And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, etc. (ver. 36). David's conduct not only freed him from suspicion, but also won the confidence and affection of "all the people" (1 Samuel 12:3-5).

I. THE CONDUCT OF ONE IN AUTHORITY IS CAREFULLY OBSERVED BY THE PEOPLE. Because of:

1. His elevated position, which (like a mountain peak) attracts their attention, and exposes him to their constant gaze.

2. His responsible position, which leads them to compare his actions with the principles according to which he ought to rule.

3. His influential position, which makes them watchful of his course, out of concern for their own interests.

II. ACCEPTANCE WITH THE PEOPLE IS AN OBJECT WORTHY OF BEING DILIGENTLY SOUGHT. It is not the highest object, and ought not to be sought supremely. Truth and justice are of greater worth than popularity. The praise of God must be loved more than the praise of men (John 12:43). But it should not be neglected or despised, because:

1. It conduces to his safety and happiness.

2. It renders his measures less likely to be suspected and opposed; enables him to effect his purposes for their good; increases the measure of his usefulness.

3. It aids him in his endeavours to promote the glory of the supreme Ruler.

III. THERE IS NO WAY TO SECURE IT MORE EFFECTUAL THAN THE EXHIBITION OF AN UPRIGHT AND GENEROUS SPIRIT.

1. Other ways are uncertain and variable, like the changing moods of the people.

2. This appeals to what is noblest and most permanent in them, and secures the sympathies of the most reliable men.

3. It also obtains the favour and help of God, who disposes their hearts to approve, submit, and obey.

IV. ITS ATTAINMENT IS HONOURABLE AND BENEFICIAL TO THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

1. It shows a readiness to be pleased, and a disposition to admire genuine excellence.

2. It confirms his devotion to their welfare, and encourages him to persevere in well doing.

3. It tends to their improvement in virtue, and thus contributes to their peace and unity, power and prosperity.

CONCLUSION. What has been said applies to other relations besides that of ruler and subject. "A good name is better than precious ointment" (Ecclesiastes 7:1) or "great riches" (Proverbs 22:1); "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification" (Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 10:33; Titus 2:9); "Whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). - D.

I. First, then, wherever it is the case that whatsoever the king doeth pleases all the people, THIS IS THE OUTFLOW OF LOVE; and as it is the case with our King, that whatsoever He does pleases all His people, we can truly say that this is the outflow of our love to Him.

1. True love banishes suspicion. No dark suspicions come across the soul that is once enamoured of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. It also inspires implicit confidence. We are willing to let His will be like the apocalyptic book, sealed with seven seals if necessary, and we unhesitatingly say, "Let His will be done."

3. Love also suggests unquestioning reverence.

4. It creates sympathetic feeling. When our nature gets to be like His nature — oh, what a blessed consummation that is! — when our wishes and His wishes travel the same road, though not with equal footsteps; when that which He aims at is that which we aim at after our poor fashion; when we can say that it is more delight to us that He should be delighted than that we should be delighted ourselves, and that it is a greater honour to us to see Him honoured than it would be to be honoured ourselves; when we sink ourselves in Him, even as two divided streams at last dissolve into one — as I have seen a tiny silver brook come clown to Father Thames, and pour its whole self into him, so as to be no longer anything but part of the great river — so, when our soul yields itself up in perfect love to Christ, to think His thoughts, and live and move in Him so that it is no longer we who live but Christ Who liveth in us; oh, then it is that whatsoever the King doeth pleaseth all His people! When the believer comes to be what He should be in the fulness of his love, his will is lost in the will of Christ, his very life is hidden away with Christ in God, and then he realises how true it is that whatsoever the King doeth pleaseth all His people.

II. The love that manifests itself thus IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE. Human love is blind; but the love which is wrought in us by the Spirit of God is as full of eyes as are the great wheels of Divine Providence. There is the best of reasons why everything that Jesus does should please all His people, because everything He does is right, and we shall feel this in proportion as we combine knowledge with love, or our love is based on knowledge.

1. We know the character of Christ.

2. We know something of His designs, and we know that He designs the glory of the Father through the salvation of those the Father gave him.

3. We know something of His modes of operation. We have learned that it is His habit often to disguise Himself; His way is in the sea, and His path in the great waters, and His footsteps are not known except to those who are familiar with Him.

4. We know something of our Lord's rights, and therefore we can never venture to interfere with His actions.

III. THIS IS THE SECRET OF REST: "Whatsoever the king did pleased all the people." To know that the King has done it, and to see His Divine hand in anything, is more than half the battle which ends in sweet content. When you have seen God's hand, then say, "I would not have it otherwise than it is." I know several persons who are always in trouble and unhappy because there is a dispute between them and God. I remember one to whom I solemnly spoke, years ago, and not long after he passed away. I went to see his dying child, the only one he had left, and he said to me, "Do not talk to my daughter about death, do not mention it to her." "Well, then," I said, "if I may not mention death, I will not go upstairs." The father said to me, "God could not take that child away." He had lost several before, and he said that, if his daughter died, he should call God a tyrant, and I know not what. At last I stood before him, and I said, "You are making for yourself a rod that is much heavier than God Himself lays upon you. I fear that you will yourself die if you act in this way." As he could not be brought to reason, and kicked and rebelled against God's dealings with him, I was not surprised to learn that, soon after his child died, he himself also died. It does not do to quarrel with God; let the potsherds of the earth strive with other potsherds if they will, but woe to. him who contendeth with his Maker! Instead of that, bow before him, not only because you must, but because you delight to acknowledge him as your Lord.

IV. "Lastly, THIS WILL BE A LESSON IN OBEDIENCE.

1. Whatever service the King requires of you will please you.

2. Oftentimes, we are permitted to work hard, and yet to meet with great discouragement. It was a pretty remark I read, the other day, of a Christian man who said, "I used to have many disappointments, until I changed one letter of the word, and chopped it into two, so that instead of 'disappointments,' I read it 'His appointments.'" That was a wonderful change, for "disappointments" break your heart, but "His appointments" you accept right cheerily.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)