recalled from him ; the intercourse of the God of Israel came to an end because Saul, ~inking step by step away from God, had by continued disobedience and increasing: im12e!1itence _given up communio~ with God" (Erdmann). 11 Had he spared tl11s spmtual child, when to spare 1nm W?uld have been contrary to .the fundamental law of the theocracy, the worst possible precedent would have been afforded for future ages by this first king" (Ewald). II. RESPECTFUL Samuel acceded to the request of Saul to honour him before the people ; and although it is not stated how far he participated with him in worship yet he evidently avoided an open and violent rupture with him and gave him honour' as ci,il ruler, to the last. Respect is due "not only to the o·o~d and gentle but ale~ to the froward," on account of-1. The authority and pow~r that may be 'intrueted to the~ in _the providence of Go~ (Rom. xiii. 1).. 2. The natural dig·nity of man- great m rum, capable of restoration, and susceptible to the influence of kindneee or con~mpt. Jesus did not resent th~ kiss with which Ju~as betrayed him, but eaid, " Friend, wherefore comest thtm lnther ? " 3. The requirements of social order and peace. Saul ,..-as even yet the best king the people were fit to receive and the con- duct of Samuel indicated the duty of submission, which, in the spirit ~f their king they were not always disposed to render (ver. 24; eh. xiv. 45). ' III. SORROWFUL. 11 Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul." With heavy heart and weary feet the old prophet took his way up from Gilgal to Ramah, and mourned for Saul, who, on the opposite hill of Gibeah, pursued his wilful way, bringing upon liimself and Israel inevitable ~nd ?•erwhelming woe; alive, yet dead; so near, yet eo completely lost. 1. What obJect 1s more mournful than a soul "going astray" from God? 2. What sorrow is too great at such a sight? 3. How vast is that Divine ~orrow of which the human is the product and reflection I "And the Lord repented," &c. The prophetic spirit is one of wide and deep sympathy at once with God and man, and it was perfectly possessed by "the Man of sorrows." "Samuel mourned for Saul, but we do not hear that Saul mourned for himself." IV. FIXAL. He "came no more to see Saul "-gave him counsel no more as nforetime, which indeed was not desired; and he only saw him once again, when he forced himself into his presence (eh. xix. 24). When good men are compelled by the conduct of the wicked to separate from them, the parting-!. Depiives the latter of incalculable benefits, however lightly they may be estimated at the time. 2. Tends to increase the moral distance between them, and render the restoration of their intercourse more and more impossible. 3. Is certain to be hereafter bitterly bnt Yainly regretted (eh. xxviii. 15, 18). Oh, the sad and perpetual separations that are caused by sin I The paths of Samuel and Saul (like those of Moses and Pharaoh, Paul and Demas) may be compared to the courses of two ships that meet on the ocean, and sail near each other for a season, not without danger of collision, and then part asunder, the one to reach a "desired haven," the other to make shipwreck and become a castaway.-D.
Ver. 25; xvi. 1-4. (RAMAH.)-Recalled to the path of duty. "Go, I will eend thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite." 1. The greatest and best of men experience seasons of sorrow, depression, and doubt, and sometimes fail in the fulfilment of duty. It was thus with Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, and with others in later ages. It was the same with Samuel, though to a Jess extent than almost any other. His grief for Saul was excessive. He surrendered himself to it without seeking the consolation and help by which it might be mitigated, and suffered it to interfere with the work which he might yet accomplish on behalf of Israel; and hence he wae reproved by God. " The excellent prof.bet here displays something of human weakness. Samuel her& looked on the vesee , made by the invisible hand of God himself, ~tterly broke!l and minished, and his emotion thereat shows his pious and holy affecti_on ; yet h~ 111 JJ ,t without sin" (Calvin). 2. The failure of good men often appears m those thmge m which they are pre-eminently excel;ent. ·. Samuel exhibite~ e~traordin!l-ry sympathy with the purposes of God concerning his people, unquestiomng obed1e~ce_to every indication of his will, and strong faith, and hope,. and dauntless cour_age.!n its fulfil- ment. Yet here we find him a prey to "the grief that saps the mmd,· apparently hopeless and desponding, and smitten with fear like Elijah when "he arose and went OH, XV, 1-35.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 291
for his life" on hearing the threat of Jezebel. 11 Such things would seem designed by God to stain the pride of all flesh, and to check all dependence upon the most eminent or confirmed habits of godliness" (A. Fuller). The strongest are as depend- ent on God as the feeblest. 3. A higher voice than that of their own troubled and fearful hearts epeaks to men of sincerity, and in communing with it they are led into a olearer perception of duty and to gird themselves afresh for its performance. The 11 spirit of faith " regains its ascendancy over them. And in going forth to active service they find new strength and hope at every step. The night gives place to the morning dawn, and "They feel, although no tongue can prove, That every cloud that spreads above And veileth love, itself is love'' (Tennyson, 'The Two Voices').