The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 310

5. It opens n wider field for the exercise of natural or acrp1ired abilities, and the- attainment of desired objects. 6. It determines in most instances. the subsequent course of life, It is like the commencement of a river; or like the rolling of a stone- down the mountain-side, the course of which is determined by the direction and impulso which it first receives. II. THE PROPER SPIRIT in wnich it should be taken. 1. Due consideration ; not thoughtlessly or rashly. 2. Lowly and Joyal obedience to rightful claims. 3. Cheerful anticipation of new ecenes, duties, and enjoyments. 4. Not unmingled, with misgiving and self-distrust at the prospect of new difficultiss nnd trials, and watchfulness against new and strong temptations. 5. Simple trust in God and fervent prayer for his guidance. 6. Firm' determination to be true to oneself faithful to God, and useful to men. "Now needs thy best of man ; For not on downy plumes, nor under shade Of canopy reposing, fame is won ; Without which whosoe'er consumes his days Lea veth such vestige of himself on earth As smoke in air, or foam upon the wave" (Dante, 'Inferno,' xxiv.)- Consider-1. That life itself is a setting out in a course which will never ter- minate. 2. That the manner in which this step is taken will decide your future· destiny.-D. Ver. 23. (GIBEAH.)-The soothing injfoence of music. All men, with rare excep- tions, are susceptible to the influence of music; some men peculiarly so. It was thus with Saul (eh. 'x. 10; xix. 23); and on this account, perhaps, his servants sug- gested the sending for a skilful musician to soothe his melancho1y. The visit of David bad the desired effect, and he "went and returned" (was going and returning) "to feed bis father's sheep at Bethlehem 11 (eh. xvii. 15, 55-58; xvi. 21, 22-a general, and to some extent prospective, summary of his early relations with Saul). Consider the soothing influence of music as- I. PROVIDED llY DIVINE PROVIDENCE. It is one of the manifold indications of the goodness of God in the adaptation of man to his surroundings so as to derive enjoy- ment from them. The world is full of music. In trouble and agitation especially it soothes and cheers. 11 It brings a tone out of the higher worlds into the spirit of the hearer" (Koster). Its direct influence is exerted upon the nervous system, which is intimately connected with all mental activity. As the condition of the brain and nerves is affected by it, so also it affects the state of the mind. " There is i~ souls a sympathy with sounds; Some chord in unison with what we henr Is touched within us, and the heart replies" (Cowper). "Pythagoras quieted the perturbations of the mind with n harp" (Seneca, 'On Anger'). Elisha, when chafed and disturbed in spirit, called for n minstrel, und wus prepared by the soothing strnins of his harp for prophetic inspiration (2 Kings iii. 5). Divine providence ordered the visit of David to Saul, over whom mercy still lingered. He was not only freed from the immediate pressure of fear and despondency, but also restored to a mental condition which wns favourable to repentance and return to God. Music is a means of grace, and when rightly used conveys much spiritual benefit to men. It is "one of the fairest nnd most glorious gifts of God, to which Satan is a bitter enemy; for it removes from the heart the weight of sorrow and the fascination of evil thoughts" (Luther). "It is n language by itself, just as perfect in its way as speech, as words; just as Divine, just as blessed. All melody and all harmony, all music upon earth, is beautiful in as far as it is a pattern and type of the everlasting music which is in heaven" (C. King·sley). II. PRODUCTIVE OF EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS. "Saul was refreshed, and wns well, and the evil spirit departed from him." "'fbe music was more than a mere palliative. It brought back for the time the sense of a true order, a secret, inward harmony, an assurance that it is near every man, and that he m:w enter into it" (Maurice). 512 THE FIHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [<:II. Xl'I, 1-23.