The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 614

acceptance of the king and his offerings meant deliverance for the nation, Araunab included, from the ravnges of the peAtilence. The sincerity of his wish was proved by the eubste.ntie.l offers with which it we.s e.ccompanied. T. THE BLESSING DESIRED. Aro.unah referred to the favourable reception by God of David's offerings. lo the widest sense, acceptance with God includes: 1. .Acceptance of ourselves. Our reception by God into his friendship and favour. Unless the man is accepted, his offerings cannot be. God receives nothing from his enemies-a truth which should be very seriously pondered by multitudes of bis professed worshippers, who give him outward homage, but withhold from him themselves. Who, then, are accepted by God? Those who come to him according to his appointment, with repent- ance, faith, self-devotement, confessing sin, trusting to the mercy and entering on th~ service of God. Under the Christian dispensation, men are accepted through faith in Jesus Christ. When we receive him as Saviour and Lord, God receives us (comp. Rom. v. 1, 2). 2. .Acceptance of our worship. Which includes devout exercises of mind and heart, study of the Word of God, pious meditation, praises and t,hanksgivings, prayers. What worship is accepted? Such as is offered in the name of Jesus (John xvi. 23, 24; Eph. iii. 12; Phil. ii. 10, Revised Version). Sincere (Isa. xxix.13; John iv. 24), humble (Luke xviii. 10-14), reverential (Heb. xii. 28), yet trustful and affectionate as children (Rom. viii. 15). Not that of slaves or mercenaries. 3. .Acceptance of our gifts. We give to God when we give for the support of his worship and the spread of his kingdom, and when we give to the poor for his sake (Matt. xxv. 40). Our gifts are acceptable (1) when presented with pure hearts, not ostentatiously to gain human applause (Matt. vi. 2-4), not with e. view to e.tone for sin and obtain pardon, not to bribe men to unholy compliances; (2) when they are our own property, not the fruit of dishonesty, oppres- sion, or injustice; (3) when they are in due proportion to our ability (2 Cor. viii. 12). 4. .Acceptance ef active service. Labours for the good of others, temporal and spiritual. All honest work springing from e.nd guided by Christian principles. II. THE DESIRE ITSELF. In this case it was a patriotic desire. It is always pious and benevolent. Pious, as it recognizes the necessity of God's favour and approbation to the well-being of men, and implies his willingness to be favourable to them. Benevolent, as it is a desire that others should enjoy the most essential and all-compre- hensive of blessings, without which other blessings are of small and temporary value. Not health or wealth, not acceptance with men, not long life, not intellectual superiority, not refinement of taste, etc., are of primary importance; and these should not be first in our minds when seeking the welfare whether of ourselves or of others; but the favour of Almighty God, and, as the sure means of securing this, the possession of Christian faith and holiness. "Wherefore" let us "labour that, whether present or absent" (living or dying)," we," and all in whom we are interested, yea, e.11 mankind," may be accepted of him" (2 Cor. v. 9).-G. W. Ver. 24.-(Jheap religion repudiated. "Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." We have in the context "e. laudable contention between a good king and e. good subject" (Manton). Araunah wished to give the site for e.n altar, the animals and fuel for sacrifice, taking, on account of the necessity for he.ste, the threshing oxen and implements for the purpose. De.vid insisted on paying for all. The text expresses his reason. He felt it we.a unworthy of his posi- tion and mee.ns as monarch, of the greatness of God, and of his own relation and obliga- tions to him, to offer sacrifices which had cost him nothing. His determination is worthy of adoption by all, and will be adopted by all true-hearted Christians. They will not worship and serve God without cost to themselves. In considering the words, we need not confine attention to gifts of money or other property. In the worship and service of God, expenditure of thought, feeling, time, strength, etc., is required as well as of property; and, in relation to ee.ch and e.11, the true Christian, when the need for 11uch expenditure arises, e.nd he is tempted to avoid it, will be ree.dy to exclaim, "I will not serve the Lord my God without cost." His motives are such as follow. I. REVERENCE FOlt GoD. Sense of his majesty e.nd excellence. The feeling that he who is so gree.t e.nd glorious should be served with the best we can present to him, internal e.nd external; and that to come before him without any worthy gift is to insult him (see Me.l. i. 7, 8, 14). 630 'l'RE SEIJOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ott. !'!Jt.tlt. 1-25,