l'X('~IIC'11t moral qualities, which certainly were strengthened by this public expression of them. Samuel's participation in the common joy was also proof of the g·ood fecl- <ingR of S~ul. l. It is good _to pause in life's s~ruggles and consider gi-atefully oui· personal indebtedness to Gods power working with us. There are dangers in activity. Absorption in the out.going of our own energy may unconsciously induce the belief that by "our 01\·n arm" haYe we gotten the victory. Occasional reflection of the need and fact of the Power that "worketh all in all," with deeper dependence on God, awaken gratitude, give tone to our own exertions, and sustain hope of final _triumph. 2. It is go?d in families to seize opport11:nities for re~ognising God's help. The parent "·hose busmess has prospered, whose cluldren are bemg happily settled m life, whose home has been kept free from great calamities, or who bas come out of -seYere tri~ls with honour, will do well to remember who giveth power to be rich, -ordereth nght paths, sheltereth from "the destruction that wasteth at noonday," and Taiseth the needy from the dust, and not be ashamed to let bis household know how much he ?Wes to ~o~. Such c?nduct will bear blessed ~it. 3. It is good for nations -to recognise God in signal deliverances. God works with and for every nation that loves and seeks righteousness. National homage is as proper as individual worship. Thanksgiving services are of Scriptural authority. The precedents are nwnerous in the Old Testament. It is no doubt owing solely to the fact that Christianity bad not permeated nations as a whole, when the New Testament was written, that no precedents are found in its records. Yet the Church as such held special services for prayer and thanksgiving (Acts iv. 23-33). Those who contend that-vigorous human action is the true and only form of homage to God overlook the fact that there is in good results more than human action, and that positive acts of worship, in recognition of depend- ence and in expression of gratitude, not only pay honour to whom honour is due, but exercise a beneficial reflex influence on the worshippers. Such acts quicken the public conscience, raise thought to a higher level, nourish the religious feeling, offer excellent occasions and topics for instruction, strengthen the national sentiment, awaken the kindly interest of class for class, call forth the more generous and restrain the harsher impulses of life. General lessons :-I. It should be a question with individuals and nations as to whether they in their aims and spirit fulfil the conditions on which alone the con- current action of God can proceed. 2. Much of the non-success of effort may arise from an insufficient recognition of God as a co-worker with us. 3. Things and private persons rise in honour and influence as they display a generous magnanimity. 4. The joy of great salvation should be undiminished by the intrusion of any bitter human feeling.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.
Vera. 1-15. (GlBEAH, BEZEK, JABESH. )-Saul's .first victory. Although Saul had been privately anointed and publicly chosen king, he did not immediately assume Toya! state. Guided, doubtless, by the counsel of Samuel, and perceiving from the -disaffection of certain men (eh. x. 27) that the nation was not yet quite prepared for the change, he did not dee1;1 it prudent to do ~o .. R~turning_ to bis former mode_ of life at Gibeab (ver. 5 ), be awaited some further rnd1catlon of his call to be "captam over the Lord's inheritance." "Nothing but true, royal action for the welfare of the -state, alike bravely undertaken and ~rmly carried out at the !ight moment, could win for him that real deference, that Joyful, voluntary co-operat10n for state purposes from all his subjects, without which his sovereignty must ever remain most fee1:>le and equivocal" (Ewald). It was not long (" a month," LXX.) be_fore the opport?mty for such action occurred. He proved himself equal to the occasion, and his. pa~1ence was justified and rewarded. His position as a military leader was fully vmd1c~te_d by the result, and bis sovereignty was heartily recognis~d by all the p_eople. . This 11 the chief historical significance of his warlike enterpnse _or campaign agamst the Ammonites for the relief of Jabcsh-Gilead. Observe that 1t was- I. UNDERTAKEN rn A RIGHTEOUS CAUSE (vers. 1-4). If ever war is justifiable (and it seems imposs:ble that it should be altogether avoided), it is when undertaken, CH, XI. 1-15.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 205-