1 Samuel 17:28 And Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said… How much like a chapter of accidents this looks! Superficially narrated, we should say "It happened." There are no accidents with God, and none with those who commit their way unto Him. We shall see all these things were preparations for conflict. I. JESSE'S ANXIETY CONCERNING HIS SOLDIER SONS. We meet David once more on the road from Bethlehem. Not on his way to the palace of the king, for yet is he the drudge of the family, and is sent laden with presents to the chief of the division in which his brothers serve (vers. 17, 18), to see how they fare. How akin to Joseph, who also was sent by his father to his brethren, and met with no kindly reception! While talking with one and another the boastful challenge of the giant Goliath arrests his attention. Once no such challenge would have come to Saul unanswered, but all valour flees when the Spirit of the Lord leaves a man. David avows his readiness to meet him. Was it a chance that David was sent — that he was sent that morning — that his brethren were to the front when he arrived at camp, or a list of curious combinations? II. THE DISCOURAGEMENT WITH WHICH DAVID MEETS. David is jealous for the Lord of Hosts. He was instantly discouraged, first by: — 1. His own brethren (Matthew 10:36, with ver. 28). That fine soldierly looking brother who captivated Samuel's judgment is terribly at fault Listen! he twits his brother with neglect of duty (ver. 28). True he does not know; he is only supposing the sheep must have been left uncared for, as David is there. To an angry, jealous nature, truth is of little matter. The probable, or even the possible, is quite near enough. 2. The king discourages him (ver. 33). Doubtless appearances were against David. They have often been against bravo men, and Saul was only the echo of that prudence which is popular today. God's men, who endure as seeing Him who is invisible, cannot be measured by the rule of this world's wisdom. We advance now to another link. 3. Thirdly, in all this David was being fitted for the conflict as the result of the Divine anointing. Discipline is often inward through the outward, and sometimes the outward is proof of the inward. David's offers of service were refused. That the affairs of service are often refused is apparent in the records of the Holy Scriptures. Dr. Ker unfolds this in a sermon from the refusal of the Israelites' offers of service by Joshua. He draws attention to Gideon's band, that not all were chosen who offered; and to Christ's searching answer to the man who would "first go bury his dead." Today, as of old, many offers of service are refused — and why? Thus our sincerity is tested. Only so do we know ourselves; but every "Christian" comes out of the Slough of Despond "on the far side." One result of these discouragements in David's case was, he was thrown on God's promise. His past opens (ver. 34). His own mind is finding wonderful illumination as he tells the king of what he had done. This is the right use of past experience. "I slew him;" surely the God of my strength can give me power over this Philistine lion also. Do you not observe his sense of Goliath's sin increases in proportion as his faith in God expands? There is a rising emphasis of scorn surely. "This uncircumcised Philistine; This Philistine." How terrible is this contempt, coming from God's chosen! Thus early we mark the habit of referring everything to the will and providence of God, which is the key to David's character. Thus there is outward victory. David has gained permission — has won his way; and is not this the window through which we see the inward victory? All through he maintains his humility, yet who could imagine any test more trying than this double refusal of service? And how conspicuous this humility is in his answer to Saul after the victory (ver. 58), and that untrue and supercilious speech of Abner's (ver. 55). He maintains his patience. What restraint he must have put upon that impetuous spirit of his to take the sneer so quietly! (ver. 29). "He that hath rule over his own spirit is better than the mighty." (H. E. Stone.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. |
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