in the city of Keilah. He had heard that Saul was coming to besiege him there ; and he had reason to fear that the men of Keilah would deliver him up into the hands of Saul. On both these points he sought information from the Lord, who knew perfectly not only what designs actually existed in the minds of men, but what would be formed under any circumstances which might occur. Here was no time for delay : nor did God delay to give him the information he desired. Thus, through the speed with which his prayer was answered, his life, toge- ther with that of his followers, was preserved0. Exceeding abundant, too, had been God's gracious communications to him in answer to his prayer. Any man who was not miraculously sustained by God would have sunk under the weight of his afflictions, or at least would have availed himself of the oppor- tunities which were repeatedly afforded him of terminating them by the death of his inveterate enemy. But, though urged to it by his own friends, he would in no wise consent to such a method of extricating himself from his calamities d. Well might he say, as in my text, " Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my soul : " for, if not strengthened in a very extra- ordinary degree from on high, he never could have maintained such a conduct as this.]
When we see such a testimony as this, it becomes us to consider, II. The instruction to be derived from it —
It would be impossible in one discourse, or in many, to unfold all the important lessons that are to be learned from this testimony : I will, therefore, confine myself to two :
1. The efficacy of prayer —
[O that this were duly considered ! How urgent should we be at the throne of grace ! Who amongst us should not be able to bear the same testimony with David, if, like him, we habituated ourselves to fervent and believing prayer ? Never did God say to any, " Seek ye my face in vain." No : he is " a God that heareth prayer." " The prayer of the upright is his delight." And such is the efficacy of it, when poured out in faith, that, when he had determined to punish Israel for their iniquities, he forbad Moses to intercede for them : saying, " Let me alone, that I may consume them ; " that is, ' If you intercede for them, you will bind my hands, so that I cannot execute the threatened vengeance : and, therefore, let me alone, that I may be free to act.' Be assured, Brethren, that whilst you have a heart to pray, God has an ear to hear, and answer.
c 1 Sam. xxiii. 9 — 12. •' 1 Sam. xxiv. 4 — 7. andxxvi. 7 — 12.