The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 456

Vera. 8-15.-Discrimination in relation to men, truth, and vocation. The facts are-1. David follows Saul out of the cave and pays him homage. 2. He remon- strates against Saul heeding the lies of slanderers, and declares to him how he had just spared his life. 3. Exhibiting the skirt of the robe in evidence of his words, and appealing to God, he protests his innocence of purpose. 4. He, while admitting his own insignificance, commends his cause to the justice of God, and prays for deliverance. If we take into account what human nature is under provocation, and the rough aud painful life of David at this period, we shall not fail to admire the generous, highly spiritual tone of his conduct on this occasion. It is a remarkable instance of real conformity of spirit with Christian requirements among those in ancient times not blessed with our advantages. It is also a remarkable testimony to the value of these virtues that men, without dissent, admire the beautiful spirit of David, even though in many instances they have not the will to act likewise in analogous situations. But the general teaching of the section may be arranged in the following order : - 1. DISCRIMINATION OF CHARACTER IS A PRODUCT OF TRUE GOODNESS, and is ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH MEN amidst the difficulties of life. David was a man of valour, of deep piety, and of keen discernment. His intense love of righteousness was not attended by a hasty and harsh condemnation of Saul's conduct,evil as it was. 'Nhile keenly alive to the wrong Saul was doing him, and recognising that One above visit:B every evil-doer, he nevertheless in his first words to Saul recognises the fact, which doubtless through Jonathan and others he had ascertained, that there were greater sinners in this sad business than Saul. "Wherefore hearest thou men's words, say- ing, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?" He knew how the unhappy king had departed from God, and subsequently had become melancholy, and at times almost insane, and he understood how the original wicked envy was associated with this sad fall from God's favour; and hence, apart from the reverence cherished for the office of king, he could not but commiserate his persecutor. Saul, in the judgment of David, wns now but a mere tool in the hands of cunning, unscrupulous men at court, who basely roused the enmity of the unfortunate monarch by inventing lies concerning the intentions of David. Discrimination of character may find abunclam scope in every man's life. How much it is lacking is obvious when we reflect on the wholesale condemnation often passed on individuals aud communities. Accidental association in public life is frequently the sole basis of a common jmlgn1ent. ;\foch of the faulty training of families and imperfect education in sehools is to be ascribed to this source, while errors in this particular are the cause of manifolu mis- takes and disastrous failures in private life. It is due to others, as also safe for ourselves, that we act on our Saviour's exhortation, "Judge righteous jmlg·rn,'nt." David was just to Saul in regarding him as the weak instrument of stronger "·ills; as was our Saviour just to a misled people when he charged the scribes and Phari- sees with hindering them from obeying the gospel (Matt. xxiii. 13). A certain development and balance of the intellectual faculties are requisite to discriminate character. It is to be feared that very little attention is paid to this kind of cul- ture in many homes and schools, and consequently there are thousands in a far worse position for the great conflict of life than they need be. But where -Ordinary capacities for discernment exist, true piety will insure thei1 :ight and just exercise; for religion raises the whole moral tone of a man, and gives a superior moral element to our judg-ments on the motives and conduct of men. The g!-ft of "discerning spirit8" is of much value still in the Church of God and in daily -affairs. II. OUR JUDGMENT ON TIIE LANGUAGE OF THE BIDLE SHOULD BE REGULATED BI REGARD TO 'l'TIE SPECIFIC [{l(( WLF.DGE ON WHICH IT IS BASED. David discrim'nates between the weak an I sinful Saul and the cunning, determined men who used him as a tool for their wicked schemes. The language, employed by him here in reference to Saul is mild and tender-recognising wrong, but expressive of the 1 SAM. H H 466 THE FIRST IlOOK OF SAlllliEL. [Cl!. XXIV, 1-22.