第69章 大卫登基
§1
第69章 大卫登基
§2
Chap. 69 - David Called to the Throne
§3
扫罗的死免去了以前逼使大卫逃亡的危险。如今他归回本地的道路已经畅通了。为扫罗和约拿单悲哀的日子满了，“大卫问耶和华说：我上犹大的一个城去可以吗？耶和华说：可以，大卫说：我上哪一个城去呢？耶和华说：上希伯伦去。”（见撒下2-4:又5:1-5）[1]{PP 697.1}
§4
The death of Saul removed the dangers that had made David an exile. The way was now open for him to return to his own land. When the days of mourning for Saul and Jonathan were ended, David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron.{PP 697.1}[1]
§5
希伯伦在别是巴之北凡六十里路，约在别是巴与未来的耶路撒冷城址之间。这城原来叫基列亚巴，是亚纳族始祖亚巴的城。后来又称为幔利，埋葬先祖的“麦比拉洞”就在这里。希伯伦过去是迦勒的产业，如今却成了犹大支派的一个主要城邑。该城位于山谷之中，周围有肥沃的山地，和结果累累的田园，巴勒斯坦最肥美的葡萄园就在它的四郊，这里还有许多橄榄树和其他各种果木。[2]{PP 697.2}
§6
Hebron was twenty miles north from Beersheba, and about midway between that city and the future site of Jerusalem. It was originally called Kirjath-arba, the city of Arba, the father of Anak. Later it was called Mamre, and here was the burial place of the patriarchs, the cave of Machpelah. Hebron had been the possession of Caleb and was now the chief city of Judah. It lies in a valley surrounded by fertile hill country and fruitful lands. The most beautiful vineyards of Palestine were on its borders, together with numerous plantations of olive and other fruit trees.{PP 697.2}[2]
§7
大卫和跟随他的人立时准备，要顺从他们从上帝那里所领受的指示。那六百个武装的兵士，和他们的妻子儿女，连同他们的羊群牛群，不久就启程往希伯伦去了。当这旅行队进城的时候，犹大人正在等候欢迎大卫这位未来的以色列王。于是他们立时准备为他举行加冕典礼。“在那里膏大卫作犹大家的王。”但他并没有设法用武力追使其他支派服从他的权威。[3]{PP 697.3}
§8
David and his followers immediately prepared to obey the instruction which they had received from God. The six hundred armed men, with their wives and children, their flocks and herds, were soon on the way to Hebron. As the caravan entered the city the men of Judah were waiting to welcome David as the future king of Israel. Arrangements were at once made for his coronation. And there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. But no effort was made to establish his authority by force over the other tribes.{PP 697.3}[3]
§9
这位新登基的王的第一件政令，就是表示对扫罗和约拿单慈爱的关怀。大卫听说基列雅比人勇敢的行为，就是他们怎样抢救并恭恭敬敬地埋葬了阵亡之领袖的遗体。他就差遣使者去见基列雅比人，说：“你们厚待你们的主扫罗，将他葬埋；愿耶和华赐福与你们。你们既行了这事，愿耶和华以慈爱诚实待你们。我也要为此厚待你们。”他又宣称，自己已经作犹大家的王，并欢迎那些过去曾表现那么忠实的人来归依他。[4]{PP 697.4}
§10
One of the first acts of the new-crowned monarch was to express his tender regard for the memory of Saul and Jonathan. Upon learning of the brave deed of the men of Jabesh-gilead in rescuing the bodies of the fallen leaders and giving them honorable burial, David sent an embassy to Jabesh with the message, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness. And he announced his own accession to the throne of Judah and invited the allegiance of those who had proved themselves so truehearted.{PP 697.4}[4]
§11
非利士人没有反对犹大人立大卫为王。过去他们曾在大卫逃亡的时候援助他，借以迫害并削弱扫罗的王国；如今他们希望因了过去向大卫所表示的友好，他势力的扩大总能对他们有利。但是大卫的作王并不是没有困难的。在他行加冕礼的时候，就开始了一段阴谋和背叛的黑暗历史。大卫登基并不是篡夺的王位；原来上帝已经拣选他作以色列的王，而且他也没有给人什么猜疑或反对的借口。然而犹大人一承认他的权威之后，扫罗的儿子伊施波设就靠着押尼珥的势力被立为王，在以色列中设立了一个敌对的国家。[5]{PP 698.1}
§12
