Yers. 52-58.-Unl.-nown and yet well known. The facts are-1. Stimulated by the exploit of DaYid, the people complete their victory over the Philistines. 2. David lcaYes his weapons in his tent and carries Goliath's head to Jerusalem. 3, During tl1e conflict Saul inquires who David was, but obtains no information, till, on presentation, Da,·id declares himself to be the son of Jesse. The summary of events here given brings ou,t incidentally a fair illustration of general truths. I. :MULTITUDES ARE rnsrrnED TO VIGOROUS ACTION DY THE INFLUENCE OF INDIVIDUAL HEHOISM. The force of David's character passed beyond the death of Goliath: it infused fear into the Philistines and aroused the spirit of his countrymen. In thiis stimulating power we have one of the prime qualities of true leadership. The value of our actions lies much in this moral force. One of the difficulties of conflict in a good cause is to arouse enthusiasm, nourish courage, and incline ·men to exchange their lethargy for action. In the cause of Christ we have need to pray that he would raise up men fitted, by their heroic spirit, to arouse the slumbering energies of his people. II. FonMER FRIENDS REAPPEAR UNDER A NEW GUISE. The stripling who be- .friended Saul in his military difficulties was the same as comforted him in his private sorrows. The deft fingers that once drew sweet music from the harp now used the stone that brought Saul's enemy to the earth. Thie was the second of the many acts of kindness rendered by the future to the present king, though Saul recognised not his quondam comforter under the new guise of chivalry. It is a happy circumstance when a man can enrich others by the exercise of diverse and unlooked-for gifts, even when not recognised. By such merciful providences does God sometimes mitigate the misfortunes even of the undeserving. • III. TIIERE IS SOMETIMES IGNORANCE IN HIGH PLACES OF PERSONS AND QUALITIES WORTH KNOWING. For some time David bad, next to Samuel, been the most beau- tiful character in Israel. This is a just inference from his choice and anointing by Samuel, the sweet charm of hie music and song, his noble endurance of Eliab's base imputation (vers. 28, 29), the simple story of the lion and bear, the tone of his address to Goliath, and the entire spirit displayed through the day. If moral and high spiritual qualities are of gnatest permanent value to a nation, then David was, next to Samuel, Israel's greatest benefactor. And yet Saul and his officers knew him not. Concerned with the arm of flesh and the framework of national life, great authorities are often unaware of the presence of persons most important on account of their elevation of character. This will ever be true until the time comes when moral and l!piritual considerations have their proper place in the counc_ils of kings a_nd prince_s. But thongh II unknown" in earthly courts, the holy and Clmstly have their record m the court of heaven, and are held in everlasting remembrance by him who delighteth. in his saints and guards them as the apple of his eye. General lessons :-1. We should pray God that the spirit of bis chosen servants may become more prevalent in the Church. 2. If our goodness is real, it will fi_nd out new forms of manifestation, and not refrain because men see not the personality that blesses. 3. It may be useful to foster courag·e and hope for future conflicts in life by a frequent reminder of past victories, for the giant's head in Je~usalem was not without moral intent. 4. It will be an encouragement to constancy m goodness to remember that while II unknown" we are "well known" (2 Cor, v. 9).
lIOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 19-31. (THE VALLEY OF ELAH.)-Selj-conqueat. "What h~ve I n_ow done? Is there not a cause ? " ( ver. 29. Was it not a word? or, Was 1t anythmg more than a word ?). In the conflict of life the first victory which every one Bhould seek to achieve is the victory over himself. Unless he_gain this, ~e is not likely to gain others, or, if he gain them, to improve them aright ; but 1f, on the other Land, be gain it, lie is thereby prepared to gain others, and to follow them CU. XVII. 20-58.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 333