The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 379

from any 8ection of our life-this were debasement and 8hame indeed. Love- " passing that of women "-seeks satisfaction in living for Christ and glorying only in him. General lessons :-1. We should inquire whether any of Christ's requirements have as yet been disregarded. 2. It is a matter of doubt whether the professing ChristiimChmch fully enters into the joy of Christ's coming glory, and is sufficiently identified in hope and feeling with it. 3. Each one may ask, Have I surrendered all that is precious to Christ? Is there any reserve? 4. The due culture of love for Christ as the supreme affection of life demands thought and care. 5. The cure of muny of the sorrows and ills of Christians and Churches lies in the quickening of this persona.I interest in Christ. • HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-10. (G;IBEAB.).-The intercourse of friends. The regard which true friends have for e11ch other prompts to. much communion. In it they find an exalted pleasure, and a sure resource of help and comfort in adversity. Hence David, in his continued distrust and fear of Saul, hastened to his friend Jonathan. Concern- ing .their. .intercourse, notice-,-1. Its ent.ire freedom. They tell each other, without resen;e, all that .is in .their hearts. Such freedom can be wisely indulged only in the presence of a friend. ."A principal fruit of friendship is the ease and discharge of the fulness and swellings of .the heart which passions of all kinds do cause and induce. No, receipt openeth. the he11,rt but a true friend, to whom you may impart griefs, joys, fears, ,hopes, suspicions, coµnsel, and whatsoever lieth upon the heart to oppress it, in a kind of civil shrift or confession. It redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in halves" (Bacon, 'Essays'). 2. Its gentle expostulations and reproofs. When David said, "Thy father seeketh my life" (an expression often used in the Psalms), Jonathan reproved his distrust....,.." It is not so;" and only after e. solemn oath could be induc.ed to share. it (ver. 9). Eeb11ke is a duty and evidence of true friendship; and "where a man's ears are shut against the truth so that he cannot bear it from a friend, the welfare of such a one is to be despaired of." "As many as I love I Tebuke." 3. Its kindly ass_urances. "Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will do it for thee." Such e.ssurances he gave generously, sincerely, solemnly, and repeatedly, and they imparted encouragement and increased confidence. How" exceeding great and precious" are the promises which the heavenly Friend has given £or this purpose to his friends ! 4. Its anxious consultations and intelligent counsels. "The second fruit of friendship is healthful and sovereign for the understanding, as the first is for the affections ;. for friendship maketh indeed a fair day in the affections from storm and tempests, bnt it maketh daylight in the understanding out of darkness and confusion of thoughts; neither is this to be understood only of faithful counsel. The last fruit is aid, and bearing a part in all actions und occasions 11 (Bucon). 5. Its earnest requests of aid (ver. 8). Although it is the part of friendship to grant help to a friend rather than to beg it. of him, yet it shows itself by reliance upon him in great emergencies, and confidently claims the fulfilment of former assurances; nor will it look £or aid to a true friend in vain. 6. Its manifest imperfection. For, like all things earthly, human friendship is imperfect. Its communion is liable to interruption (vers. 10, 41). It often entertains thoughts, devises plans, and makes requests which are mistaken and injurious. The statement of David (though founded upon a measure of truth) was a mere pretext, and through failing faith in God he ' fell into "foolish and hurtful devices." It also omits reproof when it should be given, complies with doubtful requests, and promises what it is not able to perform. But all the defects which are found in the highest human friendship are absent from, and all the excellences which it possesses, and infinitely more, are present in, the friendship of Christ.-D. Ver, 3. (GIBEAH.)-Only a step. Our path in life lies along tho brink of a river or the edge of a cliff; and we may by a step-a single step-at any moment meet our fate. The asseveration of David may be regarded as the expression of a strong conviction (" As Jehovah liveth," &c.) of- I. 'l'HE SOLEMNITY OF DEATH. The event is a serious one. To leave familiar  884 THE l<'IRSl' BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XX, 1-23.