511 lines
38 KiB
XML
511 lines
38 KiB
XML
|
<div2 id="iSam.iv" n="iv" next="iSam.v" prev="iSam.iii" progress="26.01%" title="Chapter III">
|
|||
|
<h2 id="iSam.iv-p0.1">F I R S T S A M U E L</h2>
|
|||
|
<h3 id="iSam.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
|
|||
|
<p class="intro" id="iSam.iv-p1">In the foregoing chapter we had Samuel a young
|
|||
|
priest, though by birth a Levite only, for he ministered before the
|
|||
|
Lord in a linen ephod; in this chapter we have him a young prophet,
|
|||
|
which was more, God in an extraordinary manner revealing himself to
|
|||
|
him, and in him reviving, if not commencing, prophecy in Israel.
|
|||
|
Here is, I. God's first manifestation of himself in an
|
|||
|
extraordinary manner to Samuel, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.1-1Sam.3.10" parsed="|1Sam|3|1|3|10" passage="1Sa 3:1-10">ver.
|
|||
|
1-10</scripRef>. II. The message he sent by him to Eli, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.11-1Sam.3.14" parsed="|1Sam|3|11|3|14" passage="1Sa 3:11-14">ver. 11-14</scripRef>. III. The faithful
|
|||
|
delivery of that message to Eli, and his submission to the
|
|||
|
righteousness of God in it, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.15-1Sam.3.18" parsed="|1Sam|3|15|3|18" passage="1Sa 3:15-18">ver.
|
|||
|
15-18</scripRef>. IV. The establishment of Samuel to be a prophet
|
|||
|
in Israel, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19-1Sam.3.21" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|3|21" passage="1Sa 3:19-21">ver.
|
|||
|
19-21</scripRef>.</p>
|
|||
|
<scripCom id="iSam.iv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3" parsed="|1Sam|3|0|0|0" passage="1Sa 3" type="Commentary"/>
|
|||
|
<scripCom id="iSam.iv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.1-1Sam.3.10" parsed="|1Sam|3|1|3|10" passage="1Sa 3:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.3.1-1Sam.3.10">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="iSam.iv-p1.7">The Call of Samuel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1128.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="iSam.iv-p2">1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.1">Lord</span> before Eli. And the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.2">Lord</span> was precious in those days; <i>there
|
|||
|
was</i> no open vision. 2 And it came to pass at that time,
|
|||
|
when Eli <i>was</i> laid down in his place, and his eyes began to
|
|||
|
wax dim, <i>that</i> he could not see; 3 And ere the lamp of
|
|||
|
God went out in the temple of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.3">Lord</span>, where the ark of God <i>was,</i> and
|
|||
|
Samuel was laid down <i>to sleep;</i> 4 That the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.4">Lord</span> called Samuel: and he answered, Here
|
|||
|
<i>am</i> I. 5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here <i>am</i>
|
|||
|
I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again.
