·i,rnny things in Saul calculatecl to call it forth. 1. His good qualities, exaltr,l position, nncl intimate relationship to the prophet. 2. llis grievous sin (vern. 11, J~. 23), exceecling his previous transgressions. 3. IJi,s great danger-falling from 1i1~ !high dignity, failing to acco'\1plieh the purpose of his appointment, losing the favour and help of Jehovah, and si11ki'lg into '!onfirmed rebellion ancl complete ruin. "It .reponteth me that I have made Saul king; for he is turr.ecl back from following me" (vers. 11, 35). When a change takes place in the conduct of man toward Gud, as from obedience to disobedience, it necessitates a cltange of God's dealings towan.1 t,im (otherwise he would not be unchangeably holy), and this "C:hange of hi~ ·dispensation" or economy (Theorloret) is called his repentance. It is not, however, the same in all respects as repentance in men. No change in him can arise, as in them, from unforeseen events or more perfect knowledge, seeing that "his under- standing is infinite;" yet, on the other hand, as in their repentance there is sorrow, so abo in his-sorrow over those who tum from him, oppose his gracious purposes, and bring misery upon themselves (f½en. vi. 6; Judges x. 16) : and of this Divine sorrow the tears and agonies of Christ are the most affecting revelation. II. IN WHAT SPIRIT IT WAS MADE. 1. Holy anger against sin, and against the sinner in so far as he has yielded himself to its power, arising from sympathy with God and zeal for his honour (Ps. cxix. 126, 136, 158). 2. Deep sorrow over the sinner, in his essential per8onality, his loss and ruin; not unmingled with disappoint- ment at the failure of the hopes entertained concerning him. Sorrow over sinners is a proof of love to them. 3. Intense desire for the sinner's repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. 11 And he cried unto the Lord all night" with a loud and piercing cry, and in prolonged entreaty. The old home at Ramah, which had been ~anctified by parental prayers and his own incessant supplications, never witnessed greater fervour. 'Wonderful was the spirit of intercession which he possessed. Well might the Psalmist, in calling upon men to worship the Lord, single him out as pre-eminent among· them that II call upon his name" (Ps. xci:x. 6). But still more wonderful was the spirit which was displayed by the great Intercessor, who often spent the night in prayer, and whose whole life was a continued act of intercession, closing with the cry, "Father, forgive them, for they know n Jt what they rlo " Would that more of the same spirit were possessed by all his disciples! " We are told How much the prayers of righteoUB men avail ; And yet 'tis strange how very few believe These blessed words, or act as were they true." Ill. To WHAT EXTENT IT AVAILED. 1. Not to thefull extent he desired. Saul <lid not repent, neither was he exempted from the sentence of rejection.. The relation of the sovereignty of God to the will of men is inexplicable. How fur the Almighty may, by special and extraordinary grace, subdue its opposition we cannot tell. But he has conditioned the general exercise of his power by the gift of freedom ~nd a·esponsibility. He does not destroy or recall the gift; and the power of human resistance to the Divine will is a fearful endowment. There are stages of human guilt which would be followed by the wrath of God II though Moses llnd Samuel stood before him" ( Jer. xv. 1 ). 11 There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1 John v. 16). 11 The sin, namely, of a wilful, obstinate, Heaven-daring opposition to the ways of God 1Lnd the demands of righteousness, and which, under a dispensation of grace, can usually belong only to such as have grieved the Spirit of God till he has finnlly left them-a sin, therefore, which lies beyond the province of forgiveness" (Fairbairn, 'Typology,' ii. 341). 2. Yet, doubtless, tll obtain man'!{ benefits for the transgressor, in affoi:ding him space for rel?entance and motives to 1t. Who shall say how many blessmgs came upon Saul m answer to Samuel's intercession for him? 3. And to calm the soul of him who prays, to maim known tl1e will of God to him more clearly, to bring him into more perfect acqui- escence with it, and to strengthen him for the duty that lies before him. "And "ne arose early to meet Saul in the morning" (ver. 12). 1. How great is the privilege and l)o~our of intercessory prayer. 2. ~inco Wd know not,, ho are beyonrl the reach of D1vrnc grace, we slionhl ne,·er ce,tsc to mterced~ 282 THE FIRST 13OOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xv. 1--:'5.
for any. 3. If intercession does not arnil to obtain all that it seeks it does not foif to obtain invaluable blessinge.-D. '