December 16

"And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God." 1 Samuel 23:16.

WE here see, in the experience of David, that the most eminent of God's people may need encouragement. He was now dejected and dismayed. And we learn from his complaints in the book of Psalms, that he was frequently the subject of depression. And to which of the saints recorded in the Scripture can we turn whose hands never hung down, whose knees never trembled? These we are prone to consider as peculiar in their religious attainments; but they also were only enlightened and sanctified in part. They also had in them nature as well as grace. They, too, were men of like passions with us, and compassed with infirmities. All those perfect beings now before the throne were previously in a vale of tears, the spirit indeed willing, but the flesh weak; sometimes rejoicing in God their Saviour, but sometimes saying, "I am cast out of his sight."

In the conduct of Jonathan, we see the duty of real friendship. A friend is born for adversity; and "to him that is afflicted, pity should be shown from his friend." This, however, is not always the case. Many pretenders fail when the day of trial comes; and he who relied upon their attendance and sympathy and succor in trouble, finds his confidence, as Solomon expresses it, "like a broken tooth, or a foot out of joint." Yet let us not say, in our haste, All men are liars. See Jonathan, a young prince, surrounded with every indulgence, undertaking, without application, to repair to David, to see and serve his friend at the hazard of his life.

In the relief derived from this visit, we learn the advantage of pious intercourse. "Come," said Jonathan, "Come, David, remember God's promise. Is it not faithful and true? Think of the anointing oil Samuel poured upon thy head. Can this be in vain? Who enabled thee to conquer Goliath? Who delivered thee from the paw of the lion and the bear? He can turn the shadow of death into the morning. He saveth by his right hand them that put their trust in him, from them that rise up against them. He keeps them as the apple of the eye. Encourage thyself in the Lord thy God."

The address availed. "He strengthened his hand in God." We have a similar instance in the experience of Paul. He had appealed unto Caesar, and was now approaching the scene of his trial, and his heart was cast down within him; but the brethren from Rome came down as far as Appii Forum to meet him, "whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage." "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to lift him up." Who, when dull, has not found a Christian visitor a quickening spirit? "As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend." Who, in sadness and gloom, has not found refreshment and delight from godly communion? "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." Who, like Hagar, has not sometimes been ready to expire with thirst, till some minister has opened his eyes, and shown him a well?

And who does not perceive, in the strange circumstances of this consolation, that God can never be at a loss to comfort his followers? He knows not only how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but to cheer them in it. He is called the God of all comfort. David was now in a state of concealment. Of the few that were with him, no one perhaps knew the state of his mind; for good men, from their regard for the honor of religion, are not always at liberty to lay open many of their distressful feelings. But his God knew what he now suffered, and what his frame of mind required. And what was the instrument he employed? Jonathan: "Saul's son," as it is added, and wisely added; the son of David's bitterest foe. The son, too, that was interested in David's destruction. He was the heir apparent; and he comforts the man who was going to fill a throne which, by the law of succession, belonged to himself. How wonderful was this! How obviously the work of God! All hearts are in his hand, and he can turn them as he pleases. It is he that gives us favor in the eyes of others; and he can raise us up helpers and friends as unlikely to aid us as the ravens were to feed Elijah. Many a situation also the most improbable has been made, by his communications, none other but the house of God and the gate of heaven; and filled with surprise, we have exclaimed, with Jacob, "Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not." When are we inaccessible to him? "From the end of the earth," said David, "will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed." And no wonder; he remembered that Jonathan Saul's son arose, and came to him into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. Did he never come to you in a similar condition? "They shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods." "I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope."