Vers. 32-37. (THE VALLEY OF ELAH.)-Faith's argument from expmence. "He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine" (ver. 37). Many things tend to hinder the exercise and work of faith. Some of them arise from the heart itself.. Others arise from the speech and conduct of other people. Such was the scornful reproach cast upon David by his eldest brother, and such the cold distrust with which he was at first regarded by Saul. But as he had doubtless overcome his own tendency to unbelief by recalling what God had done, so now by the same means he overcame the unbelief of the king, and excited his confidence and hope. "Let no man's heart fail," &c. (ver. 32). "Thou art not able," &c. (ver. 33). But" there was that in the language of this youth which recalled the strength of Israel, which seemed like the dawn of another morning, like the voice from another world" (Edersheim). "And Saul said unto David, Go, and Jehovah be with thee" (ver. 37); thus displaying one of the best features of character he possessed after his rejection. We have here- I. .AN EKPEBIENCE of great deliverances. 1. Consisting of accomplished factlf. "Thy servant kept his father's sheep," &c. (vers. 34, 35). They were not imaginary, but real events. 2. Occurring in personal history, and therefore the more certain and deeply impressed on the mind. How full is every individual life of instructive providential occurrences, if we will but observe them. 3. Wrought by a Divine hand. "The Lord that delivered me," &c. (ver. 37). Where unbelief perceives nothing but chance and good fortune a devout spirit sees "him who is invisible ; '' and the extraordinary success which the former attributes to man the latter ascribes to God. 4. Treasured up in a grateful memory. "Therefore will I remember thee," &c. (Ps. xiii. 6; lxxvii. 10, 11). "Experience is the collection of many particulars registered in the memory." II. AN ARGUMMT for strong confidence. The argument-1. Rests upon the unchangeableness of God, and the uniform method of his dealings. "The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent" (eh. xvi. 29). Hence every instance of his help is an instruction and a promise, inasmuch as it shows the manner in which he affords his aid and gives assurance o:f it under like conditions. "Because thou hast been my hei'p, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice " (Ps. !xiii. 7 ; x:xvii. 9). 11 This was a favourite argument with David. He was fond of inferring future interpositions from past. And the argument is good, if used cauti?usly an~ w_ith just discrimination. It is always good if justly applied. The d1ffi:culty_ 1s m such application. The unchangeable God will always do the same thmga m the same circumstances. If we can be certain that cases are alike we may expect a repetition of his conduct" (A. J. Morris). 2. Recognises similarity between the circumstances in which Divine help has been received and those in which it is expected· viz., (1) CH. XVJI. 20-58.] THE FinST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 335,
in tho path of duty; (2) in conflict with an imposing, powerful, and cruel adversary; (3) in a state of perilous need; (4) in the exercise of simple truAt; (5) in the use of appropriate means; (6) and in seeking the honour of God. When there is so close a resemblance the argument is readily applied, and its conclusion irresistible. 3. Regards the help formerly received as a pledge of perscmal favour, and an encouragement to expect not only continued, but still greater, benefits from him whose power and love are measureless. "I was delivered out of. the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work," &c. (2 Tim. iv. 17, 18 ; 2 Cor. i. 10). "Man's plea to man is that he never more Will beg, and that .'1e never begged before: Man's plea to God is that he did obtain A former suit, and therefore sues again. How good a Goel we serve, that, when we sue, Makes his old gifts the examples of his new" (Quarles).