The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 545

·22), and to learn what little confidence could be put in man (Ps. cxlvi. 3). He was left almost alone. 4. The upbraiding of conscience for past sin. Trouble is a powerfnl means of bringing sin to remembrance (1 Kings xvii. 18). 5. The threat- enin&' of danger; the presence of" the king of terrors" (Job xviii. 14). 6. The lack of wisdom and power to deliver from distress. When we become fully aware of our utter helplessness, two courses lie open before us-either to sink into despair or to cast ourselves wholly upon God. That the Jotter may be taken trial is sent ; it is taken by him whose heart is in the main right with God, nnd it is never taken in vain. II. IT LAYS HOLD OF ALL-SUFFICIENT HELP. "When David could not comfort him- self in his wives, nor his children, nor his goods, nor in anything under the sun, he could in something above the sun. And the reason is at hand : God is the God of all consolation, the spring of comfort; if any water, it is in the eea; if any light, it is -in the sun; if any comfort, it is in God-there it rests, there it is when nowhere ebe. ·God is all-sufficient; there the heart finds every want supplied, every good thing lodged. As God is all-sufficient to furnish us with all necessaries, so infinite in power, wisdom, goodness to help us against all evils feared or felt" (R. Harris). Faith strengthens the soul by uniting it to God and making it partaker of hi.~ strength. It has respect to-1. His great name (see eh. i. 3). "Hope thou i11 -God" (Ps. xiii. 5; ix. 10; cxxiv. 8). "Hope said I la of the joy to come a s~e exp;ctance, The effect of grace Divine and merit preceding. This light from many a star visits my heart ; But flow'd to me; the first, from him who sang The songs of the Supreme; himself supreme Among his tuneful brethren. ' Let all hope In thee,' so spake his anthem, 'who have known Thy name' " (Dante, 'Par.' xxv. ). 2. His intimate relationship to his people. "Jehovah his God." 3. His past doings on their behalf. When David formerly fell into despondency (eh. xxvii.) l,e seems to have forgotten aJI these, and failed to receive the encouragement which they were adapted to impart. But now he remembered them and II took courage." 4. His faithful promises. "The free expressions of his goodness and beneficence," the unchangeable assurances of his almighty help in time of need. "The mistake we make is to look for a source of consolation in ourselves; self-contemplation instead of gazing upon God. He is not affected by our mutability, our changes do not alter him. When we are restless he remains serene and calm; when we are low, selfish, mean, or dispirited he is still the unalterable I AM. What God is in himself, not what we may chance to feel him in this or that moment to be, that is our hope " (Robertson). III. IT MAKES USE OF APPROPRIATE MEANS "He encouraged (strengthened) him- self," &c. by-1. Repressin(J fear and unbelief. 11 Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? " 2. Directing the thoughts toward God, the ever-present, invisible, eternal Protector of his servants, and stirring up the heart to renewed trust in him. "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Ps. cxviii. 6; cxxi. 1). 3. Inqy.t,irinr, of the Lord. "And David said to Abiathar," &c. (vers. 7, 8). He sought fom as he had not done on the previous occasion; sought him in a right spirit, and therefore (unlike San!) received an answer:-" Pursue, for thou ehalt surely overtake and deliver." He was thereby further strengthened. His confidence, moreover, was expressed and perfected in-4 Obeying the will of the Lord (vers. 9, 10), and co-operating toward the fulfilment of his promise. Despond- ency led him to flee from difficulty and danger, but faith and hope ineitecl him to go into their midst, and made him II as bold as a lion." "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." IV. IT IS CROWNED WITH COMPLETE SUCCERS. Ily the help obtained of God fear is removed, strength renewed, and confidence inspired (ver. 9). After a brief delay and some untoward events by which faith is still further tested (ver. 10)-1. 'l'he object which is sought is providentially discovered (ver. 11). 2. The enemy is completely  b58 THE FIHSl' I3OOK OF S,UICEL. [en. XXX. 1-31.