1 Samuel 18:4

Divine friendship.

"He loved him as his own soul" ( 1 Samuel 18:3 ). Human friendship is a shadow of Divine. The greatest and best Friend is God in Christ Jesus. Happy is every one who can say from the heart, "This is my beloved, and this is my friend" (So 5:16). Consider—

I. ITS CONDITIONS , on the part of man.

1 . Rationality : capacity of thought, voluntary choice, moral esteem. "Amidst the ashes of our collapsed nature there slumber certain sparks of celestial fire" (Owen).

2 . Reconciliation ; inasmuch as man is alienated from God, and under condemnation.

3 . Renewal in righteousness and true holiness, so that we may be "partakers of the Divine nature" ( 2 Peter 1:4 ). "Friendship is a union of souls, and souls can be united only where there is more or less accord" ( Amos 3:3 ).

II. ITS CHARACTERISTICS , on the part of the Lord. All his perfections render it in every respect transcendently excellent. But notice more particularly—

1 . Its disinterestedness. "He first loved us," with a pure, free, condescending, self-sacrificing love. "Greater love hath no man," etc. ( John 15:13 ).

2 . Its faithfulness.

3 . Its constancy. "The love of friends of this world is defective in three respects—they begin to love late, cease early, love little. But the love of God is an unequalled love. He loves us without beginning, without intermission, and without end" (Nouet).

III. ITS BENEFITS , or the blessings enjoyed by those who have fellowship with him.

1 . Counsel, warning, rebuke. Reproofs are "the graver looks of love."

2 . Defence, support, and effectual help.

3 . Sympathy, encouragement, and everlasting consolation. "And now," said Jonathan Edwards, on his death bed, turning from his earthly friends toward the approaching darkness, "where is Jesus of Nazareth, my true and never failing Friend?"

IV. ITS CLAIMS , or the duties of those who enjoy such benefits and desire their continuance.

1 . To cherish proper feelings toward him—confidence, affection, and delight in intercourse with him.

2 . To do those things that please him. "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you."

3 . Not to be ashamed of him, but to confess his name before men; to love and serve his friends for his sake, and to seek in all things his honour and glory.—D.

1 Samuel 18:6-16 . (GIBEAH)

Envy.

"And Saul eyed David from that day forward" ( 1 Samuel 18:9 ). How extraordinary are the moral contrasts which are often presented in human life! The friendship of Jonathan here stands in opposition to the envy of Saul. Hardly had David experienced the one before he was exposed to the other. "His victory had a double issue, Jonathan's love and Saul's envy, which God so mixed that the one was a remedy of the other" (Hall). On the day of public rejoicing the seeds of jealousy, envy, and hatred were sown in his heart. He eyed David not with favour, as before, but with dislike on account of the honour given to him beyond himself. The general suspicion which he entertained in consequence of the intimations of Samuel concerning his successor also seems to have fastened on him as the man; and henceforth he looked upon him as a dangerous rival. "Mingling with his constitutional malady, it poisoned his whole future relations with David." Of envy notice that -

I. IT TAKES ROOT IN AN EVIL HEART . In the case of Saul the soil was congenial and ready prepared by—

1 . Alienation from God and conviction of his disfavour.

2 . Selfishness and morbid concentration of thought upon himself.

3 . Self-will, pride, and worldly ambition, still continuing and increasing.

4 . Wrathful passion. He was very wroth, and the saying displeased him ( 1 Samuel 18:8 ). "He who is apt to feel indignation, feels pain at those who are undeservedly successful; but the envious man, going beyond him, feels pain at every one's success" (Aristotle, 'Ethics').

II. IT GROWS IS THE SHADE OF ANOTHER 'S PRE - EMINENCE in—

1 . Popular estimation . "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:8 ). "What properly occasions envy is the fruit of the accomplishments of others; the pre-eminence which the opinion of the world bestows, or which we dread it will bestow, on their talents above ours" (Blair).

2 . Successful achievements, from which such preference proceeds. "The bright day brings out the adder." Prosperity is generally attended by envy.

3 . Personal excellences. David "behaved himself wisely" ( 1 Samuel 18:5 ); "very wisely" ( 1 Samuel 18:15 ); "more wisely than all" ( 1 Samuel 18:30 ). He acted prudently, cautiously, skilfully, and therefore prosperously.

"Base envy withers at another's joy,

And hates the excellence it cannot reach"

(Thomson).

4. Divine approbation, which appears in prosperous enterprises. "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:12 ). "And Cain was very wroth," etc. ( Genesis 4:5 ; 1 John 3:2 ). The envy felt at the favour shown to another by God is peculiarly criminal, because of its opposition to God himself.

