The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 193

calmly considering the wisdom and justice of our main lines of conduct. 2. One of the great helps in battling with sinful propensities !ins in occasional studies of the mercies of God. 3. It will add strength to purpose and comfort in trouble te> remember that God always works with those who use means approved by him. 4. One· of the cures for modem unbelief is to hie fouud in a more frequent and reason- able exposition of what is contained in the primary and necessary beliefs of men. ,.., 5. If the heart remains true we need never fear undertaking responsibilities put on us by Providence. Vers. 26, 27.-Sympathy and disparagement. The facts are-1. Saul is tdlowed \>y a band of men brought into sympathy with him by the Spirit of God. 2. He is- despised by a depraved section of the people. 3. He takes no notice of the dis- paragement. I. ·rbe SIMPLE FACTS GIVEN ARE EXCEEDINGLY NATURAL. For in Israel there were men anxious for a king, and pledged to sustain one; and men, as in all communities, corrupt, unreasonable, prone to disapprove of anything not done solely by themselves. Equally natural was it that be who had graciously regulated Israel's self-will shot1ld incline some, by voluntary personal attendance, to assure the monarch of sympathy i,, seeking honourably to discharge the duties of bis onerous office. The principal facts here recorded are of constant recurrence. Chosen ones enter on grave responsi• bilities; they need the support which flows from hearty sympathy; God provides it by his secret action on human hearts ; the entrance on duty renders them objects of criticism, and men of depraved natures assail them with reproach and abuse; having confidence in their appointment, they move on, relying on coming events for thei1· self-vindication. II. The MOST ILLUSTRIOUS INSTANCE ON RECORD OF THE TRUTH HERE EXPRESSED IS- THAT OF OUR SAVIOUR. The parallel is remarkable in the most prominent features. L He was the true, perfect, anointed One, chosen of God to rule over the true Israel, and introduced into publicity by a control of intricacies more lasting and complicated than those of the lot at Mizpah. 2. His rulersliip was to be coextensive with t!te whole of God's people-over a holy nation more complete and united even than was Israel before the dispersion of the ten tribes; and a rulership conducted on principles of righteousness more sweeping in their range and fruitful in consequences than those embodied by Samuel in the book laid up before the Lord (ver. 25). 3. He, as bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, was in need of the sympathy of true, lo1:in1r hearts in bearing the burdens and cares of his exalted position; and such hearts were drawn to him both from the human and the angelic spheres. 4. Bis appearance among men was the occasion of tlie most severe and relentless criticism ever issuing· from suspicious, captious minds. His social connections, his habits of life, his requirements of obedience, his claim to save all mankind, were assailed from the first to the last. 5. He" lield his peace." He did "not strive nor cry," nor "lift up his- voice in the streets." He was "meek and lowly in heart," and bided his time. What though hated and scorned? He knew what was coming. He saw "from the travail of his soul, and was satisfied." III. WHAT IS TRUE OF CHRIST IS in a measure TRUE OF ALL WHOSE LIVES ARE CON- FORMABLE TO THE OBJEOT OF HIS SUFFERINGS. Every disciple is a chosen one, sus- tained by God-created sympathy, laden with responsibilities as well as honours. criticised and despised by "men of Belia!," and confident that, in rlue time, his righteousness will come forth as the light, and his judgment be established as tlrn noonday. General lessons :-1. Let our concern be that we are among the chosen ones called to be kings and priests unto God. 2. Let us accept and yield sympathy from and to all who are doing God's work in the world. 3. Let not disparagement shalrn our confidence, as though some strange thing had befallen us. 4. Cherish faith i» t.>ir.i alow but sure triumph of all that is Christly. 192 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. X. 17-f7,