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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The historian is now drawing towards a conclusion of David's reign, and
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therefore gives us an account here,
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I. Of some of his last words, which he spoke by inspiration, and which
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seem to have reference to his seed that was to be for evermore, spoken
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of in the close of the foregoing chapter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. Of the great men, especially the military men, that were employed
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under him, the first three
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:8-17">ver. 8-17</A>),
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two of the next three
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:18-23">ver. 18-23</A>),
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and then the thirty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:24-39">ver. 24-39</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa23_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Last Words.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1015.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now these <I>be</I> the last words of David. David the son of
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Jesse said, and the man <I>who was</I> raised up on high, the anointed
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of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
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2 The Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake by me, and his word <I>was</I> in my
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tongue.
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3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He
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that ruleth over men <I>must be</I> just, ruling in the fear of God.
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4 And <I>he shall be</I> as the light of the morning, <I>when</I> the sun
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riseth, <I>even</I> a morning without clouds; <I>as</I> the tender grass
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<I>springing</I> out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
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5 Although my house <I>be</I> not so with God; yet he hath made with
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me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all <I>things,</I> and sure:
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for <I>this is</I> all my salvation, and all <I>my</I> desire, although he
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make <I>it</I> not to grow.
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6 But <I>the sons</I> of Belial <I>shall be</I> all of them as thorns
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thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
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7 But the man <I>that</I> shall touch them must be fenced with iron
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and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with
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fire in the <I>same</I> place.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here the last will and testament of king David, or a codicil
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annexed to it, after he had settled the crown upon Solomon and his
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treasures upon the temple which was to be built. The last words of
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great and good men are thought worthy to be in a special manner
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remarked and remembered. David would have those taken notice of, and
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added either to his Psalms (as they are here to that in the foregoing
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chapter) or to the chronicles of his reign. Those words especially in
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>,
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though recorded before, we may suppose he often repeated for his own
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consolation, even to his last breath, and therefore they are called his
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<I>last words.</I> When we find death approaching we should endeavor
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both to honour God and to edify those about us with our last words.
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Let those that have had long experience of God's goodness and the
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pleasantness of wisdom, when they come to finish their course, leave a
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record of that experience and bear their testimony to the truth of the
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promise. We have upon record the last words of Jacob and Moses, and
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here of David, designed, as those, for a legacy to those that were left
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behind. We are here told,</P>
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<P>
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I. Whose last will and testament this is. This is related either, or is
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usual, by the testator himself, or rather, by the historian,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He is described,
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1. By the meanness of his original: He was <I>the son of Jesse.</I> It
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is good for those who are advanced to be corner-stones and top-stones
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to be reminded, and often to remind themselves, of <I>the rock out of
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which they were hewn.</I>
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2. The height of his elevation: He <I>was raised up on high,</I> as one
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favoured of God, and designed for something great, raised up as a
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prince, to sit higher than his neighbours, and as a prophet, to see
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further; for,
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(1.) He was <I>the anointed of the God of Jacob,</I> and so was
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serviceable to the people of God in their civil interests, the
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protection of their country and the administration of justice among
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them.
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(2.) He was <I>the sweet psalmist of Israel,</I> and so was serviceable
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to them in their religious exercises. He penned the psalms, set the
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tunes, appointed both the singers and the instruments of music, by
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which the devotions of good people were much excited and enlarged.
