B.C. 1015. her husband to ton. their popular proverb, "The woman who regularly makes obeisance to her husband, can make it rain whenever she pleases." promote."-Mil- When Bathsheba made her obeisance to the king, he asked, "What wouldest thou?" but the Hebrew has this, "What to thee?" This accords with the idiom of the Tamul language. Thus it will be asked of a person who stands with his hands presented to a great man, ummak-enna, To thee what?" If speaking of a third person, avanuk-enna, “To him what?" or, literally, "Him to what?"c Take your wife's first advice, but not her second.English Proverb. c Roberts. Nathan confirms Bathsheba's words a Comp. v. 7, 19; 1 Chr. xxv. 1. If thou bearest slight provoca 22-27. (22) came in, as arranged, v. 14. (23) Another illus. of court manners. (24) hast thou said ? in orig. not a question. Nathan assumes that Adon. must have obtained permission. (25) captains," indic. that some officers had joined Joab and Adon. (26) not called, so making his act very suspicious. (27) not shewed it, to his prophet counsellor his intention ought surely to have been made known. David and Nathan.-I. Happy is the king who has at hand a tions with pa- prophet of God who will not shrink from the duty of his holy tience, it shall calling. II. Happy is the king who is ready to hear the prophet thee for wisdom; even though his message be unpalatable. III. Happy is the and if thou man who, whatever his station, will learn a practical lesson from wipest them this history. be imputed unto from thy remem brance, thy heart thee. Some noted conspiracies.-Waltheof against William the Conshall feel rest, queror, 1074; Odo against William II., 1088; against Henry II. thy mind shall by his Queen, 1173; Barons against Henry III., 1258; against not reproach Henry IV., 1400; Earl of Cambridge against Henry V., 1415; Lambert Simnel (1487) and Perkin Warbeck against Henry VIII., "It is time to 1492; Babbington against Elizabeth, 1586; Sindercombe against ty-Oliver Cromwell, 1656; Fifth Monarchy men against Charles II., 1661; Meal Tub, 1679; Rye House, 1683; Bishop of Ely to restore James II., 1691; Assassination Plot, 1696; Lovat against Queen Ann, 1703; Cato Street, 1820. fear when rants seem to kiss. Shake speare. David promises that Solomon shall succeed him a Ju. viii. 19; Ru. comp. 1 Sa. xxv. on 28-31. (28) call me, Bathsheba had left the room Nathan's entering. (29) sware, the solemn oath he took is given in this v. and the next. as the Lord liveth, the usual Heb. oath." (30) do, take instant action. It was to this that they hoped to arouse him. (31) This obeisance was more profound than that recorded in 2. 16. David's decision (vv. 28-37).-I. His oath, vv. 29, 30. is an evidence of his firm faith in the Divine promise. II. His command is a living proof of the truth of his word, Is. xl. 31, and Ps. xcii. 15 sq. Necessity of decision.-Without it, a human being, with "If it were done powers at best but feeble, and surrounded by innumerable things when 'tis done, tending to perplex, to divert, and to frustrate their operations, is then 'twere well indeed a pitiable atom, the sport of divers and casual impulses. done It is a poor and disgraceful thing not to be able to reply with some degree of certainty, to the simple questions, What will you be? What will you do?b it were quickly."-Shake speare. David orders 32-37. (32) Observe that the three orders of the state were represented, priests, prophets, and military. Benaiah, 2 Sa. xx. 23, xxiii. 20-23. (33) the servants, or body-guard, Cherethites and Pelethites," who remained faithful. mine own av 38; 2 Sa. viii. 18, xv. 18, xx. 7-mule, this no one but the king might mount. Sol.'s riding on it, surrounded by those mentioned v. 32, would prove that his 23. (34) new B.C. 1015. b" Prob. ancient never name of the val(37) ley called afterwards the Tyropœum, wh. ran movement had David's sanction. Gihon,' prob. Siloam. trumpet, a loud proclamation. Comp. heralding of a king now. (35) my throne, on wh. Dav. himself would sit again. (36) amen, solemn affirmation: Nu. v. 22. as the Lord, etc.,d comp. Ge. xxvi. 3, 24, xxviii. 15, etc. God save the king (v. 34).—I. The peculiar privileges of kings fr. the present do not exempt them from the need of salvation. II. The special dangers of kings render salvation the more needful. III. Who can save princes, but the King of kings by whom they reign? IV. If He save them their throne is secure and their subjects happy. V. He will save them only as they serve Him. VI. Subjects should honour the king and pray for him. True loyalty. Remember We are but subjects, Maximus : obedience To what's done well, and grief for what's done ill, Damascus gate, by Siloam, into the Kedron "A great long vale."-Spk Com. prob. bent (Rabbins say straight) horn, that gave a far-sounding note."