See here, 1. That it has been the lot of the best saints to be
afflicted. The proud and the wicked lived in pomp and pleasure, while
David, though he kept close to God and his duty, was still in
affliction. Waters of a full cup are wrung out to God's people, Ps.
lxxiii. 10. 2. That it has been the advantage of God's people to be
afflicted. David could speak experimentally: It was good for me; many a
good lesson he had learnt by his afflictions, and many a good duty he
had been brought to which otherwise would have been unlearnt and
undone. Therefore God visited him with affliction, that he might learn
God's statutes; and the intention was answered: the afflictions had
contributed to the improvement of his knowledge and grace. He that
chastened him taught him. The rod and reproof give wisdom.