The Philistines did not oppose the action of Judah in making David king. They had befriended him in his exile, in order to harass and weaken the kingdom of Saul, and now they hoped that because of their former kindness to David the extension of his power would, in the end, work to their advantage. But Davids reign was not to be free from trouble. With his coronation began the dark record of conspiracy and rebellion. David did not sit upon a traitors throne; God had chosen him to be king of Israel, and there had been no occasion for distrust or opposition. Yet hardly had his authority been acknowledged by the men of Judah, when through the influence of Abner, Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, was proclaimed king, and set upon a rival throne in Israel.{PP 698.1}[5]
§13
伊施波设是扫罗家一个软弱无能的代表，而大卫却是一位卓越超群的人物，很有资格担负国家的重任。立伊施波设为王的主要人物押尼珥，过去是扫罗军队的元帅，也是以色列中最有名望的一个要人。押尼珥知道耶和华已经立大卫作以色列的王。但因自己曾长久跟踪追捕过他，所以这时他不同意耶西的儿子接续扫罗作王。[6]{PP 698.2}
§14
Ishbosheth was but a weak and incompetent representative of the house of Saul, while David was pre-eminently qualified to bear the responsibilities of the kingdom. Abner, the chief agent in raising Ishbosheth to kingly power, had been commander-in-chief of Sauls army, and was the most distinguished man in Israel. Abner knew that David had been appointed by the Lord to the throne of Israel, but having so long hunted and pursued him, he was not now willing that the son of Jesse should succeed to the kingdom over which Saul had reigned.{PP 698.2}[6]
§15
押尼珥所处的环境，使他暴露了自己的真面目，显明他是一个有野心而没有真理的人。他与扫罗有深厚的交情，故为他的精神所影响，轻视上帝所拣选来治理以色列的大卫。先前当他在营中睡觉，大卫把扫罗旁边的水瓶和枪拿去时，所给予他扎心的责备，更加深了他的仇恨。他记得大卫怎样当着王和以色列百姓呼喊说：“你不是个勇士吗！以色列中谁能比你呢？……你为何没有保护王你的主呢？你这样是不好的。我指着永生的耶和华起誓，你们都是该死的，因为没有保护你们的主，就是耶和华的受膏者。”（撒上26:15-16）这些责备的话，曾使他恨之入骨，所以他决意要达到他报复的目的，在以色列中造成分裂的局面，而自己也可以因此得到尊荣。他利用失势王室的代表，来实现自己的野心和目的。他知道百姓一向敬爱约拿单，而且约拿单仍为他们所怀念。再者，扫罗早年胜利的战绩，也是他的部下所难以忘怀的。于是这个叛逆的首领以一种若用在较好的事上就值得称赞的决心，去进行他的计划。[7]{PP 698.3}
§16
The circumstances under which Abner was placed served to develop his real character and showed him to be ambitious and unprincipled. He had been intimately associated with Saul and had been influenced by the spirit of the king to despise the man whom God had chosen to reign over Israel. His hatred had been increased by the cutting rebuke that David had given him at the time when the cruse of water and the spear of the king had been taken from the side of Saul as he slept in the camp. He remembered how David had cried in the hearing of the king and the people of Israel, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? . . . This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lords anointed. This reproof had rankled in his breast, and he determined to carry out his revengeful purpose and create division in Israel, whereby he himself might be exalted. He employed the representative of departed royalty to advance his own selfish ambitions and purposes. He knew that the people loved Jonathan. His memory was cherished, and Sauls first successful campaigns had not been forgotten by the army. With determination worthy a better cause, this rebellious leader went forward to carry out his plans.{PP 698.3}[7]
