mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="iSam.viii" n="viii" next="iSam.ix" prev="iSam.vii" progress="27.77%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="iSam.viii-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.viii-p1">In this chapter we have, I. The eclipsing of the
glory of the ark, by its privacy in Kirjath-jearim for many years,
<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.1-1Sam.7.2" parsed="|1Sam|7|1|7|2" passage="1Sa 7:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. The
appearing of the glory of Samuel in his public services for the
good of Israel, to whom he was raised up to be a judge, and he was
the last that bore that character. This chapter gives us all the
account we have of him when he was in the prime of his time; for
what we had before was in his childhood (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.1-1Sam.3.21" parsed="|1Sam|2|1|3|21" passage="1Sa 2:1-3:21"><i>ch.</i> ii. and iii.</scripRef>); what we have of
him after was in his old age, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.1" parsed="|1Sam|8|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:1"><i>ch.</i> viii. 1</scripRef>. We have him here active,
1. In the reformation of Israel from their idolatry, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.3-1Sam.7.4" parsed="|1Sam|7|3|7|4" passage="1Sa 7:3,4">ver. 3, 4</scripRef>. 2. In the reviving of
religion among them, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.5-1Sam.7.6" parsed="|1Sam|7|5|7|6" passage="1Sa 7:5,6">ver. 5,
6</scripRef>. 3. In praying for them against the invading
Philistines (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.7-1Sam.7.9" parsed="|1Sam|7|7|7|9" passage="1Sa 7:7-9">ver. 7-9</scripRef>),
over whom God, in answer to his prayer, gave them a glorious
victory, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.10-1Sam.7.11" parsed="|1Sam|7|10|7|11" passage="1Sa 7:10,11">ver. 10, 11</scripRef>. 4.
In erecting a thankful memorial of that victory, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.12" parsed="|1Sam|7|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:12">ver. 12</scripRef>. 5. In the improvement of that
victory, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.13-1Sam.7.14" parsed="|1Sam|7|13|7|14" passage="1Sa 7:13,14">ver. 13, 14</scripRef>. 6.
In the administration of justice, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.15-1Sam.7.17" parsed="|1Sam|7|15|7|17" passage="1Sa 7:15-17">ver. 15-17</scripRef>. And these were the things for
which God was preparing the designing him, in the early
vouchsafements of his grace to him.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.viii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7" parsed="|1Sam|7|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.viii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.1-1Sam.7.2" parsed="|1Sam|7|1|7|2" passage="1Sa 7:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.7.1-1Sam.7.2">
<h4 id="iSam.viii-p1.13">The Ark at Kirjath-jearim. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p1.14">b. c.</span> 1099.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.viii-p2">1 And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and
fetched up the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>, and
brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified
Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p2.2">Lord</span>.   2 And it came to pass, while the
ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was
twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p2.3">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p3">Here we must attend the ark to
Kirjath-jearim, and then leave it there, to hear not a word more of
it except once (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.14.18" parsed="|1Sam|14|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 14:18"><i>ch.</i> xiv.
18</scripRef>), till David fetched it thence, about forty years
after, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.13.6" parsed="|1Chr|13|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 13:6">1 Chron. xiii.
