CHAPTER II. THE POWER OF KINDNESS. The quality of mercy is not strain'd; -We do pray for mercy: And that same prayer doth teach us all to render SHAKSPEARE. THE first illustration of the effects of the law of kindness which will be adduced is the conduct of Joseph towards his brethren, exhibiting, as it does, the superior power of "love your enemies" over "hate your enemies.” On account of the dreams which prefigured the future exaltation of Joseph, his brethren looked upon him as their enemy. In the spirit of revenge they plotted his murder; and though, by the intercession of one of their number, his life was spared, yet they sold him as a slave, no doubt with the hope that they should never again hear from the dreamer. All this was pure wickedness, and about as cunning a plan as revenge generally conceives. But it did not effect the desired object. For when, through a train of circumstances, Joseph obtained the highest office under Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and his wicked brethren, through famine, were driven into Egypt to buy corn, he met them in all the fulness of the law of love. And his kindness so wrought upon them, so subdued their enmity, that they became entirely reconciled to him, and cheerfully submitted to his rule. Joseph loved-his brethren hated. And it need scarcely be asked, which party was most happy, and whose conduct resulted in the most good-his brethren trembling in the fear of conscious guilt, or Joseph who could so disarm himself of revenge as not only to forgive their many serious crimes, but also to crowd upon them the choicest tokens of his fraternal affection? In this instance, the exercise of the law of kindness was completely successful, and changed enemies, who were filled with a murderous spirit, into reconciled and affectionate friends. It is evident to every reader of the history of Saul, king of Israel, that he was actuated by the most inveterate animosity against David, who afterwards filled the throne in Jerusalem. But, notwithstanding his malignity, he was softened in a strange manner when the kindness of David met him in its full power. On one occasion, Saul heard that David was in the "wilderness of Engedi," and with an armed band he pursued him with the full purpose of murdering him. While engaged in this pursuit, Saul entered the cave where David and his followers had secreted themselves. As Saul was completely in his power, the followers of David advised him to kill the king, which, unquestionably, the law of retaliation would have justified. David, however, pursued a more magnanimous course, the result of which is given in the language of the Bible. "But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way. David also rose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David 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? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord hath delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy 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 my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but my hand shall not be upon thee. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but my 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? The Lord, therefore, be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand. And it came to pass when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, 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 thee evil. And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him well away? go wherefore the Lord reward thee good, for that thou hast done unto me this day." In this case, the law of kindness produced an excellent result; for it prevented the execution of Saul's murderous design, softened the iron purpose of his revenge, opened the fountain of his tears, and sent him home without any desire to accomplish the object for which he left it. Another most striking instance of the power of 1 1 Samuel xxiv. 7-19. kindness occurred later in the history of the Jews than the foregoing fact. The king of Syria was at war with Israel. In order to overcome the armies of Israel, Ben-hadad formed two plans of ambush to entrap them, but the king of Israel being timely informed of those plans, was enabled to escape them so certainly, that Ben-hadad concluded that some one of his servants had been treacherous and betrayed his plans to the enemy. But one of his servants informed him, that there was no treachery in the case; that the king of Israel obtained his information from the prophet Elisha, who by the power of inspiration could read the thoughts of the heart. Vexed by the defeat of his plans, Ben-hadad, learning that Elisha was in Dothan, sent an army to make him captive. They surrounded the city in the night, In the morning, instead of assaulting the city, the whole host of Syria was smitten with blindness, in answer to a prayer sent up to heaven by the prophet. Elisha then went forth to the host, and said to them, "This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom They followed him, and he led them into Samaria; so that when their eyes were opened, they discovered that they were in the midst of their foes and at their mercy. When the king of Israel perceived that they were in his power, he inquired of the prophet, "My father, shall I smite them?" Now, unquestionably, 22 Kings vi. 19. ye seek'." 32 Kings vi. 21. |