The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 143

I. THIS MIGHT-HAVE-BEEN, If ever a life had fair opening and opportunity, it was Saul's. 1. Every personal advantage that C()'IJ,ld be desired was his. Good looks above all in Israel; immense strength of bodily frame; mental qualities to match ; wisdom and courage suitable for a king ;-qualities that gained for him the regard of Israel and the reverence of David, and, what is very noteworthy, the affection of Samuel. Then bis circumstances were of that sort that most persons would envy him. He came of one of the wealthiest families in all the south country. He was so naturally selected for king that there was no difficulty in securing allegiance of people. A few murmur, as was to be expected from such as were themselves candidates for the throne or backed such as were. But the support of Samuel, and the success of first expedition against Ammon, stilled all murmurs through the land. None disputed his title to the throne. 2. Opportunity favoured him. His election proved the waking of Israel. The same energy which craved a leader inspired willingness to follow. Samuel's influence was exerted on his behalf. That meant backing of mightiest in land. Nor was it formal only. Samuel protested against wish of Israel to have a king. But protesting against the general wish for a king, he did not proceed to protest against the particular choice. So far from disapproving of Sanl, he loved him, and, when he could do no more, he mourned with the sorrow of a saint and patriot over Saul's failure. Then he found the grandest service available. There were Abner, David, Jonathan, the worthies following David, all ready to aid; and, above all, God ready to help him. Besides room for him, there was need for him. Israel was in low water. So everything conspired to create a grand opportunity. 3. And no thing in character made grand life impossible. He comes before us with many qualities which engage respect. (1) There is modesty, which accepts greatness as a charge rather than eagerly covet~ it. (2) Generosity, which tolerates with brave wisdom the disaffection of minority. (3) Courage, that suits his calling and his country's needs. (4) Kindliness of heart. One must not overlook this quality; the more so as he sins so deeply in the opposite direction. But he" loved David greatly;" suggesting that he was capable of great affections, and, but for bias, might have been remembered as like father of his noble son. Then there was some working of piety in him; not much, but still apparently some. He had a sensitive nature, which occasionally, in higher moments, admitting play of Spirit of God on it, made him prophesy in an exalted strain. Though, in other moments, same sensitiveness lays him open to influences of spirit not of God. But there is susceptibility. Everything thus seems to concur to make life not only moderate but brilliant success. Power, opportunity, circumstances, advantages, natural endowment,-all in favour. And God, always waiting to make best of us, sought to make the best of him. And if he had but walked with God, what service he might have rendered, and what joy in life have won I But, alas I amidst all these supreme advantages and natural probabilities of success, there is one defect of character which mar» everything. '!'here is a wilfid- ness, which is left unrestrained; a habit of choosing his own path and keeping to it; impatience of any restraint of religion or duty. If Samuel comes not in time, no reverence for sanctity of priestly office will prevent his assuming its functions. If God prescribes utter destruction of Amalek, he will carry out precept, excepting where he thinks it better to disoboy it, saving cattle, oxen (i.e. the best of spoil), and Agag. David becomes, by service he renders, a possible rival. His existence, therefore, Sau I will not tolerate. Self-will, declining (1) the restraints of religion, and (2) those of conscience, early appears in him. He is never humbly obedient, but picks and chooses what part of precept he likes, stopping short of a whole obedience. Always feeling at liberty to revise and moderate the requirements of God, he thus comes short, through wil- fulness, of God's requirements. The self-will that declines to serve heartily soon ceases to serve at all. And after he h:i.s wrought great deliverances and secured independence of Israel, a lone:, dark period ensues, unrelieved by nobler quality-one in which his path is downward. -The very energy which, restrained and ordered, would have been of vast service, unrestrained, becomes terror to his friends. 'l'hat firmness of nerve-formation which, consecrated, would have lain his nature open to God, unconsecrated lays him opeu t~ invasion of evil spirit, to madness and fury. His action is disapproved by his best friends, by Jonathan, by nation, by his own heart. And wasting powers of nature in following David, he sinks lower and lower, till eve of last battle finds him in sheer despair. There is something terrible in hopelessness with which he addresses ghost of 134 THE FIRST DOOR OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. x. 1-14.