6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p4">I. We are very willing to attend it
thither, for the men of Beth-shemesh have by their own folly made
that a burden which might have been a blessing; and gladly would we
see it among those to whom it will be a <i>savour of life unto
life,</i> for in every place where it has been of late it has been
a <i>savour of death unto death.</i> Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p5">1. The men of Kirjath-jearim cheerfully
bring it among them, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.1" parsed="|1Sam|7|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. <i>They came,</i> at the first word, <i>and fetched
up the ark of the Lord.</i> Their neighbours the Beth-shemites,
were not more glad to get rid of it than they were to receive it,
knowing very well that what slaughter the ark had made at
Beth-shemesh was not an act of arbitrary power, but of necessary
justice, and those that suffered by it must blame themselves, not
the ark; we may depend upon the word which God hath said (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.25.6" parsed="|Jer|25|6|0|0" passage="Jer 25:6">Jer. xxv. 6</scripRef>), <i>Provoke me not, and
I will do you no hurt.</i> Note, The judgments of God on those who
profane his ordinances should not make us afraid of the ordinances,
but of profaning them and making an ill use of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p6">2. They carefully provided for its decent
entertainment among them, as a welcome guest, with true affection,
and, as an honourable guest, with respect and reverence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p7">(1.) They provided a proper place to
receive it. They had no public building to adorn with it, but they
lodged it in the house of Abinadab, which stood upon the highest
ground, and, probably, was the best house in their city; or perhaps
the master of it was the most eminent man they had for piety, and
best affected to the ark. The men of Beth-shemesh left it exposed
upon a stone in the open field, and, though it was a city of
priests, none of them received it into his house; but the men of
Kirjath-jearim, though common Israelites, gave it house-room, and
no doubt the best-furnished room in the house to which it was
brought. Note, [1.] God will find out a resting-place for his ark;
if some thrust it from them, yet the hearts of others shall be
inclined to receive it. [2.] It is no new thing for God's ark to be
thrust into a private house. Christ and his apostles preached from
house to house when they could not have public places at command.
[3.] Sometimes priests are shamed and out-done in religion by
common Israelites.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p8">(2.) They provided a proper person to
attend it: <i>They sanctified Eleazar his son to keep it;</i> not
the father, either because he was aged and infirm, or because he
had the affairs of his house and family to attend, from which they
would not take him off. But the son, who, it is probable, was a
very pious devout young man, and zealously affected towards the
best things. His business was to keep the ark, not only from being
seized by malicious Philistines, but from being touched or looked
into by too curious Israelites. He was to keep the room clean and
decent in which the ark was, that, though it was in an obscure
place, it might no look like a neglected thing, which no man looked
after. It does not appear that this Eleazar was of the tribe of
Levi, much less of the house of Aaron, nor was it needful that he
should, for here was no altar either for sacrifice or incense, only
we may suppose that some devout Israelites would come and pray
before the ark, and those that did so he was there ready to attend
and assist. For this purpose they sanctified him, that is, by his
own consent, they obliged him to make this his business, and to
give a constant attendance to it; they set him apart for it in the
name of all their citizens. This was irregular, but was excusable
because of the present distress. When the ark has but recently come
out of captivity we cannot expect it to be on a sudden in its usual
solemnity, but must take things as they are, and make the best of
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p9">II. Yet we are very loth to leave it here,
wishing it well at Shiloh again, but that is made desolate
(<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.7.14" parsed="|Jer|7|14|0|0" passage="Jer 7:14">Jer. vii. 14</scripRef>), or at least
wishing it at Nob, or Gibeon, or wherever the tabernacle and the
altars are; but, it seems, it must lie by the way for want of some
public-spirited men to bring it to its proper place. 1. The time of
its continuance here was long, very long, above forty years it lay
in these fields of the wood, a remote, obscure, private place,
unfrequented and almost unregarded (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.2" parsed="|1Sam|7|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): <i>The time that the ark abode
in Kirjath-jearim was long,</i> even till David fetched it thence.
It was very strange that all the time that Samuel governed the ark
was never brought to its place in the holy of holies, an evidence
of the decay of holy zeal among them. God suffered it to be so, to
punish them for their neglect of the ark when it was in its place
and to show that the great stress which the institution laid upon
the ark was but typical of Christ, and those <i>good things to come
which cannot be moved,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.23 Bible:Heb.12.27" parsed="|Heb|9|23|0|0;|Heb|12|27|0|0" passage="Heb 9:23,12:27">Heb.
ix. 23; xii. 27</scripRef>. It was a just reproach to the priests
that one not of their order was sanctified to keep the ark. 2.
