cunning men intent on making out a consistent theory of their own. For such men would have made each document to square in detail with the one preceding, and com- pilers intent on furthering a theory handed down by tradition would hr1ve been careful to exclude all separate documents not manifestly coherent with others. 3. We can use the Bible, with these variations in it, with deeper interest because uf the inten.sely ltuman character of its narratives. Had all been so sifted and red need to such mathematical precision and sameness of statement as to eliminate any possible appearance of discrepancy, we should have felt the non-human character of the historic record. As it is, we see human life in its pages, and trace human idiosyn- crar.iee in its varieties of representation, and as " one touch of nature m,ikes the whole world kin," so this human element in the Bible lays hold of men, and excite!! in them a greater interest in its narratives. 4. The careful reader also, by means of these variations, sees in stronger light the one spiritual purpose running through the whole. The great revelation of God in Christ is more conspicuous in its oneness and continuity by reason of the very diversities and sometimes irreconcilable dif- ferences of the narrative. Our appreciation of the spiritual is the higher bec;w"e we see that not one great truth is in the slightest degree affected by any verhal, chronological, or historical difficulties. Admit them all, if need be, and the r"" I saving truth is as clear as the sun at noonday. 5. The difficulties in qwstion cn·e a means of wholesome discipline. All historic studies furnish scope for the exercise of cailtion, discrimination, patience, reticence, and suspended judgment because of the necessary incompleteness of all historic records. This is especially true of tlie Bible, the more so as we do not always know the particular reason of the selection or omission of items, while we do know that we have not a thousandth part of the actual events associated with the unfolding in the long line of hnman history of the great purpose of God in Christ. The light thrown on obscure passages by advancing discoveries is an additional reason for the exercise of patience and cautions reserve. God is educating us by the intricate lessons, written often with an appearance of confusion, in the rocks that form the crust of the globe ; and likewise in the peculiar manner in which he has been pleased to allow his revelation to man to be incorporated by human hands with narratiYes of events. Il. THE SPECIAL TRUTH EMBODIED IN THE FACTS WHICH CONSTITUTE THE DIFFICULTY OF TIIIS SECTION. 'fhe object of the narrative is evidently to point out that David w,1s under a strong temptation to forestall the order of Providence by forcing events with his own hand, and that he, with true spiritual heroism, resiRted the suggestions of expe- diency. As we have dwelt on this topic in treating of eh. xxiv. 1-8, and xxv. 36- 44, it may suffice here to note how, in this triple reference to the same form of trial, the historian was impressed with the persistence of this peculiar temptation during this period of David's life. Doubtless other unrecorded instances of the same, in one form or another, occurred during the period of his persecution, but these three repre- sentations are enough to indicate the fact. The persistence of the temptation to desire the disposal of events to be in our own hands, by wishing something to be done which God does not do, or to take the disposal into our hands by actually doing what is not warranted by religious principle, but only by the rules of a contracterl expediency, is real in the lives of many of God's servants. Onr Saviour himself wue tempted to it again and again. There is an hypothesis that even ,Jndas was induced to betray Christ to force him to assert his power, and so hasten the estab- lishment of hil'I kingdom. The trials of the persecuted Church suggested the expe- diency of rising in armed endeavour to defend und extend their principles. The slow progress of Christianity suggests to some the adoption of methods other than apostolic. The sufe rule for us is that of David-God carries on his cause on earth according to laws which he himself has ordained, and no improvement c~n be made on them, even though their working appears to us to be too slow and painful. Saul was anointed by God's command • David was chosen to succeed Saul. He who ap- pointed Saul had power to end hi; life; till he did this of his own will, and_ in his own way, David must wait as the coming king. So the laws of tl_1e human mmd, of the nocial forces at work in the world, and of the spiritual agencies that operate on the r:oul of man are of God • the cause of Christ among men is to be established by 11etion in harmony with these; we are to resist any temptation to seek to set th~m TIIE FIHST BOOK OF SA~IUEL. [rn. xxv1. 1--26.
asi,le by the introduction of agencirs not spiritual, and are not to wish that otner ~g:ncies oper_ating according to otl!er laws were in existence. The principle of hn11g· and actrng accordmg to law ,nil also apply to private life and enterprise . . Genei_-al lessons_:-1. A renrent spirit will prove a good solvent of many Biblical <l1fficult1es, and will ~xtrnct many lessons from them. 2. Where there is not concern for spiritual life the Yerbal and historical difficulties of the Bible will not assume great importance. 3. It is a mutter of gratitude that the way of life is clear to the most unlettered of men (Isa. xxxv. 8). 4. \VI.tile we are waiting anti doing our best as God's s~rrants, his providence is quietly at work to realise the purpose of our life. 5. In _deahng ~,-ith men who urge expediency, it is safe to appeal to God's word ~!1d !11s unceasmg go,ernment of men. 6. No man ever regretted fidelity to prin- . c1ple ; many Jrnye mourned over the bitter fruits of expediency.