Samuel's antagonistic working preserved the principle of the theocracy, and Saul's kingdom departed from him (Dan. iv. 31). V. THE PERVERSITY OF MEN INVOLVES THEM IN SORE DISTRESS. "There was sore wnr,'' &c. (ver. 52). "Very different had been the state of things when Samuel ruled Israel (eh. vii. 13). And the people who looked for protection to an arm of flesh rather than to God, who was their King, were punished by that instrument~ Saul-which they had chosen for themselves in order that they might be saved by it" (Wordsworth's 'Com.'). VI. THE KINGDOM OF GoD MUST PREVAIL OVER ALL OPPOSITION, whether from <>pen adversaries or disloyal adherents. That which seems to hinder it is often made a means of its furtherance. The Divine purpose concerning it cannot be defeated. It endured, wrought, and was developed amidst all the vicissitudes of Israel's history nntil the advent of "the King Messiah," and it is still advancing toward its perfect .and eternal consummation (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25).-D. Vera. 47, 48.-The restless k:ilng. When a locomotive engine slips off the rails, it would do little harm if it could stop at once ; but its momentum carries it forward. It ploughs up the way, it dashes over an embankment, and drags ever so many <Jarriages and passengers to destruction. So is it with the deflection of a man of force and influence from the right course. 1f he would stop at once, or if he should soon die, the mischief might be small. But the momentum of his character and position drives him on ; he goes further and further from the straight lines of righteousness, and in the end not only hurls himself on ruin, but pulls many after him to their hurt. It was so with king Saul. He sinned, and the prophet Samuel intimated to him the Lord's displeasure. Had the king stopped there, no great damage might have been done ; but he could not stop. The vehemence of his nature, and what seemed to be the necessities of his JilOSition, drove him on. Re became lll0re and more arbitrary. So we see him in this chapter of the history issuing the most unreasonable restrictions and commands, lenient when he should have been strict, and severe when he should have been lenient. By his rashness he very nearly turned to mourning the signal triumph over the Philistines which crowned the faith and valour of Prince Jonathan, and from that day he fell even below his own subjects in his perception of right and wrong, forfeited their respect, and became more and more wayward and unreasonable. Yet he had successes-great successes as.a warrior. His martial temper and skill did not leave him, and all the surrounding nations felt his heavy hand. Not content with defending the territory, Saul organised and disciplined the army of Israel, so as to be able to use it ·in aggressive war, and smite the nations which had at various periods oppressed his <Jountry. Whithersoever he turned himself he was victorious. And yet Saul ilid not conduct· those wars or win those victories in a manner worthy of 11 servant of Jehovah. There is no trace of his having command or counsel from God. There is no reference to the fulness of Divine promise regarding the land such 11s one sees in the thoughts of David when be enlarged the territory of Israel till they possessed all that the Lord had assigned to the posterity of Abraham. Saul struck right and left as the mood seized him, and " whithersoever he turned himself" he con- quered. This is worth noting. A mnn may have many successes in life; nay, may have them in the Church, and in vindication of sacred tfllth, yet not have them as a Christian ought, and so not please God. Especially may this be the case in ecclesiastical and theological controversy. One may be quite on the right side, and may strike heavy blows at errorists and heretics all round, just as he " turns him- self," and yet have no communion with the God of truth whom he seems to serYe, obey motives unworthy of a servant of Christ, and indulge a harsh and wilful temper such as God cannot approve. Restlessness indicates an undiacip 1ined, unhallowed energy. Restfulness belongs to those who submit all their plans to God, and lay all their energies at his· feet. No men nre so deaf to expostulation and so hard of l'ecovery as those who try to keep an accusing conscience quiet by ceaseless activity. They turn htther arid smite, thither and smite again. Perhaps they attack what deserves to be ,smitten; but it is a bad sign of themselves th:1t they are never still before the Lord, letting his word search them. Under ever so much noise of debats 264 THE FlRST BOOK OF SA~lUEL. [CH. XV. 1-301
and controversy, what hollowness may lurk, what degeneracy I Alas, it is so ensy to go wrong, and having gone wrong once, easier to do it again. And then it is so hard ~o accept blame before God or man, and to submit to correction. Why not brandrnh our swords, and show ourselves brave Christian soldiers? Will not this compensate for our faults? 0 foolish Saul I O more foolish followers of the restless. haughty king I Lord, keep us back fr5>m all presumptuous sin 1-F.
EXPOSITION. FINAL REJECTION OF SAUL (CH. xv.).