the qualities on which n:ien were _accustomed to _depend. Great physical strengtn, lofty stature, o,erpowermg physique were not his. And so in Christ there was an absence of the out"·ard form which men of low type count powerful. Fie was not apparently competent to subdue the world by the only force which men take count of._ . But, posft~vely, t_here was in th_is co~ing k!ng an adumbi:ation of the higher spmtual quaht1es wluch _sh~ne so brightly m Christ. The a!lus1ons to his personO:I appearance are both. to mdicate that he was not the embodiment of mere physical force, and that he did possess what was of more value, namely, vigour and fresh- ness, capable of buoyant effort in any good endeavour; grace of spirit-gentle, approachable, one of whom the poor and needy need not he afraid; sincerity and ingenuousness of mind, free from double motives and self-seeking; love of what is right and good because right and good, uncorrupted by long and dubious association w\th t!1e world's business; sympathy :Wit~ God that finds joy in quiet fellowship ~·1th him by prayer or holy psalm; aspirations after the future elevation of mankind to a holier life ; subordination of spirit to a higher will, for the working out of the co,enant made "·ith his people. He who sees not as man sees knew that these qualities w~re act~rnl~y or. germinally i~ t~e youngest son of Jesse. How fully thtl snme were m Christ 1s evident from lus life and words and sacrificial work. 2. In object. Saul's reign was a failure in so far as concerned the elevation of the nation to its proper position. The object for which the coming king was anointed was to clelinr Israel from thraldom, fear, and degradation, and enable' them to more worthily subserve the ulterior spiritual ends of their existence as a nation. In large measure David did this. In this he was certainly a type of him who was chosen for the deliverance of a larger community from worse evils; and that, too, with refer- ence to a permanent order of things stretching beyond the day of judgment (John xvii.; 1 Cor. xv.). 3. In call and preparation. Leaving out the fact that Beth- lehem was the place of birth to David and Christ, we may notice two or three corre- spondences. This youth was specially chosen of God irrespective of popnlar voice; he grew up in quietude, awaiting the opening of \!.Vents before entering on his pre- destined work ; and was anointed with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and so gradually became qualified for his important duties. Emphatically, Christ was "the Chosen One," "Elect,"" Precious;" in youth he grew in wisdom and stature, far removed from the worries of public business, and recuived the anointing of the Spirit "without measure." II. A MODEL. Confining attention to the·qualities of this coming king, and the objects that in due course he set before himself, he may be regarded as the model king. It had been well for Israel had all subsequent kings shared these qualities and kept before them the same lofty spiritual ends. And although civilisation in the West differs from that of the East in David's age, yet it would be a great boon to the- nations if all kings and queens would adopt and manifest the same principles, and seek to harmonise all the people's habits and aspirations with Messiah's kingdom. Likewise, as each Christian is to be a II king" unto God (Rev. i. 5), we may see in the qualities and aspirations of this model king what manner of persons we ought ~~ '
III. .A CONTRA.BT. This is obvious. Saul was man's man; David was God's. Saul was man's device for saving the people (eh. viii. 5, 19, 20); David was God's provision for raising them to the Messianic standard. Man's device failed-the instrument partook too largely of the weaknesses of the people to be raised; God's provision succeeded, in so far as related to national freedom, higher spiritual eleva- tion and actual furtherance of Messianic purposes. The contraat is suggestive of a wid~r expedient and a more blessed provision. Mankind was in need of deliverance· from the evils consequent on sin. During long ages the human expedient of "wis dom" was tried, but in vain. But II after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." The CHRIST has become the Deliverer. His gospel is the power of God unto salvation. By him the highest and most blessed issues are wrough! out for mankind. The contrast may be traced, also, in respect to our personal deliver- ance and elevation to the loftiest position attainable by human naturd. Our bare human reason, human morality, human force of will must issue in trouble. We need CH, XVI, 1--23.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA:\,IUEL. 303