2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seems him good. I. THE INTERESTS WE HAVE AT STAKE. OUR PEOPLE AND THE CITIES OF OUR GOD: in other words, our civil rights and our religion. The defence of their persons and possessions against lawless power, and the secure enjoyment of the means of happiness here and hereafter, were the great motives that induced men to submit originally to government. And every particular government is good or bad, as it answers or fails of answering these purposes. II. THE SPIRIT WITH WHICH WE OUGHT TO DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST THEM. "Let us be of good courage, and play the men." These words may seem to express the duty of the soldiery alone: and, without question, they express that peculiarly; and, joined with the following ones, clearly show that a strong sense of religion and a virtuous concern for the common welfare are the true principles that will give military persons bravery and success, as they did to those whose history the text relates. But still the more literal translation is, "Be strong, and let us strengthen one another." III. AN HUMBLE DEPENDENCE ON HEAVEN FOR THE EVENT OF ALL. (T. Secker.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. |
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