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Note, The singing of psalms is a sweet ordinance, very agreeable to
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those that delight in praising God. It is reckoned among the honours to
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which David was raised up that he was a psalmist: in that he was as
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truly great as in his being <I>the anointed of the God of Jacob.</I>
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Note, It is true preferment to be serviceable to the church in acts of
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devotion and instrumental to promote the blessed work of prayer and
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praise. Observe, Was David a prince? He was so for Jacob. Was he a
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psalmist? He was so for Israel. Note, the dispensation of the Spirit is
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given to every man to profit withal, and therefore, <I>as every man has
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received the gift, so let him minister the same.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. What the purport of it is. It is an account of his communion with
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God. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. What God said to him both for his direction and for his
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encouragement as a king, and to be in like manner, of use to his
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successors. Pious persons take a pleasure in calling to mind what they
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have heard from God, in recollecting his word, and revolving it in
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their minds. Thus what God spoke once David heard twice, yea often. See
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here,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Who spoke: <I>The Spirit of the Lord, the God of Israel,</I> and
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<I>the Rock of Israel,</I> which some think is an intimation of the
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Trinity of persons in the Godhead--the Father <I>the God of Israel,</I>
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the Son <I>the Rock of Israel,</I> and <I>the Spirit</I> proceeding
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from the Father and the Son, <I>who spoke by the prophets,</I> and
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particularly by David, and whose word was not only in his heart, but in
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his tongue for the benefit of others. David here avows his divine
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inspiration, that in his psalms, and in this composition, <I>The Spirit
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of God spoke by him.</I> He, and other holy men, spoke and <I>wrote as
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they were moved by the Holy Ghost.</I> This puts an honour upon the
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book of Psalms, and recommends them to our use in our devotions, that
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they are words which the Holy Ghost teaches.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) What was spoken. Here seems to be a distinction made between what
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the Spirit of God spoke <I>by</I> David, which includes all his psalms,
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and what the Rock of Israel spoke <I>to</I> David, which concerned
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himself and his family. Let ministers observe that those by whom God
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speaks to others are concerned to hear and heed what he speaks to
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themselves. Those whose office it is to teach others their duty must be
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sure to learn and do their own. Now that which is here said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>)
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may be considered,
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[1.] With application to David, and his royal family. And so here is,
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<I>First,</I> The duty of magistrates enjoined them. When a king was
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spoken to from God he was not to be complimented with the height of his
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dignity and the extent of his power, but to be told his duty. "Must is
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for the king," we say. Here is a <I>must</I> for the king: <I>He must
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be just, ruling in the fear of God;</I> and so must all inferior
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magistrates in their places. Let rulers remember that they rule over
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men--not over beasts which they may enslave and abuse at pleasure, but
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over reasonable creatures and of the same rank with themselves. They
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rule over men that have their follies and infirmities, and therefore
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must be borne with. They rule over men, but under God, and for him; and
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therefore,
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1. They must be just, both to those over whom they rule, in allowing
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them their rights and properties, and between those over whom they
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rule, using their power to right the injured against the injurious; see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+1:16,17">Deut. i. 16, 17</A>.
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It is not enough that they do no wrong, but they must not suffer wrong
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to be done.
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2. They must rule in the fear of God, that is, they must themselves be
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possessed with a fear of God, by which they will be effectually
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restrained from all acts of injustice and oppression. Nehemiah was so
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+5:15">Neh. v. 15</A>,
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<I>So did not I, because of the fear of God</I>), and Joseph,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+43:18">Gen. xliii. 18</A>.
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They must also endeavor to promote the fear of God (that is, the
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practice of religion) among those over whom they rule. The magistrate
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is to be the keeper of both tables, and to protect both godliness and
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honesty. <I>Secondly,</I> Prosperity promised them if they do, this
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duty. <I>He that</I> rules <I>in the fear of God shall be as the light
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of the morning,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Light is sweet and pleasant, and he that does his duty shall have the
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comfort of it; his rejoicing will be the testimony of his conscience.
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Light is bright, and a good prince is illustrious; his justice and
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piety will be his honour. Light is a blessing, nor are there any
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greater and more extensive blessings to the public than princes that
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<I>rule in the fear of God.</I> As <I>the light of the morning,</I>
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which is most welcome after the darkness of the night (so was David's
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government after Saul's,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+75:3">Ps. lxxv. 3</A>),
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which is increasing, shines more and more to the perfect day, such is
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the growing lustre of a good government. It is likewise compared to the
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tender grass, which the earth produces for the service of man; it
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brings with it a harvest of blessings. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:6,16">Ps. lxxii. 6, 16</A>,
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which were also some of the last words of David, and seem to refer to
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those recorded here.
