~e renunciation of human strength and wisdom before God. The historian is here fragmentacy in his records. Having noted David's first efforts towards consolidation of his power and his general prosperity, he refers to the troubles that arose in con- sequence of the assaults of the Philistines. These natural enemies· of Israel had doubtle.,;e observed with satisfaction the gradual decay of Israel's power during the reign of Saul, and probably were hopeful that the threatened civil war between the adherents of David at Hebron and the friends of Ishbosheth would still further place the people at their mercy. The seizure of Jebus was, however, so startling an event as to awaken the fea.r that the near settlement at Hebron and removal of the court to Jerusalem might be the beginning of trouble for themselves. The remembrance of the prowess of David in years gone by must have intensified this fear. It was therefore in accordance with the best human policy that they should bring all their forces together and seek to crush him by a single blow. It is interesting to observe the conduct of David under those circumstances. I. THE STRONG AND SAGACIOUS )UN SEEKS THE GUIDANCE AND HELP OF Gon. That David was a man of courage, brave, hardy, and capable of great endurance, is the record of his life. Naturally he was capable of great things. .Also his whole conduct revealed a remarkable sagacity, such as fitted him for military leadership and statesmanship. H there wa.s one in Israel who, reckoning on personal qualities and acquired renown, was justified in facing the Philistines in sole dependence on his own gifts, David was the man, and yet, instead of that, he tums at once to his God, and seeks guidance and help of him. This was not an act of superstition; not the result of sudden change of character, in which fear took the place of courage and mental confusion the place of calmness. It was the product of enlightened piety-a policy of profound wiildom,. a sa!!aCious estimate of all the facts and probabilities of the case. He was the servant or° Jehovah, bound to carry out his purposes and cause his great Name to be reverenced in all human affairs. Therefore it was due to the ever-present and ruling Lord to honour him by seeking to know his will and trusting in his aid. Past successes in his Name suggested the same. It was true then as now that the Eternal Spirit could act on masses of men and their leaders so as to change the course of events; and for !lught David knew to the contrary, it might have been the Divine will to force them back by some other agency than by his arms. Prudence, reason, piety, all sound principles and sentiments, concurred in renunciation of all human powers before the Eternal, that his power might be manifest. This is the course pursued by every strong and wise man jn whom piety is a force. 'J'he .Apostle Paul was a notable instance of strong will and great general ability laid prostrate before Christ, that his power might work through human channels (2 Cor. iv. 6, 7). The more distinguished the man in natural gifts and in grace, the more thoroughly is God sought, as iu the case of .A.ngu.stine. Men of stroni will and great force of intellect who refuse to depend on God are not strong and wise all round; they are morally weak and spiritually blind. OH, V, 1-25,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 127
Tho more perfectly tho whole mBn is developed the more complete will be the turnincr 0 to God for guidanco Bnd help. II. TnE BTllOKG AND BAOAOIOUB MAN FOLT.OWB THI': LIGIIT GIVEN. David learnt that it was God's will that the national foe ~hould be smitten, not by pestilence or sudden terror subjectively produced, but by the national arm; a.nd in the two cases by difTerent mothods of procedure. Whatever was the method of learning the will of God, and whatover degree of distinctness the revelation, the fact to be noted is that David was not- "disobedient to the heavenly vision." Hie generalship was regulated thereby. \Ve hn.vo no Urim to consult, no high priest to receive special communication for specific emergencies; but in our times of danger to business, domestic interests, Church a1fairs, and personal religious life-to say nothing of national events-we can seek God by prayer, by reading his will in the pure conscience, in the steady lines of providence, and in the principles of his written Word. It should be a cardinal truth with us that God is interested in our affairs, and bas ways of making himself known to the earnest spirit. Especially does it behove each Christian and the Church as a body to seek guidance and help when assaults are being made on our holy faith, and the enemy threatens to deprive us of our goodly heritage. There are ways and methods of meeting the foe which God can reveal, and our success will depend on the care with which we adopt the methods approved of God. Infidelity and atheism are to be confronted or attacked in the rear on principles Divine, not on maxims of human expediency. III. THE STRONG AND BAGAOIOUS MAN IS WILLING TO LET GoD WORK, BO THAT THE HAND OF MAN SB'.ALL NOT BE MOST CONSPICUOUS. David acquiesced in the front attack when enjoined, and equally in the restrained action of himself when (vers. 23, 24) an unseen influence was brought to bear on the foe. In this lies the beauty of true godliness, that it is content, when God wills it, that man should not be seen if only the purposes of God are carried through. David ea.red not for military distinction if the finger of God could only be seen. His strategy in this case was Divine. He stood aside for Providence to work till the hour for human action arrived. This was the apostolic spirit in the early days of Christianity, based in its exercise on the truth that the living God was the great Worker on the souls of men. The same feeling and belief should ever actuate us in all our endeavours to subdue enemies to the cross. We are only instruments, and a true estimate of ourselves will lead us to rejoice in our being counted as nothing and lost sight of in the display of saving power straight from God. Perhaps there is less success because we want to appear in front of the "mulberry trees." GENERAL LESSONS. 1. We have to hold our own heart and our Church life against the inroads of our natural enemies, "the world, the flesh, and the devil," and the remembrance of this should always make us watchful. 2. In times of great stress in this conflict we should make special requests to God, and not simply proceed on tho prestige of former achievements. 3. In dealing with modern forms of attack on Christianity, we have need to ponder well the methods and principles of procedure; and the entire Chw·ch should make it a matter of special thought and prayer.