The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 333

4. Is confirmed in practice as often as it is faithfully tested, and increases in force, depth, and breadth with every fresh experience of Divine help. "Oh, were we but acquainted with this kind of reasoning with God, how undaunted we should be in all troubles I We should be as secure in time to come as for the time past; for all is one with God. We do exceedingly wrong our own souls and weaken our faith by not minding God's favours. How strong in faith might old men be that have had many experiences of God's love if they would take this course I Every former mercy should strengthen our faith for a new, as conquerors whom every former victo~y encourageth to a new conquest" (Sib bes,' Works,' i. 320).-D. Vera. 38-54. (EPHES-DAMMIM.) - .David's conflict with Goliath. "So David prevailed" (ver. 50). 1. David was specially prepared for the conflict by the whole of his previous life, and especially by his successful attack upon the lion and the bear, and his victory over himself. 2. He was providentially led into the conflict. "Jesse little thought of sending his son to the army just in the critical juncture; but the wise God orders the time and all the circumstances of actions and affairs so as to serve his designs of securing the interest of Israel and advance the man after his own heart" (M. Henry). 3. He was inwardly impelled to the conflict by the Spirit of the Lord that bad come upon him (eh. xvi. 13), and had formerly inspired Saul with fiery zeal against the Ammonites ( eh. xi. 6). If he had gone into it in any other manner he would doubtless have failed. 4. He rendered invaluable service to Israel by the conflict, not only thereby repelling the invasion of the Philistines, but also teaching them the spirit they should cherish, and the kind of king they needed. "It is not too much to assert that this event was a turning-point in the history of tbe- tbeocracy, and marked David as the true king of Israel, ready to take up the Philistine challenge of God and his people, and kindling in Israel a new spirit, and in the might of the living God bringing the contest to victory" (Edersheim). 5. He became an appropriate type of Christ by the conflict. "It is a rehearsal of Christ's temptation and victory a thousand years afterwards" (Wordsworth's 'Com.'). 6. He was also an eminent pattern for Christians in the conflict; exhibiting the spirit which they should possess in their warfare with "the world, the flesh, and the devil." "David's contest with Goliath will only be apprehended in its true light if the latter be regarded as a representative of the world, and David the representative of the Church" (Hengstenberg). Notice- I. THE WEAPONS which he chose (vers. 38-40). 1. He neglected not the use of weapons altogether, To have done so would have been rash and presumptuous; for it is God's method to grant success to those who employ the legitimate aids which he has provided for the purpose. Although David did not trust in weapons of war, he did not throw them away, but used them wisely. We must do the same in the spiritual conflict. 2. He rejected the armour, defensive and offensive, which seemed to others indispensable. "I cannot go in these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him" (ver. 39). Some weapons may appear to others, and even to omsclves, at first, to be the best, and yet not be rertlly such. Some weapons mny  336 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XVII. 20-58,