Ver. 10. (SHILOH. )-The King Me,ssiah. The last word of the song of Hannah is the first :n~ntion of the Lord's Anointed, Messiah, Christ 1. Her language was a direct pred1ct10n of_ the appoint~~nt o~ a ~heocrntic king, fo~ which S~muel pr~parocl. the way, an~ w~nch, under D1vme d1rect10n, he was the clue£ agent m e:ffectmg. 2. It ,\:1!-s an md1rect prediction of One who had been long expected (Gen. iii. 14, 15; xu. 1-3; :i,;-:xii. 17, 18; xli_x. 10; Num. xxiv. 17-19; peut. xviii. 15-19), and w whom the idea of such a kmg would be completely realised. 3. It marks the dawn -of a splendid series of prophecies founded on the reign of David, and ever brighten- ing to the perfect day (2 Sam. vii.; xxiii. 1-7; Ps. ii. ; ex.; Isa. ix. 9; Dan. ix. 25; Micah v. 1 ; Mai. iv. 2. Fairbairn,' Typology,' i. 111 ; Pye Smith, 'Script. Test.,' i. 169). Consider- !. Hrs REGAL OFFICE. Its general purpose was-1. To unite a divided people (Gen. xlix. 10). Nothing was more needed in the days of the judges: 2·, To save them from their enemies. "Thy salvation " (eh.ii. 1 ; Ps. xviii. 50; xcv. 1 ; Matt. i. 21). 3. To rule over them,}udge them in righteousness, and establish ·among them order, peace, and happiness. "The regal office of our Saviour consisteth p'artly in the 1·uling, protecting, and rewarding of his people; partly in the coercing, condemning, and destroying of his enemies" (Pearson 'on the Creed,' Art. ii.). It was the fatal mistake of Israel in all ages to look for an outward, worldly, and imposing, rather than an inward, moral, and spiritual fulfilment of this purpose. The same mistake bas, to some extent, pervaded Christendom. "My kingdom is not of this world." ·" The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." ".Alex- ander, Cresar, Charlemagne, and myself have founded empires,' But upon what diet ·we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded his empire upon love; and at this moment millions would die for him"(' Table Talk ai:id -Opinions of Napoleon Buonaparte '). II. Hrn Dn,NE APPOINTMENT. "His King." "His Anointed" (Ps. ii. 6; xviii . .50). 1. The choice was of God. "Chosen out of the people" (Ps.· lxxxix. 19). Even Saul, a man after the people's heart rather than after God's heart, was selected and appointed by him. The invisible King of Israel did not relinquish his authority. -2. Founded on personal eminence. David. The ancient Persians believed that their ruler was an incarnation of the eternal light, the object of their worship, and there- fore rendered him Divine honour. This was a reality in Christ. 3. Confirmed anc:I manifested by the anointing of his Spirit (eh. x. 1; xvi. 13; 2 Sam. ii. 4); the out- -ward act being a symbol of the inward endowment (Matt. iii. 16; Luke iv. 18). "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John iii. 34; Heh. i, 9). Ill. His GLORIOUS EXALTATION. 1. After a state of lmmiliation; implied in the hnguage here used; also indicated in ver. 8; and typified by the lowly orig-in of David and his course to the throne. 2. By the rigltt ltand of God. 1<He will give strength; " "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. xxviii. 18); -exhibited in, his resurrection, ascension, and possession of supreme honour, authority, and power. 3. To a kingdom unive'l'sal and eternal. "The Lord_ shall. judge the -ends of the earth" (Ps. ii. 8; lxxii. 2-5; cxxxii. 18; Luke i. 31-33, 69). Whilst Jesus lives and reigns in heaven, he also lives and reigns on earth. He does SL '->y the -continued and ever-increasing power of his example and teachin~s, his wondrous life, and still more wondrous death. The truths and principles which he dedared and embodied are, at this moment, accepted by the loftiest intellects, the purest co11- sciences, and the tenderest hearts amongst men. Who now reverses ~ single judgme11t which he pronounced upon men or things? Who can conceive any character rnor~ worthy of reverence and affection than his? The lapse of time has ~nly served to CH. II. 11-26.] THE FIRST HOOK OF SAMUEL. 39
invest his wonlH and character with fresh interest and power. Other kings and con- querors are fading_ away ami~st_ the shadow~ ~f th_e pas~; but he is eve: rising before the view of mankmd more d1stmctly, nnd hvmg m their thoughts, their consciences and their hearts more mightily. Yea, more, he lives and reigns on earth by hi~ Divine presence, his providential working, and the power of his Spirit. Just as the eun, shining in mid-heaven, sheds down hie rays upon the eatth ; so Christ, the Sun of righteousness (though no longer seen by mortal eye), pours down the beams of his influence upon ue continually, and rules over all things for the complete establish- ment of hie kingdoru.-D.