The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 307

Ver. 7. (BETHLEHEM.)-God's regard to the heart. "The heart is the centre of (1) the bodily life; (2) the spiritual-psycliical life-will and desire, thought and conception, the feelings ~nd the affections; and (3) the moral life, so that all moral cor>ditions-from the nighest mystical love of God to the self-deifying pride and the darkening and hardening-are concentrated in the heart as the innermost life- circle of humanity" (Delitzsch, 'Bib. Psychology,' p. 295). The declaration that "Jehovah looketh on the heart" is profitable for- I. THE CORRECTION OF ERRORS into which we too commonly fall in relation. to others. 1. The adoption of an imperfect standard of human worth:-" the outward appearance," personal strength and beauty; wealth and_ social posit!on; cleverness, education, and refinement of manners; external morality, ceremonial observances, and religioUB zeal. These things are not to be despised, but they may exist whilst the chief thing is wanting-a right state of heart. 11 One thing thou lackest." 2. The assumption that we are competent judges of the character and worth of others. But we cannot look into their hearts; and what we see is an imperfect index to them, and liable to mislead us. 3. The formation of false judgments concerning them. How common this is our Lord's words indicate (Matt. vii. 1). II. THE INCULCATION OF TRUTHS which are often forgotten in relation to ourselves. I. That we are liable to be deceived concerning the real state of our hearts, and to think of ourselves II more highly than we ought to think" (Rom. xii. 3). 2. That tl1e heart of each of us lies open to t!ie inspection of God: certainly, directly, com- pletely, and constantly. He beholds its_ deepest motive, its supreme affection 0;nd ruling purpose. However we may deceive ourselves or others, we cannot d~ce1vtt him ( 1 Cbron. xxviii. 9; Ps. xl:iv. 21 ; Prov. xv. 11 ; Jer. xvi_i. 9, ~O; Luke xvi. 1~; Re\'. ii. 23). 3. That only a riglit state of heart can meet with his approval. It 1e tl,e effect of his grace, and he cannot but take pleasure in his own work; but "the !Jea1t of the wicked is little worth" (Prov. x. 20). 111. THE ENFORCEMENT OF DUTIES which ought to be diligently fulfilled in relation both to ourselves and others. 1. To seek supremely that our own hearts be set right 11nd kept right-by self-examination, self-restraint, and fervent prayer to him II who 11earcheth the reinA and the hearts" (Ps. li. 10; cxxxix. 23, 24; Jer. xxxi. 33). •CU. XVI, 1-23.] THE FIHST BOOK OF SA~IU EL. 309