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[2.] With application to Christ, the Son of David, and then it must all
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be taken as a prophecy, and the original will bear it: <I>There shall
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be a rule among men,</I> or over men, that <I>shall be just,</I> and
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<I>shall rule in the fear of God,</I> that is, shall order the affairs
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of religion and divine worship according to his Father's will; and he
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shall be as <I>the light to the morning,</I> &c., for he is the light
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of the world, and <I>as the tender grass,</I> for he is the <I>branch
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of the Lord,</I> and the <I>fruit of the earth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:1-5,32:1,2,Ps+72:2">Isa. xi. 1-5;
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xxxii. 1, 2; Ps. lxxii. 2</A>.
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God, by the Spirit, gave David the foresight of this, to comfort him
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under the many calamities of his family and the melancholy prospects he
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had of the degeneracy of his seed.</P>
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<P>
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2. What comfortable use he made of this which God spoke to him, and
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what were his devout meditations on it, by way of reply,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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It is not unlike his meditation on occasion of such a message,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18-29">2 Sam. vii. 18</A>,
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&c. That which goes before the Rock of Israel spoke <I>to</I> him; this
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the Spirit of God spoke <I>by</I> him, and it is a most excellent
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confession of his faith and hope in the everlasting covenant. Here
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is,</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Trouble supposed: <I>Although my house be not so with God,</I> and
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<I>although he make it not to grow.</I> David's family was not so with
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God as is described
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>),
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and as he could wish, not so good, not so happy; it had not been so
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while he lived; he foresaw it would not be so when he was gone, that
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his house would be neither so pious nor so prosperous as one might have
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expected the offspring of such a father to be.
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[1.] <I>Not so with God.</I> Note, We and ours are that really which we
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are with God. This was what David's heart was upon concerning his
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children, that they might be right with God, faithful to him and
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zealous for him. But the children of godly parents are often neither so
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holy nor so happy as might be expected. We must be made to know that it
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is corruption, not grace, that runs in the blood, that the race is not
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to the swift, but that God gives his Spirit as a free-agent.
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[2.] <I>Not made to grow,</I> in number, in power; it is God that makes
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families to grow or not to grow,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:41">Ps. cvii. 41</A>.
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Good men have often the melancholy prospect of a declining family.
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David's house was typical of the church of Christ, which is his house,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:3">Heb. iii. 3</A>.
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Suppose this be not so with God as we could wish, suppose it be
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diminished, distressed, disgraced, and weakened, by errors and
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corruptions, yea, almost extinct, yet God has made a covenant with the
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church's head, the Son of David, that he will preserve to him a seed,
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that the gates of hell shall never prevail against his house. This our
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Saviour comforted himself with in his sufferings, that the covenant
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with him stood firm,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:10-12">Isa. liii. 10-12</A>.
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(2.) Comfort ensured: <I>Yet he hath made with me an everlasting
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covenant.</I> Whatever trouble a child of God may have the prospect of,
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still he has some comfort or other to balance it with
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:8,9">2 Cor. iv. 8, 9</A>),
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and there is none like this of the Psalmist, which may be understood,
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[1.] Of the covenant of royalty (in the type) which God made with David
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and his seed, touching the kingdom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+132:11,12">Ps. cxxxii. 11, 12</A>.
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But,
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[2.] It must look further, to the covenant of grace made with all
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believers, that God will be, in Christ, to them a God, which was
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signified by the covenant of royalty, and therefore the promises of the
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covenant are called <I>the sure mercies of David,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+55:3">Isa. lv. 3</A>.
