The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 474

·than usually is found among men of ],is class when placed in personal peril. Regard- sing the two causes separately, we may express the teaching thus:- I. T1rnnu JS AT TIMES A SAD JllSPROP0RTION JlETWEEN THE BELIEFS AND THE PRACTICE OF EVEN THE BEST OF MEN. David was undoubtedly the most spiritnally enlightened, patient, and devout man then living. The psalms of the period incli- cate a wonderful faith in the care and goodness of God, and his recent conduct harl illustrated his patience, generosity, and forbearance. The elevated tone of his l:m- guage to Saul (eh. xxiv. 11-15), in which he commits his personal wrongs to Goel, is wortl,y of New Testament times. The common faith of his life could not b11t lrnvo been strengihened by the solemnities of the funeral from which he had lately returned. Nevertheless David could not hear an insult and ingratitude, but must in 'Unholy zeal cease to trust his cause to God, and avenge evil with his own hand. Sons of Zebedee ]iv~ in every age, who cannot wait the calm purpose of God to vindicate his saints, while at the same time professing to be of a spirit born of heaven, and akin to that of him "who when he was reviled, reviled not again." This falling below our ideal is a too common calamity in individual and Church life. The ques- tion may rise whether we really believe what we say we do when conduct does not harmonise therewith, for is not real faith influential? The great verities of our Christian Scriptures, respecting Christ's love, our destiny, the world's spiritual need, and the unspeakable importance of eternal things, are enough to enchain every soul to holy consecration that lrnows no reserve. It is well that we estimate the dispa1;ty between creed and conduct; the dishonour it brings, the harm to religion it entails, and the effect of it on our prayers (James v. 16). II. Oun STANDARD OF CONDUCT IS TO BE TAKEN NOT FROM COOD MEN, but from the EXPLICIT TEACHING OF SCRIPTURE AND THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. As we read the books of men with reserve, and accept only that which accords with a standard -0f truth a.part from them, so our reading of the conduct of saints is to be discriminat- ing. They are often illustrious examples of good, but not our models. Our conduct under analogous circumstances is not to be regulated by that of David, but by the teaching which tells us not to "avenge " ourselves, but to return good for evil, and -even love our enemies. If men ask what this non-personal retaliation means, the answer is, tlte life of Cltrist. That it is alien to human tendencies and often regarded as unmanly does not make it less Christian. Very few persons" enter into the king- -dom of God" in the sense of behaving in the world as Christ did. Even Christian men sometimes speak as though it were madness to display just the spirit of meek- !lless, love, and compassion which marked his career under provocation. \Vho dare say in the truest sense, " We have the mind of Christ"? Ill. DISCRIMINATION AND PROMPTITUDE ARE VALUABLE QUALITIES IN AVERTING EVILS INCIDENT TO HUMAN WRONG-DOING. The evil consequences of one great sin on the part of a good man may be very serious, and, as in this case, calling for exceeding care if they are to he averted. The conduct of the servant (vers. 14-17) is worthy of imitation in many departments of life. He did not selfishly flee to secure himself, but, reading well the pnrpo$e of David, thought of the safety of all, formed a just estimate of Abigail's tact and courage, and of Nabal's stupidity, and without delay laid before his mistress the provocation offered to David. A wise and prompt servant is a hlessing in a home. These qualities go far to render men suc- cessful in life; and if more attention were paid in early years to the deYelopment of them, many an one would be saved from disaster, and the whole machinery of saints would move more smoothly. May we not also see an analogy here to the case of a man who, foreseeing spiritual calamity to others, promptly devises means of deliver- ing them from it? Practical lessons :-1. We should be on the watch against sudden provocations of our unholy tendencies, and we shall find an habitually prayerful spirit one of the best aids to the immediate suppression of passion. 2. It is worth considering how much the Church and world have lost by failure on the part of Christians to Ii Ye out the spirit and precepts of Christ. 3. It is a question whether sufficient attention is paid to the suppression of the love of fighting and taking of revenge in children, and how far literature and customs foster these e,·ils. 4. In cases of moral conduct prompt aetion i~ always best. I I 2  484 THE FIRST BOOK 01<' SAMUEL. [en. xx v. 1-44.