1st and 2nd Samuel (Sections 17-20)
Section 17
"And all this Assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with Sword and Spear: for the Battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our Hands."—1 Samuel 17:47
There are always two ways of handling the same Doctrine. The truth in the text may be used as a narcotic or as a stimulant. Some are so wicked as to say that if it be the Lord's battle, we are excused from fighting: as if, seeing the harvest is the Lord's, we might justly refuse to sow or reap. We see how David used this truth: it fired his soul and nerved his arm. We are all battling on one side or the other, and the worst of all are those who boast their neutrality. To the Christian man these words are so true that he may emblazon them on his banner, and write them as the headline of "the book of the wars of the Lord."
I. The great Fact: "The battle is the Lord's."
1. Inasmuch as it is for truth, right, holiness, love, and all those things which the Lord loves, the battle is the Lord's (Psalms 45:4).
2. His name and glory are the object of it. It is his honor to see righteousness established in the earth. The gospel greatly glorifies God: men strike at the divine honor when they oppose it, and the Lord will vindicate his own name; thus our conflict becomes God's battle (Isaiah 40:5).
3. We fight only by his power. The Holy Ghost is our strength; we can do nothing without the Lord: hence the battle is his in the highest degree (2 Chronicles 13:12; 2 Chronicles 20:12).
4. He has bidden us fight. At our monarch's bidding we go upon this warfare. We are not free-lances on our own account, but warriors under his command (1 Timothy 6:1).
5. He has bound himself to fight this battle. The reward promised to his Son, the covenant of grace, and the distinct pledges of his word, make it his battle. His fidelity is engaged to cause the Lord Jesus to divide the spoil with the strong. He must bruise Satan under our feet shortly (Romans 16:20).
6. When the battle is fully won, the glory will be unto the Lord alone (Psalms 98:1). "He hath triumphed gloriously" (Exodus 15:1).
II. Its Influence on our Minds.
1. We make light of opposition. Who can stand against the Lord?
2. We are not cowed by our weakness. "When I am weak then am I strong." The Lord will make us mighty in his own fight.
3. We throw ourselves into the work heartily. We owe so much to the Lord Jesus that we must fight for him (1 Corinthians 16:13).
4. We choose the best weapons. We dare not fire the Lord's cannons with the devil's powder. Love, truth, zeal, prayer, and patience should be at their best in God's battle (2 Corinthians 10:4).
5. We are confident of victory. Can the Lord be defeated? He vanquished Pharaoh, and he will do the same with Satan in due season (1 Corinthians 15:25).
III. Lessons in connection with it.
Make it God's Cause.
Never let it sink into a selfish matter. By your motive. Aim at his glory only. Keep clear of all sinister designs. By your method. Contend for the faith as Jesus would have contended, and not in a way which the Lord would disapprove. By your faith. Can you not trust God to fight his own battles? Do not forget that it is the Lord's cause. Or you will bring self into it.
You will begin to judge the conflict; and as it is on too huge a scale for human comprehension, you will fall into many errors, expecting defeat where victory is sure, or hoping for success in ways which lead to disaster.
You will be enervated by fear for the battle must end in your destruction if the Lord's hand be not with you.
Since it is his battle— Be happy if personally defeated; for Jesus is still highly exalted. Be calm and confident always; for there cannot be the smallest cause for fear as to the ultimate issue. "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). This assembly does know that the battle is the Lord's. Does it not? Are all in this assembly on the conquering side? Why not look to him who is himself our salvation? He needs not our sword or spear; but will himself deliver those who trust in him.
Aids to Attention
Mr. Oncken told me that he was summoned before the burgomaster of Hamburg, who bade him cease from holding religious meetings. "Do you see that little finger?" cried he. "As long as I can move that finger I will put down the Baptists." "Yes," said Oncken, "I see your little finger, and I also see a great arm which you cannot see. As long as the great arm of God is lifted on our behalf, your little finger will have no terror for us."
We are like William of Orange, with a few followers and an empty purse, making war against the master of half the world, with the mines of Peru for a treasury. But like William, too, when questioned concerning our resources, we can reply, "Before we took up this cause we entered into a close alliance with the King of kings."—David Gracey, in "The Sword and the Trowel." When Tarik the Saracen went to vanquish Spain, he informed his followers that he had been favored by Heaven with a dream which had given him the fullest assurance of success. He had seen the prophet Mohammed surrounded by those holy saints and faithful companions who had adhered to his cause while he was an exile in Medina. They stood close by his couch with their swords unsheathed and their bows bent, and he heard the prophet say, "Take courage, O Tarik, and accomplish what thou art destined to perform." He then saw the prophet and his companions entering Spain as if to herald the way for the faithful followers of Islam. With a truer vision and more confident assurance may we enter the lists, go on to the struggle, and engage in the warfare of those who are fighting beneath the leadership of the cross. For, as surely as day conquers night, the cause of Heaven shall prevail and he shall reign whose right it is to reign.—G. McMichael, in "The Baptist Magazine."
