第71章 大卫的犯罪与悔改
§1
第71章 大卫的犯罪与悔改
§2
Chap. 71 - Davids Sin and Repentance
§3
在《圣经》中很少看到赞扬人的话。即使是最杰出的人物，《圣经》也没有多少篇幅记载他们的德行。这样的不记载，不是没有意义、不含教训的。因人所具有的一切美德，都是上帝的恩赐；人的好行为，乃是借着上帝有基督里的恩典实行出来的。他们的一切成就既都仰赖于上帝，则他们的人格或行为所得的荣耀自然就应该归给他；而人则不过是他手中的工具而已。再者，根据《圣经》历史中的一切教训，赞扬或抬举人乃是极危险的事；因为一个人若忘记完全依靠上帝而想靠自己的力量，必会跌倒。人类所必须应付的对手比人强大多了。“因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。”（弗6:12）我们若靠自己的力量，决不可能应付这种战争；凡足以使我们自高自恃离弃上帝的，都是造成我们败亡的因素。《圣经》中的大旨，就是要教导人不可依靠人的力量，而要依靠上帝的能力。[1]{PP 717.1}
§4
The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived. This silence is not without purpose; it is not without a lesson. All the good qualities that men possess are the gift of God; their good deeds are performed by the grace of God through Christ. Since they owe all to God the glory of whatever they are or do belongs to Him alone; they are but instruments in His hands. More than this--as all the lessons of Bible history teach--it is a perilous thing to praise or exalt men; for if one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence on God, and to trust to his own strength, he is sure to fall. Man is contending with foes who are stronger than he. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places. Ephesians 6:12, margin. It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.{PP 717.1}[1]
§5
那使大卫失足的，就是这种自恃自大的精神。诌媚、权力和奢侈生活的蛊惑，在他身上并不是没有影响。而与四围列国的交往，也发挥了邪恶的作用。当时，东方统治者的普遍恶习是只许君王作恶，不许百姓犯罪；君王不像百姓一样，有约束自己的本分。这一切，就减弱了大卫对罪恶的可憎性的感觉。于是他不再依靠耶和华的能力，反而依靠自己的才智和力量了。什么时候撒但要使人与上帝——能力的唯一泉源——隔绝，他就要激起人肉体的情欲。这个仇敌的工作，不是突如其来的；也不是初来就使人感觉突兀可惊的；乃是暗地埋伏着，要向正义的堡垒进行破坏。开始的时候，似乎是在一些小的事情上不完全效忠上帝，不完全依靠他，并随从世俗的习惯和行为。[2]{PP 717.2}
§6
It was the spirit of self-confidence and self-exaltation that prepared the way for Davids fall. Flattery and the subtle allurements of power and luxury were not without effect upon him. Intercourse with surrounding nations also exerted an influence for evil. According to the customs prevailing among Eastern rulers, crimes not to be tolerated in subjects were uncondemned in the king; the monarch was not under obligation to exercise the same self-restraint as the subject. All this tended to lessen Davids sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. And instead of relying in humility upon the power of Jehovah, he began to trust to his own wisdom and might. As soon as Satan can separate the soul from God, the only Source of strength, he will seek to arouse the unholy desires of mans carnal nature. The work of the enemy is not abrupt; it is not, at the outset, sudden and startling; it is a secret undermining of the strongholds of principle. It begins in apparently small things--the neglect to be true to God and to rely upon Him wholly, the disposition to follow the customs and practices of the world.{PP 717.2}[2]
§7
大卫与亚扪人的战事尚未结束之前，他就把带领军队的责任交给约押，自己回耶路撒冷去了。这时亚兰人已经归顺以色列人，而亚扪人完全覆亡似乎已成定局。大卫正在享受他胜利之果实和他贤明政治的尊荣，当他生活安逸而没有戒备的时候，那试探者就利用这机会来占据了他的心。上帝既使大卫与他有那么密切的联络，并曾向大卫显示那么大的恩惠，这一事实本应该大大激发他来保守自己品格的纯洁无疵，可惜，当大卫在安逸和有恃无恐之时，竟松开了那握住上帝的手，他屈服于撒但，而使自己的心灵染上罪恶的污点。他原是天上所指派的一个元首，上帝所拣选来执行他律法的人，而他自己竟把这律法践踏在脚下。他原来应该使行恶的人惧怕，如今他的行为反倒鼓励他们作恶了。[3]{PP 718.1}
§8