|
|||
|
And he went and lay down. 6 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.5">Lord</span> called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose
|
|||
|
and went to Eli, and said, Here <i>am</i> I; for thou didst call
|
|||
|
me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7
|
|||
|
Now Samuel did not yet know the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.6">Lord</span>, neither was the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.7">Lord</span> yet revealed unto him. 8 And the
|
|||
|
<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.8">Lord</span> called Samuel again the third
|
|||
|
time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here <i>am</i> I; for
|
|||
|
thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.9">Lord</span> had called the child. 9 Therefore
|
|||
|
Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call
|
|||
|
thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.10">Lord</span>; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went
|
|||
|
and lay down in his place. 10 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p2.11">Lord</span> came, and stood, and called as at other
|
|||
|
times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant
|
|||
|
heareth.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p3">To make way for the account of God's
|
|||
|
revealing himself first to Samuel, we are here told, 1. How
|
|||
|
industrious Samuel was in serving God, according as his place and
|
|||
|
capacity were (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.1" parsed="|1Sam|3|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>):
|
|||
|
<i>The child Samuel,</i> though but a child, <i>ministered unto the
|
|||
|
Lord before Eli.</i> It was an aggravation of the wickedness of
|
|||
|
Eli's sons that the child Samuel shamed them. They rebelled against
|
|||
|
the Lord, but Samuel ministered to him; they slighted their
|
|||
|
father's admonitions, but Samuel was observant of them; he
|
|||
|
ministered before Eli, under his eye and direction. It was the
|
|||
|
praise of Samuel that he was so far from being influenced by their
|
|||
|
bad example that he did not in the least fall off, but improved and
|
|||
|
went on. And it was a preparative for the honours God intended him;
|
|||
|
he that was thus faithful in a little was soon after entrusted with
|
|||
|
much more. Let those that are young be humble and diligent, which
|
|||
|
they will find the surest way to preferment. Those are fittest to
|
|||
|
rule who have learnt to obey. 2. How scarce a thing prophecy then
|
|||
|
was, which made the call of Samuel to be the greater surprise to
|
|||
|
himself and the greater favour to Israel: <i>The word of the Lord
|
|||
|
was precious in those days.</i> Now and then a man of God was
|
|||
|
employed as a messenger upon an extraordinary occasion (as
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.27" parsed="|1Sam|2|27|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:27"><i>ch.</i> ii. 27</scripRef>), but
|
|||
|
there were no settled prophets, to whom the people might have
|
|||
|
recourse for counsel, nor from whom they might expect the
|
|||
|
discoveries of the divine will. And the rarity of prophecy made it
|
|||
|
the more precious in the account of all those that knew how to put
|
|||
|
a right value upon it. It was precious, for what there was (it
|
|||
|
seems) was private: <i>There was no open vision,</i> that is, there
|
|||
|
were none that were publicly known to have visions. Perhaps the
|
|||
|
impiety and impurity that prevailed in the tabernacle, and no doubt
|
|||
|
corrupted the whole nation, had provoked God, as a token of his
|
|||
|
displeasure, to withdraw the Spirit of prophecy, till the decree
|
|||
|
had gone forth for the raising up of a more faithful priest, and
|
|||
|
then, as an earnest of that, this faithful prophet was raised
|
|||
|
up.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p4">The manner of God's revealing himself to
|
|||
|
Samuel is here related very particularly, for it was uncommon.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p5">I. Eli had retired. Samuel had waited on
|
|||
|
him to his bed, and the rest that attended the service of the
|
|||
|
sanctuary had gone, we may suppose, to their several apartments
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.2" parsed="|1Sam|3|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): <i>Eli had
|
|||
|
laid down in his place;</i> he went to bed betimes, being unfit for
|
|||
|
business and soon weary of it, and perhaps loving his ease too
|
|||
|
well. Probably he kept his chamber much, which gave his sons the
|
|||
|
greater liberty. And he sought retirement the more because his eyes
|
|||
|
began to wax dim, an affliction which came justly upon him for
|
|||
|
winking at his sons' faults.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p6">II. Samuel had laid down to sleep, in some
|
|||
|
closet near to Eli's room, as his page of the back-stairs, ready