It is not the will of God that his people should be a timorous people.—Matthew Henry.
It has been said of the persecuted Quakers that looking steadfastly at the strength of their Almighty leader, they Said not, who am I? but rather Whose am I, that I should fear? —"Annals of the Early Friends."
Luther's strength lay in the way in which he laid the burden of the Reformation upon the Lord. Continually in prayer he pleaded, "Lord, this is thy cause, not mine. Therefore, do thine own work; for if this gospel do not prosper, it will not be Luther alone who will be a loser, but thine own name will be dishonored." Our Lord does not expect us to go to a warfare at our own charges. No soldier finds himself in rations or ammunition. Our king is never ungenerous; if he sends us to battle he will go with us, both to cover our head and nerve our arm. If we will but care for his cause, he will care for us. Queen Elizabeth requested a merchant to go abroad on her service, and when he mentioned that his own business would be ruined, she replied, "You mind my business and I will mind yours." If it be but the Lord's battle, we may be sure that he will see us through with it.
Section 18 "Then Jonathan and David made a Covenant, because he loved him as his own Soul."—1 Samuel 18:3
"And Jonathan caused David to Swear again, because he loved him: For he loved him as he loved his own soul."—1 Samuel 20:17
Why so many sermons on Jonah, and so few on Jonathan? Are the cross-grained more worthy of study than the gentle and generous? This noble prince counted it his joy to further the interests of the man who was to be preferred before him. There was something very beautiful in Jonathan, and this came out in his unselfish, magnanimous love of David. How much more beauty is there in the unparalleled love of Jesus to us poor sinners!
I. Great Love desires to bind itself to the beloved one.
"Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him." The covenant was made, not so much because of their mutual love, but because Jonathan loved David. "Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women" (2 Samuel 1:26).
1. Jesus bound himself to us by covenant bonds. He undertook the charge of us as our Surety in the covenant of grace.
He entered into our nature to represent us, thus becoming the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47).
He pledged himself to redeem us with the sacrifice of himself. "He loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
He took us into union with himself. "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:20).
He has bound up our future lives with his own. "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). "Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19). "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am" (John 17:24). "Ye in me and I in you." Seven golden words.
He has made us share in all that he has, changing garments with us, as in this narrative (1 Samuel 18:4).
He could not come nearer to us, or he would. In all these covenant deeds he proves his perfect love.
2. Jesus would have us bound to him on our part: therefore he would have us—
Submit ourselves to the saving power of his love.
Love him for his great love: even as David loved Jonathan.
Own that we are his by choice, purchase, and power; and do this deliberately and solemnly, as men make a covenant.
Join ourselves to his people; for he reckons them to be himself.
Show kindness to all who are his, for his sake; even as David was good to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9).
More and more merge our interests in his, and find our gain in advancing his honor (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). "Bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God" (1 Samuel 25:9).
What an expression! Yet how true!
3. If this be our Lord's desire, shall we not fulfil it?
Let the bonds be mutual and indissoluble (Song of Solomon 2:16).
Let us accept the priceless gifts of the Prince, and then give ourselves to him without reserve.
Let us love him as we love ourselves, for he loved us better than himself (Matthew 27:42).
Let this be a time of love, a season for renewing our vows, a time of fuller self-merging into Jesus (Galatians 2:20).
II. Great Love desires renewed Pledges from its Object.
"Jonathan caused David to swear again." Not out of selfishness, but from a sacred jealousy. "The Lord thy God is a jealous God." See also Song of Solomon 8:6.
It is the only return love can receive. We can love Jesus, we can do no more. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalms 31:23).
It is for our highest benefit. Bound to the horns of the altar we are free. Wedded to Christ we are blessed.
We are so chill already that we have need to renew the flame of affection with fresh coals of loving communion.
We are so tempted and assailed that the more solemnly and the more often we renew our vows, the better for us.
We are most unhappy if drawn aside: every backsliding is misery. Therefore, let us be bound firmly to our Lord.
Hence he invites us to new pledges (Song of Solomon 4:8). Our first surrender was attended with a solemn dedication. Our baptism was his own appointed token of our being one with him in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4). Our communions should be hallowed renewals of our covenant.
