The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 493

Vers. 13-25.-Ajflictions and rigliteousness. The facts are-I. David seeks to arou~e the attention of Saul by an appeal to Abner, blended- with reproof of his Tieghge!1ce. 2. Saul, on recognising David's voice, is answered by him in terms ~xpre_ss1ve of l_oyal homage. 3. David appeals to Saul with respect to his conduct, pomtmg out its harshness and unreasonableness. 4. Saul, valuing his own life just sp:3-red, admits !h~ fore~ of the plea, and promises to desist from persecution. !i. Dand reasserts lt1s mtegnty, and expresses the hope that God would accept his motives and actions. 6. Saul acknowledges the moral superiority of David, and professes to foresee his success in life. As the persistence of trial is set forth by the various items of the history, so the integrity of David is also variously illustrated. Afflictions and righteousness are most conspicuous features of his experience during the period prior to his accession to power; beautifully suggestive to us of the con- . .ditions of our attaining to fitness for the higher service of Christ (Acts xiv. 22). The geTJeral teaching of the section may be arranged under the following statements : - 1. That IT IS CONSISTENT '\\'ITH SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GoD TO ENDEAVOUR TO REMOVE THE HUMAN CAUSES OF TROUBLE. The life and writings of David prove l1is trust in God and acquiescence in his appointments; at the same time he spared no pains to get rid of the troubles of his life by removing the causes of them as existing in tl1e mind of Saul. In this fresh appeal he declares to Saul that if God be the monr of his spirit to do these things (ver. 19), he has no more to say, only let it be pro,ed. His appeal to Abner was an additional effort to remove the trouble, since not Saul only, but the general and army would now see in his abstinence from -.iolence the purity of his motives. The same course is proper for all in tribulation. Trials are permitted, and are blessed in their effects when rightly received (Heh. xii. :6-11); but we have to do with preventible causes, and may seek to remove them. EYen the failure of effort to remove causes of trouble which, being human, ought not to operate, in becoming itself a trial is the more blessed in its effects because of our having done our duty. God's secret purposes and methods are not the rules of our action, and any fruitless action of ours performed in reverent submission to his unsearchable will is itself a means of grace, because of his turning it to spiritual profit. Il. That THERE IS A DOU1lLE BASIS OF APPEAL TO MEN BENT ON A WRONG COURSE which should regulate our dealings with them. David addresses himself to Saul's .sense of right and to his reasoning powers. "What have I done?" The answer was dear in Saul's conscience. "Now, therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king . liear tile words of his servant." The reasoning powers of Saul gave heed and were convinced by the subsequent argument. In our private controversies, in our efforts to win men over io Christ, and in our treatment of the young, we are on safe ground when we address the moral and rational nature. A wise appeal to the two cannot be wholly lost. Man is compelled by force of his nature to recognise right when placed before the eye of conscience, and the laws of thought insure the acquiescence of reason wlien tlie argument is intrinsically as well as formally sound. It is this 11ecessary recognition of truth and right which forms the philosophical ground for :fs.itL in the final triumph of Christianity, and wise teachers as well as private Cl,ristians may labour on in confidence as Jong as they present the truth of God in ,fin earnest and prayerful spirit. CU. XXVI. 1-25.] 'fHE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 503