Twenty years of this time had passed before the house of Israel was
sensible of the want of the ark. The Septuagint read it somewhat
more clearly than we do; <i>and it was twenty years, and</i> (that
is, when) <i>the whole house of Israel looked up again after the
Lord.</i> So long the ark remained in obscurity, and the Israelites
were not sensible of the inconvenience, nor ever made any enquiry
after it, what has become of it; though, while it was absent from
the tabernacle, the token of God's special presence was wanting,
nor could they keep the day of atonement as it should be kept. They
were content with the altars without the ark; so easily can formal
professors rest satisfied in a round of external performances,
without any tokens of God's presence or acceptance. But at length
they bethought themselves, and began to lament after the lord,
stirred up to it, it is probable, by the preaching of Samuel, with
which an extraordinary working of the Spirit of God set in. A
general disposition to repentance and reformation now appears
throughout all Israel, and they begin to <i>look unto him whom they
had slighted, and to mourn,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.12.10" parsed="|Zech|12|10|0|0" passage="Zec 12:10">Zech.
xii. 10</scripRef>. Dr. Lightfoot thinks this was a matter and time
as remarkable as almost any we read of in scripture; and that the
great conversion, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2" parsed="|Acts|2|0|0|0" passage="Acts 2">Acts 2</scripRef> and 3, is the only parallel to it. Note,
(1.) Those that know how to value God's ordinances cannot but
reckon it a very lamentable thing to want them. (2.) True
repentance and conversion begin in lamenting after the Lord; we
must be sensible that by sin we have provoked him to withdraw and
are undone if we continue in a state of distance from him, and be
restless till we have recovered his favour and obtained his
gracious returns. It was better with the Israelites when they
wanted the ark, and were lamenting after it, than when they had the
ark, and were prying into it, or priding themselves in it. Better
see people longing in the scarcity of the means of grace than
loathing in the abundance of them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.viii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.3-1Sam.7.6" parsed="|1Sam|7|3|7|6" passage="1Sa 7:3-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.7.3-1Sam.7.6">
<p class="passage" id="iSam.viii-p10">3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel,
saying, If ye do return unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.1">Lord</span> with all your hearts, <i>then</i> put away
the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your
hearts unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.2">Lord</span>, and serve him
only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and
Ashtaroth, and served the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.3">Lord</span> only.
  5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will
pray for you unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.4">Lord</span>.   6
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured
<i>it</i> out before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.5">Lord</span>, and
fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p10.6">Lord</span>. And Samuel judged the children
of Israel in Mizpeh.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p11">We may well wonder where Samuel was and
what he was doing all this while, for we have not had him so much
as named till now, since <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.4.1" parsed="|1Sam|4|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 4:1"><i>ch.</i> iv.
1</scripRef>, not as if he were unconcerned, but his labours among
his people are not mentioned till there appears the fruit of them.
When he perceived that they began to <i>lament after the Lord</i>
he struck while the iron was hot, and two things he endeavoured to
do for them, as a faithful servant of God and a faithful friend to
the Israel of God:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p12">I. He endeavoured to separate between them
and their idols, for <i>there</i> reformation must begin. He
<i>spoke to all the house of Israel</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.3" parsed="|1Sam|7|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), going, as it should seem, from
place to place, an itinerant preacher (for we find not that they
were gathered together till <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.5" parsed="|1Sam|7|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), and wherever he came this was his exhortation,
"<i>If you do indeed return to the Lord,</i> as you seem inclined
to do, by your lamentations for your departure from him and his
from you, then know, 1. That you must renounce and abandon your
idols, <i>put away the strange gods,</i> for your God will admit no
rival; put them away from you, each one from himself, nay, and put
them <i>from among you,</i> do what you can, in your places, to rid
them out of the country. Put away Baalim, the strange gods, and
Ashtaroth, the strange goddesses," for such also they had. Or
Ashtaroth is particularly named because it was the best-beloved
idol, and that which they were most wedded to. Note, True
repentance strikes at the darling sin, and will with a peculiar
zeal and resolution put away that, the sin which most <i>easily
besets us.</i> 2. "That you must make a solemn business of
returning to God, and do it with a serious consideration and a
stedfast resolution, for both are included in <i>preparing the
heart,</i> directing, disposing, establishing, the heart unto the
Lord. 3. That you must be wholly for God, for him and no other,
<i>serve him only,</i> else you do not serve him at all so as to
please him. 4. That this is the only way and a sure way to
prosperity and deliverance. Take this course, and <i>he will
deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines;</i> for it was
because you forsook him and served other gods that he delivered you
into their hands." This was the purport of Samuel's preaching, and
it had a wonderfully good effect (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.4" parsed="|1Sam|7|4|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>They put away Baalim and
Ashtaroth,</i> not only quitted the worship of them, but destroyed
their images, demolished their altars, and quite abandoned them.
