2 Samuel 12

Chap. XII. Ver. 1—31. Nathan reproves and convicts David, and announces his punishment.—Had this narrative occurred in any other historian, we should probably have heard no more of David’s complensee crimes. David had attained his object, and covered his guilt by marriage; and it would have been thought, doubtless, a great pity to expose a pious character, like David, to public reproach or shame. But this is not God’s way of acting; nor is it the mode of writing adopted by the sacred writers. “There is nothing secret that chal not be revealed.” Our tenderness to popular and favourite characters may lead us to endeavour to conceal their blemishes; but the moral government of God demands exposure; and nothing so fully justifies the divine character, as the public detection, and exemplary punishment, of those who have disgraced the holy religion they have professed, and that sin- The beautiful parable of Nathan_needs no explanation, farther than what is given in the application.

It may be proper to remark, however, that when God speaks of giving Saul’s wives to David, or David’s wives to Absalom, it does not mean a license to abuse them, but simply placing them within the power of one or the other; for the sin was wholly theirs. Of David’s feelings in this case we have a full exhibition in the 51st Psalm, which is stated to be written on this occasion. In the mean time, the child of this illicit connexion is struck with death; which no doubt increased the poignancy of his feelings, and deepened his repentance. On this occasion, David uses an expression which has been very differently understood: “I shall go to him, (meaning his child,) but he shall not return to me.”

Supposing this to have reference only to the grave, as some contend, it seems difficult, if not impossible, to draw comfort from the thoughts of death, without the assurance of a future state of consciousness. But the hope of meeting our children and our friends in ‘‘another and a better world,” is a powerful support under the loss of them, as well “as a hope full of immortality” to ourselves. Though the Lord took away the child which would have perpetuated David’s Sine and shame, he gives him another, which will transmit his name with glory to the latest genera tion of mortals, and a descendant in his line in whom “all nations” and all generations “ shall be blessed.” As we have promised to pay particular attention to infidel objections, we must not omit to notice one derived from the close of this chapter, which is considered of great weight.

David, it is alleged, not only plundered Rabbah, but tortured. the unfortunate inhabitants, with saws and axes, &c. Dr. Chandler, however, (as Bishop Horne observes,) has given very good reasons why the passage should be rendered in a different manner:—‘‘ He (David) brought forth the inhabitants, and put them to the saw, (or rather, to the saw-pits,) and to the iron mines, (or manufactories,) and iron axes, (either to manufacture or work with them;) and transported them to the brick kiln, or rather to the brick frame and hod, to make and for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak to the king: for he will not withhold me from thee.” Whether she really thought this possible, or only urged it to divert him from his crime, is not clear: but “ when the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil,”

neither argument ror entreaty can turn them fromit. The events of this chapter might afford many useful observations, but we have not room to indulge them. We shall only remark the cool indifference with which the wicked Jonadab speaks of the death of Amnon, whom he had led into the sin that caused his untimely end—‘‘ Amnon only is dead!’ Those who are the most prompt to lead others into ruin, have the least pity on them when they see them fall. There is “no flesh in the heart” of such men; it is all stone.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XIL Ver. 1. There were two men.—{The bent of this parable is evident; and it was wisely constructed, by not having too near a resemblance, to make David unwittingly pass sentence on himself. It was in’ David’s hand what his own letter was in the hands of the brave but unfortunate Uriah. |— Bagster. Pry. Ver. 10. The sword shall never depart.—That is, dung David’s life time; for Solomon’s was a peaceable reign. sith _ Ver. 11. Iwill take thy wives.—{‘That is, (as intimated in the Exposition,) in the course of my providence, I will permit this to be done. Such phrases in Scripture do not mean that God either does or can do evil himself; but only that he permits such evil to be done, as he foresaw would be done, and which, had he pleased, he might have prevented.

]—Bagster. Ver. 20. David arose from the earth.—This illustrates the ancient custom of mourning, during which it was unusual either to wash or change their apparel.—Orient. Cust. No. 855. Ver. 24. Solomon.—That is, ‘‘ peaceable;” for David was admonished that his successor should have a peaceful reign. ((1 Chronicles 22:9).) It is added, that “the Lord loved him,” and therefore was Jedidiah added to his name, which signifies, ‘‘ beloved of the Lord.” Ver. 26. Rabbah.—[ Rabbah, or Rabbath-Ammon, from Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, was situated east of Jordan, and according to Eusebius, ten miles eastfrom Jazer. It is sometimes mentioned as belonging to Arabia, sometimes to Clo-Syria; and was one of the cities uf the Decapolis east of Jordan.

Pliny and Josephus extend the region of Perea as far as Philadelphia. Itis now called Amman, distant about 19 miles to the S. E. by E. of Szalt, and lies along the banks of ariver, called Moiet Amman, which hasits source ina pond, at afew hundred paces from the south western end of the town, and empties itself into the Zork or Jabbok, about four hours to the northward. This river runs in a valley bordered on both sides by barren hills of flint, which advance on the south side close to the edge of the stream. The edifices which still remain, though in a decaying state from being built of a calcareous stone of moderate hardness, sufficiently attest the former greatness and splendour of this metropolis of the children of Ammon.

See Burckhardt’s Travels in Syria. ]}—Bagster. Ver. 27. The city of waters.—That part of the city which contained the reservoirs, and supplied the whole with water. Houbigant renders it, ‘1 have drawn off the waters from the city;’’ which agrees with the assertion of Josephus, that “ the waters were cut off.” See Dr. Clarke. Ver. 30. A talent of gold.—{If this talent was only seven pounds, as Whiston says, David might have carried it on his head with little difficulty; but this weight, accor cd to common computation, would amount to nearly 114 pounds ! Some, therefore, think, that mishkelah, should be taken for és value not weight; which renders it perfectly plain, as the worth of the crown wil be about $22,536.45.

The ancients mention several such large crowns, made also called Philadelphia, more for sight than use.—Athenus describes a crown of gold that was 24 feet in circumference; and mentions others that were two, some four, and others five feet deep. Pliny takes notice of some that were no less than 8 pounds weight. Besides the crown usually worn, it was customary for kings, insome nations, to have such large ones as described, either hung or supported ove the throne, where they sat at their coronation or other solemn occasions. ]— Bagster, But as a talent of gold is commonly reckoned a hundred pounds weight, it is more probable that the value is here intended; i. e. the gold and jewels set in it, were equal in value to a talent of gold.—Dr.

Clarke.. Ver. 31. Put them under saws, &c.—It does not appear that the particle (Beth) here used, ever signifies wrder, as here rendered; butall the Lexicons allow it to mean, in, with, to, unto, &c. and to put men to the saw, or the axe, naturally means, either to manufacture or to work with them, in sawing, voncealeth jose. 23 At a sheep-shearing, among all the king’s he killeth Amnon. 30 Davi grieving at the news, faioratexte yy Soudal:. itAbedlonn fleevh to Toimai at Geshur ND it came to pass after this, that Absalom 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee], one. went out every man from him. ouse. hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she carry bricks.” In short, they reduced the Ammonites to the same State of slavery as they ad been reduced to bythe Egyptians.

(See (Exodus 5:18-19). (Deuteronomy 4:20).)