- Keil. d"No gcod father is jealous of his son, but desires to see his children more famous than himself."-Theodoret. through Wordsworth. e Beaumont. Solomon is proclaimed 38-40. (38) went down," v. 33. (39) horn of oil, 1 Sa. xvi. 1. For the oil, see Ex. xxx. 22. tabernacle, that one at wh. Zadok ministered, and of wh. he had authority. (40) came up after, indic. a general acceptance of Solomon. pipes, flutes:! some would trans. " dancing in dances," but with insufficient from Zion to reason. earth rent, better, rang again, resounded. A strong figure. The typical in Solomon's elevation to the sovereignty.-I. He is established in spite of all machinations against him, Ps. ii. 2; He. v. 5. II. He is anointed with oil from the sanctuary, Is. lxi. 1; Lu. iv. 18. III. He makes his entry as prince of peace amid the jubilee and praise of the people, Zech. ix. 9; Matt. xxi. 1 sq. Divine right.-In February, 1782, a body of delegates from the Parliament of Ireland waited on his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, to present him with an address, beseeching him to take on himself the government of that kingdom, as regent, during his majesty's incapacity. A few days afterwards they had the honour of dining with his royal highness at Carlton House. There were also present, the Dukes of York and Cumberland, the Dukes of Portland and Devonshire, Earl Fitzwilliam, Burke, Fox, Sheridan, etc., to the number of thirty-six. The party was most happily convivial, to which the engaging manners of the prince not a little contributed. On the company's rising, his royal highness insisted on the landlord's bottle; this meeting with some little objection, was afterwards assented to from an observation of Mr. Burke, who said "that though he was an enemy in general to indefeasible right, yet he thought the prince in his own house had a right to rule jure de vino."d 41–45. (41) sound of trumpet, Joab would notice this as his office gave him the control of the public trumpet. (42) Jonathan, the messenger, swift runner, as 2 Sa. xv. 36, xvii. 15-21. valiant, a worthy, virtuous. (43) verily, i.e. it is a fact, and an alarming one for us. (44) Comp. vv. 32-35. (45) city rang, comp. form of the fig. in v. 40. α "If we go Gihon westward, we first descend binson. Unless the people can be kept in total the wisest way for the advocates of truth to give them full light." darkness, it is -Whately. Adonijah hears of it a Prov. xii. 4; 1 Ki. i. 52. No doubt at this feast there was many a B.C. 1015. Frustration of the schemes of Adonijah (note Job. v. 12).— I. The intelligence he obtains. II. The effect produced by it. health drunken to Adonijah A throne for our King.-Now who is like to that royal King many a confl- crowned in Zion? When shall I get a seat for royal Majesty? dent boast of If I could set him as far above the heavens, thousand thousands their prospering of heights devised by men and angels, I should think Him too design, many a scorn of the de- low. His love hath neither brim nor bottom; His love is like spised faction of Himself: it passeth all natural understanding. I go to embrace Solomon; and it with my arms; but it is as if a child would take the globe of now, for their sea and land in his two short arms. Blessed and holy is His name! last dish (v. 49) is served up astonishment, and revenge." Hall. 46-49. (46) sitteth on, Jon. had hardly waited to see this fearful expecta- accomplished. He knew it was the intention, and by the time tion of a just he spoke would be realised. With the spirit of a true spy he had Bp. gained a pretty full report. (47) king bowed himself, in agreement with them, and reverent response to their prayer. (48) mine eyes, etc., an unusual thing, as kings generally pass before their successors take rule. (49) afraid, bec. set in position of rebels, and so in danger of their lives. Their scheme was check-mated. b Rutherford. the fear of a J. Orton. Saints and their descendants (v. 48).—From the words of our "The liberty of text we note that it is a matter of great joy to aged Christians a people con- to leave their families prosperous, peaceful, and pious. I propose sists in being to-I. Illustrate this observation. 1. It is a pleasure to an aged governed by laws which they dying Christian to leave his family in prosperous circumstances; have made 2. A greater pleasure to leave his descendants in unity; 3. The themselves; the greatest joy to leave them pious. II. Show why such a prospect liberty of a priin gives so much joy. This joy arises from-1. Their natural love to being master of their descendants: 2. The concern which they feel for the his own time and honour of God; 3. Their prospects of meeting them again in heaven.a vate man actions, as far as may consist with the laws of God ley. Promotion.