The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 521

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-6. (GILBOA.)-Darlcening shadows of retrwutum. "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled" (ver. 5). 1. The end of Saul was now approaching. How long he reigned is not stated (" forty years," Acts xiii. 21 ; perhaps a round number, including the judge- ship of Samuel). But his course from his first wrong step (eh. xiii. 8-15) had been a downward one, broken only by brief seasons of amendment. His mental malady may account in part for somP- of his actions in his later years. During his persecution of David the enemies of Israel became more powerful and aggressive, and, in retribution for unfaithfulness to Jehovah, he was about to he delivered with the host of lsraP-1 "into the hand of the Philistines," from whom he had been chosen to effect deliverance (eh. ix. 16). 2. The Philistine invasion was on a larger scale than any that had recently occurred ( eh. xiii. 5 ; xvii. 1 ), and in a different part of· the country. It was evidently planned with a view to inflict a fatal blow on Israel. The enemy marched northward, entered the plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel), the battle- field of Palestine (stretching out eastward in three branches, like fingers from the hand), and encamped at Shunem (at the base of Little Hermon, north of the central and principal branch). "And the Israelites pitched by the fountain which is in· Jezreel" (eh. xxix. 1), on a spur of Mount Gilboa (south of the central branch), from which they could see the Philistines, three miles distant across the plaifl, where on the morrow the conflict must be waged. 3. What the issue of the conflict was likely to be Saul's heart told him only too plainly. He felt that what he had so long drearl,-,l was about to come upon him; that the sentence of rejection formerly uttered h,· Samuel (eh. xvi.14-16), now gone to his rest (ver. 3), was to be fullyexecnterl, rn·d that he would be deprived of his crown, and probably of his life. David, "·ho !1;11[ once saved Israel in similar peril, had gone over to the Philistines (eh. xxvii. 4), was now (as he thought) among them, and would "surely be king" (eh. xxiv. 20). The night of retribution is setting in. The ministers of vengeance are gathering, like vultures to the prey, " From the invisible ether ; First n. speck, and then a vulture, Till the air is dark with pinions." The experience of Saul is shared by many u persistent transgressor in the presenc~ of imminent danger and approaching death, when "the terrors of God do ~et them- selves in array against" him (Job vi. 4; xxiv. 17). He is- I. BESET BY IRRESISTIBLE FEAR, The sight of superior hostile forces is calculated to produce such fear, but its power to do so depends chiefly upon the inward state of a man himself, more or less conscious of his condition ; 1. The remembrance o,r past transgressions, and of the punishment threatened against them, and already in some measure experienced. Circumstances often quicken the memory and open its. secret records, so that former actions and e;vents reappear, are seen in their true character, and fill the soul with consternation. " I will reprove thee 1 and set them in order before thine eyes" (Ps. I. 21 ). 2. The consciousness of Divine displeasur~ in consequence of disobedience, and the heart not being right with God. Although Gonscience may slumber long, the hour of awakening comes, and when it asserts irn power "its frown is more to be dreaded than the frowns of kings or the approacn of armies. It is a fire in the bones, burning when no man suspects" (South). "A.. wounded spirit who can bear?" (Prov. xviii. 14). "0 conscience, conscience, man's most faithful frien,l, How canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend ! But if ho will thy friendly checks forego, Thou nrt, oh, woe for me ! his deadliest foe" (Crabbe). MM2  THE FIHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH, XXVIII, 1-26,