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

<div2 id="iSam.x" n="x" next="iSam.xi" prev="iSam.ix" progress="28.71%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="iSam.x-p0.1">F I R S T   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iSam.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iSam.x-p1">Samuel had promised Israel, from God, that they
should have a king; it is strange that the next news is not of
candidates setting up for the government, making an interest in the
people, or recommending themselves to Samuel, and, by him, to God,
to be put in nomination. Why does not the prince of the tribe of
Judah, whoever he is, look about him now, remembering Jacob's
entail of the sceptre on that tribe? Is there never a bold aspiring
man in Israel, to say, "I will be king, if God will choose me?" No,
none appears, whether it is owing to a culpable mean-spiritedness
or a laudable humility I know not; but surely it is what can
scarcely be paralleled in the history of any kingdom; a crown, such
a crown, set up, and nobody bids for it. Most governments began in
the ambition of the prince to rule, but Israel's in the ambition of
the people to be ruled. Had any of those elders who petitioned for
a king afterwards petitioned to be king, I should have suspected
that person's ambition to have been at the bottom of the motion;
but now (let them have the praise of what was good in them) it was
not so. God having, in the law, undertaken to choose their king
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.15" parsed="|Deut|17|15|0|0" passage="De 17:15">Deut. xvii. 15</scripRef>), they all
sit still, till they hear from heaven, and that they do in this
chapter, which begins the story of Saul, their first king, and, by
strange steps of Providence, brings him to Samuel to be anointed
privately, and so to be prepared for an election by lot, and a
public commendation to the people, which follows in the next
chapter. Here is, I. A short account of Saul's parentage and
person, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.1-1Sam.9.2" parsed="|1Sam|9|1|9|2" passage="1Sa 9:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. A
large and particular account of the bringing of him to Samuel, to
whom he had been before altogether a stranger. 1. God, by
revelation, had told Samuel to expect him, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.15-1Sam.9.16" parsed="|1Sam|9|15|9|16" passage="1Sa 9:15,16">ver. 15, 16</scripRef>. 2. God, by providence, led
him to Samuel. (1.) Being sent to seek his father's asses, he was
at a loss, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.3-1Sam.9.5" parsed="|1Sam|9|3|9|5" passage="1Sa 9:3-5">ver. 3-5</scripRef>. (2.)
By the advice of his servant, he determined to consult Samuel,
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.6-1Sam.9.10" parsed="|1Sam|9|6|9|10" passage="1Sa 9:6-10">ver. 6-10</scripRef>. (3.) By the
direction of the young maidens, he found him out, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.11-1Sam.9.14" parsed="|1Sam|9|11|9|14" passage="1Sa 9:11-14">ver. 11-14</scripRef>. (4.) Samuel, being
informed of God concerning him (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.17" parsed="|1Sam|9|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:17">ver.
17</scripRef>), treated him with respect in the gate (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.18-1Sam.9.21" parsed="|1Sam|9|18|9|21" passage="1Sa 9:18-21">ver. 18-21</scripRef>), in the dining-room
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.22" parsed="|1Sam|9|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:22">ver. 22-24</scripRef>), and at length
in private, where he prepared him to hear the surprising news that
he must be king, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.25-1Sam.9.27" parsed="|1Sam|9|25|9|27" passage="1Sa 9:25-27">ver.
25-27</scripRef>. And these beginnings would have been very hopeful
and promising if it had not been that the sin of the people was the
spring of this great affair.</p>
<scripCom id="iSam.x-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9" parsed="|1Sam|9|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iSam.x-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.1-1Sam.9.2" parsed="|1Sam|9|1|9|2" passage="1Sa 9:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.9.1-1Sam.9.2">
<h4 id="iSam.x-p1.13">The Parentage of Saul. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p1.14">b. c.</span> 1075.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.x-p2">1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name
<i>was</i> Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of
Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
  2 And he had a son, whose name <i>was</i> Saul, a choice
young man, and a goodly: and <i>there was</i> not among the
children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders
and upward <i>he was</i> higher than any of the people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p3">We are here told, 1. What a good family
Saul was of, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.1" parsed="|1Sam|9|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. He
was of the tribe of Benjamin; so was the New-Testament Saul, who
also was called <i>Paul,</i> and he mentions it as his honour, for
Benjamin was a favourite, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.1 Bible:Phil.3.5" parsed="|Rom|11|1|0|0;|Phil|3|5|0|0" passage="Ro 11:1,Php 3:5">Rom.