|
|||
|
within call if the old man should want any thing in the night,
|
|||
|
perhaps to read to him if he could not sleep. He chose to take
|
|||
|
Samuel into this office rather than any of his own family, because
|
|||
|
of the towardly disposition he observed in him. When his own sons
|
|||
|
were a grief to him, his little servitor was his joy. Let those
|
|||
|
that are afflicted in their children thank God if they have any
|
|||
|
about them in whom they are comforted. <i>Samuel had laid down ere
|
|||
|
the lamp of God went out,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.3" parsed="|1Sam|3|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:3"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
3</scripRef>. It should seem he lay somewhere so near the holy
|
|||
|
place that he went to bed by that light, before any of the lamps in
|
|||
|
the branches of the candlestick went out (for the main lamp never
|
|||
|
went out), which probably was towards midnight. Till that time
|
|||
|
Samuel had been employing himself in some good exercise or other,
|
|||
|
reading and prayer, or perhaps cleaning or making ready the holy
|
|||
|
place; and then went softly to his bed. Then we may expect God's
|
|||
|
gracious visits, when we are constant and diligent in our duty.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p7">III. God called him by name, and he took it
|
|||
|
for Eli's call, and ran to him, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.4-1Sam.3.5" parsed="|1Sam|3|4|3|5" passage="1Sa 3:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. Samuel lay awake in his bed,
|
|||
|
his thoughts, no doubt, well employed (as David's <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.63.6" parsed="|Ps|63|6|0|0" passage="Ps 63:6">Ps. lxiii. 6</scripRef>), when the Lord called to
|
|||
|
him, bishop Patrick thinks out of the most holy place, and so the
|
|||
|
Chaldee paraphrase reads it, <i>A voice was heard out of the temple
|
|||
|
of the Lord;</i> but Eli, though it is likely he lay nearer, heard
|
|||
|
it not; yet possibly it might come some other way. Hereupon we have
|
|||
|
an instance, 1. Of Samuel's industry, and readiness to wait on Eli;
|
|||
|
supposing it was he that called him, he hastened out of his warm
|
|||
|
bed and ran to him, to see if he wanted any thing, and perhaps
|
|||
|
fearing he was not well. "Here am I," said he—a good example to
|
|||
|
servants, to come when they are called; and to the younger, not
|
|||
|
only to submit to the elder, but to be careful and tender of them.
|
|||
|
2. Of his infirmity, and unacquaintedness with the visions of the
|
|||
|
Almighty, that he took that to be only Eli's call which was really
|
|||
|
the call of God. Such mistakes as these we make oftener than we
|
|||
|
think of. God calls to us by his word, and we take it to be only
|
|||
|
the call of the minister, and answer it accordingly; he calls to us
|
|||
|
by his providences, and we look only at the instruments. His voice
|
|||
|
cries, and it is but here and there a man of wisdom that
|
|||
|
understands it to be his voice. Eli assured him he did not call
|
|||
|
him, yet did not chide him for disturbing him with being
|
|||
|
over-officious, did not call him a <i>fool,</i> and tell him he
|
|||
|
dreamed, but mildly bade him lie down again, he had nothing for him
|
|||
|
to do. If servants must be ready at their masters' call, masters
|
|||
|
also must be tender of their servants' comfort: that thy
|
|||
|
<i>man-servant and thy maid-servant</i> may <i>rest as well as
|
|||
|
thou.</i> So <i>Samuel went and lay down.</i> God calls many by the
|
|||
|
ministry of the word, and they say, as Samuel did, "Here am I;" but
|
|||
|
not looking at God, nor discerning his voice in the call, the
|
|||
|
impressions of it are soon lost; they lie down again, and their
|
|||
|
convictions come to nothing.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p8">IV. The same call was repeated, and the
|
|||
|
same mistake made, a second and third time, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.6-1Sam.3.9" parsed="|1Sam|3|6|3|9" passage="1Sa 3:6-9"><i>v.</i> 6-9</scripRef>. 1. God continued to call the
|
|||
|
child <i>yet again</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.6" parsed="|1Sam|3|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:6"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
6</scripRef>), and <i>again the third time,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.8" parsed="|1Sam|3|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Note, The call which divine grace
|
|||
|
designs to make effectual shall be repeated till it is so, that is,
|
|||
|
till we come at the call; for the purpose of God, according to
|
|||
|
which we are called, shall certainly stand. 2. Samuel was still
|
|||
|
ignorant that it was the Lord that called him (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.7" parsed="|1Sam|3|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Samuel did not yet know the
|
|||
|
