1 Samuel 19:8-17

Revived sins and troubles.

The facts are—

1 . The fresh fame of David arouses the latent ill-will of Saul, who seeks in vain to smite him with a javelin.

2 . David fleeing to his house, Saul sends men to lie in wait for and slay him.

3 . Michal warns him of danger, and during the night aids his escape.

4 . By a clever device she diverts his enemies from an immediate pursuit, and on being accused of aiding her father's enemy, she pleads self-preservation. The troubles of life are but temporarily overcome. It was destined for David to smite the national enemy, since he went forth as none other did, strong in the "name of the Lord." The fame of his exploits no sooner reached the ears of Saul than the effect of Jonathan's recent endeavour to reconcile him to David was utterly lost; and hence arose a series of new troubles for persecutor and the persecuted. We see here—

I. That A RADICAL CHANGE OF DISPOSITION IS THE ONLY GUARANTEE OF CONDUCT AND CHARACTER . The change wrought in Saul by Jonathan's recent presentation of truth was only superficial. The old sin was loved and unrepented of. The nature of the man was alienated from the life of God; and hence on the slightest approach of temptation the old spirit broke forth. It is universally true that no intellectual recognition of truth, no acquiescence of conscience in the injustice of a course, no reformation consequent on human influence over the feelings or the intelligence, will make man, or enable him to be, what he ought to be. The fundamental disposition must be renewed. There are instances of this in Christian history. The lion becomes a lamb. A Saul of Tarsus becomes an apostle of Christ. It is in the nature of things that so it should be. For in the ordained subordination of the powers of the mind there is a ruling disposition to which all bend: if it be pure all will move in a holy direction; if it be impure the whole life will he stained. Out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the weakness of all systems of morality that they exalt virtue and teach the evils of vice, but furnish no adequate power to render the life virtuous in the highest sense of the term. Moralists may be immoral. The doing of truth is not involved in a knowledge of it. Here it is that the New Testament comes in to supplement man's knowledge, and to perfect codes of morality. By the gift of the Holy Spirit it builds up outward character from within, and insures that at last sin shall have no dominion over us. There is danger of men overlooking this truth, especially when many run to and fro, and knowledge is increased. Civilisation, by securing a presentable exterior, diverts attention from the "hidden man of the heart." The indirect effect of Christianity is to incorporate with the ordinary character many of the virtues nourished only by itself, and hence men imagine that society would be what it is without Christianity. It is extremely important, therefore, to insist on the New Testament teaching of the need of a radical change by the power of the Holy Spirit; to seek to bring our children early under his renewing power, and to pray constantly that men may be renewed and become new creatures in Christ Jesus.

II. That THE AFFLICTIONS OFTEN BEFALLING THE SERVANTS OF GOD PUT A SEVERE STRAIN ON THEIR FAITH . If Psalms 59:1-17 was written in reference to this persecution, we can see the propriety of the assertion, "Not for my transgression, and not for any sin of mine" ( Psalms 59:3 ), do they "set themselves." To a young man conscious of his integrity, and not without hope of being accepted of God, it must have seemed a strange providence which allowed his life to be so troubled. Could Samuel's anointing really have a Divine significance? ( 1 Samuel 16:13 ). Was it not a mistake to have left the quiet sheepfold for the scene of conflict? ( 1 Samuel 17:20 ). Would it not be well even now to retire into private life? Why should an innocent, sincere soul have such constant reason to cry, "Awake to help me, and behold?" ( Psalms 59:4 ). The experience is not confined to David. One greater than David, when in pursuit of his higher work in the world, was a "Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." And likewise for many a year his Church, when pursuing her holy and beneficent course, was exposed to relentless persecution. It is still true that "many are the afflictions of the righteous," and that "through much tribulation "we enter the kingdom. But all this is not a matter of chance, nor an indication of imperfect wisdom and love. The world is evil, and goodness can only live in it by conflict. It is part of the great battle of the universe that sin shall be exterminated by endured sorrows. History proves that the purest lives and most beautiful virtues have flourished in times and by means of severe trial. Every sufferer knows how blessed it is to be driven nearer to God. The tribulation is only for a brief space, and works out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Hence faith can bear the strain; the more so as God does succour and delight the soul with his comforts ( Psalms 59:17 ; Psalms 94:19 ).