III. IT IS MARKED BY MANY ODIOUS FEATURES .

1 . Unreasonableness.

2 . In most cases ingratitude. David had conferred a great benefit on Saul and Israel by his victory over Goliath; he "went out whithersoever Saul sent him," and fought his battles; and often soothed his melancholy with the music of his harp ( 1 Samuel 18:10 ).

3 . Injustice. He did him "shame" ( 1 Samuel 20:34 ) by entertaining suspicions of his loyalty and treating him as a traitor.

4 . Ungodliness and all uncharitableness. "Charity envieth not." "Envy is the worst of all passions, and feedeth upon the spirits, and they again upon the body; and so much the more because it is perpetual, and, as it is said, keepeth no holidays" (Bacon, 'Essays').

IV. IT IS PRODUCTIVE OF MUCH DEADLY FRUIT , in relation both to others ( Proverbs 27:4 ) and to the envious man himself ( Proverbs 14:30 ); partly of hatred and partly of grief. "As it shows itself in hatred it strikes at the person envied; but as it affects a man in the nature of grief it recoils and does execution upon the envier. It lies at the heart like a worm, always gnawing and corroding and piercing it with a secret, invisible sting and poison" (South, 'Sermons,' 58.). In Saul it produced unrest of soul, increased subjection to the power of evil—"it came to pass on the morrow," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:10 ); ungovernable rage—"he poised the javelin" twice; craft and hypocrisy; fear ( 1 Samuel 18:11 , 1 Samuel 18:15 ); continual enmity ( 1 Samuel 18:21 ); deliberate avowal of murderous intentions ( 1 Samuel 19:1 ); open and unceasing persecution; despair and self-destruction. "When in the last judgment envy is placed at the bar of God, what an indictment will he laid against the evil spirit! The insulting anger of Eliab, the cruelty of Joseph's brethren, the murderous wrath of Cain, and the greatest share in the greatest crime in the world—the crucifying of the Lord of glory—will be charged upon him. To cast this demon out of our bosoms before that final condemnation is one purpose of Jesus, and with all our hearts we should pray for his complete and. speedy victory" (C Vince).

Conclusion :—In order to the cure or prevention of this evil passion, seek a renewed heart; dwell much on the Divine love "that spurns all envying in its bounty;" estimate aright temporal advantages; entertain lowly thoughts of self; learn to admire excellence in others, and regard it as if it were your own; check the first impulse of jealous or envious feeling; and "commit thy way unto the Lord."

"O man! why place thy heart where there doth need

Exclusion of participants in good?

Heaven calls, And, round about you wheeling, courts your gaze

With everlasting beauties. Yet your eye

Turns with fond doting still upon the earth.

Therefore he smites you who discerneth all"

(Dante, 'Purg.' 14.).—D.

1 Samuel 18:17-30 . (GIBEAH.)

Simplicity.

There is a simplicity which springs from ignorance, and is displayed in folly and presumption ( Proverbs 22:3 ). There is also a simplicity which is the fruit of innocence, truthfulness, and goodness, and appears in an ingenuous mind, a guileless disposition, and straightforward speech and conduct. In its best sense ( simplicitas— without fold or twist) it is opposed to duplicity, deception, and "cunning craftiness" ( Romans 12:8 ; Romans 16:19 ; 2 Corinthians 1:12 ; 2 Corinthians 11:3 ); and it was exemplified, in an eminent degree, by David, especially in his earlier intercourse with Saul; for, through familiarity with court life, and much more in consequence of the straits to which he was reduced by the craft and persecution of the king, the simple-minded, open-hearted shepherd youth once and again turned aside:from the right path ( 1 Samuel 21:2 ). Consider simplicity as—

I. BESET BY THE WORKING or CRAFT . Having given way to envy, and in a violent fit of madness threatened the life of David, Saul continued to hate and fear him ( Mark 11:18 ), and sought to get rid of him, though indirectly from restraint of conscience and secretly from fear of the people ( Mark 6:20 ; Luke 22:2 ). Sin works in the dark. Malicious craft often—

1 . Seeks to accomplish ends which it may not dare to avow. Springing from jealousy for personal position and renown, it aims at the depreciation of every one by whom they seem to be endangered; and at his removal, whether accidentally by the hands of others, or by his committing some overt act which may justify his open punishment ( 1 Samuel 18:17 , 1 Samuel 18:21 , 1 Samuel 18:25 ). And toward these ends it works with ever greater directness and less concealment; for that which is hidden in the heart must sooner or later come to light.

