The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 551

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-6.-Judgment at last. The facts are-I. In the battle at Gilboa the m:m of Israel suffer a defeat from the Philistines. 2. His sons being slain, the con- flict presses hard on Saul. 3. Dreading to fall by the hand of a Philistine, and failing to finrl death through the hand of his armour-bearer, he falls on his own sword, his example being followed by his armour-bearer. Here we have the closing scene in the tragedy of Saul's life, verifying the prediction of Samuel. Our heart mourns over an end so sad, and as we read the narrative we are sensible of a strange pity for this once promising but now ruined man. Notice- I. THE PRESSURE OF EVENTS WORKING OUT A RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. Connecting this defeat and death of Saul with the early prediction of Samuel ( eh. xv. 23, 28, 29) and the recent solemn declaration in the cave at Endor (eh. xxviii. 16-20), we see how, as by an unseen hand, Saul was urged on to his doom. For instead of making terms with the enemy, or fleeing from the scene of conflict, he, knowing his <loom, drew up his men, pressed on to the thickest battle, became a conspicuous mark for archers, and drew around himself and heirs to the throne the fiercest of the assault. We cannot but observe how the Philistine force was unrestrained by the power which checked Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, weakened Amalek when the hands of Moses were raised (Exod. xvii. 11-13), inspired terror in the army opposed to Jonathan ( eh. xiv. 15-23), and generally put fear in the hearts of Israel's foes. Samuel's words make clear to us that Providence was leaving Saul to the impulses which led him to death, and withholding from the Philistines all that would other- wise have impeded their way to victory. It is a fearful thing thus to fall into the hands of the living God. The truth brought out here is, that though judgment is often for unrevealed reasons long deferred, yet events are so disposed as to con- centrate irresistibly on the enforcement of the penalty of sin. Men pursue a crooked and unholy course for years, during which time justice seems to linger; but the time comes on when, as by infatuation, they go straight into the concurrences of events which Providence has permitted for their downfall. So also fell Babylon, Rome, and other nations, made drunk with the wine of the wrath of God (Isa. !xiii. 6). So likewise, under the pressure of Providence, will the sea give up its dead, and all that are in their graves come forth, to receive according to the deeds done in the body (John v. 28, 29; 2 Cor. v. 10; Rev. xx. 13). II. THE SINS OF PARENTS CUT OFF THE HOPES OF SONS. We feel doep sympathy with Jonathan that he, the brightest and best of Israel's manhood, should_ perish in the calamity brought on by his father's persistent impenitence. Brave, gallant son, knowing and lamenting the failings of his parent, and the woes his con- duct was bringing on the kingdom, with true filial piety he stands by him and the kingdom to the end I It was better to die, if so God willed it, than to live and share in the joys of even a David's friendship. The fond hopes of seeing David enthroned over a happy and prosperous people after his father's natural decease ( eh. xx. 12- 17; xxiii. 16-18) were rudely blighted. It is the old sad story of the sin of one bringing sorrow and suffering to many innocent. The fearful havoc made by sin ! '!'he awful responsibility of our conduct I Millions die before their proper time, and a wail of woe rises daily from myriads of hAarts because of the transgression of parents 0 0 2 564 THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. XXXI. 1-13