II. TrrE CONDUCT OF DAVID. And we note that it is marked: I. By a mistalce oj tlte tongue. We may allow that there was everything that there could be under the circumstances to palliate the mistake of a great man and a good man. But for that Yery reason let it be the more closely scanned. The facts were simply these. Here is a man whose slightest word will be likely to go further far than the entreaty and the argument and the urgent, plaintive expostulation of others. His position, his character the known character of those now around him, the crisis of the hour, which witnessed such flush of military excitement in the royal camp, all argue this. Then that was the _greater reason why, amid many a thought within, and the glowing of feeling, a special guard be put on the tongue. Yet the wish itself was an innocent wish the outcome of a most innocent appetite, universally allowed to be at the same tim'e an imperious appetite-innocent if gratified, agonizing if denied. Even Jesus, and on the cross, said, "I thirst." I3ut Da\'id's was not a cry of mere thirst. It was not merely a sigh for the relief of thirst. If the thirst had been severer the evident probability is that it would not have been the water of Bethlehem's gate, but some nearer and some more possible, which would have been invoked. Or, again, we may not grudo-e to take into account the praiseworthy class of feelings on which David's mention ~f Bethlehem's well drew. Home, and youth, and memory, and affectionate associations all contributed to it. Yet the "whole array" and complete circle of explanation and palliation constitute the happier condition for decisively settling the problem. These all we are reminded, must under certain circumstances be "blown a.way." They all must yield to facts. They only garland the victim if allowed to remain. It seemed harsh when once Jesus, of gentlest lip, said, "For every idle word that men shall speak" they shall be brought to judgment, and shall give account. How often, how genuinely, that bas struck men, and good men, as "a hard saying"! But, after all, what is there like facts for " bringing men to judgment"? And the fact here is that " the word," inopportUD.ely sighed out with ever so much feeling, on the part of a good man and a great man, who hadn't a wish or an idea of doing harm, produced effects immediately, at the very thought of which but a few hours after he himself shuddered again. It teaches us, great and small, how great is the peril of the tongue, and that the more pensive, tender, pathetic tone may be the more mischievous one. Born qf the heart, it knows and exerts its energy to touch heart again, and its sphere is amid material the most dangerous because the most explosive. 2. By a noble, practical aclmow- ledgment of tlte mistake. David shuddered to think of the narrow risk whlch had been just challenged, and, though it was now safely escaped, he refused to drink that water. How soon, by the way, mind can conquer body, conscience can master appetite, deep moral and religious feeling put to flight sentiment, and the flash of conviction scathe like lightning a whole host of excuses I This acknowledgment of mistake on the part of David was all the more noble: (1) Because it was practical. "He would not drink of it. . . . My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing . . . drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy; for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it." David docs not underrate the moral aspects of what had been taking place, and which was distinctly due to himself. He does not allow the plea that, as the mischief has been done, the only thing now left was to make the best of it. There was great moral honesty in this, loyal and even severe :fidelity to conscience and its upbraidings, when he at once determines that he can take no advantage of enjoyment or of use from that water. And from the midst of error there rises up with fragrance a pure testimony to the moral feeling and moral principle of the wrong-doer. 'l'he recovery and return from their mistakes of those who essen- tially desire and follow after the right and good, wonderfully contrast sometimes with the corresponding sequel in the case of others. (2) Because it had to run the gauntlet of some of the most painful of all kinds of misuncterstanding. It lay itself open to a suspicion of ungratefulness, that would seem the greater in proportion to the greatness of the efforts which had been ma.de and the risk run. The appearance of ingratitude at such an untimely juncture, in presence of such devotion, was the appearance which a keen and noble sensibility would shrink from above everything else. How much man will do at one time to save appearances, at another to court appearances! but what a. test of principle, of resolution, of moral bravery, it is when sometimes a man is called on to Bet at naught appearances, and confide himself to righ+, al()no and to present on. x1. 1-47.J 'rRE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONIOLES. 155
conviction olone. (3) And lastly, because of the homage which David paid to a principle distinctly religious as well as moral. David did not throw the water away, he did not give it to another, he did not beg the heroes avail themselves of it, but be "poured it out to the Lord." This was, no doubt, from his point of view and for his time of day e.n act of religion. That which was sacred with human life owns to one ~overeign Proprietor alone. To him David took it, with faith in his existence, with faith in his watchful notice and oversight, with faith in his rewarding providence. It may be considered, indeed, open to possibility that David was permitted to feel in his own e.ct the meaning of the blood of sacrifice. This, for the benefit of whomsoever it may be, must be poured out before the Lord God himself, if it is to have anything ot the efficacy of expiation and atonement. While for a moment we should think. of it in this aspect, we may be taught, both for David and for ourselves, that he who sacrifices to his God the thing he might most desire, shall find in the very midst of that sacrifice the principle, the earnest, the assured hope of life itself.