The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 250

~uch an historica) episode is o~ ~·reat _value to ns, as indicating in distinct, traceable 111c1dP_nts tlu, reality _of that _Divine wisdom and power whicl! ever presides over all the efforts of Cliristians to nd themselves and tl:e world of srn. It illustrates as on a picture the great formula of faith-" All thing~ work togetlier for good to them that lo Ye God." As "the stars in their courses fougr. against Sisera," and as even holy angels are_" ministering spirits sent forth to mini~ter to those who shall be heirs of salvation," so may it he said, in the case of every one who strives to purify himself from all sin, or seeks by some bold or ordinary endeavour to win the world over tu Christ, "all tl,ing·s are yours," - are being governed by the Lord of all so as tu subserve the one holy end to the attainment of which your hearts are inspired. .• III. IN MANIFESTING HIS FAITHFULNESS TO HIS PEOPLE Goo PERMITS THE IMPER-. FECT TO SHARE IN THE BLESSINGS PROCURED DY THE MORE PERFECT. Primarily, it. was God's compassion for Israel and his covenant with Abraham that must account for this new deliverance. Secondarily, it wa~ a reward to Jonathan's fidelity and self-consecration. Saul had shut himself out of the honour and privilege of obtaining. <leliverance for the nation. Even now his old folly and rashness reappear, in_ religiously beginning to seek counsel, thus honouring God, and then in irreverently; discontinuing to seek that counsel, through his impetuous haste to join in the pursuit, thus preferring the impulse of his heart to the declared will of God. Nevertheless, e1·en Saul derives great advantage from the prowess of the good and devout. Jonathan. God, in his mercy, does not sacrifice the final interests of his people to,; the folly of a leader. Thus, also, Joseph's brethren shared in the prosperity won by. their holy and wise brother. The inferior Christians of to-day participate in some,, of the outward blessings accruing to the faithful as the result of their fidelity. . General le.ssons .~1. It would be a profitable study to note in detail, over the field -0f sacred and Church history, and in the sphere of private Christian enterprise, to . what a large extent the world is indebted for spiritual, material, and educational good to the honour God has put on the labours of the most faithful of his serva,nts.: '2. Vi7e may be perfectly sure in the pursuit of any holy enterprise, to which person- ally we may feel inadequate, that God, with whom is "no restraint," will develop helping circumstances. 3. The helping circumstances dcsiderated will arise, not at. first, but only as we faithfully press along the line of duty. 4. The cumulating record of God'!l faithfulness to his people through .the hmg ages should make us calm, strong, anJ immovable in the most perilous of enterprises undertaken for Christ. Vers. 24-35.-Unwise zeal and moral obtuseness. The facts are-1. Saul by a rash Yow causes great distress among the people and diminishes the fruits of victory. 2. Jonathan, unawares, takes food contrary to his father's prohibition, and on being informed of the truth, deplores the unwisdom of the vow. 3.. As a consequence ?f the enforced exhaustion the people at the close of the day v10late the ceremomal law by a voracious meai' of flesh unduly prepared. 4. Saul, professing to be shocked at their sin, provides means by which the offence may be avoided, _and raises an altar unto the Lord. The turn in affairs brougl1t or. by Jonathan's heroism. was most wel- come to Saul, as it Meemed to be the return of the prosperity which had received a check in his own sin at Gilgal. There bad been no expressions of sincer1: peni~ence, nor, as for as tl1e narrative gives light, any effort to regain former relationships to Samuel. .The impulsive rush from the inquiring priest to join in the pursuit revealed a state of mind which at once accounts for the curse pronounced on any one_ who should dare to take food. The facts included in the section before us funush a conspicuous instance of unwise zeal and moral obtuseness. I. UNWISE ZEAL. The zeal of Saul was conspicuous enough. As in the case of Joshua (Josh. viii. 8-13), there was an intense desire to put in~o a single day all the exertion possible in order to make the victory over God's enem_ies 1nore complete. There was clearly in his mind an idea that he was doing God servwe (ver. 33). ~ut the unwisdom of the zeal is equally conspicuous ; for it :prevented, br the physical weakness induced, the very end designed (vers. 29, 30): 1t caused pam and annoys ance to an obedient people who while submissive, must have lost some respect for, their monarch's judgment: it e~poeed the best man of the day to a great peril, llild CJH. XIV. 1- -35.] THI~ FJHST BOOK OF SA11C'EL.