xi. 1; Phil. iii. 5</scripRef>. That tribe had been reduced to a
very small number by the fatal war with Gibeah, and much ado there
was to provide wives for those 600 men that were the poor remains
of it out of that diminished tribe, which is here called, with good
reason, <i>the smallest of the tribes of Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.21" parsed="|1Sam|9|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Saul sprang as a root
out of a dry ground. That tribe, though fewest in number, was first
in dignity, <i>God giving more abundant honour to that part which
lacked,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.24" parsed="|1Cor|12|24|0|0" passage="1Co 12:24">1 Cor. xii.
24</scripRef>. His father was <i>Kish, a mighty man of power,</i>
or, as the margin reads it, <i>in substance;</i> in spirit bold, in
body strong, in estate wealthy. The whole lot of the tribe of
Benjamin coming to be distributed among 600 men, we may suppose
their inheritances were much larger than theirs who were of other
tribes, an advantage which somewhat helped to balance the
disadvantage of the smallness of their number. 2. What a good
figure Saul made, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.2" parsed="|1Sam|9|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. No mention is here made of his wisdom or virtue, his
learning or piety, or any of the accomplishments of his mind, but
that he was a tall, proper, handsome man, that had a good face, a
good shape, and a good presence, graceful and well proportioned:
<i>Among all the children of Israel there was not a goodlier person
than he;</i> and, as if nature had marked him for pre-eminence and
superiority, he was taller by the head and shoulders than any of
the people, the fitter to be a match for the giants of Gath, the
champions of the Philistines. When God chose a king after his own
heart he pitched upon one that was not at all remarkable for the
height of his stature, nor any thing in his countenance but the
innocence and sweetness that appeared there, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.16.7 Bible:1Sam.16.12" parsed="|1Sam|16|7|0|0;|1Sam|16|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 16:7,12"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 7, 12</scripRef>. But when he chose a
king after the people's heart, who aimed at nothing so much as
stateliness and grandeur, he pitched upon this huge tall man, who,
if he had no other good qualities, yet would look great. It does
not appear that he excelled in strength so much as he did in
stature; Samson did, and him they slighted, bound, and betrayed
into the hands of the Philistines; justly therefore are they now
put off with one who, though of uncommon height, is weak as other
men. They would have a king like the nations, and the nations
commonly chose portly men for their kings.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.x-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.3-1Sam.9.10" parsed="|1Sam|9|3|9|10" passage="1Sa 9:3-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.9.3-1Sam.9.10">
<h4 id="iSam.x-p3.8">Saul Seeks His Father's Asses; Saul Goes to
Seek Samuel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p3.9">b. c.</span> 1075.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.x-p4">3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost.
And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with
thee, and arise, go seek the asses.   4 And he passed through
mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they
found <i>them</i> not: then they passed through the land of Shalim,
and <i>there they were</i> not: and he passed through the land of
the Benjamites, but they found <i>them</i> not.   5 <i>And</i>
when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant
that <i>was</i> with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father
leave <i>caring</i> for the asses, and take thought for us.  
6 And he said unto him, Behold now, <i>there is</i> in this city a
man of God, and <i>he is</i> a honourable man; all that he saith
cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can
shew us our way that we should go.   7 Then said Saul to his
servant, But, behold, <i>if</i> we go, what shall we bring the man?