Lord.</i> He knew the written word, and was acquainted with the
|
|||
|
mind of God in that, but he did not yet apprehend the way in which
|
|||
|
God reveals himself to his servants the prophets, especially by a
|
|||
|
<i>still small voice;</i> this was altogether new and strange to
|
|||
|
him. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation
|
|||
|
had it come in a dream or a vision; but this was a way he had not
|
|||
|
only not known himself, but not heard of. Those that have the
|
|||
|
greatest knowledge of divine things must remember the time when
|
|||
|
they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. <i>When
|
|||
|
I was a child I understood as a child.</i> Yet let us not despise
|
|||
|
the day of small things. <i>Thus did Samuel</i> (so the margin
|
|||
|
reads it) <i>before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the
|
|||
|
Lord was revealed unto him;</i> thus he blundered one time after
|
|||
|
another, but afterwards he understood his duty better. The witness
|
|||
|
of the Spirit in the hearts of the faithful is often thus mistaken,
|
|||
|
by which means they lose the comfort of it; and the strivings of
|
|||
|
the Spirit with the consciences of sinners are likewise often
|
|||
|
mistaken, and so the benefit of their convictions is lost. <i>God
|
|||
|
speaketh once, yea, twice, but man perceiveth it not,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.33.14" parsed="|Job|33|14|0|0" passage="Job 33:14">Job xxxiii. 14</scripRef>. 3. Samuel went to
|
|||
|
Eli this second and third time, the voice perhaps resembling his,
|
|||
|
and the child being very near to him; and he tells Eli, with great
|
|||
|
assurance, "<i>Thou didst call me</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.6-1Sam.3.8" parsed="|1Sam|3|6|3|8" passage="1Sa 3:6-8"><i>v.</i> 6-8</scripRef>), it could be no one else."
|
|||
|
Samuel's disposition to come when he was called, though but by Eli,
|
|||
|
proving him dutiful and active, qualified him for the favour now to
|
|||
|
be shown him; God chooses to employ such. But there was a special
|
|||
|
providence in it, that he should go thus often to Eli; for hereby,
|
|||
|
at length, <i>Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child,</i>
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.8" parsed="|1Sam|3|8|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. And, (1.) This
|
|||
|
would be a mortification to him, and he would apprehend it to be a
|
|||
|
step towards his family's being degraded, that when God had
|
|||
|
something to say he should choose to say it to the child Samuel,
|
|||
|
his servant that waited on him, and not to him. And it would humble
|
|||
|
him the more when afterwards he found it was a message to himself,
|
|||
|
and yet sent to him by a child. He had reason to look upon this as
|
|||
|
a further token of God's displeasure. (2.) This would put him upon
|
|||
|
enquiring what it was that God said to Samuel, and would abundantly
|
|||
|
satisfy him of the truth and certainty of what should be delivered,
|
|||
|
and no room would be left for him to suggest that it was but a
|
|||
|
fancy of Samuel's; for before the message was delivered he himself
|
|||
|
perceived that God was about to speak to him, and yet must not know
|
|||
|
what it was till he had it from Samuel himself. Thus even the
|
|||
|
infirmities and mistakes of those whom God employs are overruled by
|
|||
|
infinite Wisdom, and made serviceable to his purposes.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p9">V. At length Samuel was put into a posture
|
|||
|
to receive a message from God, not to be lodged with himself and go
|
|||
|
no further, but, that he might be a complete prophet, to be
|
|||
|
published and made an open vision. 1. Eli, perceiving that it was
|
|||
|
the voice of God that Samuel heard, gave him instructions what to
|
|||
|
say, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.9" parsed="|1Sam|3|9|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. This was
|
|||
|
honestly done, that though it was a disgrace to him for God's call
|
|||
|
to pass him by, and be directed to Samuel, yet he put him in the
|
|||
|
way how to entertain it. Had he been envious of this honour done to
|
|||
|
Samuel, he would have done what he could to deprive him of it, and,
|
|||
|
since he did not perceive it himself, would have bidden him lie
|
|||
|
down and sleep, and never heed it, it was but a dream; but he was
|
|||
|
of a better spirit than to act so; he gave him the best advice he
|
|||
|
could, for the forwarding of his advancement. Thus the elder
|
|||
|
should, without grudging, do their utmost to assist and improve the
|
|||
|
younger that are rising up, though they see themselves likely to be
|
|||
|
darkened and eclipsed by them. Let us never be wanting to inform
|
|||
|
and instruct those that are coming after us, even such as will soon
|
|||
|
be preferred before us, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.30" parsed="|John|1|30|0|0" passage="Joh 1:30">John i.
