concealed :) but David would not tovich him : yea, though im- portuned b}^ liis own men, and urged to consider Saul's ex- posed situation as an indication of the divine pleasure, he not only would not smite Saul with his own hand, but would not suffer any one else to smite him : and even when, for the fuller discovery of his own innocence, he had cut off' the skirt of Saul's robe, his conscience smote him as having offered an in- dignity to his sovereign : so tenderly did he regard not only the life, but the honour also, of his prince.
In this he was a pattern to all succeedmg ages : for though the different governments of the world give different degrees of power to the supreme magistrate, and of liberty to the subjects, yet in every country under heaven must the magistrate be considered as God's representative on earth, and must be " obeyed, not only for MTath, but also for conscience sake^"
Under circumstances of an unfavourable nature, there
should be a readiness in us to palliate, rather than to expose and aggravate, his misconduct; and a willingness rather to submit to evils, than by violent resistance to endanger the welfare of the community. The character of Christian subjects is, that they are " the quiet in the land."]
II. As a saint towards his oppressor —
[The injuries done to David were really " for righteous- ness' sake." Like Jesus, of whom he was an eminent type, " he was hated without a cause." This consideration must have added ten-fold poignancy to all his afflictions. To be conscious that he was continually labom*ing to cut off all occa- sion of offence, and yet to find himself persecuted with unre- lenting fury, was most distressing to his mind. Yet, as Saul himself confessed, he returned nothing but good for evil*^.
But such is the true line of every Christian's duty. We should " not render evil for evil to any man*^," but rather love our enemies, and do them good*^. This is the true way to soften the hearts of our enemies, and to ensure a fuial victory over them*^ ]
III. As a believer towards his God —
[As to avenging himself, David knew that God was the Judge of all, and would in due time vindicate his righteous cause, and punish his unrighteous oppressor : to God therefore he left what belonged to God alone ^. Moreover, though God had promised him the kingdom, he left God to fulfil his pro- mise in his own time and way. Doubtless he felt great distress
^ Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 5. •= ver. 17.
d 1 Thess. v. 14. « Matt, v. 44.
f Compare ver. 16. with Rom. xii. 20, 21. s ver. 15.