Before the conclusion of the war with the Ammonites, David, leaving the conduct of the army to Joab, returned to Jerusalem. The Syrians had already submitted to Israel, and the complete overthrow of the Ammonites appeared certain. David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his wise and able rule. It was now, while he was at ease and unguarded, that the tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind. The fact that God had taken David into so close connection with Himself and had manifested so great favor toward him, should have been to him the strongest of incentives to preserve his character unblemished. But when in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt. He, the Heaven-appointed leader of the nation, chosen by God to execute His law, himself trampled upon its precepts. He who should have been a terror to evildoers, by his own act strengthened their hands.{PP 718.1}[3]
§9
大卫在幼年所遭遇的危险中，因自觉良心无愧，所以能把自己交托上帝。耶和华的圣手也曾引导他，安全的摆脱那预设在他脚前的无数网罗。但如今他既犯了罪，又没有悔改，他也没有祈求天上的帮助与引领，反而想靠自己，来解脱他犯罪所造成的危险。那使王陷入网罗的美女拔示巴，原是大卫最忠勇的战士赫人乌利亚的妻子。如果大卫的罪被人张扬出去的话，谁也不能预料将来会有什么结果。上帝的律法既宣布犯奸淫的人必被治死，那勇武的战士又被王那样无耻地亏待了，他就足有刺杀大卫的理由，甚至可以发动全国性的叛乱来报仇雪恨。[4]{PP 718.2}
§10
Amid the perils of his earlier life David in conscious integrity could trust his case with God. The Lords hand had guided him safely past the unnumbered snares that had been laid for his feet. But now, guilty and unrepentant, he did not ask help and guidance from Heaven, but sought to extricate himself from the dangers in which sin had involved him. Bathsheba, whose fatal beauty had proved a snare to the king, was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of Davids bravest and most faithful officers. None could foresee what would be the result should the crime become known. The law of God pronounced the adulterer guilty of death, and the proud-spirited soldier, so shamefully wronged, might avenge himself by taking the life of the king or by exciting the nation to revolt.{PP 718.2}[4]
§11
大卫为掩饰自己罪所作的一切努力都是徒然的。他既自陷于撒但的权势之下；四面就有危险埋伏，而且比死亡还难堪的羞辱正摆在眼前。现在似乎只有一条路可逃，他就在绝境之中急不暇择，在奸淫之外又加上了杀人的罪。那曾促成扫罗毁灭的，这时正在引诱大卫使他走到败亡的地步。虽然二者的性质不同，但都是引诱违犯上帝的律法。大卫想，如果乌利亚在战场上死在仇敌的手中，他的死就不能怪罪于王，拔示巴自然就可以作大卫的妻，嫌疑能以避免，而王的名誉也能保全了。[5]{PP 718.3}
§12
Every effort which David made to conceal his guilt proved unavailing. He had betrayed himself into the power of Satan; danger surrounded him, dishonor more bitter than death was before him. There appeared but one way of escape, and in his desperation he was hurried on to add murder to adultery. He who had compassed the destruction of Saul was seeking to lead David also to ruin. Though the temptations were different, they were alike in leading to transgression of Gods law. David reasoned that if Uriah were slain by the hand of enemies in battle, the guilt of his death could not be traced home to the king, Bathsheba would be free to become Davids wife, suspicion could be averted, and the royal honor would be maintained.{PP 718.3}[5]
§13
乌利亚竟带了执行自己死刑的命令回去。王写信给约押，叫乌利亚带去，信内说：“要派乌利亚前进，到阵势极险之处，你们便退后，使他被杀。”（见撒下11:12）约押既然已经犯过一次任意杀人的罪，这时就毫不迟疑地执行了王的指示，乌利亚便在亚扪人的刀下丧生了。[6]{PP 719.1}
§14
Uriah was made the bearer of his own death warrant. A letter sent by his hand to Joab from the king commanded, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. Joab, already stained with the guilt of one wanton murder, did not hesitate to obey the kings instructions, and Uriah fell by the sword of the children of Ammon.{PP 719.1}[6]
§15
在此事以前，大卫的王业本是世上君王很少足与比拟的。《圣经》记载，他“向众民秉公行义。”（撒下8:15）他的正直曾博得国人的信任和忠顺。但当他离弃上帝，屈服于那恶者的时候，他一时就成了撒但的工具；然而他仍有上帝所赐给他的地位和威权，因此，凡屈从大卫威权的人，虽然是顺命，却也是陷在危险之中了。约押忠于王的命令过于上帝的命令，也是因他作了王令他作的事，而违犯了上帝的律法。[7]{PP 719.2}