Let every act of worship be, Like our espousals, Lord, to thee;
Like the dear hour when from above, We first received thy pledge of love. Our restorations from sickness ought to be remembered with special praise, and we should pay our vows in the presence of the Lord's people (Psalms 116:8; Psalms 116:14). Our fresh conditions should be attended with extraordinary devotion. Removal, promotion, marriage, birth of children, death of relatives, etc., are notable seasons for rededication. Our times of spiritual revival, when we are full of hearty fellowship with the Lord and his saints, should be new departures.
Come and let us renew our loves at this good hour.
Let us get alone, and express our pure desires before our Well-beloved, when only he can hear. Let us think of some special act of devotion by which to express our affection, and let us carry it out at once. Have we no alabaster box? Can we not wash the Beloved's feet, and kiss them with reverent affection?
Windows of Agate A little girl was playing with her doll in a room where her mother was busily engaged in some literary work. When she had finished her writing, she said, "You can come now, Alice, I have done all I want to do this morning." The child ran to her mother, exclaiming, "I am so glad, for I wanted to love you so much." "But I thought you were very happy with dolly." "Yes, mother, I was; but I soon get tired of loving her, for she cannot love me back." "And is that why you love me—because I can love you back?" "That is one why, but not the first or best why." "What is the first and best why?" "Because you loved me when I was too little to love you back." Mother's eyes filled with tears as she whispered, "We love him because he first loved us."
Lord Brooke was so delighted with the friendship of Sir Philip Sydney that he ordered to be engraved upon his tomb nothing but this—"Here lies the friend of Sir Philip Sydney."
Christ and the believer that loves him live as if they had but one soul betwixt them. It is not the distance between earth and heaven that can separate them: true love will find out Christ wherever he is. When he was upon the earth they that loved him kept his company; and now that he is gone to heaven, and out of sight, those that love him are frequently sending up their hearts unto him. And, indeed, they never think themselves intelligent in anything that is worth the knowing, until they have made their souls much acquainted and familiar with their crucified Saviour (1 Corinthians 2:2).—"The Morning Exercises."
"Lovest thou me?" "Feed my sheep." It was a tender act on our Lord's part to allow Peter three times to speak his love, and then all the rest of his life to exercise that love by giving him work to do. Jesus, the Friend, asks thrice, and then appoints a token: Peter, out of sincere love, answers thrice, and renders the life-long token. Love is conspicuous on either side.
Saints are to look upon themselves as wholly the Lord's, in opposition to all competitors. The Lord will not divide with rivals; if ye take him these must go. The soul till it comes within the covenant is in a restless case, like a bee going from flower to flower, or a bird from bush to bush: but when it is married to Christ it is settled with him, and breaks its league with all others.
Remember, the covenant ye have entered into is an offensive and defensive league. You are to have common friends and common foes with the Lord. His people must be your people, and his enemies your enemies.
Remember that your ears are bored to the Lord's doorposts, you have opened your mouth to the Lord, and you cannot go back. You must be his without end, and without interruption. It is a laudable practice of saints to go over the bargain again, hold by it, seal it afresh, and evermore look at themselves as the Lord's. There is a backsliding disposition in the best; but a renewal of our covenant is an antidote for this poison. Moreover, he that hath truly made such a covenant has given himself to Christ without reserve, and hath put a blank into the Lord's hand, saying, with Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" This is well-pleasing unto our God.—Thomas Boston.
Section 19 "This is David's Spoil."—1 Samuel 30:20
We see in David a type of the Lord Jesus, in his conflicts and victories, and as in a thousand things beside, so also in the spoil. To him as a warrior against evil the spoils of war belong. Jehovah saith, "I will divide him a portion with the great; and he shall divide the spoil with the strong" (Is. 53:12). We may say of him, "Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey" (Psalms 76:4).
I. All the Good that we enjoy comes to us through Jesus.
All that we held under the law the spoiler has taken. By our own efforts we can never gain what we have lost. Our great Leader has made us share the spoil.
1. It was for David's sake that God gave success to the hosts of Israel.
2. It was under David's leadership that they won the battle. Even thus is Jesus the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10).
Within us he has wrought a great deliverance. He has overcome the strong man, taken from him all his armor, and divided his spoils (Luke 11:22). He can say with Job, "I plucked the spoil out of his teeth" (Job 29:17).
