but wns himself Rmitten down by the aid of Abishai. Pride is hau,.,hty sclf-cnnfirlcnt contemptuous, and presumptuous. It has overthrown many mighty ~en ; anrl is a~ ungodly, selfish, 1md most dangerous adversary. "Be not proud" (Jer. xiii. 15; eh. xxii. 28; Obnd. i. 3, 4; J as. iv. 6). (2) Falsehood, or deceit (1 Sam. xxi. 1-8). "There was ngnin a battle with the Philistines at Gob [Gezer]: then Sibbechai the Hushathite [1 Chron. xxvii. 11] slew Baph [Sippai]." This is a. double-faced giant; exceedinrrly crafty, mean, and mischievous. "Lying lips a.re abomination to the Lord" (Prov. ~ii. 22; Rev. xxi. 8). (3) Hatred, or ill will; and (in various forms) envy, reven,ge, an"'er, and strife. "Elba.nan, the son of Jaare-oregim [Ja.ir] the Bethlehemite [eh. xxiii. 24] slew Goliath the Gittite"-possibly a. son of the giant whom David slew, and of the same name; or (more probably, as in Chronicles), "Lahmi the brother of Goliath, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam." He is a. powerful, fierce, and obstinate foe; and only by the strength which God gives [Elhanan] can he be overthrown. (4) Dishonesty; "a man of stature [measure or length] that had on ea.eh hand six fingen,, and on each foot six toes, four and twenty in number," etc.; slain by Jonathan, David's nephew (1 Sam. xvi. 9 ; xvii. 3 ; eh. xiii. 3). He has a. powerful grasp; covets, seizes, and steals the possessions of others, in defiance of right and justice. There are many other giants, such :.s (5) Ignorance, (6) Sloth, (7) Intemperance, (8) Impurity, (9) Profanity, (10) Infidelity, (11) Superstition, and (12) Idolatry. III. THEY MUST BE FOUGHT AGAINST AND OVERCOME; in their orrsla.ught upon our- selves and others. If we do not conquer them, they will conquer us. And we can conquer them only by: 1. Faithfully following "the Captain of onr salvation;" obeying his commands, and depending on his might. 2. Incessant vigilance and firm resistance. 3. Ever-renewed and courageous effort. 4. Confident assurance of victory, inspired by many promises, the presence of our Divine Leader, and the success which bas been already achieved. "'fhese conflicts of David's servants a.r0 typical of the spiritual com- bats of Christ's soldiers with the family of the evil one" (Wordsworth). " Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. vi. 12; 1 Sam. xiii. 1-7; xiv. 1-15).-D. Ver. 17.-The lamp of Israel. In the view of his followers, David was the lamp (Hebrew, naer) or glory of the nation, and the continuance of his life and reign was essential to its welfare. This is a striking testimony to their estimate of his personal character and faithful and prosperous rule. Similar language is used of otliers. " He was the lamp that burneth and shineth," etc. (John v. 35; viii. 12; Matt. v. 14). And every faithful servant of God is "a light-giver in the world" (PhiL ii. 15). Such a lamp is- I. KINDLED BY THE GRACIOUS HAND OF Goo, the true Glory of Israel, the Father of lights, the Fountain of life and light (Ps. xxxvi. 9). None are so ready to recognize dependence upon God for life and a.11 good as the devout man himself. '" Thou art my Lamp, 0 Jehovah, And Jehovah enlightens my darkness." (Ch. llii. 29; Ps. xviii. 28; uvii. 1.) "David's regal life and actions were the light which the grace of God had kindled for the benefit of Israel." Whatever his gifts, his graces, his position, his success, they are all humbly, gratefully, and constantly ascribed to their Divine Source by the faithful servant; and, whilst we admire him, we should "glorify God in him" (1 Cor. xv. 10; Gal. i. 24). n. CONDUCIVE TO THE BEAL WELFARE OF ME:!<. "Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the bushel,n etc. (Matt. v. 15). '"Heo.ven does with us as we with torches no, Not light them for themselves,'' etc. (' Meo.sure for Meo.sure,' e.ct i. sc. 1.) By his ro11nsel, his exn.mple, hie endeavours, his prayers, he renders invaluable service to others in directing them in perplexity and peril ; preserving '.them from error and evil· stimulating them to effort and conflict; and contributing to their safety, pros- perity, and lasting happiness. • Ill, ExrosEO TO lM)IINE~T DANGEB OF U'l'lNC,'TlON. Tho light is liable to be 526 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. XXI, 1-22,
qnenched. Life is always precarious; the life of some peculiarly so; like thl\t of David when he went down into the conflict (vers. 15, 16; eh. v. 17-26), waxed faint and was aet upon by the giant Ishbi-benob, in a new suit of armour. And it is not only natural life, but als? moral an~ spiritual life, that is b~set by danger. Th_e part ~hioh a good man t.'\kes ID the conflict between f?Ood and evil attracts the attention of his adversaries makes him a special object of attack (1 Kings xxii. 31); his efforts 11.re exhausting, and his zeal is apt to consume him (Ps. lxix. 9; cxix.139). "Ernestus, Duke of Luneburg en used a burning lamp to be stamped on his coin, with these four letters, A. S. M. C., by which was meant, .Aliis servicns mei,psum contero, 'Dy giving light to others I consume mysel,f'" (Spencer). IV. Vi'oRTHY OF BEING HIGIILY ESTEEMED, carefully sustained, and zealously guarded. "A11d Abishal succoured him, and be [Abishai, or perhaps David, ver. 22] killed him," etc. The preserving care of God (eh. viii. 14) does not render needless human sym- pathy, assistance, prudence, resolution (eh. xviii. 3). He who freely spends bis strenatb0 and risks his life for others ought to be esteemed, considered, defended, and helped by them (1 Tbess. v. 12, 23; 2 Thess. iii. 2; Heb. xiii. 17); and, herein, they also benefit themselves and the whole community. "If any mnn serve me, let him follow me," etc. (John xii. 26-28).-D.