The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 195

(eh. ix.. 21), Saul" preferred to be absent when the lots were cast." Hence inr1uiry was made (apparently by Urim and Thummim) concerning him (eh. xxii. 10; xxiii. 2), and the response of the oracle was definite and conclusive. God mercifully adapts his modes of communication with men to their common modes of thought, their capacity and need ; and those who humbly and sincerely seek his guidance are not long left in uncertainty. His communications to men, moreover, carry in them- selves the evidence of their Divine origin to those who truly receive them, and are further verified by the events to which they lead (ver. 23). 3. He present8d him before them, through his recognised servant, as chosen by himself. "See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?" (ver. 2-1). The conduct of Samuel herein was singularly generous and noble. He did not exhibit the slightest trace of jealousy or distrust of the king into whose hands his own power as civil magistrate was just about to be transferred. "No man ever resigned the first power in the state into other hands with so much courtesy, tenderness, dignity, and grace." Having ascertained the will of the Lord concerning his people, he aimeu at nothing else but to carry it into effect. III. CONFIRMED BY THE GENERAL APPROBATION OF THE PEOPLE (vers. 23, 24). Al- though the choice was of God, it was necessary that it should be recognised and accepted by them; and their approbation-I. Accorded with the commendation of Samuel. 2. Was influenced by Saul's outward appearance: "hlgher than any of the people from his shoulders upward "-just such a man as they wished "to go out before them and fight their battles." 3. And was expressed in the acclamation, '' God save the king" (literally, May the king live). The people had now the object of their desire; but the Divine providence which had guided Saul guided them to the result. Nations, as well as individuals, are subject·to the direction and control of him "who stilleth the noise of the sea and the tumult of the people." "Every act of every man, however it may have been against God in intention, falls exactly into the even rhythm of God's world-plan." IV. FOLLOWED BY PERMANENT REGULATIONS FOR THE MONARCHY (ver. 25). "The manner (mislipat) of the kingdom" = "the laws and rules by which the kingly government was to be managed" (Poole), and differs from "the manner (mishpat) of the king" (eh. viii. 11); being designed by the wisdom and forethought of Samuel to guard against the evils incident to royalty. "Thus under the Divine sanction, and amidst the despotism of the East, arose the earliest example of a constitutional monarchy" (Kitto). But there was no stipulation or compact between the people and the king. His rights and duties were prescribed by the will of God, whose servant he was. His power was restrained by the living voice of prophecy, and sometimes justly opposed by the people themselves (eh. xiv. 45). "This much, how- ever, is clear upon the whole, that the king of Israel was not an unlimited monarch, as the defenders of the Divine right of kings and of the passive obedience of sub- jects are wont to represent him" (Michaelis, 'Laws of Moses,' i. 286). The regula- tions for the monarchy were-1. Founded upon the existing law of Moses (Deut. xvii. 14-20), although, doubtless, not entirely confined to it. The king must not be arnbitwus, occupied in military preparations and aggressive wars, vying with heathen despots, relying on " an arm of flesh" rather than on God. He must not be given to sensual indulgence, forming a large harem and luxurious court; nor to the accu- mulation of wealth, taxing and oppressing the people for that purpose. But he must make himself familiar with "the law," and humbly obey it like his brethren (2 Kings xi. 12). His work was not to make new laws, but to administer those which Jehovah had given, and " do all his pleasure." "Then must he constantly bear in mind that above him there abides another King-the Eternal; and that only in as far as he works together with God, and consequently with all spiritual truth, can any earthly monarch be a king after the heart of the King of kings" (Ewald). 0 that Saul had borne these things in mind I 2. Expounded in the hearing of the people. 3. Recorded and carefully preserved for future reference. "That the law of the king should not be a dead letter, that royal self-will should ho kept within bounds, was tu be the ea.re, not of a representative popular ossembly, but of prophecy, which stood as theocratic watchman by the side of royalty" (Oehler).-D. 1 BAM. ,,  194 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. X, 17-27,