SAMUEL the PROPHET

SAM

UE

THE

PROPHET

BY

F.

B.

MEYER,
AUTHOR OF

B.A

PAUL: THE SAVED

A PROPHET
AND

Servant
OF

of Jesus
HOPE

Christ

KEPT

etc., etc

LONDON:

MORGAN
OFFICE 12,
And
OF

AND

SCOTT

Clje (Eljristtan
BUILDINGS,
of
any

PATERNOSTER
be

E.C

may

Ordered

Bookseller

By

F.

B.

MEYER,

B.A.

EACH

VOLUME

IN

CLOTH

BOARDS,

2s.

6d.

THE

"BIOGRAPHICAL"

SERIES.
:

ABRAHAM ISRAEL: JOSEPH MOSES JOSHUA DAVID: ELIJAH JEREMIAH JOHN PAUL
The above
In

Or,
Prince

The

Obedience with Hated" of Land God. of God.

of

Faith.

A
: :

Beloved" The Servant the

Exalted.

And

Promise.

Shepherd,
:

Psalmist,
Secret and of

King.
his Power.

And
:

the Priest

Prophet.

THE
I
Ten

BAPTIST.
Servant of
in Walnut

Jesus

Christ.
Oak
24s.

Volumes

Handsome

Case,
net.

22s.

net.

Polished

Case,

6d.

complete

Illustrated F. B.

List

of Works

by

MEYER,
on

B.A., application.

will

l"e sent

post free

LONDON

MORGAN
And
may

"

SCOTT,
be

12,

Paternoster of
any

Buildings,

E.G.

Ordered

Bookseller,

kWO

sentences

in and

the

Acts

of

the of

Apostles
Samuel's

prove
career
:
"

the

significance
He

importance

gave the

them

judges
from

until

Samuel

the

Prophet."
that

"

ACTS

xiii.

20.

,/ "All

prophets

Samuel

and

them

followed
ACTS

after." iii. 24.

"

Until

Samuel indicate

from
this
a

Samuel

these
"

suggestive
a

prepo

sitions
a

that

great

life

was

hinge,
two

bridge,
"

connecting-link,
a

meeting-place
seas

between

epochs

"

place
The

where of
are

two

met."
the
to

study
who

Samuel called
was no

Prophet
live amid

is

specially
"loud in in

helpful
stun

to

those

Time's

ning

tide."

He
Both

recluse,

dwelling
and

apart

dreamy
the in
a

mysticism.
sense,

as

statesman

politician
a

best his

he

was

called He Bernard

upon
was

to

play
a

great

part
and
to

people's
breaker.

history.
What

king-maker
was

kingMiddle

of

Clairvaux

the

Ages,
Hebrew His

that,

but

without

his

faults,

Samuel

was

in

early

history.
life does
not
seem

to

have
may my

been fulfil
a

often

told need

trust,
but Dean
"

therefore,
I would

that like
"

this
to

book express

distinct

; to

special
and Rev. writers which

obligation
W. have
I

Stanley's
and the
to

Jewish

Church," Many
other

J. Deane's

Samuel with

Saul." local make and

supplied
have of
en

me

colouring,
an

with

deavoured the

accurate

presentation
Saul the

Samuel

Prophet,

necessarily

of

King.

/3.

Contents.

PAGE

I.

AN

AGE

OF

TRANSITION
7

II.

WOMAN'S

ANGUISH

OF

HEART

14

III.

THE

YOUNG

LEVITE

21

IV.

THE

VISION

OF

GOD

27

V.

MISFORTUNE

ON

MISFORTUNE

33

VI.

THE

WORK

OF

RECONSTRUCTION 44

VII.

THE

VICTORY

OF

FAITH

48
53 60

VIII.

THE

STONE

OF

HELP

IX.

GREAT

DISAPPOINTMENT

X.

THE

VOICE

OF

CIRCUMSTANCES
71

XI.

As

OCCASION

SERVES
77

XII.

INNER

AND

OUTER

CONFLICTS

84
93

XIII.

FORSAKEN?

NEVER!

XIV.

NOT

CEASING

IN

PRAYER

101

XV.

THE

CAUSE

OF

SAUL'S

DOWNFALL

109

XVI.

"Two

PUTTING

TEN

THOUSAND

TO

FLIGHT"

116

XVII.

FAILURE

UNDER

THE

SUPREME

TEST

123

XVIII.

REMARKABLE

COLLOQUY
SPIRIT LORD"

130

XIX.

"AN

EVIL

FROM

THE

138
147

XX.

"

SlN

BRINGETH

FORTH

DEATH"

XXI.

THE

SIN

OF

JEALOUSY
THE

155
l6l

XXII.

"CRUEL

AS

GRAVE"

XXIII.

GREAT

SUNSET

170

XXIV.

ENDOR

AND

GILBOA

178
188

XXV.

AN

EPILOGUE
.
.

SAMUEL

THE

PROPHET.

I.

of
(i
SAMUEL

transition.
i.)

"

The And Lest

old God
one

order

changeth,
Himself
custom

yielding
in many

place
ways,

to

new,

fulfils

good

should

corrupt

the

world." TEXNYSOX.

"

S~^\
\

whom end Such

of

the
one

ends age

of and

the

ages the

are

come"
"

i.e.,

the

beginning
In
It

of

another. direction

is is

our

position place
to

to-day.
the
new.

every
was

the

old of of

order the the

giving

thus

in

the

days
tions

Primitive Levitical

Church,
system
were

when

the

typical
replaced
also of thus Samuel and

institu

being
it The of
was

by
at

"

the the is
a

heavenly
time

things
our

themselves." narrative between

And

when

begins.
the

story
the

divine of David

interlude
the

days

Judges

those

King.
the

Hitherto

High
in there
first

Priesthood the could

of
an

had

been Commonwealth.

the

supreme To
successor

authority
Moses,
but other Aaron office
its

recognised
founder,
was

Hebrew be unbroken of of

course

no

the

line

of The

priests.
Mosaic rule of

No
era,

stood
not

for

the

whole
to

Israel. in

however,

was

destined

culminate

the

the

^.n 3Ve
has seldom

of

transition.
the sacerdotal
a

Priest, who
with and been nobler
way A the

combined

functions
leader

that specialqualifications Too often

constitute

great

ruler.

the

reign of the
and The
the

Churchman

has
the

warped by bigotry,tyranny, aspirations of King.

that
occurs
a

repression of
was

mankind.

Priest

to

make

for the

suggestion
near

fresh
in the

development closing verses

is

of of

the

Hebrew Book
of

polity was
Ruth, with
now.

the

which

this book

is connected the

by the conjunction
climax with tribe the of that
or

The

genealogy, which
no

evident

sweet

pastoral story, has

line.
It

connection with the

Aaron of

his
of

expressly
was

deals

Judah,

which

nothing
the At
on

spoken concerning
purpose its
was was

priesthood.
"

Evidently
whither look
of ?

Divine the time

moving
not

forward
; but

but
as

goal

apparent
the

we

back

all the

circumstances
can

from
that

vantage-ground slowly moving

under David
;

accomplished fact,we
the establishment
from all

see

it

was

towards and

of

the

kingdom
was

veiled

eyes

there

the
"

yet

profounder
as

movement

towards
calls

the

revelation

of

that

Proper Man,"
as

Luther

Him,

in whose

nature,
and

known fitly the

Wonder in
per

ful, the

the prophetic, priestly, and

royal, blend

fect symmetry

beauty.
NEED the

I.

THE

URGENT
and
was

FOR

STRONG
us

MAN.
men

"

Every
if
ever

age
a

takes

up
man

urges

cry

"

Give
was

; but

strong
Book

needed,
affords

it
some

in

the

days

of

which

the

of

Judges
had

startling glimpses.
inhabitants
much
as

Canaan
were

been

conquered, but the ancient

subdued
Norman
;

far from under

being
the

they remained

the
the

Saxons

early
their

kings.
The Mount
so

In

the

South,

Philistines
which
was

held

five known

cities.
as

mountain

fortress,

afterwards

Zion, garrisoned
far

by Jebusites, was
days
of

proudly Nearly

defiant
all

forward and

as

the the

David.

the

sea-coast,

all

flljcgisctplhteof "rinl.
strongholds
hands remained
of of the in

the

rich

plain
The
was

of

Esdraelon,
little

were

in of the

the

Canaanites.

kingdom

Gezer

independent
and

till it
a

conquered by
to

King
On

Egypt,

given

as

dowry
the

Solomon's
of

Queen.
those

the

northern which of

frontier

were

remains

mighty

nations the

Joshua had
Merom,

overthrown
but

in the great battle of

Waters

which Israelite

probably only suzerainty.

out
as
"

gave

nominal

allegiance to
left those
to

the

So

the

Lord
...

nations, without
Israel
of

driving them
even as

hastily,
had
at not

prove the
wars

by them,
...

many them

known

Canaan,
knew
of

to

teach

war,

the

least such been

never

as

beforetime
presence

nothing thereof."
warlike of this and

Had

it not should of

for

the

these

tribes,we
of

have
or

heard of David.
an

of

Gideon,
Without

Barak,

Jephthah,

Samson,
have

Israel might discipline, race, in

become and
manner
a

effeminate

molluscous have

lacking security,
in
a

backbone
after

muscle. of

They
the
where

would

dwelt

the

Zidonians, quiet and

there
was no

secure

large land,
How riences where

place
in
are

want
R.v. come

of

anything
10).
into expe
are
wars

that is in the earth often which

we

(Judges

ii.23-iii. 1-3,

; xviii. 7,

our

earthly disciplinewe
of these.

the counterpart
for peace
;

There chafe

looked freedom where

we

fret
;

and

where from
our

we

expected
to

from

annoyance
to be

pouring
us, that

vessel lees.
learn
we

vessel
not

hoped
know may than

allowed

to settle on
we

Are
war

these
we

clearlypermitted to try
may

may

; that
our

ourselves
grow up

and
a

know nobler been

God
and

; that

and

children

into

healthier

style of character
In

had

otherwise
exposure
to

possible.
was

Israel this incessant absence of

a

attack

aggravated
The

by
from

the

strong

central

government.
of

priesthood had
the

evidentlyfallen
of Phinehas. fact that
son

into the hands this there

not

weaklings
house of

days

Of

is

strikingcon
the succession

firmation

in the

Eli sprang, of

from

Eleazar, the eldest

B

Aaron, in which

the

10

jVn JUjc of Cransttion.

to

ought
younger

have
son,

been
Ithamar.

continued, but
There of cope

from

the

family
proved

of

the

is

strong
had

probability that
them that

the

representatives
so

the

elder
the

branch disorders of
any

selves

unable been

to set to

with

of
one

the
who the

time

they

had

aside take

in favour the

evinced forces
some

faculty enough
Israel.

field and
young

marshal

of

Perhaps
of

Eli,
prowess

in

his
which

life,had
him
to

done
the

deed stirring

raised could is

supreme when

position
we are

his

fellow-countrymen
to

give ; though,
his
; xxiv.

introduced

him,

he

in pitiful vi. 4-15

senile

de

crepitude and
From

weakness
to

(i Chron. prophets
"

4).
up
as a

time

time

had them

been

raised

temporary
the then

expedient.
"And
was

He

gave the

judges
raised saved
them

until Samuel
up
out

prophet."
the

when with
the

Lord and

judges,
of the

Lord

judge, days

them

hand the
that

of their enemies
Lord

all the of

of the

judge; by
"

for it repented

because
them

their

groaning
them of
a

reason

of

them
R.v.
a

oppressed

and
The

vexed

(Acts

xiii. 20,

Judges ii. 18, R.V.).

very

reign

judge
and

was,

however,
age. his
was own

transient

gleam

of

lightin
was

that dark

stormy

At

the
and else
was

furthest, his
the than

power

only recognised within Samson,

south of
for

adjacent tribes.
the hero of the

instance,
whilst

little

country,
the with
case

Jephthah

pre-eminently the captain

many
cases

trans-Jordanictribes.
the

In

the

office ceased

special crisis
two
or

that
such
to
a

called
as

it into

being.
and

Only

in

the

of

three,
lead

Deborah

Gideon, did

conspicuous
of
no

service

primacy. lifelong
Thus the and

nation

was

in

danger
With

desolation

by

internal

anarchy
no

external

attack.

of cohesion, principle
was

no acknowledged leader, what rallying-point,

there

to

resist the hostile

there
was

pressure from

of the

Canaanites

from ?
man

within, and
"

of the

nations
was no

without, its borders

every

In

those that

days
which

king in Israel, but

his
own

did
of

right in

eyes";

"The

children

Israel

did

31 Hcto (Drier
evil in the
unto

of

Crjmrjs.
children of Israel cried

sight of

the

Lord three the

"; "The

the

Lord."

These

sentences,

repeated frequently
of

and The

emphatically, are
of
names

keynotes
were
a

the

whole We

book.

religiousties,moreover,
name

very

weak.

find, for

instance, the
three times

Baal,
of

Phoenician of

deity,occurring
the

in the viii. 30,

members The
of

family of Saul
of

(i
and

Chron. of

33,

34).

stories of the

Micah,

Ruth,

the of
; of

extermination the wild

Danites, supply graphic

wildness attack.
new

pictures
the time
It
was

disunion, independence, and licence, and

of exposure introduce the national
to
a

of

necessary,

therefore, to
and of the
to

order
to

of

things.
the

To

assert

achieve

unity ;
the
over

make in the

best

aspects

rule of the resuscitate

judges permanent
and maintain

office of of Israel nation

kingship ;
to

allegiance
the whole of the first
man

the

God

of their fathers ; to carry of

the

from
was
a

the time task that

was

last
a

judge

to

that

king
and

"

demanded

pre-eminently strong
we

the

want

superbly supplied,as
who
a

shall see, from

one

by
age

the
to
ex

prophet Samuel,
another,
without

conducted

his

people
almost
so

revolution, and

without

the

citement, which

naturallyaccompanies
NEED

great

change. giftsto
into the

II.
man

How
come

THE

WAS

MET.

"

God's
we

greatest
look

through
the

travail.

Whether
can

or spiritual

temporal sphere,
any

we

discover

anything,
any soul-

any

great

reform,

beneficent did
not
come

discovery,

which awakening revival, tears, the whose

costs

through the toils and

of
men

vigilsand
is of

blood-shedding
the pangs small
that

and
That

women,

sufferingswere nothing
be
must

of
to set

its birth ? salvation

which

avail
are

the
on

and

help
is

of

mankind.
never

The
the

souls

saving themselves
If the

will

saviours bear
sore

of

the

race.

temple

raised,

David of God
life must

afflictions

if the

Gospel

of the grace

is

to

be
one

disentangled from

Jewish

tradition,Paul's
is
to

be

long

agony

; if the

Reformation

be

12

JVtt JUje 0f transition. possible

must
are

rendered

for

Europe,
at

men

like
; if

John

Huss

and

Jerome
coveries

be
to

burnt be

the

stake

great scientific dis

established, men
must

like

Galileo, Gal
and

van

i,

Faraday, and
rious be
men

Edison

nights spend sleepless

;

labo
are

days through long

as

years

if great

truths religious
of

to

enunciated,
like

the

priceless heirloom
or

pilgrim souls,
must

Baxter, Bunyan,

Charles

Simeon

be

willing

to

undergo
Samuel
woman

ostracism, misrepresentation, and

could
of
a

contempt.
must

Before

be

given

to

his

people,

Hannah

be

sorrowful
to

spirit.
of and

Some of the the

town

few

miles

the north

Jerusalem,

on

the
was

confines situated

territories
of and

of

Ephraim

Benjamin,
It
was

Ramathaim-Zophim.
has the

also

known

as

Ramah,

passed
town

into which

New he

Testament
came

history begged
the
a

as

Arimathea,
Pilate
the
as

from the Lord.

who
means

of
two

body
there

of

Ramathaim
an

Ramahs,
to

were

probably
in the
of have
an

upper

and

lower
ix.

city,

which

reference
recalls who

is made
name

(i after-story
of
man

Sam.

13).

Zophim
Zuph,

the

ancestor

Elkanah, named
of the

appears and
to

to

been his
name

considerable whole district

importance,
(i Chron.
child
was

have
i

given
ix.
was

to

vi. 35 ;
to

Sam. who

5).
to

In

this

mountain

city
and im

be

born

give

it interest

portance,
focus

not

only during his lifetime,when

but life, for centuries
career

it became
of years.

the

of

the national
the

Towards
a

close
at

of Samson's

in Southern
a

Judah,
Levite,

family resided
his
two

Ramah Hannah

consisting of Elkanah, (Grace)

belong
was

and

wives,
He

and
in

Peninnah

(Pearl or
and
was

Margaret).
therefore That

had

formerly lived
to to
a

Ephraim,

considered
had
two

that

tribe

(Joshua xxi. 20).

of the

he
which

wives
not

not

violation but

Levitical

law,
the
as

did

forbid

polygamy,

carefullyregulated
with
such ideals
to

marriage-law,penetrating the
would

home-life
and
women

gradually bring
of

men

back

the

originalinstitution

Paradise

(Mark

x.

4-9).

^airiour

of

the

Country.

13

It his

is home
had

supposed
because been The which the
house

that of

Elkanah Hannah's the Ramah

brought

second

wife

into
what

childlessness;
step
was

but,

ever

cause,
at

had filled

been with

fraught bickering

with and the

misery.
strife,
lot
from

was

augmented
whilst

as

child

after still

child childless.

fell

to

of

Peninnah,
all

Hannah

was

Apart
almost in be

else,

her

desolate

condition

was

an

tolerable made the the occasion

affliction

(Gen.
of the

xxx.

i)
sarcasm

but and

that bitter The reached the

it

should

subject
of

biting
most

taunts

was

poignant
seems

grief.
to

pain
its

was

not

confined

to

Ramah,
to

but
the

have

climax

when,
up
was

according
offer
unto

Hebrew
the

custom,

household and which

went

to

the

Lord
witness

yearly
many

sacrifice,

Hannah fell

compelled
lot of her

to

the all her

portions
and

to

the

rival, when,

for

sons

daughters,
the the

at

the

sacrificial

feast,

after

offering
to

to

Jehovah
on

victims

they
Then

had
it

brought,
was

they
the

retired

feast the her

remainder.
and

that dust
of

needy
it
was

sat

upon that

dunghill,
soul
was

the

poor

in the it

the
sword

then

pierced
the be grave

as

by
then

the the

Lord,
of

and
her

drew soul

near

unto

was

that

hunger

could fond
the

not

appeased (i.
life 5, and

even

by 5-8).
saviour

the

consciousness
But of

of

Elkanah's

affection of her

8;

ii.
the

out

this

soul-travail be

joy

of

her

country

were

to

born.

II.

31 Woman's
(i
"

JUtgmslj
SAMUEL i.

0f

15.)
be
on

Unanswered
Her Amid Nor She And

yet ?
were

Faith

cannot

unanswered,
Rock
;

feet the

firmly planted
storms

the

wildest before

she

stands

undaunted,

quails
knows cries
'

the

loudest
has

thundershock. heard her prayer, somewhere." BROWNING.

Omnipotence
It

shall

be

done

'

sometime,

WE
song proves,

may

infer

that
of

Hannah's her

barrenness,
were

and the her

the

provocation
reasons

rival,
sorrow.

not

only
noble

for she
was

Hannah's saturated

As

with
;

the
her the

most

splendid

traditions with
the

and

hopes

of

her

people

soul songs

was

thrilling
of Moses.
con

conceptions
with
an

that

inspired grief
for with son,

Stricken fusion enshrine

the

agony

of

the

anarchy

and desire

around her

her,
noblest

she self of

longed
in
a

passionate
who

to

should
set

resuscitate
an

ebbing prosperity
Frail emulate if she
a woman

the

nation,
that she

and
was,

it

on

enduring
not
even

foundation.

she but

might
she

hope
her
a

to

Jael

or

Deborah,
her

might
nature

save

people

could if she

only breathe
were

ardent
of

into

child.

What

to

be years,

deprived
would Lord
channel

his
not

presence

and

support
a

from

his

earliest if him
to

she would

be

com

pensated
as

thousandfold and
use

only the
be the

accept

him which ordi

the

his

own,

through
? Levites

his

redemptive
were

schemes

might
to

be

achieved

narily
ages
one,

consecrated

the her

Lord's son, Lord if all upon feast

service

between

of

thirty and
be

fifty,but given
to

only
the

she

might
of

have

should
no

the
come

days

his

life,

and

razor

should

ever

his
was

flowing

locks.
at

On

one

occasion,

while

the

proceeding

3V flraycr att"
Shiloh, it seemed
no as

its

Issue.
could
eaten

15 restrain and drunk herself

"

though

Hannah had
up

longer, and

after her
tears
"

people
she

she

save fasting,

from of the

rose

and of

returned its ancient

were

to

the

outer

court

Tabernacle.
a

Most few sacred

glory draped
had

had

departed.
the
the

Probably only
and the of other the

curtains

around

Ark

furniture, which
two
or we

escaped
years

wreck
this

previous
was,

three may

hundred credit rab the

; and

simple

structure

if low

binical

tradition, surrounded
which
was
a

by
or

stone

wall,

at

gate of
"And

seat

throne of

for

the

High

Priest. the

she and

was

in

bitterness

soul, and
went

prayed
will her

unto

Lord,
but She
that We

wept
the

sore." broken

Others

with God
out

burnt-offerings,
not

she did it

with
not

heart, which
but cup she she held

despise.
of

chide become

God,
a
"

cup

trial,

might
are

of salvation.

told prayer

that and

prayed," and
is the beside

it becomes

us

to

study
//

her
was

its issue.
It
custom

heart-prayer.
as

of

Orientals

to

pray

audibly, but
in

she
; her

stood

Eli's seat but made

to

(ver. 26)
voice
was

she
not

spake
heard. in the

her This

heart

lipsmoved,
that

her

indicates and life,

she
come

had

many

advances
secret

Divine

had

know
not

the vain

of

with heart-fellowship but such

an

God.

Hers of

were

repetitions,
need with
not

interchange
with
no

spiritwith
for be

of spirit,

with the

supply, of hunger
Divine,
those
//
"

satisfaction, of the

human could

as

requires
based

speech,
cannot
name
"

speech

convey

groanings
on
a

which
a new

uttered." She

was

for God.
of

appealed
as

to

Jehovah
it
were

under

new

title, Jehovah
to
summon

Hosts,"

though
infant
to

nothing
she the

to

Him

into existence She asked Him

an

whom spirit, down

from

might
dire Elkanah

call child.
of

look
round

myriads

who holy spirits

circled
She

his throne, to
in

her

affliction and

anguish.
or

vowed after
want

words

which

by
xxx.

his

silence that

consent

wards

ratified

(Num.

6-15),

she

did

not

JL ^toman's
boon that
her

of JUujuisrj
herself should

this inestimable
of God
;

for
son

merely, but
be
a

for the
from

glory
his

and

Nazarite his locks

birth,abstaining from
his

drink, intoxicating
contact
"

unshorn,

body
was

undefiled

by

with

the
unto

dead. thine
So
at
no

//

definiteprayer.
"

Give
I
are

handmaid
many of
our

man-child."
prayers We

For

this child

prayed."
aimed

miscarry because
them

they

specialgoal.
that

launch

aimlesslyin
How many

the
of

air,and
God's

wonder

they

achieve would
on

nothing.
be

professing children
audience
as

on nonplussed if,

leaving God's
thither

chamber
what
are

any

morning,
with
we
case

they
gone

were

questioned
to

to

pre
too

cious
often those

giftthey had
contented with whom
into

obtain

We

asking generallythat
are

God

would

bless

connected, without
any.

entering specifi
saints
us

cally
versed vellous

the

of

Experienced
tell when

who the have

are
mar

in the results
to

art

of

intercessoryprayer
have

of

which
pray

accrued,
the

they
of

set

themselves
or

for definitely

salvation

individuals,

for
There

some

good
is
a

and

perfectgifton
instance
It of

their behalf.
in the in
at

notable
of

this

life of the
the

Bishop
a

Hannington,

Uganda.
had
he

is recorded him
to

diary of

fellow-clergyman, who
that
on a

known

University,
his

certain almost

day
of

was

led

pray

for definitely
notes

friend ; and
he
was

simultaneously Hannington
unusual

that

conscious
was

drawings
"

towards

God.
out

// soul

prayer
the
often
to

without Lord." follow

reserve.

I have

poured

my

before
more

Ah, how
Hannah's

good

it would We have
to

be
pour

if

we

could
our

example.
often
cause

out

secrets

confidential
; or,

friends, and
we

reason

bitterlyto
tell Him

repent
our

if

commit

our

God,

we

side Often

of the
our

the

case,

seeking
would be

to

hide

from if
we

Him

the
to

other. pour
out

matter

ended,

dared
not

all

soul,
over

not

defending
what

ourselves,
clear

apologizing,not unequivocal

glossing

demanded is

and

confession.

When

the heart

breaking, when

17 its frail

machinery

seems
are

unable

to

sustain
to

the

weight

of its

when anxiety,

its cords remember

strained

the

point of snapping,
out

then,
you It

as

you

these

things,pour
"

your

soul

in

(Psa. xlii. 4).

was

persevering prayer. praying before

claim
to

It

came

to

pass,

as

she
or

continued
we can

the
for

Lord."
our on us

Not much
we

that either

she

be

heard burden

speaking, but
cannot

when than

the

Lord

lays some
Him.

do

other

wait
It

before
was

prayer
his

that

received the
entrance

its coveted
to

boon.

Eli

was

seated notice

in
was

place at
attracted

the

sanctuary.
she
was
was

His in

by
At

Hannah,

though

different arrested

to

all around.

first his attention excessive

out sorrow,

probably
and he
ex

by the
that
as

signs of
would other

her

pected
voice,
But

she
many

pour

her

prayers
souls
were

in

an

audible
to

so

burdened while had

on

wont not

do.

since

her

lips moved,
she

her been

voice

was

heard,
rather
"How

the

high priestthought
coarsely broke
be drunken
wilt

drunken, and
the

rudely and

in ?
was

her with
away

rebuke,
from

long

thou
another
to

Put

thy wine
the

thee." the best

Therein

proof
understand of the

given
and Eli mind

of

inabilityof
with after had into the the
not

priesthood
and spirit of his

sympathise judged
of

temper
and Him. whom answered

time.
the had

sight
been
mere

eyes,
to

clearly
He

God

revealed

degenerated
purposes
were

the

from official, Hannah

ness.

the

Divine

concealed.

the

unjust reproach
not
as

with

great meek
I

"No,"
neither

she wine the

said, "it is
nor

you

think. have

have
out
so

drunk
my

strong drink, but

She had

poured
suffered

spiritunto
her God burden.
; and

Lord."

already
not

much
to
on

that this last She she

misapprehension
was

could
cast

add seriously

content

to

it,with all the rest,

Eli

realized, even
had the heard

before and

replied,that the
her prayer.
not

merciful She had

c

Burden-bearer entered into

answered
prayer,

spiritof

the

which

3V tSEoman'a
asks, but
more

of Heart. JVnguisIj
She
any
"

only

takes. than

anticipated

those

wonderful
secret

words, which,

others, disclose

the
ye ye

of and

prevailingsupplication,
ask

All

things whatsoever
them, and
ever

pray

for,believe that

ye

have

received
Before of

shall have of

them"
"

(Mark
in peace, hast
asked

xi. 24, and of

R.V.).

the

words

Eli,

Go

the God

Israel grant
fallen like
a

that thy petition

summer

thou
on a

Him,"
she

had knew

shower

parched
peace of her

land,

that

she
all

had

prevailed, and
filled

the
and

God, which
mind

passeth
heart.

understanding,
she
the

kept

and in

And
So

said,
woman

"

Let

thy
her

servant

find and did

grace

thy sight.
her from have
so,

went
no

way, Too

eat, and
we

countenance

was

more

sad." and the

often

return

prayer
not
we

with
our

sad burden

faces
on

burdened

hearts.

We

cast

Lord,
There

or

if

we

have
no

done

have

taken
no

it back

again.
We sins ;

has

been
to to
we

interchange, and
our

exchange.
of

have
have

failed
failed that

abandon leave
them

weights, anxieties, and

in the hands
our

Almighty
the

Friend,
oil of

might

receive and

instead
the

beauty for ashes, the

of

joy

for

mourning,

garment

praise for

of spirit

heaviness.
Could E'en
Then
we

but
we

kneel, and
pray,

cast
our

our

load,

while

upon

God,

rise with

lightened chcur.
for
their
return

The

next
rose

day
up in

was

fixed

home.

"

And

they
the But had

the

morning early,and
came

worshipped
How

before

Lord,
what

and
an

returned, and
altered
woman

to
was

their house
!

in Ramah."

she

she differently

borne with

herself what
a

in that

last brief
she

visit to the the home Peninnah

holy shrine
which
must
a

And been

glad
with
had

face

entered

had have

associated
what
was

such

sorrow.

wondered
but
was

happened
confidant

to

make her

so

great
and

change
his

Elkanah made The

the

of

secret,
trust

faith

stronger

by her unquestioning
sorrow.

(ver.23).
we
can

workings

of

In

this

prayer

trace

19

the

harvest

sown

in years could have

of

suffering. Only
out

one a

who

had The

greatly suffered
notes

poured

such

prayer.
to

of

of resignation,
as

chastened the

submission
of the

the

will of of
all

God, of appeal hope

save

from

dust,

abandonment

in

God, of the simple desire for his kingdom

touched with
woman's

and

righteousness, are
ness

infinite hand. The

delicacyand
Sorrow blue of
as

tender

by

this

sorrowful
to

gives

an

indefinable
not
seem

beauty
so

the in

soul.

heaven in

does

beautiful

rainless

Egypt
with

countries
"

where do
you

the

atmosphere
of her "She

is saturated
"

moisture.
a

What

think

singing?

asked

the trainer of his friend's her

has

soprano
"

vocalist.
if I had
to

sings superbly,"was
with

reply,
It

but
may

do

her,

I would

break which

heart." your

be

that

the

long sharp pain,

years,

been

lot for

these
the

many

the

heart-hunger,the disappointed hopes,

your
you

silent been the

of

waiting,the holding
necessary, of
a

peace, how
to
to

even

from
to to

good,
you

have into

to

teach

pray, fit you

lead be

secret
some

childlike

faith,and
the

the

parent
It
was

priceless giftto
to

world.
to
was

fell out she that

Hannah

according
there

her
a

faith.

Blessed
unto

had

believed, for
which God

performance
to

her
"

of the Lord

promises

had
and
.

made
.
.

her

secret

soul. had
name

The

remembered bare

her,
a

when and she him

in

the

time his

come

about, that she

son,

called of
the
as

Samuel, saying, Because

The
up
seem

I have
had
a new

asked

Lord." he
went

good
offer
that he he

Elkanah

joy

his heart

to

unto

the

Lord
to
"
"

his
some

yearly sacrifice

; and

it would of
a
vow

added made abode

it

special expression
yearly sacrifice,and
until
on

that But

had

the
Ramah

his

vow."

Hannah would
when
to

at

the

child

was

weaned,
his

which
year, and At

probably
Levite the house

be

his

completion permitted (2
Chron.
to

of be xxxi.

third

children
of

were

enrolled

enter

the when

Lord
the

16).
openly

last the
to

time

arrived

child
set

should
on

be

presented

the Lord.

The

parents

out

their solemn

20

^
with

Roman's
their child.

of Heart. SViujuisfc
The mother's of heart
sorrow.

journey
full of

was

now

as

praise as it had
in

formerly been
her

Her in
to
was

heart God.
the

rejoiced
The throne like her
on

the
was

Lord;
lifted
She

spiritwas
the learnt that

exalted

her

beggar
of

from had

dunghill
there

inherit
no

glory.
and

Rock
song,

God,

she

rejoicedin
of
our

his

salvation. the

Her

which

the mother
of
a

Lord cup

modelled
was

Magnificat,

is the with

outburst the

soul

whose the

simply overflowing
from

loving-kindnessof
the memorable
was

Lord.

Presently
finished. suffered rushed thee the
on so

journey

Ramah
she How stood

was

The

sanctuary

again
so

in

where sight,

had it all

poignantly and
her
she memory !
to
me
"

prayed
"I
am

fervently.
woman

the

that I

by

here,"
Lord

said

Eli ; "for my

this

child

prayed, and

hath

given
certain

petition."
by thee here."
with live certain
a new

Notice
we we

those

words,

I stood

How

closely
Here
we

associate suffered God

experiences
resolved It
was

spots.

; here

we

to

life ; here And

was

heard
not

speak.

thus

with

Hannah. she
the

it
;

that befitting the

tears

she of

should

rejoicewhere
wave over

had

sorrow

that her

harvest had the

joy should
so

furrows,
skies

where

fallen very

lavishly ;
the
woman

that

the

blue

should
?

overarch Take

spot where
man or

dark

clouds

had

loured

heart, thou
suffer
cause

of of

sorrowful for
lost
no

! spirit

Only
or

according
! !

to

the

will

God, and
for
a

wrong

sinful
men

Suffer for his Church, in birth

for of dear

world, for thyself

Bear the if

dying
as

Travail for the

other

souls !
his
to

Exercise !

thou

wilt
of
some

coming
soul,

kingdom
thee will
as

weight
thou
to

life !

And

dost

abide

thy Lord's
of

time,

He

bring thee
stood
the

again
in the of

tread

in garments
of
woe.

joy, where
shalt
come

thou

hast from

drapery
the

Thou

again
and weep,

land

enemy. shall

They

that go

forth

bearing precious
come

seed,

doubtless, doubtless, DOUBTLESS

sheaves with them.

again with

bringing their rejoicing,

III.

(r

SAMUEL

ii. and

iii. ).

'

'

Be

still ! sad But

soul the

! lift thou

no

passionate being
bare

cry,

spread
full
! will
"

desert of

of the
dark

thy

To

the

searching
and

All-seeing
misgiving,
and

eye

Wait God

through
down in

blank

despair,

come

pity,
and

fill the

dry
air."

Dead

place

with

light,

life, and

vernal

J.

C.

SHAIRP.

DEAN
ness

STANLEY Luther of the the

tells used Books

us

that,
dwell Samuel

in
on

his these
the
to

gentler
early
tender ruder

moments,

to

chapters
which formed and of the

of

with

occasional
of

counterpoise
his

the

passions
students

enterprises Scriptures

stormy
age have with

life. been his linen

Indeed,
arrested

in

every

by
or

the
in

figure of this
little robe
when

little child which his up

girded
mother

ephod,
year

the

brought
husband

him
to

from

to

year,

she

came

with

her

offer

the

yearly sacrifice.
With
mother

what
must to to

passionate
have

and

almost that

irrepressible desire
annual

the
too

anticipated
her natural
at
so

visit,
It
age
must

all

transient been but the

the
sow

satisfy
leave
was

longings.
tender
an

have three
was
:

hard Hannah

him

as

solaced of

for those

her

deprivation.
years,

There
he

precious
house in the

memory

early

when had
heart
were

had

filled able
to

with

his

childish soil Other and

of
two

prattle, and
of his tender

she

been the born

at

receptive
harvest.

seeds
to

of

manhood's

children,

also,
grew

her;

and,

as

three the
a

sons

daughters
little
must

up

her his
a

knees,
sacred of

surely
office

thought

their

brother,
have

in

continual

inspiration,

been

subject

Ijounij
livelyand
woman's

perennial
wrongs,
as

interest !
He

Jehovah

had

vindicated

the

will

assuredly vindicate
revile
not

all those when

and

who,
suffer

when

they

are

reviled but who

again,

they
their

threaten
to

not,
Him

commit

themselves

complaint
reverent, she

judgeth righteously.
mother's

Peaceful,
heart
as

and

loving thoughts rilled the

at

wrought

the

little

robe, which
made

in for

shape
her

was

of "woven

the

pattern which, probably, Mary

from the

Son,

top
would

throughout
not

and

without

seam,"

which

the

soldiers

tear.

THE
ments

INFLUENCE

OF

MOTHER.
not
on

"

Mothers
loom
or

stillmake
with

gar

for their children

"

the

their

busy

needles

merely, but
from eyes,

by

their

holy and
before and
What

ennobling
young

characters

displayed
observant habits

day

to

day

and

quicklyby
see

by

their words

conversation, and
the children

the

of their

daily devotion.
array

they

imitate, and
ness or

unconsciously
reverence

themselves
for

in

the

gentle

rudeness, the
or

religionor
which
on

indifference,
are

the

refinement
to

coarseness

of manner, fish

daily pre
colour

sented
of the

their

gaze.
on

As

take

the
the

mottled

ground plumage
the robes

which
match

they lie,and
the

as

plovers change
children

their
wear

to

winter

or

the

spring,so
and

which

their mother's for them. minister innocent

the

character

behaviour,

temper
"And the

and the
"

tones,
child

weave

did
his

unto

the

Lord

before
of of
ways,
to

Eli the

priest

slept

sleep unconscious

sins around old

gave
a man

him, attracted
reverent

growing
and

attachment

the
and

by his

affection
that he
was

endearing
mediator

many

evidences God
new
"

being prepared
a

become
the

link and

between
the

and

his

people,
the

between
Samson

old and

between
of

turbulent

days of

the

splendid peace
SACRILEGE
AND sons

the

reign of Solomon.
OF

THE
sons

SINS of

ELI'S

SONS.

"

Now

the

of

Eli

were

Belial

(worthlessness) ; they

knew

and
the

j$ht.

23 the

not

Lord,
R.V.,

nor

the due The

of

the law

priestsfrom
of

people

"

(ii. 12,
whole of the
on

marg.}.
as

Moses

authorized in

the

priest to take
of the

his

portion,and
the

instead breast

of fees and

coin, the

and sin-offerings, fat

rightshoulder
handed
sons,

the peace-offerings, the

only of the latter being burned

of the animal
was

the altar, whilst

to

remainder be consumed

back
and

the

to offerer,

by himself, his
and his his

his
the
was

daughters, his
Levite that

men-servants
was

maid-servants, (Deut. xii. 12).

and
It

within

gates

as befitting,

the

Apostle

states

it, that
eat

they
the ix.

which
of

ministered
the

about and their

sacred that

things should
they which
the altar

of

the

things

Temple,
have The

waited

upon Cor. the

altar

should

portion with
round It

(i

13).

first act upon

of every

peace-offering was
about
was
never :

sprinkling of
was

blood

the altar internal fire.

the second eaten,

the

burn
con

ing

of the

fat.

but

always
of

sumed

by
so

The

flame with

fed the

on

it,as

the

food

God,

who,

to

speak, ate
After

accepted worshipper (Lev.

rite
was

iii. 1 6,

17).

this waved

solemn and
way

performed,
to

the the
away

portion was priest's

group with of them
their Eli's

presented
for

God,

and

worshippers

made

others, carrying
feast.

portion for
sons

the
in

joyfulsacrificial
with their

Here Not

stepped
their the

rapacious greed-

satisfied
servant

with after

legally allotted

portion, they
a was

sent

their three the

retiringgroup,
and

with

flesh-hook

of

teeth

in his

hand,

while

the meat

boiling for
cauldron, and

sacred
as

meal, he thrust his trident

the

into the
was

claimed
"

priest's perquisitewhatever
in Shiloh
unto

brought
that

up.

So

they

did

all the

Israelites

came

thither."
But
to
even

this did

not

long satisfythem.
and shoulder had
meat

They
had been
to

went

on

insist that but be

nor

after the the

breast remainder with

raw

handed

them,
should tion ;

before

been from

put
the
was

boil, they

supplied
would

offerer's por the essential

they burn

the

fat,which

24

part of the
pers
must

whole needs

and sacrifice,

one

for which demands

the

the
were

worship
satisfied.

wait, until
seems

their

This

final touch
to

to
"

have
At

aroused

long-suffering
"

people
the
to

exasperation. portion has

much

least," they said,

before
you

wait

till

Lord's your
as

been

presented
Burn
"

proceed
afterwards

lawless

depredations.
as

the

fat,and
was

take
answer

you
"

will." but
you

Nay,"
shall
"

the

ruthless
now,
or

of

the what
was

priest,
I choose very

give
And

it
the

me

I will take

by

force." before

sin

of

the
men

young abhorred

men

great
the

the

Lord,

for

the

offeringof
us

Lord." with much

of

It becomes

to

inquire
as

anxiety
that with
our

and

heart-

searching whether
or

we,

the
cause

servants
men

Christ, are

doing
Name
own

abetting things which

which
we

to abhor

holy
our

by

are

called.

We

may

begin
to

characters
statements

and and I
have

habits, and

thence

proceed

doctrinal

ecclesiastical heard of
were men

arrangements.

Rightly
the

or

wrongly,

forswearing
once

Christian
pro
so

religion, to
evasive
never

which

they
were so

attached, because
their

fessingChristians
in their

dilatoryin paying
so

debts,
that
were

excuses,

profuse

in

promises

kept,

so

difficult
on

to

please, so

thoughtless and
and
in

careless

in their and

demands

work-people
do

servants,
business

so

touchy

so fretful, men

liable to of the world

things
would
not

which
I have

highheard
of in

minded
of men,

permit.
from

rightly or
doctrine God heard
of
our

wrongly, turning
which Father
as

misstatements
moral
or sense

Christian

revolted
cruel
as

their

making
I have

Chemosh

Molech.
enter

of

men,

rightly or
of the the
excuse

wrongly, refusing to
class

places
were

worship

because and into many from

the

distinctions with

which which
For
a

maintained,

strong

dislike
pew
was

stranger'sadmission
these

family

resented. of the

things

too

their house

refusal

Gospel

and

their absence
Not
content

the

of prayer.

with

their

extortionate

greed, Hophni

and

lUsponsibilitij.
Phinehas the woods
from

25 amid

perpetratedthe
and immemorial
never

vilest
of

excesses

of heathenism Licentious with the

vineyards

Shiloh.

rites had heathen sacred

were

time

been before had

associated

festivals,but
vestures

they
line. wives
the

sullied
So

of the young
not

of priests

Aaron's

abandoned of their own,

women

these

men,

though they
to

had

that
were

they did

scruple
female
were

lead

astray

who

appointed
that

to

perform the various

labour. addressed
from

offices about

the sanctuary

demanded

Remonstrances heard instead tented of

their

to

the

aged

priest ;

he

evil

doings
mild

all the

23), but people (ii.

con

of

strong

disapproval and
a

stringentthreats, he
"

himself
do ye

with

rebuke, Nay,
my

He

said

unto
no

them, good
trans
com

Why

such I hear

things?
; ye

sons,

for it is

report

that On

make

the

Lord's

people
the he

to

gress."
ment

this the his He

sons

Divine

Judge makes

terrible

that
not.

made had

themselves but

vile,and
not

restrained them. of their

them
Even

reproved,
had

restrained

supposing they by
him

disregarded

the

reproof
he did

father, they could

on as

hardly have defied their depositioninsisted

High

Priest, embodying
the and realm. And
"

as

so

the

highest authority in
he the the but
was

for this weak Therefore that before Me the house

for

laxity
Lord,
and
ever
:

condemned
of

deposed.
walk

God house
now

Israel, saith,I said

of

indeed

thy
me

thy father,should
Lord

the
Me

saith,Be honour,

it far and

from

; for them

that shall

honour

will

they

that

despise

Me

be

esteemed." lightly

THE serious

NEED

OF

FAMILY those

TRAINING. who the held take

a

"

This

suggests

very

inquiryfor
and
We

prominent positionin
who

the
own

Church families. weakness

before
are

world, but

neglect their
our

responsible for
is

children. will be in
our

Our

in

them restraining

sin, which

evitablyfollowed, not
D

only by their punishment, but by

26

"{jC
Better
your

fjoung fdrite.
in grow

own.

do

less
to

the
up

Church
a

and
to

the

world

than

allow
a

children
to

misery
one

themselves

and

reproach
for

you.

Remember
the house

that

essential
was

qualifica
wise could and take Eli and
not

tion

office rule

in
of

primitive
and

Church

the
a

wholesome

children. with
know

If all

man

keep
his
of
not

his house

children

in

subjection,
could
not

gravity,
how
to

rule
care

well, he
of

surely

the

house

God

(i

Tim. The

iii. 4, wise

12).
parent

Probably
will
to

had train
of

begun
children
;

early enough.
from

begin

ing
years

their

earliest strain be
who from the of

months,
careful

say

nothing

and

the
may

early
well the child

observation
and

and

chastisement

lightened
from

eased

by

re

membering
God's
Above way

that will

the

earliest he

is trained

in

not

depart
us

it when

is old.
of
our

all,
to

let

seek

conversion

young

children will

God. life for

The those

Apostle
who sin

distinctly affirms
not nnto
to

that
;

God this

give

us

death

and

description Surely
prayers, second
He
or

is, above
will
to

all, applicable

little the who hearts who

children.
tears

not

be

unrighteous
the
is of

to

forget
those
the

and
a

overlook till

faith,
formed

of in

travail of

time
As my

Christ child

their date stole

offspring.
the
over

the

godly parents,
because like of
the the

cannot

hour
my I

of

conversion,
in

love

of
of

God
a

heart

early boyhood
to

dawn
as

summer
"

sky,

put
that

my

seal upon
shall

that and

word
my
out

God

true

"

My
put

Spirit
in

is

thee,
not

words
of the

which

have
nor

thy mouth,
mouth from
v. 1

depart
nor

thy mouth,
mouth
of

out

of

the

of

thy seed,

out

of

thy

seed's

seed, John

henceforth

and

for

ever"

(Isa.

lix. 21,

and

6).

IV.

of
(i
SAMUEL iii. )

"

Oh
A

give
sweet

me

Samuel's

mind, faith,

unmurmuring
and

Obedient To That Truths

Thee I

resigned
in

life and
with

death

; eyes

may that

read
are

child-like from the

hidden

wise."

J. D.

BURNS.

IT
contrast

is the the

very child

touching
Samuel

to
as

notice

the
recur

various

references the progress

an

to

they

during
in

of

narrative,
is intended

especially
between
sons

those

which innocence

evident and the bells

his it is of
a

gentle
like
a

wild

licence
on

of

Eli's the
"
.

"

peal

of

sweet

ringing
Hannah

amid

crash .1
.

storm.

said,
Lord,
him
unto

will

bring him,
for
the
as

that

he

may

appear
she
.

before

the

and

there

abide of

ever."

"And
in

brought
child
was

the
"

house
As

Lord liveth

Shiloh he

and
to

the

young"
And
he minister
sons

long

he

is lent
"

the the

Lord.
child
"

worshipped
unto

the
Lord

Lord

there." Eli
;

And

did

the
were

before
men

the

Priest."
not

Now
:

the
but

of

Eli

wicked

they knew

the

Lord
"

Samuel
was

ministered very
And

before the
he heard Samuel with in

Lord,
all grew

being
his on, and

child."

Now

Eli all

old, and
the and

that

sons

did
was

unto

Israel.
the I

child
also

in Lord the
And

favour
said,
ears

with

Lord,
will do

men."

"And
at

the both

Behold,
of
every grew, words

thing
heareth
was

Israel,
it with
shall

which

one

that
the
to

tingle.
and

Samuel

and

Lord

him,

did

let

none

of his

fall

the

ground.

