1 Samuel 20:3 And David swore moreover, and said, Your father certainly knows that I have found grace in your eyes; and he said… This is true physically, morally, socially, influentially. 1. Physically — Breath is in the nostrils; we know not our narrow escapes from death; the point of a needle may destroy the life of the body, etc. 2. Morally — Character may be ruined in a moment; one sin broke up human history into ruin and sorrow, etc. 3. Socially — When character is ruined, society is closed against a man, etc. 4. Influentially — A man's influence should be the measure of his moral standing; by one false step influence may be impaired or destroyed. The fact that there is but a step between life and death should do five things: — I. IT SHOULD GIVE HIGH SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE TO TIME. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," etc. II. IT SHOULD AWAKEN THE MOST ANXIOUS VIGILANCE. Only one step, and it may be the next! III. IT SHOULD STIMULATE TO PREPAREDNESS FOR THE FUTURE. IV. IT SHOULD IMPART A TENDERER INTEREST TO ALL THE RELATIONSHIPS OF LIFE. V. IT SHOULD LEAD TO THE RIGHT USE OF TEMPORAL POSSESSIONS. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. |
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