The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 364

"Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain ; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain." Looking at the teaching of the section, we see- I. .AN IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL POWER BEING NOURISHED AMIDST THE TURliOIL OD' PUBLIC AFFAIRS. While battles were being fought, and the kingdom was troubled: with the unsatisfactory condition of the court, Samuel was quietly gathering around himself a band of men who, devoting attention to the records of Israel's history, the exercise of psalmody and music, and the spiritual interests of men, were becoming a power to influence the national life in days to come. The extent and strength of that influence cannot be minutely traced, because of its spiritual nature; but the higher tone of national life during the reigns of David and Solomon was doubtless larg!llY due to it. Centres of spiritual in.ftu~e are formed when the great political world is intent on its wars and intrigues. •Notably, Christianity arose and found its first nourishment amidst the quiet valleys and hills of Palestine while Roman impe- rialism was intent on conquests and ignorant almost of its existence. The band of men and women who met for prayer in an upper room (Acts i. 13, 14) cultivated there the power which afterwards penetrated into all parts of the Roman empire. The quiet retreats and colleges of the middle ages in some respects were the seats of an influence which the world could ill spare. During the close of the last century small bodies of Christians nourished here and there the missionary spirit which has since affected the destinies of millions in the East and South. Amidst all the con- flicts of politics and controversies of science and worry of commerce there are quiet fellowships of Christi::ms devoted to the nourishment of a life destined to conserve and elevate the national life. The Christian Church has need to form and sustain "schools of the prophets" to meet the demands of the age. Samuel's course and the injunctions of Paul to Timothy (1 Tim. iii. 1-7; v. 21, 22; 2 Tim. ii. 4; cf. Ephes. iv. 11-15) suggest that it is the duty of the Church as a whole, and not to be left as a private enterprise to a few zealous individuals, to provide for the training of men for spiritual service. Had more care been devoted to this in years past it had been well for the world. ll. THE SORROWFUT, SOUL SEEKS REFUGE FROM THE CARES AND TROUBLES OF LIPE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE DEVOUT. It was a spiritual instinct that drew David to Samuel. The penalties of public life had already fallen heavily upon him. He had found, even in the beginning of his career of service to mankind, that "offences must needs come." The whole tone of life around the throne was out of accord with his most cherished aspirations. He was conscious of being misunderstood and mis- represented. The earlier days of quiet service and holy commW1ion with God were now but sweet memories, bringing the bitter realities of daily life into stronger relief. With bounding heart and rapid flight, therefore, did he seek consolation, counsel, and rost with the honoured man who once anointed him to some unexplained service. Many have been, and still are, in full sympatliy with the troubled David. The devout heart is brave, and dares not shun to fight the holy battles of the Lord in daily life. Religion is to flourish in face of evil and care, and not away in solitude. The business of life must not be left to the greedy and the vile. The great prayer was not that the disciples should be taken from the world, but that they should be kept from its evil (John xvii. 15; cf. 1 Cor. v. 10). Yet human nature cries out under the strain; the spiritual mind is disgusted with the sins it witnesses; the sense of belonging to a higher citizenship rises in force ; sympathy with kindred spirits is longed for; the support of stronger natures is a pressing need; and oppor- tunities for prayer and for contemplation on the loftier aims of life a.re earnestly desired. Under this common inspiration, Ja.cob and Moses and Elijah sought ea.eh his "Bethel," and found strength for the coming trials and relief from present cares. It was in the same participation in human infirmities and sorrows that Christ loved to retire from the alien world to seek solace with his Father and with bis people (Matt. xiv. 23; xvii. 1; Mark vi. 31 ; John xi. 3, 32-36; xii. 1, 2; Heb. v. 7). For the same reason we love to retire from the turmoil of life to the followship of a 868 THE FIRST DOOR OF SAMUEL. [cH. XIX. 1-24.