28

"{jc Vision
His

of
unbroken record
purpose in
;
an no

life

seems

to

have

been

one

of

blameless
ran

and purity, integrity, all his years,

righteousness. One

through
into

threading them
were no

together
nor

unbroken

series.

There

gaps

breaks

lapses
that he
was

or sensuality

selfishness;no
Towards
to

lawless of the his

deeds

in life in of

wild,

lawless
to

age.

the

end of

long

able

appeal
which

the

verdict his

people

memorable unsullied
It
was
a

words,
rectitude. beautiful

attested

consciousness

life
"

of administra strong in its faculty from

the nation tion, wise in steering into the

the rule of the

judges
a

royal

state

of

the

kings,unimpeachably just,but
above his

blamelessly pure, towering

contemporaries like
the

peak
and

of

on glisteningchrysolite,

which

sunlightplays,

while all the

valleysbeneath

are

wrapped in scudding clouds

the of

sweeping rain.
Samuel
was

not
was

prophet in
not

sense

the foretelling

long future, and eloquence

; his

possessed
to

of

Isaiah's age
was

genius
a

and

only
was

contribution

his

saintly

character, and

it

by

the

the saintliness, the ruin

an

moral

grandeur
our

of his character, that he arrested

We may of
too

of his

people.
;

may
to

be

called the

to

face

era

of

change
also the

eyes

have the
new once

witness

passingof
in
our

the time

old and

the

coming
will

; it may more,
not

be that
earth

Lord

shake which ancient

as

only, but heaven,

may

that the
our

things
also sacred
to

cannot

be

shaken may of

remain
as

in

time
and

landmarks

be

removed,
the

familiar of the
our

the

tabernacle
Bat there pass

Shiloh, and
is
one

Ark

Covenant
reach

Israel. need
never

property within
shall
"

which

away, the

which years

remain that is

unimpaired and
an

radiant

through
a

and

unblemished

character,
which
unto

soul shall

arrayed, and stainlessly

be and embodied.
"

the

holy life
work

in

these

Let

thy

appear let

thy servants,

thy glory unto

our

their

and children,
us,

the

beauty

of

the

Lord

God

be upon

and

establish

%i personal JVpprcljension.
Thou

29 of

the work
establish

of

our

hands

upon

us

; yea,

the work

our

hands,
The
or us

Thou

it."
any

noblest
is
our an

giftthat

of

us

can

make
a

to

our

fatherland
Let

age

undefiled

character

and

stainless life. and

live

best in the power

of Pentecost

of the

of God, Spirit

prove

that the God

is

still. living

I. THE

TRANSITION
a

OF
was

YOUNG necessary

SOUL.
and

"

For

Samuel,

however,
to

great

change
he

imminent. the energy

Up
and It

this

moment

had

lived

largelyin
the

motive-power
was

of

his

mother's

life. intense, religious

needful

that

he
His

should faith

exchange
must
on

traditional

for
he Not
must

the of had
at
come

experimental.
another's
seen, and

rest, not
the

on

the assertions for of

testimony,but
tasted, and
but be
at

fact that the Word

himself Life. Lord

handled

second-hand,
to

the Word first,

to to

of the

him,

and

passed on
comes

all Israel.
one

Probably this change

seeks after the best and
of
a

every

who may

desires and
be the

richest life.
from

You
or

child
were were

pious home,
to
a

where

boyhood

girlhoodyou
have

trained in the

traditions
and
to

of

Evangelicalreligion, you
God, you
; but

expected

pray

serve

been
for you
a

borne

along by
that that

blessed
momentum

momentum

suppose have

minute
come

should
as a

fail you,

to

apprehend
be that the

Christ
out

livingReality for yourself?

to
on

It may

God,

of mercy forms divine

you,

will break you have

up

and

destroy

traditions
eternal

and and

which
may

been

relying ;
to

that the

stand

forth apparent

your

spiritual apprehension,and
as yourself, though they were

be

apprehended by yourselffor
meant

for

you

alone. the
wont

It is

great hour
to which

in it has

the

of history

the

soul when

traditional,
and
use,

become

habituated
for the open heard eye of

by long
Thee
"

is
we

suddenly exchanged
say

vision of God with

the
we

; when

with

Job,
now

"

I have

hearing of
say with

the ear, but

mine

seeth Thee

; when

30 the

"!JE Vision
"

0f
that I

Apostle, reachingforth
mark." Will you, you

Leaving
those

the
are

things

are

behind,
toward

and the

to

that

before,

press

believe then
is about
not unto to

that reveal

God

may

be
to

coming
you in
to

very the

near

and

Himself ? He

Lord

Jesus, as
your

the world
an

is about

transform that

and life, you

a

lift it to have

altogethernew
the
as

level, so
is

though
be from

may

to face
"

old the

circumstances, it shall
staircase spiral

higher standpoint
to

always
at

returning
elevation

the
some

same

view-point, though always

additional
feet.

the

of

few

II. THE
came near

VISION

OF

THE

YOUNG

EYES.
as

"

(i) When
small

God

his young
his

servant, it seemed

though He placed
services of in the doors

his seal upon had

faithfulness.Hitherto
him.
To close and the light

but open

been

requiredof
; to

the Tabernacle the late

seven-branched
pure

candlestick
olive

afternoon,and
; to

supply it with
to

oil every

morning by day
had
or

render
"

littleservices
were

the

whether aged priest,

night

such

the

duties
It
a
was

assignedto
meet

him he

and who
a

care. performed with punctilious

that

shown

himself wider

faithful

in

very him.
was

little should

have

and larger

sphere assignedto
came
as

(2)
to

The
;

vision but the

was
"

night
had
the ark

beginning
yet
of God gone
out

to

yield
in the

dawn

the

lamp
where from

not

temple
the

of

Lord,
the

was." slumbers

Thrice
on

boy

startled

his innocent
he his

his the

little bed
sacred

in

chamber
heard
sure

occupied adjacent
name

to

building. He and made lovingly,

called needed

softly, tenderly, him,

and

that

Eli
to

thrice

the intervening sped across space and again,and yet again, he ran
am

report himself.

Once,
"

unto

Eli, and

said,
in

Here

I, for
When

thou God

calledst me."

approaches

us

to

reveal

his
to

Son
some

us,

the

tendency

is

always to speed

with all haste

place,or

"ge
some

Still."
we

31 that

where adviser, spiritual

of the

suppose

the

interpre
for

tation

vision

will
"

be
If of

given. Young
only
I could I
am

converts,
my I

instance,are
answered

apt

to

say,
man

have
sure

questions
should

by such a thus blessing." And

vain called voice."

God,

get

they

are

kept
Eli and
me

in

constant

perturba
"

tion, running backwards

and
to

forwards, repeatingSamuel's

experience running
"

saying, Surely you

the vision and the

me,

and

can

for interpret

(3) Eli might

secrets,
have

was

very

wise
as

in the

his sole

treatment

of

the

lad.

He

posed
have

depository of
to
on

the

Divine vain

might

warned

the lad
way

to againstlistening

delusions, might have

and

given
have

ungoverned
the the in

jealousy pride
so

suspicion, might
But of hurt

stood of the

dignityand

of office.
trace to

instead
he pride, him seals
were

of any
took the

these, without

slightest

boy's hand

his,and,
been

speak, led
that the

into of

Divine

Presence, knowing full

had taken

well from

sacred

which office,
to

himself,

about

be

laid

on

those

youthful priesthood
and

palms.
If Eli he had

inherited
have

the stood

traditions between

of that

the

merely,

would

soul

God,
of
:

hearing its confession,wielding over

ence,

it
of

influ terrorizing
God.
"

and

as directingit,

in the

place

Instead

this,however, the
and

old

man

said

sweetly,
thou

Go, lie down

'

it shall be if He
for

call

thee, that
"

shall say,

Speak,
lord it

Lord,

thy

servant

heareth.'
of the

It is not
over or more

the business and

Christian

minister demand
"

to

the

eager

aroused
to

to disciple,

confession,
Thou needest

offer

absolution,but
we can

say

in and Be will

effect

than

give. God, again.

for He call

God

only,can
Let

suffice be

thee.

Go, and
God.

lie down

quiet.

thy soul
'

still before And

Wait,

assuredlycome
shall say,

again. Speak,

it shall

be, if He
servant

thee, that thou

"

Lord, for thy

heareth.'

32 As
"

(EfceVision
Thomas Let
not
a

of

Kempis puts
speak
unto

it :
"

Moses do Thou

me,

nor

any

of

the

but

rather

speak,O

Lord

God, the
Thou

prophets, and Inspirer

without
Thee

Enlightener of
them
can
"

all the

prophets
me,

; for

alone

canst

perfectlyinstruct
Thou

but

they

without

profitnothing. Speak
my
unto

me,
to

to

the

comfort, however
of my

imper
life,

fect,of
and
to

soul, and

the

amendment honour lad

was

whole

Thy
The We

and praise, message

cannot

glory,and
to

everlasting."
a

(4)
one.

entrusted wonder

the he

very show

terrible Eli the

that

feared

to

vision.
the

With

modesty beautiful

and

reticence he

set

about of the

duties of the
of the

day, and
It
was

opened, as usual,the
not
on

doors

house

Lord. had

for him This he

to

blurt out another

the

full

thunder trait in
character
not
murmur

which
the
; he
"

burst

him. But
men

was

lovely
Eli's

boy's
did will

character.

had

mis-read
will
a

not

realize that

like him

die,but
of

resign

themselves

without know

word

to or defence, determined expostulation when meekly answering, they know it,

the worst, and Lord

; let

"

It is the

Him

do what

seemeth
to

Him

good."
revealed Let

(5)
Samuel

It is well in Shiloh

notice that the Lord

Himself
us

to

by

the

Word

of the
or

Lord.

not

seek

for revelations of

God.
of

through dreams Nothing is more

but by visions,
than
to

the

Word
the All

harmful

contract

habit
manner

for voices,and listening sleepingto dream. in by that door. of vagaries It is best to come and read
"

take

in

hand

the

Scriptures reverently, carefully,

for

crying, Speak, Lord, thoughtfully,

eth." And in response message, from walk there will

thy
one

servant

hear-

come

clear, defined,
with

and

repeated
is the

asseverated every in Let

and

accentuated

growing
"

distinctness
way
"

part of the
is my
what

inspired volume,
will
"

This

it ; this
us

do

it ; this

is my
shall

word

"

speak

it."

hear

God

the

Lord

speak.

V.

J!ttsf0rtutu
(i
SAMUEL

on

jftisforiun*.
iv.,
v.,

vi.).

"Oh,
The

the

outward surviveth

hath

gone the

! but of

in
an

glory
hour

and
;

power,

Spirit

things

Unchanged,
On
the heart's

undecaying,
secret

its Pentecost is

flame the

altar

burning

same." WHITTIER.

THE
Samuel's historian narrative understood
the will

scanty

records
over a

of

these

chapters
tract

(iv. i
of

"

vii.

7),
;

bridge

considerable

Scripture
details
the sacred

covering,
life and

perhaps, growing
that is

forty

years.

The

of

influence
are

given by

during
of
events

period

very

fragmentary

; but
must

the be
of It

profoundly
would

interesting,and
have
a

by

those that

who

right conception
to

great
appear,

service

Samuel there and

that and all is

rendered
a

his

people.

also, that
those

remarkable
own,
as

parallel, not
but

only
work It of

between he
was

days
work

our

between
now.

the

did
an

and
age

the
of

is needed

urgently
After
"

disunion
of

anarchy.

the there the

deaths
arose

Joshua,

Caleb, and

that

generation,
knew for
no

another
nor

generation
work

after

them,
He had
was

which

not

Lord,
"...
to

yet the

which
There

wrought
no

Israel

(Judges
unite the

ii. 10,

R.V.).
under
"

man,

and

tribe, able
them
to

people

one

leadership, or
of the
one

recall

the

lofty Monotheism
characterized
bonds each heart
E

the

worship
of

Jehovah

which
"

the

founders

their

commonwealth.
; each

The

of

their

national

unity
its

were

loosened

tribe
rest

and
; the

great
of

city asserted
national

independence

of all the
in

the

life beat

feebly, and,

the

expressive

34

jEiafortune
so

0n

JJtisfortune.
the age of the
own

phrase which
"

completelyrepresents
was was

judges,

Every
The

man

did that which

common

rightin
afforded
; but

his

eyes." Tabernacle,
influence of

only
had

centre

by
even

the

the of

Ark, and
these

the

High

Priesthood

the

become

greatly reduced.
the God land the of of of the of

"The their

children

Israel

forsook them of

Jehovah,
up the
out

fathers, which
and
were

brought
other about

Egypt,
that
unto

followed
round

gods,

gods

peoples
down
to

them, and
was,

bowed

themselves

them."

There

therefore, nothing
of the the

hinder

the Now

steady
it
was

en

croachments
children of

neighbouring nations.
on

the and

Ammon from the

east, then

the

Amalekites Philistines
on

Midianites

desert,and
in
were on

again the
Land up, For the

the

south-west, that broke

time
was

the

of Promise.

From

to

time

judges

raised limited.
was
"

but

their
most

authority
part it

only temporary
with section
then the the

and

the

ceased

their death, and

of the land. the hand

means

of

delivering
and saved
came

only
up them
to

When with

the the
:

Lord

raised them

judges,
out

Lord
of

was

judge,
. . .

of

their
was

enemies

but it

pass, when
dealt
19.
more

judge

dead, that they turned

their fathers
"

back,
ii.

and

corruptlythan

(Judges
southern

18,

R.V.).
story is

Our and

speciallyconnected
Canaan,
"

with

the

midland

districts of

which, notwithstanding
was

Samson's Samuel's

heroic

exploits
"

for

he the

contemporary

with
of the

early years
seem

lay under
about

tyrannous
to

yoke
been

who Philistines,

this time
of
to

have

largely
in the

reinforced

from

the

originalseat
of

their

empire
the

neighbouringisland
of the In and God

Crete, and

have

made

position

Hebrews
these

almost

intolerable.

Philistines
to

stealing up
the
an no

from

their in land

own

territories
land

cities
gave

dominate
for

Hebrews,
"

the
to

which
the
was

them

heritage

which which

Philistines

could

have

possible claim,

but

Our
the certainly
see own

llational $ntt0crs. possessionof

which
is the

35 I

allotted

the

type of much
For

people always takingplace in our

"

chosen

experience.
and

instance, they stand

which
we were

for
once

unholy
set

desires

evil
Son

habits, from
of

free
,

by
may

the

risen

God, but which,

to assert

in

subsequent
former sway of the

years, and worldState.

have

come

back

their the

tyranny.
liness into
The

And the

again, they represent Church,

are

inroads
into
as

and

of
at

wickedness
rest.

forces of evil
and

never

Just
work

the

of spirit

destruction

waste
our

is

at perpetually

in

untilingour
our

off roofs,stripping and

down wall-papers, pulling weeds whilst

we

walls,
so

sowing our
ever

gardens with
in the

sleep ;
the

the

evil tendencies
are men

heart, the
law
of
to

Church, and
of the sin.
us

nation"

the warringagainst
to captivity

mind, and
Rest

bringing
Day, and

into In the

the law

insidious. attempts
one

rob

of

our

turn

it into

of

public amusement
various forms

; in ; in the

the

unblushing
domi

of vice in effrontery

threatened

nation
in the

of all other of spirit and

interests
amusement

by

the

mad

which divide
of

greed for money ; infects society ; in the

with the
and spiritual
"

worldliness

luxury which
hearts and

heavenly
we as are

the

lives

professingChristians
bands
to

brought face to they steal up from

and
assert
never

face with the

of the Philistines the

no

their lowlands

uplands
sometimes

of

religious constancy
they
we

strength. They
their

have

but rights,

fail to lose in

pretensions;
this

and

almost
use

heart

and

begin to questionwhether
constant

there strife ?
and
to

is any
Were

it not

Why opposing them. better to yieldthe point

At other
one

in controversy
of

acquiesce?
are

times, like the children

we Israel,

goaded
I. AN

to

make

desperateeffort for
ATTEMPT.
to

freedom.

ILL-FATED

"

"Now

Israel

went

out

against the Philistines

ezer,

and battle,

pitched

beside
From

Ebenthese

and

the

Philistines

pitched in Aphek."

36
words
we

^Htsfortttneon
infer
the that the
war

for tune. |Jtts

was

commenced
to galling

by

Israel
;

because
but

yoke

of Philistia certain that

was

too

be endured
was an

it is almost and

from

the

first it

ill-

starred

badly-managed campaign.
directions
were

Very
way ducted

distinct
a

issued be them No

by
seems

Moses

as

to

the
con

in which

campaign

should
of

commenced
to

and have

but (Deut. xx.),

on

none

been in to

put in force
ask
were

this occasion.
; not
even

priestwas
in whom and It
was

called
the

counsel

of God
to

Samuel,
consulted.
and

people
of sudden
a

beginning

recognise the
have

servant

prophet
the from

Jehovah, seems flaming out of

of who slaves, the and insults, Such turned has
on over

to
a

been

of spirit

hatred
to

revenge the

race

were

stung

the

quick by
their

taunts, the

of scorpion-whips the in spirit sins

masters.
we

been
the
us.

which which

have

sometimes their

powerful
We
;
we

have ruin the

asserted
to

mastery
were

have

seen

the
at to

which and

bringingus
which

have
were

winced

shame
; we

they indig
felt

nation

they

causing escaped
tormentors.

others

have
honour
; and

insulted and
that nobility have turned

outraged
may
on

in any

sense lingering

of

and
we

have
our

the

general wreck
We
;

have
we

signed
have
taken
;

the
a we we

pledge against
solemn have have with The oath

the

use

of
to

intoxicants

nevermore

yield
free.
state.

to

our

besettingsin
within
not not
a

vowed been
us

that back with

we

will be the old

But

month gone

in

It has

better

than

Israel ; for this battle is

summoned hosts,hastily
a

to the

strong.

Israelitish suffered the

and

insufficiently
men

armed,
dead
on

heavy defeat.
a

Four

thousand

lay
and

and battlefield, the

spiritof intimidation
Such
out

dismay spread through

the result when God's is
so

entire host.
leave Him

will

ever

be,

people

of account.V that He
an can

Their
afford may

education
to

costly and

necessary

let them
on

suffer

again
are

and

again
"

that

arrest

be put

courses

that

not

good.

"
II. THE

gnrr of Disaster.
NOT

37

ARK,

BUT

GOD, day
It
was

TO

THE

RESCUE. of that

"

On
held

the
a

evening of
council
must

that disastrous
war

the

elders

Israel

of

(ver. 3).
to
"

evident
in

their

defeat
with
us

be

attributed

some

failure

their relations
the Lord

Jehovah.

They said,
the left Him

Wherefore
"

hath

smitten

to-day before

Philistines ?
out

they

had

of
of
a

that conscious They were their reckoning, and suddenly

bethought
they might against
of may the
come

themselves
almost foes.

happy expedient by
Him
to

which them Ark it

our

compel
"

take

sides

with
"

their

Let the

us

fetch,"they cried, the

Lord
out
us

Covenant
among

of

of

Shiloh,
hand

that of

us, and

save

out

of the

enemies."

They
Ark

remembered

the
; how

wonderful
the waters

scenes

in

which

that

had

played a part
and it,
the

of the had

Jordan had
down.

fled
Its

before

walls

of of

Jericho

fallen

going forth,in the words the scattering and meant

would very do the
same

had always tKeTTgreat lawgiver,

of Jehovah's foes. flight

not
on

Surely it
God's of
a

again. They did

not

realize that
the presence

present

help depended
but
on

material

symbol,
much

moral
set

and

conditions, spiritual
to

which

they should
was

have
as

themselves

understand

and should

fulfil. It

depend
or

for deliverance
or even

though a high Sacramentarian from trial on wearing some

the

amulet wafer

charm,
a

carryinga piece of
upon

consecrated
of

in

golden
in

casket

his person,
prayer. in

instead

exercising by
the

himself
The

manly
of

faith and the

arrival

Ark,
the

due
sons

course,

borne
Eli
as

Levites,and dians, was

host. leave Ark
to
one

accompanied by
received
with

the

of

its custo the allow entire

exultant
most

shouts

of

Eli had the of God"

been evidently
enclosure"" he
a

unwillingto
heart often
; and

it

to

sacred
"

his

trembled
and

for
too

the

but

had

yielded too
"

be

able
else

to

sustain any

successful

protest
when

long probably no
Ark of the

had

for misgivings,

the

38
Covenant
with As
a

IHisforhtttEon
of the Lord
came

Ittisfortunc.
camp, rang all Israel

into

shouted

great shout, so
soon as

that the

earth
means

again."
were

the

Philistines, by

of their scouts,

of this exuberant outburst, they acquainted with the cause were depressed, for they, too, identified the correspondingly presence of the God of Israel

with

the in

advent minds the

of

the

Ark,
the

which
hand

had of
"

always been
these

associated
that

their

with

mighty gods
co-operationof
"

smote

Egyptians."
on
"

Neither
which
unto
us

had

they any

idea of those
God

moral

considerations be been

alone the
!"

could
not

given.
such
us a
"

Woe

they cried,
Woe
unto

for there
us a

hath

thing given
their

heretofore.
It
to
was

Who

shall deliver
answer

necessary

that

decisive

should

be and

these

materialistic
It must

conceptionsof
Covenant
Ashtaroth of the

the

Hebrews
the
mere

foes. of the

be

demonstrated
was

that

possession
as

symbol gods

of the the

so valueless, long

the

strange
and

and

were

cherished, tenaciously
were

the abominations

heathen The

constantly and
of the reliance

shamelesslypursued (vii. 3, 4).

words, the quoting of venerable
sacred and the the Lord

asseveration

holy
on

precedents, the
the

emblems,
hands will not

are

alike in
"

vain, unless

heart my

is pure

clean. hear
seem

If I

in regard iniquity

heart,
deeds
to

me."
to

The of

Philistines

have

stirred themselves
that but

to

desperate valour, because

which had led

they believed
and in the
ears.

they

were

fight,not
deities

only against flesh

Israel
to

blood,
one

against
the words

the of of

long succession
with
"

victories.
their

They advanced

conflict Be

leaders

ringing in
men,

their ye
as

strong, and
ye you. be

quit
not

yourselves like
servants to

that Philistines,

the

Hebrews,
men

they
"

have

been Cor.

to

Quit
in

yourselves like
The
extreme. to

and that
was

fight (see i
terrible

xvi.

13).
the
man

issue
"

of

day

was

disastrous

Israel

smitten, and
was

they

fled

every

his

tent, and

there

very

great

for slaughter,

there

"rh f

alum.
Around
corpses, of God had
as

39 the Ark the

(fellof

Israel
must

thousand thirty
have

footmen." with

ground

been

heaped
the Ark

the Hebrews of

in fought desperately faith ; but

two
sons

defence of

the
was

symbol

their
the

in

vain, for the

were

taken, and

of Eli

slain.

Thus

Samuel

and foretold,

thus it befell.
That dust afternoon

upon

his

Benjamite, with his head, bore the tidingsto

a

clothes

rent

and and
to

the

hamlets open road

that lay all along villages Shiloh groups,

;

the

ascending and
eager volume in

and,
a

as

he
arose

passed through
that grew its climax far
as

and
as

expectant
he

wail

sped

onwards, until it reached

in the
was

City

of the the

High
entire
all it,

Priest,the
land.
"

so capital,

there

any,

of

When

the out."

man

came

into the

and city,
arose

told
a

the

citycried
of

On

the

stillevening air
what
was

piercing
the

outburst
immediate

lamentation, for
of
man,
on

there
on

to

hinder

march

of the victorious army

the

city, deprived
!

in

one

day
old

its warriors, and

apparently of its God anxious, had

the main
was

The
to

Eli,blind
his throne,

and

caused

himself

be seated
had
a

on facing news

thoroughfare.
and air, when the

He

forebodingthat
of the tumult

bad

in the

the noise
attendant

arose,

he

anxiouslyinquiredof
his least ?

priestsand
usual
to

Levites, and, perhaps, of Samuel, respond

to

waiting as
"

appeal
"

for the

help,
same

What

meaneth the of
to

the

noise of this tumult

appears
to

At

moment

messenger

have who

burst
he
"

into and

the in

presence
answer

the

little group,

Eli telling the

was,

the my

eager
son

inquiryof
?
"

High Priest,

How

went

the
no

matter,
care

without

and warning or preface, he

:

with

to
an

soften the

out, with

of the harsh words, asperity climax of dread awfulness ever-rising

blurted
"

Israel also
a

is fled before

the

and Philistines,
the of

there

hath

been
two
sons

great
are

slaughteramong
the Ark old
man

people, and
is taken."

thy

also

dead, and
The

God
the

received

in tidings

silence.

The

three

4"

first shots
he
seat

hit

him

severely,but
of the the side her of the Ark of of the

not

mortally; but
fell from

"when off his brake

made

mention

God, he
gate, and
the

backward
he died." up the

by

his neck
of

and

With horror
as

last gasp the

name

wife
in the

Phinehas

gathered
which

situation
of she the her
was

single word

she It

uttered
was sorrow

child,prematurely
a

born.
that

indeed
had

that
at most

widow
when the

; sorrow

her father-in-law
so

died

moment

he Ark soul

was was

needed

sorely ;

but

sorrow

of all that

taken, for with

she was, devotion But and
to
worse

it the
to

glory had
be and house

departed.
of God In of the In The
!

True

that

worthy
the
name

classed with

Hannah

in her

loyal
the
and years these

troubles
away the

still befell.
remnants

frantic
sacred

haste
tent

Israelites its

bore

furniture,and
were

concealed

them. xxi.

subsequent
removal the of

they

at

Nob
was

(i Sam.
the

i).

precious
invasion
"

relics
on

hardly
deserted

effected

before
an

Philistine

burst

cityas
the

flood. overflowing

Go

ye

now,"
the

says
was

Jeremiah, in
in
what

Divine
I caused

Name,
my

"unto
name

my

place which
at

Shiloh, where
I did to
12,

to

dwell of my

and first, Israel"

see

it for the And

wickedness
the further the from

people
of the

vii. (Jer.
for three life and the

R.V.).

fate of the
centre

which city, national of

hundred

years

had

been

worship,may
:
"

be

guessed

the

words pathetic
forsook
tent

Psalmist

He The And And He And Fire And

the tabernacle he his

of

Shiloh,
men

which

placed among
strength into

delivered his gave

was

captivity,
the
;

glory
his wroth

into the
over

hand. adversary's also unto

people
with their

sword,

his inheritance young

men,
not

devoured

their maidens

were

praisedin
lamentation.

the

marriage song

Their
And

fell by priests

the

sword,
no

their widows

made

(Psa. Ixxviii. 60,

K.V.,

"c.

anb
OF

Jfeljobalj.
GOD. the
"

41

III. THE

AWFUL

NAME

This

part

of

the
of

historymore
the
of

closelyconcerns
as

growing
true

illumination

surrounding nations
Israel. other

to

the

nature

of the God

There inform
than

was

no

way

in which

the

of Spirit

God
and

could power,

the

as people of Philistia,

to his holiness

that which

He

adopted

in the present instance.

to
as

They

bore

the Ark

from

the battle-field It seemed

the

in exuberant

triumph.
over

only triumphed
that

but Israel,

over

Temple of Dagon though they had not its tutelarydeity, and

But

Dagon
a

was

superiorto Jehovah.
they been
in his

it would
to

have this
now

been idea

great disaster had

allowed

cherish

in

perpetuity. As
must cannot

Egypt, centuries lonely and

He

before,so

in Philistia God supremacy. He graven

reveal

unapproachable
his
to

give

his

glory to another, nor

suits Himself
these

praiseto
the crude

images,and
materialistic
them

therefore

and

conceptions of
own

blinded

and idolaters,
not

meets

in their the

sphere. They would

message any

have

been
have

impressed by
scouted and of
on

of who

prophet.
the
not

"

They would

stoned

opposed they could

on

national adoration universal, resist the conclusions forced found

on

Dagon
them

; but

when,

two

follow the

ing mornings, they

emblem
and which
arms was

his the

image prostrate
second
so

before

of

Jehovah, and
severed
from
was

occasion
that the

the head

the

body,

only part
the

left intact

the fish's tail with which be made

act
a

figure
was a

ended.
no

That

it

might
them,

still clearer

that

this

coincidence, but
with
on

the

of

God, and

that of

He

had

controversy
broke
out

terrible

plague
which

"tumours"

each
a

successive visitation
it may of of

city to
have course,

the
vermin

Ark
on

was

removed,
country
We towards
way

and

destructive been that

the

districts where
must not

deposited.
God had
was

suppose,
untutored

no
no

love other

these

souls,but

that there

of

convincing them

of his real nature

and

prerogatives.

42

4Htsfartun" plagues
of of

on

^Risforfune.

The

sins

himself

ordained, not only to punish the Egypt were Pharaoh made pride and obstinacy with which but that the Egyptians the Almighty strong against
" "

might

be forced
of whom

to

recognisethat
now

He

was

the great God

a

of

Heaven,

and

again they caught

prostrated form they
were

glimpse.
Dagon,
the

in Similarly, the

this

instance,the by
which caused

of

painful disease

smitten, and
to

devastation

of their crops,

them that

cry unto

heaven

(ver. 12), as
dealt
was

though they
a

realized

they

were

being
who

with

by

greater than
all local

Dagon

"

by

the great

Being

to superior

gods.
this is of the Divine methods
win the and

What with
man

sublime
!

revelation
an

With

infinite

longing He
men.

desires

to

and allegiance

devotion

of all

The He
"

consummate

unapproachable
pose is in the Son

revelation

which

has

made

for this pur of the

of his Love.

The But in

only begotten
of what
use

Father, He
been the
to

hath

declared
of

Him."

had

it

have of

spoken
men were

his Son darkened

? No !

those

earlydays, when
grossest concep
be
on

hearts

by
Line
of

the
must

tions and

basest morals

line, pre
must

cept
"

upon

precept
at."
eyes. The

The
must light must

times
be

ignorance
to the

be
and be

winked

tempered
the whom

weak

diseased understood
in after

God
the

adopt

language that
He and method had

could

by

children Lord

of men, his

loved, just as
side
to

days
which

our

exposed

hands
to
a

the

incredulous stration

Thomas,
he

condescending
could
could

of demon himself sug

appreciateand
have

gested.
like those
written

If the of

Philistines

understood

Epistles
been
commu

John, they would, without

their

doubt, have
since

for
to

learning and
some
means man

correction, and
; but

nicated
not

them

by
such

of God
of

they could
reached

understand
the overthrow

instruction, they were

their
the of

by
tion

and the

of shattering

idol,the plagues
the
direc

which

accompanied
taken

progress

ark, and

by

the

milch

kine, which, whilst lowing for their

J9tmft -Retribution.
littleones,
which

43 the

bore

their sacred
from

burden

along

road straight

led them

their home

towards

Beth-shemesh.
had and
to

the Similarly,

inhabitants
that God
to

of that frontier town

was a a

learn He ir To

by

stern not

lesson

holy God,
wanton

that

could
reverence

permit them
in Ark

manifest sacred

and curiosity of his presence.

to
more sons

handling the
as

emblem

pry and

into the
even

they did, was

forbidden
how much

the
to

priests,
them
?

the

himself; high priest

the

It had

been
on

asserted, when distinctly

the

two

of Aaron

perished
that God

day

of their

to inauguration

the

priesthood,
and

would

be sanctified

in all that

came

nigh Him,
the the the

before
The

all the
reverence

people He
due
to

would Him
were

be
must

glorified (Lev. x. 3).

be shown
to

vessels

of the sanctuary, which before

veiled by carefully
for

priests
Levites

they were
this

taken

up

by transportation
The
extorted of

(Num.

i. 50, 51 ; iv. 5,
on

16-30).
of

swift retribution which the

as

followed

act

irreverence
holiness
to

reverent
men

acknowledgment
Beth-shemesh

of the awful
"

God,

the

of

said,
?
"

Who
on

is able
the other

stand

before

this had

holy
been

Lord

God

When,
to

hand, the Ark

borne reverently
some

the city of Kirjath-jearim,

the

woods,

three
on

miles which

distant
the crops

from
were

the

great valley of Bethin the sun, of and

shemesh,
had and
an

goldening
the

been
his
son

carefullyentrusted
of the

to

custody

Abinadab
was

Eleazar, the blessingthat

tender dwell
love with and him
at

befell his house

indication is

pity of
his word. of
a

the
a

Divine
humble

nature, who
and

to willing

that is of

lowly heart,
not

and

that trembleth with

Oh, do
heart whom

fear

Jehovah
and the Ark

the dread

craven

heart,
your Him is the
covers

but with the

to

loyallove
not set
our

devotion
of the
a

of sons,

and

open

receive
hath

Covenant

only, but
who which

God

forth for

and propitiation,

for Propitiation the Ark of the

the sins,i.e.,

mercy-seat

Covenant,

with sprinkled of Law

blood, and

exactly

and fitting

hiding the

Tables

beneath.

VI.

(i

SAMUEL

vii.

2.)
strong
breath from wrong !

"

Be ! hold

still and

Man,
And

my

Brother

thy sobbing
window pure

keep
so,
as

thy
life's may

soul's

large

That

appointment
be clear
"

issueth,
watch

Thy
The

vision

to

along
of death E. !
"

sunset

consummation

lights

B.

BROWNING.

WHILST
were

the in

events

described
Samuel noble
or was

in

the

last

chapter
to

progress,

giving
of

himself

the As
soon as our

great
flesh
out
so

and

work
our

reconstruction.

is

lacerated,

bones
to
renew

broken,
the As

Nature

begins

to

pour and

her

reparative forces
the ruined
are

damaged
it is

tissues,

rebuild
in

temple.

in

physical life,so
natures
over

there spiritual, with of the

always holy and

work of
waste

gentle

that the

are

charged
torrent

the

Divine

of

bridging
new

roaring
of order land the

revolution, and

rearing

continents the

from

weltering engulfed. Almighty,

to

ocean

by

which

previous
this, like
without
the To

had work
and

been
of the

Blessed

work,
when in the

indeed,
earth of

is
was

who,
build

the

form

void, began
for man's

midst

her

habitable this
on

places

existence.

Samuel

devoted field of

the

twenty
The from from
was

years

that

followed invasion

directly
seems

the

Aphek.
subsided retired
He

Philistine
its first occupancy able
to

to

have
and

somewhat
to

triumphant
of pursue from

outburst,
interior

have of

the thus

the
his the he

portions

Israel.

quiet
zealous
must

and

unobtrusive
and

toils for

his

fatherland,
to

free

supervision
have

opposition

which,

otherwise,

been

subjected.

Rational "nit|r.
He
seems

45 in Ramah,
Here
were so

to

have

taken with young

up

his

abode

associated intimately

his earliest
men

days.
of the

his
were

headquarters,where
formed
where Their with

gathered to him,
the father of

and

into the earliest of the schools also he

names
are

prophets, and
two
sons.

married, and
of the other

became

of suggestive
name

their father's
one
"

piety and
"
"

walk is

God

"

the

being Joel
"Jehovah
Ark in

Jehovah
which

God," and
Amid
he

of the

Abiah

is my

Father."

the

general disturbance
nurtured, with
of the Tabernacle
rites and in

of the
the

life in religious
one

had

been

place
been

and

the

remnants
ance
an was

another, with the discontinu

had
so

of the sacred assistance

to

feasts,which
years, and
to

great

piety in
with

former

Samuel

nevertheless
a

able

to

walk

God,
is

preserve

devout

life. religious
to

Probably this
a

why

God

permits from
are
unseen

time

time

so

great

shaking of
cannot

the

thingsthat

made, that
and

the may In

thingswhich
be
more

be

shaken, the
and
more

eternal,
unto.

clearlydefined
age
we

eagerlysought
Him have

this present

have
"

heard
;
we

saying,
seen

"

will of

overturn,

overturn,

overturn

theories
with
out

rudely assailed; churches inspiration tion; ancient

true
as us

menaced

destruc
of

creeds

ruthlessly questioned; but

to

it all

is religion from

destined

emerge

in undiminished
In the and

lustre,
let is my

gold
say

the

furnace. purifying

meanwhile, Jehovah
which

with
Let

Samuel,
us

Jehovah
above fast,
us

is God

Father.
of
our

hold

to the unchanging love all,

a

Father, who
compare
knew

loves

with
or

love

with

there

is

nothing to
Samuel
realized the be

in heaven
were

earth.
two

that there Israel's sad realized. the

objectswhich
could The which of be national it had

must

be
or

before

condition
First
:

remedied

Divine
recovered

ideal

unity must
been the
over

from
It
was

anarchy
to

in

whelmed.

useless of the with

think

holding
so

land
as

against the
each tribe

inroads
was

neighbouring people
an

long

content

isolated

existence, repelling

46
its of
own

"rje (itork
enemies for
a

of

llcranstnution.
to

time, but indifferent

of
a

the

condition
Israel
must

its neighbours and

one,

the
common

country

at

large.
tribe be

be

animated
and

by

enthusiasm
each

for

its future of its let the

independence
all be chosen This of the in

integrity.Let
fulfil its
own

proud
glory

and idiosyncrasy,
one

distinctive

mission
and

; but

the independence asserting

of

people.
is
no

less desirable
are

in

our

own

age. her

The

divisions

Church

her

bane,

and

render and

impotent before
vexes

her foes. and their

Ephraim
common

envies

Judah,
make

Judah
sad the

Ephraim
witness

enemies
and beween shall
to

profitout
a

of

their mutual

recriminations
the

rivalries.

It is

to spectacle

divisions
we

Christians
never

in

face

of
men

mocking
till
to

world, and
we

be

able

to

make

believe and

have with Him

learned

magnify
who love

the the

points of agreement,
Lord

bear with

all those
as

Jesus, and

are

united of

their may

living Head,
differ

though their
our own.

method

the stating

truth
:

widely from
eaten

Secondly
must

The
away.

evils that had The

into the nation's forsaken the

heart of

be put

people had
and in his stead. land. rife. of

God

their fathers

for the

Phoenician

Philistine Shrines

whose deities,
to

images
Ashtoreth

were

worshipped
covered the

Baal

and

Foul
And

orgies of
it
was save

shameless that

impurity were
only
from
a

everywhere
before

evident
the

widespread revival
had

could religion

people

rottingaway

the very

evils for which

the ancient

Canaanites
This
unto
was

been

destroyed.

Samuel's of

opportunity.
heart, then

"And

Samuel
return unto

spake
the

all the .house with the all your

Israel,saying, If ye do
put away
you, and and

Lord and your

cannot

the

strange

gods
Men

Ashtaroth
unto

from the

among

prepare Him

(or direct)

hearts live

Lord,

serve

only."

be long There permanently without God. may carelessness,of unholiness, and sinful periods of irreligious which the counterparts of the Baalim are self-indulgence,

of

prater.
; but

47

and
a

Ashtaroth flow where lament

of

the

old has

nature-worship
been
an

there all

will

be

there

ebb
the

; and sen-ant

Israel of

will be

presently
then

after
to

God.

Let

God

prepared
was

strike

in, for his hour

a man

has

come.

Samuel
on

pre-eminently
pages of

of prayer. he

He that Psa.

is known
called
on

the

subsequent
Name In

Scripture,as
ix. 6,
7,
man

the

Divine
xv.

(i

Sam. he

S, 9;
of

xcix.

6;

Jer.

i).
and

addition,
"

was

blameless

repu It

tation

life

in said

themselves that the the those

eminent

qualifications.
work of of

has

been

truly
and

special

guiding,
men

moderating,
the

softening

jarring counsels
who have grown

is
into

particular privilege of strength

; of

up

natural

from
who

the
can

early beginnings of purity and

goodness
back
no

those middle
or

humbly
youth,
to

and and pure

thankfully

look with

through
sudden
"

age,

and

childhood,
and

rent

breach
such of
was

their

peaceful happy
his lot.

recollections
He
was

and
a man

certainly

Samuel's

also upon his

practicalsagacity,and
conscience
to

by
so

appeals
as

wrought
result in

the

national
"

that,
the Ark
was

the

of

efforts,

it

came

pass,
was

while

abode

Kirjath-jearim,that
:

the

time of

long

; for

it

twenty
after the

years

and

all

the

house

Israel

lamented

Lord." Notice is the

"

those

two

phrases
the lost

all the

house

of Israel

"

there

restoration is the

of

unity

; lamented

after
was

the Lord

there

national reformation

repentance,
"

which the and

a

followed

by
Israel Lord
unto

widespread
put
away Would
our

Then

children
served

of
the

did

Baalim
that

and

Ashtaroth,

only."
God the in

there land

might
! In
"

be

similar

turning thy
years work

time
of

and

Revive,
midst

O
of

Lord,
the

in

midst

the

years.

the

make

known."

VII.

ftljt "irt0rtJ
(i
SAMUEL

of
vii.

1-14.)

'

'

Oh
The

bring
vanished the world back hearts that

us

back

once

more

days
with the of

of
Faith

yore,
was

When

filled

Bring
The The hands

fervid
fire

zeal, steel,
build." LONGFELLOW.

and
and

believe

ATER
one

twenty
had manifest their

years

of

quiet
people

and
to

unobtrusive desire had

a

toil,
to

Samuel
and

led the

his old and

both

feel
them

unity,
there

which
was

made

before

enemies,
The sacred

distinct
that all

yearning
the house
2,

after of

Jehovah.
"

writer
"

tells after

us

Israel

was

drawn

together
drawn
to

Jehovah
were

(verse
drawn
in the

R.V.,

tnarg.).
each
the

In
as

being
the

God
a

they

towards

other,
Lord

spokes
is
the

of
centre

wheel of
our

centre

hub.
we

If
must

Jesus
be drawn

heart-life,
all

inevitably
He
In is also
verses

into
best.
4
we

friendship

with

those

to

whom

first and
3

and

probably
which end
to

have

the

substance
to

of all

innumerable
house

exhortations Israel. From

to

Samuel end
to

delivered traversed
;
to

the

of

he

the

country,
away the

urging
false of
were

the

people
and

return to

Jehovah
their On

put
to

gods

Ashtaroth,
and their
serve

direct

hearts
every

the

God idols
were

their
cast

fathers

Him

only.
and and
the

hand

from
to
an

pedestals,
the
groves

vicious

orgies

brought

end

in

valleys.

31 gag
I. THE

of Confession.
AT

49

CONVOCATION
a

MIZPEH.

"

The

movement

at

last demanded moned The

sum public demonstration, and Samuel all Israel to Mizpeh. the law enjoined on devoted to fasting, as day was

the great

Day
In Water

of

Atonement.

The

people
novel

confessed

their

sins,afflicted their souls, and

humbled

themselves

before
was

Jehovah.
duced.

addition,
was

somewhat
a

rite

intro

brought from
before the
Whenever
as

neighbouring well,and
as

solemnly poured
Feast of
run

out

Lord,

afterwards

at

the

Tabernacles. its course,

was

that

great festival had

celebrated go forth

nearly Spring

it

was

being
the

in
to

the
the

Temple,

it of

the

custom

for the

to priests

Siloam, accompanied by
water

Levite
was

choir, and

bring thence
at

in

golden vessel

; this

the foot of the all around

"

at the hour altar,

of the

poured out morning sacrifice,

chanted of the

while

the

white-vestured
ye draw
scene

choir
out

Isaiah's
wells of
was

words,
the Such

With

joy
Whether

shall

water

salvation." of origin may

as was

this

in

the

life of

Samuel

that solemn

procession,it is impossibleto though service,the flowing

the of

say.

have used
a

been
in the

the case,

it is generally assumed

that,
water

Temple
of the

pouring
water

out

of the

memorial

from

smitten
out

rock in the

and wilderness,

type of the

pouring

of the

(John vii. 37-39). Holy Spirit

forth of water may have floods their full hearts

The

pouring they

poured
tears

forth from

implied that they of penitence and

of

; that

desired free from

by

the

heaviness

their

grief to
past

wash

their land
or

the accumulated

evil of the
utter

years ;
so

that the

people
as

realized

their

helplessness,
which have it may

that

they
not

were

water

spilton
But
a

the

ground,

could

be

gathered
have

up.

whatever

it must signified,

Samuel,
the whole of

as

the nation

their fathers.
G

when striking spectacle, of his countrymen, brought representative back God to true to the loyal allegiance It was for his manhood's a worthy act very

been

50

of flftetfictorji
we
are

prime,and
outburst
of

not

to surprised
was

learn

as that, by

sudden

acclamation, he
shall

6). appointed judge (ver.

Oh,
put

who

induce

away

the

evil

professingChurch of God to her testimony is now things by which

the in

impaired !
Church
we

Sometimes
hear of

buildings connected
concerts, the
of in and

with

the

full-dress raffles, fancy-fairs, many other the

soirees,
such

dances, theatricals, comic

like
which things,

indicate
an

corruption of fungi indicate

which
if the

spiritual
and
What

life, as as certainly
unwholesome
would would
"

army

the

damp
of

atmosphere
be
to

they thrive.
children

not
come

the

blessed

result and

God

another

Mizpeh

confess,as
"

Israel

did,

We

have

sinned

againstthe
OF

Lord

II.

THE

VICTORY reached

FAITH.

"

The

of tidings looked

this great
upon it
as

convocation
an

the

who Philistines, of the the every and

unmistakable
"

sign
lords
From

of returningspirit

national

life,and
Israel"

the

of

Philistines

went

up

against
a

(ver.7).
were

part the
there of
was

contingents of
every
reason

great army
fear

assembled,
terrible
of fear

to

that

the A

experiences
but
one

Aphek
the God

would

be

renewed. of Israel.
to

panic

spread through
hope
be
:

multitudes
must

There

appeared

arise
the

his

people's help,or they would

the ? ? conqueror. could What unarmed the national and could What How the
onset

trampled
timid
do

beneath do

heel

of

sheep

against

wolves soldiers

peasants
which life,

against such
was

could

just reviv
years,
not to

ing,after
stand
unto
"

discouragement
of
our save

anarchy
"

of

with
to

the the He

these God
us

bitter foes ?

Cease

cry

Lord

for
out

us," the people said

hand
of the Thou

Samuel,
been
in

that

will

of the

Philistines." hast

Ah, soul ! this is the only hope for thee.

ground
in the

down

beneath
the

tyrant sins,which

have

held
hast

thee

subjection as

Philistines

did Israel ; thou Samson shorn

groaned

like prison-house,

another

of his locks.

