1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and with of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said… The son of Jesse will henceforth be the hope of the nation. I. GOD DOES NOT ACT FROM IMPULSE. He always has a reason for any changes He makes; hence we hear Him say to Samuel, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him?" Tears are too precious to waste on these whom God has forsaken. It is as wise to thresh chaff as hope for results where divinity has withdrawn itself. The changes which history brings all go to show that the Ruler of the universe never is at fault. Calmly He lays His hand on the helm, and without fuss the course of a nation is altered. If the patriot or the Christian remembered this he would not be so ready to imitate the sin of Uzzah. Let us not tremble for the ark of God. II. The coming of Samuel to Bethlehem proclaims the fact that SLAIN OPPORTUNITIES HAVE NO RESURRECTION. Saul had a great chance. Never had a monarch such a beginning. Opposition only helped. Rivalry was an impossibility. Spring and summer held the field. If be had been loyal to God, what was not possible? The greater the opportunity, the more the loss if we miss the tide. Ships in ballast can afford to wait longer than those in cargo. The more learning, or genius, or even religion, the more waste if we miss our chance. Saul is rejected of God. Henceforth he must be in eclipse. What is true of persons is still more so in churches. Neither Bishops nor Convocations can afford to disobey the mandate of God. III. Saul has unfitted himself to carry out the Divine programme, but GOD IS NEVER AT THE END OF HIS RESOURCES. The son of Jesse can take the place of the son of Kish. What examples of this same thing abound in political life! How historic names pale and famous places cease to be known! Judah takes the place of Benjamin, and unknown Bethlehem wins a place on the map of the world. Tamworth, Bedford, Knowsley, Hawarden, Beaconsfield may in future be names in guide books rather than history. Possibly Oxford and Epworth may share their fatal. But other names appear. Providence has always arrows in its quiver. If one man will not, another will! There were many learned and eloquent clergymen in England when John Wesley and George Whitefield began to preach. Many of them might have shared the glory of saving our country from that which defiled and devoured France. God is not at the far end nowadays. IV. Jesse did not know the great man he had among his sons; for when Samuel came and called for the young men, David was left out of the reckoning: but then THE ELECT ARE NEVER OVERLOOKED BY GOD. Human eyes may not see the nimbus, but He who put it there does. V. After all, let us say to the anointed, PROMOTION IS NOT ALL PROFIT. The javelin is in the palace. Men rise to become prominent as targets. If you don't like to be shot, don't come when Samuel sends for you. The Church and the nation are crying out for men for the forlorn hops. Honour awaits the man who is not too anxious for the safety of his father's son. But Saul is envious, and has a javelin for the harper; so stay and prove your fitness for the company of the ewes — if you are afraid of the risk which comes to those who climb above their fellows. (Thomas Champness.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. |
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