(Notes of an Address, with Additions.)
1 Samuel 17:34-39; 18:1-434And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. 38And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. (1 Samuel 17:34‑39)
1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (1 Samuel 18:1‑4); John 10:11-1711I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (John 10:11‑17);
11:39-44; 12:1-3; Psalms 26, 36 and 51.
IN the first book of Samuel, David a God―
IN fearing shepherd is brought before us. In the Gospel of John, Christ is presented in three ways—first as Shepherd, then as Victor, and lastly as Guest.
The Saviour’s love comes very close to us: it touches us; it tells us what no one else would care to tell us, and we like it, for we do not like reserve in those we love. There is nothing but love behind all that Christ says and does. In the confidence of love He would have us listen to what He has to say to us; and it is thus we learn His determination to bless us. Our shortsighted folly may often prove a hindrance to the attainment of His gracious purpose; but He is none the less determined to bless us. His hand is mighty, and behind it is the power of persistent love.
In the first Scripture we have David prefiguring Christ as the “Good Shepherd” (1 Sam. 17: 34-37). But we expect the Antitype to go beyond the type, do we not? and this we shall find here. In David we are introduced to a very distinguished personage―one who proved himself well able to master a lion or a bear that dared to approach and touch his flock. This is the type, and a beautiful type it is; but what a great difference we find when we come to Christ, the Antitype. David stood in defense of a lamb of his flock, and dealt a death-blow to the devourer.
“He stood between us and the foe.
And willingly died in our stead.”
Such a Vanquisher had every right to be honored. But was He? We shall see.
But let us first take note of other striking comparisons. As the giant’s head in the hand of David was the undeniable proof of his victory, so Lazarus sitting at the table with Jesus, after having been four days in the grave, was the undeniable witness of the Saviour’s triumph over death.
Now mark another comparison —a sorrowful confirmation of the type. In 1 Samuel 18:6-96And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. 7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (1 Samuel 18:6‑9) we find a joyful celebration of David’s victory, but in verse O we are told that “Saul eyed David from that day forward.” And that which conies out in John 11:5353Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. (John 11:53) sadly corresponds with this, “From that day forward they took counsel together for to put Him to death.” Again, when David returned from his victorious conflict, there were those who sang his praises; and when Jesus entered Jerusalem as Zion’s King (John 12:12, 1312On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (John 12:12‑13)) there were many that welcomed Him, and expressed their welcome thus: “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.”
In 1 Samuel 18. we see true affection for David in manifold evidence. In verse 1 we read, “Jonathan loved him as his own soul”; in verse 16, “All Israel and Judah loved David”; in verse 20, “Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David”; and in verse 22 we read of one saying, “All his servants love thee!” Again and again, the love lavished on David is plainly recorded―from princely Jonathan down to the King’s servants. Now, though everybody loved David, we have no mention of David loving anybody!
In turning to the great Antitype, what a Contrast we find! In John 10:1717Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (John 10:17), we hear Him saying, Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.” But no one else is spoken of as loving Him!
Now notice what is said of the true David’s Own love. In John 11:55Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (John 11:5), a message is sent Him―
“Behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick” (vs. 3). In verse 5 we read, “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister and Lazarus.” In verse 36, when the Jews saw Him weeping at the grave, they said, “Behold how He loved him!” Then in chapter 13:1, we get another touching feature of His love: “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them in the end.” Nor was that enough for His heart; He would have every one that loves Him to love us also!” “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (13:34). In Peter’s first epistle (1:22) the Spirit reminds us of this, “See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” That was just how Jesus loved; and how He still loves. Nor is this all. He would have the same fervency seen in ours also.
Though He is now at God’s right hand, we are His special objects of interest; He is ever thinking of us, ever living to make intercession for us. What a never-failing Friend! Though now in the place of power, He is still “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” here below (Heb. 4:1515For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)). How, then, could there be a doubt as to our welcome there? Depend upon it, if the most trembling believer here were to go to heaven from that seat, words could not describe the pleasure that Christ would have in greeting him there! He even gave His life to get that pleasure both for Himself and His Father. This He expressed to His Father while still here. “Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me” (John 17:2424Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)). And when the Holy Spirit came, the inspired apostle states the same delightful fact (1 Thess. 5:1010Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:10)), “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” What could He do more to fill our hearts with a sense of the love He bears us? Blessed, blessed Saviour!
In Psalms 26; 36 and 51 The lovingkindness of God is brought before us. In David’s experimental history, and in ours, the 36th comes-before the 26th, since what is stated in the 26th is the result of what is experienced in the 36th. In the 36th we have the joyful outpouring of David’s heart in these words: “How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God; therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink or the river of Thy pleasures” (verses7 and 8). In the 26th Psalm we get a different out-pouring, and a petition with it, but David’s acquaintance with God’s lovingkindness was the secret of both. “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart; for Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes” (vs. 2). David had confidence in God’s heart, but had now learned to be suspicious of his own. In another Psalm we find him saying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23, 2423Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23‑24)). Solomon, as well as David, had a very decided judgment of this vital matter― “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Prov. 16:2020He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. (Proverbs 16:20)); “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Prov. 28:2626He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)). And Jeremiah gives us the reason: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” And note God’s answer: “I the Lord search the heart, and try the reins” (Jer. 17:9, 109The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9‑10)).
2. A knowledge of the same lovingkindness keeps our hearts open to His searching eye, lest anything that grieves His Spirit should be carelessly passed over by us (Psa. 26:2, 32Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (Psalm 26:2‑3)).
3. When any heart-breaking failure has taken place, we have not to say, like David, “O continue Thy lovingkindness” (Psa. 36:1010O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalm 36:10)), for we have been assured that, having loved His own that are in the world, He loves them unto the end (John 13:11Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)). The conviction of having so grieved His never-changing love opens our lips both in self-condemnation and grateful praise (Psa. 51:3, 4, 153For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:3‑4)
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. (Psalm 51:15)).
How eternally inexcusable will he be who refuses to be won by such a LOVER! “How often would I... and ye would not,” said Jesus, and wept as He said it!
GEO. C.