The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 177

0 1.J TC'starnC'nt ~scribed t? the Lord directly what w!ls onlr indirectly recognised or llf',·11111 tc<l by 1nm; but m the present case there 1s obviously more than Divine allowance. Jehovah pointed out Saul to the prophet Samuel, and commanded that he ~l1ould be anointed_ captain, or king. We a~count for this ?n that principle of D, nne gon'rnmcnt "·Inch allows to men that winch they inost wish for, in order that they may learn wisdom from the result. The people of Israel had not asked the Lord for such a king as he might see fit to choose and appoint. They had asked tho prophet for a wnrlike chief like the kings of the nations and tribes 1tround them am! the Lord saw meet to let them have what they desired; the young giant Saui was just the style of man they sought, cast in. the very mould they admired, and one that would teach them soi:ne pai_nf~l lessons through experience. Therefore, though the Lord foresaw the d1sappomtmg career of Saul, he authorised Samuel to anoint him privately, and afterwards sanctioned his public selection and elevation to the royal dignity. Here was a leader to suit the fancy of the people-strong, impetuous, valiant. Let them have Saul for their king. Such ie the way of tl:e Lord to this dny, and in individual as well as national life. He admonishes and -corrects us by letting us have our own way and be filled with our own devices. We are apt to complain in our disappointment at the result, that God himself sanctioned -our course. No. We did not ask him to show us his way, that we might do his will; but took our own way, did our own pleasure; and he allowed, nay, facilitated -our desire. Let the issue teach us to be more wary and more humble in time to come. II. EARLY PROGNOSTICS OF SAUL'S FAJI.URE. 1. The manner of his entrance on the page of history. How different from the first mention of David, faithfully keep• 1ng the sheep before be was anointed to be the royal shepherd of Israel, is the first appearance of the son of Kish in search of his father's stray asses, and visiting the ,enerable prophet Samuel with no higher thought in his mind than to learn, if pos- sible, where tho~e asses were I He did not even know Samuel by sight, thoug·h he Ii,-Pd but at a short distance. He seems to have been an unreflecting rustic youth, with none af those premonitions of greatness which come early to the wise, and tend to give them seriousness of purpose and elevation of aim. 2. Indications of a fitful mind. ·we read nothing of Saul's bearing before Samuel when informed of the destiny before him. Probably be was stunned with surprise. But so soon ae he left the prophet new currents of thought and feeling began to flow through his heart. A mood of mind fell on him more grave and earnest than had.appeared in him before. ·The Old Testament way of saying it is, that "God gave him another heart; " for the change which passes on a man under the consciousness of a high vocation suddenly received is none the Iese of God than it is evidently born of the occasion. He aces things in a new light, feels new responsibilities ; new springs of feeling and new capacities of speech and action re~eal the~selves in h~. But Saul took eve~y influence by fits and starts. He qmckly gamed, and as qmckly lost. There was m him no steady gTowth of conviction or principle. When he fell in with men of relio-ious fervour he was fervent too ,vhen he met the prophets chanting Jehovah'e praise he caught their rapture, and, joining their procession, lifted up his voice also in the sacred song. But it was a mere fit of piety. Of course Saul had been educated in the religion of his fathers, and in that sense knew the God of Israel ; but it seen,e evident, from the surprise occasioned by his appearance among the prophets, that he had never shown any zeal for the glory and worship of Jehovah; and the sudden ecstasv at Gibeah, having no foundation of spiritual principle, came to nought. Alas I men 1iiay sing spiritual songs with emotion who have no enduring spiritual life. l\1en may catch the infection of religious enthusiasm, yet have no moral health or 1,oundness. Men's faces may glow with a fine ardour, and yet soon after ~e dark- ened by wicked passion. Pulses of high feeling and moods of noble ~eeue may visit minds that yet are never moved by Divine grace, and therefore are hable to be mastered, after all, by evil temper and base envy. Occasional impulses are not ~ufficient. "Ye must be born ag·ain. "-F. <lH. X. 1-16.] TIIE J:<'l[{ST BOOK 01'' SA:'.IUEL. 175