The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 181

Ver. 9.-Sitccess is guaranteed if God be with us. It is stated that David " waxed greater and greater," but we are not left in any uncertainty as to the real source of his prosperities. We are not permitted to limit our vision to merely favourable circumstances or unusual talents. The secret will go into a sentence: "The Lord of hosts was with him." The introduction may be an account of the importance to David of securing the naturally impregnable city of Jebus for his capital; and of the energy with which both he and Joab set about fortifying and building and firmly consolidating the king- dom. There was an abundance of human energy. I. THE OPEN AND APPARENT REASONS FOR HUMAN SUCCESS. We can so easily see-or fancy that we see-how they are due to human forces, such as exceptional talents ; marvellous energy, such as that of the tradesman in Chicago, who raised a hut of the singed logs from his burnt warehouse, and put on it this sign, "All gone, save wife, children, and energy ; " or a perseverance that will not yield to any hindrances or diffi- culties, that glories in triumphing over obstacles. Sometimes we say that success is due to a happy combination of circumstances, or good luck. And it does seem as if circumstances could favour individuals. Asaph, in the olden time, puzzled over the prosperity that seems to come so freely to bad men. And we may, with perfect pro- priety and full consistency with right religious feelings, recognize that human success is, as a rule, the appropriate reward of talent, and faculty, and perseverance, and good judgment. Success cannot be guaranteed as· the response to these; but it is their ordi- nary and natural result, the proper issue toward which they tend. And even from our Christian standpoint, we properly urge a careful attention to all those ordinary condi- tions on which the prosperity of life depends. It is quite true that "the blessing of the Lord maketh rich;" but it is also true that the blessing comes as a gracious using and sanctifying of all right and worthy human endeavour. God will give his best to no man unless the man will do his best. God blesses no man's idleness and no man's thoughtlessness. We may lay on God's altar for acceptance only our best possible. II. THE SECRET AND BEAL REASONS FOB HUMAN SUCCESS. 1. Divine permis8ion. God may withhold success. He may know that, in particular cases, it would not be the best thing ; so " if the Lord will" must tone our very desire to win earthly pros- perities. 2. Divine presence and blessing. "The Lord of hosts was with him," not only in the sense of giving his presence and gracious help, but in the further sense of approving his schemes and aiding iu their accomplishn:ient. Of the first kind of Divine presence we may be always assured Of the second kmd we can be assured only when we so fully hold ourselves open to the Divine love and lead that what we plan and purpose is only and exactly what the Lord would have us do. Still, we must realize that, for us, our true life-success may not be that which we fashion for ourselves; it can onlv be that which God fashions for us. We may be a long time finding out what God's success for us is. And it is so often difficult for us to read it aright nnd under- stand it worthily, because it often bas this subtlety in it-God holds within it a design of personal culture, and that he counts to be the very highest form of life- success. 'l'be great thing to win is the" holiness, without which no ma.n shall see the Lord."-R. T. Vers. 17-19.-David'B drink offering. This incident is narrated a.l?o in 2 Sam. xxiii. 13-17. The "hold" that is mentioned is probably the frontier fortress of Adullam, on the Philistine border, "which, from its strength and position nnd the neigl,bourbood of the caverns, was judged by David to be the be_st place of defe~ce against the invasions of the Philistines." Robinson says, "There 1s no well of hvmg warer in or near the town of Bethlehem.'' "'!'here is, however, a cistem of 'deep, clear, cool water,' called by the monks David's well, about three-quarters of a. mile to  en. xu. 1-40.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRO~ICLES. ,,., 1 -,, --------------------------------- the north of Bethlehem. Possibly the old well has been filled np since the town was supplied with water by the aqueduct." Josephus speaks of the well as being near the "ate. David would not drink of the water when it was brought him, for this reason- he looked upon it, not as water, but as blood, seeing that it ban been procureo. at the hazard of men's lives; and, knowing that it was forbidden by the Law to drink blood (Lev. xvii. 11, 12), he poured it out upon the ground as a solemn offerin"0 unto the Lord, and as a thanksgiving for the preservation of their lives. I. DAVID'B HOME FEELINGS. In him there was strong family affection. This is seen in his relations with his grown-up sons. There was also stroni:; attachment to his early home, the place of his youthful associations. Strong home feeling is usually found in the inhabitants of hilly and mountainous countries; as may be illustrated from the mal-du-pays, the characteristic sickness of the Swiss when away from their mountains. It does not appear that David did more than give utterance to a suddenly conceived wish. It was an impulsive utterance, which he did not mean should be taken as a com- mand. Herein is given us a lesson on the importance of guarding carefully our speech, watching the door of our lips. He is not wise who utters all he feels. It is a great grace to be enabled to keep silence. II. THE DEVOTION OF DAvrn's FOLLOWERS. This is one of the most interesting features of the incident. It brings to view the relations between David and his men, and helps us to realize the fascination which David exerted. Some men have this power over their fellows-a gracious power, if they use it to lead their fellow-men to higher and holier things; a fatal power, if they make it the means of dragging others down to their own doom. It may be pointed out that special gifts ensure this kind of leadership. Of these, grace of body, generosity of disposition, a skill of getting on others' level, an absence of self-assertive pride, and a winning geniality of manner, are important. lf God gives grace of natural disposition, such as wins for us general favour, let us remem- ber that this brings its holy burden of responsibility. III. THE PROWESS IN WHICH DEVOTION FOUND EXPRESSION. Estimate it from a mili- tary point of view. It could but be regarded as a "foolhardy "enterprise ; and yet the very suddenness and dash of it almost guaranteed its success. To gratify a wish these men would imperil their lives. IV. THE PIOUS ESTIMATE OF THE V.1.LUE OF LIFE. This tended to bind David's followers yet more closely to him. Such considerateness for them showed his lovin~ and thoughtful and pious character. It was worth while serving one who cared for them so tenderly. Compare Wellington's personal interest in his soldiers, and tho personal enthusiasm which he created. The sense of the value of human life is the very foundation of social morality, it stays man's hand from being lifted up against his fellow-man. And respect for man's best treasure-his life-finds varied expression in respect for all his other treasures and possessions. We will not injure him, in his life, nor in taking anything that is his. Lead on to show bow the value of life is enhance,! when we add to it two considerations-(1) Man's immortality; (2) man's salvation, through a sacrifice of infinite value.-R. 'f.