I. THE LONG TRAIN OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLY. It is long before the whole penalty of a great mistake is paid. Hanun and his foolish princes (1 Chronicles 19:3) doubtless felt crestfallen enough when they were miserably defeated in battle, but they probably comforted themselves with the consideration that they had borne their punishment, and would have no more bitter fruits to swallow. If so, they were mistaken. In the next chapter we meet with more consequences of their folly. The next spring, they had to encounter another army in the field (ver. 1). Often, when we think we have escaped from the wretched results of our thoughtlessness or our sin, we find that we have not: there they are again, walking at our side, or meeting us sword in hand. Let us earnestly pray and vigilantly watch, that we may not be surprised into folly, may not fall into the power of temptation, so that our life may not be darkened by the appearance and reappearance of the penalties of wrong-doing.

II. THE EVIL OF ABSOLUTISM. No doubt this little kingdom of Ammon was autocratic. It is true, indeed, that the princes advised, but the king decided. And what terrible penalties his poor people paid for his decision! The city of Rabbah was sacked (ver. 2), and its inhabitants not only lost their property but were subjected to cruel tortures; and "even so dealt David with all the cities," etc. (ver. 3). Our heart is touched with sorrow and indignation as we think how one man's (or how a few men's) incensate folly brought down upon thousands of the innocent such a wretched fate. Let us thank God that public policy is largely taken out of the hands of one man who may be shamelessly selfish or utterly incapable, and is deposited with the many who consult the large and general interests of the nation.

III. THE PERILS OF POWER. One may well believe that Hanun had little happiness, if any at all, in the subsequent years of his reign. Surely the cries that came from these mutilated subjects and from these bereaved homes must have rung in his ears, and made discord of every other sound that greeted him. Men covet power, but it is a perilous thing to possess. One great mistake, and we involve numbers of our fellow-men in suffering and sorrow.

1. How should they who wield it be solicitous and prayerful that they may be preserved from abusing it!

2. How well may those who are denied it be content to take the lower place, and be secure from such solemn and weighty responsibilities as they would otherwise incur!

IV. THE NEED FOR REFLECTION IN THE HOUR OF ANGER. It would be altogether unjust to judge David by the humane and merciful standards of our own age; yet we cannot but regret that he inflicted such cruelties on the children of Ammon (ver. 8). We should have liked it (and him) better if he had entertained and acted upon the thought which, on another occasion, he admitted to his mind, "These sheep, what have they done?" (2 Samuel 24:17). He had been greatly provoked, but he carried his indignation further than he was obliged to do, and beyond the point at which a large-minded, God-taught man should surely have stopped. In anger we should pause and think, for we are in great danger of speaking too harshly and striking too hard (Romans 12:19).

V. THE BEST CROWN TO WIN AND WEAR. (Ver. 2.) David seems to have set much store on this crown, which was taken from the King of Ammon and placed on his head (Psalm 21:3). Better far the crown of God's favour, the crown of righteousness, the crown of grateful love, the crown of glory. These are

(1) untarnished with severities;

(2) adornments of our true selves (our souls);

(3) unfading with time. - C.

I. THAT IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE THERE MUST BE NO CESSATION. Rest gives advantage to the enemy, and may delay or frustrate the end in view. "Forwards, children, forwards"! urged Blucher, in meeting Wellington at Waterloo.

1. Make needful preparation.

2. Be ready for every advantage. "The time to go out" must be discovered and seized.

II. THAT IN CONDUCTING SPIRITUAL WARFARE OPPORTUNITY IS GIVEN FOR THE DISPLAY OF VIRTUOUS QUALITIES (2 Samuel 12:26-29). We must, transfer the glory of our conquests to our gracious "Commander and Leader."

III. THAT ALL THINGS IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE WILL BE SUBDUED UNDER GOD'S POWER.

(J. Wolfendale.)