§16
Heretofore Davids record as a ruler had been such as few monarchs have ever equaled. It is written of him that he executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 2 Samuel 8:15. His integrity had won the confidence and fealty of the nation. But as he departed from God and yielded himself to the wicked one, he became for the time the agent of Satan; yet he still held the position and authority that God had given him, and because of this, claimed obedience that would imperil the soul of him who should yield it. And Joab, whose allegiance had been given to the king rather than to God, transgressed Gods law because the king commanded it.{PP 719.2}[7]
§17
大卫的权柄固然是上帝所赐的，但他行使权柄时必须符合那神圣的律法。当他的命令与上帝的律法有抵触时，那么顺从他的命令便是犯罪了。“凡掌权的都是上帝所命的。”（罗13:1）但他们的命令若违背上帝的律法，我们就不可顺从。保罗在写信给哥林多人时曾提出我们所该遵循的原则。他说：“你们该效法我，像我效法基督一样。”（林前11:1）[8]{PP 719.3}
§18
Davids power had been given him by God, but to be exercised only in harmony with the divine law. When he commanded that which was contrary to Gods law, it became sin to obey. The powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1), but we are not to obey them contrary to Gods law. The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, sets forth the principle by which we should be governed. He says, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1.{PP 719.3}[8]
§19
约押把执行王命的经过差人奏告大卫王，他措词非常审慎，以免自己与王受到牵连。约押“嘱咐使者说：你把争战的一切事，对王说完了，王若发怒，……你就说：王的仆人赫人乌利亚也死了。使者起身，来见大卫，照着约押所吩咐他的话，奏告大卫。”[9]{PP 719.4}
§20
An account of the execution of his order was sent to David, but so carefully worded as not to implicate either Joab or the king. Joab charged the messenger saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, and if so be that the kings wrath arise, . . . then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.{PP 719.4}[9]
§21
王回答说：“你告诉约押说，不要因这事愁闷，刀剑或吞灭这人，或吞灭那人，没有一定的，你只管竭力攻城，将城倾覆；可以用这话勉励约押。”[10]{PP 720.1}
§22
The kings answer was, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.{PP 720.1}[10]
§23
拔示巴遵着习俗的日期，为她丈夫哀哭。“哀哭的日子过了，大卫差人将她接到宫里，她就作了大卫的妻。”从前在自己性命危殆时，因温慈的良心和崇高的正义感，而不肯伸手攻击耶和华受膏者的大卫，如今竟堕落到这样的地步，亏负并杀害他最忠勇的一个战士，而还想安然享受犯罪的酬报，哀哉，“黄金何其失光，纯金何其变色！”（哀4:1）[11]{PP 720.2}
§24
Bathsheba observed the customary days of mourning for her husband; and at their close David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife. He whose tender conscience and high sense of honor would not permit him, even when in peril of his life, to put forth his hand against the Lords anointed, had so fallen that he could wrong and murder one of his most faithful and most valiant soldiers, and hope to enjoy undisturbed the reward of his sin. Alas! how had the fine gold become dim! how had the most fine gold changed!{PP 720.2}[11]
§25
撒但从起初就常向人缕述人因违犯律法而能得到的利益。他如此引诱了天使，他如此试探了亚当和夏娃，叫他们犯罪。他也正在照样引诱许多人悖逆上帝。他粉饰了违犯律法的道路，使它显出很可羡慕；但“至终成为死亡之路。”（箴14:12）那曾擅自行走这路，在尝了犯罪的苦果之后，还能及早回头的人，是有福的。上帝凭着他的大怜悯，没有任凭大卫受罪中之乐的欺骗，而被引诱到全然败亡的地步。[12]{PP 720.3}
§26
From the beginning Satan has portrayed to men the gains to be won by transgression. Thus he seduced angels. Thus he tempted Adam and Eve to sin. And thus he is still leading multitudes away from obedience to God. The path of transgression is made to appear desirable; but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12. Happy they who, having ventured in this way, learn how bitter are the fruits of sin, and turn from it betimes. God in His mercy did not leave David to be lured to utter ruin by the deceitful rewards of sin.{PP 720.3}[12]
