The downfall of one involves the downfall of many.
Every man is linked to society by organic ties. A king especially holds an important and responsible place. He is the key-stone of the arch. "No man liveth unto himself." He lifts others up or drags others down. He goes not to heaven, nor to hell, alone.
I. WAR IS THE SCOURGE IN GOD'S HAND. "By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitudes to fall." Even the angry passions of men God utilizes for righteous purposes. However reluctant, the devil shall become his servant. Sin shall illustrate the splendors of his grace. His amazing power shall form and mould all things to his will. The cruel sword shall serve to establish the empire of universal peace.
II. ONE MAN'S DESTRUCTION INCLUDES TEN THOUSAND OTHERS. Every man is, in greater measure or less, a moral magnet. The fall of a great commercial house brings down to ruin smaller enterprises. The bankruptcy of an employer of labor brings loss to all his servants. If the commander-in-chief falls in battle, the entire army is weakened. If a throne is overturned, all the inhabitants of the land suffer. We are bound each to each by manifold ties, and influence each other's destiny. A sense of responsibility should lend dignity to all our words and actions.
III. HUMAN DESTRUCTION IS MEASURED IN NATURE'S DESOLATION. "I will destroy all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters;" "The country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full." Under man's care, cattle increase, and the fields become trebly fertile. But if the inhabitants are swept off by the sword, domestic cattle disappear, and wild beasts roam at large. The land, uncultivated, cannot maintain the flecks. Desolation spreads far and wide. Barrenness appears where formerly plenty smiled. The face of nature mourns in sympathy with ruined man.
IV. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS WELL PURCHASED WITH THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS. "When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, then shall they know that I am the Lord." All knowledge is power, but the knowledge of God is power of the highest kind; it is life. To know God is practical wisdom; it is the only path to safety, elevation, and honor. If the issue of suffering, loss, or defeat in battle be to gain the knowledge of God, then, however great the outlay, the reward is amply satisfying. To know God is the way to obtain likeness to God; and this is the supreme privilege of every man. This is wealth that is abiding, joy that is eternal: honor that never fades.
V. SEVERE DISASTER BRINGS INTO VIEW THE UNITY OF THE HUMAN RACE. "The daughters of the nations shall lament her." The prosperity of a man or of a nation often excites envy. But distress awakens compassion. The sight of suffering moves into action the better part of human nature; it awakens the deepest feelings of the soul. In a time of great disaster, men forget their rivalries and hostilities, and, by their deeds, proclaim the oneness of the human family. Such sympathy in suffering has a benign and purifying influence on human nature. The night-dew is a preparation for higher fertility and beauty in the garden, both in nature and in the soul.—D.