for the bread is spent in our vessels, and <i>there is</i> not a
present to bring to the man of God: what have we?   8 And the
servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand
the fourth part of a shekel of silver: <i>that</i> will I give to
the man of God, to tell us our way.   9 (Beforetime in Israel,
when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us
go to the seer: for <i>he that is</i> now <i>called</i> a Prophet
was beforetime called a Seer.)   10 Then said Saul to his
servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city
where the man of God <i>was.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p5">Here is, I. A great man rising from small
beginnings. It does not appear that Saul had any preferment at all,
or was in any post of honour or trust, till he was chosen king of
Israel. Most that are advanced rise gradually, but Saul, from the
level with his neighbours, stepped at once into the throne,
according to that of Hannah, He <i>raiseth up the poor out of the
dust, to set them among princes,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.8" parsed="|1Sam|2|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:8">1
Sam. ii. 8</scripRef>. Saul, it should seem, though he was himself
married and had children grown up, yet lived in his father's house,
and was subject to him. Promotion comes not by chance nor human
probabilities, but God is the Judge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p6">II. A great event arising from small
occurrences. How low does the history begin! Having to trace Saul
to the crown, we find him first employed as meanly as any we meet
with called out to preferment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p7">1. Saul's father sends him with one of his
servants to seek some asses that he had lost. It may be they had no
way then to give public notice of such a number of asses strayed or
stolen out of the grounds of Kish the Benjamite. A very good law
they had to oblige men to bring back an ox or an ass that went
astray, but it is to be feared that was, as other good laws,
neglected and forgotten. It is easy to observe here that those who
have must expect to lose, that it is wisdom to look after what is
lost, that no man should think it below him to know the state of
his flocks, that children should be forward to serve their parents'
interests. Saul readily went to <i>seek his father's asses,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.3-1Sam.9.4" parsed="|1Sam|9|3|9|4" passage="1Sa 9:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. His taking
care of the asses is to be ascribed, not so much to the humility of
his spirit as to the plainness and simplicity of those times. But
his obedience to his father in it was very commendable. <i>Seest
thou a man diligent in his business,</i> and dutiful to his
superiors, willing to stoop and willing to take pains? he does as
Saul stand fair for preferment. The servant of Kish would be
faithful only as a servant, but Saul as a son, in his own business,
and therefore he was sent with him. Saul and his servants travelled
far (probably on foot) in quest of the asses, but in vain: they
found them not. He missed of what he sought, but had no reason to
complain of the disappointment, for he met with the kingdom, which
he never dreamed of.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p8">2. When he could not find them, he
determined to return to his father (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.5" parsed="|1Sam|9|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), in consideration of his father's
tender concern for him, being apprehensive that if they staid out
any longer his aged father would begin to fear, as Jacob concerning
Joseph, that an evil beast had devoured them or some mischief had
befallen them; he will <i>leave caring for the asses,</i> as much
as he was in care about them, and <i>will take thought for us.</i>
Children should take care that they do nothing to grieve or
frighten their parents, but be tender of their tenderness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p9">3. His servant proposed (for, it should
seem, he had more religion in him than his master) that, since they
were now at Ramah, they should call on Samuel, and take his advice
in this important affair. Observe here, (1.) They were close by the
city where Samuel lived, and that put it into their heads to
consult him (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.6" parsed="|1Sam|9|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>There is in this city a man of God.</i> Note, Wherever we are we
should improve our opportunities of acquainting ourselves with
those that are wise and good. But there are many that will consult
a man of God, if he comes in their way, that would not go a step
out of their way to get wisdom. (2.) The servant spoke very
respectfully concerning Samuel, though he had not personal
knowledge of him, but by common fame only: <i>He is a man of God,
and an honourable man.</i> Note, Men of God are honourable men, and
should be so in our eyes. Acquaintance with the things of God, and
serviceableness to the kingdom of God, put true honour upon men,
and make them great. This was the honour of Samuel, as a man of
God, that <i>all he saith comes surely to pass.</i> This was
observed concerning him when he was a young prophet (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:19"><i>ch.</i> iii. 19</scripRef>), <i>God did let
none of his words fall to the ground;</i> and still it held true.