§27
为了以色列的缘故，上帝也有亲自干涉的必要。过了一些时候，大卫对拔示巴的罪终于被人发觉，以至众人怀疑必是大卫谋杀了乌利亚。那么，耶和华也就受了侮辱。他曾恩待并高举大卫，而大卫的罪误表了上帝的品德，并玷辱了他的圣名。这事必在以色列中把敬虔的标准降低了，并在许多人心中减弱他们对罪的憎恶；同时，那些不敬爱上帝的人就必在罪恶之中更加胆大妄为了。[13]{PP 720.4}
§28
For the sake of Israel also there was a necessity for God to interpose. As time passed on, Davids sin toward Bathsheba became known, and suspicion was excited that he had planned the death of Uriah. The Lord was dishonored. He had favored and exalted David, and Davids sin misrepresented the character of God and cast reproach upon His name. It tended to lower the standard of godliness in Israel, to lessen in many minds the abhorrence of sin; while those who did not love and fear God were by it emboldened in transgression.{PP 720.4}[13]
§29
先知拿单受命传达一个责备的消息给大卫。这个消息严厉得可怕。人对君王发出这样的谴责，很少是不以性命作孤注的。拿单毫无畏惧地传达了神圣的判决；但他运用了天赐的智慧，引动了王的同情，唤醒了他的良知，使他从自己口中定他自己的死罪。先知以大卫为上帝所指派维护他百姓权利者的身份，向他讲一个故事，说明一个人怎样被亏待、受欺压，并要求赔偿。[14]{PP 720.5}
§30
Nathan the prophet was bidden to bear a message of reproof to David. It was a message terrible in its severity. To few sovereigns could such a reproof be given but at the price of certain death to the reprover. Nathan delivered the divine sentence unflinchingly, yet with such heaven-born wisdom as to engage the sympathies of the king, to arouse his conscience, and to call from his lips the sentence of death upon himself. Appealing to David as the divinely appointed guardian of his peoples rights, the prophet repeated a story of wrong and oppression that demanded redress.{PP 720.5}[14]
§31
他说：“在一座城里有两个人，一个是富户，一个是穷人。富户，有许多牛群羊群；穷人，除了所买来喂养的一只小母羊羔之外，别无所有；羊羔在他家里和他儿女一同长大；吃他所吃的，喝他所喝的，睡在他怀中，在他看来如同女儿一样。有一客人来到这富户家里；富户舍不得从自己的牛群羊群中，取一只预备给客人吃，却取了那穷人的羊羔，预备给客人吃。”[15]{PP 721.1}
§32
There were two men in one city, he said, the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor mans lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.{PP 721.1}[15]
§33
王就大怒，说：“我指着永生的耶和华起誓，行这事的人该死；他必偿还羊羔四倍，因为他行这事，没有怜恤的心。”（撒下12:5-6）[16]{PP 721.2}
§34
The anger of the king was roused, and he exclaimed, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing is worthy to die. And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 2 Samuel 12:5, 6, margin.{PP 721.2}[16]
§35
于是拿单定睛望着王，并向天举起右手，严肃地宣告说：“你就是那人。”他又说道：“你为什么藐视耶和华的命令，行他眼中看为恶的事呢？”犯罪的人尽管像大卫一样，设法遮掩住自己的罪过，瞒过世人；他们尽管设法把恶事隐藏起来，永远不叫人看见，不让人知道；但是，“万物在那与我们有关系的主眼前，都是赤露敞开的。”（来4:13）因为掩盖的事，没有不露出来的，隐藏的事，没有不被人知道的。”（太10:26）[17]{PP 721.3}
§36
Nathan fixed his eyes upon the king; then, lifting his right hand to heaven, he solemnly declared, Thou art the man. Wherefore, he continued, hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? The guilty may attempt, as David had done, to conceal their crime from men; they may seek to bury the evil deed forever from human sight or knowledge; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13. There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Matthew 10:26.{PP 721.3}[17]
§37
先知拿单声称：“耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：我膏你作以色列的王，救你脱离扫罗的手。……你为什么藐视耶和华的命令，行他眼中看为恶的事呢？你借亚扪人的刀，杀害赫人乌利亚，又娶了他的妻为妻。……所以刀剑必永不离开你的家。……我必从你家中兴起祸患攻击你；我必在你眼前，把你的妃嫔赐给别人，……你在暗中行这事，我却要在以色列众人面前，日光之下，报应你。”[18]{PP 721.4}