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It is this only that is the everlasting covenant, and it cannot be
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imagined that David, who, in so many of his psalms, speaks so clearly
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concerning Christ and the grace of the gospel, should forget it in his
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last words. God has made a covenant of grace with us in Jesus Christ,
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and we are here told, <I>First,</I> That it is an <I>everlasting</I>
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covenant, from everlasting in the contrivance and counsel of it, and to
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everlasting in the continuance and consequences of it. <I>Secondly,</I>
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That it is <I>ordered,</I> well ordered in all things, admirably well,
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to advance the glory of God and the honour of the Mediator, together
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with the holiness and comfort of believers. It is herein well ordered,
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that whatever is required in the covenant is promised, and that every
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transgression in the covenant does not throw us out of covenant, and
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that it puts our salvation, not in our own keeping, but in the keeping
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of a Mediator. <I>Thirdly,</I> That it is <I>sure,</I> and
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<I>therefore</I> sure because well ordered; the general offer of it is
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sure; the promised mercies are sure on the performance of the
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conditions. The particular application of it to true believers is sure;
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it is sure to all the seed. <I>Fourthly,</I> That it is <I>all our
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salvation.</I> Nothing but this will save us, and this is sufficient:
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it is this only upon which our salvation depends. <I>Fifthly,</I> That
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therefore it must be <I>all our desire.</I> Let me have an interest in
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this covenant and the promises of it, and I have enough, I desire no
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more.</P>
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<P>
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3. Here is the doom of the sons of Belial read,
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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(1.) They shall be thrust away as thorns--rejected, abandoned. They are
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like thorns, not to be touched with hands, so passionate and furious
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that they cannot be managed or dealt with by a wise and faithful
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reproof, but must be restrained by law and the sword of justice
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+32:9">Ps. xxxii. 9</A>);
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and therefore, like thorns,
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(2.) They shall, at length, be utterly burnt with fire in the same
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place,
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:8">Heb. vi. 8</A>.
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Now this is intended,
|
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[1.] As a direction to magistrates to use their power for the punishing
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and suppressing of wickedness. Let them <I>thrust away the sons of
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Belial;</I> see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+101:8">Ps. ci. 8</A>.
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Or,
|
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[2.] As a caution to magistrates, and particularly to David's sons and
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successors, to see that they be not themselves sons of Belial (as too
|
|
many of them were), for then neither the dignity of their place nor
|
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their relation to David would secure them from being thrust away by the
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righteous judgments of God. Though men could not deal with them, God
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would. Or,
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[3.] As a prediction of the ruin of all the implacable enemies of
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Christ's kingdom. There are enemies without, that openly oppose it and
|
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fight against it, and enemies within, that secretly betray it and are
|
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false to it; both are sons of Belial, children of the wicked one, of
|
|
the serpent's seed; both are as thorns, grievous and vexatious: but
|
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both shall be so thrust away as that Christ will set up his kingdom in
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despite of their enmity, will <I>go through them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+27:4">Isa. xxvii. 4</A>),
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and will, in due time, bless his church with such peace that there
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shall be <I>no pricking brier nor grieving thorn.</I> And those that
|
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will not repent, to give glory to God, shall, in the judgment-day (to
|
|
which the Chaldee paraphrast refers this), be burnt with unquenchable
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fire. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+19:27">Luke xix. 27</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Mighty Men.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1054.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 These <I>be</I> the names of the mighty men whom David had: The
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Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the
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same <I>was</I> Adino the Eznite: <I>he lift up his spear</I> against eight
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hundred, whom he slew at one time.
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9 And after him <I>was</I> Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite,
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<I>one</I> of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the
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Philistines <I>that</I> were there gathered together to battle, and
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the men of Israel were gone away:
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10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was
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weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> wrought a
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|
great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to
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spoil.
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11 And after him <I>was</I> Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite.
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And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where
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was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from
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the Philistines.
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12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it,
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and slew the Philistines: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> wrought a great victory.
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13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David
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in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of
|
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the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
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14 And David <I>was</I> then in a hold, and the garrison of the
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Philistines <I>was</I> then <I>in</I> Bethlehem.
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15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink
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of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which <I>is</I> by the gate!
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16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the
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Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that
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<I>was</I> by the gate, and took <I>it,</I> and brought <I>it</I> to David:
|
|
nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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17 And he said, Be it far from me, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, that I should do
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|
this: <I>is not this</I> the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of
|
|
their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did
|
|
these three mighty men.
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|
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was
|
|
chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three
|
|
hundred, <I>and</I> slew <I>them,</I> and had the name among three.
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|
19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their
|
|
captain: howbeit he attained not unto the <I>first</I> three.
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20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man,
|
|
of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of
|
|
Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in
|
|
time of snow:
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|
21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had
|
|
a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and
|
|
plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with
|
|
his own spear.
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|
22 These <I>things</I> did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the
|
|
name among three mighty men.