(3.) They agreed to consult him concerning <i>the way that they
should go; peradventure he can show us.</i> All the use they would
make of the man of God was to be advised by him whether they should
return home, or, if there were any hopes of finding the asses,
which way they must go next—a poor business to employ a prophet
about! Had they said, "Let us give up the asses for lost, and, now
that we are so near the man of God, let us go and learn from him
the good knowledge of God, let us consult him how we may order our
conversations a right, and enquire the law at his mouth, since we
may not have such another opportunity, and then we shall not lose
our journey"—the proposal would have been such as became
Israelites; but to make prophecy, that glory of Israel, serve so
mean a turn as this, discovered too much what manner of spirit they
were of. Note, Most people would rather be told their fortune than
told their duty, how to be rich than how to be saved. If it were
the business of the men of God to direct for the recovery of lost
asses, they would be consulted much more than they are now that it
is their business to direct for the recovery of lost souls; so
preposterous is the care of most men! (4.) Saul was thoughtful what
present they should bring to the man of God, what fee they should
give him for his advice (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.7" parsed="|1Sam|9|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>): <i>What shall we bring the man?</i> They could not
present him, as Jeroboam's wife did Ahijah, with loaves and cakes
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.14.3" parsed="|1Kgs|14|3|0|0" passage="1Ki 14:3">1 Kings xiv. 3</scripRef>), for their
bread was spent; but the servant bethought himself that he had in
his pocket the fourth part of a shekel, about seven-pence halfpenny
in value, and <i>that</i> he would give to the man of God to direct
them, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.8" parsed="|1Sam|9|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. "That
will do," says Saul; "<i>let us go,</i>" <scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.10" parsed="|1Sam|9|10|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. Some think that when Saul
talked of giving Samuel a fee he measured him by himself, or by his
sons, as if he must be hired to do an honest Israelite a kindness,
and was like the false prophets, that <i>divined for money,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Mic.3.11" parsed="|Mic|3|11|0|0" passage="Mic 3:11">Mic. iii. 11</scripRef>. He came to
him as a fortune-teller, rather than as a prophet, and therefore
thought the fourth part of a shekel was enough to give him. But it
rather seems to be agreeable to the general usage of those times,
as it is to natural equity, that those who sowed spiritual things
should reap not only eternal things from him that employs them, but
temporal things from those for whom they are employed. Samuel
needed not their money, nor would he have denied them his advice if
they had not brought it (it is probable, when he had it, he gave it
to the poor); but they brought it to him as a token of their
respect and the value they put upon his office; nor did he refuse
it, for they were able to give it, and, though it was but little,
it was the widow's mite. But Saul, as he never thought of going to
the man of God till the servant proposed it, so, it should seem, he
mentioned the want of a present as an objection against their
going; he would not own that he had money in his pocket, but, when
the servant generously offered to be at the charge, then, "Well,
said," says Saul; "come, let us go." Most people love a cheap
religion, and like it best when they can devolve the expense of it
on others. (5.) The historian here takes notice of the name then
given to the prophets: they called them <i>Seers,</i> or <i>seeing
men</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.9" parsed="|1Sam|9|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), not
but that the name <i>prophet</i> was then used, and applied to such
persons, but that of seers was more in use. Note, Those that are
prophets must first be seers; those who undertake to speak to
others of the things of God must have an insight into those things
themselves.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.x-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.11-1Sam.9.17" parsed="|1Sam|9|11|9|17" passage="1Sa 9:11-17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.9.11-1Sam.9.17">
<h4 id="iSam.x-p9.10">Saul Introduced to Samuel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p9.11">b. c.</span> 1070.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.x-p10">11 <i>And</i> as they went up the hill to the
city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said
unto them, Is the seer here?   12 And they answered them, and
said, He is; behold, <i>he is</i> before you: make haste now, for
he came to day to the city; for <i>there is</i> a sacrifice of the
people to day in the high place:   13 As soon as ye be come
into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to
the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come,
because he doth bless the sacrifice; <i>and</i> afterwards they eat
that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye
shall find him.   14 And they went up into the city:
<i>and</i> when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came
out against them, for to go up to the high place.   15 Now the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p10.1">Lord</span> had told Samuel in his ear a
day before Saul came, saying,   16 To morrow about this time I
will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt
anoint him <i>to be</i> captain over my people Israel, that he may
save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have
looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.   17
And when Samuel saw Saul, the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p10.2">Lord</span>
said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same
shall reign over my people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p11">Here, I. Saul, by an ordinary enquiry, is
directed to Samuel, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.11-1Sam.9.14" parsed="|1Sam|9|11|9|14" passage="1Sa 9:11-14"><i>v.</i>
11-14</scripRef>. Gibeah of Saul was not twenty miles from Ramah
where Samuel dwelt, and was near to Mizpeh where he often judged
Israel, and yet, it seems, Saul had lived so very privately, and
had taken so little notice of public affairs, that he had never
seen Samuel, for when he met him (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.18" parsed="|1Sam|9|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>) he did not know him, so that
there was no cause to suspect any secret compact or collusion
between them in this matter. <i>I knew him not,</i> says John
Baptist concerning Christ, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.31" parsed="|John|1|31|0|0" passage="Joh 1:31">John i.
