The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 531

RENDER TllE REALISATION OF Gon's runrosE UNCERTAIN, IF NOT IMP0SSIDLE. The pro- pl,et Samuel had declared it to be God's purpose to bring David to the throne as 0 man worthy of the confidence of the nation. The arrangement that had been 'made on tl~e accessio!1 of Saul. t? P?wer l_iad bee1_1 modified in harmony with this fact. i et m th~ ambiguous pos1t1on m winch David ,~as 1!ow pl:tced by his own erring conduct 1t seemed as though events were tendmg m a different direction. The Yery man on wl1om the hope of the pious was set was now allied with Israel's· foe and on the way to fight against his own people. Already dissimulation had injured his reputation, and should he now engage against his own countrymen, how could h_e ever be ~-orthy of confidence as a loyal Hebrew? This is not an isolated instance. 'I'.he readiness with wh_ich the descendants of Jac?b seemed to settle in Egypt after his death gave no pronnse of the fulfilment of Gods purpose concerning them. The scattering of the disciples by the first persecution appeared to run counter to Churct consolidation, and therefore to power of Christian effort. There are ebbs in the indivi?ual Christian life which while ~n progress suggest the uncertainty of final salvat10n. Even the long course of evils subsequent to the creation of man con- sidered in their earthly development, may give rise to the doubt whether the b:nevo- lent purpose of a good Creator can ever be attained. It should not be forgotten however, that we see only sections of life's course, and we must not draw a con~ clusion from partial knowledge. God allows freedom of action, and trains his creatures by the dearly-purchased lessons of a painful experience, and moreover·. calmly awaits the issue of the whole. ' ' II. THE ERRORS OF MEN OF SINCERE rIETY ARE VERY 1'ENDERLY TREATED BY Goo. '\Ye cannot but be struck with the great difference between the conduct for: which Saul was so heavily punished and that of David which did not issue in his rejection. Saul's sin was radical-it was "rebellion" ( eh. xv. 23). It indicated that se1£-will ruled his conduct. David's sin in dissembling and in settling without Divine direction as an ally of Acbisb was the sin of backsliding and neglect. He was radically sincere in his piety, but in an hour of weakness lost his full faith in God, and so yielded to the influence of fear. Hence he was chastised by sorrow, by increasing fears, by self-humiliation, loss of reputation, and that secret sense of Divine displeasure which the erring soul of the devout knows too well. Thoug·h the sincere servant of God falls, be shall not be utterly cast down. God remembers th;it he is dust. In David's case the troubles created by his actions produce regret that he ever put himself in such a false position, and quicken the spirit of true repent- ance. Our Saviour's treatment of hardened, self-willed men and those whos.e spirits were struggling to do right and to be right was very different. It is a. consolation to us all to know that he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and does ilot cast off those who, not being able to "watch one hour," fall into temptation. III. Goo NEVER FAILS TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THE SET OF EVENTS WHICH SEEM TO RUN COUNTER To· HIS PURPOSES, and when the fit time arrives HE BRINGS NEW ELEMENTS INTO OPERATION. David erred and sinned ; but David was restrained and inwardly humbled. This dangerous alliance, though bringing him to the verge of a precipice, was limited, in the pressure of its obligations, by a new set of influences being brought into operation. So far as the bond between David and Achish was ,rorking, David's hand must soon be raised in battle against Israel; but the in• scrutaole Providence which ordained him to be future king, and allowed him, for hidden reasons, to come into perilous and damaging relationships, also held sway over the spirits of Philistine princes, and just when the sin of the man of God was about to bear its cruellest fruit, moved them to protest against bis entering into the conilict. Thus tenderly does God deal with his erring servant, and, in a manner unknown and unexpected, counteract the course of events which recently had tended to the frustration of his own purpose!!. How often would God's servants ruin their own reputation and the very cause dear to their hearts did he not raise up means of checking the tendency of their conduct. It is of the Lord's mercios that we are not consumed. IV. IN THUS C0UNTERACTINU THE EFFECTS OF OUR MISCONDUCT Goo CAUSES CHASTISE· IIENT TO COME ON THE ERRING. David was mercifully saved from the peril of smiting hl8 own people, and the pressure of any obligation which human friendships and en. XXIX, 1-11.J THE FlRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 5-!-l