1 Samuel 24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David?… I. WHILST THE GOOD MAN SEES HIS OWN PERILS, LET HIM ALSO SEE THE RESTRAINTS WHICH ARE PUT UPON THE WICKED. Saul is mighty; Saul has servants; Saul is accustomed to dip his sword in human blood; yet he cannot hit David! II. LET THE SAD MAN PUT TO HIMSELF SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS RESPECTING THE RESTRAINTS WHICH LIMIT HIS POWER. Saul should have learned a good deal from the failures which followed each other in rapid succession. Why do the heathen so furiously rage? Evil is a gigantic failure: is there not a cause? III. THOUGH MEDIATION MAY FAIL IS CARRYING OUT ITS PURPOSES, YET LET NO WISE MEDIATOR SUPPOSE THAT HIS WORK IS IN VAIN. Jonathan was mediator between Saul and David. Looking at it on one side, he might well have abandoned his work as a failure. What of its influence upon David? How it cheered him like a light! Be some man's true friend. No word of love is lost. No true ministry is a failure, though it may have aspects which are discouraging. IV. OBSERVE THE INFINITE SUPERIORITY OF POWER THAT IS MORAL, AS COMPARED WITH POWER THAT IS PHYSICAL. Saul went to seek David upon the rocks of the wild goats. In his pursuit he came to the sheepcotes where there was a cave, and into that cave he entered, little knowing who was there! Said lifted up his voice and wept! What a difference between this and a mere fight of hostile weapons! 1. In the worst men there is something that may be touched. 2. In every life there is at least one opportunity of showing the real quality of the heart. David seized it! This is the sublime appeal of the Gospel! God does not crush us by mere power. Love, truth, persuasion — these are the weapons of God's warfare! (J. Parker, D. D.). Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. |
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