31</scripRef>. Yet I do not think it any commendation to Saul that
he was a stranger to Samuel. However,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p12">1. The maid-servants of Ramah, whom they
met with at the places of drawing water, could give him and his
servant intelligence concerning Samuel; and very particular they
were in their directions, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.12-1Sam.9.13" parsed="|1Sam|9|12|9|13" passage="1Sa 9:12,13"><i>v.</i>
12, 13</scripRef>. We should always be ready to give what
assistance we can to those that are enquiring after God's prophets,
and to further them in their enquiries. Even the maid-servants
could tell them, (1.) That there was a sacrifice that day in the
high place, it being either an ordinary festival or an
extraordinary day of prayer and thanksgiving, with which sacrifices
were joined. The tabernacle being deprived of the ark, the altar
there had not now the reputation it formerly had, nor were they
confined to it, as they would be when God had again chosen a place
to put his name in; and therefore now other places were allowed.
Samuel had built an altar at Ramah (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.7.17" parsed="|1Sam|7|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 7:17"><i>ch.</i> vii. 17</scripRef>), and here we have him
making use of that altar. (2.) That Samuel came that day to the
city, either from his circuit or from his country seat. He was such
a public person that his movements were generally known. (3.) That
this was just the time of their meeting to feast before the Lord
upon the sacrifice: "About this time you will find him in the
street going up to the high place." They knew the hour of the
solemn feast. (4.) That the people would not eat till Samuel came,
not only because he was the worthiest person, and they ought in
good manners to stay for him, and he was, as some think, the maker
of this feast, the sacrifice being offered at his charge and upon
his account; but because, as a man of God, whoever made the feast,
<i>he</i> must bless the sacrifice, that is, those parts of the
sacrifice which they feasted upon, which may be considered, [1.] As
a common meal, and so this is an instance of the great duty of
craving a blessing upon our meat before we partake of it. We cannot
expect benefit from our food without that blessing, and we have no
reason to expect that blessing if we do not pray for it. Thus we
must give glory to God as our benefactor, and own our dependence
upon him and our obligations to him. Or, [2.] As a religious
assembly. When the sacrifice was offered, which was the ceremony,
Samuel blessed it, that is, he prayed over it, and offered up
spiritual sacrifices with it, which were the substance; and
afterwards, when the holy duties were performed, they did eat. Let
the soul first be served. The feast upon the sacrifice being a
sacred rite, it was requisite that it should in a particular manner
be blessed, as is the Christian eucharist. They feasted in token of
their reconciliation to God by virtue of the sacrifice, and their
participation of the benefits of it; and Samuel blessed the feast,
that is, he prayed to God to grace the solemnity with his special
presence, that it might answer those great ends. Bishop Hall
observes what a particular account those maid-servants could give
of the usages of those sacred feasts, and infers from it that,
"where there is the practice and example of piety in the better
sort, there will be a reflection of it upon the meanest. It is no
small advantage to live in religious places; for we shall be much
to blame if all goodness fall beside us."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p13">2. Saul and his servant followed the
directions given them, and very opportunely met Samuel going to the
high place, the synagogue of the city, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.14" parsed="|1Sam|9|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. This seemed purely accidental,
but the divine providence ordered it for the forwarding of this
great event. The wise God serves very great and certain purposes by
very small and casual occurrences. A sparrow falls not to the
ground without our Father.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p14">II. Samuel, by an extraordinary revelation,
is informed concerning Saul. He was a seer, and therefore must see
this in a way peculiar to himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p15">1. God had told him, the day before, that
he would, at this time, send him the man that should serve the
people of Israel for such a king as they wished to have, <i>like
all the nations,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.15-1Sam.9.16" parsed="|1Sam|9|15|9|16" passage="1Sa 9:15,16"><i>v.</i> 15,
16</scripRef>. He <i>told him in his ear,</i> that is, privately,
by a secret whisper to his mind, or perhaps by a still small voice,
some soft and gentle sounds conveyed to his ear, probably when he
was praying in secret for direction in that and other affairs of
the nation. He had spoken <i>in the ears of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.21" parsed="|1Sam|8|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:21"><i>ch.</i> viii. 21</scripRef>), and now God
<i>spoke in his ear,</i> in token of friendship and familiarity,
for <i>he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets,</i> as
secrets in their ear, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Amos.3.7" parsed="|Amos|3|7|0|0" passage="Am 3:7">Amos iii.
