l. 1T 1s DANG En, and the anxiety and distress by which it was naturally attended ( \'Crs. 11, 14: 17, compared ''.·ith Ps .. lix.). 4dversity- l. Often follows closely upo1'. prosp_eritv. In the morning David occupied a position of hig·h honour as the kmg s son-m-Ia_w, the su~ces.sfol ge~~ra), the I?Opular hero; ~t night he was hiding in sec-ret and fleemg- for lus life. V1c1ss1tude 1s the law of hfe • and none however e_xalted, may boast of tl!eir security or continuance (Job xxix. 18). 2. App~ars some- tunes to fall most heavily upon the goctfAJ man. "Not for my transgression nor for my sin" (Ps. _lix. 3). Why sh~uld it be per~1itted? To test, manifest, strengthen, and perfe?t Ins character .. David had been tried by prosperity, he must also be tried by adYers1ty. 3. Is due, m great measure, to the opposition and persecution of the ungodly. \Vhat a picture is here presented of the enemies of David, "when Saul sent messenge~, and th~y watched the ho:use to kill him" l (Ps. lix. 3, 6, 14). And what a revelation does 1t make of the wickedness of the human heart which was consummated in the crucifying of the Lord of glory l " As then he th~t was born after the flesh," &c. (Gal. iv. 29). The conflict is renewed in every age and in every individual life. ." All th3:t will live godly," &c. (2 Tim. iii. 12). 4. Leads the good man to more entire trust m God and more earnest prayer. This is one of its chief purposes. "Deli,•er me from mine enemies, 0 my God I . . . 0 Jehovah, God of hosts, God of Israel I • . . , 0 my Strength, on thee will I wait, For God is my Fortress." 5. Is never so bitter to him as trouble to the wicked, for he has peace within and undying hope. How different was it with David in this respect from what it was with Saul l 6. However long the good man may suffer from the persecution of the wicked, his del!verance is certain; for " God is Ruler in Jacob," &c. (Ps. lix. 13). "By him actions are weighed." II. Hrs DELIVERANCE (vers. 11, 12, 17, 18). The interposition of Providence, to which it was due---1. Is not made without the watchful and diligent use of appro- priate means. David did not presumptuously wait in the palace or his owµ house, but availed himself of the opportunity of escaping. "When they persecute you," &c. (Matt. x. 23). 2. Is shown in turninf! to good what was meant for evil.. The snare that was woven for his soul ( eh. xvii. 21 ; ver. 11 ; Ps. lix. 3) aided his escape, 3. Often fills the wicked with di,saIPointment and confusion when most confident of success (ver. 17). 4. Provides a home for the good man when driv:en out :of their sClciety. "Came to Samuel and told him all," &c. That night he was received by hie revered friend, to whose instructions he had doubtless often listened; and with whom else could he he. ve found such sympathy and shelter? 5. Causes him to render praiae to God. "But, as for me, I will sing of thy strength, Yea, I will shout aloud of thy mercy in the morning; For thou hast been a Fortress to me, And a Refuge in the day when I was in distress: 0 my Strength, unto thee will I harp, For God is my Fortress, my merciful God." ti. Conduces to the benefii of many. These Psalms of David-the result (under II an unction from the Holy One") of his distresses and deliverances-are among our greatest spiritual treasures. " They are for all time. They never can be outgrown. No dispensation while the world lasts and continues.what it is can ever raise us above the reach or the need of them. They describe every spiritual vicissitude, they speak to all classes of minds, they cbmmand every natural emotion. They are penitential, jubilant, adorative, deprecatory ;-they are tender, mournful, joyous,.me.jestic ;.:...:soft as the descent of dew ; low as the whisper of love; loud e.s the vi:1ce of thunder; terrible as the almigl,tiness of God I " (Binney, ' Service of Song m the House of tl,e Lord ').-D.
Vere. 11-17. (GIBEAH.)-llfichal. The women mentioned in the Books of Samuel ~re, for the most part, distinguished for their eminent piety. But what shall be <111.id -OB. XJX, 1-24.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 371
-of Michal, the wife of David? She was a daughter of Saul, inherited much of his temperament and disposition, and (unlike Jonathan) was wit:iout the religions prin- ciple by which they might have been controlled and sanctified. She was-1. Impres- sionable and impulsive. Fascinated by his personal appearance and popularity, the young princess "loved David," and made no secret of her affection; but she does not appear to have perceived anything of his highest qualities. The relation of husband and wife, no less than that of friends, is firmest when sanctified by common faith and love toward God. 2. Capable of a noUe action. Under the influence of ·strong feeling she warned David of his danger and aided his escape, at the risk of her own life. 3. Designing and deceptive. Her quick-wittedness devised the means of escape, deceived the messengers of Saul to gain time, and invented a ready story to disarm her father's wrath. Her fear of her father was greater than her love for truth; and her love for her husband greater than her hatred of sin. "She could tell lies for David, but she had not the courage and the faith to go with him into suffer- ing, or to tell the truth for him" (W. M. Taylor). 4. Superstitious. Teraphim (eh. xv. 23). See Bible Dictionaries. It is not said that David knew of her posses- sion of these idolatrous objects. 5. Changeable and wayward. During the wander- ings of David she was given in marriage to Phalti, apparently without reluctance ( eh. xxv. 44) ; and (as appears when restored to David) "she had evidently gained his affections; he most likely had won hers" (2 Sam. iii. 16). 6. Proud, }ealous1 and scornful. Proud of her birth and rank, jealous of her rivals, Abigail anel Ahinoam (2 Sam. vi. 16, 20-23; Blunt,' Script. Coincidences,' p. 126), and scornful toward her husband. "She despised him in her heart." "Preceding the blest vessel, ouward came, With light dance leaping, girt in h11lllble guise, Israel's sweet harper ; in that hap he seemed Less and yet more kingly. Opposite At a great palace, from the lattice forth Looked Michal, like a lady full of scorn And sorrow" (Dante, 'Purg.' x.). 7. Unspirilual, and destitute of sympathy with the teelings of boundless gratitude, joy, and adoration expressed before the Lord.-D.