HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-11. (ON THE MARCH TO APHEK.)-A good man in bad compan11. "Wht.1.t do these Hebrews here?" (ver. 3). The results of the wrong step whicn David had taken in going into the country of the Pl1ilistines now became manifest. In the war 'CH, XXIX, 1--11.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 541
ag11inst Israel Achish Mturally looked to him and his men to go out with him to battle. What was he to do? He might refuse to go. This woulrl have been hill straightforward course. But he would thereby forfeit the friendship of Achish, and -expose himself to imminent danger. He might go and fight against Israel. This would be to incur the greatest guilt, and imperil his accession to the throne. He might go and turn traitor on the battle-field. This was what the Philistines expected (ver. 4), but it would have covered his name with infamy. He determined for the present to continue his prevarication with Achish, who said he should be captain of bis body-guard for the future ( eh. xxviii. 1, 2), and went, probably with a troubled conscience, and hoping that he might in some way be relieved from his inconsistent and perplexing position. He was clearly out of his proper place in the Philistine ·army. His condition represents that of a good man- I. IMPROPERLY ASSOCIATED WITH TIIE UNGODLY. It is by no means uncommon for a good man to yield to the temptation to join the wicked in their pursuits, unneces- -sarily, and from an unjustifiable motive; such as the desire of personal safety, con- venience, information, pleasure, or profit-like Lot in Sodom, Jonah going to Tarshish, Peter in the palace of the high priest (see eh. xv. 6). The relation into which he thus enters is inconsistent with-1. Truth; inasmuch as it usually requires him to ,deceive others concerning his real character and purposes, by pretending to be what he is not, and concealing what he is. 2. Piety; inasmuch as he is thereby hindered in his devotions (eh. xxvi. 19), exposes himself to fresh temptations, sanctions sinful -or doubtful conduct, strengthens the ranks of the enemy, violates his duty to God and "his own company" and people. "Those that would be kept from sin must not go on the devil's ground" (M. Henry). "\Vhat doest thou here, Elijah ? " David-Hebrew-Christian? 3. His own real welfare; inasmuch as he involves himself in unforeseen but certain trouble, places himself beyond the promised pro- tection of God, and exposes himself to the threatened fate of his enemies. II. SHREWDLY SUSPECTED BY HIS ASSOCIATES. He may endeavour to escape their suspicion, e.nd for a time succeed, but it is sooner or later excited by-1. Something in himself-his name, appearance, relation to past events (" Is not this David?" &c., vere. 3, 5), peculiar behaviour, faltering and ambiguous explanations. "Thy speech bewrayeth thee." "Did I not see thee in the garden with him?" 2. Tlie occurrence of new circumstances, which quicken perception, call for decision, test and manifest the character, and its congruity or otherwise with present associations. 3. The general instinct of the ungodly. Although some of their number may be deceived, and exhibit unbounded confidence in him (ver. 3), let no one think to escape. "There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed." III. DEEPLY HUMILIATED BY ms TREATMENT. 1. Outwardly. In the eyes of others. "Make this fellow return," &c. (ver. 4). He is compelled to leave the fiociety which he has chosen; expelled from it publicly and ignominiously, e.e one unworthy to be trusted. 2. Inwardly. In hie own eyes. The bee.then king of Gath appears to have been e. faithful and honourable man ; and his expression of confidence in David (vers. 3, 6). in contrast to the dishonourable prevarication of the latter (ver. 8), must have put him to shame. "The flattering com- mendations of worldly people are almost always purchased by improper compliances, or some measure of deception, and commonly may cover us with confusion" (Scott). IV. PROVIDENTIALLY EXTRICATED l"R0M HIS EMBARRARSMENT. He may not be able to extricate himself from the net in which he has become entangled. But God does no\ readily abandon him to all the natural consequences of hie conduct. He has many ways of working out his deliverance, and effeC'ts it-1. From regard to the go Jd that is in him, and in pity toward him in his perplexity and distress. 2. For the honour of his name, that his merciful care over his servants may be seen, and his glory promoted by them. 3. Not without testifying his disapproval of his sin. " David returned the next morning to Ziklag no doubt very light of heart, and praising God for having so g·rnciously rescued him out of the disastrous situation into which he had been broug·ht" (Keil). "The snare is broken, and we llre escaped'' (Pa. cxxiv. 7). But on the third day he found Ziklag_ in ashes, was over- whelmed with grief, and murr deeply humbled than ever beforo. The folly and lo~ NN !546. THE FIRST DOOK OF S.\l\TCEL. [l'II. XXIX. 1-11,
c:nilt of th<' course which he had pnrsned were at length brought home to him with itwsistihl<' force. Remarks :-1. There arc associations with the ungodly which are not ·sinful but right and beneficial to a good man himself, as well as to them. 2. No one sI{ould pl:icr himself in the ,my of temptation, and then expect that God will preserve him from falling or extricate him from the consequences of his presumption. 3. If any one finds that he has improperly associated himself with the wicked, he ought to adopt nll proper methods to effect his speedy separation from them. 4. When he has found dcliT"erance from his perplexity and peril he should give the g·lory of it to God alone.-D.