2 Samuel 21

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—The obligations of public oaths and covenants are lasting and solemn; and the breaches of them, be the pretexts what they will, are highly provoking to God. Wicked and murderous magistrates are a great plague to nations. God may long defer his judgments without averting them: but old sins are not forgotten by him. The time of recompense will come at last; and may soon turn a fruitful land into barrenness. God’s judgments should therefore make us search out and bewail our own and our fathers’ iniquities. The sins of parents often entail misery on their posterity. And, though the poor oppressed should have no power to relieve themselves, God will plead their cause: nor, till satisfaction be made them, can we hope for a blessing from God. Thus they, who maliciously designed the ruin of others, bring themselves and families to misery: and how unsearchable are the judgments of God in ruining the families of his wrath! Severe executions for the public good are sometimes necessary. Many parents are long spared to meet with sad scenes of anguish and grief: and often survivors, by taking pains to revive the memory of lost friends, prove their own self-tormentors. Fidelity to sovereigns in moments of danger is extremely honourable. Strength of body is of no use to resist God or withstand death. But, let God’s people be attacked as often as they may by their enemies, they will come off more than conquerors through him who loveth them. 1