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|
23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not
|
|
to the <I>first</I> three. And David set him over his guard.
|
|
24 Asahel the brother of Joab <I>was</I> one of the thirty; Elhanan
|
|
the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
|
|
25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
|
|
26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
|
|
27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
|
|
28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
|
|
29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of
|
|
Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
|
|
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
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|
31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
|
|
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
|
|
33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
|
|
34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite,
|
|
Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
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|
35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
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36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
|
|
37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to
|
|
Joab the son of Zeruiah,
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38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
|
|
39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
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|
</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
|
I. The catalogue which the historian has here left upon record of the
|
|
great soldiers that were in David's time is intended,
|
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|
|
1. For the honour of David, who trained them up in the arts of
|
|
exercises of war, and set them an example of conduct and courage. It
|
|
is the reputation as well as the advantage of a prince to be attended
|
|
and served by such brave men as are here described.
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|
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|
2. For the honour of those worthies themselves, who were instrumental
|
|
to bring David to the crown, settle and protect him in the throne, and
|
|
enlarge his conquests. Note, Those that in public stations venture
|
|
themselves, and lay out themselves, to serve the interests of their
|
|
country, are worthy of double honour, both to be respected by those of
|
|
their own age and to be remembered by posterity.
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|
|
3. To excite those that come after to a generous emulation.
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|
|
|
4. To show how much religion contributes to the inspiring of men with
|
|
true courage. David, both by his psalms and by his offerings for the
|
|
service of the temple, greatly promoted piety among the grandees of the
|
|
kingdom
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:6">1 Chron. xxix. 6</A>),
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|
|
and, when they became famous for piety, they became famous for
|
|
bravery.</P>
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Now these mighty men are here divided into three ranks:--</P>
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|
|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
1. The first three, who had done the greatest exploits and thereby
|
|
gained the greatest reputation--Adino
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
Eleazar
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
and Shammah,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
I do not remember that we read of any of these, or of their actions,
|
|
any where in all the story of David but here and in the parallel place,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+11:11-47">
|
|
1 Chron. xi</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many great and remarkable events are passed by in the annals, which
|
|
relate rather the blemishes than the glories of David's reign,
|
|
especially after his sin in the matter Uriah; so that we may conclude
|
|
his reign to have been really more illustrious than it has appeared to
|
|
us while reading the records of it. The exploits of this brave
|
|
triumvirate are here recorded. They signalized themselves in the wars
|
|
of Israel against their enemies, especially the Philistines.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Adino slew 800 at once with his spear.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Eleazar defied the Philistines, as they by Goliath, had defied
|
|
Israel, but with better success and greater bravery; for when the men
|
|
of Israel had gone away, he not only kept his ground, but <I>arose, and
|
|
smote the Philistines,</I> on whom God struck a terror equal to the
|
|
courage with which this great hero was inspired. His hand was weary,
|
|
and yet it clave to his sword; as long as he had any strength remaining
|
|
he held his weapon and followed his blow. Thus, in the service of God,
|
|
we should keep up the willingness and resolution of the spirit,
|
|
notwithstanding the weakness and weariness of the flesh--faint, yet
|
|
pursuing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:4">Judg. viii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
the hand weary, yet not quitting the sword. Now that Eleazar had beaten
|
|
the enemy, the men of Israel, who had gone away from the battle
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
returned to spoil,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is common for those who quit the field, when any thing is to be done
|
|
to hasten to it when any thing is to be gotten.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Shammah met with a party of the enemy, that were foraging, and
|
|
routed them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
But observe, both concerning this exploit and the former, it is here
|
|
said, <I>The Lord wrought a great victory.</I> Note, How great soever
|
|
the bravery of the instruments is, the praise of the achievement must
|
|
be given to God. These fought the battles, but God wrought the
|
|
victory. Let not the strong man then glory in his strength, nor in any
|
|
of his military operations, but <I>let him that glories glory in the
|
|
Lord.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The next three were distinguished from, and dignified above, the
|
|
thirty, but attained not to the first three,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
All great men are not of the same size. Many a bright and benign star
|
|
there is which is not of the first magnitude, and many a good ship not
|
|
of the first rate. Of this second triumvirate two only are named,
|
|
Abishai and Benaiah, whom we have often met with in the story of David,
|
|
and who seem to have been not inferior in serviceableness, though they
|
|
were in dignity, to the first three. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) A brave action of these three in conjunction. They attended David
|
|
in his troubles, when he absconded, in the cave of Adullam
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
suffered with him, and therefore were afterwards preferred by him. When
|
|
David and his brave men who attended him, who had acted so vigorously
|
|
against the Philistines, were, by the iniquity of the times, in Saul's
|
|
reign, driven to shelter themselves from his rage in caves and strong
|
|
holds, no marvel that the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim,
|
|
and put a garrison even in Bethlehem itself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
If the church's guides are so misled as to persecute some of her best
|
|
friends and champions, the common enemy will, no doubt, get advantage
|
|
by it. If David had had his liberty, Bethlehem would not have been now
|
|
in the Philistines' hands. But, being so, we are here told,
|
|
|
|
[1.] How earnestly David longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem.
