Consider tl1e way of duty, trodden by the good man, as- I. PRESCUIDED BY Goo, whose will is the rule of human life, and is-1. Indicate,! in many ways-the word of truth, providential circumstances, reason, and conscience, and "that awful interior light which the dying Saviour promised, and which the ascending Saviour bestowed-the Spirit of God." 2. Sometimes obscured by frns- trated effort, grievous disappointment, immoderate grief, desponding and doubtfol thoug·ht~ (Matt. xi. 2, 3; Acts xviii. 9; xxiii. 11). 3. Never long bidden from tl,o;e who are sincerely desirous of doing it, and seek for the knowledge of it with a view to that end (vers. 2, 3; 1 Kings xix. 15). II. BESET BY DANGER. 11 How can I go? If Saul hear of it, he will kill me." The question was not simply an inquiry for direction, but also an expression of fear; and it may possibly have arisen from indications of Saul's wilfulness such as afterwards appeared (cb. xix. 22). 1. Danger is sometimes formidable, even to the bravest of men. 2. It is exaggerated by despondency, doubt, and fear. "Thy soul is by vile fear assailed, which oft So overcasts a man, that he recoils From noblest resolution, like a beast At some false semblance in the twilight gloom" (Dante). 3. No danger in the way of duty is equal to that which will be certainly found in departing from it. "In the way of righteousness there is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death." III. PURSUED WITH FIDELITY. "And Samuel did that which the Lord spake '' (ver. 4). His hesitation was only for a moment, and with further light his faith revived and was displayed in fearless devotion. Fidelity to duty-1. Demands the renunciation of self and many cherished plans and purposes. 2. Appears in trustful, practical, and unreserved obedience. Samuel went in dependence upon the promise, "I will show thee what thou sbalt do," &c. 3. Sometimes necessitates a prudent reserve. There was no deception in withholding a reason for the action directed, beyond that which lay on the surface of the action itself. To reveal it would be to defeat the end designed. And fidelity is sometimes best shown by silence. IV. TERMINATING IN SAFETY AND HOPE. 1. Threatened danger is averted. 2. Promised guidance is obtained. 3. A brighter day dawns, and " God's purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour." Samuel returns to Ramah in peace, and with renewed zeal devotes bis remaining daye to the work of training a body of younger prophets (cb. xix. 20), whose influence, together with a change of dynasty, will save the nation and promote the establish- ment of the kingdom of God. 11 Let us ask ourselves whether the Jewish nation would have played any part as a' main propelling agency of modern cultivation,' if its monarchy had been allowed to take the form which Saul would have given it, if he bad made religion a creature of the kingly power, and war nn instrument of rapine, and not of justice, and we shall see that Samuel's view of the matter was the u 2 292 THE FIHST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. XV. 1-86,
true one, and in accordance with the proper vocation of a prophet" (Strachey, 'Jewish Hist. and Politics ').-D.