Ver. 26.- Wonderful love. Human love is, in proportion to its purity and strength, a gift of Divine·love. It also illustrates the love from which it proceeds, by reflecting its image as in a mirror. It is of a twofold natlll'e-viz. benevolence- or charity towards all, even the unworthy; and complacency towards those in whom it perceives the signs of excellence, or resemblance to itself. Of the latter kind was the love of Jonathan to David; and it was wonderful, considered in the light of (1) the selfishness that prevails among men, (2) the hindrances that stood in the way of its exercise, (3) the Divine grace by which it was produced and maintained, (4) the admirable qualities that dis- tinguished it, and (6) the services and sacrifices in which it was evinced. It may be regarded as a representation of the unspeakable love ef Christ towards his friends (John xv. 16) and brethren (John XL 17); which is: 1. Appreciative of their worth (see 1 Sam. xviii. 1--4). It sets a special value upon them, however they may be despised by others; looks at them in relation not merely to what they actually are, but to what they may become; and singles them out as objects of its individual concern. "Thy love to me was wonderful." "He calleth his own sheep by name" (John x. 3). 2. Sincere and thoroughly disinterested (1 Sam. xix. 1-7). It seeks their welfare rather than its own ; is trustful, unsuspecting, and watchful over their interests ; freely com- municates its thoughts and feelings; counsels and reproves; faithfully performs its promises ; and affords protection and aid according to their need. 3. StJmpathetic, 30 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. 1. 1-21.
(1 Sam. xx. 1-9.) It finds dolight in their society; holds familiar intercourse with t.hem : desires a retnrn of its affection; m11.kes their joys 11.nd sorrows its own , anrl is considerate, gentle, tender, and kind. "Behold, bow he loved him I" (John 'xi. 36), 4. Intense. (1 Sam. xx. 10-42.) "More wondorful than woman's love." "No le~s ardent, sincere, and sweet than tho highest conjngal affection; which ought to be (as Strigt>liuR here glosses) 11.rdent without simulation, sincere without any suspicions, and sweet without moroeit.y or disdain" (Pa.trick). Its intensity is shown in its utterances, efforts, tears; coumge, forbeara.noe, forgiveness, and unwearied patience, 6. Self- denying and aelf-saorificing. Jonathan identified himself with his friend, whose life was in imminent peril; renounoed a. crown and suffered shame for his sake; but who shall tell what Christ renounced and suffered for us (Phil. ii, 7, 8)? 6. Endwring. "Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end" (John xiii. 1); and ga'Ve them, on the eve of his departure, a proof of his condescendin", pure undying a.:ffect.ion. His love is still the same; and it "passeth knowledge,," (Eph'. iii. Hl). 7. influential, (1 Sam. xxiii. 16-18) in attracting love and constraining devotion; stnmgtbening, preserving, comforting, purifying those in whom it dwells; perfecting its image in them and preparing them to enter into its eternal joy. ".Unto him that loved us," etc. (Rev. i. 5).-D. •
Vers. 6-10.-A sad end of apert1erse life. We have here an Amalekite's acoount of the death of Saul Whether it presents the truth, and can therefore be harmonized with the account in 1 Sam. xxxi., is doubtful. Possibly Saul did not die at once when he fell upon his sword, and being in anguish, and fearing to fall into the hands of the Philistines, begged the Amalekite to despatch him. But it is more probable that the account was false. In either case Saul committed suicide. It was a tragic end of a tragic life-a life full of the interest which arises from remarkable events, contrasted characters, the working of powerful passions, etc. But we have to view it in the aspects which teud to our moral and spiritual profit. : L IT WAil TH.E JO.'D 'OF A LIFE WHOSE DEGTh'J,.'ING WAS FULL 01!' PROMISE. Arising: from: 1. Eis personal qualities. Those of body-tall and commanding, fitting hirp., in such times to be a leader of men. Those of moral nature. Character is the-m:ost powerful factor in a life; and if we see a youth of good character we hope well' of him~ Saul comes before us as a modest, humble, unassuming youth, diligently discharging his duty as a son, and affectionately concerned not to give pain to his father (1 Sam.~ lx. 5, where "take thought" means "fear/' "be anxious'!), Still even then, judging from the silence of the narrative, he was without decided piety. 2. Divi'Tl,(J calls and gifts. Chosen of God to be king, he was anointed by Samuel, and received unmistak- able signs that the prophet was the representative of God in the matter.. ,Chosen also by lot, although some were disaffected, he was soon able to secure general acceptance by his prowess and able leadership in war; and was solemnly set apart as sovereign. Moreover, e. change passed over himself which fitted him for his po~t. "God gave him another heart" (l Sam. x. 9). He became also a partak~ of the spirit of prophecy. (1 Sam. x. 10.) 8. Great opportW11,itie,s. The career opened to Saul vas one of peculiar dignity and honour. Called to be the first king of God's nation, he might have been also the father of a race of such kings, and have thUB occupied no mean place in the development of God's plans for the redemption of mankind. And his immediate work, that of leading the people to victory over their heathen oppressors and clearing the land of them, and then of drawing the tribes of Israel more closely into unity and framing them into a" kingdom of God," was worthy of the highest powers and the strenuous, labours of a long life. 4. Earlg achietJement,. '!'hose, for instance, rei;:orded i11 1 Sam. xi., in which he manifested both courage and capacity, and which obtained for ~ the general consent of the people to his appointment. , : IL IT WAS THE END OF A LIFE WBlCH HAD BEEN A CONl!PICUOUS FAILUnE. He ]oli,t, his opportunity, forfeited his throne, and deprived his f~mily .of the honour of sucpejld-: ing him. He was tried, found wanting, and rejected. He had shown that he pos11es'8<1 some kingly qualities. Did he poBSess the most esi;ential qu:ilit:r for the kin~ of._euch a peep~ king under God as supreme Monarch-that of faith in God, showing itself by ready and hearty obedience even under difficulties? It was peculiarly importapt that the first king should not Cail in such qualities. 'l'wice especially he was put to OII, I, 1-27,] THE SECOND TIOOK OF SAMUEL.