^Joinerof
There moral
to
seems no

|Jraijer.
deliverance, because
evils
in stand

51

help

or

hope
the the

of

thy
days

life is

impaired by
infected

permission of
Hebrew
away,
out

analogous
the

those the

which

nation and

of

Judges.
name

Only put
of God where withheld

these pour

clear of

them

; in the

all your
; receive

self-confidence the and

before the Cross

which soul
;

Jesus died
from many the

forgiveness

is and

never

penitent
the

believing
will
save

then, however
sins that beset

be

obstacles, tempta

tions,and
thee
If souls
out

thee, know

that the Lord

of the hand

of thine enemies. and overwhelmed of the

only the tempted

in the

would
Word and

bathe of

their
and Lord

purifying waters
and

God,

cultivate the would

of unwavering prayer spirit

the faith, peace.

for them, fight

they might hold their

The

power

of

Samuel's

prayers

was

already
in the

known

throughout the land, like Queen

Mary.
them
The
to

those of

John
of

Knox
to

days

of
;

they felt

be

people had come the palladium

they might

believe in them

their liberties.
on

If

only Samuel They knew

would
But
not

would that he
cease.

pray, had

count

deliverance.
that he

prayed ; they now

than
a

entreated

Samuel and

did

more
as

pray.

He

took

sucking
Lord,
before

lamb,
the

offered it

whole of

to burnt-offering

the

symbolizing thus
to

the

desire
There

Israel

to

be

wholly yielded

Divine

will.

must

be

consecration

there
to

can

be faith and sin ; God.

we

deliverance. also
must
"

It is not

enough simply
and absolutely in the
"

put away

must

give ourselves
a

to entirely

There

be

wholeness

offering,
be what

the
ever

yieldingourselves
God would
have

soul, and spirit,

us

body
in you the

to

be.

Failure
If

walk

always
flaw in

denotes
overcome

failure in

the

heart-life.
sure

are

perpetually
is
a

by
the

the

be Philistines,

that there

your

inner consecration. smoke of this

was offering

While

risingin

the

calm

52

"IjE Uictorg of
the eyes of
tens
as

air,and

of
a

thousands

were

fixed upon

the

figure of Samuel, who,

his his

prophet

of the

Lord,

was

within

rightsin superseding the

; and

Levitical

in priests for
near

this solemn

function

while the
not

piercing cries
drew them

Divine
to

help

were

risingto heaven,
Israel.

Philistines
see

battle
the

against
had

Can

you

creeping
suddenly
"

up

mountain
no

slopes, and

encircling the
power the
to

defenceless But

crowd the

which
voice

might
answered with upon
a

nor

resist ? of the

of God

voice

prophet.
discomfited

The

Lord
on

thundered that

great thunder
the

(Hebrew,

the voice

of God)

day
was

and Philistines, with Then themselves

them."

The rolled

sky
the Down
cast

suddenly black
the of mountains. Israel

tempest,
at
a

peal after peal signal from

the
arms

through
men

Samuel,

flung

upon the

flying foe.
which
were

the
away

steep they sped, catching up

in and flight, the stripping

dead

of their weapons. that

"

Josephus
horrors of

tells of that

another

circumstance

added

to

the

irresistible
an

onslaught.
the

God

destroyed their
under
in

ranks

with
so

earthquake ;
there
was no

ground

trembled
to

their feet,

that

place whereon
the

stand
some

safety. They
of the chasms

either fell
that

helplessto
beneath

earth, or into

opened
the

them."
when
own now

The

pursuit only stayed

shadow of their it is

the

Philistines
of

came

beneath
Well

fortress
called. whole

Bethcar, the

of the

Vineyards, as
great message
of God

This

is the the

of would

the

story for
the

us.

If

only

Church

put
we

away

evils

that
come

grieve
out

his be

Holy

if only Spirit,
not

would the

ourselves

and

separate,

touching
too.

unclean

thing, and
deliver
we

cleansingourselves
would

from
us

all filthiness of the The Lord

the Spirit flesh,

us,

interpose for
our

would that

on fighting more

behalf

againstour
through
than take

foes, so
Him the

should
us,

be
and

than
to

conquerors

that

loveth

have

do

nothing

more

spoil.

VIII.

Stonw
(i SAMUEL
"

of
vii.

l^lp.
12.)
of this

And

in

the

strength

I rode,

Shattering
And And And

all evil

customs

everywhere,
realms, hordes,
and in and and the made bore them them of mine down this
;
;

past
clash'd broke

through
with

Pagan Pagan
all ;

through

strength

Came

victor." TENNYSON.

"

"

^HEN

Samuel

took

stone,
called

and it

set

it

between

Mizpeh
stone

and of

Shen,

and

Eben-ezer
hath the

(the
Lord Israel of

help) saying,
was

Hitherto

helped
had the of

us."

This
the

the defeat

same

spot
which

upon
to

which
the that

suffered
Ark the
scene

great
How

led
this the

capture
the

(iv. i). victory

of that should

wonderful

was,

story
been

be
!

told

upon

plain

which

had

the

defeat
moment

From
was

Samuel's The the

supremacy
came no

in

the
more

country

established.

Philistines border
of

during
of the

his Lord

judgeship
was

within the

Israel.

The The

hand

against
the

Philistines

all his

days.
from

alienated Israel The found from Com

mere were

cities
restored

which
to

Philistines
from taken
to

had
even

taken
unto

Israel,
who had

Ekron

Gath.

very it

Amorites,
to

part

with

the

Canaanites,
and

their

advantage

side As

with
Dean

Samuel

abstain Ellicott's
was no

hostilities

(verse 14).
"

Spence,
at

in

"

mentary,"

says

This
was

success

Eben-ezer of
a new

solitaryvictory, but
which and

the

sign during

spiritin Israel,
of

animated
the

the
of The

nation David

the

lifetime
and of

Samuel,
great
and

reigns
kings.

and

Solomon

the

Hebrew

petty

jealousies

had

disappeared

54
had old

"bc JStottt of Help. given place

to
a

great national

desire for

unity.
every

The

idol-worship of Canaan, which

was it, practised

degraded
measure

nation

alitywhich
from the
care

in

great
while

swept away
pure of religion the
new

among Lord and of

the

chosen
was

people,

the

Hosts

not established,

only through

guardianshipof
prophets."
prayer will
over

the tribe of

Levi, but only

prays
men

by

the

order What

of the

cannot

do the

It soul
so

can

not

open
an

and

close

heaven,
supremacy that the the
man

but

give
of the

that that

undisputed acknowledge politician,

who has and

his times,

will much

saviour of
how

city is
the with
man

not

so

the

intellect, or
to to

of

but he affairs,

learned

walk be the

God, and
of

by
the

his

character

intercession
and

palladium
monoliths

national

liberties

existence. There
are

many
strewn

such

as

the

"

Stone

of

Help,"
such

to

be found

through these
as

northern

lands, from
to

venerable which the

are

circles

those
to

of the

Stonehenge,
traveller and

the

ones single

pointed out
of the the the of

in Northern Britons.
to

Wales

"

last home

Druids
man

ancient

Throughout himself, and

monuments

world,

has

endeavoured

associate

history of
In

his

with life,
has

the

permanent

nature.

this he
"

approved alike his

every transience
so a slight

littleness and
such of endeavour

his is
a

greatness
confession

his
on

because littleness,
his part of the that he
a

his

days, and
on

his consciousness which he

has

hold

the his

earth, on

is but
he

sojourner
of

and

pilgrim;
with
a

greatness, because
of

is

capable

investing
rocks,
this

halo

undying
and

interest wild

glens and
rivers.

barren
It of

darksome
reason

caves

deep, rushing
older It is with

is for the the

that with make

every

spot in the

countries

world tourist

teems
can or

interest.

that difficulty
or

his way

through England
he will

Scotland, Germany
hesitation
or or

Italy;whereas
thousands

haste, without
of

halting,
Western

through

of miles

Canada

the

Ifessons
States.
How

of

(Bnraurarjemcnt.
instance, is
the
to

55 interest
of

different,for

travelling through the New England and Each Wisconsin. through Dakota
one

States
square

travelling
of the of

mile

is

fragrantwith

some

reminiscence interesting
a

the

past, whilst the other

At
one or

only recalls
let For
us

vanished
a

race.

the foot of
two

this stone
more.

for linger have

to little,

learn

lessons

stones

ears

and

voices.
end

Joshua said that the

his

stone

which
our

he

reared, at the
said that

of

had life-work, Him

xix.

heard

; and

Lord

the stones
27 ;

around

might

be

expected to

cry out

(Joshua xxiv.

Luke

40).
SITE. It stood and

I. ITS
a

"

on

ground
We

which
are

had

witnessed
the
on

terrible defeat
the

disaster.

told,in
was

fourth this

chapter,that
spot.
and in
"

great battle of
went out

Israel

Aphek against the

fought
to

Philistines

battle,

pitched Aphek."
and
;
v.

beside
"

Eben-ezer, and
the

the had

Philistines taken
unto

pitched
Ark of

Now

Philistines it from

the

God,

they brought
i).
who

Eben-ezer

Ashdod"

(iv.i
named before
Here the

Many

gathered around
must

Samuel, when
been

he

raised

and years

this stone,
on

have

present
of slain

twenty
Israel's

that

fatal

field, the

Flodden

glory.

the

fighthad
of

been

the fiercest,

thickest ; there had

the

corpses in

Hebrews

and

Philistines beneath

fallen like feet of

Ark At

leaves

Vallombrosa,
;

trampled

the of this

combatants

yonder

the

God,

as

it was

taken and

the had raged around fight and taken again. re-taken, had in

point,desperate deeds
Israel from
a

of valour

been vain.

done

to

turn

back

shameful Phinehas. the

but flight,
In

There

Hophni
was

and fell,

there

this

place
was

brief stand

made,
children
back

but
of the

again
a

ill-formed
race,

line

broken, and
turned

the
not

chosen

whose and

forefathers

in

day of Gideon

Jephthah, fled

like

sheep

before

the wolf.

56

"Ije j$t0ttE of
though
the

But, notwithstandingall this,and

associated
in of

spot

was

with

the memories the result of

of

disgrace and
the

shame, which,
the

turn,

were

on deep transgression

part

people
What

and
so

priesthood,yet eloquently of
be
been the

there the

was

stone

erected

which

spoke

Divine

help.
in

livingencouragement
We, too, may
have
met

is contained this

this for
hour

us

all !

traversing at sadly marked

foes Our of
our

very

battle and

fields which

by
peace have in

defeat.

Again
to

again we
only
to

have be and

in mortal

conflict,
the We
meant

repulsed.
our

hopes
rolled

been
dust and

dashed

ground
meant

banners

blood.
We

never

to

yield again,but
vow

we

did

yield. holy
in

that that

solemn

should

be
were

kept, that
shivered

resolution We

carried into effect ; but

have in been overthrown all the
"

they by
our

pieces.
Yet you you

adversary, and
our

overpowered,
take shall have You rocks eddies the

spite of
At

our

efforts, by
to make

besettingsin.
you have fallen

heart.

very

place where
shall be
more

stand,for
been
shall which around
mature

God

is able
you very withered

you

stand"; where
than songs
a

overthrown tread
saw

conqueror.

those the

fields with leaves

of

joy.
swirl

The in

of autumn green of

you

shall behold of shall

summer.

the young Be raised

on

spring and
!

fulness

of

good

cheer

The the

stone

of

Eben-ezer of

be

the

very

field of

fatal

battle

Aphek.
RETROSPECT.
were

II.

ITS

"

What

story this

stone

had

to

if all tell, with his

unfolded, of the wonderful

It looked back
on

dealingsof
twenty
had been

God of

people.

the

years

patientwork, by
ing
the

which

the

prophet
to

Samuel God

lead
"

people
from the

homeward
and
unseen

the

of

their fathers
of the

quiet,unobtrusive,
insects the islet emerges It looked back

work, like that

the

coral

bottom with
on

of its

mighty
a scene

ocean,

till presently

crown

of fronded of

palms.
iconoclasm
as,

many

foohttujgfuh.
from
away groves Dan of
to

57
a

Beersheba, there had

Baalim overthrow and of altars.

been

general putting
down
on

the

Ashtaroth, the

cutting
back

of that

and

It looked

memorable
was

convocation
out

of all Israel at

Mizpeh, when
of

water

poured
It looked

before

the

Lord

in confession

sin

and

humble

penitence.
back
to specially,

the

of offering
to

the

burnt-

which offering,

declared
to

Israel's resolve and

to

be

henceforth
of

wholly devoted
intercession. moment,
"

God,
the

Samuel's

piercing cry
that memorable
to

Above
as

it looked all, Philistines with

back
drew
a

on

when,

near

battle

against
the

Israel, the
down memory

Lord

thundered

great thunder
and had
as

upon

and Philistines,

discomfited
If that

them,
stone

they were
eyes

smitten
of it of

before

Israel." its old

engraved slabs
and
ears,

within

heart, as

well

surelynever
Israel
one on

would

their

forgetthe mad onslaughtof the men foes,to avenge fleeingand panic-stricken

the wrongs and

in

brief hour

oppressionsof twenty long

place in
your

years.

Has
answer

anything like
much

this taken

life?

On

your

will

depend.
been
no

If since of the
me,

your

last failure and those

defeat

there have

acts

soul,like
is
no

which

took
there As

place at Mizpeh, believe

there

of probability
reverses.

being any
have
so failed,

break

in the

long monotony
you there

of your

you

been
you

defeated,so

will be defeated

as

you

have

will fail ; unless

is the
of

pouring out
the

of your

heart
to

before Him

God, the putting away

idols,and

resolve
If
must
as

follow

may

be

fully. permitted to quote

to

my

own

I experience,
so life, long

bear witness

the incessant my heart

failure of my which
were

I cherished

thingsin
for

alien to God's

holy will.
small

Rules

solemn holy living,

and

and

heart-stirring
very little

books conventions,helpful
result. But
H

addresses,produced but
amendment,
had
been

There

was

temporary
at

but

else.

when

the

scene

Mizpeh

reflected in

58
the inner mirror
very You
one

"rje %tam
of the

at

Help.
took place on victory
my reader the

soul, then
Let
out
some

spot marked
cannot

by
the

defeat. moth in

ponder
so or

this.
as

keep
You

of

your

house,

long

old

blanket, stored
cannot

neglected cupboard
your

box,

is full of it.
so

from keep diphtheria

home,

long

as

one

crack You will stood

in the
never on

drains

is

emitting the poison of

stone

sewer-gas. until you away the

raise your
watch-tower

of

Eben-ezer and

have

the

of what his

Mizpeh
is

put

all known eyes of

with sin,all complicity

grievous in
power

Christ.

Only
cannot.

so

will

even

keeping

avail.
You
as

say that you

The

evil

thing clingsto
and his the
sons.

you The

the

serpent
creeper threatens you that is the

folds has
to

around wound crush

Laocoon itself around

deadly
and life, How

tree

of

your

it to

death that
cannot

in its deadly embrace. which live has

so

can

rid

yourself of
feel you

strong

fascination

you

apart from

it ?

Ah,
to

that

point where
your
rescue

the and

Great

Physician is willing
! What you

interposefor
do you for

deliverance
The
to

cannot

He yourself,
or,

will do.
you

only question is,

be made

Are Often

willing ?

Are

willing

willing?
that the Then Him be
as

enough
a

like will,
there you

of the soul history tough piece of iron, resists

in the

it and

happens
resents.

is

one

glad
be
as

resource

"

take
or

it to

Christ,tell
will
your
not

that you

cannot

you

would,
to

that you

should,
almost Do
moment
we

and

pray

Him

undertake

difficult and

desperate case.
not

doubt of
our

the

result. and

He

takes
when
once

what He

we

give at
has taken the of her
rest

the

givingit ;
to
our

it,

may

press gave

heart

the
a

consolation

which

good
life : until

Naomi

to

Ruth

in
...

memorable
man

moment

"Sit
he

still, my

have

for the daughter; finished the thing this day."

will not

III.

ITS

INSCRIPTION.

"
"

Hitherto

hath

the Lord

helped

Our
us."
it had ward.

(Bbcn-c^crs.
had
a

59 have
as

Surely
also It
a

if the

stone

retrospect,
forward has
to

as

we

seen,

prospect.
to

It looked say, been had He

so

as

well
so

back
will results in

seemed

As

God

helped,
secure

He

help.
as

It would

have years

impossible

such

those

twenty

witnessed, culminating
had much

this

glorious victory,unless
and
to to

been

very

present

help;

could finish

He what

have He had

done

without

being prepared
he have ?

commenced? his

Would
to ability

begun
Would the
cost

build have

without
entered
to

calculatingon
on a

finish

He of

campaign
?
us

without

counting

carrying it
As
we

conclusion

go

through life,let
so

be
new

careful

to

erect

our

Eben-ezer
to
we

stones,
on

that and
to

when

responsibilities begin
difficulties
Newton
me

crowd
may

us,

or

fresh

unforeseen

threaten,

be

emboldened
His love in time
me

sing

with

"

past forbids
at

to to

think

He'll
Each

leave
sweet

last in trouble I have

to

sink

Eben-czer his

in review

Confirms

good pleasure
you will Him and occasions
a

help
trust

me

quite through.

All

through life,if
will derive
a

only
grace

God,
grace, of

if if

only by only
He of you has

faith you
will claim

from

for

continuance will have

crowning
to
"

all that
stones

begun
and the
to

"

you say

raise

these

help

with
that

the

Apostle,
God,

Having,
unto

therefore, obtained
this

help
to

is from
and
on on

I stand The of of the

our

day, testifying
that
we

both
erect

small be
ever

great."

last

stone

shall
our on

will for work

to

the

margin
land

river.

As

we

turn enter

back the
stone

the

pilgrimage, and
shall
once
"

and the of

worship

of
our

eternity,we
God,

set

up

great
a

glory

of

saying

more,

with hath

deep
Lord

sigh

perfected satisfaction,

Hitherto

the

helped."

IX.

"

(teat
(i

Disapp0inttmttt
SAMUEL

vii., viii. )

'

'

They
Can

who every who

have

steeped

their

souls
bear
;

in

Prayer

anguish
have learnt dark

calmly
to

They
From

pray draw

aright
up

pain's

well

delight."
HOUGHTON.

THE
easy
not

supreme

test

of

character When
are

is
the

disappointment
stream

and

apparent
us,

failure.
our

flowing
into
we

is with
it is

and
to

plans
at
our

ripening
But what

fruition, really are

the
our
a

enough
appear
us;

be

best.

does
turn

under let
men

such
avert to true

conditions. their
on

Let

tide

against
let
arms us

faces

and

refuse

counsels;
world
now

be
"

driven
our

stand
metal

the is

defence

against
We
a are

in
see

then

approved.
the

to

how
ment.

Samuel This of

bore
at

himself least may

in be

face
of

of

keen
as

disappoint
of old

said
fast

him,

it

was

said

Job,

that

he

still held

his

integrity.

I. years
set
men

How that

THE

DISAPPOINTMENT
the up that which

BEFEL. of his

"

During

the

followed
to

glorious victory
in the hearts

Aphek,

Samuel

himself

build
of

of

fellow-country
in the

something
the Divine
was

profound
we

belief
as

Reign
and

of

King,
dear
to

know

the

Theocracy,

which His his

so

all devout

Hebrews.
were

headquarters
childhood's
and

and

home
years. he
came,

at

Ramah,
he
went

the
on

scene

of

happy

Thence Samuel the

itinerating
act

journeys,
the he

wherever
and

strove

to

only
was

as

representative
but
the

agent
and

of

Divine of the

King.
Lord

Who of Hosts

messenger

minister

JVn InspiringConception.
With all the he force

61

of his character
that the

and
were

eloquence
the

of his

speech
Him

insisted

people
Him

subjects of
in

to Jehovah, owing allegiance

alone, and

from receiving

direction in times of

and perplexity,
no

deliverance
was

days
;
no

of battle.

They
those those

needed who

king
"

Jehovah
messages Him.
as

King
;
no a

but officials,

uttered

His

code

of

laws, but
ful and

that

emanated

from and

It
went

was

beauti
and fro

inspiring conception;
the

he
upon

to

throughout
musical
"

land

of

Israel,still
were

the words refrain,

for

like a lips, constantly being breathed,

his

Speak, Lord,
The
same

thy servant
To Samuel's the

heareth."
as

was object

in his mind

he instituted the schools

of

the

prophets.
we

wise

of interpretation
of these
seats

his
of

times

must

attribute

institution

learning.
between failed which
the
some

The

priesthood had
and

forfeited its
Eli and

right to
his
sons

stand had for of

Jehovah
too

his

people.

abjectlyand
was

to entirely to instituted,

realize

the

purpose
the

their office

encourage It
was

hope

resuscitation other
times

of

the

order. priestly
must

clear

that

religious body
demanded
of
an

be
of should

called
men,

into

existence. should
to

The

order who

who

be

trained
the
men

in the law
to

God,
time

be fitted
the

interpret
of whom what light

holy oracles
should had

the

people,and
to

from
to

midst

arise from
in the had

time

tell in the
on

they
find

heard
God

darkness, to proclaim
their the
ears

the

house We

tops what
these
"

whispered to
in flourishing the

in secret.

schools

days

of

Elijah and
they
had

Elisha been
As

some

apparently on

same

where sites,
2

instituted Samuel
one

by

Samuel

(x.3-5
up

; xix. 23, 24;

Kings ii.).
desire
to

built laboriously
in of

these It
was

he had institutions, his eager his

own

but imbue

purpose

his heart.
his

the minds
the

countrymen

with

sublime
he do

conceptionsof
it better it
must

Divine
these
a

Kingship ;
and

and

how

would

than

by
been

young

ardent

? disciples

And

have

constant

to inspiration

them

to live in

62

JC

(great

"

is appointment.
who
was

contact
man

with this great and

and

illustrious man,

states

saint in one,

whom

they revered
felt the

for the

loftiness
his

of

his

whilst they character,

of inspiration
was

high
all

ideals.
young who and

They
and old

saw

how

respected he
how

in his he

own was

cityby
to

(ix. 12, 13);

accessible

needed

his assistance prayer

(ver. 9); how

to

he mightily
21,

wrestled and

prevailed in
it their
the

(vii. 17
his

; viii. 10,

22) ;
seems

they
have

counted But

highesthonour
realize the

be

associated

with

him.
to

faihtreto
less able

high purpose
sons.

befallen, through
old, he
act
as was

of failure
to

his

As

Samuel

became
to

administer
his

and justice,

continue

the

adviser
The of he

of

domestic ment,
for the
ment
"

affairs.
name

people in their national and the govern of administering burden

unseen

in the

the

King,
his
sons

became
to

too

heavy
on

him, and
extreme

appointed
the
to

assist
The

him

frontiers of

South
a

country.

experi
They

proved, however,
not

be but

disastrous
aside

failure. after

walked

in his

ways,

turned

lucre, and

took

bribes,and

perverted judgment."
and of "all the elders of and representative
to

the catastrophe ; precipitated who Israel," evidentlyformed a kind

This

popular assembly,came
he should for make the thou
us a more

to

Samuel

at

Ramah,

urge

that

and satisfactory his

sons

permanent

arrange said ways

;

ments

perpetuation of
art

authority. They
walk
not

"Behold,
now

old, and

thy
us

in

thy

make
Looked

king to judge
from the the request. into the heart
was
a

like all the

nations."
was

at

human The of

standpoint,there
Philistines
the
were

much

to warrant

pushing

their outposts
Nahash Eastern the

country

(xiii. 3, 5) ;

Ammonite

frontier

(xi. i);
the

there

dangerous neighbour on the fear that disintegration was

on

might again separate

on

people

Samuel's the

death.

But,

the

other

hand,

the request shattered

was

prophet'shopes.
for spiritual could
not

It showed

him
to

that his ideal

too

and lofty

the

people

appreciateand

maintain.

They

Stttiirersal failure.
believe

63
the

only
and

in the

invisible ;
of

they
of

must

have

outward

symbols
This

splendour
universal
for

royalty.
the and
"

is the

failure
sensuous

heart

of

man.

It is the

always craving
children may
see

the

visible.
us

Like

of

Israel, with

their

cry,

Make

gods

which

go and

before

us," men
and all

demand which

something which they

may

they may
to
a

handle,
Hence

before

prostrate them
a

selves.

spiritual worship
It is hard
must enter to

shows
believe

tendency
God
and spirit "in

become

materialistic.
that He
to

that
in

is

and Spirit,

be

worshipped ought
to

in

truth ; it is easier mountain

or

into the

debate, whether

this

in

Jerusalem men
was

worship."
where
was

This

chapter

written

in

country
Church of

this fact is
the earliest

Its illustrated. strikingly product of Apostolicdays and

national
"

the Church

Athanasius, Cyril,
it recited of the the

Chrysostom.
and read the

From

its earliest

days

prayers

in Scriptures

the tongue

people;
Yet

eschewed
its churches

images, and
are

insisted
the

on

spiritual worship.
the

full of

picturesof
and
men cross

saints,before
foot

which

women

burn

candles

themselves; the

Holy
gates
voices

of Holies
; the

is shut
bass

off from

the

common

deep

of the reader

mingleswith
in
to
an

by golden the exquisite

unknown is called

of
"

the boys in rendering

service

almost
sense

tongue
into
for

everything that

can

appeal

the

requisition. Apparently the people love to have it so, they stand in dense crowds on the spacious pavements,
invocation
of the As

following each
and

Divine
I turned

Name from

with

profuse
ornate

and genuflections

obeisance.
to

these God's
ear

splendidsymbols
the eye has

other
to

gatheringsof
allure,or
on

people,
attract;
the

in which where

nothing
is

the

to

the

thought
in I did not

centred

God,

and

only
and

splendour is
ennoble
man
"

those

great

conceptions that
nature
more

elevate the

wonder
out

that the for

of

ordinary
to

rebels and

cries

something

suited

the

common

levels of

dailyexperience.

64
To
was

Q,
combat

("r*at

is appointment.
the

desires like
our

these, the Epistleto

and hearts where that

Hebrews

written,that
there
us.

minds

might
the
can

thither

ascend,
gone but
a

and before
mount

continually dwell,
For less and
us,
not
a

Lord be

has

mount

touched,
a

not

certainly" Mount
catch

Zion

; not

whose city,

minarets

monuments

the rays

of

the

risingand
we

setting sun,
walk crowds
to

but

city as

surely, whose
;

streets not

may festal

each of

day

"

the

heavenly Jerusalem
but

the

worshippersthat jostledeach
of

other

in their climb

the

Temple
numerous

Solomon,
"

real
men we

and
made
come

the

hosts

equally fellow-worshippers of angels, the spirits of just

of the with firstborn, prayer. whom of

the perfect,
into
contact

Church
each

at

hour

II.

How

SAMUEL

BORE

HIS

DISAPPOINTMENT.

"
"

The
to

Samuel thing displeased

when
so

they said,Give
that
"

us

king

judge us."
be

It

was

not

much

they

had He

him rejected should the

not

self,but that they had

rejected God

that
to

King

over

them.
had

They
fallen
that

had
to

failed
the

grasp of in the his

was

great

conception, and
around.
tured

level

nations

The
the

one

hope
and
sun

had

arisen
summer,
never

soul, nur
frustrated ; realization

by
it
was

dew

of every could it for

"

and

clear that

there

be

the

of his cherished circumstances in Israel

more

dream, since
favourable
fail be
set

was

impossibleto imagine givingit effect. If it failed

the

it would could these

of

entirely unless, indeed,

up,

Divine
away.
one

Kingdom
Under
Harbour

which

would

never

pass

bitter
"

circumstances, he
the
one

made

for the for

Refuge
"

assured

safeguard
labour Lord." words
filled
as

all
are

broken

hearts and
:

wrecked

for lives,
unto

all that the

and

heavy laden By
read
!

Samuel

prayed

how

many

disappointed ones
whose young hearts

these
were

may
on

be
their

Women

marriage-daywith high and buoyant hope,

of
an

they
are

dreamed

ideal lifeof love and

but blessedness,

who

mourning

J$gtnpatljtT. gttrine
over

65
irrecover
to

the withered
sense

vows,

the broken peace

!

the promises,
Men that meant

able
such lead

of

trust

and

effect

thingsby to mould society,

great
on

their and of

to succeed lives,

in

business,to
! Ministers

fashion

the

State

who,
of

visions saw calling, and consecration, tenderness, shepherd-care, paternal

the threshold have lakes

their sacred

which solicitude, reflected in face

of the ? is

vanished, as
when
are a

the

of foliage pictures stirs the

sur can

deep
water!

breath
such

of wind
to

What

do?

Whither

they go
There

What
no

resort
answer

is there
to

for broken

hearts ? that the

these

questionsbut
prayed
unto

suggested
Go

by
to

Samuel's

action, when
tell

he

Lord.

Him,
He

and
can

feet. heal. There less. peace the

There is To

everything. Weep your tears out at his bind and understand, can sympathize,can in Gilead; there is a Physician there. is Balm
the and helpless,
to

help for
tell God where

comfort

for the

comfort road
to

is everything you the

cannot

be far

along the
the

; and

where tell,

sobs
and whom

choke
com-

utterance,

there

Father you

seeth,knoweth,
may

forteth. mother Then

Through
comforteth.
the Lord

his love

be

as

one

his

answered The

his servant.

He

always does,
low words
as

and

answer. will,

voice may
it will be
our

be

so

soft and The first.

to

be almost
not

inaudible

; but

there.
at

may the

quite chime prophet'sroll,they

sweet to

in with may

notions

Unlike
but

be bitter in the
"

mouth,
for

they

will be in

the

heart.

Be

careful

everthingby
God
that and

prayer

and

with supplication,
known
unto

nothing,but thanksgiving,
the peace your

let your

requests be made

God

; and

of

hearts

passeth all understanding shall guard your thoughtsin Christ Jesus."

DIVINE ANSWER
to
AND

III. When in the

i

THE Samuel Divine

ENCOURAGEMENT."

cried
answer

the
was

Lord made

about

his

sore

trouble,

it

clear that

the cherished

66

Jl (great g
of
a

is appointment. have
in
to
on

ideal

lifetime

would

be
the

abandoned.

The

distinct
that he

impression was
must
renounce

borne his
to

prophet's mind
abdicate
to
a

high

purpose,

his

and position,
"

step down

become

subordinate
Friend and

king.

Now,

said therefore,"
unto
same

his

Almighty

Confidant,

"hearken At the

their voice." time his

was sorrow was

greatlymitigatedby
that the his
own.

discovering that God

sorrow

his
was

and Fellow-Sufferer,

of the Divine

heart

infinitely greater
man

than

"They
It is
a

have

not

rejected thee, but they have

when
a

Me." rejected
to enter

great honour
God

is summoned

into
men

with fellowship

in the awful
and

pain and

griefwhich
the
on

bring on
The

his tender

Holy Spirit. Surely none

will count

Suffering of God.
which

phrase
account

extravagant
of his
and

attributes human the his

not
own

sufferingto God, hearts, which

refuse Grace.
not

rejection by do despite to
when

his Did
;

reign
not

Spirit of
received
the
to

his Him

Jesus suffer
brethren with

when He

his loved

believed

when

city,which
shelter under

devotion, refused patriot

when his chosen The

his shadow
Him and

ing wings,and
fled ? the

forsook disciples of his

very

abandonment

self-sacrifice this could within

account
a

proved
have

tenderness

of his
to to
so

yearning love, and large an

extent
on suffering

not

been

present

Him of

without
human writer go
:

exposing Him
sin.
"

excessive

It

has

been
common

said beautifully

by

modern

There

is

saying that crueltyand

do self-sacrifice
same

cowardice

together,so
are

also

and

tenderness. all the

They
of

different sides of the tenderness

It
seems as

idea, and
till Christ
was

of delicacy

Christian Cross.

is

perceptiblyan

outgrowth
had

the

though,
Cross

lived and

died,
if

that fulness that the be

true

of human
"

sympathy
of of tender

impossible." Now,
has
"

if the
aroma

Christ

exhaled how

through
this how and

world

the
must

sympathy
his

strong

element

have

been

in

Holy Nature,

31 ^oknttt protest.
acutely He must vineyard cast Him
surfer have
out

67

suffered and
saw

when

the

keepers
He Father.

of

the
not

slew Him

Him.
saw

But

did

alone; they
that God
was

that
not

the

He

taught us

impassive;
fathers
are

but that He

sorrowed, loved, as human

which depths of intensity
Thou
Bear Our Bear who Thou

do, only with

Divine.
bear
our :

yearned, heightsand

indeed
all burdens

hast borne
our

load

"

load, whatever shame,

our

load

it be

our guilt,

misery. helpless
my Thee.

Thou
us

who

only canst, O God,

we

God,

Seek

and

find us, for

cannot

The and

prophet
rebellion

says
men,

that God
as

was

pressed beneath
waggon

the

sin

of

the

groaning

is

pressed

beneath

its sheaves.

IV. demands
The

SAMUEL'S
our

NOBLE

BEHAVIOUR

TOWARDS

THE

PEOPLE

notice.
of the

request
on a

people
had
an

for

king was,
seemed
In

no

doubt, in

part based

Deut.
as

xvii, 14, which

now

to

anticipate
song,

just
when
the

such

crisis had

arisen.

Hannah's

also, there

prophecy of the day Jehovah should give strengthto his king and exalt horn of his anointed (i Sam. ii. 10). But the present
been unmistakable been sprung
on

request had
undue the

Samuel Instead

prematurely, and
of

with

passion and
of of

haste.
the

seekingto

ascertain

mind

instead

mind ; people had made up their own consultingthe aged prophet,they dictated the

God,

policyon
Under
of and

which
these he

they had

set

their hearts.
with the the

circumstances, and

express direction

God,

protested solemnly to
to

deputation of elders,
the
manner a

through them
that

the

people, showing
was

of the

king
be
a

would
in such after

demanded
man

reign. It a spirit as
own

impossible that
the

king
who,

characterized
heart.

people could
one

God's

They

wanted

in his stature

and

in bearing,

his martial

prowess

and

deeds,

68

JV (great ^Ji
be

should
This
was or

worthy
much

to

compare
to

with
than code. Ah

neighbouring monarchs.
character, obedience
And often
as

more

them

to

God,
so

to loyalty

the

Mosaic

they desired, happens

that sends leanness

it was

done

unto

them.
to

! how

it

God

gives us
our

according

our

request, but

into

souls

(Psa.cvi. 15).
foresaw.
human of All the

Dangers
gance familiar and

that Samuel

Oriental

extrava
were

prodigalityof
destined
to

life,which
of the

the

accompaniment They
would

royalty in neighbouring coun

in the
the
court

tries, were
Israel.
to to

reappear enforce

Kings
men

of

service of the young

fabricate their their

in

weapons,

and fighttheir battles, would

exact

minister

royal
the of

state.

They

unremunerated
the

labour
and

of tillage the

their lands.
would

From demand

daughters
confectionfor the

wives

people they
and other

aries and

bakemeats,
confiscated
would be and

elaborate

luxuries and

and royal appetite. A7ineyards would taxation

on

farms olivcyards,

lands,

be

at

their
on

caprice.
the covered
to
on

system
of the

of

heavy

imposed
herds would

produce
the stand the

land, and
;

the

flocks the

which have

pasture lands
see

while

people
money the
a

still and

their
self-

hard-earned

squandered palace.
; but

pleasures and
this

indulgence of
would lead
to

brief
as so

experienceof
the nation

kind
to

universal

outcry,
the

awoke
would that you

its be

grievous mistake
found because the Lord Samuel's in vain. Samuel us." heart
"

step

rashly
cry

taken in

to

be
of

irreparable."Ye
king
answer

shall

out

day,
; and

your

which you

ye shall have in that

chosen

will not

day."
were,

protest and
The

remonstrance to

however,

alike of

people refused
in man, the Lord and

hearken
we

unto

the voice
a

; and

they said,Nay
from their

; but

will have
arm

king

over

They

trusted

in the

of

flesh; their
were

departed
to
see

; and

in the
land

sequel they
over-run,

destined national

king slain,their
to

and

the

fortunes

reduced

the

lowest

ebb. possible

Samuel's IHagttnnimitiT.
Does
reduce order eyes, make
"

69
who

thy
the

heart

cry

out

for

king
"

for
nature

one

shall

passions of thy conflicting

lest thou choose
ears

to

unity and
thine

beware
the

after
; let not

the
sense

sight of
nor

or

hearing of
and

thine

appetite

the

selection ; take
eyes, whom hath
exact

heed

of

the

lust of

lust of

thy
Man He

the God

pride of thy
hath
to

life !
the Man

thy flesh,the Let thy King

of
a

be the
whom He

chosen,
be
a

Calvary,
Saviour.
does
not

exalted

Prince
thee.

and He

will not

from, but
enrich.
His

bring to
of thorns !

impoverish,but
his

sceptre is the

broken

reed

steed,a

foal

his crown,

When

Samuel

saw

that
the

mind, he
remarkable
He did

dismissed

people had made up assembly, and set himself

do
the best he

the

their
with them.

magnanimity
line of his very Samuel
own

to to

could

for

this in obedience

the Divine

summons,

which

lay
of

along
This Ewald

the is
"

thoughts. the remarkable, and justifies

is
one

remark in

of

the

few

great
of

men

history
and

who,

in

critical times,
energy,
"

by

sheer
the

force

character of
a

inimitable

terminate
at

previous form
own

great
after

existingsystem
wards, when
eagerness with the

first

against their
and who then

but will,

convinced

of the

with necessity,

all the force and

a

of their nature;

initiate

better form

happiestresults,amid During the early years of

his power,
were

much his

personalsuffering."
well
on

and life,
to

into

the

maturity of
and

Samuel

sought
to

vitalize the

existing
he
must to

which institutions,

ready

his hands.
to

Only slowly,
set

against his wishes, he

further
an new entirely

awoke

realize that

abandon build up
had
to to

efforts in this

and direction,

himself

sacrifice better

his

organization. In doing this he previous convictions, and do violence

;

his

judgment
had

he
at

had such

to

structure

that he

been

the pull down pains to establish

an

very
; he

had

to

be

second, where

he

had

been

unchallenged

7"

"
But he when
once

(Smtt

"1is appointment.
realized that and there
was no

first.

he
most

alterna of it

tive,
the
was

became
age
;

the

devoted

efficient
he within

organizer
found the that

new

just
to

as

Dr.

Chalmers,
what of he

when

impossible
the

secure

sought

borders
out

of

Established

Church
to

Scotland,
the Free

stepped
Church,

from has

its

pale, and
one

began
of the

build

which

become

greatest

Churches
"if

of the

age. deeds
can are

"And,"
greater
no or

continues
more

Ewald,

David's

visible

dazzling
David's

than of less all goes

Samuel's,

still there
have

be im
more

doubt

that

blaze

glory

would

been far which

as

possible
influential

without
career

Samuel's
;
so

conspicuous,
the

but
of

that

greatness
to

the real

following
author." There search
us are

century

boasts

back

him

its

supreme the and

crises
The

in

the

lives

of

some

of
we

us,

which

to

quick.
sacrificed

people

whom
turn

have
us.

loved,

have
want
we

suffered

for, suddenly

from We

They
that

something
must

else,
and

and
are

something
tempted Why rights
us

more.

realize

abdicate,
and
an

to

do
we

it with make
to

grudging
way press for
our

courtesy
others
"

ill grace.
our

should
and

why
? At

renounce

refuse Samuel's

claims
let way
us

such

times
that for
more

let

remember will
over

heroism

acknowledge
; let
as us care

God's
the flock

is

leading
which for

us

by
have

right
been

we

placed adapt
with
that the

overseers

than
new

we

care

ourselves
let
us

let

us

ourselves all the blood

cement

to

the and

order;
we

nay,
can

expedite knowing blessing,

it

grace of
our

grit that

command,

the best

self-sacrifice
our

will, by God's

be

of

handiwork.

X.

of
(i
Yes
! thou Thine dost

Circumstances.
ix., x.)

SAMUEL

'

'

well

to

build

fence
a

about stalwart

inward
to
are

faith. oppose

mount

guard

Of

answers,

invading
for

doubt.

All

aids

needful,

the

strife is hard." COLERIDGE.

"

7HOSO

is
even

wise
shall Lord."

and

will

observe
the

these

things,

he the

understand
In of the human these

loving-kindness
the

of
sums

words life

psalmist

up of

his
the in

five

tableaux

(Psa. cvii.). The

of the

track

pilgrim-host,
his

experience
of

prisoner
from

languishing depression,
the
an

chains, the

recovery of

the

sick

long
from
from

the

deliverance
the

the
of
"

storm-tossed
a

crew

angry

breakers,
and

evolution

smiling paradise

arid

parched

wilderness

all these

things, if carefully
that

observed,
all
events to

yield

their

testimony

and

assurance

God

is in
all

permitting, directing, controlling,

work
out

and

causing

things
In

his

perfect plan.
is
no

all than

Scripture
the

there

passage
us,

more

illustrative of
how

this
and It and three

chapters
God

before
the the

which

show of
our

clearly

mightily
was

is in
of
was

circumstances

lives. clearness
when

the the

spring
dawn

day.

With in the
ascent

exquisite
Eastern
on

purity
men

breaking
the

sky,

descended

steep
the

which
12,

Ramah
14,

stood, and
The
"

emerged
was a

from

city gate (vers. u,

one,

26).
seer;

group young he

remarkable
and
not
a

comprising
who
a was

the
the

aged

man

goodly,"
it ; and

king-elect,
Doeg,
so

though
tradition

did

realize

herdsman,
such
an

states, who

afterwards

attained

unhappy

72 but notoriety,
on

f"ljzWaitz
was

of Cirtutnatanaa.
time

at that
son. was

simply a
the
on

servant

in attendance had been left

not

his

master's the
servant to

When
sent

city gate

behind,
be
new a

in

front, that he

might
going

witness

the

solemn

which transaction,
"

a inaugurated

epoch
the
on cause

in the of the
us,
to

life of Saul. Samuel city, but

hear stand the

As
to

they

were

down

at

end

said thou

Saul, Bid thy

this

servant

pass may

before thee

still at of God."

time, that

Word

I. THE
"

CIRCUMSTANCES
asses

THAT

LED

UP

TO

THIS

INCIDENT.
But

(i)

The

of
to

were Kish, Saul's father,

lost.
to

they
son,

were

too
now

valuable
one

lose.

"And

Kish
with

said

Saul,his

Take
the

of the servants

thee, and

arise,go seek
how far their the hill

asses." But when would of

they
lead

left home them. and

"

they littlerealized
And he

search

passed through
the then

country

Ephraim,
land of

passed through
them and
not

land

of

Shalisha, but

they found Shalim,

the Three

they passed
them

through the
and found he them

there of the
were

they found
consumed

not;

passed through
not." in

land

Benjamites, but they

in this

days

stopping every scrutinizing questions, every trail

fruitless

search,

traveller,asking many
but all
!
to
no

"

purpose. them

Lost

she-asses

Well,
worth who Be

what

of them

Let

stray !

Yes, but
but
on

they

are

seeking,not
tracks in them
a

for

their worth

only,
will
to

because
a

the
!

man

will

presently come
God thou hast

kingdom
thee
to

faithful

and little,
Do what

promote
do for

be He

faithful in much.
shall the the call thee

God,
the

and

for the

highestservice
on

Often with
common

findingof
we

hid

treasure

depends lowly labour

call

the

care

which

drive
of

plough

of

along chance,
and the

the

furrow

dailytoil.
some

(2) By
seekers the

God's

providence,which
in the land

the

found

themselves

of

Joseph,

there

thought of

his father's

arrested possible anxiety

steps

gibine $lan.
of the young lest my for us." father This

73
and and and
a

farmer, and
leave remark

he

said, Come,
for the
a

"

let

us

return,

caring

asses,

take

thought

indicated On

good
him
our

commendable
man

trait in Saul's for the

character. those

the

whole,
to

who

cares a

of feelings of
men.

nearest

is likeliest to be young from home

men

good
women,

ruler

Would who

that
are

all away

and
in
our

especiallythose
be
even a

would great cities,

little more
to

considerate

of the heart eyes that often

are so

stretched strings
brim with

tears, because intermittent

What

and the breaking, of their the tidings Saul

welfare effect of

scanty and

feared
he

the

thre"e three

days
weeks

on or

his father. months

would

have

thought of
the

? tidings (3) Having arranged for the offeringof

was

without

piece
made

of

silver which

discovered

in the the

bottom

of the servant's
two set
on

pocket, as
white

their

gift

to

Seer, the
was

men
a

"which for the gate of the little city,

houses of whom in glistening the

its hill,"
The

intense

sunshine.

maidens
was

they
on

made

the inquiries,
to
a

fact that Samuel

in the
encounter

and city, with

the

his way

feast in the in the main

high place,
street, and

the

Samuel
asses were

himself
found
"

the

that tidings

were

like

so

many should
seat

sign
go,

posts that
till they
came

pointed them
to

by

the way

which

they

the

place that awaited

the instruction hand have

them, the

and

portionprepared by
How
stances

of the
was

prophet.
circum chance.
out

evidently a Divine
!

in all these

They

could

not

Clearly
into the

every

separate detail had

with the express

happened by been wrought

purpose he of

in

designing mind
hear the word
But if it
was as

driving Saul
still and

precise positionwhere
of the Lord.
so

might

stand

with
may

these
be

circumstances,must
said of all circumstances
from
can our we

we

not

believe that
a

much

If

hair cannot

fall to the

ground

head,
say

or

sparrow

from
K

the

tree, apart

from

God,

of

anything,

74 that

"l)" 3J0:"
it is
too

of (KimtmstntueB.
into
the

trivial
that

to

come

Divine

plan ?
at

Even

let it be

granted God,
and for

many

incidents
are
we

happen
to

the
us

instiga

tion of evil men, will of

yet they
therefore
our
own are

permitted
may
as

reach

by

the

much

trace

God's
as

will in them those God's and

on

and discipline

ennoblement,
his

in

others purpose murderers

which
ran

evidently
wicked There
was

of

direct
of the
a on

sending.

through the
our

deeds
was

betrayers
the chart

of fateful

Lord.
that and

not

event single

all those

days

not

marked is
we was

of

Divine
and

Providence;
the
same

since

God
that

everywhere
cannot
more as

the

same,

so infinitely,

say

that

He then

is

more

present there
now,
we

than

here, or
that
on

powerful
much

than

must

admit
our as lot,

He

is still

in
and of

every awful

circumstance

of

those

memorable
the
scenes

days
it never

when and be

creation

herself

beheld

Gethsemane Let
encounter
or

Calvary with evident

of

emotion.
an

that straying forgotten asses,

a

unexpected pockets
who has take He

in the street, the presence

are

coin in the

its absence,
eyes

all part of read

his
to

Divine

plan.

opened
the

may of

the

Father's
as

and handwriting, had

direction
his leads may

path,
direct
vacant

though angels
And and the the

flashed

before

eyes
to

him.
seat

always
The

the be

prepared path waiting portion.

never

road

long, but
child
to

the
a

Father

leads

his
him cold.

trustful and
out
on

obedient moorland
a

into

quagmire, or
of exposure the
to

leads
the

the

perish
to

There it

is

always

destination

which

road

leads,and
the obedient them

only awaits
Him.

the

quick

eye, the

ready
God

ear, and

heart, to detect
that love

the

thingsthat

hath

prepared for

II. THE

INCIDENT Samuel's had

or

SAUL'S that

FIRST

ANOINTING.
on

"

Saul

slept at
The

house

night,and
couch

the

housetop.
a

prophet
which

prepared his
like
a

there in

with
his

special
for

purpose,

burnt

clear flame

heart;

75
when who
"

the
was

house

was

quiet,he
the
on

stole

up
events

to

the of

young the

man,

pondering
with
to

strange
the

day,

and

communed He

Saul

housetop."
a

longed

stir his soul

and

with

profound sympathy in
He may have and that

his

own

passionate
the

patriotic longings.
the had

poured into fears, of

seemed
on

ear listening

story of his

hopes
he

hopes
the

that

been

frustrated, of fears

point
own

of

being

realized.
of the young

Probably
his

told
sons.

the story of his

He that may
some

and rejection, those

at

failure of his
ears

have
one

whispered into might

frayed and
Thus,
appear

longing
would
out

this

juncture, who
and
work Samuel skill, who soil,

gather up
Divine
the had

the

tangled
with

threads

the

pattern.

careful
son

awoke

sleepingsoul
lived in
and
a

of the young

of the

probably
in

narrow,

circumscribed
and crops, of the

sphere,interested
in the talk of the welfare. that
coun

flocks

herds, in vines
with

but try-side, He nounced woods.

was

few

thoughts
Samuel

national the

awoke
the
"

by
had

before

breath
of the

an

dawn

stirred the
to

leaves
on

sleeping

Samuel send

called thee

Saul

the
on

housetop,saying,
the

Up,
the stood of

that

I may of the

away."
was

Then
sent out

descent
as

at two

end

citythe

servant

on,

and

the

together,Samuel poured
his
the

took it upon

from

of his breast the

young

vial bent
de
own

oil,and

the

strong
the

head which his

beneath

touch, giving him

anointing
in token Lord
"

signated fealty.
thee It he
"

king, and
it

kissing him
"that the his inheritance

of hath

"Is

not," said he,

anointed

to
was

be
a

prince over
great hour
his

? No

in Saul's life.
to

wonder

that
was

"

when with he

had
another

turned

back
The

go

from

Samuel," it
does
not

heart.1'
a new no

chronicle
there
was

say

that

received

heart;
such the
on

no

saving regenerationor
as comes over never

conversion,
at

radical
new

change
he

the have

soul per
new

the

hour
as

of

birth,or
field of

would

ished

he

did

the

Gilboa.

