The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 361

Jona!,h.an's 12ure soul w~s equal ~o the occasion. His conduct was marked by exqms1te delicacy of fcelmg and w!Sllom. He would not so degrade his father ns to tell David that he had been asked to slay his friend, while he assured David of his real danger. While not assuming the tone of an advocate, he skilfully handled facts so as to achieve the end in view. The point of the temptation was to sacrifice friend- ship to printe and public interests. There are persons still subject to the same trial. May we not also see something analogous to the common temptations of Christians to renounce the " anointed One" for reasons pertaining· to earthly wealth and glory? Where there is real oneness of heart with Christ, no blandishments of' sin, no prospect of greater worldly distinction, avail to break the sacred bond. V. THE FORCE OF TRUTH ON THE CONSCIENCE. Jonathan simply, in a kindly, gentle way, com·ersed with his father on the matter, and called his attention to a few facts, -David's risks, services, and evident approval by God, and Saul's own joy in hiir victories,-and then asks whether such innocent blood should be shed. The effect even on the impenitent Saul is to soften his hard heart and draw forth the declaration that he shall be spared. Happy the son who has such influence with an unhappy, wicked father I In dealing with hardened sinners three things are necessary. l. Truth to present to the conscience. That David was innocent Saul knew; but ordinarily passion blinded him to the due recognition of it. If we can hold forth "the word of life," the actual truth concerning Christ, so that it shall shine straight in upon the conscience, men cannot but acknowledge its power, and it will exercise some restraint on their conduct. 2. A kindly, unaffected manner. It was the manner of Jonathan that secured an attentive hearing and disarmed Saul's suspicion. Harsh language- tends to arouse antagonism. The secret of success lies in so presenting the truth that it stands forth alone, unmixed with disturbing elements from our personality. ! "He that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. xi. 30). 3. Prayerfulness of spirit. We· may be sure that Jonathan as well as David prayed in spirit on this occasion. The tone of our mind ie wonderfully affected by prayerfulness. We then speak for God and man with a gentle force which guilty men cannot but feel. General lessons :-1. More attention should be called to the importance of crushing out sinful feelings on their first appearance, and means suggested for so doing. 2. Parents and persons in positions of influence should be earnestly warned of ths fearful crime of seeking to induce young persons to violate their sense of right and truth. 3. The good that is in us may be much more utilised if we strive to act with the " \\'i~dom of the serpent and the harmlessnes9 of the dove." Vers. 8-17.-Revived sins and, troubles. The facts are-1. The fresh fame of David arouses the latent ill-will of Saul, who seeks in vain to smite him with & javelin. 2. David fleeing to his house, Saul sends men to lie in wait for nnd slay him. 3. Michal warns Lim of danger, and during the night aids his escape. 4. By a clever device she diverts his enemies from an immediate pursuit, and on being accused of aiding her father's enemy, she pleads self-preservation. The troubles of life are but temporarily overcome. It was destined for David to smite the national enemy, since he went forth as none other did, strong in the " name of the Lord." The fame of his exploits no sooner reached the ears of Saul than the effect of Jonathan's recent endeavour to reconcile him to David was utterly lost; nnd hence arose a series of new troubles for persecutor and the persecuted. We see here- I. That A RADICAL CHANGE OF DISPOSITION IS THE ONLY GUARANTEE OF C0NDU(.,'J AND CHARACTER. The change wrought in Saul by Jonathan's recent presentation of truth was only superficial. The old sin was loved and unrepented of. The nature of the man was alienated from the life of God ; and hence on the slightest approach of tem_rtation the old spirit broke forth. It is universally true that no intellectual recognition of truth, no acquiesce~ce of conscience in t~e injustice. of 11.. course, ~o reformation consequent on human mfluence over the feelmgs or the mtell1g?nce,.~ill make man or enable him to be, what he ought to be. The fundamental d1spos1t1on must be re~ewed. There are instances of this in Christian history. The lion becomes 11 lamb. A. Saul of Tarsus becomes an apostle of Christ. It is in the nature of things that so it should be. For in the ordained subordination of the powers of the mind there is a ruling disposition to which all bend: if it be pure all will move in a cu. xrr.. 1-24.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 366