7</scripRef>. God told him before, that it might not be a surprise
to him; and perhaps it was in expectation of it that he appointed
the feast and the sacrifice, for the imploring of God's blessing
upon this great and important affair, though he might keep the
particular occasion in his own breast, God having only told it to
him in his ear. The Hebrew phrase is, <i>He uncovered the ear of
Samuel,</i> to which some allude for the explication of the way of
God's revealing himself to us; he not only speaks, but <i>uncovers
our ear.</i> We have naturally a covering on our ears, so that we
perceive not what God says (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.14" parsed="|Job|33|14|0|0" passage="Job 33:14">Job
xxxiii. 14</scripRef>), but, when God will manifest himself to a
soul, he uncovers the ear, says, <i>Ephphratha, Be opened;</i> he
takes <i>the veil from off the heart,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.16" parsed="|2Cor|3|16|0|0" passage="2Co 3:16">2 Cor. iii. 16</scripRef>. Though God had, in
displeasure, granted their request for a king, yet here he speaks
tenderly of Israel; for even in <i>wrath he remembers mercy.</i>
(1.) He calls them again and again his people; though a peevish and
provoking people, yet mine still. (2.) He sends them a man to be
captain over them, that they might not be a body without a head,
and to <i>save them out of the hand of the Philistines,</i> which
perhaps was more than many of them aimed at in desiring a king.
(3.) He does it with a gracious respect to them and to their cry:
<i>I have looked upon my people,</i> and <i>their cry has come unto
me.</i> He gratified them with what they cried for, as the tender
mother humours the froward child, lest it should break its heart.
And (as bishop Patrick observes), though he would not hear their
cry to relieve them against the oppression of their kings
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.18" parsed="|1Sam|8|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:18"><i>ch.</i> viii. 18</scripRef>), yet
he was so gracious as to make those kings instruments of their
deliverance from the oppression of their neighbours, which was more
than they had reason to expect.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p16">2. When Saul came up towards him in the
street God again whispered Samuel in the ear (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.17" parsed="|1Sam|9|17|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>): <i>Behold the man whom I spoke
to thee of!</i> Saul being a man of unusual stature, it is natural
to think that Samuel fixed his eye upon him at a distance, and
perhaps looked the more wistfully towards him because the hour had
now come when God would send him the man that should be king of
Israel, and he fancied this might be he; but, that he might be
fully satisfied, God told him expressly, <i>That is the man</i>
that shall <i>restrain</i> (for magistrates are heirs of restraint)
<i>my people Israel.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iSam.x-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.18-1Sam.9.27" parsed="|1Sam|9|18|9|27" passage="1Sa 9:18-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.9.18-1Sam.9.27">
<h4 id="iSam.x-p16.3">Saul Entertained by Samuel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.x-p16.4">b. c.</span> 1070.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iSam.x-p17">18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate,
and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house <i>is.</i>
  19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I <i>am</i> the seer:
go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to
day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that
<i>is</i> in thine heart.   20 And as for thine asses that
were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are
found. And on whom <i>is</i> all the desire of Israel? <i>Is it</i>
not on thee, and on all thy father's house?   21 And Saul
answered and said, <i>Am</i> not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of
the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families
of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
  22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them
into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among
them that were bidden, which <i>were</i> about thirty persons.
