, ·III., OccASIONIN'G Gnrnvous SIN in tlrem (vers. 32-35), They avoided one offence- only to commit another with a rashness equal to that of Saul himself (Gen. ix. 4; Deut; xii. 16; Levit. iii. 17; vii. 27). He censured and checked them. W 0•1ld th,it he had also censured and checked himself I But men who severely condemn the faults of o~hers are often blind to their own, even when the former reflect and are occasioned by the latter (Ps. xix. 12, 13). The altar, erected doubtless with a view to the presentation upon 1t of thank offerings for the victory, was still more needed for the sirr offerings (expiatory) which ought to have been offered on behalf both of ruler and people (Lev-it. iv. 13, 22). IV . .IMPERILLING INNOCENT LIFE. Not having heard the oath, Jonathan, in uncon- sciously violating it (ver, 27), was morally blameless. Yet his act could not be passed .by with due regard to the great name in which the people had been adjured. It interrupted Divine communications (vcr. 37), and resulted in his being cboserr by the ,Jot (ver. 42). Again Saul should have been Jed to consider his own error as its cause, and a trespass or guilt offering might have sufficed (Levit. v. 4). To inflict the II curse" would be· wholly ·unjust, as is implied in Jonathan's simple, mild, and submissive remonstrance (ver. 43): But Saul's last oath was more reckless than his first; it was ignorant and wilful, showed more concern about the literal fulfilment of his word than humble and faithful obedience to a higher will, and brought him to the brink of a great crime. • "Take· then no vow at random: ta'en in faith Preserve it; ·yet not bent, as Jcphthah once, Blindly to execute a rash resolve, Whom better it had suited to exclaim, 'I have done ill,' than to redeem his pledge By doing worse" (Dante, 'Par.' v. ). V. BRINGING DEEP HUMILIATION. (ver. 45). The ominous silence of the people (ver. 39) is followed by their unanimous and resolute voice, in which reason and justice, conscience and God, speak with irresistible might. They set their will in opposition to his, and he is compelled to submit. His purpose is frustrated. 11 The son is raised above the falher, and the people above the king." But although his sin is now forced home upon him, of voluntary submission there is no sign. Rashness and self-will are sure to meet.with a check, and happy is he who lays to heart the lesson which it ~eaches. . VI. DEFEATING ITS OWN AIMS (ver. 46). 11 My father bath brought disaster on the.land,".&c. (vers. 29, 30; Josh. vii. 25). The completeness of the overthrow of the enemy is marred. The opportunity of inflicting a fatal blow upon them is lost. 11 .And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul" (ver. 52). That which begins in rashness ends in disappointment and grief.-D.
EXPOSITION. JoNATllAN's DANGEn AND DELIVERANCE lect of this had led to no good results (see . (vers. 36-46). Ver. 36.-Let us go down ver. 19). after the Philistines by night. Saul, con- Vers. 37, 38. - He answered him not. scious that he bad prevented the victory From this silence Saul concludes that som~ from being so- decisive as it would otberwiso sin has been committed, and therefore ce.lls have been, proposes to repair his fault, now together all the chief of the people-liter- that the people havo taken food, by con- ally, "the comer stones" (Judges XL 2)- tinuing the pursuit during the night. The to inquire who was the guilty person, and people render the same uuquestioning obe- wherein he had sinned. dience as before, but Ahiah gives counsel Ver. 39. -He shall surely die. With des- that they should first ask the approval of potic v10lence 1 without waiting to learn what Goel. Let 118 draw near hither. J. e. to tho the offence was, and judging simply by con- altar which Saul had just set up. Ahiah sequences, because ho was delayed in follow- may have clone this because he disapproved ing up the pursuit, he takes a solemn oath of Saul's project, or because genern.lly God that the offending person shall be put to ought to be consulted before undertaking dertth. Thus twice in the s:une day he was :1nything of importance. Alrc11Cly the neg- guilty of the sin of rash swearing. The 256 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. XIV. 36-o2.