tho proof nnd fniled; in the first instance (1 Sam. xiii.) by doing what he onght not to havo done, e.nd In the second (1 Sam. xv.) by leaving und,me what he ought to have done. Twice his dootn wns pronounced by Samuel, who then sorrowfully retired, lind left him to his own self-will and certain fate. But though he thus failed in securing the great prize set before him, he had space and opportunity for repen tan co and its fruits. He became after a time aware who was to secure the honour whiGh he ho.d forfeited, and had he been humbled in spirit aqd penitent, he might have shown by his conduct to David that he acquiesced in the Divine will, and was prepared to be a co-worker with God in its accomplishment. He might have cherished the spirit of John tho Baptist, and said with resignation, if not joy, "lie must increase, but I must decrease." Instead of this he cherished envy, which ripened into hatred, and would have culminated in murder but for the special providence which guarded David's life. Baffled in his repeated attempts on his life, he sought to kill his own son, because he pleaded for David; and actually slew eighty-five priests, their wives, children, and cattle, because one of them had shown kindness to David, in ignorance of the real state <lf affairs. Meanwhile David acted towards him with the utmost forbearance, sparing him when once and again he could easily have taken his life; the subsequent know- ledue of which softened the king, but only for a little while. Yet he was not without so~e zeal for the Law of God, and, besides his sacrificial offerings, "had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land" (1 Sam. xxviii. 3). In the· extremity, however, of his ·distress and perplexity, he sought the help of a woman that had a familiar spirit, but only to have his doom once more pronounced . • III. IT WAS THE END OF A LIFE IN WHICH THE DISPLEASURE OF GOD HAD BEEN MADE SIGNALLY MANIFES'l'. 1. By the sentences of rejection pronounced upon Saul by Samuel. (1 Sam. xiii. 14; xv. 23.) 2. By the sorrowful abandonment of him by Samuel. (1 Sam. xv. 35.) 3. By the departure'of the Spirit of the Lordfrorn him, and the entrance into him of "an evil spirit from the Lord." 'l'he Spirit which had fitted him for the dis- charge .of his duties forsook him, and an evil spirit troubled him-an habitual melan- choly, most likely,_ and depression. He felt he was not the same man. He was continually haunted with the sense of his being condemned and rejected, of the inevitableness of his fate, the certainty that, however long he might continue sovereign, he could not transmit the dignity to his son. And this gloom sometimes passed over into frenzy. He was, as wo should say, subject to fits of insanity. This, doubtless, furnishes some excuse for the madness of his cm:duct. 4. By the refusal of God to answer his prayers in the ·depth of his distress. (1 Sam. xxviii. 6.) That had come upon him: which is described in Prov. i. 24-31. 5. By his miserable end. Nothing, surely, can be more affecting than the circumstances of his death, as recorded in 1 Sam. xxxi. 3~6, supplemented by our text. • CONCLUSION. 1. Every man has a Divine mission. Not only kings and great men. God has assigned us our post, and expects us to fill it as under him. In doing 10. he gives the opportunity or' great distinction· and honour, even the attainment of an everlasting crown of 11:lory. 2. Habitual regard to the Divine will is e.~sential to the fulfilment of oui· mission. And how shall we ascertain it? We have no inspired Samuel by our side. But wo haven greater than he, even the Lord Jesus Christ-the Word he· has given us, the Spirit he bestows, the principles of godliness, holiness, and love which he implants. We. need not seriously err. 3. Disobedience will be surely followed by punishment. 4. One SeTious failure in obedience to God may blight and ruin the whole life. 6. Persistent rebellion issues in utter re}'ection of God. And the final doom may bo foreshadowed by the withdrawment of God's Spirit, and entire abandonment to the spirit of evil. 6. Let not the young trust to their good. moral qualities. Let them seek at once through Christ that change of heart which will turn their virtues into holiness, render them loving and loyal to God, and ensure for them his favour now and evermore.-G. W. •
Ver: 14.-A weighty question. David could consistently ask this question, for he had throughout acted with devout regard to the Divine anointing which Saul had received. When the opportunity was afforded him of slaying Saul, and he was urged to do so, he again and ngain steadily refused, notwithstanding all the provocation he received, and although he knew thnt Saul would have no scruple in putting him to 82 THE SECOND .BOOK OF SAMUEL, [en. I, 1-27.