<i>What have we to do any more with idols?</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Hos.14.8 Bible:Isa.30.22" parsed="|Hos|14|8|0|0;|Isa|30|22|0|0" passage="Ho 14:8,Isa 30:22">Hos. xiv. 8; Isa. xxx. 22</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p13">II. He endeavoured to engage them for ever
to God and his service. Now that he had them in a good mind he did
all he could to keep them in it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p14">1. He summons all Israel, at least by their
elders, as their representatives, to meet him at Mizpeh (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.5" parsed="|1Sam|7|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), and there he promises to
pray for them. And it was worth while for them to come from the
remotest part of the country to join with Samuel in seeking God's
favour. Note, Ministers should pray for those to whom they preach,
that God by his grace would make the preaching effectual. And, when
we come together in religious assemblies, we must remember that it
is as much our business there to join in public prayers as it is to
hear a sermon. He would pray for them that, by the grace of God,
they might be parted from their idols, and that then, by the
providence of God, they might be delivered from the Philistines.
Ministers would profit their people more if they did but pray more
for them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p15">2. They obey his summons, and not only come
to the meeting, but conform to the intentions of it, and appear
there very well disposed, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.6" parsed="|1Sam|7|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p16">(1.) <i>They drew water and poured it out
before the Lord,</i> signifying, [1.] Their humiliation and
contrition for sin, owning themselves as water spilt upon the
ground, which cannot be gathered up again (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.14.14" parsed="|2Sam|14|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 14:14">2 Sam. xiv. 14</scripRef>), so mean, so miserable,
before God, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.22.14" parsed="|Ps|22|14|0|0" passage="Ps 22:14">Ps. xxii. 14</scripRef>.
The Chaldee reads it, <i>They poured out their hearts in repentance
before the Lord.</i> They wept rivers of tears, and sorrowed after
a godly sort, for it was before the Lord and with an eye to him.
[2.] Their earnest prayers and supplications to God for mercy. The
soul is, in prayer, poured out before God, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.62.8" parsed="|Ps|62|8|0|0" passage="Ps 62:8">Ps. lxii. 8</scripRef>. [3.] Their universal reformation;
they thus expressed their willingness to part with all their sins,
and to retain no more of the relish or savour of them than the
vessel does of the water that is poured out of it. They were free
and full in their confession, and fixed in their resolution to cast
away from them <i>all their transgressions.</i> Israel is now
<i>baptized from their idols,</i> so Dr. Lightfoot. [4.] Some think
it signifies their joy in the hope of God's mercy, which Samuel had
assured them of. This ceremony was used with that signification at
the feast of tabernacles, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:John.7.37-John.7.38" parsed="|John|7|37|7|38" passage="Joh 7:37,38">John vii.
37, 38</scripRef>, and see <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.12.3" parsed="|Isa|12|3|0|0" passage="Isa 12:3">Isa. xii.
