NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
“THEN came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron.” The adverb “then” connects this chapter, in point of time, with that which immediately precedes. It also introduces what follows as a consequence of that which had just occurred. The third chapter relates the defection of Abner from the house of Saul, and his murder by Joab. Ishbosheth (man of shame), Saul’s son, was nominal ruler of the tribes of Israel, Abner being the real ruler. As soon as he heard of Abner’s death, “his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.” 2 Sam. 4:1. He was not a man to command respect, and it was not long before he was slain in his bed by two of his own guards. 2 Sam. 4:5, 6. The murderers immediately brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, thinking by this act to gain his favor. But David, who had slain the man that falsely claimed to be the murderer of Saul, his active enemy, would not suffer the slayers of an unoffending man to live, and immediately ordered their execution. “Then came all the tribes of Israel to David.” They had no ruler, and the justice and unselfishness of David, as well as his military power, had won them to him. More than this, they now remembered, what they had conveniently forgotten when Abner was living, that God had chosen David to be king over Israel, long before the death of Saul. Compare 2 Sam. 5:2 with 1 Sam. 16:1-13. They therefore made a league with David, and acknowledged him as their king. Thus David commenced his reign over all Israel, B. C. 1048, having already reigned seven and one-half years over the tribe of Judah alone. He was now in his thirty-eighth year. 2 Sam. 5:4, 5. A more full account of the assembly of the tribes at Hebron, is found in the eleventh and twelfth chapters of 1 Chronicles. We find there that the numbers of fighting men sent by the various tribes amounted to fully 350,000. The assembly was made an occasion for a three days’ festival. THE course of the remaining tribes of Israel is a good illustration of the service which many people render to the Lord. While they are in prosperous circumstances, and see no danger approaching, they forget the claims that God has upon them. But as soon as their support is taken away, when they are brought into straitened circumstances, they remember that God has long before marked out a course for them to follow. They come to the Lord, literally “because they have nowhere else to go,” and not because they are drawn by a sense of his love to them. Their words seem to indicate that if they had anywhere else to go, they would not be found in the service of the Lord; and too often, like the Israelites at a later date, they readily turn aside to follow a usurper, willingly deceived by his false pretensions, or his appearance of power. “THIRTY years old”—the prime of life; the age at which the Levites entered upon their duties (Num. 4:3); at which young men commenced to take part in public business in Greece; at which Joseph was made ruler over Egypt (Gen. 41:46); at which Jesus Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost” in his baptism, and began his public ministry. Luke 3:23.—Cambridge Bible. DAVID now determined to make Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, no doubt because it was the most strongly fortified by position of any city of Palestine. It was built upon two hills (Zion and Moriah), and was itself surrounded by still higher hills, which served as a defense. See Ps. 125:1, 2. The Jebusites, a tribe of the Canaanites, still occupied it,375the Israelites having been hitherto unable to dislodge them. “AND the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking David cannot come in hither.” 2 Sam. 5:6. Bishop Hervey says, “This passage should be translated thus: ‘And [the Jebusites] spake to David, saying, Thou shalt not come in hither, but the blind and the lame shall keep thee off,’ that is, so far shalt thou be from taking the stronghold from us, that the lame and the blind shall suffice to defend the place.” These insulting words were doubtless in reply to a demand from David for them to surrender. Thinking their city impregnable, they rested in vain-glorious confidence, and intrusted its defense to those who were incapacitated for service. Men are usually the most confident in their own strength when their downfall is imminent. See Prov. 16:18. “NEVERTHELESS David took the stronghold of Zion.” Thus briefly is the result described. The reason why he was thus successful is easily seen when we read the last clause of verse 10: “For the Lord God of hosts was with him.” What wonder that he conquered, when he had such an ally? “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heavens in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.” Deut. 33:26. PAUL says (Rom. 15:4) that “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” There is nothing in the Bible from which the Christian may derive more comfort than from those passages which speak of the power of God, as manifested in overthrowing armies, upholding or changing the course of nature, or healing the sick and raising the dead; for he can remember that this mighty power will be exerted (if he asks for it in faith) to shield him from the power of Satan, and enable him to overcome all his faults, to endure all his trials. In every trouble bear in mind that “the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27. We are not obliged to arouse God to an interest in us, for his heart of love went out to fallen man and provided help before he asked for it. “What shall we then say to those things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31. “AND David went on and grew great, and the Lord of hosts was with him.” 2 Sam. 5:10. This is always the case with those who have God with them. They grow continually. If a professed Christian has no new experience to relate; if he does not have a deeper sense of the love of God this year than he had last year; if he is not growing strong to encourage others, it is to be feared that God is not with him. The weakest one may become a pillar in the church, if God is indeed with him. And such we all must be. David says of those who go from strength to strength, that “every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” Ps. 84:7. “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” Ps. 125:1. HOW important it is that our daily walk and conversation harmonize with our profession, so that we may not bring reproach upon the cause of Christ or to ourselves. If we are his true disciples, we shall ever be trying to do his will and keep his commandments; and if men persecute us, and say all manner of evil against us, let it be said falsely, and we shall receive the divine approbation.—Sel. IN the fear of the Lord is strong confidence.