The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 201

Vera. 1-3.-The relative power of evil and good. The facts e.re-1. The Ammon- ites, in pursuit of the enterprise previously arranged for (see eh. xii. 12; cf. viii. 5), threaten Jabesh-Gilead. 2. The inhabitants in terror seek to make a covenant with their enemy. 3. This being insolently refused, e. respite of seven days is granted, durin" which external aid is to be sought. The narrative is evidently designed to trace th~ circumstances under which the discontent and base insinuations of "men of Belia!" (eh. x. 27) were practically shown to be baseless. This was a war of revenge undertaken by the strong against the weak, and the facts as a whole set forth three· important truths of general interest. I. EVIL IS STRONG RELATIVELY TO THE FAITHFULNESS OR UNFAITHFULNESS OF Gon's PEO~LE. Ammon was_ Israel's ~ncest~al foe (Deut. xxiii. 4; Judges xi. 4). The pros- perity o~ one seemed mcompatible with that of the other. When, under the inspiring leadership of Jophthah, the Ammonites were utterly smitten, their strength was brought down to its proper proportions. Had Israel continued faithful in the improvement of privileges enjoyed as the chosen race, their moral and political strength would have· proportionately advanced in harmony with the promises given through Moses (Deut. xxviii. 1-14). The relative position of the representatives of good and evil had en- tirely changed when Nahash in pride of strength threatened Jabesh-Gilead. Even the pnrtial reformation effected through Samuel ha<l not yet placed Israel beyond the fear of well-organised foes. God's people are strong when holy, true, and diligent in use of the advantages of their position. ' The truth thus taught is exemplified in Clwrch history, in modern society, in private and domestic life. 1. Church histori; testinrs that the energy of evil and its range liave been proportionate to the faithfulne.<s of tlie Church to its lofty mission as conserver of God's truth and witness for Christ among men. The Ammonitr.s have multiplied, become insolent, and have awakened fear only when the Christiu, Isrnel have lost their first love and failed to keep their solemn vows. 2. Modem society feels that the growth of evil is another f onn Qf weakmed spi?-itual grace. There may· be, in the unseen sphere of spiritual 200 THE FIHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. x1. 1-16, ---------------------------------- " principalities and powers," seasons when energetic spontaneous exertions are made to overcome the influence of the g·ospel. But to speak of the portentous g-rowth of spiritual ignorance, disregard of religion, infidelity, and open vice, e~pecinlly in large centres of population, is but another way of saying that the professed followers of Christ have not been as earnest and united in effort as he would have them to bo. It is in the nature of light to get rid of darkness, of salt to remove corruption. The graYe problem of the age may require many elements-social, sanitary, educational, political-for its solution, but men feel that the chief requirement is hig·her spiritual po"·er in Christians. 3. lnfrivate and domesti-c life the power of evil depends on personal fidelity to what Go has given and imposed. The remnants of sin in our nature lose force in so far as we faithfully seek cleansing by the indwelling of the Spirit, and keep a strong hand on the first uprising of unholiness. The force of external temptation diminishes in so far as our cultured holiness of disposition furnishes it with no affinity within. And as domestic life is but the first social form of the life cultured in private, its spiritual evils become formidable or feeble in so far as the soul is true to its God. II. DANGERS IMPENDING FROM THE GROWTH OF EVIL MAY INDUCE RECOURSE TO 'fHE TRliE SOURCE OF DELIVERANCE. The dangers threatening Jabesh-Gilead sprang from the action of a spiritual law. Israel never had been in real peril during any seasons of obedience to God. In the present instance the danger, which was brought on by a train of sad defections in years gone by, was very real, and became so pressing that, in utter desperation, the people turn their thoughts towards the king. The miseries consequent on past sins aroused a cry for the lawful deliverer. This was one of the results of the partial reformation. Much is gained when men aTe impelled to have recourse to the agencies and sources of power which God has specifically ordained for their help. There are illustrations of this in life. 1. The soul is often driven, in desperation, to Christ for help. Men do awake to the fact that destruction awaits them. The jailor's cry to the Apostle Paul has been repeated by thousands. Sin and judgment are terrible realities. But often men, when oppressed with fear of coming doom, endeavour to find relief by various expedients. At last, half in despair and half in hope, they turn to him who is the Anointed One to secure redemption to Israel. 2. In the spiritual confli-ct a sense of need impels to a use of Divine aids. Some men, trusting too freely to merely human wisdom, find that disaster comes in the Christian conflict. Principles become gradually weaker, and there is a risk of a loss of place in the commonwealth of Israel; but after a bitter experience they remember and recognise tbe means of defence and freedom. \\' eary, sad, conscious of inability to cope with the foe, they seek closer fellowship ·with Christ, and a more earnest use of the sword of the Spirit. 3. The modern Church i,s driven by the sheer magnitude of social dangers to have recourse more fully to the radical cure of all ills-the gospel. Thoughtful Christians see that no mere social reforms and sanitary arrangements, or scientific discoveries, will avail to arrest the real dangers of human nature. The evil is great, the risks desperate ; the full gospel, presented with all the energy and self-denial and love which the Christian spirit can call forth, is the only means of spiritual deliverance. The material and social will follow. Whatever others may do, the Church must betake herself with apostolic zeal to the ancient lines of action. JJI. EVENTS IN THE NATURAL ORDER OF PROVIDENCE AFFORD OPPORTUNITY FOR THI!: VJNVICATION OF Goo's SERVANTS. It is instructive to notice how long lines of intri- crrte events, and working out collateral purposes, converge in securing for the anointed king an opportunity of answering by deeds the aspersions and insinuations uf disaffected men. The growth of Ammon's power for evil consequent on Israel's religi'JUS defection, and the gradual reformation that had for some years been pro- gre8sing in Israel,-these with all their subsidiary events,-created occasion for an appeal to Saul. He "held his peace" when "men of Belia!" reviled, but Providenc.e was working in his behalf. There are " wheels within wheels." The same order u ever going on. The Saviour's earthly life and subsequent resurrection is a case in pui11t. Righteous men, whose motives have been misinterpreted and characters maligned, have committed themselves in silence to God, and he has broug·ht forth their "righteousness as the light," and their "judgment as the noonday." And, -OH. Xl. 1--15.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 201