The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 12

stranger's story, the former had been killed by the hand of the narrator. 4. In evidence of the truth of his story, the man produces Saul's crown and bracelet. Waiting on Providence. David's retirement at Ziklag ie to be regarded in connectinn with his well-established conviction that he was the chosen servant destined to occupv a foremost place in establishing tbe kingdom of God, and his persistent resolve nnt :~, take a single step of his own devising tliat would seem to force on the removal of Saul irom the throne, in order to secure thereby his own elevation. Events had f,,rc,,d him into a quaei-puulic position as the rival of Saul, much as he disclaimed all rivalry; and now, in a foreign land, with a following not of his own seeking, and sensible that a. crisis was at hand, he,felt that he could do nothing but maintain a resolute inactivity, leaving the issue of impending events to Providence. .A belief in Providence is very common; in word men express their dependence on it, and there are seasons in human life when, perhaps, all we can do is to wait on Providence. There is, however, a f.ilse, even wicked, waiting, which is but another name for idleness or fatalism, or vaglie looking for some lucky chance. Considering the case of David, we cau trace some of the features of a true waiting on Pr,ovidence. There is- I .. DEEP 0ONVI0TION OF BEING DEVOTED TO A HOLY CAUSE, Life is devoted to a. Divine, not a merely ,human, purpose. This wa.s pre-eminently characteristic of David at tµis time. •He was conscious of being personally identified with the working out of God's holy purpose towards µiankind. He had passed out of the realm of self-seeking into the kingdom of God, and in public and private lived for God. Here lies the beginnic1g of our right and privilege to wait on Providence. As our Lord's life was a nobler instance of consecration to a holy cause than wa.s David's, so now ours may be an instance. less conspicuous than his, though in our measure as real. It is possible for us to be one with Christ and his kingdom.:...absorbed, amidst even private and domestic life, with the.purpose dear to.his heart. Our life gains power and glory only in propor- tion as we are enabled to cheriBh a well-founded conviction that we are not living for merely t.emporal and material considerations, but for God, and in that sense are his chosen servants for specifio purposes, as truly as was David when, in retirement at Ziklag, he knew he was the chosen King of Israel. II. FREE~OM FBOM SELFISH AND MALEVOLENT DESIRES. David desired not elevation for the sake of personal gratification; nor did he desire disaster for Saul that a great obstacle to his own advance might be put aside. Men consecrated to God are open to the subtle temptation of desiring events to move on so as to promote their own personal ease at the cost of much that is sacred. Under plea of greater usefulness, we may long for Providence to open a pathway for us; when, if motives are severely scrutinized, there is discovered a secret longing for personal gratification. The interlacings of human life are such that the displacement of one may be a pre-requisite to the freer action and wider usefulness of another; and one whose course is hampered by obstacles may almost unconsciously cherish the wish that some event may happen which, by the trouble and loss it brings. to another, will promote his own interests. No one truly waits on Providence who cherishes this spirit. The man of business who, amidst diffi- culties, looks out eagerly for the downfall of others as a means of his own improved chance in competition, must not flatter himself that all along he has been quietly waiting on Providence. It often requires very high religious principle to labour on in obscurity, blessed by apparently few results, with a calm trust in God untainted by the desire that others, possibly less worthy in character, may be swept away by resistless events to. ml\ke more room for ourselves. David's sentiments towards Saul, who stood in his pathway, are full of instruction to all. III. RECOGNITION OF GOD'S CEASELESS CONTROL OVER OBSTACLES, A.ND OF HIS STEADILY UNFOLDING PURPOSES. Most probably David's followers, knowing as they did that Saul stood between him and the throne, often marvelled at bis patient iuactiv:ity, But by a ,keener spiritual vision than they possessed, he recognized the perfect control of the God he served, and had amazing faith in the sure though slow unfolding of his purposes. Hence he could wait and be still. This quality bas always entered largely into the character of those who have done great service in the interests of truth and righteousness. Our Saviour, during his earthly life, was a conspict10L1~ instance. He was despised, rejected, of the people there were noue with him, and eve11ts  THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. I, 1-27,