-In 1781 a striking instance occurred of the attenand of his tion which his majesty paid to the services and rewards of his sercountry.'"-Cow-vants. Lord Amherst presenting to the king a packet of army com"If a man is not missions for his signature, his majesty, on looking over the list. rising up to be observed an officer appointed captain over an old lieutenant, and an angel, depend inquiring the reason, was answered by his lordship, "He cannot upon it he is. sinking down buy." The name struck the king, and before he signed the comward to be a missions, he turned to one of those large folios, of which he had a devil. He can- number, in his own handwriting, and presently finding the name not stop at the of the lieutenant, and some memorandums of his private life, he immediately ordered him to be promoted to the vacant company. beast." Cole ridge. a Ps. cxviii. 27. 50-53. (50) horns, Ex. xxvii. 2, xxx. 2, xxxviii. 2, used for binding the sacrifice. altar, we cannot be sure wh., but the more likely is that in the tabernacle on Mt. Zion. (51) not slay, Adon., by his action, acknowledges that his life is forfeited. (52) worthy, v. 42. wickedness, secret rebellioustuary is a com-ness, designs to assert his supposed right of succession. (53) go mon custom of to thine house, Sol. could not give him a place at court, that nations, but has might involve the corruption of his officers. He simply gives no support in him his liberty. 6 Taking sanc the Mosaic law. c"Sol. looks Confusion of Adonijah.-I. He fears Solomon :-he who does upon Adon.'s not fear the Lord, must at last become afraid of men. II. He fleeing to the flies to the altar and begs for mercy :-he who said he would be of repentance." king, calls himself Solomon's servant. Ostentation and boasting, as a rule, end in cowardice and cringing. altar as a sign -Keil. "To revenge & wrong is easy, usual, and natural. and, as the world thinks. savours of nobleof mind; ness Example of clemency (v. 53).—Two patricians, having conspired B.C. 1015. against Titus the Roman Emperor, were discovered, convicted, and sentenced to death by the senate; but that noble prince, having sent for them, admonished them in private of their folly in aspiring to the empire, exhorted them to be satisfied with the rank in which by Providence they had been placed, and offered them anything else which he had the power to grant. At the same time, he despatched a messenger to the mother of one of them, who was then at a great distance, and under deep concern about the fate of her son, to assure her that her son was not only alive, but out of danger. He invited them the same night to his table; and having, the next day, placed them by him at a show of gladiators, when the weapons of the combatants were, according to custom, presented to him, he desired them to survey them.< but religion teaches the con trary, and tells us it is better to neglect than to requite it."-J. Beaumont, d Stretch. CHAPTER THE SECOND. 1—6. (1) charged, gave final instructions. (2) go the way, Jos. xxiii. 14. a man, this counsel intimates that Sol. was but a youth when called to reign. (3) charge, etc., as given De. xvii. 18-20. prosper, or, as marg., act wisely see Jos. i. 7. (4) continue his word, keep up for a new generation his promise. (5) Joab.. me,d 2 Sa. xviii. 14, specially in Dav.'s mind. He fully mentions, however, only Joab's public offences. blood, etc., 2 Sa. xx. 10. (6) hoar head, the description of an aged man by a poet. b" Statutes, definite rules and usages; comex mandments, pressions of the Div. will; judg against sin." d" We must not expect Gospel morality fr. the sains of the Old Human equality (vv. 1-3).—We have here the dying chargements, laws beof an old and experienced king to a young one. The lesson is longing to the that all men are equal in the sight of God: because kings even civil governII. Human frailty.nies, so'emn dement; testimoare not exempt from -I. Human mortality. III. Human responsibility. A second lesson may be learned from clarations of the the same text, namely, that obedience to the will of God inevi- will of God tably issues in prosperity, in the best sense of the word./ The two eagles.-David and Solomon may be compared to two Partly fr. Keil. eagles, soaring far above other men. David did so in devotion, Ps. lxxxix. 3, 4, c 2 Sa. vii. 12, 13; and Solomon in wisdom. Against both these favoured ones the cxxxii. 