The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 224

Ver. 24. (GILGAL.)-The good anrl right way. "Only fear the Lord," &c. Samuel .assured the people that (as a priest) he would continue to pray for them, and (as a prophet) to show them the way of happiness and righteousness (Acts vii. 4). Of this way the text may be taken as a further explanation, and gives- I. ITS DESCRIPTION. 1. Filurl reverence. Fear not (be not terri£ed-vers. 17, 18, 20); but fear (with a lowly, affectionate, trustful reverence), implying a know- ledge of bis character and saving purposes, in so far as he has revealed them to men ; in our case, of him who is " the Way, the Truth, and the Life." 2. Practical obedience. ,. And serve him." Recognise yourselves as servants, his servants, and act accord- ingly. "Fear God, and keep his commandments'' (the practical expression of the principle) : "for this is the whole of man" (Eccles. xii. 13). The two may not be dis- joined (Josh. xxiv. 14; Ps. ii. 11 ). 11 The life of service is work; the work of a Christian is obedience to the law of God" (Hall). 3. Thorough sincerity and whole- heartedness. "In truth, with all your heart." Do not suppose that it is sufficient to render an outward and formal service; or a partial service, in which the love of idols may be united with the love of God. 11 Serve him only'' (eh. vii. 3). "God will put up with many things in the human heart; but there is one thing he will not put up with in it-a second place. He who offers God a second place offers him no place; and he who makes religion his first object makes it his whole object" (Ruskin). IL ITS NECESSITY. "Only." You mu.st walk in it, whatever else you do; for it is only by doing so that you can-1. Avoid walking in the evil anrl wrong way. The "vision of life" which the great Teacher saw and described contained only two ways, the broad and the narrow, and there is no other. 2. Escape the destructive con- sequences of that way. You have already entered on a perilous course, only ( in order that you may escape the end to which it naturally conducts), "fear the Lord,'' &c. "If ye still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both you and your king" (ver. 25). "The way of transgressors is hard." "It leadeth to destruction." 3. Receive, and -continue to receive, the blessings that have been promised. " The Lord will not forsake his people," only (in order that you may enjoy bis favour), "fear," &c. "I will pray for you, and teach you,'' only (in order that you may be really benefited thereby), "fear," &c. (Jer. vi. 16; lea. i. 19). 111. ITs INCENTIVE. " For consider how great things he bath done for you." The motive here is not fear of punishment, nor hope of reward, nor even the sense of right, but gratitude and love. 1. What benefits; so great, so _numerous1 so lo!1g continued-temporal and spiritual (vers. 6-11). 2. Toward you, m companson with others (ver. 22). 3. He hath wrought. He, and no other; freely and gr~ciously. "Free love is that which has never been deserved, which has never been desired, and which never can be requited." "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love" (1 John iv. 17). But in order that his _love may be p_er- ceived and its influence felt, in awakening love, we must consider, fix attent10n upon it, especially as manifested in "bis unspeakable gift" (1 John iv. 10). Our responsibility in regard to "salvation" depends directlr on the power we possess _of directing attention to Divine truth, and considering it with ~ re~l and earnest desire to know it and live according to it• and by this means, as ice 1s melted by the sun- beams, so the heart is 1ioftened, ren~wed, and sanctified by the Spirit of truth. "0 that they would consider I "-D. !Ill. XII. 1-25.] 'flIE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 225