The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 421

enemies; "not in a spirit of revenge, hut rather in a spirit of zeal for the glory of God, desire for tlie vindication of right, n.nd regard for the peace and purity of society" ('Expositor,' iv. 56), as he does in Ps. LII., "The punishment of an evil tongue" (see inscription):- " Why boastest thou thyself in wickedness, 0 mighty man f The mercy of God endureth continually. Destruction doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working guile. Thus then God will smite thee down for ever. He will seize thee and pluck thee out of thy tent, And root thee out of the land of the living." Other psalms have been supposed by some to refer to Doeg and the massacre of the priests, viz., xvii., xxxv., !xiv., cix., cxl.-D. Vere. 20-22. (THE FOREST OF HARETB.)- Conscience. Conscience is the con- sciousness a man has of himself in relation to the standard of right which he recog- nises. It is at once a judgment of his conformity or otherwise to that standard, and a corresponding feeling of approbation or disapprobation. It is the crowning faculty of the soul. "The whole world is under a solemn economy of government and judgment. A mighty spirit of judgment is in sovereign exercise over all; discern- ing, estimating, approving or condemning. And it is the office of conscience to recognise this authority and to represent it in the soul. It communicates with something mysteriously great without the soul, and above it, and everywhere. It is the sense (more explicit or obscure) of standing in judgment before the Almighty" (J. Foster). Its operation appears in what is here said of David as-1. Uttering a warning against sin. "I knew it that day," &c. Conscience is not only reflective, but prospective in its operations. The eight of Doeg led him to see and feel that the course which he was about to take in deceiving Ahimelech was wrong, and woul,l be productive of evil consequences. But under the pressure of urgent need be neg- lucted the premonition. 2. Inflicting remorse on account of sin. "I am guilty as to every soul (life) of the house of thy father." The information he received called hie conscience into the highest activity. He judged himself strictly. He felt his sin deeply. And most gladly would he recall the evil he had done if he could. But that was impossible. "The lie had gone forth from him; and having done so, it was no longer under his control, but would go on producing its diabolical fruits" (W. M. Taylor). 3. Constraining to tlie confession of sin. He did not (as Saul had done) seek to conceal or palliate his transgression, but freely and fully acknowledged it, renounced it, and sought its forgiveness (Ps. xxxii. 5). 4. Inciting to reparation for sin. "Abide thou with me," &c. It was little that he could do for this purpose, but what was in his power he did. It is evident that, notwithstanding he had yielded to temptation, he possessed a tender conscience (Acts xxiv. 16). "And wouldst thou be faithful to that work which God hath appointed thee to do in this world for his name? Then make much of a trembling heart and conscience; for although the word be the line and rule whereby we must govern and order all our actions, yet a breaking heart and tender conscience is of absolute necessity for so doing. A hard heart can do nothing with the word of Jesus Christ. Keep then thy conscience awake with wrath and grace, with heaven and hell. But let grnce and heaven bear sway" (Bunyan). • "0 clear conscience and upright ! How doth a little failing wound thee sore." D. Ver. 23. (HArtETH.)-Tlie defender of tlie persee1tted. As David afforded prc- tection to Abiathar, so Christ nffords protection to those who betake themselves to him. This is not a mere resemblance, but is directly involved in that (his royal office) wherein David was a type or Divine foreshadowing of "the King of kings." They- I. ENDURE "PERSECUTION FOR BIS SAKE. "He that seeketh my life seeketh thy life." They do so-1. Because of their union with him, and partaking of his life and righteousness, to which "this present evil world " is opposed. 2. Because of  '28 THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. XXII. 1-23.