12. cruel fowler aimed an arrow, and each arrow went direct to its mark; and, at a moment when least expected, both were brought down from their lofty elevation to shame and reproach. David fell to the ground bleeding, and lay with soiled plumage grovelling in the dust. He was then seized by the enemy, chained for a time a prisoner with multitudes of ignoble birds, who found malicious pleasure in making sport of him. But the hand of mercy, after a while, broke the chain, healed the wounds inflicted, and soon we behold him soaring again as of old, combining, as he had often done, the lofty flight of the eagle with the cheerful song of the lark. He soared higher and sung sweeter than ever. Hark to the melody: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases!" His last vv. 2, 3. Dr. E. words were, "Blessed be His glorious name for ever. and let the Maynard, 114. whole earth be filled with His glory." "Jehovah hath made with F. Wagstaff. me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for The death-ted of Testament. They were only the best men of their several ages and nations." Com. e Ge. xlii. Spk. 38; v. 2. J. Reeve, Disc. i. 90. resembles the this is all my salvation, and all my desire." Solomon, when a saint ofttimes wounded, fell into the dead sea of sensuality; he appeared to sink setting sun, B.C. 1015. whose rays are the brightest when it is nearest the horizon. beneath the dark billows, but we believe he rose again. His after history, indeed, unlike that of his royal father, can only be dimly traced. We have good reason to conclude that a lifeboat was launched from the harbour of promise (2 Sam. vii. 14, 15), which saved him from being drowned in perdition. We listen, "The tongues of and hear not joyful songs like David's, but some mournful comdying men en-plainings and loud lamentations which indicate life, but speak of force attention, wounds and weakness still remaining. We have the Book of like deep harmony." Shake- Ecclesiastes; but we hear no more canticles full of ardent love. Still we gather, from his last mournful utterances, the solemn and needed counsel: FEAR GOD-FEAR TO SIN. speare. David's burial a "Four miles out of Jerus. a celebrated caravanserai for tra 7-11. (7) sons of Barzillai,a 2 Sa. xix. 37–40; Je. xli. 17. so they came, i.e. entertain them, for they, kindly and thoughtfully, entertained me. (8) Shimei, 2 Sa. xvi. 5-14. He offered gratuitous insult to the king, when he needed sympathy. I will not, stress on I. Temporary, not complete, immunity fr. punishment had been given. (9) Sol. understood this to mean, vellers into seek to gain opportunity of taking vengeance. (10) in the founded by city, an exception to rule being made in his case. (11) Comp. 2 Sa. v. 4, 5; 1 Chr. iii. 4, xxix. 26, 27. Egypt Was Chimham, on the at Bethlehem."- vv. 10, 11. H. 296. c R. Liswil, B.A. thoughts, that b The sins of godly men (vv. 8, 9).-There are three ways in which David may have been influenced in giving this dying injunction to his son. I. As the agent, unconscious or otherwise, of Divine justice. II. By a conscientious desire to administer human justice, according to the will of God. III. As prompted by revenge. And this alternative we think the right one. With David as a man of God and Israel's lawgiver we must utterly disconnect this act, and attribute it entirely to a flaw in his character, which, at the last, reasserted its natural power in antagonism to Divine grace.c Toussaint l'Ouverture.-When this chief first rose into power among the negroes, he gave one very pleasing earnest of his future character. The white people, especially the planters, were "We make our- so odious, both from their former tyranny, and the blood they had selves more in- cruelly shed in the struggle to preserve their power, that the juries than are offered to us; negroes, when they gained the ascendency, were disposed to give they many times them no quarter. The master of Toussaint was one of the unpass for wrongs fortunate planters, who, not having escaped in good time, was on in our Own the point of falling into the hands of the enraged negroes; but were never he had been formerly kind to Toussaint, and this was not to be meant so by the forgotten. The grateful and generous man, at the risk of bringbeart of him that ing the vengeance of the multitude on his own head, delivered speaketh. The apprehension of his unhappy master privately out of their hands, and sent him on wrong hurts board a ship bound for America, then lying in the harbour. Nor more than the was this all. He was not sent away without the means of subthe wrong done."sistence; for this brave and generous negro found means to put on board secretly, for his use, a great many hogsheads of sugar, in order to support him in exile, till the same grateful hands should be able to send him a larger supply. sharpest part of -Feltham. reign of Solomon Adonijah's request 12-18. (12) established, by recognition and allegiance of all the tribes. (13) peaceably, with peaceful intentions. Adon.'s seeking the queen-mother looked suspicious. (14) to a The wives of say, or ask. (15) This v. shows how his disappointment was a deceased sove- rankling; and puts suspicion of a political design on his request. reign were under Tho' not seeking the throne, he wanted to win public influence. |