The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 498

camp-fires, together with the intense silence of the place, would enable the quick eye and enr of David to perceive its position and defenceless condition. And it may have been early morning when, on his return from his adventurous and successfol -enterprise, the voice of David rang across the ravine which separated him from it. "Answerest thou not, Abner?' 2. The conversation that followed occurred in the presence of the followers of Smtl, and was doubtless heard by them, on awaking, like Abner, out of the deep sleep that had fallen upon them (ver. 12). At the former interview Saul was alone with David and his men, and, having no reason for concern about the manner in which his royal dignity, of which he was always so jealous, might be regarded by others, his feelings were less restrained and his expressiom more explicit. What was now said must have shown them the evil of the course he pursued; it was a public testimony against the wickedness of the men who incited him to it (ver. 19), and could not but convince them of David's integrity and future success (ver. 25). 3. It took place under circumstances which made it impossible for Saul to do him harm. David's distrust of him was such that he took care to gain a safe position before speaking. The temptation to get him into his power was always too strong for Saul to resist. He was not morally, but physically, restrained from effecting his purpose (eh. xxv. 32). David could have destroyed Saul, but he would not; Saul would have destroyed David, but he could not; he was under the dominion of a depraved will, even when he expressed his determination to abandon his evil designs, and seemed to himself and others sincerely penitent. In this inter- view then we see- I. THE CONSCIOUS INTEGRITY OF AN UPRIGHT HEART. After asking, " \,Vherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant?" &c., David said, 11 If the Lord have stirred thee up against me," &c. (vers. 19, 20); and again, "The Lord render to every mrrn his righteousness," &c. (vers. 23, 24). His conscious integrity appears in-1. Earnestly urging the adoption of proper means to overcome temptation. 11 Pray to God that he take the temptation from thee" (Bunsen). "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God," &c. (James i. 13, 14). But God often affords him opportunity to manifest the evil that is in his heart, with a view to bis conviction of sin and turning from it; and II if he does not repent, the forms in which sin exhibits itself are no longer under his control, but under God's dispensation, who determines them as pleases him, as accords with the plan of his government of the world, for his own honour, and, so long as he is not absolutely rejected, for the good of the sinner" (Hengstenberg). And he has respect to the offering that is presented to him in nghteousness (Gen. iv. 7). The meat offering (minchali) here meant "was appended to the burnt and peace offerings to show that the object of such offerings was tht;, sanctification of the people by fruitfulness in well-doing, and that without this the end aimed at never could be attained" (Fairbairn). David spoke from his deep experience of temptation, his faithful endeavour after holiness, his exalted estimation of the Divine favour and help, and was as desirous that Saul should stand in a right relation to God as of his own deliverance from persecution (Ps. cxli. 2). 11 The way in which he addresses Saul is so humble, so gentle, and so reverent that we may sufficiently thence recognise the goodness of his hen.rt." 2. Solemn invoca- tion of Divine judgment on wicked -men who incite to,wickedness. " If it be the children of men,'' &c. (ver. 19). This is in accordance with the tone which pervades the imprecatory psrrlms, and should be interpreted in the light of his personal conduct toward Saul, his zeal for the kingdom 11nd righteousness of God, the facts of the Divine treatment of evil men, similar expressions in the New Testament (Matt. xi. 21 ; xxiii. 13-39; Acts viii. 20; 1 Cor. v. 5; 2 Tim. iv. 4), and the inferior position occupied by saints under the Old Testament dispensation (see commentaries on the Psalms by 'l'holuck, Perowne, and others). "When David's whole career is intelli- gently and fairly viewed, it leaves on the mind the impression of a man of as meek and placable a temper as was ever associated with so great strength of will and such Rtrong passions'' (Binnie, 'The Psalms'). " David is the Old Testament type of the inviolable majesty of Christ, and therefore his imprecations are prophetic of the final doom of the hardened enemies of Christ and his Church. As such they are simply an expansion of the prayer, 'Thy kingdom come.' For the kingdom of <J:OLl comes not only by the showing of mercy to the penitent, but also by the executmg  508 THE FinST BOOK 01◄' SAMUEL. [en. xxn. 1-25,