God. m_adc hi_s wa_Y to him in the thic),ets of the forest (literally, IIoresh), anrl con- soled bun as if with w_ords and_ promises _from God himself" (Ewald). He did not nccon:pany the _force 1i:i _pursmt o~ J?av1d (ver. 15), but came from Gibeah. His peculiar and tr)•mg pos1t10n made 1t 11nposs1ble for him to do more for his friend than hold this secre_t inte1:view with him, with_out al~ogether breaking with his royal father, and openly mcurrmg the charge of d1sobed1ence and rebellion. Never was fr\endship m~re faithfully shown; never did it render more valuable service. Well might the bhnd man, when asked what he thought the sun was like reply "Like friendship." Its benefit, as received by David, was- ' ' . I. OrPORTUNE. " A frie!ld ~oveth. at all times; " but his kindly offices are pecu- har_ly _grateful and benefi~1al !n a tune of need; as, e. g., in-1. Physical distress, affl1ct10n, homelessness, pnvahon, peril of liberty or life. 2. Mental anxiety lone- liness, discouragement, depression, when the ' " Light is low, When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick And tingle ; and the heart is sick, And all the wheels of Being slow." 3. ~piritual trial,_ temptation, f~iling faith hope and patience; in view of the pros-- penty o~ the wicked, the patienc~ of _Heaven, th~ delny o~ promised good. At such a time how unspeakably precious 1s a true friend I His countenance is like- sunshine breaking through thick clouds. "Friendship is the only point in human affairs concerning the benefit of which all with one voice agree. There is nothing' so suited to our nature, so well adapted to prosperity or adversity. I am not awar!l" whether, with the exception of wisdom, anything better has been bestowed on man by the immortal gods. And they seem to take away the sun from the world who• withdraw friendship from life" (Cicero). "Refuge failed," &c. (Ps. cxlii. 4; Matt. xx,i. 40, 56). II. ADAPTED to the most pressing need. ".And strengthened his hand in God,. i. e. strengthened his heart not by supplies, or by money, or any subsidy of that kind, but by consolation drawn from his innocence and the promises of God" (Keil). "Exhorted him to put confidence in God" (Dathe). He strengthened him by-1. His genial presence, especially since his visit was expressive of his fidelity, confidence, and sympathy, and made with much effort, self-denial, and risk. "They that fear thee will be glad when they see me" (Ps. cxix. 74; Prov. xxvii. 17). "Whom when Paul saw," &c. (Acts xxviii. 15; 2 Cor. vii. 7). "When I ask myself whence it is that I feel this joy, this ease, this serenity when I see him-it is because it is he, it is Lecause it is I, I answer; and that is all that I can say" (Montaigne). 2. His encouraging words. "Fear not" (" the keynote of Jonathan's address"), &c., in ,d1icl1 he assured him of-(1) Preservation from threatening danger, doubtless pointing him to tbe Divine protection. (2) Exaltation to the highest dignity: "Thou wilt be king over Israel;" pointing him to the Divine purpose, which had been plainly declared, and could not fail to be fulfilled. He had already intimated (eh. :i.:x:. 15), and now explicitly asserted, his faith in that purpose. What ground was- 1!,ere for Da,·id's fear? (3) His anticipation of continued and intimate association "·itl1 l,irn when he should sit on the throne, all claim to which he willingly renounced fur his sake, and in obedience to the will of God. (4) The conviction of Saul him- ~elf that he would prevail. If Saul believed it, why should David doubt? What more he said is not recorded. But this was admirably adapted to strengthen his l,eart and hand. "It is difficult to form an adequate conception of the courage, the Rpiritnal faith, and the moral grandeur of this act. Never did man more completely clear himself from all complicity in guilt than Jonathan from that of his father. And yet not an undutiful word escaped the lips of this brave man" (Edersheim). 3. His renewed covenant with him ( eh. xv iii. 3 ; :u:. 16, 17, 42), in which, whilst he pledged his own faithful love and service, he drew forth the expression of his faith in his future destiny as well as of his fidelity to himself and his house; and both :ippealed to God as witness. The intercourse of friends is peculiarly beneficial when it 1s sanctified by their common recognition of the presence of God, and their common devotion to his will. "Next to the immediate guidance of God by his Spirit, the CJI. XXIII. 14-29.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA11CEL. 456
counsel and encouragement of virtuous and enlightened friends afford the most powerful nid in the encounter of temptation and in the career of duty." It was the, Inst time David and Jonathan met. " 0 heart of fire I misjudged by wilful man, Thou flower of Jesse's race ! What woe was thine, when thou and Jonathan Last greeted face to face ! He doomed to die, thou on us to impress The portent of a bloodstained holiness" (' Lyra. Apostolica '). III. ENDURING. The influence of their meeting continued long afterwards, and' produced abundant fruit (eh. xxiv. 7; xxvi. 9). "The pleasures resulting from the mutual attachment of kindred spirits are by no means confined to the moments of personal intercourse; they diffuse their odours, though more faintly, through the seasons of absence, refreshing and exhilarating the mind by the remembrance of the past and the anticipation of the future. It is a treasure possessed when it is not employed ; a re~erve of strength, ready to be called into action when most needed ; a fountain of sweets, to which we may continually repair, whose waters are inex- haustible" (R. Hall). 11 If the converse of one friend, at one interview, gives comfort and strengthens our hearts, what may not be expected from the continual supports, daily visits, and powerful love of the Saviour of sinners, the covenanted Friend of believers I" (Scott).-D.