in Keilah, the place which he had just saved from the Philistines: but they forgat his kindness, and, had he not escaped, would have delivered him to Saul. Men's own danger often makes them forget their obligations to their friends. Let us not trust too much even to those who are obliged to us, for they may forget us and our kindness; but guard against ingratitude ourselves, and every appearance of it.

3. We learn, what intimate acquaintance God has with the hearts of men. David did not know what the men of Keilah would do; perhaps they did not know themselves how in general they should determine, which way the magistrates would incline; but the Lord knew. He knows men better than they know themselves, and what they will do in such and such circumstances. We should therefore reverence him who knows the secret dispositions and inclinations of men's hearts, and beholdeth the thoughts afar off.

4. Observe with what an ill grace the name of God comes out of the mouth of a wicked man. God has delivered him, said Saul. 'Nothing,' says an ingenious writer, 'is more grating to a serious ear, than strains of piety from profane mouths: to hear the wretch who had despised the commands of God, murdered his priests, and desolated his sanctuary; in a word, lived in open defiance of God: to hear such a wretch talk of God, and the divine determinations in his favour, is past enduring.' And yet this is too common a case; of many people it may be said, God is near to their mouths, but far from their reins, or hearts. May we dread hypocrisy, and all approaches toward it. Let not our actions give our tongues the lie; for noth. ing is more abominable to God and man, than to talk like an angel, and live like a brute.

5. We see that Providence is never at a loss to deliver good men out of their adversity. David wandered about from place to place, but was still safe. Had he been asked, Where he intended to shelter himself next? he might have answered, as Luther did, when he was outlawed by the Emperor, and excommunicated by the Pope, Sub Calo, somewhere under the canopy of heaven. God diverted Saul from the pursuit, just when he thought he had David in his hands. The Philistines intended no kindness to David, but God meant it so. Man's extremity is God's opportunity in the mount the Lord shall be seen in the moment of danger he interposes. He can always find out ways and means of preserving his people. This should teach us to make God our confidence, and prevent the fear of man, which bringeth a snare. Trust in him therefore at all times, ye people, and pour out your hearts before him.

We read here of the generous manner in which David saved Saul's life, when he had it in his power; his expostulation with Saul concerning his enmity to him; and the good effect it had upon Saul for the present.

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ND it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, who had invaded his land, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David [is] in the wilderness of En2 gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, in whose courage and attachment he could confide, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild 3 goats, in the craggy places where the wild goats frequented. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way where [was] a large cave ;* and Saul went in to cover his feet, and to sleep, being fatigued with his march and David and his men remained in the sides, in the dark recesses of the cave, where Saul could not 4 see them. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the 5 skirt of Saul's robe, which came down to his feet, privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt; he was greatly troubled, as it had the appearance of injury and indignity to the Lord's anointed. And he said unto his men, who seem to have resented it that he had not slain him, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing, he [is] the anointed of the LORD, he 7 was set up by God, who alone can depose him. So David stayed his servants, who would have smote Saul, with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on [his] way.

David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and, in the most soft and submissive terms, cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David 9 stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? He endeavours to mollify 10 him, by laying all the blame on his wicked counsellors. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade [me] kill thee but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD's 11 anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy

Historians inform us there were many large caves in the mountainous parts of Judea, particularly one which would hold four thousand men; into these they used to drive their flocks in violent storms, or in the heat of the day.

+ God had never promised to deliver Saul into David's hands; but so they interpreted the promise of the kingdom, and thought David should take this providential opportunity of kill ing his enemy, possessing the kingdom, and advancing them.

robe in my hand for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that [there is] neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; my having not killed thee, is a proof I had no evil intentions against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. It was an aggravation of Saul's guilt, that he sought the life of one who had done nothing to offend him, and would not hurt him 12 when it was in his power. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee; I appeal to God, as the rightevus judge, and 13 doubt not but he will vindicate me. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked, men may be known by their actions; had I been a bad man, I should now have shown it; if I wished to dethrone thee, I had now an opportunity 44 to do it but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom

is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea; how shameful is the pursuit, how inglorious the conquest of one so mean! it is below the king of Israel to hunt after a dead dog, or a flea; to raise an army 15 against so contemptible a person. The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. It is wonderful that he who was so much enraged, and came with such a murderous intention, should hear David with so much patience; but he was quite astonished to find him following, and to see so much courage, generosity and kindness; all this mollified him for the present.

