The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 397

and fear,. and thereby te~1pte~ to invent a falsehood. If he had steadfastly set his face agamst the temptation !us need would probably have been met ih some othe1· way. There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as a lie of necessity. A man may die of necessity, but not lie. 2. The pi·omise of advantage. He thought that no ham1 could possibly come of his de?eit. But how little do men know, when they enter upon a false way, to what end 1t may lead I 3. Tlie possession of a natural tendency or sns<;eptibility t? such a temptation. Th~re w:i~ in him. (notwithstandi?g he abhorred lymg from his heart) " a natural d1spos1t1on wluch rendered him peculiarly 01:en to this temp~atio~: a qui~k, iml?ulsive_ genius fertile in conceiving,; and a vers_at1le cleverness skilful m colourmg tlungs different from the actual fact.. And does 1t not read a most striking lesson to those who are in any way similarly constituted?" (J. Wright, 'David, King of Israel'). "Ever to the truth Which but tlie semblance of a falsehood wears A man, if possible, should bar his lip, Since, although blameless, he incurs reproach" (Dante). II. IT IS ALWAYS DESERVING OF STRONG REPROBATION, inasmuch. as-1. It is a violation of the bond by wkicli society is held togetlier. Without. confidenc.e in each other's truthfulness men could not live together in social union. It is a sin against th_e justice and the love :Wl~ich we owe_ to our. neighbour. What the apostle says with reference to the Chnstian commumty applies to all: "Wherefore putting away lying," &c.: " for we are members one of another" (Ephes. iv. 25). 2. It is contrary to the dictates of an enlightened conscience. 3. It is prohibited and condemned by the word of truth. "Ye shall not lie one to another" (Levit. xix. 11). «Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile" (Ps. xxiv. 13; cxix. 29; Prov. xii. 22; Col. iii. 9; Rev. xxi. 8). "Lying is a base, unworthy vice; a vice that one_ of the ancients portrays in the most odious colours, when he says that 'it is to- manifest a contempt of God, and withal a fear of man.' It is not possible more excellently to represent the horror, baseness, and irregularity of it; for what can a man imagine more hateful and contemptible than to be a coward toward men and· valiant against his Maker?" (Montaigne). _ III. IT IS OFTEN DETECTED BY UNEXPECTED MEANS (ver. 8). Little did David think of seeing Doeg the Edomite detained (literally, shut up) in the tabernacle, to witness his deception with quick eyes and ears, and ready to reveal it with a tongue "like a sharp razor, working deceitfully" (Ps. Iii. 2). But-1. However cautious men may be in practising deceit, they can never calculate upon all the means by which it may be discovered. "A. bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which bath wings shall tell the matter" (Eccles. x. 20). 2. Even its temporary success often leads to inquiry e.nd discovery (eh. xxij. 6). 3. God, before whom "all things are naked and open," causes the whole course of t!iings to work together for its exposure (2 Sam. xii. 12), in order to teach men to avoid "the way of lying," and "speak the truth in their heart." It was through the operation of his providence the.t Doeg was there that day. Human history and individual life afford innumerable instances of the exposure of deceit in unexpected ways (Eccles. xii. 14). " Lie not ; but let thy heart be true to God, Thy tongue to it, thy actions to them both. Dare to be true ! Nothing can need a lie ; • • The fault that needs it most grows two thereby" (Herbert), IV. IT INVARIABLY PRODUCES PERNICIOUS CONSEQUENCES. 1. In those who deceive -by their moral deterioration, encouragement in deception when they are success- ful, and filling them sooner or later with bitter regret (eh. xxii. 22). 2. In those who are deceived, to an extent which cannot be anticipated. 3. In othe~ men, by lessening their confidence in one another, and giving "occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (2 Sam. xii. 14). Leam-1. That we may not "do evil that good may come." . 2. TC' j~1dge charitably of others, inasmuch as we know not the strength of their temptations. OH. XXI. 1-15.) THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 403-