The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 350

Defence, eupport, and effectual help. 3. Sympathy, encouragement, and everlaAting coneolation. "And now," eaid Jonathan Edwards, on his death-bed, turning from hie earthly friends toward the approaching darkness, "where is Jesus of Nazareth. my true and never-failing Friend?" IV. ITS CLAIMS, or the duties of thoee who enjoy such benefits and desire their continuance. 1. To cherish proper feelings toward him-confidence, affection, and delight in intercourse with him. 2. To do those things that please him. "Ye are tJJY friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." 3. Not to be ashamed of him, hut to confess his name before men ; to love and serve his friends for his sake, and to seek in all things his honour and glory.-D. Vere. 6-16. (GIBEAH.)-Envy. "And Saul eyed David from that day forward'• (ver. 9). How extraordinary are the moral contrasts which are often presented in human life I The friendship of Jonathan here stands in opposition to the envy of Baul. Hardly had David experienced the one before he was exposed to the other. "His victory had a double issue, Jonathan'e love and Saul's envy, which God so mixed that the one was a remedy of the other" (Hall). On the day of public rejoicing the seeds of jealousy, envy, and hatred were sown in hia heart. He eyed David not with favour, as before, but with dislike on account of the honour given to him beyond himself. The general suspicion which he entertained in consequence of the intimations of Samuel concerning his successor also seems to have fastened on him as the man ; and henceforth he looked upon him as a dangerous rival. "Mingling with his constitutional malady, it poisoned his whole future relations with David." Of envy notice that- I. I·r TAKES ROOT IN AN EVIL HEART. In the case of Saul the soil W!I.S congenial and ready prepared by-1. Alienation from God and conviction of his disfavour. 2. Selfishness and morbid concentration of thought upon himself. 3. Self-will, 1>_ride, and worldly ambition, still continuing and increasing. 4. Wrathful passion,. He "was very wroth, and the saying displeased him" (ver. 8). "He who is apt to feel indignation, feels pain at those who are undeservedly successful; but tha envious man, going beyond him, feels pain at every one's success" (Aristotle, •Ethics'-). II. IT GROWS IN THE SHADE 011' ANOTHER'S PRE-EMINENCE in-1. Popular estima- tion. "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands," &c. (ver. 8). 11 What pro- perly occasions envy is the fruit of the accomplishments of others ; the pre-eminence which the opinion of the world bestows, or which we dread it will bestow, on their talents above ours" (Blair). 2. Successful achievements, from which such preference proceeds. 11 The bright day brings out the adder." Prosperity is genera.Uy attended by envy. 3. Personal excellences. David "behaved himself wisely" (ver. 5); "very wisely" (ver. 16); "more wisely than all" (ver. 30). He ucted prudentfy, -cautiously, skilfully, and therefore prosperously. "Base envy withers ut another's joy, And hates the excellence it cannot reach" (Thomson). 4. Divine approbation, which appears in prosperous enterprises. "And Saul wu afraid of David, because the Lord was with him," &c. (ver. 12). "And Cain wu very wroth,'' &c. (Gen, iv. 5; 1 John iii. 2). The envy felt at the favour shown to another by God is peculiarly criminal, because of its opposition to God himself. III. IT 1s MARKED DY MANY ODIOUS FEATURES. 1. Unreasonablenesa. 2. In most cases ingratitude. David had conferred a great benefit on Saul and Israel by his victory over Goliath; he II went out whithersoever Saul sent him," and fought his battles; and often soothed his melancholy with the music of his harp (ver. 10). 3. Injustice. He did him "shame" (eh. xx. 34) by entertaining suspicions of his loyalty and tree.ting him as a traitor. 4. Ungodliness and all uncharitableness. "Charity envieth not." ".Envy is the worst of nil passions, and feedeth upon the spirits, and they again upon the body; and so much the more because it is per• petual, nnd, as it is snid, keepeth no holidays" (Bacon, 'Essays'). IV. IT IS PRODUCTIVE OF MUCH DEADLY FRUIT, in relation both to others (Prov. %%vii. 4) and to the enviouR man himself (Prov. xiv. 30); partly of hatred and partly 1 SAM. A A  854 THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. X\111. 1-30·.