human actions. He determines how far they may go before they are effectuall:, checked by the manifestation of his power and wisdom (Thenius). "By strength shall no man prevail." He also forms a just estimate of their moral worth, and gives to every man his due reward. His righteousness and justice, as well as his strength and wisdom, when contemplated by the good, fill them with great joy. II. THE OPERATIONS OF HIS PROVIDENCE (vers. 4-8). The operations of Pro- vidence are the operations of God in the natural world, the laws of which are the uniform methods of his activity, and more especially in human affairs; wherein, whilst there is room for human freedom and prudence, and the use of means, his will encircles and overrules all things, and bis band moves in and through those events which are commonly attributed to chance or accident, and directs and con- trols them for the good of those who love him (Rom. viii. 28). In and by these operations-1_. J:!e manifests the _pei;fections. of hi,s. charact,~r: his ~?liness, power wisdom, and Justice. "The Lord 1s nghteous mall hIS ways (Ps. xcvu. 2; cxlv. 17). 2. He apportions the different conditions of men, and accomplishes the varied changes of their condition. (1) Makes the strong weak and the weak strong (ver. 4). (2) The full empty and the empty full (ver. 5). (3) Increases the lonely and diminishes the numerous family. (4) Brings into great distress, even to the verge of the grave, and again restores to health and prosperity (ver. 6). (5) Makes poor and makes rich. (6) Brings low and raises up. Prosperity and adversity alike, when received from the band of God and used aright, become occasions of joy ; and the changes of life are morally beneficial (Ps. Iv. 19; Jer. xlviii. 11; James i. 9, 10). 3. He does great things, especially for the lowly (ver. 8). Stooping to them in their utmost need and shame (Ps. cxiii. 7, 8), and raising them to the highest honour and glory. "God does nothing else," said an ancient philosopher, "but humble the proud anrl exalt the lowly." "Set thyself in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given thee; for the more elevated the building is designed to be, the deeper must the foundations be laid. The greatest saints in the sight of God are the least in their own esteem; and the height of their glory is always in proportion to the depth of their humility" (Thomas a Kempis). 4. He supports t!te earth and all that is upon it. His dominion is supreme; and he has therefore the power, as he has the right, to do whatever may please him. An unfaltering trust in Providence is a cnre of undue anxiety and a cause of abounding peace and joy. "Certainly it is heaven on earth to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in Providence, and turn upon the poles of truth" (Bacon). "The prophets of the Old Testament inculcate with a remarkable perspicuity and decision the overruling agency of God's pro- vidence in the affairs of the world. Their who!e prophecy is more or less a com- mentary on this doctrine. . . . . . What a basis is laid by it of peace and tranquillity to every thoughtful and most feeling mind; and how different the aspect of the world becomes when we have reason to know that all things in it, and every combination of them, whether in the fortunes of kingdoms or in a more private 11tate, are under the control of an intelligent and gracious Ruler. Were we in the chains of chance, how gloomy would our case be. Were we in the hanrls of men, too often how fearful, how humiliating, how conflicting. But the impression of the scene is changed when wo admit into it the direction of an all-wise and perfect Being, in whose rectitude and goodness we may acquiesce through the whole course of his providential dispensation" (Davison 'on Prophecy,' p. 59). 'One adequate support For the calamities of mort11l life Exists, one only ;-an assured belief That the procession of our fate, howe'er Sad or disturb' d, is order' d by o. Being Of infinite benevolence and power, Whose everlasting purposrs embmco All accidents, converting them to good" (Wordsworth). III. Tm: ESTABLISHMENT OF HI8 KINGDOM (vers. 9, 10). God is a moral governor, a11d directs his providential operations with a view to the setting up of a kingdom of righteousness upon earth. This kingrloru existed from the first, was more fully 1 SA~f. D 34 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. 11. 1-10.
exhibited in the theocracy of Israel, and culminated in the rule of Christ who II must ~ei~·n until he ha!h put all enemies Uf!der his fee!," In_ every ~tage_ of development 1t m,·olvcs conflict. But-1. He will pi·otect its subJects; lus samts (lit. pious th?se who love ~od), agains~ whom the wicke? will contend ~n vain (ver. 9): 2. H; 1mll overtlwow it.s adversariC$ (ver. 10); their overthrow bemg (1) certain, (2) un- expected, (3) complete - "broken to pieces," - and (4) signally indicative of the interposition of bea,en ( eh. vii. 10). 3. He will extend its borders t() the ends of the earth. 4. And he will clothe with strength, honour, and majesty the king whom he appoints a~d an?i':1t~ for the accomplishment of his purposes. Hannah commenced her song with reJOIC~ng ?n acc_o~~t of the strength and honour conferred upon hers self, and she closes 1t ,v1th reJ01cmg on account of the strength and honour which would be conferred on him who should be "higher than thl'l kino·s of the earth." "Let the children of Zion be joyful in their king." "The anoiited of the Lord of ,~·horn Ha':1nah proph_csies i':1 the spirit, is not one single king in Israel, eithc;· David or Chnst, but an ideal kmg, though not a mere personification of the throne about to be established, but the actual king whom Israel received in David. and the race, which culminated in the Messiah. The exaltation of the l1orn of the anointed of Jehovah commenced with the victorious and splendid expansion of the power of Da,id, was repeated with every victory over the enemies of God and his· kingdom gained by the successive kings of David's house, goes on in the advancing spread of the kingdom of Christ, and will eventually attain to its eternal consummation in the judgment of the last day, through which all the enemies of Christ will be made his footstool" (Keil).-D.