entiously to tlic ohligations of your present stntion, and fear not but the Lorri will give yon ns milch elevation aR is good for you in thi~ present time, and in the ngc to come n place and a portion with the King and with his saints. II. THE IMPRESSION WHICH DAVID PRODUCED. 1. On t!te people. They were captivnted by his gallantry and his discretion. Both in martin! skill and in civil administration he surpassed all the public men of his country, and was fast becoming a popular idol. It is too true that, notwithstanding this, Saul was able to drive him into exile, u11d found soldiers enough to pursue him for his life. Popular favour did. not protect him from such outrage. Yet two facts are worth noting. (1) That Da'yid gave clear evidence of a man who could, and therefore should, sooner or later, lead his countrymen. This early approval of himself to all observers, howevPT obscured <>r disparaged during the days of his persecution, was not forgotten by the people, and helped his ultimate elevation to the throne. (2) That, though many turned against him at the bidding of Saul, David from this very time drew to himself friends that would not forsake him, for they saw in him the hope of Israel ; and, following him to the caves among the rocks of Judah, and even to the land of the Philistines, were the companions, first of his tribulation, and then of his kingdom and glory. 2. On the king. The effect of David's well-doing on Saul was sinister and shameful. The good points which had once appear.ed in this unhappy man now recede from view, and the bad points of his character come out in strong relief under the baleful influence of jealousy. When he was himself the sole hero, and the eyes of all Israel turned to him, he could be gracious and even humble in his bearing. But elevation had made him proud ; power had made him wilful ; and a bad con- science made him hate and fear a well-doer near the throne. He felt that this youth from Bethlehem was far the better man, and he suspected that the nation thought so too. Envy completed the morn! ruin of Saul. As the worm seeks out the best fruit to eat the heart of it, so envy fastens on the best and noblest pflrsons to hate and hurt them. It goes by quick steps to injury-even to murder. "Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David." 0 cursed envy I 0 hideous ingratitude I O foul and furious jealousy I ' III. THE TREATMENT OF JESUS CHRIST FORESHADOWED. The Son of David lived uriblam'ably, answered discreetly, behaved himself wisely. The people gathered to him in multitudes, with eyes and ears of admiration. They judged him worthy to be made their king. It is true that the fickle populace took part with their rulers against our Lord, just as the fickle subjects of Saul took part with him against the ~on of Jesse. But, in the one case as in the other, some hearts clave to the persecuted One. And as all the malice that pursued David failed to keep him from the kingdom to. which God had destined him and for which God had fitted him, so the rejection, betrayal, and crucifixion of Jesus could not keep him from the throne far above all principality and power which was his in virtue of an eternal covenant. The rulers hated him without a cause; his very wisdom and goodness irritated them, and they took counsel. together how they might slay him. For envy they delivered him up to judgment, .and demanded that he should be crucified. At the period described in oui- text a crisis bad arrived in Israel. Men were forced to choose between Saul and David, for these were coritro.ry the one to the other, and could not live in unity. We know what side such a man as Doeg took. But David had his friends, who dared everything rather than renounce his cause. Better, in their opinion, to be exiles and pilgrims with him than to remain with the moody tyrant from whom the Lord had departed. So, in the days of his showing· to Israel, many refused Jesus, but some clave to him. Better, in their opinion, to be cast out of the synagogues, to go forth without the gat.e, bearing his reproach, than to take part with the world tho.t hailed him, especially with that hard. and gloomy Judaism from which the Lord had departed. The crisis continues. Before all men the alternative lies-for Christ, or against him. Oh, receive him whom the world has rejected; give him your hearts; identify and associate yourselYes with the "once despised Jesus."-F 860 THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [cu. XIX. 1-24.
EXPOSITION. SUCCESSIVE ATTEMPTS UPON DAVID'S LIFE FRUSTRATED DY THE LOVE OF JONATHAN AND lllrcHAL, AND FINALLY DY FLIGHT (CR. xrx.).