We had lost all by sin, but Jesus has restored it: "Then I restored that which I took not away" (Psalms 69:4). "David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away" (verse 18). Our very selves were captive; he has set us free. "David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them" (verses 18 and 19). Our eternal heritage was forfeited; he has redeemed it (Ephesians 1:14). The prey is taken from the mighty. "David recovered all." Our enemies have been made to enrich us, and to glorify his name. "Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15). Now is fulfilled that promise, "They that spoil thee shall be a spoil" (Jeremiah 30:16).
II. That which is over and above what we lost by Sin comes by Jesus.
"And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's" spoil" (verse 20). As Jesus has made us more safe than we were before the fall, so has he also made us more rich.
1. The exaltation of humanity to kinship with God. This was not ours at the first, but it is acquired for us by the Lord Jesus.
Election, sonship, heirship, spiritual life union to Christ, espousal to Jesus, fellowship with God, and the glory of the future wedding-feast,—all these are choice spoils.
2. The fact that we are redeemed creatures, for whom the Creator suffered, is an honor belonging to none but men, and not to men except through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:16). As ransomed persons we are bound to our Redeemer by special ties. "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
3. Our singular condition as creatures who have known sin, and have been delivered from it, comes by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our perfection will be that of voluntary agents, who will for ever abhor the evil from which they have been saved, and love the good unto which they have been wedded by the grace of God. This belongs not to the angels.
Never did angels taste above Redeeming grace and dying love.
4. Our resurrection which is a gem not found in the crown of seraphs, comes by our risen Lord (2 Corinthians 4:14).
5. Our relation to God, and yet to materialism, is another rare gift of Jesus. We are kings and priests unto God on behalf of the universe; the sanctification of mind and matter is consummated in our favored persons.
6. Our manifestation of the full glory of the Lord. Our experience will declare to all intelligent beings the choicest wisdom, love, power, and faithfulness of God (Ephesians 3:10).
Truly all these things make us cry, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil" (Psalms 119:162).
III. That which we willingly give to Jesus may be called his Spoil.
1. Our hearts are his alone for ever. Hence, all that we have and are belongs to him. "This is David's spoil,"—the love and gratitude of our lives (1 John 4:19).
2. Our special gifts. Our tithes and dedicated things are for him. Let us give plentifully (Malachi 3:10). Abraham gave Melchizedek the tenth of the spoil (Genesis 14:20).
3. Our homage as a Church is to him. He is Head over all things to his Church. It is his reward to reign in Zion.
4. Our race must yet bow before him; all thrones and powers acknowledge his supremacy. This also is our David's spoil.
Yield to Jesus now, and find in him your safety, your heaven.
What say you? Are you David's spoil?
If not, sin and Satan are spoiling you every day.
Notabilia
1. Sin contracts no guilt that grace does not more than remove. 2. Sin deforms no beauty that grace does not more than renew. 3. Sin loses no blessedness that grace does not more than restore. Outline of Sermon on Romans 5:20, by the late Charles Vince. In 1741, at the Northampton Assizes, a poor Irishman was sentenced to death for murder. Dr. Doddridge believed him innocent, and so exerted himself in his behalf that a respite was obtained. Nothing could be more touching than the poor fellow's expressions of gratitude. He said, "Every drop of my blood thanks you, for you have had compassion on every drop of it. You are my deliverer, and you have a right to me. If I live I am your property, and I will be a faithful servant."
We all remember the poem of "The Man of Ross." Every good thing in the place came from him. Ask who did this or that, 'The man of Ross,' each lisping babe replies.
Even so, as we survey each blessing of our happy estate, and ask whence it came, the only answer is "This is Jesus' spoil. The crucified hand has won this for us." A Pastor in Cumberland has formed in his church a Good Intent Society, composed of poor persons who have no money to give, but yet desire to do something for the Lord Jesus. These give one hour in the week to some charitable work, or to some labor by which they earn a few pence which is given to the service of the Lord. Each one, according to her several ability, does something distinctly for Jesus. These people find a blessing in so doing. Should we not each one regularly and systematically set aside a portion for our Lord and Saviour, and say, "This is David's spoil"?
Section 20
"For thou, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy Servant, saying, I will build thee an House: therefore hath thy Servant found in his Heart to pray this Prayer unto thee."—2 Samuel 7:27
How often God does for his servants what they desire to do for him! David desired to build the Lord a house, and the Lord built him a house. When God's servants are not accepted one way, they are another. Neither do they take it ill that the Lord puts them off from the work upon which they had set their desires; but they learn his will, bow before it, and praise him for it. David went in and sat before the Lord, and offered prayer, for he felt moved in heart, so that he could not do otherwise. When the Lord promises, we should supplicate: his giving times should create for us special asking times.
