David's men gave occasion for the exercise of l,is authority in a right royal manner, -and issued in the establishment of an ordinance in relation to service in his cause which became a liiw in Israel, and fitly foreshadows the principle on which all service in Messiab's kingdom is based. David would not allow the men who, thrnugh exhaustion in the hasty march, had remained at Besor to care for the bao- .gage to be deprived of their share of the spoil through the greed of the actual co~- batants. His principle was that they were all engaged in one enterprise, that their position had been determined by the circumstances of the case, and that all honour should be done them. The ruling faculty in David was beginning to bear goorl fruit ±or the poor and needy-beautifully typical of One who is the Refuge and Defender of the oppressed I Considering the passage in its bearing on service in Christ's kingdom, we may -notice-I. That all his people are equally his servants, and have their proper work. The equality in Christ's kingdom is that of oneness ,,f spirit, aim, and relationship to him. All true Christians are zealous for his supremacy, eager to see him triumph over powers of evil, and on the same level as servants of one Lord and Leader. They are all workers, warriors, contending in accordance with their power and position for a common issue. Every member of the body has its function in securing the_ purposes of the head (I Cor. xii. 12-14). 2. That diversit'!(, of employment is necessary to the execution of his purposes. The care of the "stuff ' was as necessary in so dangerous a country as the pursuit and attack on the foe. In accomplishing the purposes of Christ on earth there are diversities of operations. The analogy of the body is used by the Apostle Paul to enforce this truth on the Church (1 Cor. xii. 12-31). It is an instructive study to notice how the manifold agencies and gifts of the Church and of individual Christians have worked together in producing the complex result we witness in the present advanced position of Christ's kingdom. The recognition of diversity should stimulate and encournge all, whatever their powers and opportunities. 3. That incapacity for rendering con- .spicuous service is compatible with quiet yet important service. Those who by Providence are hindered from fighting in the high places of the field have good work to do in a quieter form. • Missionaries, popular preachers, diligent pastors, and men -of high literary culture may be in the forefront; but the mothers who train children in the fear of God, fathers who live godly lives in the world, quiet, wise men who -conduct religious movements, widows who cast in their mite, and even sick and weary ones who in the solitude of their chamber offer daily prayers for the hosts of God-render most valuable service in the common enterprise. 4. Where there is loyalty in service, whatever its lowly form, there i~ to be honourable recognition. David would not overlook the claims of the feeble men in charge of the" stuff.'' In this he was true to the principles and precedents of Israel's greatest leaders (Num. xxxi. 27; Josh. xxii. 8). In Christ's kingdom there is to be, after his great example in the case of the widow's mite and the hosannas of children, a recog- nition by all of the need and value of services apparently insignificant. This is further taug·ht in the blessing pronounced on the g·iver of a cup of cold water, the mention in the day of judgment of the care bestowed on the sick and needy, and also in the equal welcome which the Lord declares he will give to the gniner of ten and two talents. The rewards of the advancing king·dom are shared in the joy and satisfaction which all true workers experience, and in the material improvement of the world consequent on its advance; and while he makes all "kings and priests " now, he will at last honour them with a vision of the glory he had with the Father before the world was (John xvii. 24). III. THERE IS A WISE POLICY IN THE EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE. The tenor of David's life shows that the sending presents from the spoil taken to those who had befriended him in his time of need was the genuine expression of a grateful heart. At the same time this was coincident with a wise policy, and, in his mind, distinctly blended with it. Had the gifts been the product of a mere calculaticn of results, the act would only command the respect due to expediency, but having its root in feeling, it rises to a higher value. The recompense of kindnesses when occasion offers is the suggestion of a true heart, and though utilitarian ideas may not enter into the recompense, yet it is always useful in view of future tontingencies. A urudent man called to a great work, is bound to prepaie ths 656 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XXX, 1-31.
way for its realisation by securing as far as possible the good will and co-operation of others. General lessons :-1. It behoves us to be on our guard against the perils of ouccess and to remember that as God is a refuge from the storm, so he is a shade upon ou; righ~ !rnu~ to tone down the light _of prosperity (Ps. cxxi. 5, 6). 2. A degree of susp1c10n 1s always proper concernmg ourselves, as there are latent evils which events may draw forth. 3. \Ve should be careful not to disparage the services of persons seeking in a humble way to promote the glory of Christ (Matt. xviii. 6). 4. The chief question for each is the existence within of a spirit of loyalty to Christ· the form of service is a matter of opportunity (John xxi. 15-17). 5. Those wh~- render aid to the people of God in their time of distress are sure to be recompensed on earth as in heaven (Luke vi. 31-38; xiv. 13, 14).