The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 346

,:111e11/ to commit murder. The whole procedure originated in a determination to insure DaYid's dP,ath. Blood "·as shed in intent. The true universe is the unseen for it is enduring·. In that sphere Saul slew, before the clear, searching eye of God'. the best friend he eyer had next to Samuel. (2) The covering of murderous intent voith 1n·ofe,;;sio11,~ nj l.1'.ndn~~s and esteem. Open hostility is bad enough in an evil cause, but to play 1he hypocrite for compassing a cruel purpose is the blackest of crimes (Ps. x. ,). To be clothed as an angel of light is not confined to Satan. (31 The a.ttempt to mal,e Providence subservient to a secret intent. Saul dare not la;, hands on DaYid, but he dare lay a train of circumstances by which Providence should be charged ,,-it.h doing what all men would deplore except himself. Man would make God tl,e servant of his Yile designs. Cowards wish Providence to do what they have not the courage to avow. 3. Foolishness. It is no uncommon thing for the cunning and skill of the wicked to turn out the veriest foolishness. Such is the force -0f right and justice, that wicked wisdom is always found in the issue to be mad folly. That it was so in this case is seen by observing-(!) God knew allfrom the first. It is a proof of the utter stupidity of the sinful heart that it acts as though God were not. This unreasonableness enters into all sin. The wicked heart retires into its own darkness, and says, " He will never see it" (Ps. x. 11 ). (2) The plot secured to David tke special protection promised t,o the innocent. God pledges his care to the poor and needy when they walk in innocency. He "saveth the upright in heart" (Ps. vii. 10). The "needy shall not alway be forgotten" (Ps. ix. 18; xxxvii. 32, 33). Saul ought to have known that a holy man, one who had been blessed in conflict, would not be left to himself in the day of danger. (3) It issued in Davufs advantage. Saul really fell into a pit prepared for another. The man who was to be put down rose higher, while Saul himself sank in the esteem of all. The scheme brought out in -clear and beautiful form David's personal integrity (vers. 18, 23). Its issue gave him greater influence with Israel (ver. 30). He became a greater terror to his enemies ,(ver. 27), and his marriage with Michal subsequently proved a great help in escaping the snares of Saul (ver. 21; cf. xix. 12). 11. THE GENERAL TRUTHS IT TEACHES. Among the many truths set forth in the plot -of Saul and escape of David, the following may be specially noticed:-1. The moral value of conduct is seen wlten the light of God shines on it. Saul's conduct, as watched by casual observers ignorant of the secret between him and Samuel (eh. xv. 26-28, 30), would have attached to it a moral value quite inconsistent with real truth. It is the light which God enabled the historian to pour on the inner motive that reveals the whole as vile. Our estimate of conduct is necessarily approximate. A measure of doubt or suspense attends ourjudgments of character. There is no principle more clearly held than that the secret intent, the private, unexpressed, and often inexpress- iblr, motive, is the real detenninant of moral character in actions. Yet such are the depths and intricacies of human thought and feeling, that every man is largely an .unknown being to his fellows. This uncertainty creates a belief in a future manifest- ation of character, when every man shall receive from all exactly his due. Other- wise justice is defeated, and moral worth is cheated of its honour. Scripture assures us of the truth that the day will come when the true spring of conduct shall b~ manifested ; the inrn,r real man will be known. The day is coming on when men shall see themselves and others in that all-revealing light (Eccles. xii. 14; Matt. x. 26; :xxv. 31, 32). Hence the good cheer of the upright in heart whose actions are misin- terpreted, whose position is obscure, wl10 suffer from the scorning of the proud, a?d whose outward success in life is not commensurate with the largeness and punty of their desires. Hence, also, the warning for those who cover up a defiled heart beneath an attractive exterior. 2. Integrity is the best human defence against wiclced craft. The manifest integrity of David in all his relations to Saul and the people was better to him than all possible contrivances to cunningly checkmate the move- ments of his enemy. There was a moral power in his blameless, unaffected conduct which caused his secret foe to dwell in fear. Looking back on this period, h~ could 11ay, "I have walked in mine integrity" (Pa. :n:vi. 1); and doubtless, lmowmg the value of such defence in the past,-he could say, in view of future dangers, "Let irite1,;rity and upriglJtness preserve me" (Ps. xxv. 21 ). It is ever so. As simple truth i~ mighlier tban all ramifications of falsehood, so an upright heart, an inno- en. xvm. 1--30.J THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.