11 truth in the ihwnrd parts." This quality ia essential to the most perfect social confidence; for it renders fraud, dece1t, selfishness, dissimulation, distrust impossible, and the reverse virtues real, whenever it is dominant in human nature. Attention to this,,in education is supremely important. Jill.' 'SAFETY IN Gon. Jonathan's life was safe in God's care in spite of zeal for a fictitiou's regard for truth on the part of his father. The voice of the people demanding hie release wns the voice of God, and the honour put on Jonathan during the previous day was evidence to all but the obstinate king of a favour miich to be desiTed. He who had gone forth in the service of the Lord with true, honest heart, and had been. shielded in the dangerous enterprise, was not forsaken by his God· when no,v the rashness of man encompassed his life with peril. Thus, the custom of Eastern rulers keeping their word when once uttered (Judges xi. 30-39; Mil.tt. :ii;iv; 9) 1 •personal consistency, and. royal authority must give place where- God makes· manifest his approvaL Does not t'.te position of Jonathan lead our thoughts on to our own in a greater day of trial ? We are not t.:> be tried by the va:riableimpulse of man or established custom, but by impartialjustic-i. What God declares shall be done when our day's battle is over will be done in truth. If he acquits us then, who is he that condemneth ? His favour will save from a worse calamity than any that threatened Jonathan; and the practical question is how to come into such relation to God that the universal demand of justice shall be for our not perishing. The Rnswer ·is-" There is no oondemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. viii. 1); "Who shall Jay anything to the charge of God's elec,? It is God that justifieth" {Rom. viii., 33). General· lessons .~1. •We are ,consistent with our privileges when not only our calamities and ·great affairs, but our ordinary actions, are made subject to Divine guidance (Phil. iv, 6). , 2. -It is. especially detiirable to seek counsel of God when we are conscious-of restlessness and ill-regulated impulse. 3. Faithfulness requires that, a promise or engagement- l>eing made, we keep our word even at much personal cost; but wh'en- such loss would occur, generosity, requires of the gainer that it be not wholly insisted on· (Ps. xv, 4; Luke vi. 31 ; Ephes. iv. 32). 4. Truthfnlness in character is the opposite of sinfulness, for sin is a ptactical lie (Gen. iii. 1-5; 1 John ii.-4 ). , • 5; Our final 11afety rests not on the past nntarnished purity of life (Rom. iii. 10; l ·John i. 8), but on our• being identified with Messiah 's life and purpose ( John xiv. 19; Rom. viii. 35-39).
Vera. 41-52.-Gradatwn in 'lervice. The facts are-1. Saul's warlike efforts is'sue in .the general discomfiture of his enemies. 2. The domestic relations of Saul are incorporated in the record of fo.cts pertaining to gradual unfolding of the Divine purpose·.- 3. During all his· conflicts with the Philistines Saul shows prudence in strengthening· his military position. The section gives a summary of the military operations of .Saul's reign and of the success of, his efforts, and also places on the page of sacred history the names •Of the members of his family. Judged by rules applicable to ordinary historical records, the brief reference to bis wars may appear to have -little or no moral significance, and the· aHusion to bis father, his wife, and children t.> be merely a matter of Jewish antiquarian interest. Ilut the Bible was composed under the guidance of a higher than human wisdom ; and both in what it includes and omits there is a relation to the higher spiritual issues in which the events of Jewish history culminated. There had been g-iven to Saul the oppor- tunity of rendering service to Israel, both by setting them free from the oppression of enemies and by inspiring the nation with II spirit ponformable to the great Messianic purpose for which they existed. He failed to enter into the high spiritual aspirations suitable to a ruler of the chosen race, and therefore history simply records the fact that his life was spent in the rendering of the lower kiqd of service. Repression of the foe was service, but of an inferior type. He missed a chance of doing a more glorious and enduring work. I. THERE IS A GRADUATED SERVICE POSSIBLE TO MEN. The possibilities of Saul's life when entering on his public career are manifest. They were not realisell, though he, using certain natural abilities, succeeded in rendering valuable service as i. warrior. Of every human being it mlly be said, as he enters on life, there is a s2 260 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ce. xiv. 36-62.