The Throne of David, Treatise · Section 8
II. SAM. Chap. 3. from the 6. verſe to the 12.
THe ſecond meanes whereby the houſe of David is ſtrengthened, and the houſe of Saul is weakened, is the variance that falleth out between Abner and Iſhboſeth, wherein is proponed. 1. The time. 2. The cauſe. 3. The reprehenſion made by Iſhboſeth. 4. Abners proud anſwer. And 5. Iſhboſeth's puſillanimity.
The time is, when Abner was moſt occupied in the defenſe of Sauls houſe, the cauſe is, that Abner had defiled Sauls concubine, which act was wicked in all reſpects: for if Abner committed the fact, to abuſe the Kings concubine, as a whore, that was diſgracefull, and intollerable: otherwiſe if it was to have her to his wife: it was an argument of affecting the kingdome. For ſo read we of Adoniah affecting the kingdome of David by the like practiſe. And therefore Iſhboſeth albeit he conſidered not the right opportunity, had juſt cauſe to uſe this reprehenſion as if he would ſay, why Abner haſt thou preſumed either to make my Fathers concubine, thy harlot, or elſe hereby why meaneſt thou to attempt my kingdome?
Abners anſwer full of ire, contempt and ambition is: Am I a doggs head &c. That is ſuch a libidinous perſon as a dog, or of no more account with thee for all my great deſerts, then the head of a dog, or ſuch a vile thing, that thou ſhouldeſt ſo ſnatch and upbraid me concerning this woman, even this day and time, when I was making all my power for thee, and thy Fathers houſe. Therefore after he hath amplified his former merits, in his wrath he promiſeth to revenge his wrong, and Iſhboſeths ingratitude, by turning, unto David, and aiding him to get the whole kingdome. Whereunto Iſhboſeth like a fearfull Prince, maketh no anſwer at all.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. WHen Abner, is making all his power for Sauls houſe, and for the terrour and aſſaulting of David, is gathering all his forces together▪ even then this variance falleth out, wherein we may ſee the wonderfull power, and providence of God, diſapp…inting and laughing to ſcorne the deviſes of the wicked, and over ruling all their actions to the comfort of his choſen, and ſcattering all their imaginations with bringing them to naught, even when they are at the birth (as it were) or point of execution, thus was Pharaoh ſuddenly deſtroyed when he thought aſſuredly to be avenged on the Iſraelites at the red ſea,2 Chron. 20. but Jacobs ſeed eſcaped; thus alſo Amnon and Moab combined together in a fear…ull Army,Revel. 16. & 19. to have deſtroyed good Jehoſ…phat, but the Lord made them help each one to deſtroy another in Mizpah: Revel. 18.and the godly King was delivered; Thus in like manner, propheſieth John, in that high enterpriſe of that whore, and beaſt againſt Gods Saints, when the Kings of the earth ſhall be aſſembled together, the beaſt and falſe prophet unawares ſhall be taken and caſt in the burning lake, and ſudden deſolation ſhall light upon that whoriſh Babylon, and ſo the elect company ſhall eſcape the rage, even as here; when Abner and Iſhboſeth are making all their power againſt David, even then, they are divided a ſunder, and David is freed from danger: and in our own time, when that high enterpriſe of ſubverting Church and commonwealth, Prince and people by gunpowder was contrived, and brought to the point of execution within this land, then the Lord mightily diſcovered and diſappointed the ſame, to the confuſion of the enemies, his Churches comfort, and praiſe of his name for ever: as he had-diſperſed alſo and diſappointed that Spaniſh invincible armado of Spaine in 88▪ before.
2. As in the time of the higheſt machinations of the wicked, (being combined together) the Lord bringeth all their counſells to nought, ſo we ſee that God maketh their diſſentions (amongſt themſelves being divided) to tend to the peace and quietneſs of his Church,1 Sam. 23. 27. thus God made the incurſion of the Philiſtines upon Sauls borders an occaſion for him to retire from compaſſing David in the wilderneſs of Maon; to defend his land, thus likewiſe did the Lord put a hook in the noſtrills of Sinacherib, 2 King. 19.and made the invaſion of the King of Egypt, an occaſion for him to returne from Jeruſalem, and perſuit of good King Hez…kiah, ſo Pauls delivery is occaſioned by a diſſention amongſt his accuſers. And here Iſhboſeths accuſation of Abner is made to be an occaſion of variance, for the peace of David. Act. 23. 7.Let us ever rely then upon our provident and powerfull God, who can draw light out of darkneſſe, ſweetneſſe out of the ſtrong,Judg. 14. (as Sampſons ridle ſaith) and peace out of diſcord, and who hath infinit means to comfort his own Church with, and hath all hearts in his hands to turne them what way he pleaſeth.
3. In the▪ variance of theſe two, we ſee there is no ſolid and conſtant friendſhip amongſt the wicked, for that which is in God, is onelyonly like unto him, immutable and ſure, and worthy of the name of amity:Judg. 9. 23. the other being more properly conſpiracies, as they are called Pſalm▪ 2. Which God ſhall diſſolve and undo, a clear example whereof we have in that league between Abimelech and the men of Sechem, between whom notwithſtanding, the Lord ſent an evil Spirit of variance, that the blood of Gideons Sonnes might be revenged, whereof both were guilty. Let us, not therefore make ſuch friendſhip as is ſpoken of in the 50. Pſalm. 18. Nor be like Sampſons foxes tyed together, or Simeon and Levi, Brethren in evil, but let our friendſhip be in God, and our concurrance be to holy duties.
