The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 355

as n nntionnl. hero, appointed as n1) officer of high rank in the army, made son•in- law to the kmg, and nt the sam_e tune trusted and honoured_ by t!1e people, the son -0f Jes~e ha~ much to tempt !nm to se1£.comf!lacence. It 1s a sign that the Lord was with h11n that he bore lmnself meekly, circumspectly, and with "sublime re-, press ion of l_iimself." A man who. is c:onscio_us of fitness for a great position can, :afford to wmt. It must. come to hun, 1f he hves long enough; and i£ he is·not to live, why should he fret his few years with an idle ambition? David had something better than such a consciousness; he knew himself to be anointed and ordained of -0-od to fill an eminent place in his service. True, that nothing seems to have been said about the kingship at. the private anointing in Bethlehem; and David's.gift of sacred song seemed to pomt bun out as successor of Samuel rather than of Saul. But kings, not prophets, were anointed; and the thought of being !dug especially af!:er the exploit at Elah, n~ust have passe_d and repassed through the y~ung hero's mmd. Yet because he believed God he did not make baste. if the high and peril- •0us scat of a king of Israel was destined for him, let it come; but be would not grasp it, or climb into it by dispossessing its first occupant. Not by him would Saul be dethroned, or any dishonour done to a bead which bad .received a holy anointing_. .God would gi_ve what h~ pleas~d, as and :,vhen he ~ight see fit. Enough that David should act wisely and Justly m the stat10n to winch he was assigned. This 1,as no fatalism. The history shows that David used aH lawful (and .some rather qnestionable) endeavours to preserve his own life, and that he missed, no. opportunity to advance his public interest. He was fe.r• from inferring, tbat1 as God bad marked out for him a destiny, he must not give any heed to his wiay or.to. his safety, because God would bring his own purpose to pass. On the contrary, he knew that the fulfilment of the destiny must be through his own diseretion, valour1 and pro,ed fitness for the royal dignity. Therefore, while David.'would not·,push. his way ambitiously to the throne, be was careful to do nothing that wotild, make. such promotion impossible. In fact David took the course which ,may be_ recom,,• mended to every young man who desires to rise in the. esteem and ,confidence,of others. He did well whatever was given him to do. He behaved himself wisely as a minstrel, as a soldier, ,i.s a prince. The historian marks the steps of his advance-,, "wisely," "very wisely," "more wisely than all the servants of Saul" (vers. 14, 15, 30). If we read "prospered,"" prospered exceedingly," "prospered more," the lesson remains the same. We are reminded of the youthful Joseph, always prosperous in administration, whether in Potiphar's house, in eharge of the prison, or in the govern-, ment of Egypt. It was because the Lord was with him (Gen. xxxix. 2, 23). Yet, the promotion of Joseph was through his well-approved discretion and fidelity winning for him more and more confidence (Gen. xxxix. 39-41). So David prospered; every step of his elevation bringing out more clearly to view his fine combination of boldness and discretion, and his consequent fitness to ·rise yet higher, and to be the leader and ruler of all Israel. Happy the nation where such proved fitness counts for more than the highest birth or the strongest interest l If survival of the fittest be a rule in nature, selection of the fittest is the true principle for the public service. Not, that every one who holds an inferior position well is fit to hold a higher and ris~ toward the highest. Men have their range, beyond which they are ill at ease and incapable. But this is certain, that men who are fit for a leading position will reveal their capacity while serving in a subordinate place. Only in judging of this account must b~ taken not of brain power and acquired knowledge merely, but of character, and that moral influence which character and conduct gTVe. Is it not on this prin- eiple that God promotes the heirs of glory? All who have received his grace are· anointed ones; but they have to serve before they rule, and to be tested in labours and patience before they can reign with Christ. Has not our Saviour taught in parables that his people must be servants till he returns, and that only, good and :faithful servants are to enter into the joy of their Lord? Has not St. l'aul spoken <Jf eternal life as given to those '' who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, and immortality"? Behold the way to "the honour that come_s fr?m God only." Behave wisely in the present sphere of duty, Do well, and do 1t with patience. Make not your advancement in this world, or even in the world to come, a. 11ntter of passionate anxiety. Foster and obey the sense of duty, attend ~onaci-,  'l'HE FIRST BOOK OF SAMGEL. 359