§17
约旦河那边的玛哈念被定为国都，因为这里最安全，可以抵御大卫或非利士人的攻击。伊施波设就在这里登基作王。他的王权初为约旦河东的各支派所拥护，后来除了犹大支派之外，全以色列都承认了他。扫罗的这个儿子在那个偏僻的国都中享受尊荣足有二年之久。但押尼珥想要扩充他的势力到全以色列，所以就准备进攻犹大。“扫罗家和大卫家争战许久；大卫家日见强盛，扫罗家日见衰弱。”[8]{PP 699.1}
§18
Mahanaim, on the farther side of Jordan, was chosen as the royal residence, since it offered the greatest security against attack, either from David or from the Philistines. Here the coronation of Ishbosheth took place. His reign was first accepted by the tribes east of Jordan, and was finally extended over all Israel except Judah. For two years the son of Saul enjoyed his honors in his secluded capital. But Abner, intent upon extending his power over all Israel, prepared for aggressive warfare. And there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.{PP 699.1}[8]
§19
最后，那由于恶意和野心而立的王位，终因背信变节而推翻了。押尼珥因被那软弱无能的伊施波设所激怒，就投奔大卫，并应许带领以色列的各支派来归顺他。王接纳了他所献的条陈，并摆设筵席，欢送他回去完成他的伟图。大卫对这个有名的勇武战士的优待，却惹起了他军队的元帅约押的嫉妒。原来押尼珥和约押宿有血仇，押尼珥曾在以色列家与犹大家作战时，杀了约押的兄弟亚撒黑。如今约押看出报他兄弟死仇的机会到了，同时可以去掉一个意料之中的敌手，所以卑鄙地乘机埋伏，把押尼珥杀了。[9]{PP 699.2}
§20
At last treachery overthrew the throne that malice and ambition had established. Abner, becoming incensed against the weak and incompetent Ishbosheth, deserted to David, with the offer to bring over to him all the tribes of Israel. His proposals were accepted by the king, and he was dismissed with honor to accomplish his purpose. But the favorable reception of so valiant and famed a warrior excited the jealousy of Joab, the commander-in-chief of Davids army. There was a blood feud between Abner and Joab, the former having slain Asahel, Joabs brother, during the war between Israel and Judah. Now Joab, seeing an opportunity to avenge his brothers death and rid himself of a prospective rival, basely took occasion to waylay and murder Abner.{PP 699.2}[9]
§21
大卫听见这背信不义的流血行为，就说：“流尼珥的儿子押尼珥的血，这罪在耶和华面前必永不归我和我的国。愿流他血的罪归到约押头上和他父的全家。”大卫因为自己的国位还未稳固、以及这两个杀人者的权力和地位——因为约押的兄弟亚比筛是帮凶——所以不能按他们的罪，给他们公正的报应，但他公开表示自己憎恶这种流血的行为。押尼珥的葬礼备极哀荣。约押要带领他的军队，撕裂衣服，腰束麻布，为押尼珥哀哭。王在押尼珥埋葬之日，禁食一天致哀；并跟在棺后哀哭；在他墓前也宣布了使那两个杀人犯受到锐利谴责的挽歌：“王为押尼珥举哀，说：“押尼珥何竟像愚顽人死呢？你手未曾捆绑，脚未曾锁住；你死如人死在罪孽之辈手下一样。”[10]{PP 699.3}
§22
David, upon hearing of this treacherous assault, exclaimed, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab; and on all his fathers house. In view of the unsettled state of the kingdom, and the power and position of the murderers--for Joabs brother Abishai had been united with him--David could not visit the crime with just retribution, yet he publicly manifested his abhorrence of the bloody deed. The burial of Abner was attended with public honors. The army, with Joab at their head, were required to take part in the services of mourning, with rent garments and clothed in sackcloth. The king manifested his grief by keeping a fast upon the day of burial; he followed the bier as chief mourner; and at the grave he pronounced an elegy which was a cutting rebuke of the murderers. The king lamented over Abner, and said: Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, Nor thy feet put into fetters: As a man falleth before wicked men, So fellest thou.{PP 699.3}[10]