But

he

had

76 aims,
of
new

"lj" ftaicz of (Kircumatanaa. conceptions

of
the

importance
and resolves. had

and

significance
In
a

life, new
not

determinations
the had mark

sense,

though

deepest, old
become
this
new.

things

passed

away,

and

everything
Let
us

distinction.
new

It
to

is

possible
arrested

to

have
some

another,
stronger
the

but

not

heart

"

be

by

mind,

and

inspired by
of the seed

fresh
there

ideal
may The

; but

beneath
a

rapid sprouting
and

be
work the

slab

of

impenetrable
only
the into
on

unchangeable
the
to

rock. has

has
sun,

been

the

surface, but
which seemed See that

dew

sped before
rain
sure

and

cloud the

presage make

has work

dissolved for

again

sky.

you

eternity.

III.
are

THE

CIRCUMSTANCES

THAT

FOLLOWED.
count
on

"

When

we

on

God's
of

path,

we

may

certainly

the

corroborthe it

ation

outward
one

circumstances.
whether the
one

If, in
is in
to

travelling by
the
see
are

railway,
is of
are
a

questions
to

right train,
if the those
names

comfort

consult
we

time-tables, through
So, when

the

stations, as
in
are

hurry
list.

them,

which

mentioned
we

the

questions arise,as they

and

will when whether

reassurance

confronted in
meet
are

by
of

difficulties
God's

obstacles,
an

of

we

are

the

line

will, it is

immense

to

with

corroborating
Is
not

circumstances
what
"

which

tell

us

that
"

we

right.
my that the of door

this
a

is meant ?
a

by

the

words,
It
was

I will
not

make

mountains
Peter sheet three

way hear

enough
or see

should let down

men

voice heaven

speak
;

ing
must
as

to

his
hear

heart,
the

from
sent

he

knock
at

the

from

Cornelius,
In

they
great
will

stand

the

enquiring
the

for

him
of

(Acts x.).
circumstance.

all We

decisions
trace

seek

corroboration

this in the

subsequent

chapter.

XL

JVs (Drrasion
(i
"

SAMUEL

x.

7.)
of life ; doth
seem,

There For

lies e'en

no

desert
tract

in

the

land

that of

that in

barrenest and

Laboured

thee

faith and

hope,

shall

teem

With

heavenly

harvests,

rich

gatherings

rife." KEMBLE.

CIRCUMSTANCES
nation
of Saul
as

led

up

to

Samuel's and
to

secret

desig
so

king;
as

circumstances,
carry
to
on

special
the

and

significant
were

their

brow

Divine

impression,
act.

destined
accuracy

corroborate
the old

the

momentous

With and those

unerring
with

prophet
of them

anticipated them,
took

unfailing precision
came

each

place.

"

All

signs
tomb,
that
care
"

to

pass

that of

day." Benjamin,
found,
was

(i) First, by
two
men

Rachel's
to

in

the
asses

border
had
asses,

met

him had
son,

say

the

been
and for

and

that

his

father for
a

left the

of What

the

taking
son? will and
"

thought
This
was

his
very

saying,

shall of
to

I do the

my

significant evidence
that farm work. and Asses he
was

Divine

choice.
of the
care

It indicated of the

be

henceforth devote found and the love he

relieved

the

field, to
could
be
to

himself
without their of

to

other

and

higher

his

interposition.
but
were

Others

could
was

attend

them

like,
men

for

him

the

kingdom
The have

waiting, and
home-ties,
a

hearts of
must

being prepared.
would the
care

the

father leave

and
to

family,
others This called
to

always
of is the

claim, but
at

estates

Gibeah.
value
to to

sign give
the

still of

inestimable

those service

who for
to

feel God.

themselves that

wholly

direct
at

If

it be

case

they

are

needed

home,

provide

78
for

3V
the maintenance
no

of

aged parents

or

of sisters,

wife

or

child,they have
"

that

from that rightto withdraw holyobligation until God givesthem an

"

sacred

duty
that
to

honourable

discharge.
which the the

The

message gave

to

all such
a
"

most

is certainly

Apostle
he

in

time
Let
"

of great unsettlement each

man

Corinthian

disciples.
was

abide
let each

in

that
man,

callingwherein
wherein
he
was

called."

Brethren,
with

called, therein
has Saul

abide

God"

(i

Cor.

vii. 20, 24,

When
as

R.V.). given
a as call,

God

clear

and

unmistakable
let the slacken
mes are
un

that

which

received

at

the

lipsof Samuel,
his hand
to

wait trustfully and patiently for recipient

the sage hold will of circumstances.
come

Without
or

long delay
"The
will

the
asses

in

one

form

another: that

found." mistakable
to

Any heart,and
as

circumstance

of

kind

be

an

assurance

that the Lord's that his cloud

voice has been

us

speaking
follow.

the

is

beckoning
filled with Tabor
met

to

(2) Next,
and
awe,
near

he the

went

forward,
or

bewilderment

oak,

of terebinth, Saul

(the situation
men

of which
on a

is

absolutely unknown),
Jacob, had
been

three from

going days
most

sacred

pilgrimageto Bethel, which,

and

the

of

Abraham
sacred These

hallowed

by
said

the

associations.
men were as carrying,

Samuel
"

they would,
they
saluted
unto

their
and him thee

to the votive-offerings
a

shrine

three

kids,three loaves,
First
be

bottle
the

of wine. (or skin, taarg.}

with
; and
an

invariable

Eastern with
two

Peace greeting, of the

was

presented him
inner the
was

loaves,as though

obeying
them

conviction

which

pressed home
whom
one

on

by
their

Divine
no

Spirit,that
with

he

they
who

had

encountered
share What

ordinary wayfarer,but
even

might
it not of

homage
God
to

Almighty
in

God. also ! Did

reverence

lay significance
that would arise towards

hid

this

act

imply
the

compel
the

the

respect and
He

nation

king whom

had

chosen,

JC ^Hcmornblc lesson.
and that

79

there should
sustain
not

be

no

lack

of the
? Was

which supplies

were

required to
that he

his be
should

royal state
anxious be his
?

it not
he

an

assurance

need

about

what

should

eat

or

drink, or how
the

he

clothed,since,if he sought

first

kingdom

of God

and
added

all thingsbesides righteousness,

would

be certainly

This, too,
on

will befall each of

servant

of may
some

God

who

steps

out

the

path
; he

obedience. and
to

He

be

leaving a
source

wellof
on

established income
the
was

business
may
seem

givingup
be
; he

lucrative
the

stepping from
may be

boat
as

to

heaving,changefulwaters
no

blamed,
and

Moses

doubt
on

blamed,
on

for

casting himself

those

de

pendent
if he
to

him

to true

the
to

trackless, desert; but inhospitable

God's be

will be

only

call,he will have

and
cloud
woman,

no

reason

repent, his bread

the
manna

shall

given him,
the the
to

his

water

shall
over

be sure,
head

will fall where then

broods
and that

; first the

ravens,

widow

then the
he may will
or

angels will
eat

be will

commanded
care own

provide bread
in and life,
case

God

for his

body
as

in death

bury it with
the hands of his grave On lesson had
come one on

his

hands,
men,
as

in the

of

Moses,

by
to

devout

when

Stephen

was

carried

amid

great lamentations.
in the
to
a

occasion this
to

Lord's his

He life,

gave The

memorable
tax-collector

matter

Apostles.
which with

Peter
came

with
to

demand Master

Peter

could

not

meet,

and

he had need have

the

it.

Doubtless, if the
would have of his labour

fisherman

still been for

been
he
as

no

plying his craft,there anxiety out of the produce

"

would
it was,

been
was
"

well able
no

to

meet

the

but, application;
or

there

money thou take up

in his purse
to

house the

available

for the
"

purpose.
cast
a

Go

the

sea," said
thou for Me

Master,
up;

and

hook, and
hast
and
to

the his

fish that firstcometh

and

when

thou take

opened

mouth,
them

shalt

find

shekel;
It
was

that

give
the

unto

and
Peter

thee." had

in obedience

Saviour's

call that

8o

JU (Suasion
up his
own means

given
that

of

livelihood

and

the the

Lord

recognisedthat
would

the

of providingfor responsibility have He

needs,
in the If

otherwise
on

been

met

by
Me and

his

toil,was
thee."

.incumbent
common

Himself.
when He

identified

Himself

need
go forth
on

said, "for

you
to

Christ's
may

errands,He
Him
not

will not
to set

be
the

unrighteous
taxes, and
on

forget;

you

surely trust
Do
on

pay your of

all other

legitimatedues.
who

hope

"the

uncertaintyof riches,"or
on

the

doles

the

wealthy, but

God

giveth us
came

Saul (3) Finally, marg.). The A.V. of

all thingsto enjoy. richly the hill of God to (Gibeah,R.V.,

"
"

and

R.v.

note

that

there

was

garrison

Philistines there
Samuel
so

; but

other
announce

commentators,
to to

thinking it
a

unlikely that
must

would well

Saul

fact,which

have the

been
other

known of the

him, have

preferred
"

to

employ
and

meaning
the

word

translated
the

garrison,
erection,

have
or

rendered

sentence,
of the

where

column,
reared Hard

monument,"
them
to

Philistines
some

stands, probably

by
Saul the
were

commemorate

famous

victory.
of sight

by

this spot, and encountered school

probably almost
a

within
men

his

home,
with

band
which the

of

young

connected

prophetic

Samuel

had

established.
a

They
and
a

coming
ecstasy
he him
now never

down

from
a

high placewith
The and So

psaltery, prophetic
their had

timbrel,a pipe,and
and
was

harp. them,

afflatus of
as

fervour

upon its his

Saul
a

beheld

holy rapture

fell under

spell.
with

great

change
his

passed
that which which unison. he

over

during
a

brief absence
these

from

home,

had had

sympathy
known

divine

raptures

he had

before.

Chords
to

within his soul,

answer

never

vibrated

before, began

in strange

im to spiritual Yearnings after God, susceptibility

sense

the pressions, soul.

"

of

the

unseen came

and

eternal, filled his

The

of Spirit

God

mightilyupon
need
not

him,

and

he

prophesied among
This

them."

remarkable

assertion

astonish

us.

It is

JV (Blorioua by
no means uncommon

$ribiU0e.
to

81

find

men

temporarily and

who affected by strong religious impressions, spasmodically their not are permanently and savingly delivered from former of life. It is possibleto worldly or selfish manner be enlightened,to taste of the heavenly gift, to be a par taker of the
to

Holy Ghost,
come,

to

be solemnized
A with Seed

by

the powers may

of

the world drunk and

and

yet fall away.

moistened thistles.

land
the may

have

of the

rain and

been
and is
no

yet

bear

thorns there

gentledew, spring up

depth of earth, and yet wither Simon was deeply wrought on by all he saw and away. felt during Philip's visit to Samaria, but the Apostle declared quickly where
that he
was

still "in

the

gallof

bitterness

and

the

bond

of

iniquity."
But

what
may

to

Saul

was

only a
may
on

transient
a on

and

superficial
posses fillus, and in the

influence
sion. The

become,
of Spirit did with Church.
come on

in each

of us,
come

permanent
us came

God
those In

to

abide, as days
grace filled of He

He

whom

He
waves we

early
and

the

successive
us,
so

of power may
not

may

that

only
be
con

be

suddenly and
in the

for special work, mightily

were as holy infillings,

but the
we

stantlysensible
verts

of the

first con may

highlands of
was

Asia

Minor,

so

that

be

Stephen. (Compare Acts iv. 8 ; xiii.52 ; vi. 5 ; note the change of tenses,eic.} calls us to special Whenever service He God provides a of the Holy Spirit. Remember how the anointing special Lord Moses, saying, See, I have called by spake unto permanently full,as
"

name

Bezaleel

the

son

of

Uri ; and in

I have

filled him

with
in is will

the

of God, Spirit and

in

wisdom, and
manner

knowledge,
be
the

in all As

of

and understanding, workmanship." This

true. universally

as certainly

there look

is the
up

there call,
for

equipment.

But

we

must

it,we
must

must

claim

and

it ; appropriate and step

out

without
on

we it, feeling

reckon It is in

that it is ours,
L

the

predestined path.

82

JU "rraston
act

the

of obedience of the

that

we

become

suddenly
that
so

and

thank

fullyaware
may
come

possession. Oh,
all his demands of

the

of Spirit

Christ
be the

mightilyon
for the may
...

servants,

that

they

may

equipped
Master I

of the present age, and

that

say of each

them,
my

"

Behold

my

servant, whom

I have uphold. put shall bring forth judgment to This knew transformation

Spirit upon

him,

and

he

the

people."
farmer
one
as

in the young and ?

"

amazed

all that
"

him

beforetime;
the

they said
It made

to

another,
a

Is Saul

also among

prophets joined Bunyan

great

stiras when
had perse of the
reason.

Saul

of
or

Tarsus when One

the and

whom Christians, Newton became

he

cuted,
Word. Rumours

ministers
the

of the older

however, people,
with
:

divined
were

of Saul's he

interview said

Samuel
"

beginning to
not

and circulate,

in effect

Has and

he

been

with
?

Samuel, the father of these blessed

What When

exalted
"

movements

! wonder, then, if he partake of his gifts

the first tremor of

of excitement

had
went

passed,and
up
to

Saul

regained full mastery

place, probably comprehend
which
we

himself,he
and

the he

high might
events
can

for

meditation

prayer, the hours.

that

the

full

of significance the recent in the

crowding
To whom

had

within transpired
most

turn,
unto

Holy God,
?

supreme

moments

of life,

but

Thee

Only

Thou

canst

understand.

Ere

Samuel
he

dismissed
him
act

his

astonished

and

awe-stricken
as

guest,
served

bade

in each is

circumstance
room

occasion

(ver.7).
common

There

always
The

for the

exercise of
may be
or

sanctified

sense.
we

circumstances
use

Divinely contrived, but

evil, making
same

must

them

for

good

them

or stepping-stones stumbling-blocks.The

circumstances
lesson and

may

come

to

all ; but in In
; in

one a

man

receives different the

sun

their

transmits

his

answer

very
case,

from spirit and shower

his friend and

neighbour.
com

one

produce

flowers and

another, weeds

and

feat

Ketoartr.

83
not

poppies.
the and of

The

Divine
for the

guidance
exercise
of

of

our

lives does
that

obviate
before the will

necessity
after, and
the
There

prudence,
to

looks
what

upzvards, in

order

ascertain

Lord is

is.

always
of

in

the

regimen judgment,
as

of

life

an

abundant
which pane the of of
we

need

for of We

the God
are

exercise may
not

our

through
a

light
glass.
fate
or

be

shining
driven
not

through

clear

dumb,
We
are

cattle, nor

the So

creatures

chance.

automatons.

long
when

as

look

for
we

guidance,
must
use

it will

be

freely given

; but
we

it is

given

it,and

it is useless of grace

unless and

do.

Only

they that

receive shall

the

abundance
in life.

the

giftof righteousness

reign
that

On the
the

memorable
of Peter

night when
from the then the he
was

God's

angel
we are

achieved told
the that first when

deliverance celestial second

had So
a

his

prison,
Apostle
from

visitant

led

dazed

through
him
to

and
Peter

streets, and
considered

departed

and house

thing, he

went

the half
was

of

Mary.

long
trance,
be

as

bewildered,
in

and it led
so

asleep,

living in
that
as

walking

dreamland,
and

necessary
so soon

he

should

carefully watched
air
was

; but

the
to

sharp morning consider,

he

had left

revived
to act
on

him,
the

that

he
of

was

able
own

decision

his

sanctified
To

understanding.
overcometh,
is the the the

him
stone,

that

Master Urim

promises
and Thummin

to

give
stone

white
"

which

surely
which

judgment
May
that
we

through
it be
may
our

Shekinah

light glows
receive
our

and

shines.

happy
be able
I

privilege to
to

it

at
"

his

hands,

say
not

with my

Lord,

My
his

judgment
that
sent

is
me."

just, because

seek

own

will, but

XII.

Ittiur

attfc (Du"r
(i
SAMUEL

Conflicts.
xi.)

"

What Be

if He

hath humble

decreed
state

that and

I shall

first

try'd

in

things adverse,

By

tribulations,
and

injuries, insults,
scorns,

Contempts,

and

snares

and

violence

"

MILTON.

THE
his forth

eleventh
the
a

verse

records
act

great
of

victory.

It

was

first

public
after

of the

reign

Saul, taking place

It at
once

month and

his

inauguration.
the

justified
; he

selection,
before
as

silenced
eyes inch of
a

voice

of

detraction
and of

stood

the every

his
man

own

people,
a

surrounding

nations,
But in

and eyes that

king.
have

this

chapter,
is the that

for

looked

beneath There
was was

the the inner

surface, there
outward and

record Saul made

of another for Israel Saul he made had

no

fight.
; there

fight

the

previous
and there he is the of

fight
it was
was

that

for

himself, against
in the the

himself;
of eye,

because

conquered
symptom
to

latter,

which
that

probably
himself
erect

outward

carried

in

the

fightwith

Nahash.

This Within darkness

always fight
the wage

so

within
men

the
are

fight there waging

is another
the

fight.
sin
and

that

with inner

world,
with

there

is

always
and you
or

the for had had

fight,which
If,
with

they
to
use

must

themselves,
of

themselves.

the

suggestion
the

another,

been
known

familiar

Howard,
who the

great
the of the you

prison evangelist,
slave heart would with upon the the
;

Clarkson,
to

delivered
secrets

if you of

had

been
the

permitted
great

read

Garrison,
known

American
each the
turn

philanthropist"
was

have

that, full often, combat,

and he closed

sick

and

weary heart

inward

door

of his

outward

that fight,

might

JV Double Victory.
his

85
you

thought and
the

attention

to

himself

; and

would
:

have
"

heard would my

soldier of Christ
easy

to saying bitterly

himself the I I

It

be Lord

for

me

to

conquer,

and

to

win

battle for
had had
not

against
wage
on,

these

outward

if only ills, if only fight, sand shifting

to perpetually

this inward
instead and

solid
own

ground might
it would
to

to

stand

of the

of my

nature vacillating
even

irresolute
these

temper."
outward

Perhaps
"

you

have

heard
to

great soldiers

saying:

Surely
as

be

better

the relinquish
to
us

conflict, so
conflicts

bend
Yet

all attention it is side

the

rule of the Home-land."

good
evil of

for

all that for

these
man

two
were

should

go

on

by side;
the

if

only conflicting nothing

and
we

againstthe
inward he stood

world, and
become
common

knew

about

the

he might fight, aloof

"

arrogant, and
sin other

suppose the
were
common

that

from

the
on if,

temptation
confine

whereas
to

the

hand,

ourselves and let

the

inward

we conflict,

only to might grow

victories vision
that go

morbid

and dispirited self-centred, those for

two

depressed.
let the of field of

No,
that
we

go

on

together,and
the outward consciousness Let

win

God

in

be
we on

weighed against the

all carry side in
our

awful

failure
two

inner

experience.
man

these
that

by side,and

let every

know

if he

conquers

within, he
he
to

will conquer

without, and
It is

that

if he

fails within
we are

will fail without.

overcome,
as as

just in proportion as
we

able
over

Saul

did, in his heart, that

this

shall

come,

he

did, againstthe Ammonites.

lie upon

Two

thoughts
"

chapter

which

are

full

of

interest
Saul's

Saul's inward first,

and fight

conquest

secondly,

outward

fightand
INWARD

conquest.

I. He

SAUL'S

FIGHT, CONFLICT,

AND

VICTORY.

"

(i)
to

fought

the subtle
new

temptation to pride. Samuel,

called
a

eager

constitute the
at

kingdom,
so

great national
and

assembly
been

Mizpeh,

where

great

defeat

victory had

86

inner
in earlier

nntr "uter
In

(Konflkta.

recorded
Israelites

days.

their

teeming
to

multitudes elect their prayer

the

gathered there, and

to

proceeded
a

king
lot

by
was

an

appeal
cast, and

God

through

lot.

After

the

the

disposing of it was
was

left to God.
the clan of the

First the

tribe of then the

Benjamin

taken, then
and he

Matrites,
He he had

family of Kish,
son

the ultimately
was

lot indicated found. that oil

a

Saul, the
knew
was

of Kish

; but

not

to

be

from

his

previous
head

conversation that
was

with the

Samuel

God's
over

designated king ;
his
; that

anointing
of all the
moment

flowed presence,
men.

he

possessed
above
to

kingly

standing head
If
ever a man

and

shoulders have stood

was

ordinary
when
to

might
master

front, and

allowed
Saul

ambition
have

to

him, that
and

the

might
not

stood

forth

presented himself
for the looked for the
crown.

his

people as
he
was

the
to

unrivalled be found.
it the
was

candidate

However,

They
of the

for him second

everywhere
time, they
that

in vain.

And
to

only when,

appealed
he
was

direction

Urim
the

and

Thummim,

discovered

hiding
was

among

baggage-waggons.
our

This of the

modesty
natural

extremely beautiful,and
of Saul's character

admiration
but be
one

traits

cannot

greatlyenhanced
of
not
once

by

his unobtrusiveness.

It reminds that he who

more was

Athanasius, who
be elected

left the

city of Alexandria
of

might
than thrust

bishop ;
evade Milan.

and

Ambrose,
also
to
as some

sought
him
at

to

the

which responsibility
us

upon

It reminds he
was

of

John
that
as was

Living
famous

stone,
sermon

who,
of

when Kirk o'

chosen

preach
hours
assume

Shotts, travelled only

after

quickly

possible
led

in another the

and direction, God

to

by

Spiritof

turn
assume

again
to

and

the

blessed

burden.

Those

that the

themselves

high positions,
but others show
"

before yielding

fail ; of self-assumption, proud spirit

they
better
are

who than

humble

themselves,
are,

who

generally think

they

who exalts.

deprecate notorietyand

such

whom

God

Jt Strong temptation.
(2)
which There
was

87
assailed him
to

the strong

temptation which
shouts,
"

vindictiveness.

Amid
his

the

God

save were
"

the the

King
voices shall

!"

applauded
of
"

nomination,
such be

there

of
this the

detractors, men
man save us

Belial,who

whispered,
is

How
to

One may

voice

enough
us

spoil all
the

adulation What of kind and

that

strewn

before
has the
not
one

by

crowd.

public man
voices
was so spite,

is there
marred the

who

felt that the clamour

sentence

by

of

criticism
rest

that

drop
must

of have

vinegar turned
stung
the

all the of

acid ?
The he

These

voices

heart

Saul.
; but

adder's

poison must
the

have

penetratedto
and of
we

his heart

conquered
that he

desire for revenge, embers

trampled beneath
It
was

his feet the

not

smouldering
was

vindictiveness.
are

for pusillanimous, when he heard

told of
was

in this

same

chapter,
"his

that

of the

cry He
case

Jabesh-gilead,
capable
of that
not not

anger forth

was

kindled

greatly."
but in this
old
more

of

flaming
well He the held
more

against wrong,
To
use

he held

himself A.V.,

in hand.

the The is
"

English phrase
one

the

his peace.

examines your

phrase,
to to

it fascinating
to

to
or

hold
snatched

peace, you,

let let

it go, not it be midst The

let it be under

taken

from
to

trampled
of

foot in anger, fret

"

but

hold

to

it in the

irritation and

to

hold

your

Hebrew,
"

as was

suggested by
as

the had

ground. margin, is still

been deaf word he
"
"

more

striking.
tended
not

He
to

though
He he
a

he

he

pre

hear.

did hear
made
man can

; every
as

had
were

struck deaf.
were un

deep into
It is deaf
a

his

soul,but
when
to

though
act
as

great power

though
unkind

he

to

slander, deaf

deaf detraction,

to

and

charitable
been

speeches,and treat them as though they had to God, leaving with spoken, turning from man
God
sooner or

not

God

his
him

that vindication, believing

a

later will
a

give
of

chance,

as

He

most

certainly gave
and

Saul

chance,

the vindicating If Saul had

true

prowess
to

temper
men

of his soul.

listened

these

and

noticed

them, he

Inner

nnfc Outer
awkward he had

"onflkfs.
and

might
for he

have

drifted into
one

an

perplexing position,
over

if, on

the

hand,
laid

passed
open
to

their slander,

might
have
a

have

himself
on if,

the had

imputation
noticed
so as

of

cowardice

; whereas

the
to act

other, he

he it,
to

might
done
quer

been

goaded

and tyrannically, He could

alienate

large number
than
to act

of his
as

people.
he
were

not to

have
con

better the

though by
the

deaf, and
which

of spirit
was

revenge
one more

of spirit

self-restraint.
he must the
to

(3)
been

There
"

temptation by
ostentation. from and returned

have
assem

plied
was

the

temptation to

When

blage
He token God's

dispersed he
been

Mizpeh
kissed indicated
forth of

Gibeah.
him
to

had
of

designated by Samuel,
for Israel ; the
men,

by
him

in

homage.

Sign after sign had

he had

be
the
a

choice

stood

amid

people's clamour,
number of young had

acknowledged
whose about him hearts

king
were

the

land ;

fired with
; he

by

loyal
of

enthusiasm,
had rejoicing scious of

thronged
able

his
to

path, and
his home him the

songs
was con

accompanied
to

being
his

rally about
; and

chivalryand
he
to to
was

strength of
again
and in
excess,

fatherland

yet, when

back

Gibeah, in spiteof
he
was

every

temptation
to return

ostentation

noble
hand

enough
his

his rustic

life ; he took
month
on

again in
the

he

drove

oxen

across

whole plough, and for one the fields, meditatingmuch and befallen, for him
was

the

strange chance
God would open of the

which the

had
door

wondering

when the

to

step forth into

manifestation
These
were

royaltywhich
of
a

already his.
soul. We
career

the
; the

elements

trulygreat

do

not
was

forgetGilboa
afterwards his

frenzied
; how
more

insanity by
than he
a once

which
or

his

blasted

twice he
and

hurled
;

javelinat
suicide
; he

David the

; that

became
murderer

moody
and

morose

that he of
a

betrayed

heart of
this time

died

the death

; but at

of his life at the

; he

least,he remained
revenge and upon left that

humble
it with

put his foot upon

to

of spirit

God

vindicate

him

put

his foot

"
love
do
to

petitionfor IMpthat and

89
to

of ostentation his

tempts

us

all,settinghimself
God summoned
cannot

dailywork,
the helm

waiting until
state.

him
this

take

of the

We

but admire

greatly. You, too,

amiable
soul be may be

conscious

of the

presence

of

many

natural

but unless traits,

and

the natural

virtues of your

possessed
conflict the

Holy
the

Ghost awful

they will
of

strengthened by the power of the be able ultimately not to withstand

the world.
own

See

to

it that

in and may

through
come

traits of your

amiable

nature

there

the transcendent

life of the

Saviour, that ever-glorious

nature, but the Son
of God.

your

character
and

may

not

be the wild

established

permanent

growth of of the indwelling

One
that

II.
came

THE

OUTWARD
from the

CONFLICT.
he heard field, the drew Eastern
near

"

evening, as
low known

Saul

back

wail of distress its

it

and

panic by anguish ; and

meant.
"

which
as

populace makes
to

he

Gibeah

he asked
?
"

what

What
was

aileth the told how,

people that they weep

the
hard

Then of

the

story

across

Jordan, in the land

before, had

Gilead, the cityof Jabesh-gilead was Ammonites,

who,
a

pressed by the
been

hundred

years

defeated had never disastrously by Jephthah, but who their claim to the land. Under Nahash, the relinquished around king,they had gathered in overwhelming numbers
the

beleagueredcity.
had been
; and

Its citizens had in vain. the

tried

their best of

to

extricate
alone

themselves, but
extracted if at

One

week

respite

from

contemptuous
no

clemency
deliverance be

of Nahash
came,

the end

of that week
man

then

the

right eye
left eye

of every make
was,

would

put out,
of

which, undoubtedly,would
war,

him

useless for purposes

because

the

of course,

always covered

by

the shield.
to Gibeah, of Benjamin, despairthe messengers came because in the days of the judges Jabesh-gilead had refused

In

9"

ifnttcr anfc "titsr

(Konflirts.

to

join in
had
sons.

the

war

of extermination hundred
was,

and

given
of

four

of

the Benjaminites, against its daughters in marriage to

their

There

therefore, a
those claim of for

blood-tie

between

the

people
hour

and Jabesh-gilead felt

Gibeah, and help

"

in this awful would

not

they
who
as

they
!
were

had But

if

they

help

would if it

seemed effectual but

people of Gibeah despaired. It impossiblein that short space to send

the
was

help.
had
to
no

Saul

living in
he could

the

midst
them.

of The

them,

they

hope
in who of the
are
"

that

help

day

threatened Then

close
man

hopeless despondency.
had

the
aware

conquered
an
"

himself

became power
came
"

suddenly

uprisingof
told that

altogethernew

in his heart.

We Saul Lord

the
on
"

Spiritof
we

God
that

mightilyupon
fear
"

little further the

learn

the
on,

of

the

fell
a

on

people
inward the your

; and

still further

the

Lord

wrought
will be will

great salvation
in the upon in you forward and and his

for Israel." if by battle,

so

If you of

true

the

grace

God
the

you

trample
come

sins which life

an

beset easily the

you, of

time will
come

will

also,when
almost

Spirit
would
He

God

upon you

with
to
as

overwhelming
otherwise
on

power, be

and

bear

do

what He

absolutely impossible;
also
on

works

you,

will work

the

people

on

the foe.

InstantlySaul
them
out

laid hold

of

bullocks, slew
sent
as

them,

cut

in the the
war

and by pieces,
land. old In
some

messengers such way,

those

piecesthrough
Scott the tells clans

Sir Walter
to
summon

us,

Highland
the

chieftains of the

used

for

by

mission

fierycross.
land of
an

Similarlythe entire people throughout the whole

Israel

obeyed
them,
the

the

royalsummons.
;

They
the three

were

at

firstbut

undisciplined mob
shalled fall upon
sent to

but

Saul, in

power

of

God,
routes

mar

directingthem
Ammonites in tell
were

by
the

different A

to
was

morning.
the

message

Jabesh-gileadto
and their hearts

people

that
as

coming,

glad. Then,

help was the morning

91

broke

over

the

quiet hills
Saul

and

of Gilead, from valleys his army

to

three

different
hosts.

sides

launched

upon

the

sleeping
of

Panic-stricken,they
were

sprang

their
onset

feet; hardly
the
men

awake, they
Israel ; and
two
men an

unable
was

to
so

resist the

of

the rout
not

complete that, by
It the
was new
a

the

noontide, victory,
of

were

left

together.
such be

wonderful

and

auspiciousbeginning for
you
not

reign.
the sin Gird

Would world selves ?

to

win

victoryover
We

the

If so, there

must

the

self-mastery.
are

your

fight
are

"

the

of faith." good fight

reminded

that there
course,

several

circles

to

that

there is, of fight. First, A

man

the outer

circle

of circumstances.
rightlyso.
It is is
a

must
on

always
your of

begin
part
to

with

these, and
that
remove

quite wise
constant

give up
to to
renounce

business
from that

which that

source

temptation;
live;

house

where

bad

people
that
; to

those literature,

books,
you
to

and

which recreation,
extricate has

are

constantly causing
that That

offend

yourselffrom
your your
out
curse.

friendshipor
is the
; touch

which fellowship

been

first

thing
taste cost

to

do.

Get

rightwith
not

circumstances
and

not,
any

not, handle deliver your

come

be separate.

At

self from

the

conditions
there
are man

of life that tempt the

our

you

to

sin.
; for

Secondly,
circumstances

is like

inner

circle

of

habit

if

our

clothes,our
got
to

habits

are

like

our

skin, and
habit may
:

every

has

his lonely fight against fight

; it may
"

it may of
can

be of alcoholism

be

of

narcotism;
the power

it

be

impurityand immorality nothing but

break
the
a

of God second

bonds
man's

that

bind

you.

That

is the

great

in fight

life.

Thirdly,there
that your father from

is the battle
was a

against heredity.
and has

It may

be
on,

passionate man,
strong and
a

passed

perhaps
that
woman,
own

his ancestors,
was

vehement

desires ;

your

mother and

vain, or

proud, or
to

quick-tempered something
keep
calm of her and

that she

has

passed on

you
cannot

quick,sensitive

nature, that you

Inner

anfc

Outer

Conflicts.

still,cannot
deaf.

hold
one

your has

peace,
to meet

cannot

seem

as

if

you

were

Every

with he
has

certain

number and

of

predispositions
make know the them you that

in

his

life which
Enumerate
name

inherited,
them,

which

battle
; then

harder.
in the

consider
grave

them,
of Christ

of let

God
them

put
meet to

the you the

between
Him
to

and

them,
Die
you
to

and
them have the

only

through
die

died.
because may

all, die
risen
to

first Adam,
In

yourself
you

the

second. for

acting
that

thus awful

break

entail,
you all this
are

and

arrest

others

inheritance
after

into

which

have
is

come.

Then,
your grace have inner
not

all, when
circumstances
you have

said

and

done,
when

when

outward of God
to

adjusted, spell
of

by

the you the

must

broken
"

the
you

habit, when
to

died

heredity

then

come

face

face

with you
an

citadel

of yourself
to

There
.

are

things
not

that

do, temptations
which you and the
must

which

you

must

yield,

inner ! in
on

self
the

crucify.
that of that
to

Ah,

that

lonely

fight
down

Ah,
the

flowers
whilst and life
are

grass blood

become
your all you is the

trampled
heart is

wrestle

sprinkled
of

the
out

sward,
ward

you
as

know

possessions
to

your agony

nothing
What of

compared
success

the
is your

of ?

the
What

inward is the
to

conflict.
crown

What

applause
confessed win

victory
Thus

compared
we

with
our

failure
the

yourself?
of Ammon. the

fight

fight, and
then

in

power

the

loving
Ah,
not

Christ.
two
men

And

Ammon,

Ammon,

will
;

be

left hold

together.
upon the

Fight, fight, fight

life which is life

good

fight

of faith

lay

indeed.

XIII.

(i SAM.
"

xii.

22.)
of this

For
I

the

glory

and

the

passion

midnight
O Christ
!

praise thy
that

name,

I give Thee neither

hard failed
me

thanks,
nor

Thou

hast these I too

forsaken
;

Through
Now For
that

hours

with

victory overpriced
have

of thy passion
sake
"

partaken,
"

the

world's

called

"

elected

sacrificed

"

H.

HAMILTON

KING.

7HILST
of

the

whole

land
in

was

ringing
deliverance Samuel
to

with

the of

news

Saul's it

exploit

the
to

Jabeshauspi
hand
;

gilead,
cious and nation On
moment

appeared

be in

an

for he

confirming
summoned

the
a

kingdom

his

therefore
at

great

convocation

of

the

Gilgal.
spot
Israel

that

had
and

encamped
the twelve

for

the

first

night
commemo

after

crossing

the

Jordan,
event
were

great
There

stones

rating that
cision had
of

still visible.

the

act

of

circum of the

been
the of

performed,
; and

cleansing

the

people

neglect
in the

wilderness

there, too, the

celebrated.
of
crown

first Passover

Land

Promise and
far
at

had

been

Amid the

these

great

memorials
from

memories
near

the Saul

past

people
He had

gathered
been it
was

and

to

king.
at

designated
the

Mizpeh

; he

was

to

be

crowned its

Gilgal ;
and
cere

inauguration
by
and
the his

of

his

reign,

ratification
this

confirmation
mony, Saul and that last

entire

people.

After

great

people

rejoiced together with

God
; and

peacewas

offerings
moment

thank-offerings before
Samuel

this
as

the
"

chose and

to

lay down
first of

his office
the

judge

the

of

the

judges,

the

prophets.
must to

I.

SAMUEL'S

RESIGNATION.

"

An

end

come

the

94

JForsaken?
and
most

longest
Book
of

successful

and ministry,

the author in

of the

Ecclesiasticus, reverting to
"

this event made

Samuel's

life, says
of

Before

his

long sleep Samuel

God and all,
to

protestation
the who

his

innocence
come

before
to

and

the

people." Yes,
are

long sleep will

receive bare

happy
last
are

they

before

they lay their heads

enter to

down final

the

sleep,and
able
to

their
extend have

spirits
their known

their

award,
before
at

hands them This

and

their hearts
say, "These Samuel

those
are

who

best,and
is what

least

clean."
was

by

the grace the his

vast

of God

able
of the
"

to

do.
men

Standing bare-headed
of old and

before

audience

Israel,and, pointing to
and grey-headed, lands
a

white

locks, he said,
before you

am

I have

walked his

(as in boy
for he and

Eastern hood

shepherd precedes
had and been the
to
an

from flock)
career,

my

up."
own

His

unblemished
of

his

sake
was

sake

God,
from
career.

on

whose

behalf
a

stood, he

anxious

obtain of his

the

people
He

vindica
pro you.
con as a

tion of the blamelessness

tested Whose front
me
"

therefore

have

not

defrauded
?

you,
ass

nor

oppressed
any
a

ox
as

have

I taken taken

Whose from away

Can
even

man

having
I

his hand mine

one

sandal,

bribe,

that
"

should
all the hast
our
man

turn

eyes

from

his mis consent,

taken

doing ?
cried
:

And Thou

people, with

unanimous

"

not

defrauded, nor

nor oppressed,

anything from
But the and the old
a

hand."
was

not

content

; he

wanted

to

bind God
to

people by
the
"

solemn

oath, as
witness what you

in

the

very

sight of
hand

king

he and, therefore, God

to

his said,lifting

heaven,

I call

against
have

you

this

day,

and

his anointed

king,that
the
came

said

is true."
one

And

again, from
shout, there
old the
man

lips of
the

all the

people,with
"

unanimous
The

response,

God

is witness."

was

comforted, and
who and

added, "Yes, God

our

is witness:

very

God Moses

brought
Aaron."

people out

of

Egypt, and

appointed

^
Oh,
and that all
our

fJIamdcss

JUcorfc.
clean-handed
the records

95
as

publicmen
Samuel
was

to-day were
! that

as pure-hearted are

when

of

their actions it may

office
own were

rehearsed

before
those

the

judgment-seatof God,
have been

be
have

discovered
not

that

who

high
that

in

prostitutedtheir high position for

or

their

emolument,
clean-handed

acted

for

privategain, but
all the

they

and

pure-hearted. Happy

is that nation

whose and

free from are public men of from out making profit !

complicity with bribery

necessities
or

the

sore

distress of their fatherland

II.

HE

DESIGNATED show
own

HIS

PEOPLE'S

SIN. had

"

It

was

great
; and

opportunityto
a man

them hands

where
are

they

done

wrong

whose

clean

is See

permitted to
to

be

the
own

sincere critic of others'

eye you is and single,
to
remove

misdoing.
the

it that
from

your

that

beam

is extracted from your

before it,
eye.
mass

essay

the

mote

brother's
dense his

In of

several

he particulars
dared
see

pleaded
up the
were.

with crimes

that of

people, and they might

he First, former their your the and

to

hold
as

nation, that
their
carried
:

them

they
to

set

himself

show

the of

difference

between
He

their latter
back in
to

method

procedure.
in

thoughts
fathers

Egypt, and,
to

said effect,

When under and in

were

bondage
you up raised

the cried

Egyptians,and
unto

oppressionof Pharaoh,
He the the
to

Jehovah,
And

gracious answer
the

deliverance.
were

when

in

days

of

Judges
God
for

you

oppressed first by
then

Sisera,then Moab,
now,

by
cried
the

and Philistines,

by

the it

people
came

of

you when

deliverance,and
of horizon with

; but

threatened is
a

invasion

Nahash, the King of thunder-clouds,

you for prayer,

the

Ammonites,
of my
was

the filling

instead upon

holding

great convocation

insist
?

appointing a king. Why

prayer
now

have

you

deteriorated hundred
you years
are

Why
ago,

your

natural

resort

three
not

and

it is

neglected?

Is it

because

96 prayerless that
you
a

^Forsaken?
have

|lcbcr !
from
your ancient
moor

drifted

ings?
Must

In
not

this is
we

great sin.
care
"

always take

that, instead
will do that He this would
or

of

saying

and impulsively should

impetuously,
before

We

that," we

wait constantly

God

appoint a

deliverer ?

Secondly,

in his

dealing

with

the

reading upon
the successive
"

past

history.

On
which

their

people, he put a new side,they pointed out

befallen their
coun

catastrophes

had

try

how

the

the Moabites, Ammonites, the Philistines,

and

Sisera,and
and
way

other them

surrounding nations,had
under from
a

oppressed them,
as therefore, a

brought

their such

power

; and

of deliverance

troubles, they
had befallen them.

had

argued
admitted

the
the

necessityof having
successive did
not

king. Samuel, readingupon

shall make tell you
on

of course,

afflictions which

his He

people,
said
:

but he
"

put the
a

same

You

demand

king who
I
a

such the

catastrophes no
other

longer possible ; but

whether
have you have

hand, that,
as

king or
and
to

not, if you
turn

forget God,
to

you Ash-

forgotten Him,
as

if you

Baalim
your
can

and

taroth
any

you

have mode

turned of

them, neither
you In

king,nor
invent, will words, he
of devo
root
a

alternative
you from

government

deliver
made

the

consequences."
not

other
or

it clear that but

it

was

the

presence

absence
and

monarchy,
tion
to

the want which

of

singlenessof purpose,
been the
cause

Jehovah,

had

and

of

all their troubles.

Thirdly, he indicated
failed to send Look them back
a man

to

the when your

people
a man

that God
was

had

never

wanted. Even

He

said
from

"

upon

past

history.
the
man

apart

an

line hereditary has

of

kings,with
up
a

of Royal prestige
to

descent, God
emergency. Aaron
R.V.,

always raised
"

help you
Moses Barak

in

an

Consider
Did
not

did
raise

not

He

raise up and

and

He

up

Jephthah
See how

(see

marg.),Gideon

and

myself?

in perpetually

's
the
man

^Faithfulness.
to

97
sent

dark that

hour,
was

in

answer

prayer, you

God
not
a

has have

you

the Him
;

needed. of

Could

trusted

and Him

instead
to

being so
as
"

urgent for
had

king,have
?
"

waited

for

do

for you, said

;
a
:

He

done

aforetime
you

Lastly, he
deteriorated
demanded Lord
; you

My

countrymen,
failed
in your

have you

greatly
have

you

have

faith ;

visible
have

king,but have magnified the arm

power of
a

forgotten the
of but flesh, You

invisible
have for

gotten the

mighty

the
new

Eternal.

have God

been
was

under sheltering your King, your

the idea of
true

whereas royalty,

Head,
have

the

Leader, only
on

and

Patron

of the

nation.
Are
to
we

You
not

should

rested
same

Him." faith ? We look

all liable to the

lapse of
The whilst the

the visible and

forgetthe invisible.
and

air is filled with in the

anxiety,clamour,
behind
the thin

controversy
sense,

shadow,
crowned

veil of
to

stands

eternal

Christ,waitingever
sticks brave
to

trim

the

lamps
in his

of the

golden candle
It
to
was a

and

to

hold

the

stars

righthand.

for Samuel a rightthing, thing,a noble thing,

show stand

his

people how

they

had

drifted from

the old true and

ing ground
III. office to leader

of faith into

atheism practical

unbelief.

SAMUEL'S

ASSURANCE. henceforth

"

Having
was

handed

over

his and

Saul, who
of the

to

be the

shepherd
with

chosen

people, and
went not
on

having
to

dealt

their

failure and

he deterioration,
"

say his

with

inimitable
for his let The

sweetness,

The

Lord

will

forsake these words

people
soul.

great Name's
them Lord

sake."
a

Oh, take
refrain his
of

to

and heart,

sink,like
will not for
a

music, into They

have

your may

forsake
moment

people !
may

have

lost their their Lord

ideal ;

they
of

drifted
;

from

ancient
cannot

moorings
forsake

childlike

confidence

but

the

his

people,for
For

his great Name's

was

sake.

How of the
N

this argument perpetually

used

by

the

holy men

old

time.

instance,in Exodus

xxxii. 12, where

98
God
the

JForsalum?
talks of

lister ! people,when
it with

castingaway
to canst
was

his

they had

made

golden
Thou
'

calf and go

worshipped
into the

garlands and

dances,
say
:

Moses
"

dares

Divine
if Thou

Presence, and

Lord,

not not

do
able

for it,
to

dost, the Egyptians

in ; his power He had
was

will say,
not

He

bring them
that
to

sufficient
Thou

to

accomplish
not

which

put his
!" the

hand.'
And
men

canst

do

it.

Thy
Israel

credit is at stake
had the fled before

in
of

Joshua

vii. 9, when
threw
"

Ai, Joshua
and

himself

upon if

ground

before

the what What do

Ark

cried,

my

God,
?

thy people
And

fail like

this, say?

will the

Egyptians say
Name.

