The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 443

D~vid with courage amidst his sorrows and cares. The narrative implieA tlat the friends conversed freely on the situation and prospects of David. Doubtless Jona- than, besides assuring David of his own belief in God's purposes and his personal allegiance, would also press upon him the fact of Israel's need, the past care of God, the anointing by Samuel and its significance, the historic trials of patriarchs, the high purposes of sorrow and patience, the honour of being chosen to serve and to wait, and the grand issue when, in some as yet unknown manner, the best Messianic hopes of the nation would be realised. He knew that David's need was quiet tru~t in God, and with the tenderness and love of a true friend he diverted his thoughts away from Saul and the sorrows of a fugitive life to the everlasting Refoge. " Strengthened his hand in God." Noble man I noble service I There are in the Jives of many of God's servants seasons when their wisdom, strength, courage, and patience are taxed almost beyond endurance. "Heart and flesh fail." ·what they need is faith in God. To move on in the dark, to toil when success seems hopeles~, to hold on though dangers thic-ken, to hope when events are adverse-this was the case of David, and often that of missionaries, pastors, parents, and others called to high and arduous service. How such men long for the inspiring word, the signifi- cant sign of sympathy, the reminder of the truth well known I The history of the Church is full of such instances. "Who is sufficient for these things?" "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" Angels came and cheered the heart which men left to bear the unutterable burden. Following the example of Jonathan and of the angels, we each may do something to inspire with new faith and hope those who feel the pressure of care and toil for Christ; we may do it by our words of cheer, by our assured sympathy, by our fervent prayer, and by hearty, free co-operation in the enterprise which absorbs their energy. Practical ·lessons .~l. We should seek the evidence of our being blessed with the favour of God in the unquestionable spiritual blessings be has conferred on us in the past, in the fact of our being led by him and not by our own choice, and in the answer of a good conscience to his claim on our obedience and love, and not in the presence or absence of easy circumstances. God's chosen ones have often known the pains of wilderness life. 2. We may be sure that before troubles become so manifold as to destroy the end for which God hag called us into his service some appropriate aid will come, not to relieve ns of all care, hut to fortify us for duty; for he will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. 3. It should inspire every Christian worker amidst his toils that he is daily borne on the heart of many who, though unseen and unknown by name, are friends in Christ. 4. Honom is due to every one who by prayer or kindly word contributes to the sum of Christian effort. 5. True religious sympathy will lead us to rejoice in the superior service to which others are called, and will devise new means of aiding their progress. 6. There are seasons in the religious life when calm trust in God, in the absence of favouring circumstances, is almost our sole duty; and when we are strengthened in this respect we shall be able to possess our souls in patience till the desire of our heart is attained (Luke xxi. 14-19). Vera. 19-29.-The unobserved side of life. The facts are-1. The Ziphites send to Saul, offering their services to secure David if only he will come to their country in pursuit of him. 2. Saul, indulging in pious language, thanks the Ziphites for their sympathy, and promises to comply with their request when properly informed of David's movements. 3. Going in pursuit of David in the wilderness of Maon, Saul encompasses him with his men. 4. At this critical juncture Saul is called away to repel an invasion of the Philistines, whereupon David seeks refug,i in Engedi. This brief narrative is fol) of suggestion of profitable topics, such as the intense zeal of men in sinful courses, its reasons and its issue; the pernieious influence of local jealousy in determining the bearing of men towards others; the blindness and folly of combinations of men against the quietly-developing purposes of God; the power of the love of gain, leading, as it does, men to adopt a course of evil froin which others shrink ; the causes of the indifference or a version of sections 0£ the community to the governing and advancing sentiment of a nation, as seen in the attitude of the Ziphites contrast.ed with the general feeling in relation to S.u1\ and 1 SAM. G U  450 THE FmST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. XXlll. 14-29