The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 286

, Ver. 29/ (GiLGAL.)-The uncltanyeable One of Israel. " And also the Strength of Israel v.;11 not Ii£ nor reprnt : For he is not a man, that he should repent ' •fhe word rendered Strength in the A. V. (netsach, here used for the first time) has a -varied signification (splendour, victory, truth, confidence, perpetuity, &c.), but is used in this place in the sense of steadfastness, constancy, and unchangeableness. Jehovah, ihe prophet says, is the Immutability, or unc:liangeable One, of Israel. He is not like man, inconstant, unreliable, changeable. He is not such an one as Saul imagined 11im to be; does not vacillate in his thoughts, feelii,gs, or purposes; but acts on immutable principles, and performs the word which he has spoken; and hence the sentence of rejection cannot be reversed. His unchanyeableness is often declared in the ·Scriptures. It is implied in the name of Jehovah. It was dwelt upon by Mos~s (Deut. xxxii. 4, 18, 31), perceivC>d by Balaam (Num. xxiii. 19), and asserted by Hannah in her song of praise (eh. ii. 2). And although it is often disbelieved or misinterpreted, it is a source of strengih and consolation to all by whom it is pro- perly understood and realised. Observe thnt it- I. ACCORDS WITH APPARENT CHANGEABLENESS in-1. Tlte creation of tlte world and tlte varied operations of his hand. It is not stoical indifferf'nce (witho11t affec- tion) nor absolute quiescence (without activity). He is the living God, anrl freely exercises his boundless power in producing infinite changes. 11 Over all things, animate and inanimate, flows the silent and resistless tide of change." But whilst he is II in all, above all, and through all," he is separate and distinct from all ; and the creation of the world and all the mutations of matter and force nre only expres- sions of his eternal and unchangeable thought. The physical universe is the garment in which the Invisible clothes himself and manifests himself to our appre- hension (Ps. cii. 25-27; civ. 2). 2. Tlie revelations of !tis character and the s11c- -cessive dispensations of his grace. These are not contrary to one another. They are ~imply the clearer und more perfect manifestations of him who is always" the same;" adapted to the need and capacity of men. God deals with them as a parent with . his children, affording them instruction as they are able to bear it. 3. The relations ,in whiclt he stands to men, and his diversified dealings with them. They sometimes appear the opposite of each other. At one time he approves of individuals and nations, and promises them manifold blessings, whereas at another he condemns and punishes them. Hence he is said to repent. But the change arises from a change in men themselves. The Glory of Israel always shines with undimmed lustre; but they shut their eyes and turn their backs upon the light, so that to them it becomes darkness. And it is his. unchangeable holiness that necessitates this result; for if he were " altogether such an one as themselves," they might expect (likE' Saul) to enjoy his favour whilst they continued in sin. 11 With the pure thou wilt show thyself 1 pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward'· (?s. xviii 26). II. DENOTES REAL UNCHANGEABLENESS in-1. Tlte perfections of !tis character. Change is an element of imperfection, and no such element can exist in the abso- lutely perfect One. With him "there is no variableness, neither shadow caused by turning" (James i. 17). "In him there is no darkness at all" (1 John i. 5). And it is "impossible for God to lie" (Heh. vi. 18). 2. 1'lte principles of his government: wisdom, truth, equity, g·oodness, &c. In these things he delights, and from them he never departs. They stand like rocks amidst a sea of perpetual change. They are :nore immutable than the laws of nature, being the foundation on which those laws rest, and inseparable from the Divine character. "The word of our Goel" (in which foey are expressed) "shall stand for e,·er" (Isa. xl. 8 ; Ii. 6). "Till heaven and  288 THE FIRST llOOIC OF SAMUEL. [l:H. XV, 1-35.