2 Samuel 3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me… I am this day weak, though anointed king. David, indignant and distressed on account of the murder of Abner, could not venture to attempt to punish the murderers. They were too powerful for even him. Hence this lamentation. It was hardly wise to express his feeling - it would help to confirm the power of Joab and his brother. Many a monarch has been similarly weak, owing to the power of those who are nominally his servants. This is injurious when it prevents the execution of justice; but as to measures of government it is often best, the servant being wiser and abler than the sovereign. We may take the words as a picture of what has place in human nature. Man has over him rightful kings, which too often are not, in fact, his rulers. I. THE EVIL. 1. Objectively. Truth, the expressed will of God, is rightful sovereign of men, but it very partially rules. Many "sons of Zeruiah" are "too hard for" it, silence its utterances, oppose its power, prevent its sway. But it is king notwithstanding, and, by the Divine judgments it expresses, will determine men's destiny, though they may refuse to let its precepts regulate their conduct. 2. Subjectively. Conscience, enlightened by truth, is anointed by God as king. "Had it strength as it had right, had it power as it had manifest authority, it would absolutely govern the world" (Bishop Butler). But in actual government it is often "weak." The lower part of human nature is in rebellion against the higher. Appetite and passion and ill-regulated lawful affections, and all these hardened into habits, are "too hard" for it. Hence come degradation, ruin, misery, now and hereafter. II. THE REMEDY. The redemption effected by the death of our Lord, realized in the heart by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit, is the only effectual remedy. "Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under law, but under grace" (Romans 6:6, 14). The revelation of God and man, of sin and holiness, in the cross of Christ; the deliverance from condemnation secured thereby; the new Divine power which is imparted to the believer; the love to his Redeemer which is planted in his heart; the filial relation into which he is brought to God; the new hopes by which he is inspired; - these rescue him from slavery to sin, and give him freedom and will and power to serve God and righteousness (see Romans 6 and Romans 7, and Romans 8:1-4). The rightful Sovereign is replaced on the throne, strong to govern, not yet with absolutely universal and perfect sway, but with the assured prospect of it. Let, then, those who groan under the consciousness of their moral weakness accept the great Deliverer, and submit themselves to his methods of imparting strength to the soul. III. THE SEEMING RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN DAVID AND HIS DIVINE SON. It might seem as if our Lord Jesus, like David, might say, "I am... weak, though anointed King." Long has he been exalted to his throne at the right hand of God, as Lord of all; "from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Hebrews 10:13). Yet how small a portion of mankind is actually under his moral and spiritual sway! and these how imperfectly! How much power have his foes, even where he does really rule! And his open foes and false friends seem to speak and act as they please with impunity. It is not, however, that he is "weak," or that any are "too hard for" him. He is long suffering, and delays to execute judgment; but let his enemies continue impenitent and incorrigible, and they will learn by experience that he is strong to punish them. "Vengeance has leaden feet, but iron hands." "The mill of God grinds late, but it grinds to powder." Meanwhile he uses his foes as slaves to aid in working out his purposes. And as to the limits of his moral and spiritual rule, we must remember that, in extending and perfecting it, he pays respect to the freedom of men. It is not a matter of mere power, but of instruction and persuasion. He counsels, warns, invites, manifests his own yearning pity and love, stirs the conscience, moves the heart; but he does not compel - cannot do so consistently with his own purpose or the nature of man and of the rule he would establish. But let us yield ourselves heartily to him, and we shall find that he is as strong as ever to save and make strong those who trust in him. - G.W. Parallel Verses KJV: And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. |
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