The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 185

ProYiclence as seen in-1. Conduct. Saul's is a case in point. He was an instrument in thC' hand of God of producing the strange impression indicated by the familiar pronrb. To the Jews in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost there was an unaccount~ able incongruity in the speech and bearing· of men who, up to that time had been timid, obscure followers of the Crucified. Considering· the reputed character of Peter a~ a ras_h, impulsiYe man, it was, in the j~1dgme_nt of his companions and in the lig·ht of Ins demal, scarcely congruous to comnnt to hun the " key" of the kingdom. And the joyful songs which rose from the apostles when in the stocks were strange music to their warders. Modern history is not without its notable instances. 2. Associa- tions. For Saul to be associated with a prophetic order was a marvel. That ag·lorious star should lead wise men from afar only to a babe in a manger, and that the hosts of heaven should sing on the birth of a helpless child, was an association rare and astonishing. The most perplexing incongruity to many is that the Eternal One should for a tenn of years be in association with a frail body, with all the sorrowful incidents inseparable therefrom. 3. Relations. We find this in Saul's case; for men can see no congruity between his ecstatic excitement as prophet and the office of king to which he was being called. The relation of John the Baptist, an austere unsociable ascetic, as forerunner to the mild, approachable Christ, struck men as remark~ able, and needed the vindication that" wisdom is justified of her children" (Matt. xi. 16-19). It also occurred to John as a most incongruous thing that he should have to baptize the holy Saviour (Matt. iii. 13-15). 4 . .Afeans. As a means of qualifying Saul for the discharge of kingly functions this prophetic excitement seemed to be most unsuitable. So, likewise, to many there is no propriety in the uplifting of a brazen serpent as a means of restoring health to the poisoned. Naaman could not think the Jordan better than the rivers of his own country. The cross of.Christ was despised by the Greeks as foolishness-a most incongruous means for the subjugation ()f the world to him who died thereon. II. The SEE~tnrn INCONGRUITIES IN TllE COURSE OF PROVIDENCE ARE RELATIVE TO OUR JGNORANCE. That is incongruous only which is not understood. "Things are not what they seem." Our surprises and astonishments are often the index of our lack of knowledge. It may not be possible in every instance to find a complete solution, but some clue may be found if we will consider all the events of Providence as inter- related, and throwing light on one another. The reasonableness of incongruities may be illustrated by taking as a typical instance tlie cond1wt of Saul. The appearance of a prophetic order at that juncture, W1der the direction of Samuel, was a necessary feature in the moral elevation of the people. The stagnant indifferenoe of men could be best aroused by urgent zeal. The reasonableness of· Saul's excitement resolves itself into that of the order. We are to remember that a coming good in Messiah's reign was the hope of the true Israel. In so far as their conviction was deep,· and was attended by a corresponding pity for present degradation, it, when full on the spirit, would not unnaturally produce an excitement proportionate to the susceptibility of the temperament and the external occasion, and the utterance of the truth would be .measured by the degree of excitement. Therefore the educational value of these men was great, and they were obedient, in their extravagance, to the laws of mind and the urgency of religious conviction. Now it was reasonable for Saul to share in this gift-1. For the people. It would call their attention to him, and prepare them for the subsequent action of Samuel. 2. For Saul hirnself. He was to be king, and the people imagined that their king would be after t!,e pattern of other kings. But Israel's king must rule in harmony with the spiritual destiny of the nation. He must be in sympathy with prophets. 3. For the ordet· of propliets. This order waR one of the great powers in fashioning the future of the people of God. It therefore was interested in the character and aspirations of whatever king might be chosen. Saul's endowment with their own gift would assure them that he was worthy of their sup- port, and would not be as the kings of the nations. The incongruity wus rr.ost , easonable. Ill. The TRUE SOLUTION OF ANY INCONGRUITY IN THE COURSE OF PROVIDENCE IS TO DE FOUND IN THE SERIES OF WHICH THE EVENT IS BUT ONE. Saul's conduct, regarded in Ielation to the antecedents of Israel's life, and the gradual preparation of the world .fur CLri~t, stands out as most fit and useful; therefore, natural. No one can rightly CR. X. 1-16.] THE FIRST BOOK (JF SA1IUEL. 183