The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 362

holy direction ; if it be impure the whole life will be stained. Out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the weakness of all systems of morality that they exalt virtue and teach the evils of vice, but furnish no adequate power to render the life virtuous in the highest sense of the term. Moralists may be immoral. The doing of truth is not involved in a knowledge of it. Here it is that the New Testament comes in to supplement man's knowledge, and to perfect codes of morality. By the gift of the Holy Spirit it builds up outward character from within, and insures that at last sin shall have no dominion over us. There is danger of men overlooking thu truth, especially when "many run to and fro, and knowledge is increased." Civil- isation, by securing a presentable exterior, diverts attention from the "hidden man .of the heart." The indirect effect of Christianity is to incorporate with the ordinary character many of the virtues nourished only by itself, and hence men imagine that society would be what it is without Christianity. It is extremely important, therefore, to insist on the New Testament teaching of the need of a radical change by the power of the Holy Spirit; to seek to bring our children early under his renewing power, and to pray constantly that men may be renewed and become new creatures in Christ Jesus. II. That THE AFFLICTIONS OFTEN BEFALLING THE SERVANTS OF Goo PUT A SEVERS STRAIN ON THEIR FAITH. If ·Ps. lix. was written in reference to this persecution, we can see the propriety of the assertion, "Not for my transgression, and not for any sin of mtne" (Ps. lix. 3), do they" set themselves." To a young man conscious of his integrity, and not without hope of being accepted of God, it must have seemed a strange providence which allowed his life to be so troubled. Could Samuel's anoint- ing really have a Divine significance? ( eh. xvi. 13). Was it not a mistake to have left the quiet sheepfold for the scene of conflict? ( eh. xvii. 20). Would it not be well even now to retire into private life? Why should an innocent, sincere soul have such constant reason to cry, "Awake to help me, and behold? 11 (Ps. lix. 4). The ercperience is not con,fined to .David. One greater than David, when in pursuit of his higher work in the world, was a "Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. 11 And likewise for many a year his Church, when pursuing her holy and beneficent course, was exposed to relentless persecution. It is still true that "many are the afflictions of the righteous," and that "through much tribulation" we enter the kingdom. Bnt all this is not a matter of chance, nor an indication of imperfect wisdom and love. The world is evil, and goodness can only live in it by conflict. It is part of the great battle of the universe that sin shall be exterminated by endured sorrows. History proves that the puregt iives and most beautiful virtues have flourished in times and by means of severe trial. Every sufferer knows how blessed it is to be driven nearer to God. The tribulation is only for a brief space, e.nd works out a far more exceed- ing nnd eternal wei~ht of glory. Hence faith can bear the strain; the more so ne God does succour and delig-ht the soul with hie comforts (Pe. lix. 17; xciv. 19). III. That THOSE WHO DEVISE EVIL AGAINST THE SERVANTS OF GOD ABE SOMETWEB 0AUGBT IN THEIR OWN DEVICES. In the oxerciee of his low cunning Saul gave Michal to David that she might be a. snare to him ( eh. xviii. 21 ), her character a.nd tendencies being such as might in hie judgment bring him into trouble. It now turned out that the snare for David hecame a snare for Snul (Ps. vii. 14, 15). Wicked men cannot always reckon safely on their instruments. Men laid snares for Christ, but were entangled in their own talk (Matt. xxii. 15-22). Pharaoh thought he would fin• Israel "entangled in the land 11 (Exod. xiv. 3), and he found himself ensnared therein to hie own destruction. Snares are laid for the Church of God in modern times, and some of these will doubtless prove the reverse of the original intent. We a.re invited with persuasive voice to enter the pathway of severe historical criticism and of physical science, and it is hoped thereby to disenchant us of the fascination of a supernatural Christianity. Men are ns confident of the result as was Saul when he gave Michal to David (eh. xviii. 21); hut we have nothing to fear, for criticism and science thus far only bring out the truth that the CHRIST is unex- plainable on any hypothesis but that of the supernatural; nnd hence, on the ordinary principles of ecientinc research, men nre bound to accept that hypothesis, or else declare themselves unscientific. " He must reign till he bath put all enemies under his feet" (1 Cor. xv. 26),  866 THE FIIlST BOOK OF SAMUEL. (CH. XIX, 1-24.