|
|||
|
30</scripRef>. The instruction Eli gave him was, when God called
|
|||
|
the next time, to say, <i>Speak, Lord, for they servant
|
|||
|
heareth.</i> He must call himself God's servant, must desire to
|
|||
|
know the mind of God. "<i>Speak, Lord,</i> speak to me, speak now:"
|
|||
|
and he must prepare to hear, and promise to attend: <i>Thy servant
|
|||
|
heareth.</i> Note, Then we may expect that God will speak to us,
|
|||
|
when we set ourselves to hearken to what he says, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.85.8 Bible:Hab.2.1" parsed="|Ps|85|8|0|0;|Hab|2|1|0|0" passage="Ps 85:8,Hab 2:1">Ps. lxxxv. 8; Hab. ii. 1</scripRef>. When
|
|||
|
we come to read the word of God, and to attend on the preaching of
|
|||
|
it, we should come thus disposed, submitting ourselves to the
|
|||
|
commanding light and power of it: <i>Speak, Lord, for thy servant
|
|||
|
heareth.</i> 2. It should seem that God spoke the fourth time in a
|
|||
|
way somewhat different from the other; though the call was, as at
|
|||
|
other times, a call to him by name, yet now <i>he stood and
|
|||
|
called,</i> which intimates that there was now some visible
|
|||
|
appearance of the divine glory to Samuel, a vision that stood
|
|||
|
before him, like that before Eliphaz, though he <i>could not
|
|||
|
discern the form thereof,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.4.16" parsed="|Job|4|16|0|0" passage="Job 4:16">Job iv.
|
|||
|
16</scripRef>. This satisfied him that it was not Eli that called;
|
|||
|
for he now <i>saw the voice that spoke with him,</i> as it is
|
|||
|
expressed, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.12" parsed="|Rev|1|12|0|0" passage="Re 1:12">Rev. i. 12</scripRef>. Now
|
|||
|
also the call was doubled—<i>Samuel, Samuel,</i> as if God
|
|||
|
delighted in the mention of his name, or to intimate that now he
|
|||
|
should be made to understand who spoke to him. <i>God hath spoken
|
|||
|
once, twice have I heard this,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.62.11" parsed="|Ps|62|11|0|0" passage="Ps 62:11">Ps.
|
|||
|
lxii. 11</scripRef>. It was an honour to him that God was pleased
|
|||
|
to <i>know him by name</i> (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.12" parsed="|Exod|33|12|0|0" passage="Ex 33:12">Exod.
|
|||
|
xxxiii. 12</scripRef>), and then his call was powerful and
|
|||
|
effectual when he called him by name, and so brought it
|
|||
|
particularly to him, as <i>Saul, Saul.</i> Thus God called to
|
|||
|
Abraham by name, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.22.1" parsed="|Gen|22|1|0|0" passage="Ge 22:1">Gen. xxii.