3</scripRef>. Taking it in this sense, it must be read, <i>They
drew water after they had fasted.</i> In the close of their
humiliation they thus expressed their hope of pardon and
reconciliation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p17">(2.) <i>They fasted,</i> abstained from
food, afflicted their souls, so expressing repentance and exciting
devotion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p18">(3.) They made a public confession: <i>We
have sinned against the Lord,</i> so giving glory to God and taking
shame to themselves. And, if we thus confess our sins, we shall
find our God <i>faithful and just to forgive us our sins.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p19">3. Samuel judged them at that time in
Mizpeh, that is, he assured them, in God's name, of the pardon of
their sins, upon their repentance, and that God was reconciled to
them. It was a judgment of absolution. Or he received informations
against those that did not leave their idols, and proceeded against
them according to law. Those that would not judge themselves he
judged. Or now he settled courts of justice among them, and
appointed the terms and circuits which he observed afterwards,
<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.16" parsed="|1Sam|7|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Now he set
those wheels a-going; and, whereas he began to act as a magistrate,
to prevent their relapsing into those sins which now they seemed to
have renounced.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.viii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.7-1Sam.7.12" parsed="|1Sam|7|7|7|12" passage="1Sa 7:7-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.7.7-1Sam.7.12">
<h4 id="iSam.viii-p19.3">The Israelites Attacked by the Philistines;
Samuel's Intercession for Israel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p19.4">b. c.</span> 1099.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.viii-p20">7 And when the Philistines heard that the
children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of
the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of
Israel heard <i>it,</i> they were afraid of the Philistines.  
8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.1">Lord</span> our God for us, that he
will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.   9 And
Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered <i>it for</i> a burnt
offering wholly unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.2">Lord</span>: and
Samuel cried unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.3">Lord</span> for
Israel; and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.4">Lord</span> heard him.
  10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the
Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.5">Lord</span> thundered with a great thunder on
that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were
smitten before Israel.   11 And the men of Israel went out of
Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until <i>they
came</i> under Beth-car.   12 Then Samuel took a stone, and
set <i>it</i> between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it
Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p20.6">Lord</span> helped us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p21">Here, I. The Philistines invade Israel
(<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.7" parsed="|1Sam|7|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), taking
umbrage from that general meeting for repentance and prayer as if
it had been a rendezvous for war, and, if so, they thought it
prudent to keep the war out of their own country. They had no just
cause for this suspicion; but those that seek to do mischief to
others will be forward to imagine that others design mischief to
them. Now see here, 1. How evil sometimes seems to come out of
good. The religious meeting of the Israelites at Mizpeh brought
trouble upon them from the Philistines, which perhaps tempted them
to wish they had staid at home and to blame Samuel for calling them
together. But we may be in God's way and yet meet with distress;
nay, when sinners begin to repent and reform, they must expect that
Satan will muster all his force against them, and set his
instruments on work to the utmost to oppose and discourage them.
But, 2. How good is, at length, brought out of that evil. Israel
could never be threatened more seasonably than at this time, when
they were repenting and praying, nor could they have been better
prepared to receive the enemy; nor could the Philistines have acted
more impolitely for themselves than to make war upon Israel at this
time, when they were making their peace with God. But God permitted
them to do it, that he might have an opportunity immediately of
crowning his people's reformation with tokens of his favour, and of
confirming the words of his messenger, who had assured them that if
they repented God would <i>deliver them out of the hand of the
Philistines.</i> Thus he makes man's wrath to praise him, and
serves the purposes of his grace to his people even by the
malicious designs of their enemies against them, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Mic.4.11-Mic.4.12" parsed="|Mic|4|11|4|12" passage="Mic 4:11,12">Mic. iv. 11, 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p22">II. Israel cleaves closely to Samuel, as
their best friend, under God, in this distress; though he was no
military man, nor ever celebrated as a mighty man of valour, yet,
being afraid of the Philistines, for whom they thought themselves
an unequal match, they engaged Samuel's prayers for them: <i>Cease
not to cry unto the Lord our God for us,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.8" parsed="|1Sam|7|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. They were here unarmed,
unprepared for war, come together to fast and pray, not to fight;
