3. The absorption of the mind in the pursuit of the object sought and in other occupa- tions, preventing dne consideration of the state of the heart. Alas I how many on this account "regard iniquity in their heart" with an easy conscience I "Great crimes ala.rm the conscienoe; bnt she sleeps While _thoughtful man is plausibly amused." (Cowp~r.) ' "And Satan :is so far from awaking him, tha.t he draws the curtains close about him that no light nor noise in his conscience may break his rest" (Gurnall). "If a man accustoms himself to slight or pass over the first motions to good, or shrinkirigs of conscience from evil, which originally are as natural to the heart .as the· appetites of hunger and thirBt are to the stomach, conscience will by d~ees grow dull and uncon:. cerned, and, from not spying out motes, come at len1?:th to overlook beams ; from carelessness it shall fall into a slumber; and from a slumber it shall settle into a deep and long sleep ; till a.t last, perhaps, it sleeps itself into a lethargy,. a?,d that such a one that nothing but hell and judgment shall be able to awaken it (South, Serro. wii). IL Tm: KEA.NB BY wmcs IT IS SUDDENLY AROUSED. In son:ie cases the publication of the offence, the reprobation of society, the threate~ing of_ punishment; ~ others, eerious consideration, deliberate 'f'ejkdion, deeper· self-mspect1on (1 Sam. JLXIV. 6; Ps. iv. 4), induced by: 1. The feeling of..disappointment and dissatisfaction which com- monly attends the attainment of an earthly end, or the _accomplishment of a selfish purpose. David has the number of the people before him; yet, after all, he cannot •• delight in this thing" (ver. 3). "All is vanity.~• Where shall the_ heart find rest (P11. cni. 17 ; lxxiii. 25)? 2. '!'he occurr~nc! of ':1-rCIIJmBtan~ naturally ~apted to _fix attention on a particular 11ubject and excite 1Dqmrf concerning the motives by wh1oh one is actuated: a pause in "life's fitful fever;" the necessity of contemplating-what next? and next? a sleepleas niaht (Esth. vi. l); "sleep that. bringeth oft tidings of future hap" (Dante)-" a dream, a vision of the night" (Job xii:xiii. 16). "David had made en. xx1v. 1-20.J TIIE S~COND BOOK OF SAMUEL.