§38
Nathan declared: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul. . . . Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house. . . . Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor. . . . For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. {PP 721.4}[18]
§39
先知的责备打动了大卫的心；他的良心发现；他的罪过显出了极端严重的性质。他虚心地在上帝面前痛悔了。他嘴唇发颤着说：“我得罪耶和华了。”一切伤害别人的事，都由受害的人达到上帝面前。大卫深切感到自己是对乌利亚和拔示巴犯了一件极严重的罪，但他更严重地得罪了上帝。[19]{PP 722.1}
§40
The prophets rebuke touched the heart of David; conscience was aroused; his guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, I have sinned against the Lord. All wrong done to others reaches back from the injured one to God. David had committed a grievous sin, toward both Uriah and Bathsheba, and he keenly felt this. But infinitely greater was his sin against God.{PP 722.1}[19]
§41
虽然在以色列中没有人敢在耶和华的受膏者身上执行死刑，但是大卫唯恐自己的罪不蒙赦免，却要被上帝迅速的刑罚所剪除，所以心中战栗不已。但先知传给他一个信息说：“耶和华已经除掉你的罪；你必不至于死。”然而公义还是必须维持的。死刑从大卫身上转移到他犯罪所生的孩子身上。这样，上帝给王一个悔改的机会；同时，孩子的受苦和死亡，既是大卫应受刑罚的一部分，就比他自己死了更加难堪。先知说：“只是你行这事，叫耶和华的仇敌大得亵渎的机会，故此你所得的孩子，必定要死。”[20]{PP 722.2}
§42
Though there would be found none in Israel to execute the sentence of death upon the anointed of the Lord, David trembled, lest, guilty and unforgiven, he should be cut down by the swift judgment of God. But the message was sent him by the prophet, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Yet justice must be maintained. The sentence of death was transferred from David to the child of his sin. Thus the king was given opportunity for repentance; while to him the suffering and death of the child, as a part of his punishment, was far more bitter than his own death could have been. The prophet said, Because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.{PP 722.2}[20]
§43
当他的孩子受击打的时候，大卫禁食自卑地为这孩子的生命恳求。他脱去王袍，摘下王冠，夜复一夜的躺在地上，肠断心碎地为这替他的罪受苦的无辜者代求。“他家中的老臣来到他旁边，要把他从地上扶起来，他却不肯起来。”大卫想到过去，当上帝向有些人或城邑宣布刑罚的时候，往往因人自卑悔改，而使他的忿怒转消，那乐意饶恕人的无穷慈爱者就差使者传达和平的信息。这种思想鼓舞了他，只要孩子一息尚存，他就恒切地为他恳求。及至他知道孩子死了，他便安然地顺服上帝的旨意。他自己所宣布公义报应的第一次打击，就此落在他头上了；但大卫依靠上帝的怜爱，也不是没有安慰的。[21]{PP 722.3}
§44
When his child was stricken, David, with fasting and deep humiliation, pleaded for its life. He put off his royal robes, he laid aside his crown, and night after night he lay upon the earth, in heartbroken grief interceding for the innocent one suffering for his guilt. The elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not. Often when judgments had been pronounced upon persons or cities, humiliation and repentance had turned aside the blow, and the Ever-Merciful, swift to pardon, had sent messengers of peace. Encouraged by this thought, David persevered in his supplication so long as the child was spared. Upon learning that it was dead, he quietly submitted to the decree of God. The first stroke had fallen of that retribution which he himself had declared just; but David, trusting in Gods mercy, was not without comfort.{PP 722.3}[21]
§45
许多人读到大卫失足的历史，就怀疑说：大卫的这一件事，为什么要公诸大众？上帝为什么要把上天所如此高举之人的生活史上黑暗的一页，暴露在世人面前呢？先知在责备大卫的时候，关于他犯的罪，曾说出这样的话：“只是你行这事，叫耶和华的仇敌大得亵渎的机会。”在以后的各世代中，许多不信上帝的人们要指着大卫品格的污点，得意地嘲笑说：“这就是合上帝心意的人！”这样，信仰就受了侮辱，上帝和他的话受了亵渎，许多人在不信之中硬了心肠，而那些披着敬虔外衣的人，也在罪恶中胆大妄为了。[22]{PP 722.4}
§46
