The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 291

Ver. 35. (RAMAH.)-Samuel a man of sorrows. "Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul." There are many kinds of sorrow in the world. One is natural such as is felt by f!len _in tempor_al ~ffiiction. An.other is spiritua?, _such as is felt by a peni- tent for Ins sm. A tlurd 1s sympathetic, benevolent, D1vme, such as is felt by a godly man over the ungodly. "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved." Of t~~ last Samuel had exi:ierience througl)out his life (eh: iii. 16; iv. 11; vii. 2; l'.111- 3, 6), and more especially at the persistent transgression and irrevocable rejec- tion of Saul. Observe of such sorrow, that- I. IT IS OCCASIONED DY A DEPLORADLE SIGHT. Look at it. A soul-1. Failing to fulfil the purpose for which it was made, and "coming short of the glory of God." 2. Falling into degradation, misery, and woe. A ruined temple I A wan- dering star I (Jude 13). A discrowned monarch I A despairing spirit I Oh, what a contrast between what it might have been and what it is here and will be hereafter I 3. Inciting others to pursue the same path. II. IT IS AN EVIDENCE OF EXALTED PIETY, inasmuch as it shows-1. Genuine zeal for the honour of God, whose law is "made void," whose goodness is despised, and whose claims are trampled in the dust. 2. Tender compassion toward men. "Charity to the soul is the soul of charity." 3. Intense sympathy with the noblest of men, with the Son of God, and with the eternal Father himself. 11 I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart," &c. (Rom. ix. 1-3). "0 that thou hadst known," &c. (Luke xix. 42). 11 0 that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments I" (Isa. xlviii. 18). III. IT IS SOMETIMES IMPROPERLY INDULGED (eh. xvi. 1), as-1. When it is mingled with feelings of personal disappointment and mortification, and of dissatis- faction with the ways of God. 2. When it is allowed to become a prolonged and all-absorbing emotion, to the exclusion of those considerations an.i feelings by which it ought to be modified and regulated. 3. When it produces despondency and fear ( eh. xvi. 2), weakens faith, and hinders exertion. IV. ITS IMPROPER INDULGENCE IS DIVINELY CORRECTED. By means of-1. Gentle rebuke, indicating that it is useless, unreasonable, and reprehensible. 2. Clear and deep conviction of the over-ruling purpose of God, and unreserved submission to it. "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, 0 Father," &c. (Matt. xi. 25). 3. Renewed, benevolent, and hopeful activity.-D. Ver. 31.-Tried again and rejected. God proves his servants, and does not show them the fulness of his favour and confidence till they have been tested. Abraham was tried and found faithful ; so was Mose!l; so was David; so was Daniel. Abraham, indeed, was not without fault, nor Moses either. David once sinned grievously. But all of these were proved true at hea1t and trustworthy. Saul is the conspicuous instance in the Old Testament of one who, when called to a high post in Jehovah'e service, and tested therein again and again, offended the Lord again and again, and was therefore rejected and disowned. 1. The question on which the king was tested was the same as before. Would he obey the voice of the Lord, and rule as his lieutenant, or would he be as the kings of the neighbouring nations and tribes, and use the power with which he was invested according to his own will and pleasure? On this critical question the prophet Samuel had exhorted both Saul and the people when the monarchy was instituted. If the king erred, he could not plead that he bed not been forewarned. The accepted principle of modern constitutional govern- ment is that the ruler exists and is bound to act for the public good, and not for his own aggrandisement or pleasure. At root this is the very principle which Samuel inculcated 3000 years ago. The Old Testament required a king to reign in 1he fear of the Lord, and loyally execute his will. The New Testament deecrib_es the ruler as a" minister of God for good." Now the Divine will and the pubhc weal are really the same, and the most advanced political principle of modem intelligence ia no c.,tber than the old doctrine of the Bible. There is no Divine right of kings to rule as they think proper. That doctrine of base political subservience is opposed UH. XV. 1-35.) THE FIRST BOOK (JF SAMUEL. 295