Vera. 3, 4. (MoAB.)-Filial kindiie,ss. To honour parents is the earliest obliga- • tion of life, the foundation of human duties and a stepping-stone to Divine. It applies to children not only when they dwell at home and depend on their parents, but also when they leave home and become independent of them. The manner in which it should be shown in the latter case differs in some respects from that in the former; but such kindness as David exhibited towards his aged father and mother ought never to be neglected. It was- I. NEEDFUL. In early life we need the care of parents, in old age that of chil- dren. 1. Bodily weakness and failing health often render parents dependent for physical comforts and even necessaries (Gen. xlvii. 12). 2. Increasing loneliness makes them desirous of the cheering presence and intercourse of their children; and much pain is naturally given by lack of respect, affection, confidence, and gentle ministrations. 3. Special emergencies, like those here alluded to, sometimes demand unusual efforts for their safety and happiness. Their condition appeals to the ten• derest and best feelings of the heart, though, alas, it sometimes appeals in vain. II. OBLIGATORY. 1. Arising out of natural relationship, the duties of which on the part of children, however imperfectly they may have been fulfilled on the part of parents, cannot be cancelled. 2. Required by the claims of gratitude for innu- merable benefits received. 3. Enjoined by the Divine word in many precepts to which great promises are annexed. "The fifth commandment is the centre of all the othere; for upwards it is the point of departure for Divine, and downwards for human duties" (Ephes. vi. 1 ). "Despise not thy mother when she is old" (Prov, xxiii. 22). "God commanded, saying, Honour thy father," &c. (Matt. xv. 4-9). "Let them learn first to show (filial) reverence to their own household, and to requite their parents," &c. (1 Tim. v. 4). 4. Commended by the example of the ~ood. "Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father," &c. (Jer. xxxv. 18, 19). Jesus Christ himself (John xix. 26). III. EXEMPLARY in the way in which it was displayed. 1. Thou;Jhtful, affectionate, and tender. 2. Self-denying and self-sacrificing, with much effort and risk, and as was best suited to the circumstances of the case. 3. Religwus: "Till I kn.ow _wh~t God will do to me;" where there is a recognition of his will as supre1;11e, faith m h_1s wise and gracious disposal (Ps. xxvii. 10), and hope of his enabling him to eee agam bis parents, from whom he parted with regret, and provide for their permanem; welfare. CH. XXII. 1-28.] THE FIRST BOOh. OF SAMUEL. 4123
Exhortation :-1. To children. Be kind to your parents, though you no Jono·er need their care, if you would not have y0ur children be unkind to you. 2. "To po.rents. Seek to gain the respect and affection of your children, and teaoh them to honour God, if you would have them to honour you. 3. To all. Be not like those of whom the heavenly Father said of old, "I have nourished and bronght up children, and they have rebelled against me" (lea. i. 2).-D. Ver. 4. (MOAB.)-Awaiting tlie future. "Till I know what God will do to me." There are times when our thoughts naturally tum toward the future: the commence- ment of a fresh enterp1ise or a new season, suspense in sickness, the approach of critical events, especially when they lie beyond our control or even our probable conjecture. At such times this is the appropriate language of a good man. He awaits it in- I. UNCERTAINTY about the events of the future-new positions, opportunities, ad- vantages, trials, duties. "We know not with what we must serve the Lord until we come thither" (Exod. x. 26). "Ye have not passed this way heretofore" (Josh. iii. 4), and cannot tell what may befall you therein. '' Shadows, clouds, and dark- ness rest upon it." But the good man is not distracted by curiosity or anxiety, inasmuch as-1. Neither is of any avail. 2. The Father has reserved the times and the seasons "in his own power" (Acts i. 7). 3. And he has done so wisely and fii1" our good. "The veil that hides the future is woven by the hand of mercy." II. CONFIDENCE in the care of God. "My times are in thy hand" (Ps. xxxi. 15). "I will cry unto God that performeth all things for me" (Ps. ]vii. 2). Such con- fidence respects-1. His perfect knowledge, almighty power, and supeme control of all things, including the thoughts and purposes of men (eh. xix. 23). 2. His individual observation. 3. His beneficent operat·ion. "Being well assured of the justice of his cause as contrasted with the msane persecutions of Saul, David con- fidently hoped that God would bring his flight to an end" (Keil). " 0 Lord, how happy shoulJ we be, If we could cast our care on thee, If we from self could rest, And feel at heart that One above, In perfect wisdom, perfect love, Is working for the best" (Keble). III. READINESS for whatever may take place. 1. By watchful attention to every indication of the will of God, looking out for it as a watchman for the dawn of the morning. "I will stand upon my watch," &c. (Hab. ii. 1). 2. By cherishing a apirit of humble submissiveness to what he may think fit to do and fixed determina- tion to do what he may require. 3. By faithful fulfilment of the plain and im- mediate duty of the present time. "Let my father and mother come forth" (from the hold in Mizpeh) "and be with you, till," &c. Its performance is the beat pre- paration for the events and duties of the future.-D.
Ver. 5. (MIZPEH OF MoAB.)-A summons to d1tty. The prophet Gad was pro- bably sent at the instance of Samuel to David, who was now" in the hold" in Moab, and with whom he may have become acquainted at Ro.mah. . His message was im- portant in relation to the future course of David (ver. 3). "According to the coun- sels of God he was not to seek for refuge outside the land ; not only that he might not be estranged from his fatherland and the people of Israel, which would have been opposed to his calling to be king of Israel, but also that he might learn to trust entirely in the Lord as his only refuge and fortress" (Keil). There was also a special reason why he should be recalled in the incursions of the Philistines, which Saul failed to repel ( eh. xxiii. 1). And the message furnished n test of his obedience to the will of God as declared by the prophets. " Immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood," but did as he was directed, and thereby afforded an instructive example to others. Consider the message ns- 1. COMMUNICATED DY THE PROPHETIC WORD. This word is. for us, contained in 1 the Scriptures of truth." 1. It speaks with mtthori/,y. 2. lt speaks plainly, "ia 424 THE FIRST BOOK OF SA;\IUEL. [cu. XXII. 1-23.