§23
大卫对那一位曾经作他死敌之人所显示的豁达大度，博得了以色列众民的信任和钦佩。“众民知道了就都喜悦。凡王所行的，众民无不喜悦。那日以色列众民才知道杀尼珥的儿子押尼珥，并非出于王意。”王在他亲信的谋士和臣仆中间，论到这一件罪过，承认自己无力照着杀人犯所该受的刑罚惩治他们；只得把他们交给上帝审判。他说：“你们岂不知今日以色列人中，死了一个作元帅的大丈夫吗？我虽然受膏为王，今日还是软弱；这洗鲁雅的两个儿子比我刚强；愿耶和华照着恶人所行的恶报应他。”[11]{PP 700.1}
§24
Davids magnanimous recognition of one who had been his bitter enemy won the confidence and admiration of all Israel. All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. In the private circle of his trusted counselors and attendants the king spoke of the crime, and recognizing his own inability to punish the murderers as he desired, he left them to the justice of God: Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.{PP 700.1}[11]
§25
押尼珥向大卫所提出的建议固然是出于诚意，可是他的动机却是卑鄙自私的。他过去因自己希望得到尊荣而坚决反对上帝所选立的王。他之所以放弃那么多年从事的工作，乃是因被侮辱而愤慨，缘自尊心而激怒，就来投降大卫，也是希望得到更高的地位。如果他的计划果能彻底实现，则他的才能和野心，他的缺乏敬虔和广大的影响力，对大卫的王位以及国家的安宁与繁荣是有相当危害的。[12]{PP 700.2}
§26
Abner had been sincere in his offers and representations to David, yet his motives were base and selfish. He had persistently opposed the king of Gods appointment, in the expectation of securing honor to himself. It was resentment, wounded pride, and passion that led him to forsake the cause he had so long served; and in deserting to David he hoped to receive the highest position of honor in his service. Had he succeeded in his purpose, his talents and ambition, his great influence and want of godliness, would have endangered the throne of David and the peace and prosperity of the nation.{PP 700.2}[12]
§27
“扫罗的儿子伊施波设听见押尼珥死在希伯伦，手就发软；以色列众人也都惊惶。”很明显地，他的国家不能长久维持下去了。过了不久，又发生了一次叛变，这就使这衰微的势力完全瓦解了。伊施波设被他的两个军长所杀，他们割了他的首级，急忙去见犹大王，希望讨他的喜悦。[13]{PP 700.3}
§28
When Sauls son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. It was evident that the kingdom could not long be maintained. Soon another act of treachery completed the downfall of the waning power. Ishbosheth was foully murdered by two of his captains, who, cutting off his head, hastened with it to the king of Judah, hoping thus to ingratiate themselves in his favor.{PP 700.3}[13]
§29
他们来到大卫面前，为他们的罪作血腥的见证，说：“王的仇敌扫罗，曾寻索王的性命，看哪，这是他儿子伊施波设的首级，耶和华今日为我主我王，在扫罗和他后裔的身上报了仇。”但是大卫的国位是上帝亲自坚立的，他脱离仇敌的手是上帝亲自拯救的，并不是靠叛逆者的帮助来坚立他的权力。他把从前自夸杀王之人的厄运告诉了这两个杀人犯。他说：“何况恶人将义人杀在他的床上，我岂不向你们讨流他血的罪，从世上除灭你们呢？于是大卫吩咐少年人将他们杀了，……却将伊施波设的首级，葬在希伯伦押尼珥的坟墓里。”[14]{PP 701.1}
§30
They appeared before David with the gory witness to their crime, saying, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. But David, whose throne God Himself had established, and whom God had delivered from his adversaries, did not desire the aid of treachery to establish his power. He told these murderers of the doom visited upon him who boasted of slaying Saul. How much more, he added, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? And David commanded his young men, and they slew them. . . . But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.{PP 701.1}[14]
