The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 152

Yet so it is. Likewise there are differences in the ruling of rational creatures. In one sense every free being can, and is left to, take what course he pleases. He may sin or not sin; he may love God or not; and this, too, while ti,e ubLgation is most binding. But, nevertheless, God enforces some things and in others allows option. It is essential that God be loved; that Christ be 1he Medium through which saving mercy comes to all, infant and adult; that repentance and faith be exercised by all who hear the gospel call ;. and that certain duties to man be di~charged. These are con- ditions of safety, purity, and bliss. But it is not essential to the same degree and ii~ tlie same sense that men should pursue their calling ir, one way only. There is an option left as to how men shall obtain and use their knowl,edge; what methods shall be followed in pursuit of life's calling; what means taken to promote spiritual cu:ture and material advantage; what social and national arrangements may best subscrve the common good. Having laid down the broad lines of faith in Christ and right- eousness of principle in all things, God seems to have left a margin for the exercise of our discretion. It is as though the Eternal would thus mark his estimate of the great prerogative of freedom. He educates the individual and the race by the accu- mulation of varied experiences, the outgrowth of freedom. II. Any CHOICE OF MEN, AS TO METHODS of pursuing their course, is ATTENDED WITH INCONVENIENCE IN SO FAR AS IT DEVIATES FROM THAT WHICH GOD CLEARLY APPROVES. Samuel declares to the people that the choice of a monarchy would impose on them inconvenient burdens, and rob them of much of the happiness they enjoyed under the form of government already approved of God (vers. 11-18). Personal pomp and splendour would mean taxation and regal aggrandisement. The sense, therefore, of this warning is that Israel might yet bn God's chosen people, subject to Mosaic law, guided in great affairs by prophets, and working to a Messianic goal; but the form of government chosen by man wonld be more costly and hindering than that at present approved by God. The teaching is true generally. There are clear lines of conduct laid down by Providence indicative of the way in which God would have us fulfil our purpose in the world. The man of business will not realise the end in view in so far as his methods are precisely contrary to the teachings of Providence. Statesmen may take a course of their own, heedless of what God prefers; their troubles will be proportionate. It is God's method of developing the full manhood of Christian life that, while walldng humbly with him in private, we do not" forsake the assembling of ourselves together." Men who chose a different course may do so, but must bear the consequences of a dwarfed Christianity. Ill. NOTWITHSTANDING A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE PERILS OF DEVIATING FROM Goo's METHODS, MEN, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A MASTERFUL PASSION, WlLI SOMETIMES TAKE THEIR OWN COURSE. In vain did Samuel warn the people of the disapproval of Oocl, ancl the costs of their desired monarchy; they refused to obey his voice, and said, "Nay; but we will have a king to reign over us" (ver. 19). It was not whether God approved or not; it was not a question of promoting righteousness; it was not a ,!e~ire to see the Messianic purposes more speedily realised ; but a longing to be like ot!ter nations, and consequently a desire to be less in direct connection with God as Uuler. The strength of this passion is obvious; for it disregards personal loss, the prophet's aversion, ancl the declared disapproval of God. 1. The overpowering i11jf1t· ence of a passion may be felt by the individual Christian. It is possible for Chris- tia11 men, when piety i1:1 at low ebb, to hunker after the mode of life pursued by the Christless. The prayer of Christ that his people may " not be of the world " is some- times either forgotten or freely interpreted. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate" may be. admitted as a general duty, while its execution is sadly deficient. It is only when the soul has, in unguarded hours, come under the spell of the world- 7;assion that the clear lessons of Scripture and of experience are set aside for the valtry gratification of being like other men. 2. The same pa11$ion ma.11 lay hold of tlte Church. History shows that the Church has not been free from the spell which once laid hold of Israel. The simplicity of Christ has sometimes perished in the attempt to reproduce in the Church the formalities und pomp of the Philistines. "How far the Church can safely conform to the world " is a dangerous question, and ehould be substituted by " How may the Church best fashion the world to its own pure an_d lofty standard ? "  THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. VIII. 1-22.