What

will the Philistines

what and

will the nations

of Canaan

say ? Heaven

wilt Thou
earth Thou
as

for

thy great
hast

Before
if Thou

wilt stand Thou Then chosen

to

discredited

failest to

give us
the

this land

promised."
later
on

in Isa. xlviii.9, n,

in their my

history of the

people,Isaiah,dealingwith
in God's anger thee
"

sins,and
Name's I refrain

speaking
sake
will I for thee

them

name, ; and
not

says for my
"

For

defer mine
that
own

praise will
For mine should
own

I cut

off."

sake, for mine

Name be pro

sake, will I do
? and Ezek. my
xx.

it ; for how I not

my

faned In
"

glorywill
these Name's the

give to
words

another."
are

remarkable

repeated thrice
not

wrought
in the
name

for my

sake, that
He

it should whom

be pro
were." self-

faned

sightof
is God's
to

nations, among

they by

God's

character.
his
went

is bound

his

respect
The Lord He
no

not

forsake

people.
on

old
to

prophet
you He

to

"

say

It hath hides of for

pleased
his

the

make because The

his

people."
The consumed

God

reasons.

loves

will. is not

flame

his love

requires
the great

fuel.
may
:

bush

its maintenance. of

We

put
"

alongsidewith these, those

gave

words He

Apostle
us

He

Himself

for us, that

from
own

all

and iniquity,

purifyunto
assurance

Himself

might redeem a people for

men
:
"

his

possession."

This

appliesto

's

~$abe. (Unfailing
God of will not your

99 He

(1) As
not

individuals.
you

forsake
or

you.

did

choose
will not He

because
you you

goodness
you have

beauty, and
of your grace,

He

forsake
has made
was

because his child you

failed

best.
not

that there because He but

anything in
would.
Some there have

by adoption and attract to specially

He may that from

Him,
you of
rest
us

but

day
is
no

explain to
any the
us

his reason,
can men

just now why

// We
we

reason

guess
to

at, his.

been

chosen
Him
to

of

be

has

pleased
may
we

make

his

sons

and

daughters.
seed of the

have
may

sinned
have whom

against Him
ourselves

and
with

grieved his Holy Spirit ;

the will not forsake

mixed
we

people amongst
his

dwell
there

"

but

God be
a

people.
it
to
over

If He
was

did,

would

charge againsthis
after sin had

love that
a

not

that it ceased infinite,

that it be He that

reached

certain sin.

height of outrage,
power
also

could

not

abound
for the
more

His

would that
"

impugned,
had He had
not

lost

in spirits He

hell would
able
to

boast

attempted
There
would

than the
an

was

perform

counted

cost.

also be

imputationupon
the

his
that

immutability.
He took blessed could throne up
a

It would

be

spread through
and

universe

sinful soul, cleansed

and then

clothed At

it,loved
news

and
God the

it,
be of

He

changed.
of

the

that

fickle,the
Heaven

palace
God

shake, and

eternitywould the mighty vault

not

rock,
of space the is

would

reel to He
count

destruction.
has
on

dare of

surrender
That

work
we
on

which may

begun

in the heart

man.

why

is

claim We have no positive being saved. Him attractiveness native beauty nor to no life ; there
set

God
who

; there
sees

the
"

inner
He

is

nothing
upon
us,

necessary

in
must

our

service

but
with

has

his love
to

and

He

go

through
O

and it,
man,

stand

his

bargain
Why

before

all worlds.

soul

of

God
As

will not
a

forsake

thee. could
not

(2)
Because

Church.

God

forsake
He

Israel ?

the chosen

people was

the type of what

desired

ioo

^Forsaken ?
nation
to

|leher
therefore

! needs
be

every
on

become

; and

He

must not

go
;

building up
He had
to

Israel,that
work

his type
Israel

might
to

broken
nations He

and
to

through
had
the may

bring other

its level.

If God
to

abandoned world be ?
true

how Israel,

could

have

hoped
was

regenerate
of Israel and God

What may
to

true

of

Church.
that in

There

be be

many

failures But

inconsistencies
cannot cast

in her away and

ought

altered. sinful realize As

a

her

spite of

all her till she

imperfections.
his ideal and Our Nation. and her

He

will refine

purifyher driftingon
God
;
cannot cannot

become

his

perfectBride.
go

(3)
into afford

country
she

cannot

materialism
to

as irreligion,

is and

doing.

let
to

become in

immoral the whom way He have

debased
and

permit
cannot

her

follow the of

of

Rome has been

Greece

forsake
the

people

blessed
the

and

used

since

days
and his

Alfred, who
sake later
a

pioneers
the it.

of

missionary
world. certain For that

Christian
Name's
or our

civilization
He
cannot

through
do of

entire it is

No,

sooner

great revival

will religion

bring us (4)
and and the As

back
a

to

first love. God

cannot

World.

forsake and

this

world, reeking
tyranny
his
Son with of

though
of
tears

it be

with

blasphemy
saturated saints. souls shine his

impurity,with
the

sin.

It has

been
of

with

blood

myriads
of the

It has that have

been
ever

bedewed

noblest
to

breathed, and
with
to
an

it is yet untarnished universe

destined

amidst be

its sister stars the

a

beauty ;
what God

it is to
can

specimen
fallen
our

all the and

some over a

of

do

with forsake the

world

degraded

race.
see

God
her

cannot

earth,and
shone in the white

day
of

we

shall

in glistening of
"

lightthat
will not

Paradise, and
for
to

the children truth.

men

walking
Lord

robes his

love, and purity,

Lord make

The

forsake

people
the

his great Name's

you
a

sake, because
unto

it hath

pleased

people

Himself."

XIV.

Crasing
(i SAMUEL
"

in
xii. 16-25.)

O,
From

who

can

tell how
the and

many

hearts
prayer

are

altars

to

his

praise,

which

silent

ascends

through

patient

nights
The sacrifice

days

! still in
secret

is offered do
not

and He

alone
can

world,

ye

know

them,

but

help

his A.

own."
PROCTER.

IN
his would

all

Samuel's
scene

career

there his

is

nothing
as

finer the he

than

the
and

closing
leader

of

public
nation.

action
Had and
our

judge

of

the annals

Hebrew
of

died
in

young,

place

in the

his

country,

indeed

history,
of
to

have much

been

much

lower, and

appreciation
it difficult
a

his

character

less.

Naturally
and

he

found

step
with

down which aside

But he

from
he of had

his
no

premiership, sympathy,
greatest

inaugurate
it seemed
in

regime
be
a

since

to

setting

Israel's

glory

having

God

for

King.
did

suppressed
best
to

his strong
start

personal
on

antipathies, and
the
new

his

very

the with

nation
the

path
and,

it had

chosen,
less the We of old

selecting a king

utmost
over

care,

regard
between

personal suffering, bridging

order
cannot

the

gulf

and
turn

the from the the

new.

the Lord

record
at

of

the

great

convocation, election,
power Knox of His

assembled without in his

whole prayer. age,
as

before

Gilgal,to ratifySaul's
allusions been
as

noticing
He

repeated
to

to

Samuel's

appears in
to

have

the

John

mighty
seems

prayer have

in

statesmanship.
in the

career

been

bathed

spirit of

supplication.
As
a

boy,
has

with

hands

meekly
he
asked

clasped,
God
to

as

Sir

Joshua
whilst

Reynolds

depicted

him,

speak,

102

"lot

in (Eeasiruj
attent to

his
In

ear

was

quick and
of the
call
on

catch

his lowest
as as

whispers.
among been
to

the Book
that

Psalms God's The he

he

is mentioned
name,

chief

those answered

and

having
alludes

(xcix.6).
power which for

prophet Jeremiah
exercised in

the

wonderful when the he

intercessory prayer
All Israel In knew the

pleaded

his
of

people (xv. i). prophet of

been their secured
"an open

long, piercing cry

the
had had
was

Lord.

their
in

his intercessions perils their battles his vii. prayers

deliverance,and
road" between

them

victory (i Sam.
God able
to

8; viii. 6). There

and
come

him,
into

so

that

thoughts
he

of God's

thinking were
back

his heart ; and

reflected them

again with

intense

and

burning desire.
PRAYER
FOR

I. heart age
a

SAMUEL'S of
man

THUNDER

AND

RAIN. In

"

The
every in

cries
and

out

for Divine

authentication.
a

crooked

perverse how

generation seeks
wandered in

and sign, the

source

seeking it proves
of

far it has

from

light,and
realized

become

blinded

vision. spiritual discern God

If

our

nature

its divine
common

ideal, it would
incidents
of

in the
the

ordinary and

providence, in
that

and morning light

the

summer

air,in dews
kiss the
the soul

noiselessly

and zephyrs that gently alight, in the

xiv.
not

slumbering woods,
flowers
men

and of spring, garniture But the eyes of the of the

of carpeting
are

(Acts
do world

17).
see

blinded, and

the traces

Divine said

across footprints

the

day
In the
some

by day.
default

"Lord,"
see

lifted up, yet

they
and

not"

prophet, "thy (Isa.xxvi. n, R.V.).

the

hand

is

of the

faculty of detectingGod's
that God

presence
asks

in for

noiseless

man ordinaryprovidence of life,

phenomena startling
he cries
to

to

prove

is

speaking.
"cre know

"Bring,"
dentials without
small
so

the

heaven-sent

messenger, I may The

startlingand
that thou
not art

that extraordinary

doubt

properlyaccredited.
We
must

still,

voice is

enough.

have

the

hurricane,

JUttljEtttication.
the
that and fire,

103 shall

the bolt

from

the

blue.

Then

we

know

God

speaks by thee, and

knew

that the word

from

thy lipsis
for

true."

Samuel Divine
are

this,
work

and

he

perhaps longed
God's
years trusted

some

corroboration
to

of his words.

servants

content

through long
"

amid
that
came

persistent they are

to

resistance and
on

apathy,if only they are

Divine
the purpose. the and it be
am

assured And it

the the

line of the time

the of

pass

at

offeringof
came

evening
known

sacrifice that God of

that that in
a

Elijah
Thou I

prophet
Isaac, and
in all

near,

said, Lord
this

Abraham,
art

of

let Israel, that I

day
and

God done

Israel,and
these
one

thy servant,
word" of

have

things at
of his

thy

Thus,
his

supreme

moment,
to

the
words

noblest

successors was

appealed
Samuel's

God,
at

and

expressed what
He

in
his

heart

this great hour.

had

surrendered
; had

and prerogatives,

introduced their
follow hear

his

successor

confronted
the he

his

people with
must

sins,
on

and

announced
; now

heavy

that penalties that and It

disobedience

yearned

they should pressingthem

was

another
on

his words, voice, asseverating

conscience and
on

home the

heart. that he

under

influence
and

of

these

thoughts
the

concluded
"

his address

appeal with
see

announcement,

and Now, therefore, stand still, Lord

this great
Is

thing, which
shall

the

will do
I

before

your
unto

eyes.

it

not

wheat-harvest
He
see

to-day?
thunder

will call

the
may ye

Lord,

and

send
your

and

rain, that ye
is great which

perceive and
have

that

wickedness

done

in the

sight of
of

the

Lord,
the

in

asking you
the of

king."
the middle in
as

During
to

from wheat-harvest, lasting

May
at to

middle
occurrence

June,
of

rain is almost
a

unknown

Palestine,
it did

and

the

thunderstorm, coming
too

the call of the

aged prophet,was
other than the

unusual startlingly

be viewed claims.

as

Divine

authentication

of

his

104

flot Ceasing
It may

in incident
realms be
we so.

out

supposed that parallel, belonging to

; but

be

this the

is of

altogetherwith
Old
Nature Testament

story
more

cannot

think

it

to

is much
suppose, which the sup
can over

sympathetic with man her beauty or terror because

the

than

sometimes

is but

the veil beneath

save on

Almighty
God

hides

Himself. the

How,

that position
we our

answered

appeal
of ? And

of

his

servants,

account

for the fact of the terrifictempest when of the

that swept menaced

save on

shores

proud Armada

Spain
how,

the the blas

liberties

Protestant Heaven

England
itself the the

supposition that
phemous
memorable the
was

protested against the

can we

of pretensions fact that

on

Papacy,

account

for the

afternoon

when

the

dogma
at

of

was announced, Papal Infallibility

the Vatican blackest

midday
?
on

suddenly invested
But there every
are

with

pall of

midnight
When Paul

other
servant

methods of God
a

of Divine may

authentication

which

true

rely.
in

and

Barnabas

abode the
"

for
"

long time
gave of the of the them

Iconium,
unto

speaking
word of

boldly in
his grace

Lord,
the

He

testimony
the

the the

; and

writer

Epistleto
early
that with of

Hebrews
of the

generalizesthe
Gospel
salvation
"

experience
he says that

heralds

when
was

message

God's
the

great

confirmed

by

heard

word,
won

God

also

bearing them
divers
own

witness,both
"

signs and
the

ders, and

with
to

miracles,and
will thankful
to

of gifts

Holy Ghost,
ii. 3,
of

according
We

his be

(Acts xiv.
for the

3 ; Heb. witness

4).
Holy
and all,

cannot

too

the

whose Spirit,
more,

voice is
the

the
was

faithful
to

servant

of God It
was

than the

thunder

Samuel.

this that
"

armed
are

primitivesaints
the whom

with

irresistible power.
"

We the

his

witnesses,"cried Ghost,
"

Apostles,

and

so

is also that

Holy
Him."
"

God

hath
wrote

given
the

to

them

obey
and in

Our
unto

Gospel,"
you and

greatest Apostle of all,

also in power,

came

not

in word in much

only, but
assurance"

the

Holy Ghost,

(i Thess.

i. 5).

gearing
May
bear
name

(Kit tineas.
realize this
He is

105

ask

if my
in the
to

fellow-servants

"

that

the

is Holy Spirit his of and stand

Church
every that
;
so

to-day,that
word will convict

prepared to
in the

witness

true

which

is
of

spoken

Jesus, and

He that of

sin,righteous
hearers power should of

ness,
not

judgment
in the

the faith of
man,

our

wisdom

but

in the

God,

God

bearing them
ii. 1-4

witness
xv.

and

givingthem preaching.
not
we

the

Holy Spirit speak

earn
nor

(i Cor.
This

; Acts

8).
of
we our

is the fatal lack but faithfully,

the

We

estlyand rely on
hearers in the
we

do

look sufficiently
do
not

for

Divine and
not

Co-witness

understand and

the
our

communion do

fellowshipof the Comforter; their souls, hear his voice thrilling as

world, with
the heart
as

thunder

natural

the

conviction
of
"

that

the

things
pas

which sionate and

speak are longing of our

will
come

truths

God.

Only
"

let the

be,

Father, glorify thy name,"

both
that say,

voices

from

heaven, saying, I have

Whilst
some

and glorifiedit,
stand "An

will say

glorifyit again."
that
"

by
our

may

It

thundered," others
in prayer
secret

will

angel spake" (John xii. 28, 29). God, give us

shalt
answer

Oh,
pray and

such
"

power the

that of

when

we

Thou send

in

place

thunder,"

thunder

and

rain.

II. SAMUEL'S the

were

UNCEASING

INTERCESSIONS.
the
torrents

"

Terrified

by

loud

thunder-peals and
to
secure

of

rain,the people
on

urgent
feared
to

Samuel's

intercession

their behalf.
entreated
unto

They
him Lord

for their lives and for them.

"

their property, and

for
we

pray

Pray

thy

servants

the the that

thy God," they said, "that

laid
on

die

not";
to

and

emphasis they
they
the dent the felt
no

the word
of

thy
with
to

seemed

indicate

longer worthy people. Jehovah

calmed Touched

their ancient their

as prerogative

chosen that

appeal, and
his
to

confi

only desired
their

corroborate them
never

word,
turn

aged

seer

fears, urged

io6

in forager. fiat (Kenshtjj

to

aside

vain them with

idols,which
that the the

could Lord

neither
not

profitnor
forsake
as

deliver,
them, and
God

assured ended

would
:

words striking sin

"Moreover,
Lord in

for

me,

forbid

that I should

against the

ceasing to pray
in the

for you."
Samuel

realized
The energy

that which

prayer
we

was

action

spiritual

plane.

exert

in action in the
has

physical
been
con

sphere becomes
said, Laborare
verse

prayer
est orare

in

the

spiritual.It
is to
est

often

(To
Orare

labour

pray) ;
(To

but the
pray

is

much
"

truer, fervent
much

laborare
a

is to says

labour).
James,
that brethren himself
"

The

prayer

of

righteous man,"
Therefore
no

availeth the
at to

in its

working."
could
words and

it was,
his

when

good
and

Epaphras
by
his

longer help
deeds, he
them

Colosse
prayer,

betook
all in

laboured

fervently for

prayer

(Col. iv. 12).

Work As And shall be prayer, Thou prayer, wouldst

if all be wrought
it done
;

have

by

Thee be

inspired and
one.

taught,

Itself with

work

Samuel
as

could
done.

no

longer
The

exert

his

energiesfor
his

his

people, judgeyearly
all that

he

had

limitations

imposed by

advancing
his

years,

and

by
it

the

substitution that he

of the he

kingdom
make
to

for his

ship, made
rounds
energy became
as

impossible
but

should able

aforetime;
another
;
were

was

translate The

into heat

method
water

of

helpfulness.
steam.

light
of of

the

became

The

prayers

God's

saints

henceforward, equivalent,
the eye, the

to battalions

soldiers.
What the the

the

telescope is

to

bicycleto

the

foot,

to telephone to the voice,and the steam-driven machine and increasing human hand, in enlarging power, prayer

is to of

the
;
are

soul, because
it touches

it links

us

with unloose

the

mighty

power

God

springs

that

forces spiritual

which

eternal

in their

duration

and

universal

in their

of

grayer.
in

107
he

scope.

"Mighty
how
man,
to

is he

who the

is

mighty

prayer; God."
the

has O

learned
soul of

labour

with
not

energiesof

Why,

wilt thou

lay thy fingerson

would and

of the touch

eternal ! How with

powers, great
the
a

which

key-board to thy respond instantly

loss it is for thee of the natural
to

mistake

be

satisfied

lower

key-boards

and

when intellectual, awaits reaching,

the
thee !

the highest and spiritual,

furthest-

Samuel thwart
his soul

viewed

prayer

as

Divine
prayer of

instinct. which
"

For
arose

him

to

the

promptings towards be nothing short would

I should

within

sin. in

God

forbid,"he

said,
Let
no

"

that
us

sin

againstHim
say

ceasingto pray."
The

we recognise, men logic, pray, and so

may

with another, that, logic or

to

they want
the
or

pray.

instinct

to

do

seems

to

be

part of ourselves.

Probably
remains

it is not

constant,
of prayer

and
; but

it is
some

only

saint who

in the when

spirit
the

time

other, and
we

always
pray.

nature spiritual

stirs within
than We

us,

begin to
our own

Prayer is
of

therefore

more

petition ;
them

it is the

movement

the

God-ward. spirit

recognise
there

and limitations,

attempt
in every
words.

to

reach

beyond

into the infinite. that

cannot

Therefore,
be put in

true
"

prayer,

is much

The

maketh spirit

intercession

with

groanings
to

that
To

cannot

be uttered." this
for

thwart

whether instinct,

it prompts

us

pray

for

ourselves, or
nature,
the
to

others, is

to

do

violence
and

to

our

noblest

of God, grieve the Holy Spirit

to
an

sin

against
sin,
the

Divine
a

order.
and

is Prayerlessness

not

only
the

indication
a

of

besotted

demoralized
and
answer

nature, but

is in itself

that

confession requires
And

cleansingin
to
our

blood

of

Cross.
are

when, in

we lowly supplications,

again brought nigh by

prayer will rise from
as

the blood

of

Christ,we
our

shall find hearts

as

that
a

naturallyand

freely in
from
to

fountain

unseen

depths

fed

the

everlasting
return

hills.

Prayer is the

response

of the soul

God, the

io8

|X0t "eaaitt0
from
us

in

grayer.
back
in vapour what
we

tide

to

Him,
of

the

sending
rain.

receive Samuel

in showers
viewed
as

heavenly
as a

prayer
but
to to

trusteeship.
the interests

He

could

no

longer
had would
at
as

act

judge,

he his

felt that hands

of the

nation
and it

been

entrusted

for the

highest ends,
and he

be

treachery

fail in

conserving
Often
must

extending them,
have
on

least Moses

by

his intercessions. the

gone

aside,

on

Mount,
waters

and of

as

our

Lord
to

the
out

hills that

engirdled
in strong

the

blue

Galilee,
for
were

pour

his

soul

cryings
to

and

tears

his

brethren,

his

kinsmen

according
tained
the the

the

flesh, who
and the and the
sorrow

Israelites,to
the of

whom

per
and the

adoption,
of the

glory, and
the

covenants,

giving

law,
like

service

God,
he

and

promises.
heaviness
the with would

Often,
and

Apostle

Paul,

had

great
when

continual
overran

in his heart. and seemed

Often,
the

Philistines
their

the it must

land,
have of

oppressed
as

people

tyranny,
The
more

though
his
to must to

his heart ideal

save

break.

failure
strenuous

Saul

to

realize
to

only
both

elicited

the

appeals victory
have

God
we

king
in
our

and

people,
next

and

the
must

which

record

chapter

been

due

his

eager

entreaties. This
is
a

model

which

we

may

all

copy.

The

one

question
may

for the
on a

Church
new

in the

present

day
of the

is whether power
on

she of the

reckon

manifestation
is
to
are

Holy

Spirit;
"

and

this

entirely contingent bring

of

another
to
me

question,
knees them
to

Is it If

possible
words

the

whole

Church
any, let

her

?
to

"

these in
one

weight
and

with

ask

join
that

persevering
awake,
do
as

heaven-moving
ancient

appeal
in the which

God

He of

would

in the

days,
of

generations
our

old,

and
us.

great things like

those

fathers

have

told

XV.

Cause
(i

of
SAMUEL

haul's
xiii. 13,

Bctonfall.
14.) thy time
!

"

Bide the the

race

thou of

Watch
Sit in

with the

meek and

eyes be and is thou

pride jest,

and

crime,

gate,

heathen's

Smiling
O thou
to

self-possest,
a

whom Bide

pledged
the

victor's

sway

victor's

day."
N.
H.

J.

chapter
contains Saul's
Had have he the

is the

story
of

of the

great
incident

tragedy,
which
of
a

since revealed
of

it

history
to

unfitness

be

the

founder
no

line

kings.
would
the the shall
to

stood
not

this

test,
the

there

is

doubt
of

that

he

been,
of
a

only
race,

first the been

monarch

Israel, but

father
chosen
see
"

royal

and

whole different.

after-history of But,
as we

people though,
"

might
at

have

first, his

kingdom
lacked
the

augured
elements

prosperity
of

his

fatherland and

it

evidently
and of

permanence bulwark
and

continuity,
the of
us

becoming
of
or

Israel's from

permanent

against
cancer

invasions

the

enemy

without,

the

disintegration gather
to

corruption
story,
of
not

within.

Let
so

around the

this

only because

it has because
Saul
a man

much

do

with

history
for

God's

people, Turning

but from Him

it is full

of

instruction

ourselves.

to

David,
after way, and may

Samuel

said,
heart."
ceased
us

"

The
It

Lord

hath

sought
clear

his
Saul

own

is, therefore,
"

that,
own

in

some

had

to

be

man

after

God's

heart,"
that
we

it becomes

carefully
on

to

inquire
this

the

reason,

avoid

the

rocks

which

good

ship

split

and

foundered.

no

"JJE Cause
You will remark
"

0f Anil's

gohmfall.
tells the

that the

chapter which

history

of

tragedy the overcastingof a bright morning, the spoilingof a fair and beautiful promise also contains the
"

this

story of the unutterable

had We
were

distress another
ver. were

to

which

the of

chosen the

people

been
are

reduced

by

invasion

Philistines.

told, for instance,in

a

6, that the people of Israel

in

that they strait, in of

caves

distressed,that
rocks and in and the its Saul

they pits ;

hid in

themselves

and
even

in thickets, crossed hour with of

deed,
their who

some

them in

Jordan,

forsook those
as

fatherland
were

the

extremity;
and him down

while

yet associated
of the

Jonathan,
the

the

nucleus A

royal army,
had

followed settled

trembling(ver.7).
upon
; it

of spirit
; the

fearfulness

whole
as

people
the

old national
could
never more

had spirit

decayed
induced
flock of

seemed

though they

again
than

be
a

to

stand

against

Philistines, any
of wolves. also We

sheep against a
of the
vast

pack
of

are

informed
had the

of the

numbers

host

which Philistines,
to

been

gathered
towards of

from
a

all parts, in national

order
ence,

crush which
were

out

movement

exist

of

the

coronation

Saul
We

and
can some

the

exploitsof
the

Jonathan

symptoms
to

3). (ver.
the
as

overhear

tidings brought
messenger,

Saul

(ver.5) by
the sand

panic-stricken
of is

who,
the

with

exaggeration
which

abject fear,
on

described
shore A

Philistines

the

sea

in multitude. further

proof
verse

of
:

the there

hapless misery
was no

of

the

people
take of for

is

adduced
the whole

in

19 of

smith

found had

throughout
to

land of in

and Israel,

the

Hebrews

their the

implements
Philistines
use. more

the smithies to agriculturedown order that they might be sharpened

their
there

Never dire

in the

historyof
Saul and

the

chosen

people were

more calamity,

absolute

and hopelessness

despair,

than
at

reignedaround

throughout the

entire country

this hour.

Haul's ^jJltatahc.
At

in

this

juncture
as

Saul
were,

seems

to

have

withdrawn
and
to

his
have

troops, such
taken the
act

they

from the

Michmash,
site of

up of

his

positionon

ancient

Gilgal,where
Israel the had level

circumcision

was

performed
There
the assault
seems

after upon of have the

crossed

the

Jordan under

Joshua.
to

land, and
hosts
at

therefore any

exposed
Saul

Philistine his

moment, his heroic

to

pitched
up
a

camps

; whilst

son,

Jonathan, kept
the

post of

observation Whilst

in the Saul
the with

of vicinity

Philistine hosts. remained

at

his soldiers

Gilgal, every
man

day
in

marked

diminution
across
corner

of his host.

This
a

and
to

that

stole away,
some

either and

the

Jordan
such

as

or fugitive,

hide

hole

of the
at

hills.
a

It may
one

be asked

why,

time, Saul

did

not

make

desperate effort against the

day
Ah after !

Philistines.

Why

did

he

wait there his eyes ?

we

day, whilst
a

his army

evaporated before
to

thereby hangs
a

story

"

understand

which In

must
x.

turn

back

page

or

two

in the

record. inspired

chap.

8, in that early morning interview,when

for the
crown,

Samuel

designatedSaul
his life would
ment

he told him

that

the crisis of
the go fulfil down
unto

overtake
had
now

him

at

Gilgal
"

prophecy
shall
come

of
me

which
to

arrived.

"

Thou
will

before

thee, to

offer

Gilgal ; and, behold, I and to burnt-offerings,

seven

down

sacrifice sacrifices

of

: peace-offerings

days
thee what

shalt
thou

thou

tarry, till I

come

unto

thee, and

show

shalt do."

I. SAUL'S

MISTAKE.

"

This
stood
two

command,
on

uttered

three of his

years
vast

before

to

Saul, as

he

the

threshold
each

involved opportunities,
tuted
a

and things,

of them

consti

supreme

test.

First,whether
gerent
;
not
as

he

was

prepared
monarch

to

act

as

God's his

vice
own

absolute

determining
as

policy,and
vant,

acting on his own the marching receiving

but initiative, orders

of

God's

ser

his life through the

H2

"ljc Okutse
not

of

Haul's
an

gotonfall.
autocrat, Divine
his but
as

prophet's lips ;
whom

acting as
a

one

to

there had
whether

been he

of delegation could control

authority.
nature,
well in himself

Second,
put
hand.
It made
was

impetuous

the

curb

upon

his

impulse, and
Samuel

hold

this

embargo
day

which

had you

laid upon
not
come

him

that how him have

him

wait

after and do

day.
warriors

Can

imagine
around

his chosen
and urge
to

advisers him the

a

would

to

something?
hosts ? of
storm

Might

they
at not

not

pointed
him

Philistine cloud
he

encamped

Michmash,
have told

gatheringlike
how,
be

Might they
?

unless
out

acted the

his paternal estate quickly,

invasion

would have do

wiped
to

before

Might they
said,Rise
up the you,

not

pointed
hand

the

dwindling hosts,and
were

and

something ;
than
on

it

better
to

to

die

beneath down
on

Philistines'
as

allow the

them

pounce
!

the

bird

of prey But

tremblingdove
day
set to

he

waited
the
not

after time

day.
that

"

He

tarried

seven

days,
but

according to
Samuel from of the He
came

Samuel the

had

appointed;
were
a

and Gilgal,
seem

people
could

scattered

him."

Then the

it would allotted

that within he

brief space
no more.

expiry of
had

time
have

wait

thought
or

that Samuel been the

must

forgotten the appoint

his had way waited from till
a

ment,
Ramah within

interceptedin making
Philistine lines. offer much
a

through
half
an

He

hour

(because to
not

and burnt-offering

could peace-offering

take

longer),and
further the

then
; and

to delay spoiled the whole, by his inability still lingered by who he said to the priest,

ancient

site

where
"

God

had

been
the

posted, Bring hither offerings." And peace

"

worshipped and the Tabernacle the and burnt to offering me,

came

it

to

pass

that

as

soon

as

hehad
Samuel

made came." if

an

end

of

the burnt-offering, behold, offering

Ah,

only

some

sentry

standingon

pinnacle of

rock

Inner
could the have of looked the old

tJokc.
the

113
seen

over
man

into

adjacent valleyand
the camp,

form

might
But tion that would outward

have
was

warned
no one

the
to

to drawing nearer "Samuel king, crying, arrest

he

is

coming!"
the

there and he

him
own

"

nothing but
heart. It

moni shown

remonstrance

of

his

was

could
not

not
nor

wait

for God He

in
was

absolute
careful

faith
to

that

He
an

fail

deceive. the As

maintain
was

but rite,

of spirit he
was,

devotion
successors

and

faith
would

alto

gether wanting.
to

his

become,
could
not

the

undoing

of Israel ; therefore

his

kingdom
us

continue. The
one

lesson
force who the

that

comes

back
man

to

with

almost

over

whelming
is the for God
man

is,that the
will

who
to

is after God's

heart

obey

God who

the

who letter,
to stand
even

will wait

to

last moment,

will dare and

amid

diminishing
orders free.
How many of

and

dwindling
he

army,
not

see

disaster

imminent, but, because

God, will stand

has

received

the

marching
sets

until presently God still,

him

people religious
recall moments An

there

are

who,
but

as

they review
not

their past what

"

can life,

when

they did
other
;
so

know

to

do. them

inner voice
and
trust

"

still, sweet,
; but
to

commanding
voices, loud
the
that

bade

wait

many
act

and

strident,summoned
voice
of

them

still,

small
was

of absolute faith,of resignation,

one

obedience,
irrevocable

silenced, the

rash

word

spoken, the
weakness When

one

act

performed, betraying the

of
we

of
all
was

the

heart, the
Samuel
"

ineffectiveness
has come, and

the

resolve.

over,

have

reproached ourselves, saying, Oh,

that God
was so

if I had
have Samuel hard
to

only thought
as

near,

I would
not

not
"

acted

I did
comes

woe

is
at

me

why
"

could

I wait ?

always
wait And ye

just
does

the
come.

last moment

; but

it is

so

till he
He
arose,

Master,
the
"

Master,
and hath

we

perish!
Why
are

and ye

rebuked

storm,
God

said,
not

O fearful,

of little faith ?

n4

"!JE Cause
the

of haul's
the

gohmfall.
of spirit

given us
of Man God wide
were an

of fear,but spirit

power,

of

love,

and self-discipline

self-restraint. of

becomes
so

so

weary

and waiting,
processes

it

seems

as

though
so

slow.

God's

mighty
is
as a

sweep years, the

around
but He

orbit.
as

One

day
is

thousand
as spring,

is

coming
"

the

morning, as
sure

the
as

millennium.
He shall

His

going
unto
us

forth
as

the the

morning,

and

come

the

rain,as

latter rain that watereth

the

earth."

II. tion will

to

SAUL'S
Samuel.

DISINGENUOUS He upon the said

me
"

PLEA.
:

"

Notice

Saul's

explana
intreated

I said to

myself,the
I have
not

Philistines

come

down
of

to

and Gilgal, I forced

the

favour the

Lord.

myself therefore,and
insincere.
"

offered

That burnt-offering."
on

surely was
; he

He The
to

laid the blame circumstances

do the I it,
was

circumstances lot forced

said

: practically

of my
most
were

my I I

hand could

; I did
not

not

want

reluctant, but

help myself;
sceptre
was

Philistines
from of the

coming.
grasp,

tell you
to

the

wrested

my

and
that

I had

obey
and

the

imperious
me."

voice
His

misfortunes
us

fell thick

fast upon

speech reminds
before God
"

of

Aaron's, who

strippedthe people
sought
to
excuse

naked himself them

We rash
we

and

their

enemies, and
me

by saying, They
all prone has refused been
to to

gave
came

their
out
same

earrings ;
tone. act

I cast

and into the fire,

are

there

this calf." When done house the

speak
and
us,
"

in the the have

or

word have

uttered,and obey,
upon

proud
seen

; when

the

of flames
me

our

life
our

toppling down
we folly,

consuming

in the

of
;
was

have

said, Circumstances
I did it
:

compelled
my

had

to

do

and it,

I forced

myself;

hand

forced." O
soul of
man,

thou

art

greater than
the mob

circumstances

greater than
Thou

things ; greater
to

than

of evil counsellors.

art meant

be

God's

crowned

and

enthroned

king

115
to

rule

and

not

to

be
to

ruled

to

obey
thee

God

only,and
the

to

resist
Rouse

all other

attempts
it should continue.

bring
said

thee

under

yoke.

thee,
shall

lest
not

be

of

also, that thy kingdom

III.

MARK

THE

ALTERNATIVE in
own

TO name

THIS.

"

In

answer
"

to

all

this,Samuel, speaking
chosen will." could
in
a man

the

of

God, said
shall

have

after

my home
not

heart, who
the

perform
the

all my who

In

Jesse's

lad haste.

was

being prepared
Listen heart
to
manner

believe, and
this
"

make

which
:

man

after

God's

own

spake
He

in

after

years
unto

I waited

patiently for
my
out

the He

Lord, and

inclined also
my
out

me,
an

and

heard

cry.

brought

me

up
set

of

horrible
a

and pit, and

thou

of the
my

miry clay, and

Let

feet

upon

rock wait

established

goings" (Psa. xl.

thine

i,

2).
stop
its

Wait,
its

thy
of

Lord's and

leisure.

heart
more

feverish

beating,
waves

thy pulse register no

!
mar

tumultuous

emotion

To the

act

now

would

only
and
for

disappoint the highest hopes,

set stones

Divine

purposes,
Wait
servant

rolling that
and still,
the have
too

shall
see

never

be

stopped.
His be
to

God

stand up

his

salvation.
not

is

coming
as we a

pass

; his

steps may
he
not

quite so
the
too moment

speedy
"

would
moment

them, but
soon,
to

will arrive
a

not

but
come

moment

late. has

God's
almost

messenger

is timed

when
and

the

heart almost

failed, the
"

steps
is
at

almost hand !"

gone,

hope
He

vanished.
upon

The
;

Lord

Oh

wait, my
as

soul,wait, wait
will
not

God the

for God
and

cannot

be

behind,
moment.

be

before,

allotted

appointed
He comes, blue

And
harvest

when for

there skies make

will
for

be

laughter
and

for

tears,
of

sowing,

clouds,

long days
shame

rapturous

bliss,that
of the

shall
!

thee

forget the

and

reproach

past

XVI.

flitting ton
(i SAMUEL

f Ijousanft to
xiv.

"

Oh

! I have with

seen a. me

the

day,

When,
God
'

single word,
to

helping My
trust

say the
n

is in

Lord

'

My

soul

hath

quelled
all that

thousand

foes,

Fearless

of

could

oppose."
COWPER.

r UST

two

young

men,
trust not

with in
?

the

glow
as

of

patriotism

in

their ./
what

hearts, and
may
was a

God

their

guiding-star,

they
true

effect of

Jonathan
of say
out

knight

God, who

anticipated some
We
a

the of fear

noblest
him and wrong, that

traits of
he
was

Christian
the

chivalry. Bayard,
lived

may soldier

almost with

Hebrew
He the

without
was

reproach.
faithful the
to

pure,

spoke true,
of human Him which

righted
love, and
not.

high
as

claims

followed character

Christ, though
as a a

yet

he

knew
on

His of

serves

bright background
contrast.

that

his father
the leads
to

is but

sorry
a

From

Jordan
up

bank,
the of

noble

valley, twelve
Central

miles

in

length,
and from north
so

into

hill-countryof
the

Palestine,
Two

the

sea-board
of this the

Mediterranean. about either

miles
due very

the of

head

defile, and
cliffs each
on

eight miles
side
to
on

Jerusalem,

become

precipitous,and
Conceive
of walls
a

approach
very
narrow

other pass,

almost

touching.
either
the

protected
on

side
wild
man.

by steep
goats
The

of find

chalky formation,
a

which

only

could

footing, and
north,
which

almost

unscalable
an

by
almost

ridge

on

the

rises above

per
or

pendicular
"

crag

into

three

knolls,
all

was

called

Bozez,

shining,"

because

it reflects

day

the

full

light

of

the

JVn tjcroic(Episode.
Eastern
was sun

117

; whilst that
as

on

the

south, a
the

few
as

yards distant,
constantly in
there the

known shade.

Seneh,

"

the

acacia," being
; whilst

the

Michmash
were

crowned

former, and

Philistines

encamped
and latter,

of Geba the little village

lay above
such
to
as

the

thither

Saul

had

removed

his army, the

it was,

withdrawing from
of the armies
nor can

the

plains of
other the

Jordan
have
no

watch How

the

movements

hostile force.
each
we

long
of

the

watched
we

means

knowing,
had

guess

what

result

might
we

have
are

been,
to

it not

been

for the

heroic

episode which

recount.

I.

JONATHAN
chafed

ENTERED

INTO

THE

DIVINE the

PURPOSE."

Jonathan
the
whole animated

at

the

inaction
to

and

disgrace which
He
was was

situation
also

attached

his countrymen.

by

by

the

Divine

profound faith in God, and Spiritto an act which issued

a

prompted
a

in

glorious

victory and
suppose
or

deliverance.
God from He
not

It seemed forsaken the

to

him

impossible to
of He

that

had

people
Had
not

his choice,

withdrawn
could

his ancient

covenant.

promised,
his chosen
was

and

perform
the

Was of

Israel

? heritage conflict

Surely
the

purpose of for the

some

the

Almighty by
these

in

with

invasion waited
with

land

Philistine
to enter

hordes, and

only

believingsoul
current, and

into full communion

ance

its

mighty
no

deliver

would

be secured.
the other

Saul, on

hand, had
to
ear

perception
to

of

these

things. aged by
he had

The what
no

great past failed

met

speak
from
to

him.

Discour
to
on

his eye
to

and

morning
lay
hold
sentence

night,
the

power of

rouse

himself
The

Divine

promise
of

deliverance.
had

of
stone

deposi
on

tion, which
mouth
a

Samuel

pronounced,
to

like up
to

the

tomb,

seemed

shut

him
in

despair.
when life,

It is of

the utmost

importance
the

this

mortal

heart

and

flesh fail before

giant wrongs

that

assert

"8

4""hm

""n ^irousattfr to Jligljt." flitting

"

themselves

such as the of mankind againstthe well-being the mania for betting and drink-traffic, gambling, impurity, the insensate of
our

and

absorption in pleasure,which
time
"

are

the pur

Philistines
pose,
as

to

look

away

to

the
on

Divine
the

disclosed
of

in the

redemption
Redeemer.
The
to

achieved

Cross

by the blood
have been

the

world's

Surely
and

that cannot

shed
are

in vain.

power

potency

of the
full

Divine

might

pledged
which
the

realize and
was

accomplish that
the

deliverance Son

of

Cross

of Man
of the

has been

manifested
He

that

He

prophecy. The might destroy the

be

works

devil ; and
has

will not realized.

fail nor

discouraged

until that purpose like

been

Jonathan, raise
into
weakness
to

themselves

above

Happy are they who, the depressionof the

these eternal
of

moment

livingfellowshipwith
with
the march establish

facts,and
He

ally their

God,

as

is

ever

going

forth

and righteousness

judgment

in the

earth, which

has

been

redeemed

by preciousblood.
AS AN

II.

HE

YIELDED

HIMSELF human
so

INSTRUMENT. He calls

"

God into

always through

works

through

means.

us

fellowshipwith Himself,
human

that the

Divine
ever on

tides shall flow

the

channels.

God

is

outlook grace
He
on

for the

souls,who believing
one

will receive them

his power
on

and

hand, and
that

transmit
them
are

the make
are

other.
his

chooses power
to

them,
known.

by

He

should who

mighty

Happy

they
of the the

not

insensible

the

Divine

impulse,nor
was one as

disobedient
those retina
nerve man

to

the

heavenly vision.
souls eye
to

Jonathan
sensitive
to

blessed
of the
"

who

are

as

God

or light, a

the that

healthy
he let

muscle
unto

to

; and

it fell upon

day
on

said
us

the
to

young the
a

that

bore

his armour,
is

Come,
the

go

over

Philistines'

that garrison, "he

other father in the

"

side."
; and

With in all dawn

beautiful

modesty
two

told

not

his

the probability

slippedaway
were

silently

grey

whilst their comrades

still wrapped

$"umttt)crc"
in slumber.
the
some

to

(Soft.
Divine

119

The

intimation
the

of

purpose
which

thrilled
he Lord gave will

ardent clue

of spirit in the

young
"

prince,of
be
to

words,
is
no

It may

that
the

the

work many

for us, for there

or

restraint

Lord

to

save

by
the

by

few."

Notice smallest
God. all his

where

Jonathan
in waited

laid the

emphasis.
the
; in Him

He

had

faith possible His soul

himself,and
Lord

greatest faith in
was

for the his

centred

hope, and from things. All that he through

This
which
two

gracious help
was

he

expected great
be
of

aspired to
the
wants

to

the
God

humble

vehicle
work.

which
God

delivering grace
"

might
our

is what

not

our

but strength,
to

weakness,
armies
"

in absolute
or

despairturns
elect

Him

; not

our

but

three

souls, who

expect
the

great

thingsand
is
on

dare

them.

It is false to say that All

Almighty
to

the side of great battalions.

which have

historygoes
the

show the

that the movements world have

transformed

face of

been

achieved
have
not

by
have

the

who individuals,

been

going forth of God through specially distinguished by

led
to

talents,but out-standing
selves say ? and
"

been

surrender shall I

them
more

absolutelyto the Divine

for time would

impulse.

What

fail to tell of

Carey, and

Wilberforce,
more.

and Livingstone,

George Miiller,and
God
read
"

hundreds

Yield
young that

to yourselves

and these

specially appeal
There
to to
are

to

the

men

who
wants

may
to

words.

wrongs

God

He tyrannies right,

is about He
wants

break, foes quell;

pure, the
but
true

of human He and and

must

peace have

and

happiness that
from the

agents and

instruments, clean
domination
his

and of

faithful,delivered

flesh,
not

absolutelyresignedto

disposal.
or

It matters
as

if

they be high-bornas
bearer ;

Jonathan,
no

obscure
a

his

armour-

through them He will Saul, the chosen king, had

He
was

achieve such

great deliverance.
vision voice

and

no

such
in

faith. his

not

sensible
to

to

the
on

Divine the

speaking

soul, but

had

depend

of interposition

the

"

i2o

"fcm

Cutting fa

"rjousan6

to

priest (vers. 19 and 36) ; he spoke and victory depended wholly on the efforts might put
refreshment
forth ; and
as

acted that
use

as

though
and such his

the
men

he of

in

forbiddingthe honey
of the

simple
it be fall

the

wild

woods

he might yield,

forfeited the full results of God's

Could interposition. of his ends wild

supposed
short

that

God's

deliverance
forth the the and
to

people
to

would that

because

they put
to

of the rods

might
? lips

be in their hands

convey

honey

their

Throughout
dered
one

the

whole
was

day,
meant

in especially
save

this

senseless

adjuration,which

time, but
of his noble
to

reallyhin
of
"

the full result,Saul

showed the human

himself
heart

oblivious
son

the that

thought that
was

animated

God
own

working through
on

instruments

inflict his

judgment
III.

the

invading hosts.
ON

JONATHAN
"

RECKONED

GOD,
of laws

AND

GOD

DID

NOT
we

FAIL

HIM.

Faith

is the whole of

indomitable
range

power
and As
;
we

by which
forces
we

call unto
are

our

help a
the
two

which

outside have

lives

ordinary
and

men.

have have

said,
three.
we,

they They
Thus

key-boards to
the

their

organ

employ
are

physical

whilst intellectual;
and spiritual and results,
as

in

addition,may
we

call -in the able

to

aid of the
the
same are

eternal.

accomplish

better,

by

the

assictance

of

energieswhich
as was

much

greater than
than

those

ordinarily employed,
steam.

is greater electricity
the
secret

horse-power or
success.

