The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 483

those who were beneath him in social position, headstrong, and resentful of every word which his servants might say to him in opposition to his way and for his good (n\r, 17); ill_iberal t_oward the needy, unjust and ungrateful," requiting evil for good" (Yer. 21); d1sparag11:ig the charac~er an1 conduct of others (vers. 10-12), and railing 11pon them (,er. 14) m coarse and msultmg language. 11 His wealth had not endowed him v,;tl1 common sense; but, like many in our own day, he imagined that because he ,ms in affluent circumstances he might with impunity indulge in rude, ill-mannered sneers _at all_who were aro~md him" (W. M. Taylor). 3. He lived for hirruJelj alone; r~gardmg 111s _wealth as his ~wn ( 11 my bread and my water,'' &c.), using it only for lumself; makmg an ostentatious display (" the feast of a king"), and indulging in intemperance, "the voluntary extinction of reason." 11 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Ill. Hrs END WAS MISERABLE (';'"ers. 36-39). 1. He was overtaken by death very suddenly and unexpectedly, and when he was unprepared for it. "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee," &c. 2. He suffered the natural penalty of the course which he had pursued. 3. He was consigned to his grave without honour. Whilst "all Israel mourned" for Samuel, none lamented him. Learn that-1. The worth of a man consists not in what he has, but in what he is. 2. Wealth entails on its possessor a serious responsibility for ite proper use. 3. The inequalitisB of men's earthly position disappear in the light of truth and eternity.-D. Ver. 10. (CARMEL.)-Masters and servants. "There are many servants now-a- -days that break away every man from his master." What Nabal said was probably the fact. Many servants did in that unsettled time break away from their masters, preferring independence with its risk and privation to servitude with its protection and provision. But the imputation which be intended to cast upon them was either wholly unjust, as in the case of David, or partially so, as in the case of many others. He omitted to state that their conduct toward their masters was due to the conduct of their masters toward them. People are never so ready to see and condemn the faults of the class to which they belong as those of the opposite class. Concerning masters and servants, consider- I. THE NATURE OF THE RELATION. It has been aptly illustrated in the following language:-" A party of friends, setting out together upon a journey, soon find it to be the best for all sides that while they are upon the road one of the company should ~-ait upon the rest, another ride forward to seek out lodging and entertainment, a third to carry the portmanteau, a fourth take charge of the horses, a fifth bear the purse, conduct, and direct the route; not forgetting, however, that as they were equal and independent when they set out, so they are all to return to a level again at the journey's end" (Paley, 'Mor. Phil.,' book iii.). The relation is confined to li~e's journey alone. 1. It is, in some form or other, necessary and mutually beneficial. The benefit received is really greater on the part of masters than servants. 2. It must of necessity vary with the cirwmslances of those among whom it exists. Hence the Mosaic law tolerated and regulated a species of slavery (though no Hebrew could become other than a "hired serrnnt" for a specified time); but "no other ancient religion was ever so emphatically opposed to it, or at least to ail inhumanity •Connected with it, or made such sure preparations for its abolition" (Ewald, 'Anti- quities'). 3. It always involves mutual obligations. These "now-a-days" are often neglected. The tie between master an<l servant (mistress and maid, employer and ·employed) is not what it once was. There is less dependence on the one band, and less authority on the other. Each complains of the other: " servants are careless a11d too independent; " " masters are too exacting and selfish." And the relation can only be what it ought to be by their common submission to "the law of Christ" (Gal. vi. 2). II. T11E DUTY OF SERVANTS (Ephes. vi. 5-8; Col. iii. 22-25; 1 Tim. vi. 1, ~; Titus ii. 9, 10; 1 Pet. ii. 18). 1. Obedience-lowly, respectful, cheerful; always rn subordination to the supreme will of God. This is the first duty of a servant. 2. Diligence in performing the work given them to do, with attention and earnestness, and ill tl,e best possible manner. "And be content with your wages" (Luke iii. 14 ) • .8. Faithfulness to the trust committed to them, seeking their masters' interests &e r.H. XXV. 1-44.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 498