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And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, [Is] this thy voice, 17 my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded the evil. 18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. He was now in a good mood, saw his own injustice and David's kindness, and acknowledged it 19 was unparalleled. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? yet thou hast spared my life; wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this 20 day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine 21 hand.* Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house, as I have endeavoured to destroy thee. He knew David to be a conscientious man, and that 22 an oath before the Lord would be sufficient. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold of Engedi, where he composed the fifty seventh and the hundred and forty second psalms.

Saul knew from many circumstances, and especially from this extraordinary providence, and the princely virtues which David showed, that he would be king; and that nothing could hinder it. Therefore, he might have argued, that his pursuit of him was very wicked, that it was impious to desire to frustrate the designs of Providence, and to secure the crown to his ●wn posterity,

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REFLECTIONS.

OBSERVE the good effects of generosity and kindness.

David here exhibits a remarkable instance of both. His men mutinied, and wanted him to put an end to their troubles and his own; otherwise they were ready to forsake him, and to deliver him to Saul; but he bravely refused.. His kindness overcame those cruel, obstinate men; made the savage Saul tame, and turned the lion into a lamb. What an honour and pleasure to him to triumph thus gloriously over his enemies; to see his prince his petitioner, and his enemy entreating his mercy! We learn from this example how to treat our enemies. Such conduct as this may reclaim them; at least it will secure pleasure and peace to ourselves. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink ; for in doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2. What a happy thing is it to have a tender conscience! David's heart smote him for this small offence; though it was done for a good end, to convince Saul of his innocence, and how unreasonably jealous he had been. A tender conscience is afraid of the least sin; often regrets those actions which others pass over with ease, and which give them but little or no concern. Let us then endeavour to keep our hearts open to conviction, and our consciences awake to take the alarm. Happy is he that feareth always; this is the way to be safe; presumption is dangerous. The surest way to prevent great evils, and being guilty of great wickedness, is to be afraid of the very appearance of evil.

3. We are here taught, that the justice of God is the refuge and support of oppressed innocence. David appealed to God again and again, with courage and confidence. To him let the righteous commit their cause; sooner or later he will bring their righteousness to light. Wherefore let them who suffer for well doing commit the keeping of themselves unto the Lord.

4. Let us guard against credulity, or believing every word, and trusting too much to the promises of any men, especially of those men whose passions are strong, and who make light of promises and oaths. David gat him up unto the hold; he knew it was dangerous to trust to the mercy of a reconciled enemy. A wise man will give the good words even of an enemy the hearing, but will not confide too much in them, he will still be upon his guard. David was a bold man in venturing so near Saul; but he would not trust him too far. Courage and prudence should always go together; and if we would be safe, let us take our Lord's advice, to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

CHAP. XXV. 1-22.

We have here an account of Samuel's death; and of Nabal's churl

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ND Samuel, being near an hundred years old, and greatly beloved by all the people, died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him; bewailed the loss of so. much virtue and goodness, and their sin in choosing a king; and they buried him in his house at Ramah; this was the burying place of the family, from whence his remains were removed, with incredible pomp, by the emperor, in the year 401. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran, to the tents of Kedar, where he would be more out of Saul's way.

And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing 3 his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man [was] Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail and [she was] a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man [was] churlish and evil in his doings; and he [was] of the 4 house of Caleb, a Calebite.* And David heard in the wilder 5 ness that Nabal did shear his sheep. And David, to show him respect, sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in 6 my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth [in prosperity,] Peace [be] both to thee, and peace [be] to thine house, and peace [be] to all that thou hast, wish him and his all health and happiness. This was a very affectionate and comprehensive 7 salutation; including all blessings for both worlds. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers; now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there aught miss8 ing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will show thee, Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes; for we come in a good day ;t give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy 9 servants, and to thy son David. And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased; giving him no just offence by their further importunity.

The word Caleb signifies a dog; Nabal was of a dogged temper, snarlish, and snapping at every body.

+ Sheepshearing is now a time of feasting and rejoicing.

David here pleaded that he and his men, though soldiers, and in necessity, had done Na bal's shepherds no evil; yea, they had, as we find afterward, taken particular care to protect them; but David modestly omitted that, and appealed to Nabal's servants who were ready to inform him of it. He urged his giving them something; he did not want delicaces, but would be content with what could be most easily spared. He called himself his son David, to testify his respect, as being of the same tribe. This was a very handsome address, and would have affected any one, but such a churl as Nabal was,