The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 353

I. Jo_NA1:BAN's LOVE. ~f tliere was a man in Israel who had reason to be jealous of David, 1t was the Pnnce Jonathan. He was a gallant soldier, and here was a greate~ ~ei:o to eclipse him. He had by personal va_lour gained. a_ signal victory over the Ph1hstmes, and here was a personal courage still more brilliant, and a discom- fiture of the enemy more easy and more complete. He was the heir to tl1e throne and if this youth should aspire to rule as well as deliver Israel, it was Jonathan who~ he would supplant. Yet in this generous prince there appeared not even a shade of en,,.-y. He saw in the young shepherd a congenial spirit-a temper adventurous as his own, with a faith in God firm and ardent as his own. The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. It was good for Jonathan to find a friend who could evoke an admiration and affection so intense. He could no longer look up to his own father with respect or confidence. In the circle or court about the king the finer qualities of Jonathan's nature found no harmony, no encouragement. But here was one who could understand him, and in whom he could see and admire what a leader in Israel ought to be. It was good for David, too, to find that he was cared for, that his pure and de,,.-out patriotism was appreciated, and that he had the fraternal sympathy of at least one in that higher grade of life on which he was now so suddenly to enter. The time was at hand when such strong and faithful love would be very precious. II. SAUL'S JEALOUSY. At first it appeared as though David was to have nothing but honour. The king obeyed his good impulse, and gave the young hero high pro- motion among his officers, with the evident approval of the soldiers and all the people. But a black cloud of jealousy soon gathered. Saul could not bear to hear this new champion praised more than himself; and he began to brood over the thought that this might be the man at whom Samuel hinted, to whom the Lord would give the kingdom. "What can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed Dand from that day forward." We soon read of the jealous king trying to take David's life. Oh, cruel envy I No worthiness, no goodness is a defence against it. The sight of good excites it to evil. It is the passion of a mean spirit; or, if it fastens on a character which has some great qualities, it tends to weaken and degrade it. Indeed, no more wretched fate can befall any man than to be filled with envy, and so to chafe and jibe at all who surpass him; to become a prey to jealousy, and mistrust or disparage all who seem to please God or man more than he. How fatal for Saul himself was this jealous passion I By the help of David the king might have recovered something of his lost health and happiness, and repaired some of the errors of his reign. But once jealousy took possession of him all this was impossible. Saul became gloomy, crafty, and cruel; and the more David did for the kingdom, bearing himself wisely in camp and court, the more was he watched with envious eyes and pursued with sullen hatred. "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; .:>ut ~ho is able to stand before envy?" This seemed an ominous beginning for David ; but it served its purpose in the training through which God meant hil'!1 to pass. After Saul was anointed he was put through no such ordeal. The slight opposition which was made to his sudden elevation was soon surmounted, and the 'lon of Kish stepped up to the throne of Israel with very little difficulty. But this was really ominous. It was a sign that God was to have little service or glory from King Saul. The son of Jesse had a higher destiny, and therefore he was tried and proved. His faith was tested as by fire ; his discretion was ripened by the know- ledge that jealous eyes were watching him; bis patience was perfected; his stay- ing power developed through an experience hard and harassing. III. SUGGESTIONS OF JESUS CBnrsT, LOVED AND HATED. As David in hie youth, and on the threshold of his public career, overcame the strong enemy of Israel in single combat, so Jesus in youth, and on the threshold of his public life, encountered the adversary of the people of God, and overcame the tempter in the ~ilderness. Then as David endured much before he reached the throne, so Jesus Christ endured much before God raised him up and gave him glory. And during that time of his lowly suffering Jesus was, like his human ancestor Davi<l, solaced by loye and pursued by envy. 1. Loved. The Son of David had the applause of the !Dul~1tude, n!ld bore himself so wisely that the keenest ob8ervers could fiu<l no fault 1_n _him. Withal he had the power of knitting souls to himself, so as to make them w11lmg to forsake all OH. xvm. 1-30.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 357