The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 429

inatances, 11a in the case of Abraham (Gen. xv. 1), the personal and genernl might -coincicle. Tho guidance granted to the patriarchs for the unfolding of the redemp- tive purposes was chiefly in form of vi~ible or audible manifestations, a methocl well ,suited to a primitive life without religious literature, precedents, fixecl regulations, ancl official teachers, and needing greatly, in the midst of visible surroundings and •material tendencies, to be impressed with the reality of the unseen power. To Israel in the desert the guidance and spiritual impressment was given by the visible pillar -0f cloud and of fire, and by the stupendous signs on Mount Sinai which accompanied the communications to Moses for their benefit. The Urim and Thummim of the high priest were chiefly employed during the years suhsequent to Moses, thus largely dispensing with the irregular visible display. In the prophets Samuel, Gad, and others after them a more spiritual method came into use, God making known his will to the people by some spiritual manifestation to or elevation of the prophet's spirit. In Christian times the personal prophetic medium reached its culmination in -Christ and his apostles, who, out of the fulness of the Spirit that dwelt in them, gave forth such teaching and guidance in action as the Church required. Thus in divers manners God has spoken for the guidance of the Church. We have to consult the "living oracles" (2 Tim. iii. 16) for our guidance as a Church of Christ in reference to the general principles and the manifold details involved in establishing '' the !kingdom" (Isa. viii. 20; John v. 20; Acts xvii. 11). As individual Christians, besides acting in unison as a Church for the common objects of the kingdom of Christ, we may seek guidance daily by private use of the same means as those enjoyed privately by David. ' IV. THE HIGHEST QUALITIES OF THE RELIGIOUS CHARACTER may be associated witu THE MORE ORDINARY AND PRACTICAL, and when so associated THEY GIVE VALUE AND ,COMPLETENESS to them. It is a too frequent belief in the world that a man absorbed in the pursuit of the highest religious vocation and distinguished by the loftiest spiritual aspirations, such as are revealed in the Psalms and in David's life, becomes thereby one-sided in development, and fails by neglect in the detailed and minor moralities of life. A saint is synonymous with a moody, unpractical man, too much -Occupied with spiritual realities to be careful of little things. David's conduct in the affairs of Keilah is a refutation of this false conception. The narrative brings out his full-orbed religion, and in this he may be considered as a fit representative -0f the well-developed Christian. 1. The line of conduct pursued with reference to Keilah, taken in historic connection with his call to service, brings out a remarkable combination of high and ordinary qualities. With bis consciousness of hig-h mission was joined a patient endurance of bitter trials as a consequence of the very position to which Providence was calling him. Not a word of complaint and distrust escapes his lips during this weary hiding from his foe, althong·h in his agony he was constrained to cry, "How long, 0 Lord I" Then there was that beautiful self-reserve, lest by any impetuous act he should seem to forestall the ways of God and force on the final issue-as seen in his unwillingness to annoy or ~mbarrass Saul and press him to a conflict by nn attack, without royal commis- sion, on the Philistines. This following and not going before appears also in his using the official means of guidance only when Providence had placed them clearly in his way, and not by privately enticing Gad and Abiathar to join his company. But while intent on these high spiritual objects, there was a generous disinterested- ness in relieving the troubles of others, even at a time when his own sorrows were multiplied, for he spared not himself when Keilah was oppressed. Nor did he feel for them alone, since the second inquiry of the Lord (ver. 4) was evidently dictated by a tender consideration for men whose faith was nnequal to his own, And, finally, all this also associated with a wonderful tenderness for his personal enemy, based on a recognition of his kingly office, and more so on pity for a character once hopeful, but now fast on the way to ruin. Never, perhaps, were the precepts of the New Testament with respect to personal enemies (Matt. v. 38-44) more truly exemplified in combination with so utter a detestation of the sins that tended to frustrate the spiritual ends for which Israel existed in the world. 2. Taking, then, the conduct of David and the special qualities indicated therein as a basis, we may mmmarise the qnctlities which seem to ente1' into a well-developed religious character. FF :2  THE FIRST BOOK OF SA~ICEL. [ell. XXJII. 1-13,