Very many, reading the history of Davids fall, have inquired, Why has this record been made public? Why did God see fit to throw open to the world this dark passage in the life of one so highly honored of Heaven? The prophet, in his reproof to David, had declared concerning his sin, By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Through successive generations infidels have pointed to the character of David, bearing this dark stain, and have exclaimed in triumph and derision, This is the man after Gods own heart! Thus a reproach has been brought upon religion, God and His word have been blasphemed, souls have been hardened in unbelief, and many, under a cloak of piety, have become bold in sin.{PP 722.4}[22]
§47
但大卫的历史，事实上并不能为罪恶张目。他之称为合上帝心意的人，乃是在他遵行上帝旨意的时候。当他犯了罪时，情形就不是如此了，直到他悔改归向耶和华为止。上帝的话明明说：“大卫所行的这事，耶和华甚不喜悦。”（撒下11:27）耶和华借着先知对大卫说：“你为什么藐视耶和华的命令，行他眼中看为恶的事呢？……你既藐视我，……所以刀剑必永不离开你的家。”大卫虽然悔改了他的罪，并蒙了耶和华的赦免和悦纳，但他自己所撒的种子，已经为他结出可悲的果子来。上帝降在他身上和他全家的刑罚，证明上帝是多么憎恶这罪了。[23]{PP 723.1}
§48
But the history of David furnishes no countenance to sin. It was when he was walking in the counsel of God that he was called a man after Gods own heart. When he sinned, this ceased to be true of him until by repentance he had returned to the Lord. The word of God plainly declares, The thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27, margin. And the Lord said to David by the prophet, Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? . . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised Me. Though David repented of his sin and was forgiven and accepted by the Lord, he reaped the baleful harvest of the seed he himself had sown. The judgments upon him and upon his house testify to Gods abhorrence of the sin.{PP 723.1}[23]
§49
以前，上帝曾保护大卫，使他脱离仇敌的阴谋，上帝也曾直接施行他的权能拦阻扫罗，不让他害大卫。但是大卫既犯了罪，他与上帝的关系就改变了。耶和华万不能容许罪孽。他不能行使他的权能来保护大卫脱离他犯罪的结果，如同从前保护他脱离扫罗的仇恨一样。[24]{PP 723.2}
§50
Heretofore Gods providence had preserved David against all the plottings of his enemies, and had been directly exercised to restrain Saul. But Davids transgression had changed his relation to God. The Lord could not in any wise sanction iniquity. He could not exercise His power to protect David from the results of his sin as he had protected him from the enmity of Saul.{PP 723.2}[24]
§51
大卫自己有了很大的改变。他因明了自己的罪情，明了这罪影响的广大，就精神颓丧，似乎是再不能在他百姓的面前抬头了。他的影响力减弱了。在此以前，人人都以他审慎顺从耶和华的命令为他兴盛的缘由。但如今他的百姓既知道他犯了这罪，他们也就要更大胆地去犯罪了。同时，他在自己家庭中的权威，以及他在众子间所应得的尊敬和顺从也被轻忽了。当他应当谴责罪恶的时候，因自觉有罪，也只得闭口无言；他的权力因而减弱了，以至不能在家庭中主持正义。他那邪恶的榜样在众子身上发生了影响，而其结果就是上帝也不会予以阻止的。他让事情自然发展，使大卫受到严重的惩罚。[25]{PP 723.3}
§52
There was a great change in David himself. He was broken in spirit by the consciousness of his sin and its far-reaching results. He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects. His influence was weakened. Hitherto his prosperity had been attributed to his conscientious obedience to the commandments of the Lord. But now his subjects, having a knowledge of his sin, would be led to sin more freely. His authority in his own household, his claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house. His evil example exerted its influence upon his sons, and God would not interpose to prevent the result. He would permit things to take their natural course, and thus David was severely chastised.{PP 723.3}[25]
§53
大卫失足之后的一年，他的生活似乎还是太平的；那时还没有上帝不喜悦他的迹象。但上帝的刑罚终必临到他身上。刑罚和报应的日子正在迅速而必然地临到，而且这决不是悔改所能挽回的；惨痛和羞耻使大卫在世的日子黯淡无光。那些指着大卫的榜样想要减轻自己罪责的人，应当从《圣经》的记载中看出犯罪的路是“崎岖难行”的。即或他们能像大卫一样离弃邪恶，可是罪恶的苦果就是在今生也是很难以忍受的。[26]{PP 723.4}
§54
