_And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord._ STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS David's sense of dependence upon God! 1. His passive patience is exquisitely touching, and presents such a contrast to his recent unsettled haste of spirit. We shall find this quiet restfulness characterising... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they dwelt in the cities of Hebron, and the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David._ DAVID'S REIGN AT HEBRON The death of Saul did not end David's domestic troubles, and did not leave him free, for a considerable number of years, to employ his energies for the good of the whole kingd... [ Continue Reading ]
_And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-Gilead._ ATTEMPTS AT CONCILIATION DEFEATED 1. The chief anxiety of David, alter being anointed king over the house of Judah, would naturally be how to secure the peaceful allegiance of the other tribes. Prompted by the desire to prevent civil war, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ishbosheth._ ISBOSHETH AND ABNER Saul's son was a poor, weak creature, who would never have thought of resisting David but for the stronger will behind him. To be weak is, in this world full of tempters, to drift into being wicked. We have to learn betimes to say “No,” and to stick to it. Moral we... [ Continue Reading ]
_The servants of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, went out _. .. _ the servants of David went out._ TAKING SIDES Guizot, in his life of St. Louis of France, says that the latter had many vassals who were also vassals of the King of England, and that many subtle and difficult questions arose as to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?_ BITTERNESS Abner was the cousin of King Saul, and commander-in-chief of his army. Even after the death of Saul, Abner's ability and skill enabled him to uphold the failing fortunes of the family. While David reigned in Hebron, a son... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him._ DEATH COMES UNAWARES Observe here-- 1. How death often comes upon us by ways that we least suspect. Who would fear the hand of a flying enemy, or the butt end of a spear? yet from these Asahel receives his death wound. 2. See how we are often b... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain._ THE COST OF SUCCESS We would remind ourselves of such events in order that we may see what has been accomplished by military discipline, by the subordination of merely personal whims and desires. Even conquerors have no easy time in l... [ Continue Reading ]
_They came to Hebron at break of day._ THE BREAK OF DAY Joab and his men walking all night towards Hebron, and reaching it at break of day. See in this a symbol of the pilgrimage of our earthly life, in what must be as darkness compared with the wondrous light to which we press, but reaching rest... [ Continue Reading ]