4. Vers 7. Saul leaves behind him Rizpah a concubine, who is here the occaſion of all this trouble between Iſhboſeth and Abner, where we may ſee the Scorpions taile of ſinne ſtings the poſterity of a man oftimes, when he lyeth in aſhes, witneſſe the immediate former example of baſe Abimelech begotten in whoredome who after his Fathers death is reſerved as it were, to be the burrean of his 70. lawfull begotten Brethren.
5. We perceive that albeit reprehenſions be lawfull in nature, yet they ſhould be prudently and timorouſly uſed, otherwiſe they may import more hur than profit, as we ſee here in Iſhboſeths example, this moved the preacher to ſay, a word ſpoken in due ſeaſon, is like aples of gold, with pictures of ſilver, Therefore let our reprehenſions be after due tryall, ſpoken in love, obſerving the neceſſary circumſtances of time, place, and perſon, &c. And uttered to that end, that we may winne our Brother from his ſinne to God.
6. Vers 8. In Abner, we ſee how impatient the wicked are at the rebuke of ſinne, that they altogether misregarding God, and authority, cannot be appeaſed till they be avenged on them who reprove them; this is our corrupt nature till we be reformed by grace, and that ſtrong man who rageth within us (being loath to depart) till he be caſt out by that ſtronger Jeſus. Then, rebukes ſhall be unto us like ſweet ointment and pretious balme, this naturall hatred to be reformad wee ſee in Pharaoh, Ahab, Jeroboam, Herod, and many others of all ranks,1 King. 13. 2 Chron. 36. 14, 15.
7. In the ambitious recitall of his high deſervings, Abner ſheweth here, that the wicked for wordly benefits would be winked at, in the commiſſion of ſinne, elſe no longer ſhall the river of their bounty flow, then the fountain of wholeſome admonition beginne to be opened, and in all things they ſhall willingly hear, till you come to their Herodias, but there you looſe them. Let Gods ſervants then be free of them, that they may be faithfull with them.
8. Alſo in upbraiding to Iſhboſeth ingratitude, let us learn never to expect ſure amity nor upright thankfulneſſe at the hands of men, whom we would benefit, with the detriment of our own conſcience, as Abner did here Iſhboſeth; But be perſuaded th…t thereby we ſhall make ourſelves vile in their accompt, and their favour which we have ſo hunted after with miſregard of God & conſcience, the Lord ſhall in the end turn into deteſtation of us, accepting of the deed tending to their commodity, but hating the doer thereof with an evil conſcience. Let us then approve our ſelves above all, and in all, to our gratious God, who will both praiſe and reward his own.
9. In Abners threatning, we ſee the nature of high exalted and ambitious courtiers, who would have, their Princes to ſerve their appetites, elſe in diſcontentedneſſe, they will not regard, to hazard (if they can) the eſtate and condition both of King and Kingdome.
10. Alſo we may behold, the admirable preſumption and boldneſſe of duſt and aſhes againſt the omnipotent creator, when man is not indued with grace, which is foreign, to fight againſt Gods known ordinance, and to reſiſt his manifeſted decree, albeit the ſame be confirmed by his oath; therefore (ſaith Abner) as the Lord hath ſworn, not conſidering that the pot is in the hand of the potter ever, to do there with as it pleaſeth him beſt. Let this teach us therefore, the duty of humility, conſidering what we are both by nature, and corruption, duſt (towit) and repyning clay, voyde not onelyonly, of will, or performance of good, but highly rebellious and ſtubborne in evil againſt God, till grace doth renew us.
11. Vers 11. In Iſhboſeths timorouſneſſe and puſillanimity, we ſee, where the fear of God is not, there worldly fear ſoon daſheth and occupieth the minde, but where Gods fear is, and the maintenance of a good cauſe, there is true courage, and wonderfull holy boldneſſe,1 King. 18. This made Eliah, bid Obadiah go tell his Maſter Abab, that he was there, and would ſhew himſelf unto him, albeit through all Kingdomes about, he had ſtraitely ſought for him,Job 31. 35. this made Job likewiſe in his greateſt calamity, to ſay, though mine adverſary would write a book againſt me, would not I take it upon my ſhoulder, and bind it as a crown unto me? I would tell him the number of my goings, and go unto him as a Prince. This made the Apoſtles in like manner anſwer ſo before Counſels as they did, and the bleſſed martyres not to fear the torments of the crueleſt Tyrants, this is the braſen wall whereof the Poet ſpeakes,*Hic murus aheneus eſto, nil conſcire ſibi, nulla palleſcere culpa. and that continuall feaſt which Salomon recordeth. Let us labour for this, and we may face the greateſt tribunall, and awfulleſt Judge on earth, without being aſhamed, and no whit to be daſh't with the ſcarre-crow threatnings for any upbraiding accuſer.
12. We ſee likewiſe in Iſhboſeth that a baſe and timorous diſpoſition becomes not a Prince, who ought to be of a princely and Lyon-like courage, Parcere ſubjectis, & debellare ſuperbos, and that as the proverb is, A ſilly Cat, makes a proud Rat.