The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 325

HOMILETICS. Vers. 20-30.-A religious man's view of things. 'fhe- .facts are-1. David carri-ves at the camp just as preparations are being made for battle. 2. While with his brethren be hears the defiance of Goliath, and observes the ·dismay of Israel. 3. Being informed of the inducement offered by Saul for any one to slay Goliath be ·makes particular inquiries as to the facts, and suggests the vanity of the defia~ce. 4. His inquiries arouse the jealousy of Eliab, who imputes to him unhallowed moti-ves. 5. Nevertheless, David persists in his attention to the matter. The pusil- lanimity of the entire army seems to have been accepted by Saul ns quite reasonable in presence of such a foe. David's converse with the men .revealed a remarkable unanimity of sentiment among them. Estimated by the ordinary maxims of war during times when brute force in individual conflict de_cid~d the day, there was, indeed, small chance for a dwarf against a giant. The embarrassment was great, natural. and irremovable. But from the moment of David's arrival this condition of things appeared to him unreasonable. Coming fresh from the fold, unfamiliar with ·the ordinary rules of armed warfare, and interpreting facts by principles acquired elsewhere tban in the camp and among pusillanimous mer,, ,he marvelled lit the ,dismay of Israel, and dared to be singular in his opinion that the giant was not to be dreaded. 1>-,mts from a religious point of view assume .a different aspect. Notice- I. .A.N EMINENTLY RELIGIOUS MAN'S IMPRESSIONS OF FORMIDABLE DIFFICULTIES. David was at this time, in comparison with others, eminently religious. The facts of life impress llil according to sentiments and views already entertained. When, :therefore, this devout, God-fearing youth looked on the conflict, he saw it with eyes full of relig-ious light. He felt that the entire army was wrong in feeling and opinion. The principle holds good in other applications. The eminently religious get an impression of the world peculiar to their refined spiritual condition. The most conspicuous instance of this is in the case of the holy Saviour. Coming from the pure, loving sphere of heaven, more sweet and restful than David's rural pastures, 110w different would tbe earth, with its conflicts, cares, and woes, appear to him as compared with their impression on men I Holy men see the world with new eyes wben they descend from some mount of transfiguration. No wonder if some highly- purified and trustful souls, looking on the fear and inactivity of professed followers of Christ, are disgusted and asbamed at the lack of hope and confidence. If we have the "mind of Clirist," fresh, pure, deep in conviction of God's all-wise and mighty will, toned with pity, and elevated by undying hope, we shall often get impressions of our surroundings which may make us singular, but which, nevertheless, will be just. II. .AN EMINENTLY RELIGIOUS MAN WILL NOT HESITATE TO INDICATE AND JUSTIFY HIS IMPRESSIONS. The clear, truthful eyes of the shepherd youth saw the world through a Divine medium, and, with all the sincerity of goodness and force of deep conviction he was not afraid to let it be known that he differed from others. '' Who is this Philistine?" He defy the "armies of the living God I" The fire burned ; he could not but speak. To him it was a most abhorrent thought that any <.ne could dare to assert his strength against God. It is obvious that David reduced tLe whole situation to a question of first principles. He remembered wlw the Philistine was in the sight of God, and what the meaning of Israel's existence in the CH. XVI!. 20-58.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA:MUEL. 327