|
|
Some make it a public-spirited wish, and that he meant, "O that we
|
|
could drive the garrison of the Philistines out of Bethlehem, and make
|
|
that beloved city of mine our own again!" the well being put for the
|
|
city, as the river often signifies the country it passes through. But
|
|
if he meant so, those about him did not understand him; therefore it
|
|
seems rather to be an instance of his weakness. It was harvest-time;
|
|
the weather was hot; he was thirsty; perhaps good water was scarce, and
|
|
therefore he earnestly wished, "O that I could but have one draught of
|
|
the water of the well of Bethlehem!" With the water of that well he had
|
|
often refreshed himself when he was a youth, and nothing now will serve
|
|
him but that, though it is almost impossible to come at it. He
|
|
strangely indulged a humour which he could give no reason for. Other
|
|
water might quench his thirst as well, but he had a fancy for that
|
|
above any. It is folly to entertain such fancies and greater folly to
|
|
insist upon the gratification of them. We ought to check our appetites
|
|
when they go out inordinately towards those things that really are more
|
|
pleasant and grateful than other things (<I>Be not desirous of
|
|
dainties</I>), much more when they are thus set upon such things as
|
|
only please a humour.
|
|
|
|
[2.] How bravely his three mighty men, Abishai, Benaiah, and another
|
|
not named, ventured through the camp of the Philistines, upon the very
|
|
mouth of danger, and fetched water from the well of Bethlehem, without
|
|
David's knowledge,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he wished for it he was far from desiring that any of his men
|
|
should venture their lives for it; but those three did, to show,
|
|
<I>First,</I> How much they valued their prince, and with what pleasure
|
|
they could run the greatest hardships in his service. David, though
|
|
anointed king, was as yet an exile, a poor prince that had no external
|
|
advantages to recommend him to the affection and esteem of his
|
|
attendants, nor was he in any capacity to prefer or reward them; yet
|
|
those three were thus zealous for his satisfaction, firmly believing
|
|
the time of recompence would come. Let us be willing to venture in the
|
|
cause of Christ, even when it is a suffering cause, as those who are
|
|
assured that it will prevail and that we shall not lose by it at last.
|
|
Were they so forward to expose themselves upon the least hint of their
|
|
prince's mind and so ambitious to please him? And shall not we covet to
|
|
approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus by a ready compliance with every
|
|
intimation of his will given us by his word, Spirit and providence?
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> How little they feared the Philistines. They were glad
|
|
of an occasion to defy them. Whether they broke through the host
|
|
clandestinely, and with such art that the Philistines did not discover
|
|
them, or openly, and with such terror in their looks that the
|
|
Philistines durst not oppose them, is not certain; it should seem, they
|
|
forced their way, sword in hand. But see,
|
|
|
|
[3.] How self-denyingly David, when he had this far-fetched dear-bought
|
|
water, <I>poured it out before the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> Thus he would show the tender regard he had to the lives
|
|
of his soldiers, and how far he was from being prodigal of their blood,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:14">Ps. lxxii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
In God's sight the death of his saints is precious. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
|
Thus he would testify his sorrow for speaking that foolish word which
|
|
occasioned those men to put their lives in their hands. Great men
|
|
should take heed what they say, lest any bad use be made of it by those
|
|
about them. <I>Thirdly,</I> Thus he would prevent the like rashness in
|
|
any of his men for the future. <I>Fourthly,</I> Thus he would cross his
|
|
own foolish fancy, and punish himself for entertaining and indulging
|
|
it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and
|
|
knew how to deny himself even in that which he was most fond of. Such
|
|
generous mortifications become the wise, the great, and the good.
