The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 343

II. THE SOUNDNESS AND THE DEFECTS OF POPULAR INSTINCTS. The mass of tl,r, ,people were quick in recognising the fact that David was the hero of the day, anrl only expressed the real truth in ascribing to him his "ten thousands," and to Sa11l 'bif.l' thousands." Their instincts led them to honour above the king the man who was proved to be better than the king. But while correct in their appreciation of fact, they had no adequate, if any, perception of the moral bearings of it. Samuel, probably Jesse, and a few other devout men, would trace in Da,vid's exaltation of t\ir, "name of the Lord" (eh. xvii. 45-47) a spiritual power and a spiritual man destined to work wonders for Israel. It is a good philosophy that trusts the popular .mind in reference to the recognition of the l:troadjads of life. It is this faith which lies at the foundation of constitutional governments and the judicial administration of our own country. The common sense of mankind is a safe guide in ordinary matters of fact. But by reason of the low condition of man's spiritual life, and bis inveterate proneness to look at the II things that are seen," the mass of men do not recognise quickly the moral and spiritual bearings of facts. There is a moral and spiritual II intention," to use a logical term, in human facts; they carry with them qualities that determine the future ; they exhibit to the spiritually enlightened powers that will germinate, and that, too, not always in the form desired by the populace (Matt. xvi. 3). Ill. THE J,JAIHLITY OF MEN, WHEN WARRING AGAINST PROVIDENCE, TO FALL INTO NEW SINS. We have seen· ( eh. xv. 24-31) that Saul cberishe<l impenitent feelings when told of his sin. As a consequence, be tried not to believe that the threatened disaster would come. One of the consequences of this mental condition was, that as ·soon as be beard the honest, popular approval of David's prowess, be, dreading lest after all the decree might be fulfilled, eyed David as a rival, and fell into the griev- ous sin of ceaseless and cruel envy. The grievous character of this sin is seen if we notice its manifestation, and the main features are true of all envy. 1. It blinded him to actual facts. It was true that David had slain" his ten thousands," as com- pared with Saul's II thousands;" but to the envious eye this was as though it were not. Its reality must-not be tolerated. The Pharisees in like ruanner were '1-ilfully blind to the fact that Christ had opened the eyes of the blind. 2. It led to the imputation of base motives, He at once charged David with readiness for treason- ous designs on the kingdom. The pure man was deemed impure. This is the com- mon practice of narrow and base men, as appeared in the instance of Joseph (Gen. xxxvii. 8, 11), and of Christ (John vii. 20). 3. It made himself perfectly wretdied. His life lost all joy and hope, and suspicion and fear entered in. And whoever falls into this sin finds that it slayeth him (Job v. 2), and is as rottenness to the bones .(Prov. xiv. 30). 4. It impelled to deeds of blood. The thrust of the javelin was virtual murder. The same process wrought in the heart of Cain, of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. xxvii. 18; Mark xv. 10), and is active in many who are guilty of no overt act (1 John iii. 15). The dark_ thoughts, the unspoken intents of envious minds; who shall declare them? How true it is that he who hardenetb his heart, not bow- ing in true penitence, submissive to all God's judgments, falleth into mischief (Prov. xxviii. 14) again and again, till at last he is destroyed suddenly and without remedy (ProY. xxix. 1 ; cf. 1 Sam. xxxi. 3, 4). General lessons :-1. All human judgments on the course of Providence are to be discounted in so far as sin is cherished in the life. 2. The kev to the future of the individual and national life is to Le sought in moral conditions- 3. It is import• ant that the popular mind should be trained to estimate things in their moral rela.- tions. 4. Christians should strive to be entirely free from the spirit of envy, both in relation to worldly prosperity and to position in the Church of God (Ps. mvii. 1 ; 1 Cor. xiii. 4; 1 Pet. ii. 1). 5. In so for as we indulge in any envy we lay ourselves open to temptations to further sins. Vera. 12-16.-The disturbing power of goodness. The facts are-1. Saul, seeing the signs of God's presence with David, fears him, and removes him to a distance. 2. Increasing wisdom of David adds to Saul's fear, and secures the favour of the people. 3. The tleparture of God from Saul explains his self-abandonment to the influence of this fear, We have here a statement of the diverse relation of God to 346 THE FIRST IlOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. xnn. 1-30~