The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 497

sceptre of uprightness." The highest realisation of these principles appears in One greater than David, and alone" worthy to recei,-e" the sceptre of universal dominion { eh. ii: 10; 2 Sam. xxiii. 2; Phil. ii. 9; Heb. i. 8; Hev. v. 5, 12).-D. Vers. 13-16. (THE HILL OF HACHILAH.)-illanliness. "Art not thou a man?" {-er. 15). A man should prove worthy of himself; his nature, power, dignity, nnd responsibility. E,·ery man should do so ( not only every one who, like Abner, occupies an exceptional position), for every man (fallen though he be) is great. "Let us not disparage that nature which is common to all men; for no thought can measure its gTandeur. It is the image of God, the image of his infinity; for no limits can be set to its unfolding. He who possesses the Di-.ine powers of the soul is a great being, be bis place what it may. You may clothe him with rags, may immure him in a dungeon, may chain him to slavish tasks; but he is still great. Man is a greater name than president or king" (Channing, ' Self-culture'). '' A beam ethereal, sullied and absorpt ; Though sullied and dishonoured, still Divine I" (Young). In order that he may act according to his true nature, and not unworthily of it-1. The body must be the servant of the soul. It was designed, with its various passions, to obey, and not to rule; and to keep it " in subjection' (1 Cor, ix. 27) requires -watchfulness, self-control, and manly strength. "Call to mind from whence ye sprang ; Ye were not form'd to live the life of brutes, Rut virtue to pursue and knowledge high" (Dante, 'Inferno'). "2. The mind must be faithful to the truth; esteeming it as more precious than gold, searching for it as for hid treasure, receiving it on proper evidence, cleaving to it when discovered, and confessing it without fear. Here is room for the exercise of the highest virtue or martial courage. "In understanding be men" (1 Cor. xiv. 20). 3. The heart must be set on the supreme good; resisting and overcoming the tempta- tion to set its affections on wealth, pleasure, fame, that "satisfy not" (Ps. iv. 6). " Let thy heels spurn the earth, and thy raised ken Fix on the lure which heaven's eternal King Whirls in the rolling spheres. 0 ye misguided souls ! Infatuate, who from such a good estrange Your hearts, and bend your gaze on vanity, Alas for you ! " (Dante). -4. The conscience must be re-verenced as tlte king; its integrity defended against all foes, its voice obeyed at all risks, and its favour desired above all earthly dign/ties. " Reverence thyself" ( eh. xxii. 22). 5. 'l'he wilt must be fixed on doing the will of -God-resolutely firmly, and constantly; in striving against sin, advancing in holi- ness, and promoting his kingdom. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor. xvi. 13). " Be as the tower that, firmly set, Shakes not its top for any blast that blows." 6. The character must be conformed to tltat of" the man Ghrist .fesus," the_hif!ihest and only perfect pattern of true manhood (John xiii. 15; ~phes_. 1v, 13; Phil. 11. 5), and the Saviour and Helper of all who endeavour to be h½e him. 7. Tile .P:esent life must be a preparatwn for the future. Man is made to live for ever, and it 1s not manly to live only for the passing moment. He who sleeps at his post of duty and neglects to watch and pray is surely "worthy to die" (ver. 16). "Look up to -heaven, look down to hell, live for eternity! "-D. Vere. 13-25. (THE HILT, orr lJAcmLAH.)-David's last meeting with S~ul. l. "This meeting took place at nigltt. The encampment of Saul was over aga~nst ~he -desert by the way (Yer. 3). The light of the stars, or of the moon, and the fhckermg CH, XXVI. 1-25.] TUE FJRST BOOK OF SA:\IUEL. 507