The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 602

treated him and hiR message (Ezek. xxxiii. 30-33), and the effect produced in their lives. Hie return takes pince in private communion with God on earth, and at" the end of his life" (lleb. xiii. 7), "What answer," etc.? II. TnE REBPONBIBILITY OF THE HEARER of the Word. 1. He receives through the prencher n message from God of unspeakable importance; not, indeed, an announcement of jurlgmcnt, but a revelation of mercy and of his will concerning him; repentance, faith, and obedience; "all the words of this life" (Acts v. 20). 2. He has the power of considering and understanding it, and of accepting or rejecting it. 3. He is under the strongest obligation to accept and not reject it. 4. He cannot avoid doing the one or the other; indifference, inattention, or procrastination being itself an "answer" little short of positive rejection. 6. Whatever may be his treatment thereof, it is fully known to God. 6. According to the manner in which he treats the message of God, is he justly treated by God, both here and hereafter. "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John xii. 48). "Now therefore advise thyself." "Consider" (1 Sam. xii. 24). "Take heed therefore how ye hear" (Luke viii. 1-18). III. THE MUTUAL DEPENDENCE OF PREACHER AND HEARER. 1. On the preacher, his character, adaptation, diligence (as well as OD himself), depend the hearer's accept- ance of the message and his spiritual benefit. 2. On the hearer, his attention, acceptance, obedience (as well as himself), depend the preacher's efficiency, success, and present joy. "That they may do this [ watch, etc.] with joy, and not with grief; for this were unprofitable for you" (Heb. xiii. 17). 3. The relation in which they stand to each other will fully appear in the light of the great day; when the salvation of the hearer will be clearly seen to have been connected with the faithful labours of the preacher (Dan. xii. 3), and the reward of the preacher will be propo-rtioned to his success (and not merely to his fidelity). "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?" etc. (1 These. ii. 19, 20; 1 John ii. 28). 4. For his own benefit, therefore (as well as that of the hearer), the preacher should seek that the hearer may be believing, obedient, and fruitful in good works (1 Thess. iii. 2; v. 12, 13). 5. For his own benefit, also, the hearer should seek that the preacher may be faithful and successful. 6. Each should pray for the blessing of God upon the other, eo that the proper end of preaching and hearing may be accomplished.-D. Ver. 14 (1 Chron. xxi. 13),-(THE Knm's PALACE.) Submission to Divine chastise- ment. "Let us now fall into the hand of Jehovah." Already David had been convinced of his sin. He had also confessed it and sought.forgiveness. Nor had he done so in vain. But, as formerly (eh. xii. 10-12), so now, the (temporal) penalties of sin must follow. Throughout he exhibited a spirit the exact reverse of that in which he had numbered the people. Consider- I. THE CHASTISEMENT OF sm which was laid before him. 1. It was consequent upon his sin, and adapted to its correction. A vain-glorious pride and warlike policy result (in the providence of God, sometimes by means which can be clearly seen) in the destruction of human life; not only directly by war (Matt. xxvi. 52), but also by famine (through lack of proper cultivation of the soil, wasting consumption of its produce, etc.) and by pestilence (to which both contribute); and are rebuked and chastised thereby (Rev. vi. 4-8). 2. It was a necessity, from which there was no escape. He and his people must suffer, according to the fixed and just method of the Divine procedure, for the vindication of the honour of God and the promotion of their own welfare. Herein no choice is left. 3. But it was also optional, within certain limits (Jer. xxxiv. 17). "Every example, public or private, of a sin brought face to face with :.ta suffering, presents an aspect of choice as well as of compulsion. The mere question of confession or denial, with the consequences of either, is such an alternative in the case of individual wrong-doing. The adoption of this expedient rather than that, in the way of avoidance or mitigation of consequences, is an alternative" (C. J. Vaughan). Why was such a choice submitted to him? To test his character; t-0 deepen his sense of ein, by the consideration of its terrible effects; to induce the open acknowledgment of his guilt; to perfect his submission; "to give him some encourage- ment under the correction, letting him know that God did not cast him out of com- munion with himself, but that still his secret was with him; and in afflicting him he  618 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ Clt, XXIT, 1-25.