  23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I
gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.   24 And
the cook took up the shoulder, and <i>that</i> which <i>was</i>
upon it, and set <i>it</i> before Saul. And <i>Samuel</i> said,
Behold that which is left! set <i>it</i> before thee, <i>and</i>
eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I
have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
  25 And when they were come down from the high place into the
city, <i>Samuel</i> communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
  26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the
spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house,
saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they
went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.   27 <i>And</i>
as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to
Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but
stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p18">Providence having at length brought Samuel
and Saul together, we have here an account of what passed between
them in the gate, at the feast, and in private.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p19">I. In the gate of the city; passing through
that, Saul found him (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.18" parsed="|1Sam|9|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), and, little thinking that he was Samuel himself,
asked him the way to Samuel's house: <i>Tell me where the seer's
house is;</i> for there he expected to find him. See how mean a
figure Samuel made, though so great a man: he took not any state,
had no attendants, no ensigns of honour carried before him, nor any
distinguishing habit, no, not when he went to church, but appeared,
in all respects, so much a common person that Saul, though he was
told he should meet him, never suspected that it was he, but, as if
he looked more like a porter than a prophet, asked him the way to
the seer's house. Thus is great worth oftentimes hidden under a
very despicable appearance. Samuel knew that it was not the house,
but the man, that he wanted, and therefore answered him, "<i>I am
the seer,</i> the person you enquire for," <scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.19" parsed="|1Sam|9|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. Samuel knew him before he knew
Samuel; thus, though all that are called to the kingdom of glory
are brought to know God, yet first they were known of him,
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.9" parsed="|Gal|4|9|0|0" passage="Ga 4:9">Gal. iv. 9</scripRef>. Now, 1. Samuel
obliges him to stay with him till the next day. The greatest part
of this day had been spent in sacrificing, and the rest of it was
to be spent in holy feasting, and therefore, "<i>To-morrow I will
let thee go,</i> and not sooner; now <i>go up before me to the high
place;</i> let us pray together, and then we will talk together."
Saul had nothing in his mind but to find his asses, but Samuel
would take him off from that care, and dispose him to the exercises
of piety; and therefore bids him <i>go to the high place,</i> and
go before him, because, it may be, some business obliged Samuel to
call by the way. 2. He satisfies him about his asses (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.20" parsed="|1Sam|9|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>Set not thy mind on
them,</i> be not in further care about them; <i>they are found.</i>
By this Saul might perceive that he was a prophet, that he could
give him an answer to the enquiry which he had not yet made, and
tell him what he thought; and thence he might infer, if a man of
God can do this, much more doth God himself <i>understand our
thoughts afar off.</i> 3. He surprises him with an intimation of
preferment before him: "<i>On whom is all the desire of Israel?</i>
Is it not a king that they are set upon, and there is never a man
in Israel that will suit them as thou wilt." It does not appear
that the country had as yet any eye upon him for the government,
because they had left it wholly to God to choose for them; but such
a one as he they wished for, and his advancement would be the
advancement of his family and relations, as Abner, and others. 4.
To this strange intimation Saul returns a very modest answer,
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.21" parsed="|1Sam|9|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. Samuel, he
thought, did but banter him, because he was a tall man, but a very
unlikely man to be a king; for, though the historian says
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.1" parsed="|1Sam|9|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) his father was
a <i>mighty man of power,</i> yet he himself speaks diminishingly
of his tribe and family. "Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob's sons,
when grown up to be a man, was called a <i>little one</i>
(<scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.44.20" parsed="|Gen|44|20|0|0" passage="Ge 44:20">Gen. xliv. 20</scripRef>); that tribe
was diminished by the war of Gibeah; and <i>I am a Benjamite, my
family the least,</i>" probably a younger house, not in any place
of honour or trust, no, not in their own tribe. Gideon had
expressed himself thus, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.15" parsed="|Judg|6|15|0|0" passage="Jdg 6:15">Judg. vi.