§31
伊施波设既死之后，在以色列的领导人物中，普遍地都希望大卫作各支派的王。“以色列众支派来到希伯伦见大卫，说：我们原是你的骨肉。从前扫罗作我们王的时候，率领以色列人出入的是你；耶和华也曾应许你说，你必牧养我的民以色列，作以色列的君。于是以色列的长老都来到希伯伦见大卫王，大卫在希伯伦耶和华面前与他们立约。”这样，上帝就为他开了路，使他登上王座。他没有意思要满足个人的野心，因为他并没有追求过这时所得的尊荣。[15]{PP 701.2}
§32
After the death of Ishbosheth there was a general desire among the leading men of Israel that David should become king of all the tribes. Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. They declared, Thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord. Thus through the providence of God the way had been opened for him to come to the throne. He had no personal ambition to gratify, for he had not sought the honor to which he had been brought.{PP 701.2}[15]
§33
侍从大卫的亚伦后裔和利未人，计有八千余人。众民情绪的转变又明显、又坚决。这次的改革又安稳、又高尚，正适应他们所从事的伟业。从前作扫罗臣仆的，几乎有五十万人蜂拥到希伯伦及其周围地带。四周的山岭及山谷都挤满了人群。登基典礼的时辰已经指定了；那一度被扫罗的朝廷所驱逐，逃到山洞岩穴去保全性命的大卫，行将领受世人所能给他的最高尊荣了。祭司和长老穿着圣职的礼服，官员和兵士带着耀目的戈矛和头盔，和从远方而来的人们，都站着观看蒙选之王的加冕礼。大卫穿着王袍；大祭司就将神圣的膏油抹在他的额上；因为撒母耳从前膏他乃是预表性的，预指王在这时所要举行的登基典礼。时候已到，大卫借着庄严的典礼，完全献身，来担任上帝代理人的职务了。王圭已经放在他的手里。他按公义执掌王权的盟约写下之后，众民就保证向他效忠。皇冠也已戴在他头上，加冕典礼就完成了。以色列人已经有一位上帝所指定的王。忍耐等候耶和华的大卫，结果亲眼看到上帝应许的实现。“大卫日见强盛，因为耶和华万军之上帝，与他同在。”（撒下5:10）[16]{PP 701.3}
§34
More than eight thousand of the descendants of Aaron and of the Levites waited upon David. The change in the sentiments of the people was marked and decisive. The revolution was quiet and dignified, befitting the great work they were doing. Nearly half a million souls, the former subjects of Saul, thronged Hebron and its environs. The very hills and valleys were alive with the multitudes. The hour for the coronation was appointed; the man who had been expelled from the court of Saul, who had fled to the mountains and hills and to the caves of the earth to preserve his life, was about to receive the highest honor that can be conferred upon man by his fellow man. Priests and elders, clothed in the garments of their sacred office, officers and soldiers with glittering spear and helmet, and strangers from long distances, stood to witness the coronation of the chosen king. David was arrayed in the royal robe. The sacred oil was put upon his brow by the high priest, for the anointing by Samuel had been prophetic of what would take place at the inauguration of the king. The time had come, and David, by solemn rite, was consecrated to his office as Gods vicegerent. The scepter was placed in his hands. The covenant of his righteous sovereignty was written, and the people gave their pledges of loyalty. The diadem was placed upon his brow, and the coronation ceremony was over. Israel had a king by divine appointment. He who had waited patiently for the Lord, beheld the promise of God fulfilled. And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10.{PP 701.3}[16]