The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 366

of others were full of detraction and calumny, by which they sought to dr,stroy him as with sharp swords (Ps. !ix. 7). 2. Urgent claims on the part of friends and ldndred. A father's wishes are sometimes opposed to a friend's welfare. 3. Self- mterest. I£ David were spired Jonathan's accession to the throne would be jeopardised (eh. xxi. 13). But true friendship stands the test. It" thinketh no evil" of a friend, will do him no wrong, nor admit the least feeling of jealousy or envy. The wintry storm only serves to strengthen its attachment. "Yet these two charges of incon- stancy and of weakness condemn most men: either in their prosperity they despise a friend, or in his troubles they desert him" (Cicero). II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS. "And Jonathan told David,'' &c. (vere. 2, 3). 1. It reveals the whole truth and conceals nothing. "If you think any one your friend in whom you do not put the same confidence as in yourself you know not the real power of friendship" (Seneca). 2. It gives the best counsel in its power. 3. It promises aid ns it may be needed. III. THE SELF-DEVOTION OF ITS ENDEAVOURS. "And Jonathan spake good of David," &c. (vers. 4, 5). 1. It undergoes personal risk in undertaking the cause of a friend. 2. It makes earnest entreaty on behalf of the absent one; asserting his innocence, enumerating hie services, setting forth his claims upon gratitude and esteem, and remonstrating against his being injured "without cause" (ver. 5; John xv. 25). 3. It shows a prudent and respectful regard for those whom it wishes to influence. In Jonathan prudence and pnnciple were combined. "Prudence did not go so far as to make him silent about the sin which Saul was purposing to commit ; principle was not so asserted as to arouse his father's indignation" (W. 1\1. Taylor). IV. THE VALUE OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS. "And Saul hearkened,'' &c. (vers. 6, 7). "How forcible are right words I " Even the heart of Saul is moved, and his better feelings gain the ascendancy. How often by a generous and prudent attempt at peace-making is-1. .A threatening evil averted. 2. A reconciliation ~f the alienated effected. 3. l,itercourse between friends renewed, "as in times past." "Blessed are the peacemakers," &c. (Matt. v. 9). "There are four, young man" (says an Eastern sage), "who, seeming to be friends, are enemies in disguise-the rapacious friend, the man of much profession, the flatterer, and the dissolute companion. These four, young man, are true friends-the watchful friend, the friend who is the same in, prooperiiy and adversity, the friend who gives good advice, and the sympathising friend" (' Contem. Rev.,' xxvii. 421).-D. Vere. 8-18. (GIBEAH.)-David's escape from court. "And David fled, and escaped that night" (ver. 10). "There was war again" ( eh. x"ii. ; xviii. 5, 30), victory by David again, an evil spirit upon Saul again (eh. xvi. 23; xviii. 10); and, as David once more sat in the palace, 11 playing with his hand," the king not merely brandished his spear as before, but hurled it at him. It was hie last attempt of the kind. After, what had taken place he might not be trusted again; and David fled, first to his own house, and during the night from the city. It is one of the memorable nights of the Bible. 1. That night was the commencement of his open persecution by Saul and of the long and varied troubles he experienced as an outlaw. He had been at ~ourt eume three or four years, and now at three-and-twenty went forth to hie seven years' wanderings (2 Sam. v. 5: "He lived esventy years "-Josephus). 2. That night was, as is commonly thought, the occasion of the composition of the first of David's psalms. PSALM LIX., 'the refuge of the persecuted,' "is perhaps the oldest of the Davidic psalms that have come down to us" (Delitzsch). It is not necessary to suppose that it was actually written on the night of his escape. The thoughts and feelings then entertained may have been penned subsequently; perhaps while he continued at Ramah with Samuel and II the prophets" (vers. 18, 20). Other psalms have been referred by some to the same occasion-viz., Ps. vi., vii., xi. 11 His harp was hie companion in hie flight, and even in the midst of peril the poet's nature appears which regards all life as materials for song, and the devout spirit appearn which regards all trials as occasions of praise" (Maclaren). How wide and deep waR the stream of sacred song of which this was the commencement I 3. That night nfforded one of the most remarkable instances of the protecting and guiding provi• dffla of God by which the life of David was manifestly ordered. Notice- 1 SAM, B ll  THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. XIX. 1-24.