armng~ment give gre_at advantBgeR for acJion when unexpected and trying evenh tmnsp1re. The same is true of eBrly education and culture, of Chnrch orc,a.nization, of the personal Rpiritu11l life. The world is evil; events at cross-purposes with our plans nnd adverso to our peace will nrise; it is "impossible but that offences come." The moral is, lay up in store continuously, and so be ready for action, and therefore ready for victory. VJ. SOUND PRIN0IPLER PERTAINING TO CONDUCT All'FORD MORAL BUPl'0RT IN THIES OF GREAT BTREBR AND DANGER. Joab showed the better side of his nature when he exhorted Abishai, in face of the foe, to act as a man for the honour and safety of bis people and cities, leaving the consequences in the hands of God (ver. 12). Not for military display, not for aggrandizement, not for per~onal gain, but to vindicate a people whose head had been insulted,-this was the prinoiple on which the battle should be fought. In this was duty; consequences were with God, who cares for the j11st. History reveals instances in which men have been made strong by the just principle for which they contended. A righteous cause is itself equivalent to an armed force, both in the moral tone it gives to those engaged in it, and in the secret depression of those on the other side. It would be interesting to trace out the physical bearings of moral influences. Let us see to it that our great efforts are under the guidance of clear moral principles. VII. IN THE CONFLI0TB OF LIFE AN ASSURANCE OF MUTUAL HELPFULNESS IS A HELP AGAINST DISASTER. The arrangement for mutual help in case of pressure (ver. 11) was helpful, in that it anticipated a possible evil, and it inspired each with the courage that comes of sympathy and support. In human affairs, secular and religious, the possibility of disaster must be taken into account, because of person:11 imperfection and of the unascertained forces against us. We do not possess the knowledge by which we can always dispose of our strength in the right quarter, and, even when we do possess it, there may be sudden moral paralysis. None of us contend alone, or for self only. Hence we can be mutually helpful, as were Joab and Abishai. More of this in things sacred and secular would save from many a disaster. VIII. UNWISE ALLIANCES LEAD ON TO SERIOUS ENTANGLEMENTS. The Syrians lent themselves for gain (ver. 6) to an alliance with the A=onites. 'l.'his compact, desti- tute of sound principle, involved the Syrians in what appeared to them to be the necessity of maintaining their reputation in spite of defeat; and hence further arrange- ments were made with Syrians "beyond the river." A Syrian war, with the whole of Israel's army under the leadership of the invincible David, was the consequence. Such difficulties arise when men make unholy alliances against a just cause. If men cannot unite without evil it is better to stand aloof. Nature has formed certain elements to combine, and others to keep apart. Whoever tries to put together what is contrary to nature will get into difficulty. Whoever forms an unholy alliance in hnman atlairs, national or personal, is seeking to bring about advantages which it is in the course of moral order to prevent; and sooner or later greater embarrassments will arise. In moral matters simplicity and direct submission to the moral order are true wisdom. IX. ADVERSE BEGINNINGS MAY, FOR THE JUST, ISSUE IN GOOD ENDINGS. It is a pain and annoyance to David to have his friendliness so wantonly rejected (ver. 4), but the event issued in the extension of his power and the surer peace of his people (vers. 18, 19). Man has the beginnings of things in his hand, but a Mightier Ona works them up towards issues of his own. The persecution of the early Church resulted in the wider diff11Sion of the gospel. The rejection of Christ by the Jewish nation is to issue in a greater glory. Many things in our personal experience may pain and injure us, but by stirring up our strength, by awakening more trust in God and leading to greater caution and courage, we may in the end achieve conquests once never thought of.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-4 (1 Chron. xix. 1-4).-(RABBAH.) Requiting wil for good. The Ammonites appear to have remained quiet since their defeat by Saul, nearly h3.l.f a century before (1 Sam. xi.). Nahash their king (perhaps a son of the former Nahash) had rendered friendly service to David. But on the accession of Hanun, his son, the old hostility of the children of Ammon revived, and showed itself in a way that m:ulo IJ, 8.UIUEL. Ill 258 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on. x. 1-10,