and our Lord acted (Lnke vl. 10). "I desired mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hoset, vi. 6). 4. When it hinders the highest service of God. In all such inatances the 1trict observance of the letter "works mischief and misery, and not only kills but kills the spirit itself from which it came" (2 Cor. iii. 6). ' III. _THE_ LETTER ~UST BE SUBORDINATED TO_ TH~ SPIR_IT. It should not be despised or arb1tranly set aside; but the lower obhgat10n ( m so far as the "letter" is obligatory) ought to be secondary and subservient, and give place to the higher . .And we learn that-1. In the order of God's dealings with men it was necessary that the dispensation of the letter should be superseded by that of the spirit. This incident affords a glimpse of their predominant elements. "The law was like a book of first lessons-lessons for children, Christianity is like a book for men." 2. In the Christian dispensation what is ceremonial, regulative, temporary (however im- portant) must be deemed of less consequence than what is moral, essential, enduring• and devotion to the former should be surpassed by devotion to the latter. Und~ly to exalt external rites or special forms of worship is to return to the bondage of the letter; whilst zealously to contend about them without brotherly love and charity is to lose the substance for the sake of shadows. "Redeemed and sanctified man stands no longer under the disciplinary form of tht law, but stands above and controls the form of the requirement" (Erdm&nn). He is a king and priest. "Pure religion" (literally, outward ceremonial service), &c. ( James i. 27). It is charity and purity. 3. In the individual life-renewed and sanctified-the chief endeavour should ever be to "live in the spirit," and exhibit "charity out of a pure heart" (1 Tim. i. 5). " I'm apt to think the man That could surround the sum of things, and spy The heart of God and secrets of his empire, Would speak but love; with him the bright result Would change the hue of intermediate scenes And make one thing of all theology." 4. In everything Christ must be regarded as s~tpreme, the perfect embodiment and only source of the spirit, Redeemer, Lord, 11 all and in all" (Col. iii. 11; 2 Cor. iii. 17, 18).-D.
Vera. 8-10. (NoB. )-The sword of Golimh. "There is none like that; give it me" (ver. 9). When David slew Goliath "he put his armour in his tent" (" the ancient word for dwelling"). But he appears to have aftenvards deposited bis sword in the tabernacle at Nob as a sacred relic, dedicatory offering, memorial, and sign ; and on seeking for means of defence during bis flight "from the face of Saul " (ver. 10) it was still there, carefully II wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod," and was handed over to him by the priest. It was of special significance for him, anci (as other memorials often do to others) it must have spoken to him with an almoijt oracular voice in the way of- I. REMEMBRANCE of the help of God; afforded-!. In the gaining of a notable victory over the enemies of the Lord and Lis people. 2. At a time of imminent peril and utmost extremity. 3. Through faith "in the name of the Lord of hosts." David's deliverance, as he then acknowledged, was accomplished not by the sling and stone, nor yet by the sword, but by the Lord on whom he relied ; and he much needed to be reminded of it now. II. ENCOURAGEMENT to trust in God. 1. In his service, in conflict with bis enemies and obedience to his directions, the Lord is with his servants. They are not "alone" (ver. 1 ), hut he is on their side (Ps. cxviii. 6). 2. In the greatest extremity, when ordinary means seem unavailing, he is able to deliver them by those w·nich ore extraordinary. 3. The confidence which they place in him he never disappoints. 11 Fear not." 11 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." III. WARNING against confidence in man. Overwhelmed with fear, he was about to take the daring step of leaving his people and seeking shelter with the Philistines. encl eagerly grasped the weapon as an omen of the success of his scheme. Bnt if he h&d reflected it would surely have taught him that-1. There is no safety for a ■ervant of God in dependence upon or in alliance with his enemies. Ncne mi11;ht ·406 THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH, XXl, 1--15.
be like "the sword of Goliath" when used in "the Lord's battles," but in no other. ·2. His own wisdom and strength avail nothing "without the Lord." And he was now eYidently venturing on an erroneous and presumptuous course in which J1c had no assurance of Di,·ine guidance and help. 3, The weapon whicl; hns been po,verful by faith is powerless without it, and may even be turned against him who -employs it. Ancient memorials, institutions, methods are valueless apart frolll the spirit which they represent. It is probable that David was discovered in the native place of Goliath by the sword he bore; and the next thing we hear is that he and "the reno,rned weapon he so highly prized were in the hands of the Philistines.-D .