15</scripRef>. A humble disposition is a good presage of
preferment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p20">II. At the public feast; thither Samuel
took him and his servant. Though the advancement of Saul would be
the deposing of Samuel, yet that good prophet was so far from
envying him, or bearing him any ill-will for it, that he was the
first and forwardest man to do him honour, in compliance with the
will of God. If this be the man whom God has chosen, though he be
none of Samuel's particular friends or confidants, yet he is
heartily welcome to his table, nay, to his bosom. We may suppose it
was no unseasonable kindness to Saul to give him a meal's meat, for
it seems, by what he said (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.7" parsed="|1Sam|9|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), that all their meat and money were spent. But this
was not all. Samuel treats him not as a common person, but a person
of quality and distinction, to prepare both him and the people for
what was to follow. Two marks of honour he put upon him:—1. He
set him <i>in the best place,</i> as more honourable than any other
of the guests, to whom he said, <i>Give this man place,</i>
<scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.9" parsed="|Luke|14|9|0|0" passage="Lu 14:9">Luke xiv. 9</scripRef>. Though we may
suppose the magistrates were there, who in their own city would
claim precedency, yet the master of the feast made Saul and his
servant too (who, if Saul was a king, must be respected as his
prime minister of state) <i>sit in the chief place,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.22" parsed="|1Sam|9|22|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Note, Civil respects
must be paid to those who in civil things have the precedency given
them by the divine providence. 2. He presented him with the <i>best
dish,</i> which, having had notice from heaven the day before of
his coming (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.16" parsed="|1Sam|9|16|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>),
he had designed for him, and ordered the cook to secure for him,
when he gave orders for inviting the guests and making preparation
for them. And what should this precious dish be, which was so very
carefully reserved for the king-elect? One would expect it should
be something very nice and delicate. No, it was a plain shoulder of
mutton (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.23-1Sam.9.24" parsed="|1Sam|9|23|9|24" passage="1Sa 9:23,24"><i>v.</i> 23,
24</scripRef>). The right shoulder of the peace-offerings was to be
given to the priests, who were God's receivers (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.7.32" parsed="|Lev|7|32|0|0" passage="Le 7:32">Lev. vii. 32</scripRef>); the next in honour to that was
the left shoulder, which probably was always allotted to those that
sat at the upper end of the table, and was wont to be Samuel's mess
at other times; so that his giving it to Saul now was an implicit
resignation of his place to him. Some observe a significancy in
this dish. The shoulder denotes strength, and the breast, which
some think went with it, denotes affection: he that was king had
<i>the government upon his shoulder,</i> for he must bear the
weight of it; and the people in his bosom, for they must be dear to
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iSam.x-p21">III. What passed between them in private.
Both that evening and early the next morning Samuel communed with
Saul upon the flat roof of the house, <scripRef id="iSam.x-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.25-1Sam.9.26" parsed="|1Sam|9|25|9|26" passage="1Sa 9:25,26"><i>v.</i> 25, 26</scripRef>. We may suppose Samuel
now told him the whole story of the people's desire of a king, the
grounds of their desire, and God's grant of it, to all which Saul,
living very privately, was perhaps a stranger; he satisfied him
that he was the person God had pitched upon for the government; and
whereas Saul would object that Samuel was in possession, and he
would not for all the world take it out of his hands, Samuel, we
may suppose, gave him all the assurance he could desire of his
willingness to resign. Early in the morning he sent him towards
home, brought him part of the way, bade him send his servant
before, that they might be private (<scripRef id="iSam.x-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.9.27" parsed="|1Sam|9|27|0|0" passage="1Sa 9:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), and there, as we find in the
beginning of the next chapter, he anointed him, and therein showed
him the <i>word of the Lord,</i> that is, gave him full
satisfaction that he was the person chosen to be king, for he would
not jest with that sacred rite. It is by the <i>unction of the Holy
Ghost</i> that Christ, the great prophet, <i>shows us the word of
the Lord.</i> <scripRef id="iSam.x-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.27" parsed="|1John|2|27|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:27">1 John ii.
27</scripRef>, <i>the same anointing teacheth you of all
things.</i></p>
</div></div2>