For a whole year after his fall David lived in apparent security; there was no outward evidence of Gods displeasure. But the divine sentence was hanging over him. Swiftly and surely a day of judgment and retribution was approaching, which no repentance could avert, agony and shame that would darken his whole earthly life. Those who, by pointing to the example of David, try to lessen the guilt of their own sins, should learn from the Bible record that the way of transgression is hard. Though like David they should turn from their evil course, the results of sin, even in this life, will be found bitter and hard to bear.{PP 723.4}[26]
§55
上帝的旨意是要以大卫失足的历史作一个警告，来警惕凡蒙他特别赐福和恩待的人，万不可自觉安全而忽略警醒祈祷。凡虚心领受上帝教训的人，都当领略这意旨。自古以来，已有千万人从此看出自己易受撒但试探的危险。蒙耶和华所如此尊荣的大卫的堕落，使他们觉悟自己是不可靠的。他们看出，人唯有借着信靠上帝的能力，才能得蒙保守。他们既知道自己的能力和安全都在乎上帝，所以他们连一步也不敢踏入撒但的阵地了。[27]{PP 724.1}
§56
God intended the history of Davids fall to serve as a warning that even those whom He has greatly blessed and favored are not to feel secure and neglect watchfulness and prayer. And thus it has proved to those who in humility have sought to learn the lesson that God designed to teach. From generation to generation thousands have thus been led to realize their own danger from the tempters power. The fall of David, one so greatly honored by the Lord, has awakened in them distrust of self. They have felt that God alone could keep them by His power through faith. Knowing that in Him was their strength and safety, they have feared to take the first step on Satans ground.{PP 724.1}[27]
§57
神圣的判决尚未向大卫宣布之前，大卫已开始收到犯罪的苦果了。他的良心很是不安。他那时所受心灵上的惨痛，在诗篇第三十二篇中叙述得很清楚。他说：“得赦免其过，遮盖其罪的，这人是有福的。凡心里没有诡诈，耶和华不算为有罪的，这人是有福的。我闭口不认罪的时候，因终日唉哼，而骨头枯干。黑夜白日，你的手在我身上沉重；我的精液耗尽，如同夏天的干旱。”（诗32:1-4）[28]{PP 724.2}
§58
Even before the divine sentence was pronounced against David he had begun to reap the fruit of transgression. His conscience was not at rest. The agony of spirit which he then endured is brought to view in the thirty-second psalm. He says: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture was changed as with the drought of summer. Psalm 32:1-4, R.V.{PP 724.2}[28]
§59
当责备的信息从上帝那里传给大卫的时候，诗篇五十一篇乃是他悔改的表示：“上帝啊，求你按你的慈爱怜恤我，按你丰盛的慈悲涂抹我的过犯。求你将我的罪孽洗除净尽，并洁除我的罪。因为我知道我的过犯，我的罪常在我面前。……求你用牛膝草洁净我，我就干净；求你洗涤我，我就比雪更白。求你使我得听欢喜快乐的声音，使你所压伤的骨头可以踊跃。求你掩面不看我的罪，涂抹我一切的罪孽。上帝啊，求你为我造清洁的心，使我里面重新有正直的灵。不要丢弃我，使我离开你的面；不要从我收回你的圣灵。求你使我仍得救恩之乐，赐我乐意的灵扶持我；我就把你的道指教有过犯的人；罪人必归顺你。上帝啊，你是拯救我的上帝，求你救我脱离流人血的罪，我的舌头就高声歌唱你的公义。”（诗51:1-14）[29]{PP 724.3}
§60
And the fifty-first psalm is an expression of Davids repentance, when the message of reproof came to him from God: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. . . . Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: And my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. Psalm 51:1-14.{PP 724.3}[29]
§61
这样在民众的公共集会中，大卫当着他的朝臣——祭司和审判官，首领和战士，歌唱这一首神圣的诗；而且这一首诗要使人人都知道他的失足，直到末时；在这篇诗中，以色列的王述说自己的罪过、悔改以及他因上帝的怜悯而蒙赦免的盼望。他没有企图掩饰自己的罪过，反而希望别人从他失足的惨史中得到教训。[30]{PP 725.1}
§62
Thus in a sacred song to be sung in the public assemblies of his people, in the presence of the court--priests and judges, princes and men of war--and which would preserve to the latest generation the knowledge of his fall, the king of Israel recounted his sin, his repentance, and his hope of pardon through the mercy of God. Instead of endeavoring to conceal his guilt he desired that others might be instructed by the sad history of his fall.{PP 725.1}[30]
