avid's last words. (1-7) David's mighty men. (8-39)
Verses 1-7: These words of David are very worthy of regard. Let those
who have had long experience of God's goodness, and the
pleasantness of heavenly wisdom, when they come to finish their
course, bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. David
avows his Divine inspiration, that the Spirit of God spake by
him. He, and other holy men, spake and wrote as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost. In many things he had his own neglect and
wrong conduct to blame. But David comforted himself that the
Lord had made with him an everlasting covenant. By this he
principally intended the covenant of mercy and peace, which the
Lord made with him as a sinner, who believed in the promised
Saviour, who embraced the promised blessing, who yielded up
himself to the Lord, to be his redeemed servant. Believers shall
for ever enjoy covenant blessings; and God the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost, shall be for ever glorified in their salvation. Thus
pardon, righteousness, grace, and eternal life, are secured as
the gift of God through Jesus Christ. There is an infinite
fulness of grace and all blessings treasured up in Christ, for
those who seek his salvation. This covenant was all David's
salvation, he so well knew the holy law of God and the extent of
his own sinfulness, that he perceived what was needful for his
own case in this salvation. It was therefore all his desire. In
comparison, all earthly objects lost their attractions; he was
willing to give them up, or to die and leave them, that he might
enjoy full happiness, (Ps 73:24-28). Still the power of evil,
and the weakness of his faith, hope, and love, were his grief
and burden. Doubtless he would have allowed that his own
slackness and want of care were the cause; but the hope that he
should soon be made perfect in glory, encouraged him in his
dying moments.
Verses 8-39: David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of
Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was
thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed
himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he
desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose
themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so
eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves
to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown
us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the
water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his
own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show
that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew
how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very
precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and
shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which
our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting
so great salvation.
avid's last words. (1-7) David's mighty men. (8-39)