2 Samuel 3:38 And the king said to his servants, Know you not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? The world is sometimes startled by the fall of an eminent man in a sudden and violent manner - like that of the Czar of Russia or the President of the United States. Here is the epitaph of such a man. Reflect: 1. How uncertain is the continuance of human life! This familiar but little heeded truth is set forth in an impressive manner by such an event, teaching that no station is exempt from the approach of death, no safeguards effectual against it. "Death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces" (Jeremiah 9:24). 2. How unstable is the foundation of earthly greatness! It is built upon the sand, and in a moment crumbles into dust. Goodness alone (the essence of true greatness) endures and goes with the soul into "everlasting habitations." 3. How deplorable is the less of superior excellence! The world is made poorer by its removal. 4. How dreadful is the prevalence of diabolical wickedness! One assassination begets another. And at times there is abroad in society a spirit of lawlessness, recklessness, and ungodliness, which is full of peril, and calls for the earnest efforts and prayers of good men that it may be overcome. 5. How mysterious are the ways of Divne Providence, in permitting the innocent to perish, the godless to succeed, the guilty to be spared! 6. How often is evil overruled for the promotion of beneficent ends (2 Samuel 4:1; 2 Samuel 5:1)! 7. How profitable is the remembrance of a noble minded man! "Know ye not," etc.? "He being dead, yet speaketh." - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? |
    |