prayers and tears therefore being all the weapons many of them are
now furnished with, to these they have recourse. And, knowing
Samuel to have a great interest in heaven, they earnestly beg of
him to improve it for them. They had reason to expect it, because
he had promised to <i>pray for them</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.5" parsed="|1Sam|7|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), had promised them deliverance
from the Philistines (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.3" parsed="|1Sam|7|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), and they had been observant of him in all that which
he had spoken to them from the Lord. Thus those who sincerely
submit to Christ, as their lawgiver and judge, need not doubt of
their interest in his intercession. They were very solicitous that
Samuel should not cease to pray for them: what military
preparations were to be made they would undertake them, but let him
continue instant in prayer, perhaps remembering that when Moses did
but let down his hand ever so little Amalek prevailed. O what a
comfort is it to all believers that our great intercessor above
never ceases, is never silent, for he <i>always appears in the
presence of God for us!</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p23">III. Samuel intercedes with God for them,
and does it <i>by sacrifice,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.9" parsed="|1Sam|7|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. He took a sucking lamb, and
offered it for a <i>burnt-offering, a whole burnt-offering, to the
Lord,</i> and, while the sacrifice was in burning, with the smoke
of it his prayers ascended up to heaven for Israel. Observe, 1. He
made intercession with a sacrifice. Christ intercedes in the virtue
of his satisfaction, and in all our prayers we must have an eye to
his great oblation, depending upon that for audience and
acceptance. Samuel's sacrifice without his prayer would have been
an empty shadow, his prayer without the sacrifice would not have
been so prevalent, but both together teach us what great things we
may expect from God in answer to those prayers which are made with
faith in Christ's sacrifice. 2. It was a burnt-offering, which was
offered purely for the glory of God, so intimating that the great
plea he relied on in his prayer was taken from the honour of God.
"Lord, help thy people now for thy name's sake." When we endeavour
to give glory to God we may hope he will, in answer to our prayers,
work for his own glory. 3. It was but one sucking lamb that he
offered; for it is the integrity and intention of the heart that
God looks at, more than the bulk or number of the offerings. This
one lamb (typifying the Lamb of God) was more acceptable than
thousands of rams or bullocks would have been without faith and
prayer. Samuel was no priest, but he was a Levite and a prophet;
the case was extraordinary, and what he did was by special
direction, and therefore was accepted of God. And justly was this
reproach put upon the priests because they had corrupted
themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p24">IV. God gave a gracious answer to Samuel's
prayer (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.9" parsed="|1Sam|7|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): <i>The
Lord heard him.</i> He was himself a <i>Samuel, asked of God,</i>
and many a Samuel, many a mercy in answer to prayer, God gave him.
Sons of prayer should be famous for praying, as <i>Samuel was among
those that call upon his name,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.99.6" parsed="|Ps|99|6|0|0" passage="Ps 99:6">Ps.
xcix. 6</scripRef>. The answer was a real answer: the Philistines
were discomfited (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.10-1Sam.7.11" parsed="|1Sam|7|10|7|11" passage="1Sa 7:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10,
11</scripRef>), totally routed, and that in such a manner as highly
magnified the prayer of Samuel, the power of God, and the valour of
Israel. 1. The prayer of Samuel was honoured; for at the very time
when he was offering up his sacrifice, and his prayer with it, the
battle began, and turned immediately against the Philistines. Thus
<i>while he was yet speaking God heard,</i> and answered in
thunder, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.65.24" parsed="|Isa|65|24|0|0" passage="Isa 65:24">Isa. lxv. 24</scripRef>. God
showed that it was Samuel's prayer and sacrifice that he had
respect to, and hereby let Israel know that as in a former
engagement with the Philistines he had justly chastised their
presumptuous confidence in the presence of the ark, on the
shoulders of two profane priests, so now he graciously accepted
their humble dependence upon the prayer of faith from the mouth and
heart of a pious prophet. 2. The power of God was greatly honoured;
for he took the work into his own hand, and discomfited them, not
with great hail-stones, which would kill them (as <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.11" parsed="|Josh|10|11|0|0" passage="Jos 10:11">Josh. x. 11</scripRef>), but with a great
thunder, which frightened them and put them into such terror and
consternation that they fainted away, and became a very easy prey
to the sword of Israel, before whom, being thus confounded, they
were smitten. Josephus adds that the earth quaked under them when
first they made the onset and in many places opened and swallowed
them up, and that, besides the terror of the thunder, their faces
and hands were burnt with lightning, which obliged them to shift
for themselves by flight. And, being thus driven to their heels by
the immediate hand of God (whom they feared not so much as they had
feared his ark, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.4.7" parsed="|1Sam|4|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 4:7"><i>ch.</i> iv.
