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Key to Bible Characters, No. 16

Samson, though the strongest man, was so weak when trusting in himself that he was twice ensnared by Philistine women. His strength was not in his hair, but in the Lord; and while his locks were unshorn he retained the outward sign of his devotedness to the Lord. When he parted with his locks he resigned the last sign of his being a Nazazite, his apostasy was complete, and he was the easy victim of his enemies (Judges xvi. 17-20).

Goliath of Gath, the mighty Philistine giant, trusted in the height of his form and the strength of his arm; but he fell pe fore the sling and stone of the shepherd youth who assailed him in the strength of the Lord, and not relying on his own skill, strength, or weapons (1 Sam. xvii. 40-45).

Hazael, the king of Syria, relying upon his own mora strength, shrunk from the scenes of infamy which Elisha the prophet predicted he would enact. His self-confidence inducea him to exclaim, "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" (2 Kings viii. 13.) His subsequent history shows that he exceeded in his doings the wickedness which in his words he deprecated and deemed impossible. Nebuchadnezzar, trusting in himself and in his vast resources, in the spirit of self-vaunting, walked in his palace, and said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty ?" (Dan. iv. 30.) While he was yet boastfully speaking, even in the same hour, he is deprived of his reason, and sent to herd with the beasts of the field. And afterwards he acknowledges his sin, adores the righteousness of God, and leaves on record his testimony, "I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Dan. iv. 47). The original document containing this testimony Sir Henry Rawlinson has discovered and brought to this country.

Peter the apostle trusted to himself when he said to his Lord, "Though all should be offended, yet will not I" (Mark xiv. 29); and, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death" (Luke xxii. 33). He failed, and he denied the heavenly Master to whom he had expressed the strongest at tachment.

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, recklessly entered on the service of the Lord, and "offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord " (Lev. x. 1 2).

Miriam treated her brother Moses irreverently, and spake against him, and she was smitten with leprosy, and she was shut out of the camp seven days (Numb. xii. 1-8; 10, 11, 15). Korah, Dathan, and Abiram formed a conspiracy, and treated Moses with irreverence, and attempted to take upon themselves