The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 173

II. THE COMPLETE AND BLESSED FULFILMENT OF ALL GoD's PROMISES. Consider how many things go to this. 1. There is the opportunity for making himself known to all Jsrael. 2. Then, by marvellous providential deliverances and by restraints on the heart of Saul, every effort to destroy David is frustrate. 3. 'l'hen God saves him from himself, from the complications of his own despair, by keeping him entirely out of the war between Saul and the Philistines. 4. Then, Saul and his three sons fall together at Gilboa, and the only son of Saul remaining is one without any of the strength requisite for kingship. The house of Judah accepts him as the ruler fittest to secure them from the Philistines, one whose very name is itself worth an army. And Benjamin, nearest to the Philistines, is glad to do the same. Then, while the conflict with lshbosheth has the minimum of slaughter that could be found in civil war, it daily made the eminence of David more conspicuous. And so it happens that, with- out any effort, toil, or solicitude on God's part, all things are brought round so perfectly that at last all the tribes of Israel come and invite him to be king. And that at the right time, viz. as soon as he was fit for such a post. He reached it and held it forty years in the richest manner; his kingdom reaching dimensions and prosperity hitherto never dreamed of, and being transmitted to a long line of descendants, seventeen generations holding the throne before the Captivity broke the line, And even so, what is impossible with man ever proves to be possible with God. And the promise made to you-of pardon of your repented sins, or of grace to conquer indwelling evil, or of answer to your prayer, or of perseverance to the end, or of daily bread, or of help in every time of trouble-however impossible its fulfilment may seem, will be perfectly, easily, richly fulfilled by him whose love and power know none of the limits within which we have to work.-G. Ver.10-ch. xii. 40.-The groups of heroes. "These are the chief of the mighty men whom David had." This roll of ancient chivalry is worthy of a little notice. Men of valour consecrating that va.iour to service of David and their country, emulating each other's deeds and all a.bounding in service to their land, their numbers, association, prowess, has charmed many a reader and inspired through many generations a grand succession of heroic souls. As courage is a constant requisite in all directions, let us study this singular group of valiant men, and observe how- l. HEROES COLLECT ABOUT A HERO. There are few qualities which are not more or less contagious. Corruption corrupts, and strength invigorates others. Honour sets its fashion, and vice finds many to copy it. The bad man has to answer, not only for the harm he does, but for the harm that he leads others to do. The good man has the reward of his service, which is great., but of his example as well, which is greater still. Here we see that one hero makes a multitude. After one man has fought and slain a gigantic foe, Benaiah can do the same. And Jashobeam and Elcazar can do their marvellous deeds, slaying foes by hundreds who come against them. The nobility of David's nature attracts and elevates kindred spirits. It attracts them; for even when an outcast and exile, they collect about him (see eh. xii.) in the cave of Adullam and in the land of the Philistines. All Saul's authority as king and kinsman does not prevent many of the bravest or the Benjamites attaching themselves to David, even in Saul's lifetime. A ll1oabite, and an Ammonite were among his chief captains; a Hittite, one of his thirty knights; from beyond Jordan many gather to him; and later on, from every tribe of Israel some are attracted to his standard. '!'here is such an attraction about every great soul. 'l.'he law of gravitation, I suppose, is true of souls, that they attract each other in the ratio of their masses; and if a nature be tenfold grander than another, it has tenfold more attraction. Great men cannot help attracting, and men less great from feeling the force of that attraction. A_nd when the greatness is the rounded greatness in which generosity of nature meets w1th courage and with wisdom, there is no bound to the attraction exercised a~d. the devotion yielded. lf God has made you a kingly spirit, you need not be 01:er-sohc1tous about the recognition of your claims. He whom God makes to be master 1s master _by a law of gravitation, and finds his level as naturally as material things find theHs. Impatience to reach your throne only delays it. Be still, and ir God means you to rule, tliere is nothing more certain than that you will. Meanwhile, as perhaps you have not that part to play, attach J{ourself as a learner and a follower to him whom you OH. XI. 1-47.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 1G5