L1t<'r, "·as not destitute of worldly show, and was marked by the obsequiousness ,;elf-S<'C'ki!cg-, C'nrnla!ion, a~d. intrigue which too_ often prevail in such places, especially "-hen ;he monar?h 1s ?rtP:1c10us, proud, a_nd without ~he £ea!· of God (eh. :xxii. 6, 7). lland s connect10n with 1t was of great nnportance m relttt10n to the position which he was destined by Divine providence to occupy; continued his education for it, 'fln<l afforded (as every promotion to high place does in its measure) a wider scop~ for- I. THE EXERCISE OF AllILITY. 1. Outward circumstances, though they may not creiite eminent ability, serve to call it fortk. Much excellence doubtless exists, but is ne,·er displayed on account of the absence of favoumble conditions. 2. Great genius is shown in one who has the faculty of adapting himself to varied positions in life and their varied requirements. 3. The proper use of power strengthens it .and develops it to perfection. 4. The humble, faithful, and efficient discharge of <luty in one position prepares tke way for another and a higher. It was thus with David, who passed from the narrow circle of private life to the wider one of public life, from the sheepfold to the palace, from contending against a lion and a bear to military expeditions (vers. 5, 13, 30) against the enemies of Israel, and ultimately from loyal obedience to royal rule. II. ACQUAINTANCE WITH MEN, and the knowledge of human nature. David was familiar with "fields, and flocks, and silent stn.rs," but needed training in another school. 1. There are few things more valuable than an accurate and extensive knowleril:,'e of men: their divers temperaments, tendencies, and capacities; their peculiar excellences and defects; their varied wishes and aims; and underneath all tl,e great principles of humanity that are the same in all. 2. Some circumstances afford special opportunity for the attainment of such knowledge. What a field of observation were the court and camp of Saul to one of such mental activity and profound insight as David I 3. The knowledge of men produces in the heart that is -sincere, devout, and acquainted with itself a large sympathy with them in their sorrows, joys, impeifections, and strivings after higher things. Of this sympathy the psalms of David are a wonderful expression. 4. It is necessary to the know- ledge of the most ~ffectual metkods of dealing witk them-one of the most needful and desirable qualifications in a ruler. III. THE TRIAL OF PRINCIPLE. David, no less than Saul, must be put to the test, nnd his fidelity to Jehovah tried as silver "in a furnace of earth." 1. Trial is needful to prove the reality of principle, and manifest its strength and brightn~ss.. 2. One trial is often followed by anotker and a greater. The royal fav_our mto which David was suddenly raised was as suddenly succeeded by royal Jealousy, hatred and craft. Surely no man was ever more fiercely assailed by temptation. 3. When endured aright, in faith and obedience, trial, however painful, is morally beneficial. 4. The victory whi~h is gained ov_e: on!l temp~ation is nn earnest of a victory over the next. The tnumph of hum1hty m David was followed by that -.of simplicity, patience, and forbearance. IV. ADVANCEMENT IN POPULAR FAVOUR (vers. 7, 16, 30), which, in the case of David, -paved bis way to the throne; though be neither coveted nor, during the life of Saul, put forth any effort to gain that object. 1_. A course of wi_se and prosperous action, as it well deserves, so it generally obtains the approbation of the people, 2. Such a course of action ought to be aimed at, rather ~ban the popular favo1;1r with which it is attended. 3. The favour of the people 1s to be valued only m 11Ubordination to tile favour of God, nnd in so far ns it accords with it. 4. Popular favour should be regarded not as an end in itself, but as a means of promoting the Divine glory and human welfare.-D. Vers. 1-4. (GIBEAH.)-Truefriendskip. (References:-cb. xix.1-5; xx. 1-2.3; xxiii. 16-18.) 1. Friendship is a mutual affection between persons of i:ong!lnrnl minds, arising out of their esteem for each other's excellence, and expressing itself in kindly offices. .Attachment to kindred is in some respects surpassed by that which is felt towards the friend "who is even as thine own soul" (Dent. xiii. 6). In allusion to it "Abraham was called the friend of God" (2 Chron. xx. 7; Isa. xii. ~; James ii. 23)-possibly in the first instance by God himself; and "God spake to OH XVIJI. 1-30.] THE FIIlS1' BOOK OF SA:\-IUF.L. 851
Moses as n mnn to hiR frie11d" (Exod. xxxiii. 11). The Book of Proverbs abounds in statements concerning the worth und claims of friendship (Prov. xvii. 17; xviii. "24; xxvii. 6, 9, 10, 17). And Jesus said to his disciples, "I have called you friends" (John xv. 15). 2. M11ch that is usually called friendship is not worthy of the name. "There are three things that engender friendship-profit, pleasure, virtue. 'The first two do not beget true friendship, for as soon as the profit or pleasure ceaseth, friendship is gone; but virtue only rnaketh love and friendship to continue" (Willet). 3. The true friendship which subsisted between Jonathan and David "shines for all ages an eternal type." It is "the first Biblical instance of such a. dear companionship as was common in Greece, a.nd has been since in Christendom imitated, but never snrpa.ssed, in modem works of fiction" (Stanleyf. The most -celebrated of t.he instances. referred to were those of Orestes a.nd Py ades, Damon and Pythias, Nisus and Euryalus. 4. The friendship of J·ona.tha.n towa.rd David ~the formation of which is here described) wns Divinely provided as a. means of guarding the life of the latter from the attacks of Saul, and of preserving his loyalty to the king and his faith in God. "Thy love to me was wonderful" (2 Sam. i. 26). On the other hand, that of David toward Jonathan exerted an elevating and sanctify- ing influence upon him. Of true friendship observe that- I. IT EXISTS ·oNLY 1N NOBLE SOULS. Both Jona.than and David were virtuous, generous, and devout. They were one in " the love of virtue and the fea.r of God.'' Persons destitute of these principles can neither esteem the excellence of others nor be esteemed for their own. " We are so formed by nature that there should be a. certain social tie among all; stronger, however, as each approaches each. Now friendship is nothing else than a complete union of feeling on all subjects, Divine and human, accompanied by a kindly feeling and attachment. The entire strength of friendship consists in an entire agreement of inclinations, pursuits, and sentiments' -(Cicero, 'On Friendship'). "A generous friendship no cold medium knows, Bums with one love, with one resentment glows" (Homer). 11 A (!Ood man is the best friend, and therefore soonest to be chosen, longest to be