This

of

Jonathan's

As

they ascended
on

the which

steep
should

the cliff-side, indicate and will,

young

men were

agreed
indeed
not

the

sign
The

that that

they

in the

line of the
heart

Divine
of
man

God

would
on

fail them. of faith

in its first venture

some

the

way

eagerly longs

for

sign
misled in the

that

it is not wreckers' voices the

or being followinga will-o'-the-wisp,

by

lights. This

was

graciouslygranted
outposts, which

mocking

of the advanced

ridiculed the idea

that

Ijcafwt-gitrctt
Hebrews
should
"

12

were

to

be

feared

(ver.n),
"

even

though they
they
to

succeed

in
come

the scaling forth out and the

men

crags. of

Behold," they said,

had

the Hebrews themselves and

the holes where

of the

hid

garrisonanswered
up
to

Jonathan
and
your
we

his

armour-bearer,and
you
a

said,Come
should like

us,

will show

thing (or we

make

acquaintance)." the heaven-given This was and sign,

that the
of Israel
answer.

conveyed
them

the

assur

ance

Lord

had

already delivered
faith the soul
we

into the

hand

(ver.10). By
"

the appropriates

Divine
But

Whatsoever fulfil the

ask, we

receive of Him."

it is

only

as

we

one

successful whatsoever

prayer, ye pray

which and

is

so

condition of all-important often overlooked, All things

"

ask for,believe that ye have

them
on
"

received

them, and
The

ye shall have

(Mark
cannot

xi. 24,

R.V.).
When their

soul that reckons reached

God

be ashamed.

they

the top the two

young

used Benjaminites

that twenty men with such precision measured their slings lengthon the ground, and a tremblingfrom God, a heaven sent spread from them back on the main army behind, panic, of spoilers from their nightraids. and to the bands returning The
were

Philistines could

not

know It

that the two

as

who

faced them
were

absolutely alone.
of
a

seemed and

though they

precursors

host

of

resolute

in suddenly,

being in
fiture." the

panic,each man league against him;

the
that the

desperate men, and suspected his neighbourof

"every
was
a

man's very

sword

was

his fellow, so against

there Hebrews

great discom
been allied
to

Meanwhile,

that

had

or Philistines,

acquiescent silently
; and

in their had

rule, even
hid them
that

they

also turned

againstthem

all who when

selves in the

of Ephraim, hill-country

they heard
in battle.

the Philistines From

fled,followed
at

hard

after them

his outlook how

Gibeah,
he

Saul

beheld
to

the wild confu

sion,and
away.
Q

the multitude

swayed
hurled

and

fro,and
with

melted

Without

delay

himself

his soldiers

122

"fttoo
the

futtht0

fen

ftljousanti to

on

foe, who flying Beth-horon,

in

down fled,in headlong precipitancy, the

the

long valley, past Beth-aven, past

order
to

Upper

and

then

the

Lower

gain
town

the

Philistine frontier

by
that

the

valleyof Aijalon. Every

rose

through
and

which

the

fugitives passed
the warriors

in their rear, and

was

so joined the pursuit,

flyinghost
dyed
the

greatlyreduced,
of

thousands

of
so

highways
in

the

land, which
blood.

they
Thus

had

grievouslyoppressed, with
God
The

their
answer

hearts'
to

did

deliver his unwise

people

Jonathan's faith.
had
a

prohibitionof
in first, the the famished proper

the

king againstfood
of the the the

terrible

sequel ;
the

exhaustion

troops,
the Still

and, secondly,in

eating of
in, and
Saul Some

spoilsof
blood.
counsel

day,
worse,

without when
the

separation of
was

the

day

closed

asked

of

God, it,and

Divine

Oracle

dumb.

sin had
the

silenced dark
sus so

the

monarch,
fears in

already touched
which
his soul
some

with became
sin look

picionsand

afterwards
was

densely enveloped, realized

that

crying for
for
own

discovery and
where he would

expiation.
have
that

He

did

not

that

sin,

found assuredly stood the Saul

around

it,in his
him.
as

heart,
and the

but in the

people
stood

he Finally

Jonathan
Divine
his
son

before

people
was

the

objects of
to

and displeasure,

prepared even
They
As the cried

sacrifice

in his the

moody

wrath. saved him. hath

But
"

people

indignantly,
salva

Shall
in
not

Jonathan die, who

Israel ?
one

wrought this great

Lord the fall to

tion
shall hath

God

forbid !
head this

liveth,there ground,
cause

hair with

of his

for of

he

wrought
most not

God

day."

Ah, the
those
two
was

dis it

comfiture
was

surely lay between

men

; but
to

due
not

to

aught in Jonathan.
only
missed the

Saul

alone

blame. his

He

had

greatest

opportunity of
in the

but he life, the

was

was

already enwrapping
moroseness

himself

unbelief,
his
sun

jealousy,the
to

of it
was

temper, in which yet day.

be enshrouded

while

XVII.

JFaihtru Slntor
(i
1 '

tlj*
xv.

SAMUEL

26.)
and thou find

Mortal

! if life smile All

to

on

thee,

thy mind,
once

Think,

Who

did Thee

from befriend

Heaven
!
at

to

Hell

descend

to

So

shall

thou

dare

forego
"

His all."

dear

call

Thy

best,

thine

K.EBLE.

ON
rapid
towards

the lie

shores
the

of

the
of

Dead many

Sea,
noble roots,
the

encrusted
trees

with which

salt,
have

trunks
torn

been

from its flow

of

their
from that shores fruit purpose

and

carried
of

by

the

Jordan
the

in

uplands
gorge

Galilee
; and
as

depression
desolate
to

remarkable

they
which
not

line
God

those

they
and

remind

us

of

lives
have and
to

planted
his been
death. first

bear

give shade,
in

which

fulfilled
have
sea

original
torn

their and
such

creation,
borne down

which the of

up

by

the

roots

of

Conspicuous king
to

among

failures

is that

Saul, the
It is

of

Israel.
to

impossible
that

turn

the

pages

of of

his his

history early
forth

with
was

out
so

lamenting
soon

the and

bright promise
that the work
sacred of
as

life
in

over-cast,
of do

he,

who

stood of

the
as

morning
likely
one

his

life amid

acclaim for
his

his

people
became

to

marvellous whom
the purpose
cast

fatherland,
describe
as

of

those of
the

writers

having
in

failed their

high

their
tools

life, been
from the

rejected
hands of

mission, and
great
Artificer.

away This had

the

of his

the
final

chapter
indeed

gives
been

story

rejection, which
which
now

threatened

afore

time, but

befel.

124

Sltttor trjc Supreme ^Failure

I. THE
"

TEST and

OF

THE

DIVINE

SUMMONS

AND

COMMAND.
that and and

"

Go

smite
and

Amalek,
them

and

utterly destroy all

but
and

they have,
woman,

spare and

not;

slay both

man

infant

suckling,ox given
Saul

sheep,

camel

ass."

This
vened and

command
from the

was

after several
in the
met
men

years

had

inter

incident
years

narrated had of
to

previous chapter ;
marvellous had
en

during

those
The

with
who

couragement.

handful increased
and

followed

him, trembling,had
and disciplined had the also

great army,

properly
He and
on

armed,
very Ammon

led

by Abner,
wars

his uncle.

waged
of

successful
on

against Moab
the North.
he had

children
and

the

East, againstEdom
of

the In been

South,
whatever

against the kings

he his

Zobah
his

on arms

direction

had

directed

victorious
that he find the had

beyond
royal
;

highest hopes.
him reserved surrounded
was

It

is also

evident
we

gathered around
table he
was was

considerable
for

state, for

himself, Abner, by
The
a

and of

Jonathan
runners

that

bodyguard kingdom
was

and

that

his will
amid

law. such

that

had
was

been

inaugurated
enforce the

adverse
Saul

circumstances able
in his
to

beginning to
in the
was so

respect, and
his

vie,

both with It
as warm

magnificence of
the lands that that the
to
we us

state

and
on

army,

kings of
at

bordered

Canaan. entered his

this time
comes

supreme

test

life,
the

it

often

in
most

days
of

of

prosperity. In
of the

summer

days

are

in dread

and corruption soul the

and contagion,

it is in the

days

that prosperity

is oftenest

subjected,not
its supreme

the significance of realizing If of late

you

ordeal,

to

test.

have

had

im
have

munity
been
smooth

from if

if specialadversity,

your

circumstances difficult have

easy,
"

paths
your

that

were

once

become
ye think

be Son will

on

guard ; for, at
comes

such

time

as

not, the
You

of Man

to

call you

to

his bar.
test

notice,also, that

this

supreme

gave

him

Sln"cr tbc gait.

final chance

125

of

God

had

told

the past. At Gilgal, retrieving years before, that his kingdom him by the lipsof Samuel
; but

should his
this
own

not

continue

there

had

been

no

sentence
as

of

and depositionor rejection,

was

it seemed
to

though
him
an

last command

put into his life

out

give
seemed

opportunityof wiping
and of the retrieving

his former that

failure and had

mistake,
to

fortunes

be

sacrificed. absolutely God and

often
comes

to

us

when

we

have
He

made

some

sad

irretrievable apparently

mistake.

givesus yet another

"

opportunityof reversingthe past, as when our Lord said to in the Garden his disciples of the Olive-press : Sleep on
now,

and

take
us

your be

rest

"

moment

afterwards
a

adding,

"Arise, let
would

going," as
of

though
his
the

fresh

opportunity
extermina
"

be afforded Divine
of the

in fellowship

sufferings.
absolute translated

The tion

command
;

involved
for

Amalekites be
in the

the

word

utterly
word the

destroy,"would
so

better
Book

rendered of

devote. for

It is the

often the

used

Joshua
"

placingunder
It
was

ban stood and

sin-infected cities of the Canaanites.

case

under
woman,

that, in the

of the

devoted be

"

city, man,

child,and

the very

beasts, must
after

destroyed,and etc.).
was

only
the such of

the

precious metals
devastation
to

kept,
and
out

being passed through

21,

fires of absolute
Amalek There

purification (Num.
be

xxxi.

With
name

destruction
under

the

wiped
been
"

from

heaven. Amalek

had

feud Thus

between

and

Israel

from

the earliest

days.
the You it

saith the did

when
to

Lord

of hosts, I have
he
out set

marked

that which

Amalek way, will

how Israel,
came

himself

againsthim in (ver.2, R.V.).

and altar, called he said

he

up

of

Egypt
an
"

"

remember
"
"

that the

Moses Lord
war

reared

Jehovah-nissi
Lord the would
out

my with

banner

because
until He

that the

have

Amalek,

had

wiped

reproach of

his

people (Ex. xvii.

threat had

15,

6).

Centuries

had

passed, and this ancient

ia6

Sinter ^failure

tljc Supreme

remained
was

unfulfilled until this

"

hour,

and

now

the command

given,
At

Go
seems

and

smite
very

Amalek." demanded other sinners also

women

first it

terrible that God

;

this act hand of

a

of

obedience
as

from
we are

Saul

but
ver.

on

the
were

the very 33

Amalekites,
black that A and

told in

18,

aggravated type.
with his sword and had

We often

learn made of

from

ver.

Agag

childless.
were

very

cruel

rapacious tribe
were

robbers
raids

these the

Amalekites,who
southern frontier the

constantly making Judah.

be
God
us

upon

of

It the

was

absolutelynecessary, people, that

arrested.
; and

therefore, for
power Even
as our

safety of

chosen

their

to

injure should
in this world tells

permanently
sets

up

his

judgment-seat
his
He

Saviour
of Man
are

in his the

last wonderful of and

discourse, the

Son

sits upon

throne

glory,while

the

nations
as

gathered before
from the

Him,
These

separates them

the

sheep
some

goats.

words, without
we are

doubt,
in his will

portend
bar

imposing
when and the

event, which

to

witness

that great every

day,

King
we

of

the

Ages
and

will call to

nation

kindred, people
But
cannot

tongue, and
for
a

announce

his awards. that the that

suppose, is to be the before

single
the bar. and
to
"

moment,

judgment
final have

of the

nations

altogether

to relegated

day.
been

Throughout standing
stood
are

historyof
Christ's

world Nineveh Rome

the nations stood stood One and

there, Babylon
other another have has

there, Greece

there, and
after

nations
had
a

standing there
solemn award

day.
been The

the

depart ;

they
and

passed into
stood

destruction

which

has

absolute

irretrievable.
had his

Amalekites

before

the found Saul

was

bar

of

God, had
Their upon
sum

been
sentence to

weighed
had

in been But

balances, and
and

wanting.
was

pronounced,
remember
that which of

called

inflict it.

that Saul

only doing
would
has
so

marily and
the natural

suddenly
process

otherwise
for God

follow

in

decay ;

constituted

"befcietue
that when

llEScrbc. hritlj
laws
sets

127

us

we

sin

against the
never were

of

and truth,purity,

righteousness,decay immediately
law. If Amalek had

in

by
by

an

inevitable and his

been

attacked

Saul

hosts, the vices that

already at work
utter

in the and
our

heart

of the

people
of the

must

have

led to the It is said

undoing
in

consumption
great cities,
that in of
so

nation. with
the

of families
are

infected

evils that

rife among
lost the

us,

five selfof
a

generations they die out, having

power

propagation;
nation. We

and may

what

is true

of

familyis equally
was

infer that
It
was

there

therefore for

mercy

in

this Divine
and for the

ordinance.

better infinitely
which

Amalek,
become stroke of be

surrounding peoples
her slow
axe

would

have
one

infected
the

by
to

that by deterioration, the existence

executioner's
an

of the nation

should

brought
II.
ver.

end.

OBEDIENCE
"

WITH

RESERVE.
the

"

The

story is told
When

us

in he

But

Saul

and

people spared Agag."

hundred
men

raised

his

standard,
ten

two

thousand of

footmen

from and

Israel,and
frontier ; and

thousand
around
came

Judah, Benjamin,
on

Simeon, gathered they

it,at Telaim,
to

the

southern

the

chief of

city of Amalek,
Hebron.
or

which

lay,probably,a little to the

in ambush
in
to
some

south

After and

lying

dry water-course,
Kenites
"

wady,

having
"

given notice
the

the

depart, the attacking army

sword
men, women,
remnants

friendly people peaceful, carried the cityby assault, put

a

to to

and

children
from

pursued
even

the
to

fleeing
and

of the

Amalekites
; and

Havilah

Shur, the
a

great wall of Egypt

few and that may have

with

the

exception
the

of

Agag,
the

escaped, and
country
was

choice

of

flocks

herds, the whole

to

and rid of its inhabitants,

an

reduced
Saul of

the

deathlike

silence of
with

awful

solitude.
a

returned, flushed
the
to

triumph, reared
near

monument

victory in
came

oasis of
the

Carmel,

to

Hebron he

; and

then

down

sacred

site of

that Gilgal,

might

128

ttttttortfrcSupreme JFailurc
to

fet.
the vast

sacrifice
of

the

Lord,
and Saul and

and
oxen

perhaps
and he the and

divide

plunder
fallen loth

sheep

and

goats, of

camels, which
the

had been
and

into his
to

hands,
"

which and

people had
of

destroy.
of the

people spared Agag,

oxen,

the

best

sheep
and
; but

of the
was

and

the

and failings,
not

the

lambs,

all that

destroy them
Whether
to
ver.

good, and would everythingthat was vile and

due, so
the
we

utterly

refuse,they
concerned,
he says

destroyed utterly."
this
reserve
was

far

as

Saul

was

greed, as
24,

appears feared
to

most

or likely,

because, as
decide

in

he

thwart of

people,obeying
cannot

their voice
; but
con

rather

than

the voice

God,
on

siderable

light is

thrown Samuel the

the in
ver.
"

incident
19,

by
he

the

startling "Why
ex

expressionused
didst
thou

by

when

says, the
same

fly upon
in

? spoil

employing
we are

pression as people,in
ate
seems even

chapter
ravenous

xiv. 32, where

told that the the and spoil,

their
the

hunger,
The
same

flew

upon

with
to

blood.

vehemence passionate and the

men

have

characterised

Saul
at

of before

Israel. their

Surely rapacityand
currents boiling
were

greed

were

work,

and

all the bulwarks

of

and principle

conscience

swept away.
There is great
to

in significance the

this

for

us

all.
to
"

We
a

are

prepared point,and
choicest further
"

obey
there
we

Divine

commands
as soon
as

up

certain

stay.
be

Just
we

the best and refuse

begin to
hand

touched,
We
our

draw
to

the

line and
that

compliance.
when
to
our

listen
Isaac

soft
on

voices
the

bid
We
"

us are our

stay

our

is

altar.
us

quite prepared
money, but
not
are

give up

that which the

costs

nothing
but
not
our

children,to

missionarycause

; the

thingswhich
perament.

clearlyand
are

disgracefully wrong,
yea, all that
a man

the
tem

which self-indulgences Skin his for

"

to peculiarly fascinating

skin;
claim

hath he will

will he

give

for

life
his

only

spare
to

him

that, and
There

cheer
a

fully renounce

all else.

is

always

j$ummnrir tfcngeattCE.
tendency
and spare But

129

with

the all to the

best
his

of

us

to

make

bargain
will

with

God,
us

sacrifice

will,if only
of the

He

permit

to

Agag
an

and
even

best

spoil.
of this story is for the
a

deeper reading
Bible,
stock Amalek of the

permissible. having
of meat,
spare
root

Throughout
sprung from

the the

stands

flesh ;

Esau, who, for

morsel

in steaming fragrantly
the of us, best of Amalek

air,sold his birthright. To

is

surelyequivalentto sparing some

favourite sin.

evil,some

plausibleindulgence, some
stand
for that

For
in

Agag
us,

must

evil

propensity,which
to

exists is to

all of

for
to

self-gratification ; and
exonerate

spare

Agag

be

merciful
and
to

ourselves, to
our

and

our palliate

failures,

condone

besettingsin.
You in your
are

Is this your of every your

case?

willingto give Christ

save one

the

key
con

cupboard
most

heart,

; but

that

tains

cherished
to

sin, for which

you
are

you

find manifold
to

excuses,

and

retain Thus

which

prepared

sacrifice back

everything
part of the
It is

else.

Ananias
were

and
off.

Sapphira kept
the

price,and
hand

cut

to startling

learn

that
an

Saul

perished, on (2
If
or

field of
i.

Gilboa, by the
What
the
a

of

Amalekite

Sam.
can

i-io).

remarkable
He
cut

fact !
who off
runs

The
may

least instructed read.

we

decipher
ourselves,
may

lesson.

spare

forbearing to causing
of
us

the
we

righthand
shall
to
our
are

foot, which

be

to

offend,
we

perish by certainly
Our The

the hand
in

that which
will the

refused

part with.

cherished love of

dulgences

bring
risk
mercy
to
us

about
we

undoing.
of
we

God,
us

foreseeing
destroy Agag
Divine

incurring, pleads
our

with peace

to

without

the enemies

own

; but

comes

delicately ; presentlywe
sward which

forbear
are
our

to

inflict the down

sentence,

and

stricken

by

the
are

assassin, dye the

green
crown,

with

and life-blood,
to

despoiled of

our

is transferred

another.

XVIII.

(i SAMUEL
"

xv.

12-35.)
Thou subserve
to
nerve

Thy
'Twas The

choice fitter

was

earth should

didst

attest

spirit
than

flesh,

flesh

refuse !

Beneath Out of
sense

the the

spirit's play
Heaven of the !
"

Thou ! Glut

art

shut

Spirit
:
"

Thy

upon
ever

world it !

'tis thine

For

take

R.

B.

AN
that from ments."

intimation the
God
secret
came

of
ear

Saul's of

lapsed

obedience dead
"

was

made when

in

Samuel
to

in the and

of
It

night,

near

him

said,
for

repenteth
turned

Me

I have

set

up

Saul

to

be

king,
not

he

hath
my

back

following Me,

and

hath

performed

command

God results

requires
are
as

literal

obedience He in
or

and

when his
As

that

fails the
or

though
this
is

had

changed
only.
his

purpose
a

repented
fact, God
frustrate Workman may
as we

"

but
cannot

appearance

matter

of may

repent

change
of his

purpose. but method. the

Man

the

working

out

plan,
other

Almighty
The wind
as

will achieve

it

by

some

be

blowing
to

steadily in

the
us

same

direction,
the
our

and

long
but

yield

it, it will waft

for
us

to

desired
course

haven and that

"

it

is

always

possible
our

to
so

reverse

go it

against
would

it, and
seem as

then

life God

is

powerfully
changed
his

affected
purpose

though
to

had

the
we

change
moved
we are

being
with

due

ourselves, because, whereas

now,

formerly
or

his

purpose,

by

disobedience

unbelief,

steadily resisting it.

Does

God

ever

come

to

you

at

night,

or

when

the

world

lufcignntton.
is God and quiet,
can

I31

tell you

his his

secrets
own

Happy

are
sorrow

they
over

whom the his

trust

with chosen

profound
to

failure

of

his
and

servants,

honouring
them
to

them

with with

confidence,
"

appealing
Abraham
of Samuel
"
"

watch I do ?
"

Him.

Shall I hide
The

from

that which
was

faithful soul he had

"

told who and

was

angry

We deeply moved. righteousindignation that with such such solemn

are

one

been bidden

appointed
fair to
so

sanctions,
Those his the of
a or

had

achieve

gloriousdeliverances
his mark.

for his who

are

people, had
true
are

missed seriously
cannot

to

God

but
his He

feel

indignant when
outraged;
wide
act

purposes door chosen of

frustrated

and

grace

when

usefulness
servant

which
and
"

had

set
some

in front

is shut

barred cried

by
unto

of careless all
to

wilful disobedience.

He
to

the

Lord

night."
human
us,

Ah,
take less

how

much

we

owe

the Divine

Friend, and
at

friends, who, when

no

they see
no
one

deterioration
rest.

work

within
most

rest

and that

give God
soul
and

This

is the

price
is before
than

service
so

can

afford bear
should
a

another.
up
our case

There

hope God,
that

long as plead
should and

lover
that

friend

and
we

rather

they
his
on

be
son

accursed
now or

perish.
cast

How

many

leading a
when his

reckless evil

in life, profligate have

still hours,
a

courses

him active
in

bed

of

sickness, and
him

debarred self with does her

not

him the
cease

from

the

comforts of life, pursuits

some

thought,that
to

lone and he

cottage his mother

pray avail

for

him,

secretly hopes
of the

that

prayers

may

against the
is driven.

vehemence

fiery

passionsby
Samuel him from

which

his soul
some

travelled

fifteen miles
as

to

find
seen,

Saul, following
Saul
set

Carmel,
which
the

where,
was

we

have

up

monument,
or on

either
a

shaped
hand
was

in the form

of

hand,

which

figureof

marg.), graved (R.V.,

as

to

the Gilgal, versions

site of the
us,

ancient
the

shrine,where,
was

one

of

the

informs

king

engaged

in

offering

i32

JV
to

Itcmarhabk
and there this
most

sacrifices

Jehovah

remarkable

colloquytook place.
SAUL.
"

It

was

commenced
towards

by
his

the

king,who, seeing the

to meet

prophet coming
an

him, advanced

him
thou of

with the

unctuous
"

phrase upon
and, with
great
I have

lips,
the

"

Blessed
in

be

Lord

;
"

complacency
blinded
"

his

demeanour,
of
not

added,
Lord." know

performed
Saul
was

commandment and

the

Whether how
far he

did

really
that dis

had
out
our

deteriorated
eyes,
as

for it is certain

obedience

puts
to

Hubert of
our

did young
sin
to
"

Arthur's* he

blinding us
desired obedient
but
at to

the
over as

enormity
his
to deceive

or

whether
as a

gloss
son,
so

and failure,
the

appear

truly
tell ;

prophet,we
Lord,"
from

cannot

that such
a

"

Blessed

be thou has
an

of the

his

and lips,
one

moment,

ugly

sound.

It reminds

of
to

certain

who

interlard their business

are

life with the

a

references

which religion,

intended their
of than with
a user

to to

put
take

unwary
mean

off their

guard,
under is
more

and

enable

advantage,
of

the appearance

high code
kiss.

of

morals. sin the

damnable
Master

this.
a

It is the Better

Nothing Judas, who

foe than that
arrow

betrayed his
the
secret

open

assassin.
than At
to

Better, a dozen
that pestilence the of
near

times, the
walketh

flieth

by day

the

in darkness.
to

SAMUEL." the
oxen

that moment A

sheep began
wind,
laden of the
a

bleat
the

and
un

low.

breath
of the
was

with

mistakable
tude It

indication and

presence
to

great multi

of flocks
an

herds,

wafted

prophet'sear.
as a some man

is

unfortunate loud in his

occurrence

when,

just

is
such

becoming
untoward of the I
oxen

of goodness, protestations takes

incident and
once

suddenly

place, so

that

the

lowing
to

the
a

bleatingof
entire

the

sheep

belie his words. desired

remember
me

who professor of religion and sanctification,

impress
from the

with kind

his

deliverance

every

of

idol,giving unmistakable
on

evidence, by

taint of tobacco

his breath

whilst

he

spoke, that

he

31 Retrospect.
had
not

*33

been said
a

smoking
to

rather about

rank

kind

of tobacco.
I

I had

word single

smoking.

have

never

felt

it my God
on

business
may
matters not

denounce
men

indulgences concerning which

universally.
and It is
our

convict
not

business,
which

clearly forbidden,
not
our

concerning

Christian
and ciples, selves. his and the sad of

people are
to

leave

general prin agreed,to lay down hearers to apply them for them
man

But

when

this

went

out

of
more

his way
on

to

assert

entire
in the

was deliverance,I naturally

the

alert,
of
With

taint
oxen

on

his breath

detected
had

the

presence

choice

and

sheep

which
"

been
meaneth

reserved.

irony the prophet said, sheep

?
"

What

this
oxen

bleating
which I

in

mine

ears,

and

the

lowing

of

hear

SAUL.
on

"

The word

king
they
"

excused
"

himself
have

by laying emphasis
them of the from the best

the

They

brought
Lord

Amalekites;
of the the
oxen,

for the
to

people spared the

unto

sheep and
Notice

sacrifice
to

the

thy God."
the
rest

subtle effort
the

conciliate

the
God

prophet by
; and

emphasis
we

laid upon

word

thy
"

"

thy

the

have

utterlydestroyed."
the

It

was

unroyal
and

and
was

contemptibleto lay
an excuse

blame
not

upon

the

people,

it

which

could

be allowed.
"

SAMUEL. gone
on

The

royal

backslider
Samuel what

would

probably
hath

have

speaking, but
and

interruptedhim, saying,
the
Lord

"Stay,
me

I will tell thee Then

said back been

to to

this

night."
He how

the faithful old

prophet went

the past. and origin,

reminded
he had

Saul how
shrunk
to

had insignificant
from

his

undertaking the great

God been
had raised summoned up
to

of responsibility

the station him

how

which he had

him.

He

reminded
how the

the

throne, and
to

Almighty King
reminded
and

of Israel had he

delegated
act
as a

him

his

requiring that authority,

been

should
also

his dis

designatedvicegerent. He
tinct

him

that

charge had

given him,

that the

responsibility

134 of

3V -Remarkable
determining
himself, as
his allowed mandate his He

his the

line

of

action
to

had Divine In

been

transferred who had

from
issued

agent,
of

the

Being,

destruction.
to

spite of all,Saul
an

had

greed
had and

hurry
upon done

him the

into

act
a

of

dis

obedience.
lion Lord. SAUL. have
"

flown had

spoil as

hungry
the

upon

his prey,

evil in the

sightof
"

The the

king
sent

reiterated

his

poor and

excuse

Yea, I

obeyed
Lord and

voice of the
me,

Lord,

have

gone the

the way

that the

and

have

brought Agag,
the and the
"

king of
But

Amalek,
the the

have

destroyed utterly

Amalekites.
oxen,

people took
devoted
It
was

of the

spoil, sheep
sacrifice he
unto

the

chief
God

of in

things, to
as

Lord You
a

thy
have

Gilgal."
me

though
of

had

said,
for

judged

wrongfully.
see

If you

would my
act

wait

little while, you disobedience."

he

would
He
meant

the
even

issue
have

of apparent into that resolved

so

may
to

cajoled himself
these have

thinking that
he had there and

sacrifice he

spoils now mentally

them,
and

reached then of

Gilgal;
that the he

or

might

would

sacrifice

relieve himself
he

complicated position into

In of
answer

which

found

himself

drifting.
SAMUEL.
uttered of
to
one
"

to

this last

remark,
in

God's

messenger

the

greatest

sentences

the

earlier books
of much

the the

Bible, a
same
was

sentence

which in the

is the

seed-germ
in
to

purpose

prophets, which
forms, and
Hath the
"
"

subsequent
which
as our

centuries
blessed

repeated in
gave his

different

Lord

assent

Lord in

great
the

and delight in burnt-offerings

sacrifices, as
to

obeying
than Saul
to

voice and be
to

of the

Lord

? than

Behold,
the
to

obey is better
Whatever his that

sacrifice,

hearken

fat of rams."
to

might

wishful

for him

infer,as
no

intention
up
to

offer 'the

there could sacrifice,

at

be

doubt God's

that

moment,
;

least,he

had

disobeyed
whole

command positive of his soul

was

and,

unmistakably,the

attitude

towards

"
disobedience
of his
own

orb

irjee! Ijatlj tlqectefc

"

135 the assertion

and

rebellion, were which, in fact,

way

will and

againstGod's.
aside, the
had
as

Then,
"

tearingthe
the is

veil

old

man

showed

the

enormity of
Rebellion stubbornness
were

sin which

been the
the held

committed sin
of

by saying :
These

equally vile
as

witchcraft,and
sins
of the contempt

is

and idolatry

teraphim."
up
was

universally reprobatedand
men

to

good

; but

in God's
and the

sightthere
sin of -which

nothing to
the

choose

between

them

king

had him

been
with of his

guilty. Then, facingthe monarch,

his

and

looking at
the

searching
of

eyes,

the

prophet, in
"

majesty
the hast

authority as
sentence

God's

representative, pronounced
Because thou He hath

final

deposition, saying,
Lord,

rejected

the word

of the

also

thee rejected

from

being
of the
of
a

king."
SAUL.
"

In

moment

the
he stood

king

realized
with

the brink the

cry
not

precipiceon
penitent,but
but
crown

which of
a

; and

from fugitive result ; and eager

justice ;
at

not cost

hatinghis sin,
to

dreading
on

its

any

keep
; afraid

the of

his

brow

the

empire
ensue

in his hand
if his

the

consequences any
"

which
or

might
coolness

leading men
and the
;

detected

break

between

himself
"

prophet
for I have

he

cringed before Samuel, saying,

commandment the of

I have

sinned
and

the transgressed
:

Jehovah,

thy

words

because

I feared pray

people, and

obeyed
my

their

voice.
turn

Now

therefore,I
me,

thee, pardon

sin, and
which

again with
is
a

that

I may

worship the
in the accent sinned." The he

Lord."
with
men

There
utter

great difference

those with
a

words,

"

have
"

prodigal said
feared the in
con

them

voice faltering

not

because
saw

sequences

of

sin,but
his

that

he

its heinousness
the feared
tears

the in

expressionof
the

father's

face,and
that he

that

stood

beloved
than

eyes. the

Saul, however,
Samuel had

the
avert

consequences the of

rather

sin ; and

might
the

sentence,

he

as said,

though

power

the

keys

to

i36
open
"

JV-Hemarhaljle
and my
"

unloose,
sin." The

to

pardon

or

to

refuse

forgiveness,
He

Pardon
SAMUEL.

prophet saw
with

through
not

the

subterfuge.
that the about turned

knew
was

that his

penitence was
his

genuine,but
and he

king
to

deceivinghim
away. Then

words,
the

go

Saul, in
he

fear that in and and with

to

losinghim
the

extremityof might lose at once

to

his

anguish,in
forward did
so

his best friend

sprung
as

the

respect of the nation,seems

skirt of Samuel's
grasp,
as

have

seized
a

cloak, and
of the

he draw

strong masterful
the

if to restrain and

back
rent.

himself
Samuel
rent

figure retreating
felt and heard the

prophet, it
said,
"

When
hath hath thou."

tear, he
from

The

Lord and

the it

given
And
as

kingdom of Israel to a neighbour of

to then, referring

thee that effort

this

day,

thine
Saul's

is better
to turn

than him had

back,
will word There

though
he
nor

he

would

reverse

the sentence that the

which

he

pronounced,
not

said,"Remember
repent
out

of strength

Israel The back. thou

lie

; his sentence

is irrevocable.
cannot

is gone is
no

of

his

lips and
tears." Saul

be

called

opportunityof changing his mind, though

it and bitterly
moment

shalt seek Even

at

with
had

that

thrown have monarch

a

himself been his

he

at

God's

feet and
and

asked

for Even

pardon, he though
from But there when
assume are we as

would
a as

accepted kingdom
have
our

forgiven.
have

might
received

passed

him,

man

would in

pardon.
moments,
we

are

moments

lives,
be

irrevocable

take

steps that
which

cannot
we

retraced ; when
retreat

from positions
never settled,

cannot

; when
"

results the real

to

be reversed. sentence,
in the elders
"

SAUL.

Again

king repeated

the

I have

sinned"; but his

words: "Yet

meaning
me now

was

disclosed before
the

following
of my I that
was

honour

and turn people,and before Israel, worship Jehovah thy God." may

again
His he

with

me,

inner
was

thought

stillto stand

well with

the

people, and

prepared

to

137

make

any

confession

of

wrong-doing

as

price

of

Samuel's

apparent

friendship.
Samuel

Finally
not

stayed

with
that

him,
the

that

the

elders

might

become
no

disaffected,and
of the
totter

people generallymight king, lest

his
successor

have itself

idea

deposition
to

of the

the

kingdom
was

might
to

its fall before He

pre
two

pared
knelt
was

take

his

place.
before
there

stayed therefore.
; but

The !

side darkest
the

by

side

God the the

what

contrast

Here Here

night ;
the
to

brightness
chosen

of

the

day.

was

rejected ;
old
his

there
man

faithful

servant.

At

last

summoned
and that

Agag, Agag
he
came

the
to

king
him

of

the

Amalekites,

presence,

"cheer
; and

fully,"hoping
saying, passed
"

without

doubt
"

would

be

spared
of it." of

as

he

advanced,
is
no

Surely the
for
some
me

bitterness
to

death Then

is

there

reason

fear

Samuel,

strengthened
a

with
sword

paroxysm

righteous
reach,
and of
;

indignation, seized
hewed of the
we

that the

lay

within
"

his emblem
to

Agag holy
are

in zeal

pieces
that

before will

Lord

this
the
"

give
words

no

quarter
of the

flesh Make To

and
not

reminded
the

of

the

Apostle,

provision for
we

flesh, to fulfil the

no

lusts

thereof."

Amalek

must

give
us

quarter.
read

May

God

help
God

to

deeply
puts
Him.
cannot
a

into

this

tragic story.
test

Whensoever

our

Father

supreme

into

our

lives,let
absolute
mand.
ment

us

at

any

cost

obey
If you

Everything obey,
are

hinges
cannot

upon
com

obedience.
If you in

you

do

not

obey,
If

you the

not

fit to is
use.

be

an

instru the
walk

God's dare

hand.
not

chisel
in

not

true,
us

sculptor

keep

it

still

Let

circumspectly
God
may may

and

wisely, redeeming
the
most

each

opportunity, that
and

make
not

possible
castaways.

of

us,

that, above

all,we

become

XIX.

44

"n

CM
(i

Spirit
SAMUEL xvi. minister memory

from
13,

tfc "0r"."
14.)
diseas'd,
sorrow,

'

'

Canst Pluck Raze And

thou from
out

not

to
a

mind

the the
some

rooted of

written
sweet

troubles oblivious of heart

the

brain,

with

antidote that ?
"

Cleanse
Which

the

stuff 'd bosom upon the

perilous stuff

weighs

SHAKESPEARE.

ALL
to set

great

painters
have that

and

poets

whose

works of
a

are

of force

the

first order
contrast
"

availed
there

themselves be

the

of

should and

dark

background
The Bible

forth in its

some

beautiful
of this

radiant

object.
of

excels In the

use

striking method
the world
was

laying emphasis.
as

very and

first

chapter
whilst

is

described
over

without of

form,

void,

darkness
as

the

face

the

deep
of of the

and

against that,
across

the

background,
; and

is the
the

creation

light,leaping
chaos end arises of
we

the
cosmos

void
of

upon and
even

background
Also,
at

the

order

beauty.
as a

this
have

great

Book,
the the

great
force

literary
as,

pro all

duction,
the
to storm

again
of spaces

of
we

contrast,
are

from

and

tumult

world,
a

borne

upwards multitude,
in

those
crowns

heavenly
on

where and

white-robed
of

with

their

brows

palms
the of

victory

their
In is
as

hands,
contrast

in

perfect
the

peace

chant Church

everlasting Babylon,

song.

with of the

apostate

there

the

Bride her

Lamb,
All face

Jerusalem through
with may is the

from the

above,
Bible
you

prepared
are

for

marriage.
face
to

constantly
and

brought
much The of

greatest
attributed
on

possible
to

contrasts,
source.

its interest feature

be

this

same

stamped

this

division

of the

Book.

of Contrast.

139

opening chapters, against unbridled indulgence of the Book especially against the dissolute and
of Eli's young
sons as

In

the

the of

wild
the

licence

and
and

Judges,

abominable

behaviour
the

the

background, is the kneelingfigureof

Samuel,
the open

with

beneath the
and of
more

clasped hands, engaged in prayer sky. The beauty of the child's piety is
of the dark And Saul

exquisitebecause
which

wildness, licence,

amid passion, the

it unfolds. that the

on
"

here, at
is

the

end
a

Book, where
to

it is evident from

as drifting

wreck

the

rocks, whilst
the God's and

lurid the
man

sky

the

thunder

bolts fall and

is

flashes lightning
own

earth, the curtain

after from his
own

upliftedfrom
"

king
of

the

heart the
trast

the

young
to

beautiful

boy

called

following
the
con

sheep

be the
sons

shepherd
have have

Israel.

Against
the against

of Eli's

you

Samuel, and
David's Book
"

contrast

of Saul's of and
contrast

rejection you pervades

standpoint
"

anointing.

This

law

this

great from

the

artistic

human

altogether apart from

of

its lofty,its

transcendent, its Divine, origin.

We will notice
;

the

dawn

fair

promise ;
of
a

the

darkened

afternoon

the and, finally,

lurid

gleams
PROMISE.

false zeal.

I. THE
unto

DAWN Lord"

OF

FAIR

"

"Samuel

cried the
was as

the

for

Saul, if haply he
consequences would
not

might
It

arrest

terrible and
made
aware

imminent
that had the

of his sin. avail.

But

he

prayer

seemed and

though
committed
which
we

Saul

already made
sin which is unto

the fatal

choice,
The

had

death, and
to

concerning
summons

have
was,

no

encouragement
to to

pray. but

of the hour of Spirit

sons was

not therefore,

prayer,

to action.

The the

God

bade

Samuel and

go

Bethlehem,
the
new

and

among

of

Jesse

discover

anoint

king.

Samuel
if Saul
at
once

stunned
a

heard
take

by the request, and suggested that whisper of such a proceeding,he would

to

measures

avenge

himself

the by inflicting

death

"

140

^Vn (Biril Spirit from

the

tlje
bade
him go,

penalty.

But

Spiritof
one

God

taking his
the hill-

long horn
other.

of oil in Thus he

hand, and
his
he
came

leadinga
across

heifer with
the broken

made

way
to

country

of

Judea, until
Boaz had

the

of village foot The

as

Bethlehem

lyingalong the slope

long before,
immortal
When with he

of

the

at hill,

the

of

which,

not

courted
was

Ruth.

halo dew.
were

of the

story of their love

entered
;

stillfresh
the

the

little town
was so

elders
to
see

filled

consternation

it

unusual

the

great

prophet visitingthem
They
was

without
come

previous peaceably.

announcement.

asked the
"

if he

had

"Peaceably!"
was

laconic the

reply.
the

sacrificial feast
; but
as some

at must

once

prepared
between
the house

victim

offered

time the the the

;

elapse
in the
a

the

of offering

sacrifice and
to

preparationof
interim

food, Samuel
of
man

adjourned
valour in and
a

spend
wealth

the

villagechieftain, Jesse
of of
manner career sons as

Bethlehemite,
and

mighty

thus, in the
attract

privacy of
One the

the

home,

unlikely to
of them

the

notice of the

Court, David's
he

king began.
Jesse passed
in their
one

after another
as

the stalwart

before

prophet,and
and be

looked
he

upon

towering
of them

stature

manly frame,
God's
told

supposed

that any But

might
time
to

designated monarch.
him
that outward the scales of
were

his
was

Almighty
not

Counsellor

appearance

this

weigh in
heart
son

choice, but that the royalquali

determine
come

ties of the
so son

alone

to

his selection.
but one, and

And

after the

passed
Samuel the
not

; all had

he
he

was was

with the

sheep.
and could

felt that

because probably,

youngest
He
was

least,he proceed
;

might
the

be

God's

accepted
until

king.
the the

with
anon,

holy

exercises

boy

summoned

and,

coming
blue the

quickly from
his hair

the colour hills, in

mounting
his stood

to

his

ruddy cheeks,
eyes old

waving
of

the

wind,

beautiful before
a

flashing with
man,

purityand
a new

truth,David
the

the

dawn

age,

of inauguration

better

time, the keystone

I41

of the great fabric of Hebrew

monarchy
brethren
the

"

above

the all,

man

whom
man

God
took

loved. the horn

young the

As of

his

stood

around, the
it

old
on

oil,broke

capsule, poured
them he with anointed the told the As

the

bright

locks, drenching
bent beneath.
God

holy
it

unction, as
seemed
as

boy by
came

him,
outward that that that

though
seal God

Almighty accompanied
inward upon
grace, that

sign and
of Spirit

the

for

we

are

the

young and

life from

day
he

forward, bathing it, permeating

went

it, so filling
meet

in the power
to

of the

to Holy Spirit

his great lifeGod's

work,
You in

be the
the have

sweet

the shepherd of singerof Israel, Solomon's

people, and
may

of inaugurator

temple. semblance, nothing

to

nothing in
if you his
at

the outward

your

surroundings or
; but
as

circumstances

indicate
to

the

true

royalt) within
stand revealed

bare
son,
as

your
a

heart

God, you

shall
unto

priest and
the

king
and

Himself. descend
an

Oh, that
upon you from
!

this

moment

Holy Ghost Oh,

might
receive the

Would

that you

might seek anointingoil might

me,

unction

the

Holy

One
true

Himself!

that

Holy Spiritof God, who might be shed

"The upon you, the

is the
so

of the

soul,

that

you

go

forth,saying,
He hath

Spirit of
me."

Lord

is upon

and

anointed

II.

AN

OVERCAST with

AFTERNOON.

"

We

have

morning promise ;

with

David
which there You God of

; afternoon

Saul.

Here

youth
Here

; there

manhood,
and

has the

passed
overcast

into

prime.
of
a

the

meridian

wrecked

life.
that the that That of
"

will notice descended

that, whereas

it is said
are

of Spirit

upon had

David,
all the the

we

told

The does Saul

Spirit
not

the

Lord

departed
that that

from

Saul."

mean necessarily

life religious

had

become which
drawn

but extinct,
he

special facultyand
for his

power
was

by
with

had

been

prepared
It is

kinglywork

from

him.

abundantly sure

that the work

which

"

142

"n

(Biril Spirit from

is not of may behind

trje

|?0r"."
the force those

man

does

in this world

wrought only by
his
or intellect,

of

his

genius, the

brilliance
which

by

natural

giftswith
which

God
and

have

endowed
"

him, but
a

by

something beyond
which

all these

spiritual
God for character

endowment

is communicated is retained

by
so

the

of Spirit
as

and specialoffice,

long

the

is maintained
and

but when
there soul

the character
is
a

begins to
between

deteriorate

decline; when
when the
our a

divorce

and religion way

morality ;
of God
to

turns

from definitely disobedience called

seems
"

the will and then that

paths

of

mystic
the
to

power,

which
calls the away
as

forefathers

unction, and
to

which

Bible
pass
to

of God, Spirit
aroma

be

and dissipated,

the air.

when Saul

scent

has

been

long exposed
of

common

So

lost him

the
to

special enduement
his

power
to

which his

had

enabled

subdue

enemies

and

order

kingdom.
we

Secondly,
nature to

have

the

mysteriouspower
who energy,
;

of

opening
medium the the

our

the

Holy

Spiritof God,
the virtue,

is the and

of

communicating
God
;

all the

life of

soul, and filling spirit,

the

body

quickening

mind,
moral

warming
life.
We ourselves

and heart, elevating also the awful

the purifying power

whole of

have
to

alternative demon
we

yielding
the the
"

the

evil

or spirits,

of spirits, first born

as

which into

spiritual sphere
world, the
it is
a

is full.

When of
our

are

inner

shrine
not

being is not,
which
are

yet, occupied
as

holy of
the

holies
to

yet tenanted

; but

years

go

on

it

is left for each

choose
of

by
God,

he spirit
led to open
can

will be inhabited. their natures

to

Some, by
receive is

grace

the

most

blessed
others

giftthat God
resemble
into him God In
"

bestow,
of whom

since

it

Himself;
" "

whilst

Judas,
;
or

it is it is and
to
an

affirmed said evil

:

Satan the

entered

Saul, of whom
from
men

Then

of Spirit him."

departed
many
cases

him,
appear

troubled spirit

be

tenanted, occupied, and

filled
worse

by

the forms

of spirit of

evil ;

and of

possibly

even

some

of the

drunkenness,

143 lustful passion, and

some

of

possessionby
insane, it
to

jealous temper, are to be attributed to of the demon spirit. In the treatment perhaps to
nature

would the

be wise

bear
as

this in mind,
our

and
as

deal

with

tormented

Lord

did,

palaces occupied by legions of

commanded
to

unclean

tenants, whom

He

go

forth.
"

It is affirmed Saul. the said To

that

an

evil

from spirit

the Lord

"

troubled

this arightwe remember must that,in interpret speech,the Almighty is sometimes strong, terse Hebrew And He to do what surely such permits to be done. here. interpretation

is the
neither

God
man,

cannot

be
He xxii.

tempted
allows
us

of
to

evil,
be

tempteth
of Satan the

He

any

but
; Luke

tempted
was

(Job

i. 6-12 the
us

31).

Our

Lord of

led

by

into Spirit He

wilderness,to be tempted
to

the led

devil ; and

taught
come

ask

that

we

should the way.

not

be

along
When,

that

dreaded

path,
in read
we

but
some
an

that other

necessary

of discipline

life should

therefore, we
troubled
the

that
must

evil

spirit
that,
as

"

from Saul

the had

Lord

"

Saul,
and

believe

refused and

good

gracious influences
the leave of

of the

Holy Spirit,
was own

chosen definitely
for it but The
to

path
him

of
to

disobedience, there
the

nothing
there

working

of

his

evil heart.
was

guard

nothing to
entered the first

spiritual help was removed, prevent Satan enteringhim, as in

In the solemn God

and after

days

he

Judas.

words,
"

thrice
him

repeated in up"
to
a

chapter of Romans,

gave

reprobatemind
LURID

(Rom. i. 24, 26, 28).

OVERCAST
SKY. In

III.
2

THE

GLEAMS
have

OF
"

AN

"

Sam.
"

xxi. 2, you the of

this
"

The the

king

"
"

that

is,David
not

"

called

Gibeonites

(now
had

Gibeonites
of the

were

of
;

the and

children

but of the Israel, of Israel

remnant unto

Amorites
:

the children
to

sworn

them

and

Saul

sought

slay them
Saul
was

in his zeal to the

children

of Israel and

Judah)."

smartingunder

Samuel's

words, writhing

"

144

^.n

(Biril Spirit from

of and deposition,

tlje
his soul
as was

under

the

sentence

stirred
still

to

the divine verdict, if possible, so neutralize, the he the favour had of God.
one

to

keep kept
not,
lost told that

It

was

true, and

Saul knew

it
; he

well,that
had he

failed in
of

distinct

call to obedience
"

choice

the zeal

spoilfor
in other

himself

but

why

should back

by
him God

excessive
?

directions,win
had succeed ? in

his God

inheritance
to

Allowing
told old him

that he he
to not

failed in what

do, why should

not

something
he it
not

had
some

do

Why
and

should

resus

citate

command,

give

unexpected

obedience
Now have

?
were

there occurred

two

such The

commandments
one

which that

seem

to

to

him.

enacted of

when

the

children

of Israel entered the

the the

Land land. that

Promise, they should

The

destroy all
ever,

people
in made

of

Gibeonites, how
be

succeeded

securing
a

they
with

should

excepted, Joshua

because
had had and in
sworn

they
to

had them

covenant

Joshua, and

(Josh.ix.). The
the children
an

Gibeonites, therefore, centuries,

But laid ruthless the old of the nation. have in

lived had

amongst
become

of Israel for many

almost for

integral part
Saul
seems

his false zeal

upon these which

God

to

hands
covenant

peaceablepeople ; and,
bound
Israel them
"

spiteof

to

respect their
act

and liberty

he life,

exterminated
in after

an

that

brought righteous
remember and his

retribution

days

on

his

house, for you

act,

how,
own

as

set-off to this ruthless

Rizpah's
a

sons,

five

grandsons,were
them the

hanged (2 Sam.
a

upon xxi.

tree, and

left there

until the rain rotted

was mancers on

8). Secondly, there

law

statute-book

very it
was

drastic

against necro
that these xxii. In

and
be

witches,
turned

and

commanded land

should Therefore he
man

exterminated
Saul

from his hand

"

the

(Ex.