7</scripRef>), then, 3. Honour was put upon the hosts of Israel;
they were made use of for the completing of the victory, and had
the pleasure of triumphing over their oppressors: <i>They pursued
the Philistines, and smote them.</i> How soon did they find the
benefit of their repentance, and reformation, and return to God!
Now that they have thus engaged him for them none of their enemies
can stand before them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p25">V. Samuel erected a thankful memorial of
this victory, to the glory of God and for the encouragement of
Israel, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.12" parsed="|1Sam|7|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. He
set up an <i>Eben-ezer, the stone of help.</i> If ever the people's
hard hearts should lose the impressions of this providence, this
stone would either revive the remembrance of it, and make them
thankful, or remain a standing witness against them for their
unthankfulness. 1. The place where this memorial was set up was the
same where, twenty years before, the Israelites were smitten before
the Philistines, for that was beside Eben-ezer, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.4.1" parsed="|1Sam|4|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 4:1"><i>ch.</i> iv. 1</scripRef>. The sin which procured that
defeat formerly being pardoned upon their repentance, the pardon
was sealed by this glorious victory in the very same place where
they then suffered loss; see <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Hos.1.10" parsed="|Hos|1|10|0|0" passage="Ho 1:10">Hos. i.
10</scripRef>. 2. Samuel himself took care to set up this monument.
He had been instrumental by prayer to obtain the mercy, and
therefore he thought himself in a special manner obliged to make
this grateful acknowledgement of it. 3. The reason he gives for the
name is, <i>Hitherto the Lord hath helped us,</i> in which he
speaks thankfully of what was past, giving the glory of the victory
to God only, who had added this to all his former favours; and yet
he speaks somewhat doubtfully for the future: "Hitherto things have
done well, but what God may yet do with us we know not, <i>that</i>
we refer to him; but let us praise him for what he has done." Note,
The beginnings of mercy and deliverance are to be acknowledged by
us with thankfulness so far as they go, though they be not
completely finished, nay, though the issue seem uncertain.
<i>Having obtained help from God, I continue hitherto,</i> says
blessed Paul, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.22" parsed="|Acts|26|22|0|0" passage="Ac 26:22">Acts xxvi.
22</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.viii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.13-1Sam.7.17" parsed="|1Sam|7|13|7|17" passage="1Sa 7:13-17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.7.13-1Sam.7.17">
<h4 id="iSam.viii-p25.6">The Defeat of the
Philistines. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p25.7">b. c.</span> 1092.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.viii-p26">13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they
came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p26.1">Lord</span> was against the Philistines all the
days of Samuel.   14 And the cities which the Philistines had
taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto
Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of
the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the
Amorites.   15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his
life.   16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel,
and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
  17 And his return <i>was</i> to Ramah; for there <i>was</i>
his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar
unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.viii-p26.2">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.viii-p27">We have here a short account of the further
good services that Samuel did to Israel. Having parted them from
their idols, and brought them home to their God, he had put them
into a capacity of receiving further benefits by his ministry.
Having prevailed in that, he becomes, in other instances, a great
blessing to them; yet, writing it himself, he is brief in the
relation. We are not told here, but it appears (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.35.18" parsed="|2Chr|35|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 35:18">2 Chron. xxxv. 18</scripRef>) that in the days of
Samuel the prophet the people of Israel kept the ordinance of the
passover with more than ordinary devotion, notwithstanding the
distance of the ark and the desolations of Shiloh. Many good
offices, no doubt, he did for Israel, but here we are only told how
instrumental he was, 1. In securing the public peace (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.13" parsed="|1Sam|7|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): "<i>In his days the
Philistines came no more into the coast of Israel,</i> made no
inroads or incursions upon them; they perceived that God now fought
for Israel and that his hand was against the Philistines, and this
kept them in awe, and restrained the remainder of their wrath."
