The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 202

Also, all events are converging to the vindication of Christ's claim to be King of 1dnge and Lord of Jorde. General consideratwns :-1. What may be the special causes of the relative pro- gress of irreligion in different localities? 2. To what extent the prevalence of irre- ligion and of influences adverse to the gospel are traceable to the unfaithfulness of the Church in generations gone by, and how best to counteract the effect of sue!, historic unfaithfulness on the public mind. 3. In how many ways do professing Christians sometimes endeavour to compromise with their natural enemy? 4. What opportunites does Providence naturally open for the vindication of our personal claim to be true servants of Christ? Vera. 4-11.-The perfecting gift. The facts are-1. The message brought to Gibeab throws the inhabitants into grief and consternation. 2. Saul, on bearing the tidings, is aroused by the Spirit of God to summon the nation to follow him anrl Samuel. 3. The people responding to the call, help is assured to the men of Jabesh. 4. The result is the utter defeat of the Ammonites. The effect of the appeal of th0 men of Jabesh on the people of Gibeah, on Saul, and subsequently on the conflict with the foe, brings out three truths of wider range than the particular instance recorded. I. AN IMPERFECT APPRECIATION OF THE RESOURCES PLACED WITHIN THEIR REACH ACCOUNTS FOR SOME OF THE TROU'BLES OF MEN. "The people lifted up their voices and wept." Their hearts sank within them; the boding ruin of Jabesh was the pre- -cursor of their own. This conduct was the effect of a non-appreciation of the posi- tion they then held under the care of God. Had they duly considered the significance ,of the return of the ark, the value of the reformation already inaugurated, and the lessons of history (Judges vii. 7), they must have seen that an appeal to their God- approved king, in humble dependence on God, would have in some way saved their brethren of Jabesh. Men in all ages have lost much good and brought on much misery by not adequately considering the resources put within their power. 1. The earth, air, and sea have been for ages full of God's hid treasures for the use of man; there lie powers to heal, to accomplish work, to promote the material and domestic good of all. Neglect or forgetfulness of their presence for generations deprived men of physical blessings now enjoyed by rich and poor. Doubtless other resources are close at hand, if only we duly appreciated them, and sought them in the right way. 2. In the human constitution there are valuable powers which, in numberless instances, are not duly considered and developed. Faculties lie dormant which might contribute to the wealth, culture, and comfort of the possessor and society. The material and intellectual loss to the world of undeveloped powers is enormous. The occasional results of education only reveal the extent of our deprivation of pos- sible good. 3. In the Christian there are gifts of the Spirit not sufficiently stirred up. In the ordinary gifts of the Spirit there is generally a reserve of power in excess of the exertion put forth. In maintaining the conflict with sin and in doing deeds of love more might be accomplished by a proper estimate and use of what already dwells in the renewed soul. 4. In the reserved power of God, dependent f<J.. its exercise on the prayer offaith, there is a vast store of blessing not often touched. 'l'he Divine energy has not all been expended. Largely, in connection with the pro• gress of Christ's kingdom, it is dependent for its outflow on the effectual fervent prayers of his servants. We are to prove him, whether he will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing. 5. In the p,·ovisionfor the renewal andforgive- •iess of the most guilty there is a resource not always appreciated. Many men con- tinue to carry their guilt and yield to the impulses of a depraved nature because they forget or do not duly consider WHO stands by them mighty to eave. Did they but truly 11 "/.-now the gift of God, and who it is" that speaks to them of salvation, they would not go hither and thither, sad, and weary, and tearful, but would a~k of him, and he would give them "living water." II. THERE IS A PERFECTING GIFT FROM Goo REQUISITE TO DEVELOP A)'ID TURN TO DEST ACCOUNT MUCH ELSE DESTOWED DY Goo. Saul was already n powerful man, chosen by the nation, and recognised by God ae king. He was endowed with pre- rogative and latent capabi'.ities. The tidings which caused wailing among the men 202 THE FIRST DOOK OF SA}IUEL. [en. XI. 1-15.