18).

againstthem.
of his and
women,

his heart
a

still believed

in them

for at the end

when life,
as

casts generally

aside his pretences

one

appears and

he

is,

Saul

sought

out

of

these

very

availed

31 Jalse
himself of her
to

Ztd.
to show

MS his zeal for he

help.

In

order, however,

God,
But heart. this

and

extort

the reversal

of his sentence,

began

to

exterminate
as

them.

his edicts

went
was

forth,there

was

rottenness

in his from
was
was a

His
a

royal state
gorgeous the of

time

increased greatly ; he wore turban, like other kings, which

to

brought

from

field of Gilboa

David.

There

great increase

luxury
in of from Baal

in

his court, for he

and

arrayed
i.

the A

daughters
subtle

of

Israel

scarlet

gold (2 Sam.

24).

admixture
appears

Jehovah
name

his

of worship with the recognition naming his sons, partlyfrom the the
name

of
to
on

Jehovah, and
the for
one

partlyby

of

Baal.

He

took While lurid

more

himself

concubines

in imitation

of his
was

neighbours.
of and

there hand, therefore,

own

this outburst
more

zeal

God, his
and
an

heart

was

becoming
for

enervated

evil. isolated
New
case.

Saul's

is not from

Take, Apostle

instance,two
are

examples
"

the
one

Testament,
the

which
says, of

almost

parallel. The they have

a

in which

Israel,that

zeal for

God, but
God's

For

being ignorant of
their
own,

establish

they did
And

accordingto knowledge. and righteousness, seekingto to the not subjectthemselves

not

righteousnessof God."
more

the

other,the

case

of that still

famous he
was

while
God Acts Do has has

in

the

Saul's namesake, who tells us that, Benjaminite, he had a zeal for kicking againstthe pricks, persecution of the Church (Rom. x. 2, 3 ;

xxii. 3,
not
we

4).
know this in
our own

? experience of

When

one

fallen under

the condemnation
to to

conscience, the
to

heart
"

endeavoured

whisper comfort
my
cause
some

itself

by saying,

I of
to

will endeavour zeal." We

redeem

have

plunged

into

by an extravagance compensating work

zeal,but it is false

neutralize the result of failure.

is

It is

; it

zeal,but
; it is
T

it is strange fire ;

it is

zeal, but it is self-origin

not

ated

zeal,but it is only for self and

for

God;

it is

146

"

"n

(Ehil

Spirit

from

tfce

forir."

zeal,
external

but

it

is

zeal it
"

for

the the

letter,
zeal of

for

the

tradition,
who of is

for

the

form

is

not

the for

man

eaten

up and

and for

devoured souls

by
He

passionate
made. ourselves.

love

the

Son

God,

the This

has

is

the

story
is the is

of

No in which

man

can

get
our

away
own

from faces. Book is

it

Here The

mirror Book

we

behold
because

Bible
it

the

of Book

God,
;

it Book

is

the

of

man

is

the

timeless

it

is

the

that

the

mirror in
the

of

the

soul,

because those

man

is

always
have

seeing preceded

himself him.
Let

experience

of

that

us

turn

from

Saul

for that

moment

to

that

dear

face

that

bends
the

over

us

to-day
God
that have

to

heart

that

yearns

over

us

to

Christ

of

loves

us.

We,
to

too,
his

have

disobeyed;
but

have

come

short;

failed

fulfil

commands;
:

there in that

is

forgiveness loving
Let the heart. dead

in

those Seek

flowing
it
!

wounds Ask Him And of

there blot

is

pardon
out

to

the

past.
Ghost

bury
our

its

dead.

may zeal

the which

Holy
shall

kindle
be

upon

heart-altars

fire

never

put
our

out, nature,

and

which

shall

always
us

burn

for

his

glory,
unto

purifying
Him.

and

making

living

sacrifices

bringing
(i
SAMUEL

fortlj
xviii.

12.)
hand,
them fruit
more

'

'

We And But In

scatter

seeds
we

with ne'er

careless shall
see

dream for weeds

a

thousand that
mar

years
the

their
or

appears

land,

healthful

store."
KEBLK.

NEVER
furnished
told that

has in

there which of sin

been the and

truer

illustration

of

the

words

Apostle
her

James

describes
than
are

the
that
we

genealogy by
he the had

fateful
No

family
sooner

life-history of begun
to to

Saul.
to

yield
of into

the

spiritof evil, than

steps

the

historian
its the How

hastens

tell grew

us

the
a

successive

by

which

early suggestions
monarch
true to
one

headlong
another in the
one

passion, hurrying
of the

breach

after

Divine
are

law.

it is that all ! The

eats

they
first

who sin

offend is the like

point
in
so

finally
water,
pre

guilty
which

in

letting

of that

gradually
the entire thus.

away of

embankment,
inundates the Saul

sently
It under time

flood About
sentence

waters

land.
was

befel

this
of Two

time,

while

smarting
the the first intro and

Samuel's crossed of his the

deposition,
accounts to not
are

David

for of

path.
young but his

given

duction

shepherd they
are

the

God-forsaken

moody
The the
an one

monarch,
tells of of

mutually
as

inconsistent.
a

entering
in
to

the

royal palace
which
court.

minstrel

other

his

prowess

war,

rendered

his presence

indispensable
The attacks
more

adjunct
of Saul's

the

depression
severe

and and says,

at

despondency
last it
was

become

frequent by
his
the
servants

and
"

suggested
Edomite
"

tradition
music

by
be

Doeg
on

the the

that

effect

of

should

tried

148
poor

"J5"in bringing fortlj

diseased
God

brain.

"

Behold
thee

now," they said,

; let our

"

an

evil

from spirit

troubleth
are

lord

now

command
a man

thy
is
a

servants,

which

before

thee, to seek

out

who pass, shall

when

cunning player on the harp; and it shall come the evil spirit is upon from God thee, that
his

to

he

play with

hand,
the

and

thou fell
was

shalt be in

well." the

Instantly
who

king
name

with

suggestion ;
one same

and

presentlyDavid's
men,

mentioned from the

son

by
the of
at

of the young

had, perhaps, come

had
even

part of the
in their native
same

country, and

often have

met sat

Jesse
the

village
"

may The

with

him

feet of the the He

Rabbi.

young
were

which qualities
skilful in
man

possessed of shepherd was for the king. most captivating

he

very
was as a

playing. Already
valour, in the
robbers for the

had

come

to

be known
he

of

border-skirmishes
of integrity

which

main flock.

tained He
was

with

his father's
in

skilful in

judgment,
his had

and

eloquent

speech. Manly
port.
which and and taken gas, the It
seems

beauty characterized
as

countenance to
"

and David the

out

though
measure

that
to

happened
servants

happens abiding living

from
or as

in of

all God's

unction
into
a

the

Holy

Spirithad
his natural

brought
as traits,

fair

prominence
common

when
a

spark is
oxygen under

air and
an

plunged
which

into

jar

of

though
Arctic down the into

island
could

had

long
from

lain

spellof
drifted of

winter
to

be loosed
seas,

its moorings,and the

southern

and, beneath
buried
seeds

genial touch
burst

tropicsummer,
a

all the

should

forth

rich and

luxuriant

growth.
to

The

description given
was

him for

greatly pleased the

king,
and in

who
the

always
of

on

the

outlook

promisingyouths;
which he

exercise

that

unquestioned autocracy
Eastern send Such up
a a

marked

his
a was

like reign,
summons

that of other
to

monarchs,
him

despatched
son,
not

Jesse sheep.

to

David, his
could of the

who be of

with

the

summons

disregarded, and

making

present

produce

floutfr. gairifc's
his

149

farm, the old

the David him of his

man

tread
"

difficult
came

despatched his Benjamin to begin to and intricate paths of royal favour.

to

And

Saul, and
whenever

stood

before
was

him, and
overtaken
was

he

loved
one

greatly."
fits of

And

Saul the

by

melancholy,
of

when

sky

overcast

with
"

the

heavy
the

clouds

God-forsakenness God
was

and

despair,
the

when

evil

from spirit

upon of age,

him," David,
took

then and

probably about played

with

eighteen years
hand,
has
so

harp

his

that

Saul and he

was was

refreshed, and
well.
a

the evil Robert

spirit departed from Browning

of all the

him,

depicted for
scene

us,

with

wonderful minstrel
the

luxuriance
strove

imagination,the
spell of
the mantled

when
tame
:

the

with

his art

to

and
how

exorcise
he sang

depressionthat
scenes

royalbrow
the

of the

in the the

valleyswhere
waters

sheep
were

were

beside pasture
the

brimming
over

of the

wells ;

being gathered and again of the

strain of
a

lands

which At
one

they

scattered, browsing on
there clans
to
was a

tender

grass.

moment

martial

music, summoning
at

the
as

repel
voices

border

foray ;
were

another

it seemed

though the

of maidens

with
the

welcoming back victory. Again,

rattle of the
aware

from the

the music

fighttheir lovers, crowned told of the risingstorm,

pelt
of the

thunder, the

hail, until you

had

became and scape

was

that the down

fury of
into the Now

the

elements

spent itself,
land
heard
over

dying
bathed

cadences you

of

summer

in

peace.

could
or

have

the the

sough
heavens of

of the wind and

through
anon

the

trees,
of

sweeping
the young

meadows,

the

music
God

the

spheres, as
firmament

the
told

declared handiwork.
the

the

glory of

and
the pure

his

Sometimes

poet
of young

would

rehearse

joy

of

drinking the
the

nectar

life :

Oh,
The

the

wild

joys of living! rending

in
a

leaping from
the
"

rock

up

to

rock

strong
the

of

boughs
the

from

fir-tree ; the
the hunt

cool

silver shock

Of
And

plunge

pool's living water

lion

of the bear,
in his lair.

the

sultriness showing

is couched

"

15"

^in
the

bringing foritj
rich dates

And And And That

the the the the

meal

"

yellowed

over

with

gold-dust divine,
of wine, tell

locusts' flesh steeped in the pitcher ! the full draught

sheep
water

in the
was

dried
to

river-channel go

where
so

bulrushes

wont

warbling

softlyand
fit to
ever

well.

How All

good is man's
the

the life, the

mere

living!
the
senses

how for

employ
in

heart, and

soul, and

joy.

It is

probable
to

that the

the

spell of music
dark
case

with

which
was

David

sought
who famous

relieve

king's
in the fixed fits of

moods of

greatly
of

successful, as
was

afterwards of His
a

PhilipV.
the

Spain,
of
a

cured

melancholy by insanity became

attendance may almost for

music less and

player.
the

less
was

frequent ;
think of

need
; and

for the the

David's

at

court

greatly relaxed

king
many
was

have his

ceased

to

him, amid
this very
to

suitors

royal
of the

favour. It
was

Perhaps
due brain

fickleness the

part of the disease.

condition
the

probably
that he

disordered

king's
he had

well-nigh forgot
and who had

whom stripling

greatlyloved,
and his How another and
more

become

alike his armour-bearer

physician (xvi. 22). long

a

period elapsed

in this way and

we

cannot

but tell, into closer had

never

series of events

brought Saul
The for

David

contact. tragical

Philistines
the

forgiven the
for of
so

Hebrews

having discarded
borne southern
; and
at

yoke,
a

which series the

long they had

raids
of invasion the

meekly
on

after last, of

forays and

the
no

borders be

Canaan,

tide
across

could

longer

restrained. the

It rolled

and frontiers, hosts which

were

poured through
to

tillthe valleys,

Philistine

gathered together in
Judah,
and
"

the

valleyof

the

Terebinth,
camp
at

belonged Ephes-dammim,
the there. taken and
a

and

pitched
of

their
so

the dark The

Boundary

Blood,"
encounters

called, probably, from

which and
centre

bloody

had open,

place

or valley, wady,

is broad in the

about

three

miles

long.
or

It is divided

by

remarkable

ravine,

trench, formed

by
in

mountain

torrent, which

is full of

foaming

water

the

fini)

JFaitlj.
was

151
of this

winter, though dry in

gorge
or

summer.

It feet
or

the

presence

channel,
with
for for
so
a

some

twenty
of ten
so

wide,

with

steep vertical

sides, and
the each issue other

depth
long,
in

twelve

feet,that protracted
hosts

that

the

two

fortydays, neither

of them

lay watching daring to face the

its

hazard

involved

crossingthe valleyand
the combat

ravine,in the
the the

face of the other.

The Life full story of
;
we

with
on

Goliath
as

belongs to
it concerns

of David

only

touch

it here

ill-fated and
When
even

the

haplessSaul. Philistine champion gigantic

to
come
near

strode Hebrew

forth, and
troops,

dared
in

the

lines of the
greaves with the
a

clothed

and helmet, jerkin, spear, and

of

brightcopper
at girt

mail,
side
pro
as

handling a mighty
and duce when
a man

sword armies of

his

he

boldly challenged
to

of

Israel to
was

worthy
and

take

up

the any

gage

Saul battle,

dismayed
that God's he

as panic-stricken

of his soldiers.

It is said

was

"greatly afraid" king, and

and
are

(xvii.n).
disobedience
become
as

Though
stood had weak
same

he

was

chosen of
a

in

his earlier life had

in the

might
sinews

simple faith, his

and faith you
can

severed
as

the
other.

of his power,

he had
two

any

Obedience
the soul
:

aspects of the
are

posture of
as

as

obey,

you In the

able

to

believe ;
the

you the

believe,you
fourth Let
a

obey.
have
to two

to Epistle

Hebrews,
valiant
in chase

chapter, the
man

words

are

perpetually interchanged.
he
waxes

but
turns

faith in God,
armies flight

the
a

and fight,

of aliens.
to

One

can

thousand, and
disobedience the

put thousands
introduces
the sound

flight. Oh
driven

! beware

of into the

which
so

trembling and
of
a

faintness
leaf chases

heart,

that

! fugitive

All that of

Saul

could
was

do, in
to

the face of the

out

braggart
lavish would the

blasphemy promises
take
dust. up of

Goliath,
he

hold
for the

the

most

what

would

do make

the

hero

who

the

challenge,and

proud Gittite bite

"

i52

J^ittbringing fortrj g
was

When,
soul

David finally,
an

brought
faith,and

into

his

presence,

his

glowing with
to

heroic
to

avowing his determi

endeavoured

nation
to

go

alone him.

Saul fightthe Philistine, Thou

art not

dissuade
to

"

able had

to
no

go

against this
of power of
of

Philistine
other helmets David's than

fightwith
which of of

him."
came

He of

idea

that

long

usage

(xvii. 33), or
The with

and

coats

mail

(xvii. 38, 39).

conflicts Saul him.

point
the
on

narrative
was

his successful
on

lion
them

and
as

bear
the

entirelylost
David's which

looked

result of

and superioragility

sinewy strength;
he

he

did

not

fathom

meaning
had

as

deliverances
the young

Jehovah

spoke of the great 37). Already wrought (xvii.

himself:
my
"

psalmistwas
The

saying to
light and strength
I be afraid I fear ?

Lord

is my

salvation,

Whom
The

shall

Lord

is the shall

of my ?

life,

Of whom

But
to

such

boasts
The He

of eyes

the of
no

believer in God his heart idea that

were

were

an

enigma
he

the

king.
not
see.

blinded, and

could
new

had

faith opens

altogether
of those in

sources

of power, elude

touches other

stops in the

great organ

nature

which

hands, and
like
the
meet

avails itself of

Divine
harnessed As

prerogativeswhich,
squadrons
went

legionsof angels, wait

beset

around
to

believer. said
to

David
the

forth

the

Saul Philistine,
"

Abner, youth
?

trusted

captainof
son

his army, the

Whose

son

is the
when of the
to
was

Inquire whose
young

is." stripling
with the

And head

the presently

champion
the
one

returned

Philistine in his
"

hand,
art

questionthe king put

young
man success

him
as

was,

Whose Saul

son

thou,

thou

"

It the
comes

though
of

for his thought to account heredity. Surely,"thought he,

" "

on

ground
of
must
a

this Caleb

youth
or

great line of ancestry

be in his veins this scion."
; the

; the

blood

of

Joshua
have

best of Hebrew that the

man

stock of

must

yielded
tries to

It is thus

this world

gart
compute
and reckon
elements has that
no

of

icnlousii.
He is

153

up

the

child of faith.
success

always
do

the analyzing for him. He

of his

and what

to trying

account

conceptionof
trusts

God

can

be

or

for the soul

wholly
of

Him.
his
return to

On
Saul

the
set

ground
David

after expediency, the

men

Gibeah,
was ex

over

of

war.

The

harp
as

changed, for
forth
on

the most

part, for the sword

the

; and

he

went

his

expeditions against
more

he became Israel, of the nation. self

and

throne, as
"

he

became

hereditaryfoes of to the stability more necessary the darlingof the increasingly

sent

Whithersoever
of

Saul

him, he

behaved

him

wisely." Out
one

this

the great originated popularity

sin of Saul's life. On

some

occasion,as
decisive

Saul

and

David

were

from returning

final and

over victory

the Philistines
to meet

6, (ver.
the

see

the people tnarg.},

;

crowded dressed

them

and

troops
around music
As

and and

the before

women,

in

gay

danced attire,

of their

advancing columns, singingto the tambourines and instruments. three-stringed they

ode. of
sang
re-

the

they performed the usual sacred dance "answering one to another," an sponsively,
this
was

victory,

of which

the refrain
Saul And hath

slain his thousands,

his ten

David

thousands.

Instantlythe king was

All his soul
was

smitten
on

with

the dart
the

of

jealousy.
that
not

set

fire with

thought

Samuel had improbably David was the neighbour of whom to the designatedsuccessor spoken as being the divinely was even now passing from his hand. kingdom, which with the light if this bright of God What on soldier, young and the love of the people already gathered to his his life,

person,
and have
11

was

to

dispossesshim

"

And he

Saul

was :

very

wroth,
can

the

him ; sayingdispleased than the kingdom ? more

"

and

said

What

he

And
u

Saul

eyed

David

from

that

day and forward."

All

fortlj

the him

love turned

and
to

admiration

that and

he

had

entertained
The milk which of had

towards
human

gall
sour.

bitterness.
His old

kindness charmed wonted

turned

malady,
back

been its

away force
;

from and

him,
on

came

with
the

more

than

the

day
it

after

incident,

brooding
his
whole which

over

his
were

fancied

wrongs, thrown

seemed
open
on

as

though
an

nature

suddenly
him and

to

evil
deed

spirit,
of

possessed
hatred. that hurled
to

swept
a

him fit the of

to

do
he

murderous
up the spear and

Raving
stood

in

mad

frenzy,
emblem

caught
his

beside
at

him
who

as

of

royal

state,

it

David his

was

sitting
Not

before
once,

him,
but
but

endeavouring
the
"

charm

away weapon

malady.

twice,
David
the

mur

derous
out

quivered

through
no

the

air

avoided

of

his

presence
to

twice,"

doubt

imputing having
like fire.
of around disease.
no

attempt
of

on

his

life

the

king's burning
of the
to

illness, and
in his
soul

idea

the

jealousy
Let
us

that

was

take

care

first float

beginnings
in
and the air

sin,

when
us,

the like
a

least microbe
the

suggestion
or

begins
of
to

germ
turn

malignant
Christ
with

deadly
it for

Then

is

time

to

deliverance,
faith also in

securing
the
from grace pre
;

his
of

gracious
his

interposition,
"

as

you

exercise

salvation. sins
be

Keep
them I

back
not

thy
have

servant

sumptuous
shall I

let

dominion innocent

over

me

then

upright,

and

shall

be

from

the

great

transgression."

XXI.

i\\ of
(i
"

SAMUKL

xviii.) they feign,

All

selfish

souls, whate'er
a

Have

still boast

slavish

lot ;
"

They
Of He

of
"

Liberty
feel

in vain
!

"

Love
whose and

and

it not with

bosom

glows

Thee

"

He,

he

alone,

is free." COWPER.

AIONG
the

the

most

terrible
of

of

human

sins crimes

is that

jealousy
have of of all

"

parent
the

the

blackest of
our

dis
the

graced
delineations
none

annals
are

race.

And the

of

which it,

frescoed
to

on

walls

history,

is

more

absolutely
than this

true

and life, of the

terrible first

in its of

graphic

colouring,

portraiture

king

Israel.

I. Saul's
morrow,

JEALOUSY
case

OPENS interval
the song

THE
was

DOOR
the the

TO

THE

DEVIL.

"

In

the after

briefest
women,

possible.
which first

On

the

of

aroused
we

in

his
"

heart
an

the evil

feeling of jealousy spirit

"

towards upon

David,
the

learn

that

came

mightily

ill-fated

monarch. There

is

an

impenetrable
of God
tenant

wall,

as

we

believe, built by the

souls
around of and
us,

Providence

between
the

human

the

evil
are

spirits
therefore

which

atmosphere

and
in

called

"the

spiritual hosts
vi. 12,
the power
case,
can

wickedness
their

the

heavenly
known This God
"
"

places"
the

(Eph.
of

R.V.),whilst
of the
to

leader ii.
"

is

as

prince

air

(Eph.
been

2).
from the this

evil
a

in spirit,

Saul's

is said

have

phrase
that

which

only

be

interpreted
come, and

on

hypothesis

God

permitted

it to

that

156

"!JE j^ht of
direct pursuance
If
a man

in result transpired tragic fixtures of the universe.

God law
cannot
save

of the immutable with his

tampers

soul,
the

him it will

from

the inevitable you like

a

results.

Obey
"

of

and fire,
will

obey

dutiful slave

this is

appointment ; but it is also appointment that, if you disobey it,it will

God's

and

his will and devour your

towers,
When

palaces, treasures,
men

and the

homes, with

merciless
turns

fury.
to be one,
on

rebel and

and

vex

He Holy Spirit,
"

their enemy
"

fightsagainst them.
to
us

God,"

says

must
we

be

something
to

; what

He

shall

be, depends

what wafts

are

Him."
; go

Go

with the

wind, and
your

it beneficently

you

forward

and againstit,

progress

becomes

ruinous

in its

deadly cost.
the the the

With With With And

merciful, Thou

wilt show Thou

Thyself

merciful

perfect man,
pure, the Thou

wilt show

Thyself perfect ;
pure
;

wilt show

Thyself

with

froward, Thou

wilt show

Thyself froward.

II.

JEALOUSY
and

DEFEATS had

ITS

OWN

GOOD. the

"

With

almost

bound, single homage

David"
was so

David

leapt into
"

throne and

of universal

affection. In

All
common

Israel

Judah
for
one

loved who

16). (ver.
accessible
Not
set to

this

affection

them

the people forgot their ancient all,

the court of
war,
was

feuds. He
was

only they, but

over

enamoured
went out

of him. with
was
"

the
sent

men

and

them

whithersoever
not

Saul the

him,

and

his

promotion
loved

good
in the with
a

only

"

in

sight of
love
of

all the

people," but
and him.

also him

sightof
love

Saul's

servants"; while
the attached tenderly of
a

Jonathan

passing

women;
to

Michal,
There
must

Saul's

daughter, was
been
soul

have

something
over

spellin
into
Lord sacred

the influence
contact

of that pure

bright
Note
:
"

all who

came

with it.
with him. that note
zvas

Besides
how
"

the this,

was

evidently
the Lord

constantly the
was

chronicle
because

touches

Saul

afraid of

David,

with

him

"

31 ^eatroging|Jaasiott.
(ver.12);
and

157 all his ways, Saul

saw

"David
was

behaved
with
was

himself
"

wisely in
"

the Lord

him with

(ver. 14) ;
David"

And

and

knew
he

that the Lord himself

28). Moreover, (ver.

in much
so

behaved
ways
awe

wisely,or prospered (ver. 5) ; wisely

very

all his stood

vants

(ver.14);
of him
so

wisely,so
more was

that all the

Saul
ser

in of

(ver.15) ;
name

wisely than
much
set

Saul,
these

that his

30). by (ver.
have
Admit and the that

Under been

circumstances, how
bind
he the
was son

it would judicious

for Saul

to

of

Jesse to himself!
of

that tingfrankly he
was

his

designated successor,
Jehovah,
rehabilitation of
reverse

enjoying the specialfavour

have
used It he
was

king

might

David

for the

his

waning

fortunes.

to evidently impossible

the Divine

choice, but
inevitable himself
and
more

might

have

postponed
could have who service
to
one

the have

infliction of the
made his the

sentence.

Nothing familywith
could of

king

popular than
his and

identified
could
to

fortunes

those

of

have
court

rendered
and

conspicuous
dom.

inestimable
have

king
more

Nothing
and

been

easier,nothing
his mad

politic. But
to out

instead

Saul allowed this,

passion
it broke

smoulder

sometimes

burst into
consumed

flame,until
the

in irresistible fury, and In the

case

the house

of his life.

of the and of

higherpassions of
restrain them

soul, it is often
introduction
of it

easy

to

curb

by
shrine the

the

considerations is
not
so

self-interest and
At
to

personal prestige ; but

of

with soul

jealousy.
is
tore

the

this
of

passion,the Palissythe
home,
order after
to

jealous

prepared
up the every

repeat

act

potter, who

very
atom

boards of he of
some

of

his

having destroyed
prosecute
peace of the the home

furniture,in
was some

design by
; the

which

consumed.

The

success

great
loved
one

enterprise ;
who of

the
been

happiness and
the of

of prosperity of

has
God
;

unwittingcause
and

jealousy;
years of
"

the

service

the prospect

long, happy

passionis resisted

high respect if only the extinguished I have seen these,and

nt

of

more

than

these,sacrificed because

jealousyhas

demanded

its revenge.

III.

JEALOUSY
ITS

is

VERY

INVENTIVE
"

OF

METHODS is
so

OF

EXECUTING Sometimes
you and
one

FELL the you the

PURPOSE.

Its

shape edge
is

protean.
fine that
;

it
not

uses

whose stiletto, have been

do

know

struck
fells to
or

till afterwards the

sometimes
murderous
a

bludgeon, that
The leads

ground
fine

with

blow.

poison cup,
which
us.

the

meshes

of

subtle stratagem, which

"

the victim

to inflict his own

doom

such

are

the

methods

jealousy employs.
First Saul, under the life with his
would and be

Trace
excuse
own

this in the
of his

before history
to

malady, attempts
He knew that the

take David's
murderous of deed

hand.
to

imputed
minstrel
Then

the

deranged
to

condition

his
the

mind,

there the

fore, with
who

impunity,
sought sought
to

twice charm

launched away him

javelin at

his

malady.
extreme

he

throw
to

into deeds bribe

positionsof
on

him peril, by inciting

valiant For and

a

the

field of

battle,
his of

and
elder

in border

warfare.

he

promised
added the

him

daughter,Merab, than which religion, no

this devout
and

to

this

was

appeal

motive
soul. Merab

could
"

be

more

potent with
said to

chivalrous

And
; her

Saul

David,

Behold,
wife
:

my

elder be

daughter
thou

will I

only
aside
were

valiant

for me,

and

give thee to fightthe Lord's

sacred

battles." draws
that
"

And the

then, with
and veil, that
not

unsparing hand,
recites
to
us

the

writer

the

secret

thoughts
nature
"

passing in
said, Let
of the had

dark
mine

and hand

evil-haunted
be upon

for

Saul

him,

but

let

the hand The and

too

Philistines be

upon

him." it seemed
to too

stratagem
to likely

but failed,

insidious,

realize the
to
one

royalpurpose,
proof;

be abandoned

without younger

being put
made

further

and

Michal, Saul's
at

daughter, who
the

reallyloved guerdon
or

David,

this the

time,
young

at

least,was

prize to

allure

trjat

JPnileiJ.

159

unsuspectingwarrior
The
sure

to

fresh
a was

encounters

with the Philistines.

evidence
David's and

that hand the

hundred
the

fallen
was

by

doughty foes had only stipulated dowry which

of these of
sonbecoming the king's and open hint,suggestion,

required ;
was

honour many

in-law

the theme

of the

conversation whose To his

career

between
so

courtiers attention

and
was

the

young

soul

on

much Saul and

being
to

concentrated.

servants,
to

must to

have

seemed

be

sincerely

attached
to

David,
in his

enrol

him

genuine earnestness, he was playinga game family. Clearly,

On
the
one

desire,with

of unusual

adroitness.
that the

hand, his

servants

really

believed
alliance the
;

on

the

the king delighted in David, and wanted other,"Saul thought to make David fall by

hand
It
was

of the Philistines."

only

after the

the

plot had

and failed,

it seemed

as

though, through
of and
a

charmed
to

providenceof God, David was possessed that Saul life, spoke to Jonathan his son,
they
with
; and

all his servants, that his

should

slayDavid
force that

again

hurled

javelinat
the
own

him

such

it stood

quiveringin
first to his

palace wall
home,
and

afterwards

pursued him,
home

finallyto
When

Samuel's

in

Naioth
Not of

(seechap. xix.).
otherwise
woman,

is it with

jealousy.
may

wife is jealous
any elder

another
to

who

be

of absolutely guiltless

attempt

influence

the husband's

affections ; when
a

an

minister becomes
when
a

jealousof
becomes

his

or of assistant,

neighbour ;
which almost
the

person

jealous of the influence

his

another

is

obtaining over
enumerate

friend unkind

"

it becomes

impossibleto

all the

all suggestions,
on

all insinuations,

the wrong

constructions

conduct, all the

which

perversionof words, actions,and

soul

looks, through

the

will

vent

its spleen.

IV.
AGAINST

JEALOUSY
GOD.
"

OF

THE

INNOCENT

is

UNABLE

TO

AVAIL
was

It

was

remarkably so

with David.

Saul

160

"JJE j^ittcf
on

bent

him alluring
each

to

his ruin.

Through
was

God's

interpo
If he
sent

sition, however,
the
set
cause over

murderous

intent

and became foiled, his rival. he is

of the the
men

stillgreater
of war, from go he

popularityto
prospers

wherever

is

; if

he and

is

separated

the in and

immediate
out

proximity of
the is sent but
to
so

the

king,
whole

permitted to
loves him

before

people, the

nation

(xviii. 13, 15).

not
one

If he

fightthe
that his
to

he Philistines,
name

slays
set

hundred

two,

is much he
to

by (ver.30).
his the
own cause

If Saul
to
a

urges

Jonathan
with which
out

slay him,
forces him
own was

drives

son

closer
soul

and friendship, his for

are

plead

of the that
are
on

twin

knit. The

Everything
that
return

is meant

for ill turns

on

good.

weapons which
came

hurled
the hand

the that

young

life

boomerangs
The into If
curses

launched

them.

home

to

roost.

Saul

a pit, digs privily

which

he

falls himself. would the who that

only jealouspeople
would
see

ponder

such of

story

as

this,

surely they
attempts
their
to

uselessness may the

seem

their destined be

malignant
to

injure those
It is not thus

take

place.
is
a

perilcan
will
leave

met.
on

There the

Nemesis
The of
a

in life which Lord Saul. will He

not

return certainly

evil-doer.

his

Davids

to

the
to

cruel
warn

mercies
them of

will
cause

raise up
Michals
to

Jonathans
ward

their

will peril, overpower the

off the

molesting blow,
of

will

with

the

mysterious spell
will stillthe

influences spiritual

murderous

bands, and

enemy

and
God If He He
a

avenger.
is
man a

righteous judge,
turn

not,

he

will whet and made

his sword
it the

had hath

bent also

his bow

ready,
instruments

prepared

for him

of death.

His And

mischief

shall

return

upon
come

his down

own

head,
his
own

his violence

shall

upon

pate.

(PsA. vii, 11-13,

16, R.V.)

XXII.

"Cn"l

as (i SAMUEL

tljt "Bnrf"."
xx,

27.)
hours
to

"

'Tis And
And Their The And

greatly
ask them

wise

to

talk

with

our

past

; ;
news.

what

report
have what every
or a

they bore
borne
men more

heaven welcome call

;

how
answers

they might
form walks
an

Experience
deceased,
frowns." YOUNG.

Spirit
smiles

of

day

Angel,

Fury

yEALOUSY
violate
the
most

has

no

scruples ',

and

will Her

not

Jiesitate

to ;

revered upon

sanctities.

foot
of

is ruthless

it will

trample

the

relationship
and the

home,

the

bonds attaches
once

of

friendship
itself
to

and

kinship,
and

reverence

which
When which

the
has
"

house

worship
is

of

God.
on

this forbear

passion
to

kindled,

there

nothing
to

it its

will flame.

feed

nothing
often,

is too the
to

sacred

be
of
;

fuel for

Not

that
at

it

under

restraint
murder of

Christian

civilization

least,

proceeds
the

rather,

by
the

whispered
movement

suspicions, by
of

shrug
furtive
peace

the

shoulders,

the
may

finger, the destroy

or

look, the
which
one

suggestive
has

question,
husband,
The human the spirit,

it

the

in

wife, child,
is
one

friend.
the
most

home

of

sacred the

institutions of

of

our

life.
twain of

Originated
become
one

by

knitting
from that

spirit

with

; and

union with
a

springs flowers, home,

own

the and
in

dower

blessed

children, sowing the

race
was

world

making
David's

the
case,

perennially
due,
his
under

young.

Such
to

God,
loved
gave
new

Saul's

arrangement.
told
to

Michal,
it
was

daughter,
he
a

David;
her
to

they
David
to

Saul, and
wife.
x

pleased
the

him, and
as

It

burst

of

spring-tide

62

"dtel
two

as

tlje(Brabe."
in each

those

young

lives
to

"

happy

other's
Yet when

affection,
David
his

though
had

afterwards
his

be

sadly alienated.
fled to the father-in-law

evaded

and javelin,

of security

home,

saying to himself,At
of sanctity
sent

least my

will respect the

his

monarch daughter's love, the madly-jealous thither

to

messengers

watch

him,

and

slay him

in the

from morning, eliciting

the of

strains

preservedin
me
on

one

imprisoned singerthe plaintive his Psalms (lix. R.V.).

Deliver Set
me

from mine enemies, O my God ; highfrom them that rise up against me.
from
me

Deliver And
save

me

the workers the

of iniquity,
soul

from

men. bloodthirsty

For, lo, they lie in wait

The Not

for

my

; ;

mighty gather
for
my

themselves

against me together for

well my
to

nor transgression,

sin, O Lord.
trust

Michal
she with warned

knew her

her

father

too

his of do

clemency death, and

for those

husband

of

the will

imminence
not
women

woman-wit

(and
him the

what
to

they love !)aided

him down from

escape,

with It
was

her due

own

hands
to

letting
that the the

window.
was

her

newly-formed
of light The
to

home

not

rendered

desolate, and
in

the
one

quenched. worship is next sanctuary of religious home, if not superior. They stand or
is
From

its hearth

importance
together.
the the into

fall

The other. house said

generallythe guarantee
the
as our
"

of

the

of stability pass

home

as

its

we forecourt,

of God
our

abiding-place."In
many homes shows

my
"

Father's house,"
and may
we

Lord,

are

mansions
are

not

suppose
But the

that human the

case

included
that
as

amongst

them

? down

of Saul the
to

will jealousy
as ruthlessly

break

of precincts
hastened of

sanctuary
tell Samuel grave

of

the home.

David

of

the turn

that
was

taking,and
on

the

suspicionwhich
on

thingswere forcingitself
not

his

soul,that Saul's attempts

his life were

the result

163
of For
a

disordered

brain, but
of osiers

of

wicked
him
to

and
a

murderous of

will.

greater

Samuel security

led

cluster
a

booths,
of

perhaps woven
young
were men were

(called Naioth),where
for the of

number

being trained
seemed

and prophetic office,

in living

the fullest manifestation

spiritual power
three

in

an

atmosphere
Into bands
wrath of
at

which

electricity. charged with spiritual

Saul

this sacred
messengers

assembly
to arrest

forced
; and

successive
hot

David
came

in finally, In after
to

their failure to return,

himself.
he
came

days
great

it

was

distinctly remembered,
for Samuel and
was

how asked When down

the

in Sechu, and well,or cistern,

ence

with peremptory
one

vehem
he
went

David. stricken
of the and

told

him

off to the

Naioth, but
in his

before

ever

he reached
a

place ; and,

divested
on

his

royal robes
in
a

for

second

time
which We

life, lay
read
scenes

ground
all that

kind

of

trance,

lasted all that

cannot

day
of

night.
without
of

this

singularincident
life of the
common as

being
it

reminded is

of

in the

John Wesley,
at

whom
a

said, "While
sank
at

preaching on meeting
was

Bristol five
or

young

woman sons

down

in violent agony, in the

did

six per
a

another

evening.
at

One

was

young

lady,whose
of it, who
went
ers

mother

irritated
;

the the

scandal,as
mother
in
a was

she called the

next

her

conduct daughter's down her and

but her

dropped
home
were

lost

senses

moment,

yet

with

daughter, full
with

of

joy.
and

Bold

blasphem
aloud for
on

sei/.ed instantly mercy,

at

agony,
were
as

cried

the

Divine

and

scores

sometimes

strewed A

the
who
scenes

ground
was as as

once,

insensible
the and

dead

men.

Quaker
strange
struck

admonishing
affectation

bystandersagainstthese hypocrisy, was

the The himself of

down
were

by

an

unseen

hand, while

words

reproach
course,

yet

upon

his
two

lips."
down
was

difference, of
in the result. and

between
case

these the the

phenomena
a

lay

In

the

of

sunken
outcome

under

Wesley

Jonathan
and

Edwards,

change

of heart

life,

164

"

Cruel

as

tlje(Brnhe."
and the

together with
ence.

very
case

blessed
of

exalted

experi religious
as

In cloud

the and the

Saul,

experience was

the

early

the

Whatever

nature
"

morning dew, which goeth away. of the experience, whether physical, probably
and his

mental,
was

or

spiritualand
and

it

was

the

latter

"

it

transient
it found

evanescent,
;

left him

reallyworse
the

than

him
son

for

jealousy next
and

threatened

life of his noble

Jonathan.
of
a

The before
of
even

very

fountains

father's love jealousy,and

contortions. A
most

pride dry
the
was cause

up

the volcanic

fares of wider

become

deeper
noblest
In any

and

Jonathan
age of

one was

of the

types of manhood.
age,
even

soul trulyprincely

his.
he

of the

romantic

chivalry,
court

would

have

stood the

and easily, foremost

by

acknow universally Whether in the of the

in ledged right,
or on

rank. shone
as

the

he battlefield,
Grace

star

first

magnitude.
person, whilst

and

beauty
of the

must

have

adorned

his his
saved and

intrepid daring and

The

courage

characterized who
once

behaviour.
his life from

darling
the father,

people

his

chosen

ideal of the maidens in

youth

of

his

true time, wise in statesmanship,

was

friendship,
his father
But

there strong in resolution,

to

to everything

bind

him, for

reasons

of

policyas
had
no

well

as

of

paternalpride.
He

these

considerations laid

weight with Saul,whilst jealousy

other scale.

of David friend

heavy in
than

the

might be, as
than

his

eloquently expressedit in
an was was

his funeral

and elegy,"lovely
a

swifter pleasant," Saul It

eagle, stronger
festival that this

lion ; but
revenge. of the It

prepared to
on

sacrifice it all to the

of spirit
new

the

monthly day,
and

vent

volcano, which
was

raged within Saul's heart,revealed

as on

itself.

the
was

second

the

seat

empty.

Jesse,"as
the

Speaking of him his though accentuating

bound
reason

that relationship

him

to

previous one, David's of the son as derisively lowly birth,and ignoring the king the royal family,
"

asked

Jonathan the

of his

absence;

and

when

he

Slttf0utttie" Suspicions.
received the
answer
a an on

165 previously
with the his
on

which

the two

friends had

agreed,he
scorn on

fell into

grievousrage,
Eastern of the
arrest
can

abused
use,
"

Jonathan
who

that vilest epithets the

to-day vents
"

mother

objectof
and

his hate

insisted

David's

immediate

execution, and
son,

ended

by
to

hurling his javelinat

his mollify
But tions.
ter

his noble

who

had

interfered

wrath.
the worst

to jealousy is also responsive

possible sugges
followingchap
where

Of

this there is

an

illustration in the this time

over

The (xxi.).

fled fugitive

to

Nob,
the

Ahimthe

elech, the
ancient mind
law with

presided high priest,

The

relics of

sanctuary.

excited suspicions and

in Ahimelech's son-inking's
was

by
were

the unescorted removed

hastyadvent
and reply,

of the

by an

evasive

David

received sword of

deference, supplied with

such counsel spiritual
was

bread, with the

as

Goliath,and
The

the

ephod

could

afford.
after

incident
he
was

reported to Saul, some

"on the his hated

months

wards, as
above

encamped
with

marg.} height" (R.V.,

that rival, he

of Gibeah, waiting for tidings

at
once

might

march

his household
of his
own

troops,

composed
of

of trusted

Benjamites,men
It

to capture and tribe,

slay him.
balance
The the

seemed
were

as

though
and

all

the

demands
as was

the

public service
so

set

aside

accounted

dust

in the

long as

the vengeance

of his soul

unappeased.

promulgationand execution of law, the hearingof suits, in his all were of no account defences of the kingdom
"

estimation
In

until this
heat of
so

one

purpose

was

fulfilled.
vent tone to

the

his often

he spirit takes
on were

gave the in

the

complaint

(and jealousy cence),that

that of
no

of

injuredinno
at

all his servants

conspiracyagainsthim,
was

one

cared

for

him, that Jonathan

that each

the bottom

David's

conspiracy,and

was

cherishing the

hope of his speedy downfall in order to receive possessions of and promotions as the price of treachery from the hand of Jesse. It was the son an unjust and injurioustaunt.

66

"

Cruel

as

tljc
affirm
was

Well often
runs

might
"

the

Apostle James
hell." and It

that here.

the Mad

tongue

is

set

on

fire of

so

jealousy

here amuck, striking

there,with absolute
true

disregard

of all that is most love.

precious and
silence
narrated that what
to

in human these
seen on

loyalty and
undeserved
that fateful the Taber had

Amid

the

followed he be had

reproaches,Doeg day
nacle when for he
some

had

happened

detained
or

at

ceremonial

ablution
to at to
a

other

and rite,

witnessed

Ahimelech's

attentions
statement

the

Doeg's malicious suspicions from

far distant from
a

once

son-in-law. king's diverted the king's

Nob
was

his

courtiers
; and

the

priests ;
and

not

Gibeah

peremptory

summons,

after

brief
"

interval,brought Ahimelech
all the males i.e., presence the whole of of of the the them

all

his

father's of

house Eli
"

of high priest In

the house
terms

into the
accused

king.
of and

unmeasured with would

Saul

connivance

David

for the overthrow

no

of his throne mild

dynasty, and
done what

give high king

had of

heed

to

Ahimelech's
that

expostulations.The
had the He

priest pleaded
accused him

though
done
as

he

of, he had
David
had

it quite
one on

innocently.
the
as

always
Saul's entrusted

accounted

of him and

most

faithful

servants, with

looked

being constantly
made frequently

secret

commissions,
God
on

had

similar
he
was

of inquiries

his

that in this behalf, believing But he

servingthe royal
to stem

will.

might
The

as

well

have
was

tried
made

the

of Jordan. swelling he

mind king's

up

before

began

his

defence.
have
to
come

Yielding
to

to

an

unholy impulse,which
some

surely must

him

from

malign
was as

and

nature

and spirit, it as susceptible

"

evil

which been

his disordered
to

had

the

spiritual

afflatus of elech
"

Naioth, he said,
and all

Thou

shalt

surely die, Ahim

awful his

thou

The

thy father's royal bodyguard shrank

but

house." from
a

executing the
forthwith

sentence;

Doeg,
no

the

Edomite,

foreigner,with

herdsmen, had

such

compunctions, but

fell on

31 gastrtrfclg gecft.
the
who unresisting priests, their
were

167
one

butchered

after another,
their

until white It which

mangled
were a

corpses

were

piled in heaps, and

their hearts'

robes
was

saturated and

with

blood.
the

cowardly
have horror. of All

dastardly deed,
whole
must

tidingsof
dumbthe

must

staggeredthe good
men

nation
have that

with

foundering
foundations

felt that

societywere
while
such

loosed, and

neither

life nor
in

libertywas
monarch's What
a

safe

frenzywas
that the the
we

enthroned

their

breast.

warning
of

is here

should

not

yield to
lead
to

the the
to

first intrusion

evil,lest
to

thought should
habit,and
set

act, and

repeated acts
character

habits

congeal

character, and

become

in

destiny!
remorse.

Jealousy
scourges allows Saul
was no are

is,

however, subject to
remonstrances to

strong
the

These who Spirit,

the

of

that blessed
to

soul
very

drift unwarned
these

bottomless in the

pit. hurry
father

subjectto

powerful eddies Jonathan

David

ing
of

current.

When,
the

in

an

earlier stage,

reminded had

his

pricelessservices
should David Wild
not

that

rendered, he
his

hearkened
that he

relented, and attentively,

be put
to

pledged
cave,
near

royal oath

death

(xix. 1-7).
the Fountain

When of the

spared his
shores of

life in the

Goat, amid

the the

wild Dead

ravines

that

border

on

the
forth his

western

Sea,

refusing to by
rude
out

put

his hand

againstthe
eager

Lord's
"

anointed, and
touched in those
a

restraining generosity days,

the Saul

and surprised
was

followers

which

wholly unexampled
his voice and

lifted up

wept, and
been natural

poured
to
"

pent-up

generositywhich
but had for
he

had

him
If well
a

in earlier
man

days,
his

long been said,

" "

restrained.
let him go

find
?

enemy,"
me

will he
thee

away

Where
unto

fore the Lord

reward

good

for that thou

hast done

this

day
when

(xxiv.16-22).