III. That THOSE WHO DEVISE EVIL AGAINST THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE SOMETIMES CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN DEVICES . In the exercise of his low cunning Saul gave Michal to David that she might be a snare to him ( 1 Samuel 18:21 ), her character and tendencies being such as might in his judgment bring him into trouble. It now turned out that the snare for David became a snare for Saul ( Psalms 7:14 , Psalms 7:15 ). Wicked men cannot always reckon safely on their instruments. Men laid snares for Christ, but were entangled in their own talk ( Matthew 22:15-22 ). Pharaoh thought he would find Israel "entangled in the land" ( Exodus 14:3 ), and he found himself ensnared therein to his own destruction. Snares are laid for the Church of God in modern times, and some of these will doubtless prove the reverse of the original intent. We are invited with persuasive voice to enter the pathway of severe historical criticism and of physical science, and it is hoped thereby to disenchant us of the fascination of a supernatural Christianity. Men are as confident of the result as was Saul when he gave Michal to David ( 1 Samuel 18:21 ); but we have nothing to fear, for criticism and science thus far only bring out the truth that the CHRIST is unexplainable on any hypothesis but that of the supernatural; and hence, on the ordinary principles of scientific research, men are bound to accept that hypothesis, or else declare themselves unscientific. "He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet" ( 1 Corinthians 15:25 ),

IV. That ALTHOUGH IMPERFECT MORAL CONDUCT MAY SUBSERVE THE INTERESTS OF GOD 'S SERVANTS , IT NEVERTHELESS IS DISHONOURING TO THEM . Michal acted a lie, and also told deliberate lies, in order to shield David and then herself. The issue was advantageous to David, as it put a wide distance between him and his pursuers. The statement of the facts in Scripture is by no means identical with approval of them. God's purposes have sometimes been furthered by the actions of imperfect men, but the actions have been their own, and never have had Divine approval. It is true still that many a defective "earthen vessel" is the instrument of good. Indeed, were God to refrain from working out his blessed purposes of mercy till we were all pure as the angels, the prospects of the world would be dark enough. The safe rule is "not to do evil that good may come." Good does come often in spite of evil, as when God's truth is diffused in spite of the mixed motives and strifes of those engaged in his service, and when comfort and joy flow to the poor from money given even for purposes far from benevolent. The command of God is "Lie not one to another" (Le Psalms 19:11 ). It is not for us to say that dangers will be avoided by occasional lies. The principle involved in truth speaking is of vast importance in all times and places, and is worth the sacrifice of much for its vindication. Suppose a man is slain rather than utter a lie, does not his martyrdom for truth, in the enduring moral sphere, bring greater good to moral beings and himself than could have come from trampling on a sacred principle for a present advantage? God, moreover, does not leave his servants when they do right. Had Michal stated the facts she would have saved her husband from slander, and there were ten thousand ways by which God could have frustrated the purpose of the men and shielded David. Our duty is to be true and leave consequences to God. God does not lie—we are children of God; Christ did not lie—we are followers of Christ. We may be sure that permanent good must ensue on our being conformed to Christ, the image of God. There is a gain which is loss, and a loss which is gain.

General lessons : —

1 . The influence of Christians may restrain the development of sin in some of its grosser forms, but it is an imperfect Christianity which rests in that.

2 . The "wrath of man" is made to praise God, in that persecutions issue in greater spirituality of mind and fitness for permanent service ( Romans 5:3-5 ).

3 . We need not fret and be uneasy about the snares of the wicked if only we are in God's service, as time is on our side ( Psalms 37:1-40 .).

4 . Christians should strive to put down all practical forms of falsehood prevalent in society, and train children in a severe love of truth at any cost.