(12) And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Doth not David's just decision and judgment on those murderers, serve to remind us of the awful sentence which Jesus, we are assured, shall one day pass on the wicked, when they shall be driven from his presence with everlasting destruction. It is an awful thought, but ought to be kept alive in the remembrance, that the very gracious name of God as Jehovah Alehim; that is, Jehovah in Covenant with his people by Christ, is as solemnly engaged as the denouncer of wrath, as in the covenant promises of redemption. Jehovah at the right hand of Adonai (the believer's Lord and stay) shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. Psalms 110:5
REFLECTIONS
THE sudden and unexpected death of Saul's son, while dreaming of an earthly kingdom, may serve to furnish out, both to the Reader and Writer, an important reflection on the sure, but uncertain, coming of our latter end. There is but one security against the evil of that day; and that is, an interest in his blood and righteousness, who by his death hath overcome death, and by his resurrection hath secured the resurrection of his people. That precious, precious scripture, is a motto to be worn in the bosom of the faithful, and to be fixed in the largest characters over the couches of believers; Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation. Thus to be found in Christ, is to be found in peace before him. And in this case, sudden death is sudden glory.
Reader! if Jesus be your hope, your trust, your confidence, your rock, you can never be moved. For how can the soul be naked which hath Christ himself for his covering? I know (says Paul) whom I have believed; and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. What day that might be Paul knew not; but every day he was looking out for it. I protest (says he) by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. Blessed Paul! what a happy reckoning did he make of it. And what assurance was founded in it. Reader! let you and I keep Jesus always in view; let us set this precious Redeemer always before us; and depend upon it, living upon him, and trusting wholly in him, for his atoning blood and justifying righteousness, our departure will be in peace, though the signal be given for our removal without a moment's warning. It is but to close the eyes of the body to this world, and the soul will open them in glory. Blessed (says Jesus) is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.