|
|||
|
1</scripRef>. 3. Samuel said, as he was taught, <i>Speak, for thy
|
|||
|
servant heareth.</i> Note, Good words should be put into children's
|
|||
|
mouths betimes, and apt expressions of pious and devout affections,
|
|||
|
by which they may be prepared for a better acquaintance with divine
|
|||
|
things, and trained up to a holy converse with them. Teach young
|
|||
|
people what they shall say, for <i>they cannot order their speech
|
|||
|
by reason of darkness.</i> Samuel did not now rise and run as
|
|||
|
before when he thought Eli called, but lay still and listened. The
|
|||
|
more sedate and composed our spirits are the better prepared they
|
|||
|
are for divine discoveries. Let all tumultuous thoughts and
|
|||
|
passions be kept under, and every thing be quiet and serene in the
|
|||
|
soul, and then we are fit to hear from God. All must be silent when
|
|||
|
he speaks. But observe, Samuel left out one word; he did not say,
|
|||
|
<i>Speak, Lord,</i> but only, <i>Speak, for thy servant
|
|||
|
heareth,</i> way was made for the message he was now to receive,
|
|||
|
and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions
|
|||
|
of the Almighty, and this <i>ere the lamp of God went out</i>
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.3" parsed="|1Sam|3|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) <i>in the
|
|||
|
temple of the Lord,</i> which some of the Jewish writers put a
|
|||
|
mystical sense upon; before the fall of Eli, and the eclipsing of
|
|||
|
the Urim and Thummim for some time thereby, God called Samuel, and
|
|||
|
made him an oracle, whence they have an observation among their
|
|||
|
doctors, <i>That the sun riseth, and the sun goeth down</i>
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.1.5" parsed="|Eccl|1|5|0|0" passage="Ec 1:5">Eccl. i. 5</scripRef>), that is, say
|
|||
|
they, Ere God maketh the sun of one righteous man to set, he makes
|
|||
|
the sun of another righteous man to rise. <i>Smith ex
|
|||
|
Kimchi.</i></p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="iSam.iv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.11-1Sam.3.18" parsed="|1Sam|3|11|3|18" passage="1Sa 3:11-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.3.11-1Sam.3.18">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="iSam.iv-p9.12">Eli and His House
|
|||
|
Threatened. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p9.13">b. c.</span> 1128.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="iSam.iv-p10">11 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p10.1">Lord</span>
|
|||
|
said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both
|
|||
|
the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12 In
|
|||
|
that day I will perform against Eli all <i>things</i> which I have
|
|||
|
spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
|
|||
|
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever
|
|||
|
for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves
|
|||
|
vile, and he restrained them not. 14 And therefore I have
|
|||
|
sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall
|
|||
|
not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15 And
|
|||
|
Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of
|
|||
|
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p10.2">Lord</span>. And Samuel feared to shew
|
|||
|
Eli the vision. 16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel,
|
|||
|
my son. And he answered, Here <i>am</i> I. 17 And he said,
|
|||
|
What <i>is</i> the thing that <i>the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p10.3">Lord</span></i> hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide
|
|||
|
<i>it</i> not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou
|
|||
|
hide <i>any</i> thing from me of all the things that he said unto
|
|||
|
thee. 18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing
|
|||
|
from him. And he said, It <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p10.4">Lord</span>: let him do what seemeth him good.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p11">Here is, I. The message which, after all
|
|||
|
this introduction, God delivered to Samuel concerning Eli's house.
|
|||
|
God did not come to him now to tell him how great a man he should
|
|||
|
be in his day, what a figure he should make, and what a blessing he
|
|||
|
should be in Israel. Young people have commonly a great curiosity
|
|||
|
to be told their fortune, but God came to Samuel, not to gratify
|
|||
|
his curiosity, but to employ him in his service and send him on an
|
|||
|
errand to another person, which was much better; and yet the matter
|
|||
|
of this first message, which no doubt made a very great impression
|
|||
|
upon him, might be of good use to him afterwards, when his own sons
|
|||
|
proved, though not so bad as Eli's, yet not so good as they should
|
|||
|
have been, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.3" parsed="|1Sam|8|3|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:3"><i>ch.</i> viii.
