1072.] DAVID IN THE WILDERNESS. 111 follow his example, in the hour when you are tempted to avenge a wrong. There are times when the most bitter and deeply rooted malignity cannot resist an honest and heartsearching appeal. Saul was overcome; the conflicting passions in his breast found vent in tears. He acknowledged the righteous conduct of David, and even prayed that the Lord would reward him good for his forbearance that day. "Thou," said he, "art more righteous than I.” What a testimony to the integrity of David! Saul expressed his conviction that David would eventually be king, and only urged a promise for the preservation of his family. Saul returned to his usual abode with better feelings than those which actuated him when he set forth on his pursuit ; but yet David dared not to trust in this outward reconciliation; he and his men "got them up into the hold :" they still remained in that mountainous and rocky district, which forms the south-eastern part of Judah, and extends along the shores of the Dead Sea. In Psalms lvii. and lviii. David expresses his feelings at this time. He now had found, that though his enemies had prepared a net for his steps, and his soul was bowed down, though a pit was digged for him, his enemies had fallen into the midst of it themselves; his heart more than ever was fixed, trusting in the Lord, and praising him for the deliverance. In addition to those psalms which have direct reference to the events that happened to David during his abode in the wilderness, there are several others which evidently were suggested by the circumstances connected with such a life as he then led, passing his days and nights in the open air, amidst bold and romantic scenery, observing all the vicissitudes of the seasons. Psalm xxix. describes one of those grand and awful thunder-storms which occur in the east, and which David might have witnessed while in the wilderness of Kadesh. Psalm civ. though probably penned when he had more leisure and quiet than a life in 112 DAVID IN THE WILDERNESS. [B. C. the wilderness afforded, shows how closely he observed the objects of nature, and the Divine glories as displayed in the works of creation. He not only often witnessed that the high hills were a refuge for the wild goats, but he himself sought for safety among the craggy precipices. He had seen the wild asses quench their thirst, and had followed their tracks, to share the blessings of the springs, which ran among the hills. He had heard the young lions roar after their prey. He had seen the labourer in the evening return from his work to his peaceful abode, while he himself was compelled to watch, lest his foes should come upon him unawares. In Psalm cxxi. is reference to the scorching beams of the sun by day, which in the east are often fatal to those who incautiously expose themselves at noon, and to the effect of the moon-beams by night, which modern travellers describe as very injurious to those who sleep exposed to their influences. To heaven I lift mine eye, To heaven, Jehovah's throne; He will not faint nor fail, Nor cause thy feet to stray; For him no weary hours assail, Nor evening darkness spreads her veil Beneath that light divine Securely shalt thou move; The sun with milder beams shall shine, For he, thy God and Friend, Shall keep thy soul from harm, THE DEATH OF SAMUEL-DAVID AND NABAL-SAUL AGAIN PURSUES DAVID, WHO AGAIN SPARES HIS LIFE-DAVID RETIRES TO GATH, AND RESIDES AT ZIKLAG. THE next event recorded is the death of Samuel. He was an old man, about ninety-two years of age, and possessed the general esteem of Israel to the last; a great concourse of people assembled to his funeral. His wisdom and anxiety for the general welfare, will partly account for the preservation of order in the land, notwithstanding the misrule of Saul. Rest, Prophet, rest! Thou hast fulfill'd thy mission! Samuel died. 114 DAVID AND NABAL. Loud was the lamentation: tears unfeigned Rest, venerable seer! brow, hoar with age, [B. C. And pour Heaven's judgment on the' unrighteous king. There is no direct mention that Saul expressed grief at the death of the prophet and judge; but from the mention of Samuel's decease with Saul's putting away the votaries of Satan, 1 Sam. xxviii. 3, it would appear that a temporary impulse of zeal actuated the king at this time to enforce the law against evil characters. Many will be active against sins for which they do not at the moment feel any inclination; thus Saul could check the worship of Satan in others, while he cherished the spirit of Satan in his own heart. At this time, or in some other part of his reign, he caused many descendants of the Gibeonites to be put to death, contrary to the treaty made with them by Joshua; this breach of faith was very offensive to God, though in perpetrating it Saul may have pretended zeal for the Lord. David felt that the death of the prophet deprived him of a protector and intercessor; he retired further south, into the wilderness of Paran, beyond the confines of Palestine. Here he dwelt among the tents of Kedar, Psa. cxx. 5. It would seem that he now found his supplies becoming very scanty. Hearing that Nabal, a wealthy sheep-master in Maon, whose flocks he had protected while in the district of Carmel, was shearing his sheep, always a season of festivity and liberality, he requested such a portion as Nabal might be disposed to send at that time of abundance. The plea David used, shows how great was the difference between his followers and the predatory bands. by which Palestine often has been, and still is overrun : they had protected the shepherds and their flocks from 1071.] ABIGAIL AND DAVID. 115 every hurtful foe, without exacting any return. Nabal refused his reply was the selfish one, May not I do what I will with my own?" But this was, and is a dangerous error. We are only stewards of the Divine bounty. The rude, offensive language of Nabal, respecting David, of whose mighty valour and patriotic actions he must have heard, proves him to have been a proud. ignorant, brutal worldling. The whole delineation of Nabal's character exhibits one of the wealthy, imperious proprietors of the east. Similar characters are too common among the covetous worldlings of every age and country. ensue. David's messengers returned, and reported to him what had passed. His wrath was stirred by the reproachful language and unkind behaviour of Nabal; we find him acting unadvisedly. David's determination to destroy Nabal and his family was openly avowed. But Nabal's wife and servants were very different from him in temper and disposition. The servants told Abigail of David's kindness, and of their master's churlishness; from the latter of these they justly apprehended evil consequences would instantly The moment was critical: Abigail directly took a supply of the provisions prepared for their feast, and placing them on asses, formed one of those processions with which it is customary to offer presents in the east. She met David on his way, and deprecated his displeasure by an able address. Her language is remarkable also for the piety of the sentiment and expressions; she appealed to David, that in after days, when in power and dominion, he would never regret having refrained from wreaking his displeasure on Nabal. Let us not forget this; we often do things in haste, of which we afterwards deeply repent: but we never shall regret letting our anger cool, and refraining from the rash and inconsiderate actions into which we are continually tempted. David was thankful for being stayed in a hasty and sinful course. That is indeed a happy providence |