Vera. 9-11.-(HEBRON.) .A good man's motto. "As Jehovah liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity," et.c. 1. An oath, such as David took, is properly an a.et of worship-a direct and solemn appeal to God as a witness, in confirmation of an 11888rtion or of a promise or expressed obligation. There is implied an imprecation of Divine displeasure if the truth be not spoken or the engagement be not fulfilled. It was customary from ancient times (Gen. :xiv. 22; :x.xi. 23); often enjoined in the Law (Deut. vi. 13; Exod. :x:xii. 10); and served important purposes (Heb. vi. 16). Nor is it absolut.ely prohibited under the Christia.n dispensation (Matt. :x.xvi. 63 ; Rom. i. 9; 2 Cor. i. 23 ; Phil. i. 8). "The Saviour forbids absolutely such oaths only as are hostile to the reverence that is due to God" (Tholuck, 'Senn, on the Mount;' Hodge, 'Syst. Theology,' iii. 307; Paley; Dymond,' Essays'). 2. Baanah and Rechab virtually claimed the Divine sanction to their deed, which, they said, was an act of judgment on David's enemies, a.nd a means of preserving his life. But David could not admit their claim, a.nd would have no part in their crime, however it might seem to promote his interest; and (lifting up his right hand toward heaven, Deut. :x:x.xii. 40) he appealed to the living God, on whom, a.nd not on man, least of all on man's wickedness, the preservation of his life depended, in confirmation of his purpose to inflict upon them the punishment of death, which was more richly deserved by them than by one on whom he formerly inflicted it when he confessed to a similar deed. 3. His appeal, considered with reference to the principles and feelings it involved, may be regarded as a statement of the motto of his life a.nd expressive of- I. BELIEF IN THE LIVING Gon. "Living (is) Jehovah," equivalent to" as surely as Jehovah liveth" (Judg. viii 19; Ruth iii.13; 1 Sam. xx. 3; xxv. 34; xxix. 6; Jer, :x.xxviii. 16, "who has made for us this soul"). "Along with the name of God, the person swear- ing would at the same time designate his other att-ributes, his power and greatness, or whatever else of the essence of this God appeared to him at the moment of swearing of special significance" (Ewald.' Antiquities'). "Jehovah liveth" (eh. :xxii. 47; 1 Sam. x vii. 26). A godly man believes in: 1. His actual l¾l)istence and self-originated, personal, independent life. With him "is the fountain of life" (Pa. x:x.xvi. 9). He "hath life in hi.maelf" (John v. 26). He "only hath immortality" (1 Tim. vi. 16). The life of ail creatures he givos, sustains, or takes away as it pleases him. 2. His immediate presence and a.ccurate observation of everything as it really is, every thought, word, and action; and his approbation or disapprobation of it, according to its moral character. He is "a true and faithful Witness" ( J er. xlli. 3; Isa. lxv. 16). 3. His active inter- vention in human affairs, with wisdom and might, justice and mercy. " He is the living God, and an everlasting King" (Jer. x. 10), and gives to every man his due reward (Heb. ri. 6). Faith is not merely a general persuasion of these sublime truths, but also an intense realization of them, and a personal surrender to their influence. It is "an intelligent C'.>nviction of the truth, a hearty affection for the truth, and a practical submission to the truth." II. GRATITUDE FOR PAST DELIVERANCE. "Who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity "--an expression often on the lips of David (1 Kings i. 29; Pa. xxv. 22; xxxiv. 22; ciii. 4; cxvi. 8), and never uttered without thankfulness to _God. 1. ~e r,ath of even a good man is beset by many dangers. What a scene of peril was DaVld s life from his youth upwards ( eh. xix. 7) ! 2. He traces his deliverance from them to the hand of God, and sees therein an evidence of his loving, constant, and distinguishing care for hi, "soul." 3. He is wont to cherish the rewllection of such deliverance; and is incited thereby to "speak the praise of the Lord." Nothing is r:iore becoming or 1,eneucial than a thankful Bpirit; but it is by no means a common possession. OR, IV, 1-12.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUI<:L. 10'.l
"Some murmur when their sky is clee.r Ancl wholly bright to view, If one eme.ll epeok of de.rk e.ppee.r In their gree.t hee.ven of blue; Ancl some with the.nkfnl love e.re filled, If but one stree.k of light, One my of God's good mercy, gild The darkness of their night." (Trench.) III. CoNBCIOUBNEBS OF PRESENT RESPONSIBILITY. A good man feels that he is 1u1countable to God; not impelled by forces over which he has no control, nor liberated from moral law; but, whilst free to act, bound by the highest motives to obey. His la.ith in the living God quickens his conscience, and shows him plainly the way of duty; his gratitude for past deliverance incites him to walk therein. 1. By abhorring that which is evil, and avoiding it. 2. By sincerity of heart, speaking the truth, aml doing what is just and right. 3. By using the authority and power entrusted to him, not according to his own will and for selfish ends, but according to the will of God, and for his honour and the welfare of men. His motto is Ich dien (" I serve"). He ever lives under a sense of obligation, and finds in faithful service his strength and joy (John iv. 34). "I must work" (John ix. 4). "Remember now and always that life is no idle dream, but a solemn reality; based upon eternity, and encompassed by eternity. Find out your task: stand to it: the night cometh when no man can work" (Carlyle). IV. CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE PRESERVATION. The path of peril is not yet past. But a good man looks to God rather than to men to protect him against the wrath of men and deliver him from all evil. And his confidence is strong, because of: 1. His convic- tion of the Divine faithfulness. "Jehovah liveth," to fulfil both his promises and his thrcatenings. 2. His experience of the Divine favour (see 1 Sam. xvii. 32-37). 3. His obedience to the Divine will, and express assurances of safety and of a " crown of life" to every faithful servant. "The righteous hath hope in his death." "Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, 0 Lord God of truth" (Ps. x=i. 5). "The foundation of David's character is a firm unshaken trust in Jehovah, a bright and most spiritual view of creation and the government of the world. a sensitive awe of the Holy One of Israel, a striving ever to be true to him, a.nd a. strong desire to retnm after errors and transgressions" (Ewald).-D.