|
|||
|
3</scripRef>. The message is short, not nearly so long as that
|
|||
|
which the man of God brought, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.27" parsed="|1Sam|2|27|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:27"><i>ch.</i> ii. 27</scripRef>. For, Samuel being a child,
|
|||
|
it could not be expected that he should remember a long message,
|
|||
|
and God considered his frame. The memories of children must not be
|
|||
|
overcharged, no, not with divine things. But it is a sad message, a
|
|||
|
message of wrath, to ratify the message in the former chapter, and
|
|||
|
to bind on the sentence there pronounced, because perhaps Eli did
|
|||
|
not give so much regard to that as he ought to have done. Divine
|
|||
|
threatenings, the less they are heeded, the surer they will come
|
|||
|
and the heavier they will fall. Reference is here had to what was
|
|||
|
there said concerning both the sin and the punishment.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p12">1. Concerning the sin: it is the
|
|||
|
<i>iniquity that he knoweth,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.13" parsed="|1Sam|3|13|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. The man of God told him of it,
|
|||
|
and many a time his own conscience had told him of it. O what a
|
|||
|
great deal of guilt and corruption is there in us concerning which
|
|||
|
we may say, "It is the iniquity <i>which our own heart knoweth,</i>
|
|||
|
we are conscious to ourselves of it!" In short, the iniquity was
|
|||
|
this: <i>His sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them
|
|||
|
not.</i> Or, as it is in the Hebrew, he <i>frowned not upon
|
|||
|
them.</i> If he did show his dislike of their wicked courses, yet
|
|||
|
not to that degree that he ought to have done: he did reprove them,
|
|||
|
but he did not punish them, for the mischief they did, nor deprive
|
|||
|
them of their power to do mischief, which as a father, high priest,
|
|||
|
and judge, he might have done. Note, (1.) Sinners do by their own
|
|||
|
wickedness make themselves vile. They debauch themselves (for
|
|||
|
<i>every man is tempted when he is drawn aside of his own
|
|||
|
lusts,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.14" parsed="|Jas|1|14|0|0" passage="Jam 1:14">Jam. i. 14</scripRef>) and
|
|||
|
thereby they debase themselves, and make themselves not only mean,
|
|||
|
but odious to the holy God and holy men and angels. Sin is a vile
|
|||
|
thing, and degrades men more than any thing, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.15.4" parsed="|Ps|15|4|0|0" passage="Ps 15:4">Ps. xv. 4</scripRef>. Eli's sons made light of God, and
|
|||
|
made his offerings vile in the people's eyes; but the shame
|
|||
|
returned into their own bosom: they <i>made themselves vile.</i>
|
|||
|
(2.) Those that do not restrain the sins of others, when it is in
|
|||
|
the power of their hand to do it, make themselves partakers of the
|
|||
|
guilt, and will be charged as accessaries: Those in authority will
|
|||
|
have a great deal to answer for if they make not the sword they
|
|||
|
bear a <i>terror to evil workers.</i></p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p13">2. Concerning the punishment: it is <i>that
|
|||
|
which I have spoken concerning his house,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.12-1Sam.3.13" parsed="|1Sam|3|12|3|13" passage="1Sa 3:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12 and 13</scripRef>. <i>I have told him
|
|||
|
that I will judge his house for ever,</i> that is, that a curse
|
|||
|
should be entailed upon his family from generation to generation.
