Ver. 14.-.A great deliverance. David, by the force of his character and the prowess of his arms, gathered around him many able, valiant men, who were a strength to him- self and a protection to his kingdom. Of the thirty heroes most famous and mighty, some are recorded to have wrought great and meruorable exploits. The passage before u~ relates a feat of arms performed probably by Shammah, one of these mighty men of va1onr. He attacked the Philistines, who were stationed in a field of barley or lentiles, routed and slew the enemy, and secured a victory far Israel. It is observable that, whilst the valour of the hero is celebrated, by which a defeat was turned into e. victory, the result is ascribed to Jehovah, God of hosts: "The Lord saved them by a great deliverance." This deliverance may be regarded as symbolical of that yet greater salvation which our redeeming and merciful God has wrought on behalf, not of Israel only, but of mankind-a spiritual and everlasting deliverance. I. THE LORD IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS SALVATION. 1. Ht'.s mind designed it. 'l'he gospel is the good news of Divine compassion, and the expression of Divine wisdom. It bears the impress of his character. It witnesses to his attributes. It is his supreme word to the children of men. 2. His Son achieved it. The battle was fought when Jesus lived, was won when Jesus died. He is the Hero who girds his sword upon his thigh, and goes forth, conquering and to conquer. 3. His Spirit applies it. The deliverance has to be effected, not only for but in every ransomed and saved one who experiences the Saviour's interposition and shares his conqueRt. II. Tms SALVATION IS GREAT, BEYOND ALL COMPARISON, BEYOND ALL PRAISE. 1. To understand the magnitude of the salvation, consider from what the redeemed of the Lord are saved. Israel had been saved from the bondage of Egypt, and in this book it ,ppcars they were repeatedly saved from the thraldom of the Philistines. From how cH. XI 1-47.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 15()
much worse a slavery-a captivity-are men redeemed by the grace of God our Saviour, which appeared in Christ! The gospel announces release from the bonds of sin and the yoke of Satan. 2. Consider at what a cost we are redeemed. "Not with cor- ruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." 3. Con- ~ider the nature ,of.the safety-th~ salvation-w~ic~ Christ s~cures for his people. H 1s no_t me~elf a oel~verance :rom srn and_d~ath; 1t 1s a confemng of happiness, dignity, and JOY; 1t 1s the 1mpartat10n of the D1v10e favour, the bestowal of the Divine Spirit. 4. Consider its final, eternal character. It is a deliverance extending through time and into eternity, a salvation from which there is no return to bondage. 5. Consider for how great a multitude it is obtained. Many of all nations enjoy its benefits, and at last "a great multitude which no man can number" shall join in the everlastino- 0 anthem ascribing salvation to God and the Lamb. PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. A great deliverance calls for great gratitude and great devotion from those who experience its blessings. 2. A great deliverance published is a great opportunity for the enslaved and oppressed. It is their privilege to accept the remission and the liberty proclaimed.-T. Vers. 16-19.-77ie well of Bethlehem. This is one of the most touching and poetical incidents in the romantic life of the son of Jesse. It exhibits him in a light in which we cannot but discern both his amiability and his piety. I. DAVID'S DESIRE. He was, with his faithful band of valiant followers, in the strong- hold upon the borders of the Philistine territory. The enemy were in possession of his native vale, the scene of his boyish happiness and youthful exploits. It was a position of danger and of privation-this which he occupied at this time. How natural, how human, his desire for a draught of the bright, cool water from the spring that gushed from the hillside near his father's fields I It was a longing for home, it was a clinging to the associations of childhood, it was the unchanged heart, that prompted the desire that found utterance in his words, "Oh that one would give me,'' etc. I II. THE FEAT OF THE HEROES. 'l'he men David had around him were men ready for any daring exploit-bold, fearless, and prompt. Yet they had tender hearts, that could sympathize with such a wish as that their chief expressed. It was a gallant and heroic feat, this which they performed, in breaking through the ranks of the Philis- tines, and bringing to David the draught of water his soul desired from the dear well at Bethlehem. III. THE SELF-SACRIFICING AND PIOUS ACT OF THE LEADER. David appreciated the faithfulness, the sympathy, the bravery, of the noble three, He could not drink the water, for it seemed to him like the life-blood of the heroes. It was too precious for any but for Jehovah. Accordingly he poured it out in II pious libation before the Lord, giving his best to God. LESSONS. 1. The sacredness and beauty of human feeling. The associations of childhood and of home a.re precious, and it is no sign of weakness to cherish them. 2. The beauty of self-sacrifice. What more admirable than the willingness to run all risks to serve, to make happy, those whom we honour and love? 3. The supremacy of the Divine claims. Goel has a right to our hearts and to all that is dear to them. Withhold not from him his own.-T.
Vera. 1-8.-Popular and royal wisdom. All Israel now gave their adhesion to the person and house of David. 'l'he kingdom was knit together under one strong, wise leader (ver. 1). In the act by which the national acceptance of David was declared and ratified we have a suggestive instance of- I. THE WISDOM OF THE COMMUNITY. All Israel: 1. Made their choice with dis- cernment. The nation did not act precipitately, blindly, with e. rash and ruinous impulsiveness. It had good reason for what it <lid. It elected to elevate David to the supreme post because (1) he could claim very close relationship: "We are thy bone and thy flesh;" a fact which ensured his deep interest and patriotism; (2) he had ~endered valuable service in past days: "Thou wast he that leddest out and brou&htest m Israel" (ver. 2); (3) Divine designation: "The Lord thy God said unto thee,' etc. (ver. 2) ;-three excellent reasons for their procedure. 2. Acted afterwnr,ls wilh wiso precaution. Instead of trusting absolutely to the lasting virtue of a gooc~ man, they 160 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. XI. 1-47,