Samuel was a protector and deliverer to Israel, not by dint of
sword, as Gideon, nor by strength of arm, as Samson, but by the
power of prayer to God and carrying on a work of reformation among
the people. Religion and piety are the best securities of a nation.
2. In recovering the public rights, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.14" parsed="|1Sam|7|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. By his influence Israel had the
courage to demand the cities which the Philistines had unjustly
taken from them and had long detained; and the Philistines, not
daring to contend with one that had so great an interest in heaven,
tamely yielded to the demand, and restored (some think) even Ekron
and Gath, two of the capital cities, though afterwards they retook
them; others think some small towns that lay between Ekron and
Gath, which were forced out of the Philistines' hands. This they
got by their reformation and religion, they got ground of their
enemies and got forward in their affairs. It is added, <i>There was
peace between Israel and the Amorites,</i> that is, the Canaanites,
the remains of the natives. Not that Israel made any league with
them, but they were quiet, and not so mischievous to Israel as they
had sometimes been. Thus <i>when a man's ways please the Lord he
maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him</i> and give him no
disturbance, <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.7" parsed="|Prov|16|7|0|0" passage="Pr 16:7">Prov. xvi. 7</scripRef>.
3. In administering public justice (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.15-1Sam.7.16" parsed="|1Sam|7|15|7|16" passage="1Sa 7:15,16"><i>v.</i> 15, 16</scripRef>): <i>He judged
Israel;</i> as a prophet he taught them their duty and reproved
them for their sins, which is called <i>judging,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.20.4 Bible:Ezek.22.2" parsed="|Ezek|20|4|0|0;|Ezek|22|2|0|0" passage="Eze 20:4,22:2">Ezek. xx. 4; xxii. 2</scripRef>. Moses
judged Israel when he <i>made them know the statutes of God and his
laws</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.16" parsed="|Exod|18|16|0|0" passage="Ex 18:16">Exod. xviii. 16</scripRef>);
and thus Samuel judged them to the last, even after Saul was made
king; so he promised them then, when Saul was inaugurated
(<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.12.23" parsed="|1Sam|12|23|0|0" passage="1Sa 12:23"><i>ch.</i> xii. 23</scripRef>), <i>I
will</i> not cease to <i>teach you the good and the right way.</i>
As a magistrate, he received appeals from the inferior courts and
gave judgment upon them, tried causes and determined them, tried
prisoners and acquitted or condemned them, according to the law.
This he did all his days, till he grew old and past service, and
resigned to Saul; and afterwards he exercised authority when
application was made to him; nay, he judged even Agag, and Saul
himself. But when he was in his prime he rode the circuit, for the
convenience of the country, at least of that part of it which lay
most under his influence. He kept courts at Beth-el, Gilgal, and
Mizpeh, all in the tribe of Benjamin; but his constant residence
was at Ramah, his father's city, and there he judged Israel,
thither they resorted to him from all parts with their complaints,
<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.17" parsed="|1Sam|7|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:17">v. 17</scripRef>. 4. In keeping up the
public exercises of religion; for there, where he lived, he built
an altar to the Lord, not in contempt of the altar that was at Nob,
or Gibeon, or wherever the tabernacle was; but divine justice
having laid Shiloh waste, and no other place being yet chosen for
them to bring their offerings to (<scripRef id="iSam.viii-p27.10" osisRef="Bible:Deut.12.11" parsed="|Deut|12|11|0|0" passage="De 12:11">Deut. xii. 11</scripRef>), he looked upon the law which
confined them to one place to be for the present suspended, and
therefore, being a prophet, and under divine direction, he did as
the patriarchs did, he built an altar where he lived, both for the
use of his own family and for the good of the country that resorted
to it. Great men should use their wealth, power, and interest, for
the keeping up of religion in the places where they live.</p>
</div></div2>