The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 508

DiYi11e proYidC'nce has appointed his lot. The fearful am! faithless shrink from·. difficulties which in a better stl\te of mind they encounterc<l boldlY. II. "'nEREDY IT 1s OCCASIONED. The infl1icnccs prodllctive of it are partly-1. E:r:ternal and physical. Numerous perils, long hardship, constant watchfulness, great exertions,liodily exhaustion and suffering-. "There are hours in which physical derangcmcnt darkens the windows of the soul; days in which shattered nerves make· life simply Pndurance.'' Much of this may be removed by the adoption of proper metl1ods, and where its removal is impossible, sperial grace should be sought that it may be borne cheerfully and patiently. 2. Mental and emotional. Perplexing· thoughts, conflicting arguments, unjust and ungenerous treatment, want of sympathy deferred hope, reaction from excited feeling. "Something of it might be due t~ those alternations of emotion which seem to be incidental to our human constitution We ban ebbings and flowings within us like the tides; and just as in nature th; lo,rnst elib is after the highest spring-tide, so you frequently see, even in the best of men, after some lofty experience of spiritual elevation and noble self-command, an ebbing down to the lowest depth of fear and flight" (W. M. Taylor). 3. Moral' and spiritual. Omission of duty, parleying with temptation, contemplating doubt- ful expedients (eh. xxvi. 19), intimate association with persons of little or no piety, self-confidence, bedimmed spiritual vision, loss of spiritual fervour, "restraining· prayer before God.'' It is significant that Hothing is said about David's asking counsel of the Lord concerning the step which he was contemplating, as he did on other oc~asions. "Josephus tells us that he advised with his friends, but no writer informs us that he advised with God" (Delany). His state of mind appears to have· been nnfaYourable to his doing so; and it is probable that if he had done so the course on which he had half resolved would have been forbidden. Communion with, God prevents or cures despondency and averts many a disastrous step. III. ,VIIEilEFORE IT 1s DLA'MEWORTHY. For that it is so there cnn be no doubt. In it-1. Past deliverances effected by God are ungratefully forgotten. Of these DaYid had experienced many; they were assurances of continued help, and in hetter hours he regarded them as such (eh. xvii. 37). But now his remembrance of them is clouded ,vith fear, and produces neither thankfulness nor confidence. He speaks to his heart, but says not," Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits.,,. ~ The .faithful promises of God are faithlessly ignored. He who doubts them clespises the Giver, deprives himself of the treasures of· wisdom, strength, and blessedness which they contain, and "forsakes his own mercy." 3. The great name of God is greatly dishonoured. It is a "strong'tower,'' nnd not to "run into it," ~ut to co11tinue in despondency, as if it were inaccessible or incapable of affordmg adequate protection, is to oppose the purpose for which it is made known, to act nmrnrthily of the knowledge of it, and to incur just reproach. "Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker?" (Isa. Ii. 13). Surely nothing dishonours him more. IV. ,VHERETO IT. LEADS. "And David arose," &c. (ver. 2). He thought nothing rnuld ue better for him ; but, in reality, nothing could be worse. "For by this step- lie would alienate the affections of the Israelites from him, justify the reproaches of the enemy, deprive himself of the means of grace and the ordinances of religion, grieve his soul with the vice and idolat:Y of the heathen, put hi~sel~ out of the warrant of Divine protection, and lay himself under peculiar obligation to those whom he could not serve without betraying the cause of God." He escaped from one dano-er only to rush into another and much greater. Unbelieving and despond- ing fear~ commonly- I. Incite to unwise and foolish courses of action. 2. Conduc& to temptation and transgression (ver. 10). 3. Involve in embarrassment and great distress (eh. xxviii. 1; xxx. 1-5). " Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day, Live till to-morrow, will have passed away." . , (Cowper, 'The Needless Alarm. ) Exhortation :-1. Guard against the causes of despondency. 2. At its fi~·st approach turn instantly to God in faith and prayer. 3. Take no ne~v step under 1t1t influence, nor until the will of God is clearly seen. 4. "Be strong m the Lord and in the power of his might."-D. OB. XXVII. 1-12.] THE FIHST BOOK OF SA:\ICEL. 519