2 Samuel 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, that he died in Thebez?… Who smote Abimelech, etc.? "History is philosophy teaching by example." It is full of doctrines, principles, examples, warnings (1 Samuel 12:8-12). This event, which had taken place two hundred and thirty years before, was familiar to Joab and others; and, viewed as a warning, likely to be recalled by the king to point his reproof (Judges 9:53). Of such warnings observe that they - I. ARE OF IMMENSE SERVICE; in making general lessons concerning danger and duty: 1. More distinct. 2. More impressive. 3. More beneficial. They are beacon lights, danger signals, startling voices; and leach that in the way of inconsideration, rashness, and presumption, there is imminent peril; that destruction may come unexpectedly, suddenly, and by a feeble hand - "a woman slew him;" and that; (although neither Joab nor David laid it to heart) every violation of God's Law is surely followed by retribution (Judges 9:56, 57). They are "written for our admonition" (1 Corinthians 10:11). II. SHOULD BE DULY HEEDED. 1. Intelligently studied. 2. Constantly remembered. 3. Practically observed. They are "written for our learning" (Romans 15:4). "The world exists for the education of each man. There is no age or state of society or mode of action in history to which there is not something corresponding in his life. Everything tends in a most wonderful manner to abbreviate itself and yield its whole nature to him" (Emerson). III. MAY BE DELIBERATELY SLIGHTED. 1. For some immediate personal advantage. 2. From the persuasion of immunity, though others perish (ver. 17). 3. With a plausible excuse, when remonstrated with. Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. "Joab quoted God's Word, but was not careful to keep it" (Wordsworth). IV. WILL BE ASSUREDLY VINDICATED. 1. By the occurrence of similar events (1 Kings 2:34). "The history of the past is a prophecy of the future." 2. In the bitter experience of the obdurate. 3. With ever-increasing clearness and force to successive generations. "Remember the days of old," etc. (Deuteronomy 32:7). - D. Parallel Verses KJV: Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. |
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