§63
大卫的悔改是真诚而深切的。他没有企图文饰自己的罪过，没有希望逃脱该受的刑罚，这是他的祷告所表现的精神。但是他看出，得罪上帝的过犯是何等的可憎；并看出自己心灵受了污秽；他深深厌恶自己的罪。他的祷告不单是祈求赦罪的恩典，同时也求心灵的清洁。大卫没有在绝望之中自暴自弃。他在上帝向忏悔者所发的应许中，看出自己蒙赦免与悦纳的保证。“你本不喜爱祭物，若喜爱，我就献上；燔祭你也不喜悦。上帝所要的祭，就是忧伤的灵；上帝啊，忧伤痛悔的心，你必不轻看。”（诗51:16-17）[31]{PP 725.2}
§64
Davids repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his crime. No desire to escape the judgments threatened, inspired his prayer. But he saw the enormity of his transgression against God; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. David did not in despair give over the struggle. In the promises of God to repentant sinners he saw the evidence of his pardon and acceptance. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16, 17. {PP 725.2}[31]
§65
大卫虽然失足，耶和华却将他救拔起来了。如今他比失足之前更完全地与上帝和谐，更深切地同情自己的同胞。他在得解脱之后的喜乐中歌唱说：“我向你陈明我的罪，不隐瞒我的恶；我说，我要向耶和华承认我的过犯。你就赦免我的罪恶。……你是我藏身之处，你必保佑我脱离苦难，以得救的乐歌，四面环绕我。”（诗32:5-7）[32]{PP 726.1}
§66
Though David had fallen, the Lord lifted him up. He was now more fully in harmony with God and in sympathy with his fellow men than before he fell. In the joy of his release he sang: I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. . . . Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:5-7.{PP 726.1}[32]
§67
许多人认为大卫犯了那么大的罪过还能得蒙赦免，而扫罗的罪看来似乎还没有他的严重，结果扫罗倒被上帝弃绝了，因此许多人就埋怨上帝待人不公。但他们没有看明，大卫曾自卑地认罪，而扫罗却藐视责备，硬着心不肯悔改。[33]{PP 726.2}
§68
Many have murmured at what they called Gods injustice in sparing David, whose guilt was so great, after having rejected Saul for what appear to them to be far less flagrant sins. But David humbled himself and confessed his sin, while Saul despised reproof and hardened his heart in impenitence.{PP 726.2}[33]
§69
大卫的这一段历史，对于悔改的罪人是富有意义的。它向我们生动地叙述了世人经过的挣扎、试探、与向上帝真诚悔改，并笃信我们的主耶稣基督的一些经过。在各世代，这是一切堕入罪中，并在罪担下挣扎之人的勉励。当上帝的许多儿女陷入罪中即将绝望时，他们便想起大卫的经验；他虽然为自己的罪受苦，但他的真诚悔改与认罪蒙了上帝的悦纳，于是他们也就得了勇气来悔改，并重新努力遵行上帝的诫命了。[34]{PP 726.3}
§70
This passage in Davids history is full of significance to the repenting sinner. It is one of the most forcible illustrations given us of the struggles and temptations of humanity, and of genuine repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Through all the ages it has proved a source of encouragement to souls that, having fallen into sin, were struggling under the burden of their guilt. Thousands of the children of God, who have been betrayed into sin, when ready to give up to despair have remembered how Davids sincere repentance and confession were accepted by God, notwithstanding he suffered for his transgression; and they also have taken courage to repent and try again to walk in the way of Gods commandments.{PP 726.3}[34]
§71
凡受上帝的责备而能像大卫一样自卑认罪悔改的人，可以确知自己是有希望的。凡因信而接受上帝应许的人，必蒙赦免。上帝决不丢弃一个真实悔改的人。他已经发出应许说：“让他持住我的能力，使他与我和好；愿他与我和好。”（赛27:5）“恶人当离弃自己的道路；不义的人当除掉自己的意念，归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他；当归向我们的上帝，因为上帝必广行赦免。”（赛55:7）[35]{PP 726.4}
§72
Whoever under the reproof of God will humble the soul with confession and repentance, as did David, may be sure that there is hope for him. Whoever will in faith accept Gods promises, will find pardon. The Lord will never cast away one truly repentant soul. He has given this promise: Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isaiah 27:5. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7.{PP 726.4}[35]