A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 213. Of Punishments inflicted on David for his Sinns.

OTher kind of trialls whereunto David was brought, were apparent punish∣ments of his sinns: which being publick, God would not suffer to go unpu∣nished. I will therefore distinctly note, both his particular sinns, and also the punishments that were inflicted thereupon. They were these that follow.

• 1. His rash anger: This stirred up a purpose of revenge on Nabal, and all his* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Sam. 25. 22. He did not put that his purpose into execution; but repen∣•…•…d thereof, and blessed God for preventing him, in shedding blood: So as we d•…•… not read of any punishment inflicted for that sin. Yet it may be that Saul's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desire of revenge on him, and all his, was a punishment of his fore∣•…•…d purpose of revenge.
• 2. His distrust. 1 Sam. 27. 1. This was punished with the Iealousy of the* 1.2 Princes of the Philistines on him. 1 Sam. 29. 4. And with the sacking of Ziklag, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the insurrection of the Souldiers against him. 1 Sam. 30. 1, 6.
• 3. His Polygamy. 2 Sam. 5. 13. The children of those various wives, proved* 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crosses unto him.
• 4. His undue manner of carrying the Ark. This was so punished as David* 1.4 was afraid of the Lord. 2 Sam. 6. 3, 7, 9.
• 5. His Adultery with Bathsheba, and murther of her husband. As these were* 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sins, so punishments inflicted, for these were the most grievous. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them are generally set down. 2 Sam. 12. 10, 11, 14. The sequell of* 1.6 the history declareth the accomplishment of them. They were these that follow.
  • 1. His Child dyed. 2 Sam. 12. 18.
  • 2. His daughter was defloured by her brother. 2 Sam. 13, 14.
  • 3. His Son lay with his Concubines on the roof of an house, in the sight of all the people. 2 Sam. 16. 22.
  • 4. The sword departed not from his house, For,
    • 1. One of his Sons killed another. 2 Sam. 13. 28, 29.
    • 2. That Son of his thrust David out of his Kingdom. Whereupon such a battell was fought, as twenty thousands were slain, toge∣ther with that ungracious Son. 2 Sam. 18. &c.
    • 3. Another battell arose thereupon, thorough the indignation of Sheba. 2 Sam. 20. 1.
    • 4. Another Son took the Crown before his Fathers death, and that against his mind▪ 1 King. 1. 5.
    • 5. His inward troubles were yet greater. For,
      • 1. The Spirit withdrew his presence: so as to Davids present* 1.7 sense, it clean departed from him. Thereupon David thus prayeth, Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me, Psal. 51. 10.
      • 2. A deprivation of that joy, and comfort, which formerly he had. Whereupon in his prayer he thus addeth, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. Psal. 51. 12.
      • 3. No sence of any assistance of the Spirit for growth in grace: but onely a bare formall profession remained. This is intended under this phrase, uphold me with thy free Spirit. Psal. 51. 12.
      • 4. He apprehended Gods wrath, and feared a dereliction in this phrase. Hide thy face from my sins. Psal. 51. 9. But more fully is this thus expressed: O Lord rebuke me not in thine an∣ger, Psal. 6. 1.
      • 5. His conscience was a rack unto him, which made him use this expression., The bones, which thou hast broken: Behold here what a fearfull thing it is for such as profess the Name of God, to grieve the good Spirit of God.
    • 6. His undue cockering of his Children. 1 Sam. 13. 39. 1 King. 16. Two of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Children so cockered proved a heavy cross to him, and a fearfull curse to themselves. They both proved traitors to their Father, and brought themselves to an untimely death: namely Absolo•…•… and Adonijah.
    • 7. His hasty sentence against Mephibosheth. Compare 2 Sam. 16. v. 4. with v. 8.
    • 8. His pride in numbring of his people was punished with the loss of three∣score and ten thousand in three dayes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  David's sins. 1 Anger.
• * 1.2

  2 Distrust.
• * 1.3

  3 Polygamy.
• * 1.4

  4 Setting the Ark on a cart.
• * 1.5

  5 Adultery & Murther.
• * 1.6

  Punishments of Davids A∣dultery and Murther.
• * 1.7

  Davids in∣ward troubles.