The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 409

tmp_crior wisdom of the propl,e~. of G?d. _In all this :,ve get ~races of the qualities wlnch ~ub_seq'.1cntly _made Dand a ~v!se kuw. Her':m aro lines of conduct worthy- qf our imitation amidst the perplexities wluch sometimes fall to our lot in private. domestic, and public life. Amidst the fears and gloom of our position let. us cherish that faith in God's purpose concerning us which, i,n spite of fears and S_OITl))VS under- lies all _DaYid's pro~edure (Ps. vii., xxiv. )_, and tlien exercise our best judg1;1ent: 01i the avoidance of evil, the discharge of daily duty, and the measures most conduci,·e t? the end u:1 view. To av_oid all occasions of annoya,nc·e, to avail ourselves of.. suc;h- a1d as P:0Y1dence may_ brmg- to us, to la_y ho!~ of_ and control any unsatisfactory surroundmgs so as to dn-est them of possible m1scluef and convert them into usef.ul a~ents, to see to it that others shall not if possible come to grief by being associated with om l'{lovements, to go on steadily awaiting God's time for action, and to welcotne any clear intimations of his will, however contrary to our own arrano·ements-this- 0 will prove our wisdom. II. UNSATISFACTORY ADHERENTS. The men who flocked to David were of miscel- laneous characters, and were swayed by diverse motives; not such perhaps as David "·ould have chosen. The manifestly unjust treatment .of the youno· deliverer qf Israel, ~nd the increas!ngly irritable and !mpulsive temper of _the kji;ig~ accompanied with misgovernment m matters of debil, could.not but mak';' brave and chiva.lrous men "discontented ; " and it was no wonder if at such q, ~imEJ man,y were_ ):,rought to, poverty. It is certain, however, that many of them did not e.nter intp the lofty spiritual aims of David, and, in so far as their prfnciples were,not identical with hie, they were a questionable support. Yet the fact is instructive. Persons of high character and lofty aims exercise an attracti-:e influence over many w_ho cannot enter fully into tbeir conceptions. The assertors of great principles do sometimes find adherents very inferior to themselves. The adherents of a just cause are not alway& to be credited witb an intelligent appreciation of its nature. It is therefore wrong to judge leaders of important movements by the crude not.ions and imperfect character of their followers. In the case of our Saviour it was the force of his personal character that drew disciples of diverse tastes and qegrees of intelligence around_ Lim. But just as David disciplined and educated. his followers. till they became valiant, loyal men in the kingdom (1 Chron. xi.), so Christ in due time el)dowed hie, disciples with power to enter into the spirit of his mission. Neithe.r in the Church nor in social and political affairs can we dispense with men who, though drawn to leaders, are not yet in perfect harmony of intelligence and character. III. FILIAL PIETY. Amidst the gravest anxieties of his life David manifested concern for the welfare of his parents. Indeed all his private and public movements for a time seem to have been subordinated to securing their freedom from danger and distress. If ever a man could plead inability he could just then. This tender- ness of character is very prominent in his entire life. Filial piety is strongly enjoined· in the Bible. The "commandment with promise" relates to duty to parents. Our. Saviour's example is conspicuous (Luke ii. 50-52; John xix. 26, 27). It is impos- sible to lay claim to religion without this love, care, tender interest, self-denial, and reverence for parents (Ephes. vi. 1-3). There are manifold ways in which it may be displayed: by sympathy in sorrow and sickness, by reverence and affection in health, by deference to their wishes whenever consistent with holiness and right, by fore- casting their needs and providing for them, by insuring support and comfort i~ old age, and by the cherished love which ever causes them to thank God for the gift of children. lY. OPPORTUNE COUNSEL. During the long season of darkness David had groped his way from place to place, exercising his judgment, and doubtless lifting up his l,ee.rt for more light. He stumbled at Noh; he fell into a net at Gath; he ehow~d prudence at Adullam; and now in the land of Moab, where perhaps he mourned m being so fur from the sanctuary of God, he is remembered on high, and the prophet Gad brings to him the first Divine and official communication he, as far as.we can learn, ever received. This circumstance was full of meaning. The proph_etio order wo.s recc>gnising him. The dayspring had come. Henceforth he wo.s t?.~e metructed more openly in the way in which he should go (vers. 20-23; eh. xxm. 2). There u, alBo, a limit to our seasons of darkness. We have not a prophet Go.d; but when CII. XXII. 1-23.] TIIE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 415-