2 . Makes use of fair professions, and uses pretexts which are specious, false, and hypocritical. David was assured that no harm was really meant him, and made "captain over a thousand" ( 1 Samuel 18:13 ); whereas he was removed from the presence of the king because he was hated and feared, and that he might be exposed to greater danger. His not receiving the fulfilment of Saul's promise ( 1 Samuel 17:25 ) was probably accounted for by his lack of wealth and social status ( 1 Samuel 18:25 ); but the promise was repeated insincerely. "Only be thou valiant for me" (expose thyself to every hazard)," and fight the Lord's battles" (with zeal for Jehovah, which I know thou hast), and ( sub voce ) "let not my hand be upon him," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:17 ). On the loss of Merab he was consoled by the promise of Michal ( 1 Samuel 18:21 ), but only as "a snare," and her love was made use of for the purpose. And at length (when the king had formed his plan, and felt sure of its success), he was told by his servants (as if in confidential communication), "Behold, the king hath delight in thee," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:22 ), "desireth not any dowry," etc. ( 1 Samuel 18:25 ); "but Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines."

3 . Adopts means which are unworthy, base, and godless. Scheming, plotting, murderous attempts on life under the sanctities of affection and religion; at heart, infatuated opposition to the will of God. If it were not the Divine purpose that David should be king, why fear him? if it were, of what avail would resistance be?

II. DISPLAYED IN THE MIDST OF CRAFT . The snares that were woven around David seem plain enough to us; but there is no reason to suppose that they were at first observed by him. The simple-hearted man—

1 . Is accustomed to look upon others as sincere like himself, regards their statements and assurances as truthful, and is slow to suspect their evil intentions. Even to the last David could hardly believe that Saul, of his own accord, sought his life ( 1 Samuel 26:19 ). He is "simile concerning evil." Large experience makes men cautious; but it is better to be deceived a hundred times than to lead a life of continual suspicion.

2 . Entertains modest and lowly views of himself, takes contempt and disappointment without complaint, and accepts humbly and cheerfully whatever honour may be conferred upon him ( 1 Samuel 18:18 , 1 Samuel 18:23 ). "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not" ( Jeremiah 45:5 ). "A pious man is even in prosperity humble in heart."

3 . Is intent upon the honest, faithful, and efficient discharge of the duty that lies before him, and fears danger little because he fears God much ( 1 Samuel 18:5 , 1 Samuel 18:14 , 1 Samuel 18:27 ). "David's calm indifference to outward circumstances affecting himself were very strikingly expressed in his conduct. Partly from his poetic temperament, partly from his sweet, natural unselfishness, and chiefly from his loving trust in God, he accepts whatever happens with equanimity, and makes no effort to alter it" (Maclaren). It has been remarked that "genius is rumply the carrying into the maturity of our powers the simplicity and ardour of childhood."

III. PRESERVED FROM THE DEVICES OF CRAFT . It is the best means of preservation, inasmuch as—

1 . It affords the least occasion for an adversary to take an advantage. Although the ingenuous man may appear to lie open to attack, yet he is really most effectually guarded against it.

2 . It attracts the respect of other men ( 1 Samuel 18:16 ), gains the love of those who warn and help him ( 1 Samuel 18:28 ; 1 Samuel 19:11 ), and makes it difficult for his enemies to prevail over him.

3 . It insures the favour of God. "The Lord was with him" ( 1 Samuel 18:12 , 1 Samuel 18:14 , 1 Samuel 18:28 ) to guide, defend, and help him ( Psalms 37:24 , Psalms 37:33 ). "In thee do I trust."

IV. RESULTING IN AN END OPPOSED TO THAT OF CRAFT .

1 . Instead of returning no more from the conflict, he returns in triumph, and receives an unwilling honour from the hand that was lifted up against him ( 1 Samuel 18:27 , 1 Samuel 18:28 ; Revelation 3:9 ).

2 . Instead of being less an object of terror to the wicked, he is more so ( 1 Samuel 18:29 ).

3 . Instead of being deprived of the love of the people of God ( 1 Samuel 18:16 : "All Israel and Judah loved David"), he is more completely enthroned in their hearts ( 1 Samuel 18:30 ).

Remark—

1 . How ineffectual are the devices of the wicked against "the upright in heart."

2 . How beneficial may even their devices become when met with "simplicity and godly sincerity."

3 . How inexpressibly beautiful is the character of the Son of David—"meek and lowly in heart."

4 . How necessary is the "anointing of the holy One," that we may become like unto him.—D.

HOMILIES BY G. WOOD