h_e smtnble to_ others. but not to us. \Ve must learn by experience. "\Ve must be ll1mvle, genurne, and true to ourselves. And above all, we must look for Divine guidance in the matter. "The weapo_ns of our wn1fare :ue not carnal," &c. (2 Cor. x. 4). 3. He selected the weapons which we,·e most q/'ective. "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones," &c. (ver. 40)-selected them -ca_refully, kno"·ing well which were the best for his purpose; and he was not satisfied ,nth ~me or t~,·o merely, ~ut p~ovided a reserve. His weapons were insignificant only in the new of the mcons1derate. They were the most suitable that can be conce)ved, and ga:e greatest promise of success; and his genius was shown in their selection. Intelligence was opposed to brutefo1·ce. "It was just because the sling and the stone were not the weapons of Goliath that they were best fitt~d to David's purpose. They could be used at a distance from the enemy ; they made his superior resources _of no avail; they virtually reduced him to the dimensions an.d condition of an ordmary man ; they did more, they rendered his extraordinary size a disad- Tantage; th~ larger he was, the better for the mark. David, moreover, had been ac~ustomed m his shepherd life to the sling ; it had been the amusement of his solitary hours, and had served for his own protection and that of his flock ; so that be b~ought to his encowiter with Goliath an accuracy of aim and a strength and steadmess of arm that rinidered him a most formidable opponent" (A. J. Morris). The lesson here taught is not that anything will do to fight with, but that there must be in spiritual, as well as in secular, conflicts a proper adaptation of means to ends. II. THE SPIRIT which he displayed (vers. 41-48). 1. Humility. His heart was not haughty and proud (Ps. cxxxi. 1), as Eliab said it was, but humble and lowly. He was conscious of unworthiness before God, of utter wenkness and insufficiency in himse1£, and ready to do and bear whatever might be the will of the Lord concerning him. Humility (from humus, the ground) lies in the dust, and is the root out of which true excellence grows. It is the first, the second, and the third thing in religion (.Augustine). "Before honour is humility" (Prov. xv. 82). "He giveth grace to the humble.'' "Be clothed with humility." 2. Faith. "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts" (ver. 45; see eh. i. 3). He looked beyond man to God, and relied upon his help. '' He did not compare himself with Goliath, but hie compared Goliath with Jehovah," who wos the Leader and "God of the ranks of Israel." !le believed, and therefere he spoke, and fought, and prevailed (2 Cor. iv. 13). ".Although unarmed in the estimation of men, he was armed with the Godhead" (St. Ambrose). 3. Zeal. IIe was little concerned about his own honour and renown, but he was "very jeolous for the Lord God of hosts" (1 Kings xix. 14). He heard the gods of the heathen extolled (ver. 43), and the name of Jehovah blasphemed, and he was desirous above all things that he should he glorified. "All the earth shall know,'' &c. (ver. 46). "All this assembly slrnll know," &c. (ver. 47). When we fight for God we may confidently expect that ho will fight for us. "The battle is the Lord's.'' 4. Courage, which stood in contrast to the fear with which Israel was smitten, and was the fruit of his humility, faith, and zeal. It was shown in his calm and dauntless attitude in going forth against his opponent, in the presence of the two armies, in breathless suspense; in his bold 11nd confident answer to the contemptuous challenge of the foe; and in bis eagerness and energy in the actual conflict. "David hasted, and ran," &c. (vers. 48, 49, 51). "So David prevailed." III. THE VICTORY which he achieved. Not only was the boastful Philistine overthrown, speedily, signally, and completely, but also-1. The enemy fled in terror (ver. 51), and their power was broken (ver. 52). 2. Israel was imbued with a nf\w and better spirit ( vers. 52, 53 ). 3. He himself was honoured-by God in giving him the victory and opening before him a wider sphere of activity, by the king (vers. 55--58; eh. xviii. 2), and by all the people. Even the Philistines long afterwards held his name in dread (eh. xxi. 11). "This first heroic deed of David was of the greatest importance to him and all Israel, for it was his first step on the way to the throne to which Jehovah had resolved to raise him'' (Keil). "Raised by the nation, \,e raised and glorified it in return; and, standing at the crowning point of the history ,f the nation, he concentrates in himself all its brilliance, and becomes tl1e one man ".lf greatest renown in the whole course of its existence" (Ewald).-D. OJI. XYIJ. 20--58.] TIIE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 337
Ver. 41.-Tlie battle is the Lord's. M,iny of the h1\ttles whieh uc w,iged on earth are not the Lord's. They nre 11nnecessary and 11nrighteous. The end tF1ey seek and the means they adopt to attain it are evil. Other conflicts are only the Lord's in an inferior ~ense. Although not unnecessary, nor in themselns unrighteous, they are waged with secular aims and carnal weapons. But there is one which is the Lorrl's in the highest 8en8e. It is a holy war; a conflict of the kingdom of light with the kingdom of darkness. Observe that-1. The obligation is imposed by the Lord. "Fight the good fight of faith." 2. The adversaries are the adversaries of the Lord. "Principalities nnd powers," &c. 3. I'he soldiers are the people of the Lord. Those in whose hearts the principles of the kingdom of God are implanted-" righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," 4. The Commander is the Anointed of the Lord. "The Captain of our salvation." "The Leader and Commander of the people." 6. The weapons are pro1,-ided by the ~ord. "Put on the whole _armour of God"-" ~he armour of light." 6. The success is due to the Lord. He gives the strength which is needed, "teacheth our hands to war, and our fingers to fight," and "he will give you into onr hands." 7. The end is tlie glory of the Lord. When it is over God will be "all in all." "Who is on the Lord's side? "-D.