_BACK TO THE THRONE_ ‘Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?’ 2 Samuel 19:10 The rebells had not hesitated to bring what they thought would be the good tidings to the king. Yet a plaintive cry went up from him when he realised the fullness of the news. Little could the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE KING’S FERRY BOAT_ ‘There went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household.’ 2 Samuel 19:18 I. ACCORDING TO OLD HEATHEN MYTHOLOGY, THERE WAS A FABLED RIVER CALLED ACHERON, WHICH THE SOULS OF THE DEAD MUST CROSS.—Its waters were muddy and bitter, and old Charon, who ferried them ove... [ Continue Reading ]
_A MODEL FOR OLD MEN_ ‘Barzillai the Gileadite.’ 2 Samuel 17:27 (cf. 2 Samuel 19:31) See in Barzillai _ a model for the aged_. The whole scene is one of the most touching in sacred writ, and the venerable man stands out before us with vivid lifelike distinctness, as one of the most interesting ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_A GRAND OLD MAN_ ‘And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim.’ 2 Samuel 19:31 I. WE HAVE HERE A MAN WHO KNOWS THAT HE IS OLD, BUT WHO IS NOT DISTRESSED BY THE THOUGHT OF IT.—There are old men who do not know that they are old, or who seek to suppress their knowledge of it. Few things in... [ Continue Reading ]