2 Samuel 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying… That thou quench not the light of Israel. "The men of David" who thus speak, and doubtless the multitude of his subjects, regarded him as the light (literally, as in Revised Version, "the lamp") of the nation - its guiding mind, its safety, glory, and joy. His death would involve the nation in darkness - in perplexity, confusion, peril, and trouble. Such was likely enough to be the consequence of his death at that period. Nevertheless, David, as a moral and spiritual light, burns on still for all peoples and generations. Death did not quench this light. More emphatically is this true of Jesus Christ our King. I. HE IS THE LIGHT OF MEN. Intended ultimately to "lighten every man;" actually enlightening those who receive him. He is their: 1. Teacher and Guide. Through whose revelations they know God and himself and themselves; sin and righteousness; heaven, and the way to it; perdition, and how to escape it; the real worth of things; the wisdom needful for the guidance of life. Christ sheds light upon all things - the light by which their true character and relations are made apparent. 2. Safety and Salvation. In darkness is peril; in light security. 3. Glory. Imparting to them of his own lustre. 4. Joy. In knowledge and conscious safety are peace and happiness and hope; in ignorance, doubt, and perplexity, is unhappiness. II. HIS LIGHT CANNOT BE QUENCHED. 1. Not the light of his personal glory In the battle with his foes and ours, he fell and died; but he rose again, and to a greater brightness of glory, in consequence of his death. His cross itself is a great light for men. He lives above all the power of his enemies. He goes with his people to battle, but cannot be touched by the foe. 2. Nor the Light he has become to men through the knowledge he has given to the world. Great and formidable and persistent have been the efforts to extinguish the light; but it burns on unquenched and unquenchable. It may be obscured here and there, and for a time, but it can never go out. It will yet shine forth over the whole earth, and scatter all the darkness of error and sin. 3. Nor the Light he is to each of his believing people. Through life, and in death, and forever, he remains their Light. His presence in their hearts is their wisdom and joy under all circumstances. Then: 1. Be grateful for him. 2. Accept the light he sheds. 3. "Walk as children of light." 4. Be lights yourselves. Shine by speech, and especially in your lives. - G.W. Parallel Verses KJV: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. |
    |