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> Thus he would honour God and give glory to him. The
|
|
water purchased at this rate he thought too precious for his own
|
|
drinking and fit only to be poured out to God as a drink-offering. If
|
|
it was the blood of these men, it was God's due, for the blood was
|
|
always his. <I>Sixthly,</I> Bishop Patrick speaks of some who think
|
|
that David hereby showed that it was not material water he longed for,
|
|
but the Messiah, who had the water of life, who, he knew, should be
|
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born at Bethlehem, which the Philistines therefore should not be able
|
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to destroy. <I>Seventhly,</I> Did David look upon that water as very
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precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall
|
|
not we much more value those benefits for the purchasing of which our
|
|
blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let us not undervalue the blood of the
|
|
covenant, as those do that undervalue the blessings of the
|
|
covenant.</P>
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<P>
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|
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(2.) The brave actions of two of them on other occasions. Abishai slew
|
|
300 men at once,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>.
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Benaiah did many great things.
|
|
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[1.] He slew two Moabites that were lion-like men, so bold and strong,
|
|
so fierce and furious.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He slew an Egyptian, on what occasion it is not said; he was well
|
|
armed but Benaiah attacked him with no other weapon than a walking
|
|
staff, dexterously wrested his spear out of his hand, and slew him with
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|
it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
For these and similar exploits David preferred him to be captain of the
|
|
life-guard or standing forces,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.</P>
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Inferior to the second three, but of great note, were the thirty-one
|
|
here mentioned by name,
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:24-39"><I>v.</I> 24</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. Asahel is the first, who was slain
|
|
by Abner in the beginning of David's reign, but lost not his place in
|
|
this catalogue. Elhanan is the next, brother to Eleazar, one of the
|
|
first three,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
The surnames here given them are taken, as it should seem, from the
|
|
places of their birth or habitation, as many surnames with us
|
|
originally were. From all parts of the nation, the most wise and
|
|
valiant were picked up to serve the king. Several of those who are
|
|
named we find captains of the twelve courses which David appointed, one
|
|
for each month in the year,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+27:1-5">1 Chron. xxvii</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that did worthily were preferred according to their merits. One
|
|
of them was the son of Ahithophel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+23:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
the son famous in the camp as the father at the council-board. But to
|
|
find Uriah the Hittite bringing up the rear of these worthies, as it
|
|
revives the remembrance of David's sin, so it aggravates it, that a man
|
|
who deserved so well of his king and country should be so ill treated.
|
|
Joab is not mentioned among all these, either,
|
|
|
|
(1.) to be mentioned; the first, of the first three sat chief among the
|
|
captains, but Joab was over them as general. Or,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because he was so bad that he did not deserve to be mentioned; for
|
|
though he was confessedly a great soldier, and one that had so much
|
|
religion in him as to dedicate of his spoils to the house of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+21:28">1 Chron. xxvi. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he lost as much honour by slaying two of David's friends as ever he
|
|
got by slaying his enemies.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ, the Son of David, has his worthies too, who like David's, are
|
|
influenced by his example, fight his battles against the spiritual
|
|
enemies of his kingdom, and in his strength are more than conquerors.
|
|
Christ's apostles were his immediate attendants, did and suffered great
|
|
things for him, and at length came to reign with him. They are
|
|
mentioned with honour in the New Testament, as these in the Old,
|
|
especially,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:14">Rev. xxi. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Nay, all the good soldiers of Jesus Christ have their names better
|
|
preserved than even these worthies have; for they are written in
|
|
heaven. This honour have all his saints.</P>
|
|
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