the house of Saul or that of David. When so much hung on the will of the rei~ning monarch, that was a vital question. 2. What steps to take to establish the national unity. In presence of the unconquered Philistines and of other neighbouring powers, this unity of Israel was of immense, indeed of essential, importance. 3. What attitude to assume toward the national enemies-whether of submission, compromise, or unmiti- gated hostility, 4. What position to take up respecting non-Mosaic usages-whether to permit the adoption of any social, political, religious customs by Israel, or to abide with strict severity by the letter of the Sinaitic commandment. Such were the questions which then demanded a practical answer, and concernin!? which the men of Issachar "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." II. THE SAGACITY THAT IS NECESSARY NOW. Those men of God, those servant~ of Jesus Christ, who can be said to deserve this eulogy are they who have the sagacity to discern: 1. What special perils are threatening the integrity or progress of the Church of Christ, and how they shall be averted. 2. What particular aspect of Christian truth needs to be insisted on and enforced at the hour to which the Church has come. 3. How to present the old and everlasting truth in the language, and how to accommodate the forms of Christian worship to the tastes, of the time without com- promise and unfaithfulness. 4. What is the next citadel of error or evil which the tribes of Christian Israel shall attack. 5. How to apply Christian ethics to the domestic, social, commercial, political questions of the hour. 6. \Vhat is the relation which the Church of Christ shall assume or resume to the state-whether of govern- ment, alliance, or independence and separation. 7. What form the unity of the Church shall take-whether organic and visible or spiritual and invisible. 8. What are the best remedial measures that can be taken for the elevation of tho ignorant and immoral, and for the ingathering of the heathen into the fold of Christ.-C. Vers. 1-22.-David's mighty men: the Gadites, Benjamites, and Judali. This chapter contains three lists of those who joined the standard while he yet kept himself close because of the jealousy of Saul. While he was in the Philistine town of Ziklag these joined him in rapid succession, and they afterwards contributed so much to the glory of his reign. Preferring the exile and reproach of David to the honour of the court of Saul they gave up all for love to him. Vers. 1-15 give us the first list; vers. 16-22 the second list; vers. 23-40 the third list. The children of Benjamin joining his standard must have been peculiarly grateful to David. 'l'hese were of the kindred of Saul, and included probably many of his rnlatives. 'fhey could only have joined David's standard under the influence of the Spirit of 8-od, perceiving the evident withdrawal of God's favours from Saul and his favour to David. It was a public and emphatic protest by those who had means of knowing David better than others of the excellence of his character and the grievous wrong done by outlawing ono who had rendered such eminent services. '\Ne seo how David was naturally suspicious of these Benjamites joining him. In order to remove David's suspicion of their being traitors from the house of Saul, they had probably asked tbo children of ,!uuah to accompany them (vers. 16-18). The Spirit of God, speaking through Amasai, removed all fears. David's confidence in God in an extremity which might have been fatal to his life and the existence of his kingdom, is instructive. He casts himself upon God. A "good conscience" enables him to do this," seeing there is no wrong in mine hands." With a "good conscience" towards God, men may never fear in any emergency, however trying. The Spirit of the Lord will always lead the way. 'l'hough the cloml may hang very long and look very dark, the result is as certain as the most certain thing in the world. To such a soul there will be one final issue-" peacll peace" (ver. 18); yes," perfect peace" (Isa. xx.vi. 3) to all such.-W. --
Ver. 18.-David's mighty men: motive/or service, Let us now glance at the motive of these noble men who joined David's standard. Despising the court of Saul and all its honours, they were drawn to David. His exile and reproach were uearer to them than it all, And why? Instructed by the Spirit of God, they recognize<l tho Lord's anointed. They looked not at tho present, but forward to that hour when tho king should reign. For this they coW1ted all the honours of Saul as worthless. 'l'hcj esteemed David'• reproach because they had respect to his future glory, :Need l s.1y 190 THE FIRST DOOK OF 'l'HE CHRONICLES. [on. xn. 1-40.
what this teaches? The people of God now are gathered round Jesus, the rejected One, the Exile from this world. They esteem the reproach of Christ, for they have respect to the recompense of the reward. "Choosing rather to suffer a.fllicUon with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a. season." 'l'bey "know whom they have believed." "'l'be heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing." The world has set itself against Christ. Yet they know, notwithstanding all this, that "the Lord bath set his King on bis holy hill of Zion." Jesus is that King. And his love has drawn them out from this world's ruler and god, and with joy they move onward under the "Captain of their salvation."-W.