And,

again he

came

in search

of David

and

pitched

168

"

Cruel

as

tire (Srabe."
on

his camp and

on

the

ridge of Hachilah,
the

the southern
was

hills, spared
have before
for

again, through David's

the
a

clemency, his life

spear,
went

from
needed

fatal second
"

plunge of
I have thee

which
so

would
as

not

thrust, Saul
sinned
harm.
"

far my

to
son

say

all his camp I will have

no more

; return,

David,

do

I have

played
was

the

fool, and

erred

21). exceedingly (xxvi.

case,

in every But, alas, and

his

remorse

of brief

duration,
or

failed

to

produce
to

any

permanent

change
He

in heart

purpose. least breath "Blessed and shalt

"

The

fire still smouldered

in his

soul,awaitingthe

of air

rekindle
son

its flames. thou

might exclaim,
do

be

thou, my

David;
There is the

shalt both
not

mightily
to
me

surely prevail." But

:

David

daring
for

trust

him,
that

said in his heart

should escape

nothing better
land of the

than
"

into

Philistines

(i

Sam.

xxvi. 25, xxvii. i, the

cure

R.V.).
these terrible well Saul's

But

set forth in of jealousy is clearly

chapters. Without
to

doubt,
of his had
not

surmises

were

known

all the members

ever

and especially to Jonathan. family,

out

Before

Saul would
upon

blurted
be

his threat
so

that
as

Jonathan's
the
son

kingdom

established,

long

of

Jesse lived
would
earth

the

had ground, the heir-apparent

the

assured
the

his friend that

cut

he knew

time would of

come

when
one

Lord the
was on

off the
14,

enemies
30,

David,
And ravines

every

from

(xx.

15,

31).
the

later,while
of

Saul

seeking David's his madness by

him, and
not,
and thee for thou
; and

life amid
the

Ziph, urged
came
"

in
to

treacherous his hand

Jonathan Ziphites,
in

strengthened
the hand of shalt be

God, and

said
not

Fear

Saul, my
over

father, shall
knoweth."

find
next

thee,
unto

king
Saul

Israel,and
father
more

I shall be

that also

my

Jonathan, then,
David
never

was

even was.

affected
was

by

the that

choice
he

of

than succeed

his father
to

It

certain

would he of

the

throne.
never.

Respected
But

and
not
a

loved cloud

might

be, but

enthroned

Cure ftfoe

of

Jfcalonsj.
heaven of his
"

169
love, or
Perfect David
as

jealousyever
its shadow had
own on

darkened
the hate
;

the

pure

of his

cast

crystallake
we are

peace. he loved

love

cast

out

told that

his

soul." If you
are

tempted
allow
once,

to

jealousy do
from

not

brood
more,

over

the fell

or passion,

it to grow and
one

less to

but

arise

to

deal

with
on

it at

with
of whom

all the you

energy have

of your

soul.

Insist

lovingthe
You you
"

felt the

unholy
bid

passion.
confronts you you

may you

reply that
cannot

that is the very You

man

which difficulty
to

love.

complain that
walk. Granted emotion
the

love, is like bidding a lame

must

; but

between distinguish be

love

and

of love.

the latter, but impossible for you to command quite possible to practisethe former, since love consists but in the doing; not in emo in the feeling, not primarily, It may

tions,but in strong
Find
out

acts

of self-denial and

service. whom you

were

the feel

individual

concerning
on

beginning to
and
a

jealous.

Be

the you

alert to
are

do

kind

acts,

speak kind words. depreciatingremark,

and utter lips, find yourselfon
some

Whenever
arrest

tempted
before

to utter
cross

the

words

they

your you
or

kindly ones
out

instead.

Whenever

the

point of speaking contemptuously

of your way
to

judging harshly,go
Overcome
to

do

some

generous love.
Do

deed.
not out

evil with but kindly,

to act
a

good, hatred

with

wait

feel
way

promptly and
kindness.
that

heartily. Go
all,avoid
;

of your

confer

Above

aloofness.
to enter

Throw

yourselfin
and
rent

other's company

try

into

the

and anxieties,trials,
; cultivate
a

temptations by
near

which

that life is torn

and

close

and always offer friendship, sacrifice. Believe as a living

that his of your

and also

present
that

yourselfto
does
hear

God
you,

God

takes part Holy Spirit peace,

and that He

with has

you

againstthe
you
to
to

enemy per

who

led

desire will and

fect deliverance

is

prepared to

work

in you

do

of his

good pleasure.

XXIII.

Jlmtsst
(i SAMUEL
x.\v.

i.)

'

'

Life

is only
a

bright
truer, is

when

it

proceedeth
Life above it leadeth
;

Towards Human To
a

deeper

Love
more

sweetest

when

divine

and

perfect Love."
A.
A.

PROCTER.

AT
he

length
world,
his

Samuel
at

came

to

his

end,
;

so

far

as

this
to

least,
as a

was

concerned of in
corn

and

was

borne

grave, the

shock

fully ripe.

Though
of

had

spent
age, and

last

years

retirement, partly because

of lost the

his
the of

great

and

partly
he had

because
never

breach
love and

between

king
his

himself,
;

the

respect

people

and he
to
so

when,
had his

finally, the
fallen upon the Dan

tidings sped through

that
event
was

the
which

country
God

that

blessed
felt to far north

sleep
be
a

giveth calamity,
on

beloved,
from

national Beersheba
themselves

that

in "all

the

to

the

southern and

frontier,

Israel

gathered
him." record of

together,
adds
"

lamented

him, and
to

buried
the

Josephus

this

significant paragraph
excellence,
were

Scripture
which
he

His

moral

and

the

esteem

with

was

regarded,
was

proved
and funeral the

by

the

continued
that
was

mourning

that shown

made
to

for

him,
the

concern

universally splendour place,

the each of
a

conduct He him
or

rites with in
not
as

becoming
own

and

solemnity.
for
man

was

buried

his

native
it
as

and

they wept
of another
was

many
a

days,

regarding
that in
man,
to

death

stranger,
He
was a

but

which and

individual

concerned. and
on

righteous
very

kindly

nature,

that
on

account

dear

God."
as

The

impression

made

his

contemporaries

lingered,

3V "tan
an

of

^rager.
Again
laid the
for the and and

171

afterglow, long after

to
i

his sun-down.
record. that

again he
of the

is referred Chron.

in the sacred
22

ix.

suggests

he

foundations
service Solomon.
to accumulate
was

that

elaborate

of organization
was

Levites

of

sanctuary
1

which
xxvi.

perfectedby
28, asserts
the House

David
he

Chron.

27, which

that

began
son.

the treasures
erected
2

by

of the Lord

ultimately
to
some

in the

reign of
18

David's
a

mighty
he

Chron.

xxxv.

contains

passing reference
instituted.
the

memorable
Psa.

Passover

Feast, which Jer.xv.

xcix. 6, and

i, commemorate

of fragrance

his

perpetualintercessions.
iii. 24,
was

Acts landmark of his

and

xiii. 20,

indicate

what

conspicuous history

furnished

by

his life and

work

in the

people.
xi. 32, 33
in the walls of of Samuel
. . .

Heb. niches
the the
...

places him
of which those who
"

in the
have have

long galleryof time, the

filled and fail
. .

been

one

by
me

one

by
in tell

statues

lived would

wrought
to

power of

faith.

The

time

who

through

faith
.

wrought

righteousness
I. THE
career was

."
. .

BLESSEDNESS
an

OF

HIS

LIFE.

"

Though
been

Samuel's

arduous of true

one,

it

must

have

fraughtwith
This
was

the elements He
was

blessedness.
man

pre-eminently a
Whether
of
courses

of prayer.
his

his
for

perpetualresort.
the
from have overthrow his evil counted
on

for

people
or

or

his

king ;
of

the
"

Philistines
he sin
never

the
to

recovery
pray

Saul

ceased had.

; he

would

it
one

if

he

"God
"

forbid," he
that I

exclaimed
sin

memorable in
he
set

occasion,
pray for and whose

should

againstthe
whom he the

Lord

ceasing to spend
up, and
as

you."
prayers

Many
he

sleepless night did king

had

in tears
to
a

for the

hands

had

committed

national

interests

preciouscharge.

T72

" toat
and

It has yet to be seen,

probably

we

shall

never

know
has than per

until

the

veil of
most

whether eternityis lifted,

our

the It is

world
more

benefited

by
men

prayers
women

or

labours.
who

likelythat wrought

the

and

have

poured

out

and petual supplications

most

intercessions

have, like Epaphras,

These have resembled effectively. mighty down whose mountains, commercing with the skies, slopesthe

perennialstreams
and All

have

poured, wreathed
the

in rainbow soil into the

vapour,

the quality of carrying

mountain

plains.
tame

books,
The

says

an

eloquent writer,are
great
of

dry

and in

compared
closet. The The the

with

the

unwritten
The

book

prayed
of

the
!

prayers

exiles !
!

prayers

martyrs

prayers prayers

of missionaries of the

The

prayers ! The

of the Waldenses the sighs, whom may

as

Covenanters

groans,

inarticulate cries of alive in

never

suffering men,
whom

tyrants have
but forget,

buried God

dungeons,
If
some

the world

angel, catching them

them ! down from any the
ear

they
those
out

were a un

uttered, should

drop
make which ? But

heaven,
of God been

what

they liturgy
written words
heart's the in

would

Can into

epic equal
have

pour these
v.

of the In much

fulness of

prayers
R.V.,

deeds.

words
their

James
An

16,

they

have from
a

availed the

working.

energy

passes

holy soul,
force

striving mightilyin
in the from

prayer,

which

becomes
unit
own

working
not

universe,an
God, but
and
us

indestructible union with and his

to

of

power,

apart

in

whom,
Let

through whom,
pray
more,

whom

of mighty energies, all things. are Let

us

as especially

life advances.
call upon

seek
Let of

to
us

be enrolled
so

among
men

those

who

his

name.

live that

may

shelter themselves in those than of

in the

thought
"

our

intercessions, as
also could

Saul

Samuel. dreams

More of."

thingsare wrought by
Samuel
was

prayer

this world

characterized
court

by great singlenessof

purpose.

He

without xii. 3).

flinching the
From those

most

searchingscrutiny (i

Sam.

earlydays

Samuel's when,
with
as a

Ifumiliig.

J73

contrasted child,the vision of his childlike purity, Eli's

a

the

evil of

house,
career

struck

on

the

imagination of irreproachable
been his
all-

Israel,his had
honour. The

been

of stainless and

interests
For
; and

of

his

people
he had

had

absorbing concern. ungrudging

from them

these
to

spent
he

himself

with

devotion
in

find that
was

must

withdraw

favour

of

another had bound

when his

the

sorest

griefof
had
to tightly

his

life. led

The him

troubles
nearer

which
and

befallen him
he

his land
more

only
his

God,

fellow-countrymen ; but
desired
of God's
to

discovered

that the

they

him

to

give up
and

it requiredall position,

gifts

grace, sustain

all the

nature,

the shock had

of a naturally noble qualities with equanimity. But again his

which unselfishness,

become
to

the inner
secure

law best

of

his life*

conquered;
which the the age supreme It
was

he

set

himself

the

successor

could

afford,and
of power.

humbly stepped down

of singleness

from

place
the

this beautiful
reverence

humilityand
of his
to

purpose their that

that arrested

and people,

attracted character

veneration.
we

And attribute

it

was

this trait of his the

must

The
to

eye be

must

be

perception of in its intention single

Percivale
of the vision other

his

divine

purpose.

if the whole

body is
the

full of

light. Sir
the

missed, but

Sir Galahad
one

beheld, the golden

failed in what
O
The

Holy Grail,because

possessed.
not true

son,

them

hast

humility,
of them

highest virtue, mother

all ;

Thou Thou As

thoughtest of thy
hast
not

prowess
to
save

and

thy sins

lost

thyself

thyself,

Galahad.

Oh,

to

be
God of
as

so

absorbed
the

in

consuming passion
of

for the may

glory of
oblivious

in

salvation

others, that
the

we

be
be

to take the second ourselves, willing

to place,

reckoned

of

no

account,

to

retire from

blaze of

light

i?4
that falls the

3V (Breat Sunset.
on

stage
the

to

the

retirement
of the of

and

of twilight

the the

where cloister,

progress the
sun

days
the

is marked shadows

by

clock-chimes,
the progress
was

and

incidence
from

indicates

of the also

solstice to
construct.
to

solstice !
When the whole of
a

Samuel land
new was

careful to
and

he began disorganized, The

lay the foundations expended

on

State.

time

care

he

the

schools

of the his

prophets,his administration
the

of

in justice

his

itineraries,
a

appeals to

people in
in
a

their

convocations,formed
and
waste

great

policy which
Do

resulted
in

consolidated
life. Don't

united
the

people.

something
in

your

precious
work which into the

time
the
new

others,but put a piece of solid criticising is rising around on great fabric which us, and Jerusalem
is
a

will

one

day
of

be

established.

To

criticise
to

others the and the

same

less efficient way

settingthem
much
our

rightthan
more

do

thing as

they
are

are

doing, so
of

quickly
I like

that they deftly,

led to follow

example.
beautiful ends
were

story of the
of
on

man

who, instead
his the left to

the garden criticising

so

plots
those
one

his
his
to

neighbours,made
right and
do
We

own

that

extreme

led

by

one

the

same.

will not Nor shall have

our

cease our

from sword

mental

strife,
our

sleep in

hand,

Till

we

built green

Jerusalem
and

In this

pleasant land.

As the

first of first

the

as prophets,

the

connecting link
in

between and the

days

of

the

settlement

Palestine

splendour

of Solomon's and Israel his

reign, by
from his

his unblemished

character,

by

his

sympathy
God
won

strength,by his evident

fellowship

with the
Samuel and owed the

of from
to

people the
wondered

boyish days to his old age, most profound veneration ;

at

it is not

be

that
was

one

of

them
to

"

who

to him, though everything

he

unable
supreme

appreciate
of his turned

majesty

of

his

personality
"

in the had

hour

desperate need,

when

all beside

deserted

him,

"

Crossing

trjc

or." |!
he

175 been
withdrawn

for
for
"

help to the great prophet,though

a

had

considerable
up

time

from

earthly scenes,

and

cried,

Bring me
II. His
a

Samuel."

BLESSED

DEATH.
a

"

Death

is not
; not
an

state, but

step
but

; not
a

chamber, but
over a

passage None

abiding-place,
We should

bridge
of the the
a

gulf.
as

are

dead.
a

speak

departed
shadow of

those the

who,
the

for

moment,
are

passed
the
"

through
the

tunnel, but
on

livingin
God

of intensity
not

vivid
of the
are

existence

other side.
for living,

is

God
None

dead, dead,

but in

of the

all live unto

Him."

the

sense we

of

remaining
are

in

condition
who

of deadness. and

Those

whom death

call dead

those

died,

passed through
and

into
the
or

the

other

life.

They put
into other it would
the hast
cares

off their
scenes

but earthlytabernacle,

has passed spirit

woe,

activities for weal

from
to

which
to

be and

an

effort to tear

if summoned itself, mortal up ?

"

return
:

of this responsibilities
to

existence

"Why
He is
a

thou

disquieted me,
how the

bring me

Remember

speaks
nautical

of

his

describes death. Apostle Paul departure (2 Tim. iv. 6). His word the loosing signifies of
a

term,

and that

ship

from

its go

moorings, not
out

it may
on

reach
to

harbour, but
broad

that it may of the

ocean.

from

the

harbour
exact

the

bosom

This

is the

thought caught by Tennyson,

and
one

when

he

sings:
Sunset And And

evening star,
clear there be
out

call
no

for

me

may

moaning
sea.

of

the

bar

When

I put from may

see

to

For

though
Hood
to

out

our me

bourne

of

time

and

place

The I

bear Pilot crossed

far,
to

hope
When

my

face
the

face

I have

bar.

To

recall this
of the

sonnet

is to

be

reminded irresistibly death

of this

another

noble

conceptions of

given by

76
poet

jt
so

dmat

J$mtsEt.
the
:
"

great Christian

thought
"

in

in keeping with exactly the passingof Arthur describing

the

Apostle's

"So

said he, and from

the

barge with
some

oar

and

sail
swan,

Moved

brink, like
wild cold carol

full-breasted

That,
Ruffles With

flutinga
her pure

ere

her and

death,
takes the flood

plume,

swarthy

webs."

This

is death.
waters

It is and of

stagnant
the

moving out containingwalls

a

of the of the

soul

from
on

the
to

harbour,

great bosom
and space,

the

ocean

of

where eternity,

there

is

width

coast-lines of
the

opportunity to explore to the furthest thought,and to attain to the golden shores of

deaths

blessed

isles.
of the

Speaking
and which
is

of two
has

men,

whom
a

we

both

knew

loved, a friend of mine

quoted
and the

poem

of Bret

Harte,
it
so

exceedinglybeautiful
the

because apposite,
man

exactly expresses
betwixt two, is far less than
But

desire
that

of

who

is in

strait life

knowing
that of

the

blessedness
be with
break
;

of this mortal

departing to
the

Christ
away !

"

lo, in the distance

clouds
see

The And The So

gates'glowing
I hear song from the

portals I
in

outgoing ship glee.

in the

bay
bore

of the sailors
of the luminous

I think His

footprintsthat
Galilee,
to to

comfort wait the

o'er dark

And To

for the

signal
is

go

the shore,
me.

ship the

that

waitingfor

Remember

how

Apostle Peter

describes death.

Speak

the very word which had been ing of his death, he uses of Transfigura employed in the conversation on the Mount and Moses Elijahspake with the Master of the tion,when which He to accomplish at Jerusalem. "After decease was my

decease"

(Luke
There

ix. 31 ;

Peter other

is exodos.
occurs

is

only
New

one

15). The Greek placein which that

when the

i.

word word is

in the

whole

Testament,

reference xi.
a

to

the

going out

of the

Death, under

this

people from is conception,

Egypt (Heb.
a

22).

going out,

not

coming

Conception
in.
It

of
the

geatlj.
life of
the

J77

begins.
opens will be

If it the way

ends, it ends
into
a

slavery and

pain,and
of the Let
as

world

where

development

soul
us

unrestrained.
to

not

dread
of

die.
act

With

most
as

the

soul is
of

probably
It of In has

unconscious but
the

the

of death
the frail

of that

birth.

needs

cracking of
shall

the withdrawing shell,

the thin all

curtain, the slackening of the golden cord of life.

be
us,
we

we probability

surprisedto
throughout
come

find

that

heaven
our

been

lyingall

around
that

the

day of
we

mortal

and pilgrimage, the midst New hosts The the

had

(long before walking the

with the made

died) into
of the

of Mount had

Sion, had
been
the

been

streets

Jerusalem,
of

mingling
the

innumerable

angels

and

of just men spirits

perfect.
and
life and
not
now

Lord

justlyclaims
He has

title, death,

"

the and

Resurrection

Life."

abolished

brought
We
are

immortality to lightthrough
left
to

His

Gospel.
of that after there He all in

the

dim

light of
We

surmise,
knmv

supposition,or
is
a

of

hesitating guess-work.
death, because
are men saw

life

beyond
"

Him of

was

risen.

We He

witnesses,"says
both

one

them, "of

things which
Jerusalem,
God raised
to

did also the the

in the country

of the Him Him

on

Jews, and
a

whom up all of He

they slew, hanging

third

tree.

Him

day,

and
unto

gave

to

be that

made
were

manifest, not
chosen with

people,
even

but

witnesses did
eat

before
after

God,
rose

to

us,

who

and

drink

Him

from

the

dead." because
He

Yes, He
He has

lives ; and
to

lives
for
see

we us

shall
in the
;

live also. Father's

gone In

prepare world

mansions
we

house.
company
ments.

that

shall

his

face his

and,

in

with Even

kindred
now

we spirits,

shall and

do

command
are

suppose among

Moses them

Aaron that call

among his
"

his

and priests,
"

Samuel

upon

Name,

in

the

solemn

troops,

and

sweet

societies

of

eternity.

XXIV.

anb
(i SAMUEL
xxviii.
;
i

CHRON.

x.

13).

"

Earth

fades

Heaven stand
:

breaks
next

on

me

shall Before When God's

man

throne the leave

the

moment

's close
has

at

hand

first, last time,

to

lay
before
his Maker.

His

whole

heart

bare

..."
R. B.

YEARS
men

had
to

passed
the
at

since

David's
and the

sling

had

brought
had
of fled the

Goliath

ground,

Philistines
the
onset to

headlong
of Israel. and A

Ephes-dammim
invasion
was

before
now

new

planned

revenge
over

that the the

disgrace,
plain
of

re-establish

the
was

Philistine
the

supremacy link and

Esdraelon,
cities of

which
the and To

necessary

between the the

vast

wealthy
for Nile the

Euphrates
produce,
hold very
to

Valley
furnished

market
of the

their

wares

by

cities in
on

Valley.

that

great

trade-route taxation

volved merchandise

right

to

impose

valuable fro
"

the
to

transported

and

hence

the

desire

hold

its

keys.
up

The the of

tides
sea-coast

of

Philistine which

invasion,
was

therefore,
for and three in after
a

poured
the

by

route,

favourable

evolutions

the

Philistine
was

chariots
at

and

cavalry,
about

strongly-fortified camp
and time
a

formed

Shunem,

half
as

miles
abode the

north of

of the

Jezreel,
rich
woman

and

celebrated who
so

the

hospitably

entertained

prophet

Elisha.
what and forces he his could camp from
on

Hastily
marched

gathering
northwards, Gilboa,

collect,
the the

Saul

pitched
miles

slopes

of

Mount

four

distant

invading

's
and the the south of
a

Despair.
Plain. lead
low
to

179 "Green
the

army,

on

of the Great
the time

plains
rise

from rising

level

Kishon
into

slopes of
of the

Gilboa, swellingafter
bare and

heights,which
summits
or

stony.
up

Behind

these, the many

five hundred
"

hills shoot feet of

"

abruptlysome
and

six hundred

bleak, white,
oak and

barren

their

only growths, spots flowers,which,

in

scrub

mountain
never

thorns

and

spring at least,are
The him He

wanting in

Palestine."
was

sight of
seems

the have the spears

great force

which

arrayed against
Saul's of courage. the "his faith the

to

completely paralyzed complete

and The
not accoutrements

contrasted
the

Philis
heart

tines with trembled

have God's black stricken

slingsof Israel,and
heroic
now

greatly."

courage

which

might
of

brought him,
presence canopy soul. He
;
was

was

since possible, There

was

sense

withdrawn.

no

rift in

the

of He

despair
could there left

that

overshadowed

his

terror-

say

with

another, "Behold

I go
cannot

forward, but

is not
on

; and

backward, but
where He Himself

perceiveHim
I
cannot

the Him

hand,
"

doth
on

work, but
the It
was

behold
I cannot

; He
see

hideth

right
to

hand,
about
of

that

Him of

(Job

xxiii.

8).

this that the terrible series

to

narrate,
which

must

be
so

which are now we tragedies, The attributed. restraining grace

God,

he

had

long despised
he
"
"

and
to

resisted,no
follow
of the the

longer
of

strove

with
of

him, and
evil
"

was

left

promptings
ness

those

spirits
for of

the

rulers

dark
are

this world"
assail

who,
sons

mysterious
men.

purposes,
true

permitted to inquiredof lapse of

fession of

the

It first

is

that

he

the

Lord,
years

for

probably the
there
of
was no no will,

time, after the

or con

many

; but

repentance

sin,no
"

submission

patient waitingfor

his direction

only abjectterror
read
nor

and the

frantic

despair.
him

It is

to hardly surprising

that

"

Lord

answered

not,
"If I

neither

by dreams,

by Urim,

nor

by prophets."
will not hear

in regard iniquity

my

heart,the Lord

me."

i8o

(Bn")0r antr (Bilboa.

At

I. ENDOR.
"

"

some

previous period,as
that had He familiar may have when land."

we

have

seen,

Saul

had

put away
out

those

and spirits, done he

as

the

wizards,
one

of

the

this in
became
a

of

those

strange

lucid

moments, God's

conscious
off to the
"

of the wild
so

of strivings

or good Spirit,

set-

of passion of strivings often

men

which

he for

was

guiltily
sins into
act,
to
an

conscious
which

seek

to

atone
some

the

they
as

have
a

been

betrayed, by
in the It became of the

strong outward

intended uneasy
no

make-weight
abhorrence

other

scale, or

sop

conscience.

clear,however, that he had

crimes he thus had

heartfelt that
arts

punished,
recourse

seeing
the mouth in vain About

in he

his had

own

dire
striven

extremity he
to

to

very

abolish,and
he

sought

from

the

of hell the
!
two

help for
north

which

had

appealed
in the

to

heaven

miles

from

Shunem

"

rear,

there

fore,of
It
to
was

the
one

Philistine of those

army"

lay the
which and

little village of Endor. Manasseh had failed de who It

spots from

expel

the

old

population;
to

amongst
an

these, the
old of
woman

scendants

of the ancient be

Canaanites, was

professed to
is

able

bring
hand of

up

the
were

souls

the

dead.

likely enough
and

that her

claims

baseless.
no

By ventrilo
simulated
to
come more

quism
the

sleightof
appearance world do
not at

she who

doubt seemed

the from than in all

voice and
other
we

those

her

bidding.
to

If there
our

was

that,
ages and

hesitate been have heart

affirm

belief that
with
necromancers

demons

have

in

collusion
to

and spiritualists,
at

answered of the

their call.
of

This modern

is

the

root

and

phenomena

spiritualism. Heavily
and cloaked and whom forth
a

disguised,accompanied
tradition
in the has

by
as

two

trusty companions

identified
of

Abner

Amasa,
the

Saul

set

early hours
round the

the

night,

crossed of Little

made plain,

detour

the eastern

shoulder

Hermon,

and

arrived

at safely

witch's

dwelling.

"

|5rin0me
to

up
them

Samuel."
to

181

The dark

door

opened
of

admit

the

house, and amid

the

weirdness
a

the

revealed interior, with

by

the

glimmering
was man

of light unable accosted

choked brazier,

smoke, the
of that the

woman

quite
who up

to

recognise the
her
he

features

haggard
should

with

the

request
name.

she

bring

whomsoever
At

should

first she

hesitated,reminding him
and

how

perilousher
satisfaction
Saul hath what

profession was,
might done,
and
snare

suggesting that
"

to

give him
have then
"

cost

her

life :
hath

Behold, thou
off those land
me

knowest that

how

he
out

cut

familiar

spirits
a

wizards
for my
an

of the

; wherefore
to

layest thou
God whom of

to life,

cause

die ?

With he
was

oath, which
that
moment

implicatedthe strangely denying, and

her he with that
a no

at

touch

his

the king assured kinglyprerogative, should Lord this befall her for

punishment
"

doing
no

what

requested.
to

As

the for

there liveth,

shall

punishment happen
asked
not
a

thee

thing."
reassured, the
she
must
woman

Thus up
; but

whom

she should

bring
in
a

have of
one

been

little startled, when

hoarse

whisper,as

weird

the surroundings, Retiring from him to her of

by his paralyzed and awestruck king said, Bring me up Samuel."

"

distance, the

wretched

woman on

began
coals

incantations, perhaps dropping a powder brazier, muttering incantations

and in
a

the

the

low she
to

voice,
had have

making

passes her

adjurations.
his faithful

But

before
seems

completed beyond
even

the Almighty preparations,

servant

interfered, sending back

the article
to
"

from

the world

of

death, so
credit
saw

that of

the

witch

might
wonderful

not
a

appear

have
woman

the

securingso

visitation.
At
seems

The

Samuel."
she also.
a

the

same

moment

that

recognised Samuel,
Startled and

she

to have

recognisedSaul
cried with
thou hast

frightened spake
unto

for

her

she life,

loud

voice, and
me?"

Saul, saying, "Why

deceived

Perhaps in

182

attfc (Ettfcor
condition
of

her excited

soul, she
we

was

endowed

with
or

that

which supernatural insight there vivid

connect
was

call

clah-voyance ;
appearance in that gone
near,
so

perhaps
hour

something
real, that
and

in

Samuel's
was

startlingly
to

and

she

led

dread

prophet
which
saw
"

king as
had

in years drawn

by
and

; or

the the

king

in his eagerness veiled

had

perhaps dropped

mantle

his face and his

it befel, she
tones

through
Thou
art

figure. But however and in horror-stricken disguise,

!"

cried,
he

Saul

Again
seen.

reassured

her, and
and

asked

her

what

she

had

"A
"

majesticbeing, august
if from
out

God-like,"
his

she

replied,

as arising

of the
to

earth." appearance
more

Pressed

by
she

Saul
was

describe

minutely, for
from with bowed
a

beholding a mysterious form, which,

same
"

though present
him, she
robe."

in the

chamber resembles

as
an

himself, was
old
man

veiled covered and he

said,
"And
to

He Saul

perceivedit was
and made the

Samuel,

his face

the and

ground,

obeisance."
conversation
was

Very touching
followed. the medium
to

was thrilling

that without

am

disposed
the with

to

think and

that it that God

held

of

witch,

prophet
to

speak
with
our

Saul, as
of

afterwards the decease

permitted the and Elijah Moses

to

speak

Lord

be

presently
sentences

that these accomplished at Jerusalem. It is likely were actually interchanged between the king and

his former

friend and
awful turned of agony.
to

confidant,
Do you

to whom not tears

he

turned that

remorsefullyin his
then, Saul had
and

think

even if,

Jehovah
would

with

of confession

faith, he

have

been

answered
?

simplicity according to the

he would
;

the

multitude
but there

of the Divine
was no

compassions
such be in
a

Assuredly
of temper.

sign of
wait
even

change
other
so

Samuel

did

not

to

questioned, but sadly told

the life his
so

the

awestruck
had

king

that

misdoings
could

filled his

with spirit

unrest,

much

that he

183
not

forbear
thou

hast

returningto speak to him once to bring me me disquieted up ?

was

more.

"

Why

"

Saul's
for the from
nor

answer

that

of
war me

Philistines make and dreams

make answereth
;

despair. against me,

no

"

am

sore

distressed ;
is

and

God

departed
thou

me,

more,

neither

by prophets,
that

by
But

therefore
unto
me

have
what

called

thee,

mayest

known the

I shall do."
came no

from
or

lips of
It
was

the

prophet
to

words
servant

of the

comfort

hope.
was

useless

ask

of

the

help which
in

denied
fact

by

the God

Master. Himself

There
was on

was

no

gain
side of with had
to

evading
fair

the

that

the

David, and
such

reign had against the king,whose promise. The multipliedmisfortunes

and
his realm
were

begun
which

befallen him
the

due

to

his disobedience
to

direct instructions
he had
now

issued

with respect

Amalek.

The
on or

sin which
all his
avert

perpetrated had put

at

the last touch could

Nothing, transgressions.

this he

hour,
had

stay
he
must

the
;
as

descending avalanche.
he that hand
sons

As
must

sown,

reap

had
the

so fallen,

he

lie.

It was,

therefore,
him
Saul world of

revealed

Lord

would

deliver

Israel also with

on

into
and

the his

of the should Hebrew

and Philistines,

the

morrow

have
host

also would

passed into
be the

the

spirits ; the
sacked, and
those

the camp annihilated,

the land

left to the fate which

to

conquered

of

days

knew

well
was

expect.
his king fell straightway
sore

Little wonder

it that the
was

full

length upon
weak
the

the

earth,and
and

afraid.
the

He

was

already
; ; and

with
events
nervous

watching
of the

through fasting completely

under witch of Her the

previousday
him

night had
nature

unnerved

his
Even

system
callous

collapsed

the
was

terrible strain.
smitten
was

the

with

compunction
aroused
She him

and the

pity.
awful
to eat.

woman's that the

some

nature

by

horror

lay
trust

on

the had
on

thoroughly king'ssoul. reposed

in
to

besought him
she

By

she

pleaded

that

she had

claim

his mercy,

184
be

(Bn"or

an"

(Silboa.
for
"

expended
of thou

not

for she

her, but

him. before
thou

"

Let
;

me

set

morsel that

bread,"
mayest

pleaded, strength
It seemed
on

thee

and
on

eat,

have

when

goest

thy

way."
At first he

refused.
the

as

though

he would

never

rise

again from

mud-floor
"

which

all the

gloryof
unto

his

manhood the woman, voice. What

on

lay stretched.
constrained
he
arose

But

his servants,
he

together with
their bed."
he sat the of the
as

him
the

; and

hearkened
sat

So

from have the

earth, and

upon

memories
that
!

must

passed before his mind,

woman

divan, whilst
Did he
not

hasted the first

to

prepare

meal

remember the

happy days

his

reign ; Jabesh-gilead ;
once or

overthrow of his

of the

Philistines, not

twice ; and
saw

the had

love gone

people ?
from

But, step by
the
man,
moment

step, he
to

how

he

down

the sun-lit summits

ran

the dark

where valley,
met

the black As passes panorama the

torrent

and

over

hanging
whole of

rocks

overhead.

with

drowning
in
a

the

of his
so

previouscareer
the whole outline before

before him
of

time,

his past

must

have

stood

in clear

mental

vision of the
the

king.
to

Then, after hastily partaking of the calf and cakes, the three
the camp.

unleavened

figuresstole through

the

darkness, back

II.

GILBOA."

On

the

morrow

there the

was

some

slight
The
of
west

alteration in the Philistines their camp

of moved

of disposition towards the up

hosts. respective
a

Aphek,

little to from

the the

; while

Israelites
a

descended the

heights
fountain

Gilboa, and

took

near position

spring or

of

i). (xxix. Jezreel Presently

the

battle
to
were

was

joined.
the
to

In
onset

spiteof
of the

the

most

desperate
mailed

efforts

withstand

heavilywere

troops that

opposed
before the

them, the Hebrews

It is

routed, and
noted

fled from

Philistines.

expressly
were

by

the

historian that the lower

slopesof

Gilboa

tljc geatljof "aul.

covered mountain Saul

185
bedewed the

by
and

the

wounded,

whose
R.V.,

hearts' blood

pastures

(xxxi. i,
made

marg.}.
most

retrieve the
From The And

Jonathan day :
"

the

desperate efforts

to

the blood

of the

slain, from
not

the fat of the

mighty,

bow
the

of Jonathan turned
sword of Saul

back,
not

returned

empty.

But
"(

it

was

in vain.

"

The

battle
and

went

sore

Saul." against
and

The

Philistines slew
sons

Jonathan
The

Abinadab,
of his army
was

Melchistrewn

shua, the
around of blood. trated the

of Saul."

flower Israel

lay
in

him

; the

of chivalry

quenched
Philistines

rivers

all others, the Then, leaving

on

concen

their attack
"

that

which lordlyfigure
crown
arm. on

towered

amid

fugitives the royal bracelet flashing his on

hard upon he
was

his

helmet, the

royal him,
He

"The the
reason
was

Philistines followed
overtook

Saul,

and
....

archers

and
knew
was

distressed greatly fate awaited

by
if he

of the archers."

what

yet in him.
to
a

it seemed
to

him

capturedwhilst his life Exposed to ignominy, tortured to death, death far preferable that immediate were
him
"

such

fate.

Then

said- Saul thrust

me

to

his armour-bearer
;

Draw these
a

thy

sword

and
come

uncircumcised of me."
armour-bearer person the of his

and

through therewith thrust me through and

lift up his hand

lest

make

mock The

dared

not
so

the against

sacred

king ;
upon

Saul, placing his sword-hilt

the which point,

in firmly

earth, fell
which

pierced his
afterwards
to at

heart.
The

narrative

the

Amalekite
to to

gave his

David
once a

suggests that the effort

successful
; and

take have

life

was

not

he

seems

asked

this

child of

race

which him
the

he last

was

once

bidden

utterly to
"

destroy,to
unto
me
:

give

stroke. finishing
me,

He

said

Stand,
A

I pray

thee, over

and

slay me

; for

anguish hath

86

(Bnttor sn"
hold of
me

taken
may win

; because

my

life is yet whole

was

in me."

It
to

be, however,
David's
saw

that all this

; for
was

fabrication
that when

intended
the
armour-

favour that

we

are

told he

bearer

Saul with

dead,

likewise

fell upon

his

sword,
The

and

died

him.
was
a

day
that

of Gilboa

veritable his

Chevy
next

Chase.

"

Saul

died, and
men,
set to

his three
same

sons,

and

armour-bearer, and day

all his

day together." stripthe dead,

be
and

The

the Philistines

work his

to

findingthe
their in

bodies
armour,

of Saul and the

to

and

sons,

they despatched
to

heads,

decapitatedcorpses,
streets

carried

triumph through
be affixed

of their of

and principalcities, As the the

to finally

the

walls

Beth-shan.
and

tidings spread,the people

left the
across

towns

in villages

neighbourhood, and
followed up the the all parts of
to

fled

the carried the

Jordan.
fire and

Roving
sword

bands
into

victory,
land. It the life. and and

and
was

of tidings
to

their

approach
when the

Gibeah

that caused for Saul up

accident
"

Mephibosheth
old of
came

which

He

was

five years
out

crippled him of tidingscame

nurse

Jonathan
fled; and
he and fell,

and Jezreel,
to

his she

took
haste iv.

him
to

it

pass, lame

as
"

made

flee,that

he

became

(2 Sam.

4).
of that
not

One

brave

deed The had

relieved the sombre

men

hues

terrible

catastrophe.
how

of
to

Jabesh-gileadcould
their

forget

nobly

Saul

come

aid in the

early days of

retrieve the royal to reign; and they resolved, at least, had Philistine malice body from the ignominy to which his

exposed
from

it.

The down

valiant the

men

therefore of

arose,

and

went

all his
to to

took night,
sons

body

Saul, and
them the

the

bodies

of

the

temple walls, bore

them been
to

reverently back
mutilation
under them

Jabesh, burnt
which tamarisk this
tree

conceal

hideous

they had
in

buried subjected,
lamented which

"the

Jabesh,"and
to
a

with had

unfeignedgrief
once
as a

tragic close
without

reign

been

morning

clouds.

tSKori

of

anting.
persists,
God.
;
we

187

It

is

an

awful

thing

when

man

as

Saul that

and
it
at
was

as

Judas,
a

to

the

end

striving against
to

We
are

feel

dreadful
;
we

thing

do
at

as

he

did

horrified

his
fall
was.

temerity
into his

marvel ways, have

once

his

infatuation
overcome

yet
evil

we

may
as

wicked
may had back

and
resort

be
to

of

he

We,
which
to

too,
we

things,
tabooed.
If himself
to
a

habits,
We
man,

and

people
are

religiously
our

too,

liable
felt love
;

step
of

to

undoing.
and allows of
set

having
the his

the of if
a

evil
money,
man

covetousness,
after

against
invade and for

awhile
a

it his

again

soul

has

been

slave

appetites,
acted,

having
awhile,
them he
on

realized
a vow

their
of

degrading

tendencies,
but
has
;

has

temperance,
former in
earnest

gradually
after years

allowed
of

to

resume

their
to

sway

if

irreligion
has

has

begun
into
cave

be

about is
"

his this

soul, but
like
class Saul

again

relapsed
in

moral

apathy

not

seeking
had

help

the
?

of
men

the

enchantress,
are

whose

he

proscribed
carried

Such
the

wells the

without

water;
for
worst

clouds in

before
words
"

blast

of

tempest,
the

whom,
of

the for of the

of
:

the
if

Apostle,
after the
are

is reserved have

darkness

ever

For

they

escaped
of the

the Lord

pollutions
and and

world

through they
is

knowledge

Saviour
overcome, ;

Jesus
the

Christ,
latter

again
with them

entangled
them
not to

therein the known

end

worse

than have known

beginning
the
to
turn

for of

it had

been

better

for after

way

righteousness,
from the

than,
com

they

have

it,
unto

back

holy

mandment

delivered

them."

XXV.

(2 SAMUEL
"

i.

19,

etc.)
most most

He

who

did

most, shall

shall stand in

bear the

the

strongest 'Tis
the my In the

weak. I cry for !

weakness

strength

that

flesh, that
Godhead
it shall like
to

I seek I seek and I find

it O

Saul A Face like Thou

be face that
receives

my
me,

thee

Man

shall Hand

love
like open !

and this

be hand

loved

by, for

ever

Shall
to

throw thee

the the

gates Christ

of

new

life !
"

See

stand

R.

B.

'""T^HE

Song

of

the

Bow,"

for

that with

is the
which of
as

title of

the

touchingly
muse

beautiful
over

elegy
the It

David's

mourned and

tragedy
seemed

Gilboa, though
had

is
the

very

pathetic
had lot
over

inspiring.
the the years, the

singer
to

forgotten

rough jealous
he and
was

experiences
mania
a

which the

fallen
;

his

through
recent

of

king

and,
once

passing
more,
"

minstrel-shepherd
of

celebrating
Thy glory,
are

glory

powers

his

King.
!

Israel, is slain

upon

thy high places

How Saul

the

mighty

fallen
were

and

Jonathan

lovely

and

pleasant

in

their

lives,
And in their death

they
of the
us

were

not

divided."

It

makes that.

us

think

love that

of God
no

God has more."

to

hear
"

David Their
at

sing
sins

like
and

It

reminds
will I

said,

iniquities

remember

Here

least,

JV.Solemn
long
before
the

Cljougbt.
was a

l89
that bore
all all

Christian all

era,

love

things,believed
things,and
around
what the
never

things,hoped
cast

all
the

things,endured
halo

failed ; which
of the and

of its idealism

memory noble

departed ;
beautiful
base in

which

thought only of
refused
to

had

been

them, and

consider that
we

aught

that had

been
of

and

unworthy.

It is thus

also would

think

Saul, the first king of Israel

It

always
lest

seems

to

us

as

though Saul
classed

were

one

of whom
were

those he
once

castaways
feared selected fair
use

of which

the

and Apostle speaks,

among
;

he
God

should
for
some

finallybe

who

by

high and
at

holy purpose,
were

who
from

bade
his
cast

to

realize

but it,
as

who

last has

cast

aside

and
to

service

salt which

lost its savour,

men.

and

is

out

be trodden is
a

under solemn

foot of

It

very

thought
absolute

! than

No

career

could

begin
none

with
could

fairer,brighterprospects
close
a

Saul

had,
of

and

in

more

midnight
we

despair; and
pray, and

yet such
walk
We
"

fate may with

befall us, unless

our

watch, and
the

humbly
cannot

God.
pages cage.

on forget that representation

of the
The

Immortal

Dreamer,"
was once

of
a

the

man

in

an

iron

man

said, "I
own

fair and
eyes

both professor, flourishing

in mine I
at

eyes

and
the

in the

of others

once

was,
even

as

thought,fair for
the

Celestial
I should

City,and
reins

had
; but

then

joy

thoughts
and

that

get thither
upon

I left off to

watch

be sober

; I laid the

the

neck
the

of

my

lusts ; I sinned
ness

of againstthe light
I have

the

Word

and
He

good

of God;
the

and grieved the Spirit,

is gone; pro

tempted
God heart
this

devil,and
and He I cannot God I may

he

has
has

come

to

me

; I have
so

voked my
"

to anger,

left me;
"

I have

hardened

that

is fearful !
to

Well," repent." to watch help me

shun the
cause

said and
of

Christian,
be this

sober,
man's

and

pray
"

that

misery !

i9" But
are

those
who

who
are

are

most

fearful of it.

they
be

least liable to in

into such a case falling It is the disciplewho of Son

says,
never

Lord, is it I?
found

lowly distrust
afresh.

himself, who
of God

will

of treadingthe guilty

beneath

his

Him or feet, crucifying

But, deeper than

all,the
with

dispensational aspect
interest. He this present age
was once as

of

Saul's
seems

reign appeals
to

to

us

profoundest

represent the

prince of

(or,as

it

might
Son of

be called, " the world

the rule

"),who
who

Lucifer,the
God's
his

Morning,
over

who

was

appointed
fell from
a

vicegerentto
estate, and
of in

his

heritage;

high

his fall not beautiful

only dragged
but spirits,
over

down
a

noble

retinue

brightand
over

cast

blighting influence
been between Both
were

the

entire realm

which
a

he

had

set.

In Saul

each the

of these

points
Satan
most

there the

is

close

analogy
with

king, and
above

fallen

archangel.

favoured both
were

both
over

began
God's

high promise ;
both
were

vice

gerents
and fall

heritage ;
fell from in their

disobedient,wilful,
and in
woe

proud; dragged

both
many

their

primal estate,
left
an

their
as

and train, And both

entail of

their
of

legacy and

memento.

incurred

the sentence which the

case was

deposition in

favour heart
;
never

of of in

another

kingdom,
In of

springingup
Saul, this
was

in the

their
the be

kingdom.
case

of

David's
can

Satan, it is that
but

Kingdom
ever

which

removed,

abideth

for

! That

gatheringto
of his

the

Cave
until

of Adullam

of all who

were

in the

desperate circumstances,
infusion
a own

by

careful

and discipline moulded them and

out

heroic
won

David spirit,

into
land
;

great army,

and and

the

empire

of

that

time stood

that generous

noble
to

which disposition character of

in such that

strikingcontrast
incessant the realm
"

the

his

adversary ;

persecution and
what
are

pursuitby
but

the

crowned

prince of
have

these

which striking analogies,

gibittepurpose.
their

191

highestcounterpart
who

only
to

in

the

of history
was

the

Son

of

Man,
to the

from
and

his cradle

his grave

always subjected
could
set

oppositionof Satan ! Notwithstanding all that Saul's malice

hatred frustrate the Divine

do his

to

thwart

and

plan,yet Jehovah
He
came

king upon
the

the

holy
of

hill of his

Zion, and
with

forth

to

declare

decree Divine demons

enthronement

and
to
our

coronation.
Lord Son
must

Similarlythe
stand,

purpose and
men

regard
of

though
to

oppose

it.
men.

The His
are

of God

is destined is
now

be the crowned
and of in mystery
men

King
full

kingdom empire

hidden the eyes

; his followers

not

manifested
are

to

; the

proportionsof
The

his

concealed.

It has
must

yet "to come."

overthrow For there

of its great
the universe
was a

antagonist
also there
;

precede
be
an

its establishment.

is to and powers

Armageddon, just as
when

field of Gilboa

only
of

that

last have

fight has
been
heard of of of the

been

fought, and
to

the
re

darkness

shattered,never
sound of many

be

constructed, shall
as
"

there

be

voices,
become
He shall

of

the

tumultuous The of and

we,
us our

shout

vast

multitudes, saying,
world
are

Hallelujah !

kingdoms
Lord and ever."

this his

the

kingdoms
ever

Christ,and
which may
:

reign for
moved,

"Wherefore let

receivinga kingdom
grace, and

cannot
serve
our

be
God

have

whereby

we

with acceptably,

reverence

godly fear
too

for

God

is

consuming
The

fire." Saul would

reignof

be almost

bitter to contem rind

we

plate, unless
destined

under

its

rough cuticle
the
to not

and

could

detect the formation

to
sow

of the luscious fruit of David's

over

kingdom,

eternal seed
the

world.
the

might despairof
has

condition
we

which know shall

we Similarly, Trinityof Evil

reduced

our

world, did
God be of

that in the
set

days

of

these
which

kings
shall be

the
never

Heaven

up the

kingdom
in

destroyed, nor

shall

sovereignty

thereof

left to

another

people ;

but

it shall break

192

^-n (Epilogue.
consume

pieces and
for
ever

all these

kingdoms,

and

it shall stand

(seeDaniel
the

ii.44).

"

Samuel

prophet
the

"

thus and fact

practically bridges the gulf

David
that the his

between is

judge in the deep significance

the
two

Samson

king :
name

and

there

is identified this great

with

books

of

Scripturewhich
event

describe
was

transitional

period,every

of which

affected

by

his

influence.

London

MORGAN

AND

SCOTT,

12,

Paternoster

Buildings, E.G.