The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 233

.trace of kindness. But consicler-1. Life in each case was liable to many temptations. H wtts inseparable from Adam's existence as a man on earth, from Israel's march to and occupation of Canaan, from our Saviour's position among men and the evil spirit~ who would act upon his soul, and from the apostolic career in face of Jewish and Gentile antagonism, that temptation again and age.in, in forms peculiar to each, would arise. So, also, with every man's life. 2. In each case the conditwns for resistinu representative temptation of what was coming were most favourable at the entrance on tlte career. Man m Eden was pure, free from bad impulse, independent of entangle- ments and want, familiar with the emphatic and recent command. Israel at the Red Sea had just seen marvellous and repeated tokens of the sufficiency of God to shelter them and ward off danger, and the command to go forward to the sea was explicit. Our Saviour when tempted of the devil was fresh from the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as yet not wom down by ingratitude and scorn, filled with the call to enter on his work in founding a spiritual kingdom. So, likewise, when a monarch, or pastor, or Church, or any individual first enters on an office or work, there is a freedom from the entanglements which spring from mixed relationships, an eclat which inspires hope, a sense of responsibility which makes the spirit sober and watchful, and a fame to win which appeals to the noblest sentiments of duty and honour. 3. Resistance in eacli case would impart a moral force which would be of great advantage in all subsequent conflicts. Had Adam said a final "nay " to the tempter, his moral con- quest over all other temptationB would have been comparatively insured. Imperfect as Israel were in the desert, their moral power was greatly strengthened both by the act of faith at the Red Sea and the consequent victory over Pharaoh. As One who had conquered in the desert, our Lord would doubtless confront the later temptations to exchange poverty and want and spiritual rulership for the pomp and outward splen- dour of an earthly kingdom with a more equable spirit. And the endurance of the apostles during those dark and harrowing hours prior to the resurrection would only render their faith a mightier power wherewith to face the persecution of men and the seeming tardiness of the world's subjugation to Christ. So, likew·ise, those who are brought by Providence to bear temptation under favourable conditions when entering on a career actually receive a great mercy. They are enabled thereby, if they will, to {Jltin power for life and to qualify for higher service. This will find illustration also with the young. Their early trials, under good conditions, make them more ,competent to cope with all that is sure to follow. III. SIN CO~MITTED UNDER CONDITIONS FAVOURABLE TO THE RESISTA:-.CE OF TEMPT· ATION BECOMES THEREBY AGGRAVATED IN CHARACTER. Saul's sin was great. It was marked by deliberation and yet by extreme folly. He" forced himself." The com- mand was so clear, the risks of disobedience so palpable, that only a perverse ingenuity could persuade him to disobey. The effort to silence the conscience always aggravates a crime. Prompt, unquestioning obedience is due to clear commands. Man is not responsible for anything but duty. The folly was conspicuoU{l. To break a clear command in order to offer an act of worship is the perfection of foolishness. Only l1 "lying spirit" could induce a man to honour God by dishonouring him. The blind reasoning of the heart when once clear duty is trifled with is extraordinary. It would be a wonderful revelation of perverted intellect if we could read the processes of thought by which men are led to force themselves to deliberate acts of sin. IV. THE PUNISHMENT FOLLOWING ON SIN INCLUDES THE LOSS OF THAT FOR WRICH TITE SIN WAS COMMl1'TJso. 'l'wo consequences ensued on Samuel's exposure of Saul's sin-the forfeiture of his family's permanent possession of the throne of Israel, aml the withholding of immediate interposition on behalf of the nation. Now it is obvious that Saul had yielded to the temptation in hope thereby of inspiring his fol- lowers to action, and of insuring the stability of his throne £or himself and family in the subjugation of his foes. There was an eminent propriety in Saul's sin being visited by a loss of the kingdom to his family. He was the people's king-chosen because they desired a monarch. Therefore it was in harmony with the usual cour~e of Providence that, though he sinned, he should be allowed to rule, a11:d th_ns ~y Ins infirmities be the rod £or their chastisement. Althor.gh representing m Ins virtues and failings the people who demanded a king, he was afforded by the recent tri,~l a ,rood opportunity of conforming to the highe:· spiritual order, and of thus hecommg  234 THE FIRST DOOK OF S.U[UEL. [cH, XIII. l-2!J.