The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 220

corn·incing emdence of the truth and power of religion. When faith survives doubts te~pta~-ions, _difficulties, its Yery existe?ce _i~ an argun?e~t fo~ the reality of that w~11ch is_ believed, a proof of the pract1cab1hty of a rehg1ous hfe, and a commend- ah?n_ of 1ts unspeakable worth. 2. Sets forth an impressive exa.mple of the spirit of reh1-?on-humility, tr~~tfulness, cal_mness, patien?.~• resignation, cheerfulness (Gen. xlvn1. 21 ; Deut. xxxm. 1; Josh. xiv. 10, 12; :um. 14; 2 Sam. xix. 32). 3. Beare; valuable testimony for God, and continues in prayer and labour on behalf of men. "They shall still bri?g forth fruit in old a~e," &c. (Ps. xcii. 14, 15; lxxi. 14, 17, 18). Although some sernce~ are no longer P?Ss1ble, others, often more valuable, may, and ought to, be rendered till the close of hfe. 4. Affords wise counsel to the youno·er and less experienced. Wisdom is pro,erbially associated with age. Those ;ho have seen and heard much of the world, and hud long experience of life, may be expected to know more than those who are just starting out in their course. Their judgment is less influenced by passion and impulse ; they look at things in a clearer light, and in a calmer frame of mind, and are more likely to perceive the truth con- cerning them. " Whose ripe experience doth attain To somewhat of prophetic strain." Much of the inspired wisdom of the Scriptures is based upon the sanctified experi- ence of the age~. "Moreov~r I will endeavour that ye_ may be able after my decease- to have these thmgs always m remembrance" (2 Pet. 1. 15, 12-14; 1 Pet. v. 1 5). "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in ton/}'ue; but in deed and m truth" (1 John iii. 18). "Little children, love one another.' IV. OLD AGE IS GREATLY COMFORTED BY PIETY. It has its drawbacks and troubles. Bodily infirmities increase, the mental powers lose their vigour, and friends become fewer (Eccles. xii.). lt is also liable to moral failings, such as irri- tability, fretfulness, despondency, and -excessive carefulness, which need to be guarded against. " When I consider in my mind, I find four causes why old age is thought miserable : one, that it calls us away from the transactions of affairs; the second, that it renders the body more feeble; the third, that it deprives us of almost all pleasures; the fourth, that it is not very far from death " (Cicero ' on Old Age'). But notwithstanding such things, it has, 11 with godliness," abundant compensations, con- sisting of-1. Pleasant recollections of the past, especially of the Divine benefits that have been received. "Surely I will remember thy wonders of old" (Ps. hxvii. 11). 2. Wide observatwn of the works and ways of God. "I have been young, and now am old," &c. (Ps. x.xxvii. 25). 3. Inward support and consolation, derived from communion with God. 11 Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Cor. iv. 16). 11 The glory of the old age of the godly con- sists in this, that while the faculties for the sensible no less than mental enjoyments gradually decline, and the hearth of life gets thus deprived of its fuel, the blessings of godliness not only continue to refresh the soul in old age, but are not until then most thoroughly enjoyed. The sun of piety rises the warmer in proportion as the sun of life declines." 4. Bright prospects of the heavenly home-" a house not made with bands," the vision of God, perpetual youth, reunion with parted friends, perfect and endless blessedness. As the world of light draws near, some of its rays seem to shine through the crevices of the earthly tabernacle that is falling into decay (Gen. xlix. 18; Luke ii. 29, 30). "The state in which I am now is so delightful, that the nearer I approach to death, I seem, as it were, to get sight of land ; and at length, after a long voyage, to. be getting into the harbour. 0 glorious day I when I shall depart to that Divine company and assemblage of spirits, and quit this troubled and polluted scene'' (Cicero). 11 If the mere conc~ption of tl!e reunion of go?d men_ in a future state infused a momentary rapture mto the mmd of Tully ; 1f an auy speculation-for there is reason to fear it bad little hold on his convictions-could inspire him with such delight, what may we be expected to feel who are assured of such an event by the true sayings of God 11 (R. Hall). 11 I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better" (Phil. i. 23; 2 Tim. iv. 6-8). Observatwn$ :-1. Let us be thankful for the consolations of religion in II the time of old age." 2. Let the aged cherish the dispositions by which it ia ma-le beautiful OB. XII, 1-25.] THE FII1ST DOOK OF SA}IUEL. 221