I. How did he come by his Prayer?
He "found in his heart to pray this prayer."
He found it, which is a sign he looked for it. Those who pray at random will never be accepted: we must carefully seek out our prayers (Job 13:4). In his heart—not in a book, nor in his memory, nor in his head, nor in his imagination, nor only on his tongue (Psalms 84:2).
It is proof that he had a heart, knew where it was, could look into it, and did often search it (Psalms 77:6).
It must have been a living heart, or a living prayer would not have been within it.
It must have been a believing heart, or he would not have found "this prayer" in it.
It must have been a serious heart, not flippant, forgetful, cold, indifferent, or he would have found a thousand vanities in it, but no prayer. Question—Would prayer be found in your heart at this time? (Hosea 7:11).
It must have been a humble heart, for such was the prayer. Is this the way you pray? Do you answer—"I never pray"? God grant you may yet find it in your heart to do so. Is this the way you pray? Do you answer—"I say my prayers?" How can prayers which do not come from your heart ever reach God's heart?
II. How did his Prayer come to be in his Heart?
Through the Lord's being there, and putting it there.
1. The Lord's own spirit instructed him how to pray. By giving him a sense of need. Great blessings teach us our necessity, as in David's case. By giving him faith in God. When sure that God will keep his promise we are moved to plead it. By bringing before his mind the appropriate promise. "Thou hast revealed; . . . therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee."
2. The Lord inclined him to pray.
It has been said that an absolute promise would render prayer needless; whereas the first influence of such a promise is to suggest prayer. The Lord inclined David's heart— By warming his heart. Prayer does not grow in an ice-well. By gladdening him with bright prospects. Prayer comes flying in by the open window of hope. By communing with him. When God speaks to us we are moved to speak to him.
3. The Lord encouraged him to pray, by means of— A promise spoken. "I will build thee an house." A promise sealed home to the heart. "Thou hast revealed to thy servant." His covenant is ordained on purpose to excite prayer. "I will yet for this be inquired of" (Ezekiel 36:37). His former great mercy, his previous answers to our petitions, his immutable goodness, his undiminished power, and his unquestioned faithfulness, all lead us to pray. His Son Jesus is an Intercessor who is always pleading with success, and this puts it into our heart to pray. His Holy Spirit has undertaken to help our infirmity in prayer, and this again suggests prayer.
III. How May You Find Prayer In Your Hearts?
Look into your hearts, and make diligent search.
Think of your own need, and this will suggest petitions.
Think of your ill-desert, and you will humbly cry to the Lord.
Think of the promises, the precepts, and the doctrines of truth, and each one of these will summon you to your knees. Have Christ in your heart, and prayer will follow (Acts 9:11).
Live near to God, and then you will often speak to him. Do you find prayers and other holy things in your heart? Or is it full of vanity, worldliness, ambition, and ungodliness?
Remember that you are what your heart is (Proverbs 23:7).
Things to the Point In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part Without the sweet concurrence of the heart.
—R. Herrick On the cover of his "Kyrie Eleison," the great musician, Beethoven, wrote, "From the heart it has come: to the heart it shall penetrate." The Asiatic Russians say that it is only upon the Baikal—an exceedingly dangerous lake in Siberia—in autumn, that a man learns to pray from his heart.
"A great part of my time," said M'Cheyne, "is spent in getting my heart in tune for prayer."
It is not the gilded paper and good writing of a petition that prevails with a king, but the moving sense of it. And to that King who discerns the heart, heart sense is the sense of all, and that which he only regards; he listens to hear what that speaks, and takes all as nothing where that is silent. All other excellence in prayer is but the outside and fashion of it; this is the life of it.—Leighton.
I asked a young friend, "Did you pray before conversion?" She answered that she did after a sort. I then inquired, "What is the difference between your present prayers and those before you knew the Lord?" Her answer was, "Then I said my prayers, but now I mean them. Then I said the prayers which other people taught me, but now I find them in my heart."
There is good reason to cry, "Eureka!" when we find prayer in our heart. Holy Bradford would never cease praying or praising till he found his heart thoroughly engaged in the holy exercise. If it be not in my heart to pray, I must pray till it is. But oh, the delight of pleading with God when the heart casts forth mighty jets of supplication, like a geyser in full action! How mighty is supplication when the whole soul becomes one living, hungering, expecting desire!
Remember, God respecteth not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are; nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how long they are; nor the music of our prayers, how methodical they are; but the divinity of our prayers, how heart-sprung they are. Not gifts, but graces, prevail in prayer.—Trapp.