enraged people thought of putting him to death. Never was a more melancholy situation. Exiled from his country, pursued by this king, suspected of perfidy by those who had received him in his exile, torn from those to whom he was united by the tenderest bonds, and finding in the place of his refuge executioners instead of comforters; no wonder that he and his companions in arms melted into tears. But tears become not a hero who had so often been delivered; they were soon dried; and even in this extremity David "encouraged himself in the Lord his God." Having sought his direction and aid, he immediately pursued the enemy, and having overtaken them, obtained a complete victory, and recovered the spoil and the prisoners.

Here ended the persecutions of David by Saul; for about the time of this victory, a decisive battle was fought between the Philistines and Israelites, In which Saul and Jonathan were slain. Though their death opened the way for him to the throne, yet instead of rejoicing, he wept for them, and commemorated their memory in that affecting elegy which he then wrote.

In reviewing the conduct of David during these trials, we find much to admire. Of the sentiments of his heart and the exercises of his mind we can judge from his psalms, many of which were written during this period. We find them breathing a holy trust in God in the most imminent dangers, a firm belief in his providence in the darkest hours, and an assurance that his promises would all be accomplished. After deliverances, the song of praise to God is always raised; and in afflictions he fled to the Lord as his " refuge and high tower." If we are compelled to blame him because in his perplexities

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he dissembled with Abimelech; if after so many sufferings, his faith failed him for a moment, and he cried, "I shall now one day perish by the hand of Saul;" yet let us acknowlege that his general deportment evinced ardent piety, meek resignation, a firm trust in the everlasting covenant, fervent devotion, and often a holy joy which elevated him above all outward woes.

Neither was his conduct to his fellow-men less remarkable. How many instances of forbearance and forgiveness did he display! If when wandering a poor distressed exile, in want of the necessaries of life, he for a moment forgot his meekness at the cruel and insulting answer of Nabal, to whom he had sent for relief after protecting his possessions, yet he soon returned to his usual temper, and blessed the providential interposition and restraining grace of God, which prevented him from executing his rash designs. Twice was the life of Saul in his power; and endeavouring to melt down the spirit of his adversary, twice he not only himself refused to lift his hand against him, but restrained his followers who desired to deprive this persecutor of his life. So magnanimous and generous was this conduct, that for a time it affected even Saul, who cried, "I have sinned, thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.” Revengeful and implacable men, admire and imitate this example!

David was delivered from his trials, and in the history of them we every where see the divine power, love, and faithfulness. In reviewing your own lives, do you not see these same perfections almost visibly displayed? Acknowledge then the goodness of God; instead of ascribing your preservations to fortune or

ehance, words without a meaning, say with David, "It is the Lord's doing, and it is wondrous in our eyes." Trust in him for the future; learn from the example of the psalmist, that if the Lord be for us, we need not fear whatever foes may be against us.

To the sufferings of David succeeded the crown; and thy afflictions, poor believer, shall be followed by the crown of glory. Bear patiently then thy calamities; a few more trials, a few more tears, a few more combats with thy spiritual enemies, and thy triumph shall commence; press forward, animated by the voice of thy Saviour calling to thee from heaven, "To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. iii. 22.)

SERMON XXXI.

LIFE OF DAVID.

No. II.

2 SAMUEL i-x.

IN a lecture delivered to you a few weeks since, we accompanied David from his birth till the period when the death of Saul opened the way for him to

the throne of Israel. We found, in his general deportment during this time, ardent piety, meek resignation, a firm trust in the everlasting covenant, heroic courage, fervent devotion, and often a holy joy which elevated him above all outward woes. We shall perceive the same traits in that portion of his life which we are now to review.

The battle of Gilboa, so fatal to Saul and his sons, was probably fought on the same day on which David and his veterans avenged themselves on those who had spoiled and destroyed Ziklag. Ah! what various scenes occur in the same moment on the earth! Here a kingdom is in mourning, and there one elevated with joy: here a family is in tears, and there one full of rapture. The third day after this engagement, a young Amalekite met David with the royal insignia of Saul, and declared that, being on the field of battle, and seeing Saul wounded, he had, at his request, stood upon him and slain him. This report was false, since the story told by the Amalekite is inconsistent with itself, and utterly irreconcilable with the account of the death of Saul that is given by the sacred writer. It was an invention of the Amalekite to secure the friendship of David. Ah! little did this deceiver know the heart of him whom he addressed! He met with the reward which he deserved, instead of that which he expected. David had no opportunity of discovering the falsehood of the relation, and, instead of recompensing the Amalekite, pronounced upon him this sentence, which was immediately executed: "Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed." I am surprised that David has been censured for this act. The Amalekite certainly merited death, because he

was authorized by no law, human or divine, to lay violent hands upon Saul. Even if this king of Israel had wished to die, according to the representation of the Amalekite, it is no less murder to deprive of life one who desires to die, than one who desires to live; since it equally infringes the law of the Supreme Legislator, "Thou shalt not kill." If he deserved death, David had authority to inflict it, since when Saul had expired, he was in reality the king of Israel, having been anointed to that office by the express command of the Lord. Of his motives in ordering this punishment, we cannot hesitate, after considering both his former and subsequent conduct. What care did he always use to preserve a life, that interest and ambition would have made him desirous to extinguish! Remember his conduct in the cave of Engeddi, and at the time when he penetrated not only into the camp, but even to the pillow, of the sleeping Saul, and when he repulsed with indignation the proposal of Abishai to deprive this their enemy of life. Such scenes are a sufficient proof of the purity of his motives on this occasion. This purity was also shown by his behaviour to the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead. Saul had delivered them from the oppression of the cruel Nahash. They remembered this kindness, and testified their gratitude to their benefactor after his death. Hearing that his body and those of his sons were suspended upon the walls of Bethshan, they entered this city, bore these corpses away, and, after fasting seven days, interred these corpses with a solemnity and pomp suitable to their former rank. So generous an action struck the heart of David. He sent deputies to them, assured them that God would reward them, and that, as far as his power could extend, he himself would requite