|
|||
|
The particulars of this curse we had before; they are not here
|
|||
|
repeated, but it is added, (1.) That when that sentence began to be
|
|||
|
executed it would be very dreadful and amazing to all Israel
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.11" parsed="|1Sam|3|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>Both the
|
|||
|
ears of every one that hears it shall tingle.</i> Every Israelite
|
|||
|
would be struck with terror and astonishment to hear of the slaying
|
|||
|
of Eli's sons, the breaking of Eli's neck, and the dispersion of
|
|||
|
Eli's family. Lord, how terrible art thou in thy judgments! If this
|
|||
|
be done in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Note, God's
|
|||
|
judgments upon others should affect us with a holy fear, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.120" parsed="|Ps|119|120|0|0" passage="Ps 119:120">Ps. cxix. 120</scripRef>. (2.) That these
|
|||
|
direful first-fruits of the execution would be certain earnests of
|
|||
|
the progress and full accomplishment of it: <i>When I begin I
|
|||
|
will</i> proceed and <i>make an end</i> of all that I have
|
|||
|
threatened, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.12" parsed="|1Sam|3|12|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
|
|||
|
It is intimated that it might possibly be some time before he would
|
|||
|
begin, but let them not call that forbearance an acquittance, nor
|
|||
|
that reprieve a pardon; for when at length he does begin he will
|
|||
|
make thorough work of it, and, though he stay long, he will strike
|
|||
|
home. (3.) That no room should be left for hope that this sentence
|
|||
|
might be reversed and the execution stayed or mitigated, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.14" parsed="|1Sam|3|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. [1.] God would not
|
|||
|
revoke the sentence, for he backed it with an oath: <i>I have sworn
|
|||
|
to the house of Eli;</i> and God will not go back from what he has
|
|||
|
sworn either in mercy or judgment. [2.] He would never come to a
|
|||
|
composition for the forfeiture: "The <i>iniquity of Eli's house
|
|||
|
shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.</i> No
|
|||
|
atonement shall be made for the sin, nor any abatement of the
|
|||
|
punishment." This was the imperfection of the legal sacrifices,
|
|||
|
that there were iniquities which they did not reach, which they
|
|||
|
would not purge; <i>but the blood of Christ cleanseth from all
|
|||
|
sin,</i> and secures all those that by faith are interested in it
|
|||
|
from that eternal death which is the wages of sin.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p14">II. The delivery of this message to Eli.
|
|||
|
Observe,</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p15">1. Samuel's modest concealment of it,
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.15" parsed="|1Sam|3|15|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. (1.) He
|
|||
|
<i>lay till the morning,</i> and we may well suppose he lay awake
|
|||
|
pondering on what he had heard, repeating it to himself, and
|
|||
|
considering what use he must make of it. After we have received the
|
|||
|
spiritual food of God's word, it is good to compose ourselves, and
|
|||
|
give it time to digest. (2.) <i>He opened the doors of the house of
|
|||
|
the Lord,</i> in the morning, as he used to do, being up first in
|
|||
|
the tabernacle. That he should do so at other times was an instance
|
|||
|
of extraordinary towardliness in a child, but that he should do so
|
|||
|
this morning was an instance of great humility. God had highly
|
|||
|
honoured him above all the children of his people, yet he was not
|
|||
|
proud of the honour, nor puffed up with it, did not think himself
|
|||
|
too great and too good to be employed in these mean and servile
|
|||
|
offices, but, as cheerfully as ever, went and opened the doors of
|
|||
|
the tabernacle. Note, Those to whom God manifests himself he makes
|
|||
|
and keeps low in their own eyes, and willing to stoop to any thing
|
|||
|
by which they may be serviceable to his glory, though but as
|
|||
|
door-keepers in his house. One would have expected that Samuel
|
|||
|
would be so full of his vision as to forget his ordinary service,
|
|||
|
that he would go among his companions, as one in an ecstasy, to
|
|||
|
tell them what converse he had had with God this night; but he
|
|||
|
modestly keeps it to himself, tells the vision to no man, but
|
|||
|
silently goes on in his business. Our secret communion with God is
|
|||
|
not to be proclaimed upon the house-tops. (3.) <i>He feared to show
|
|||
|
Eli the vision.</i> If he was afraid Eli would be angry with him
|
|||
|
and chide him, then we have cause to suspect that Eli used to be as
|
|||
|
severe with this towardly child as he was indulgent to his own
|
|||
|
wicked sons, and this will bear hard upon him. But we will suppose
|
|||
|
it was rather because he was afraid to grieve and trouble the good
|
|||
|
old man that he was so shy. If he had run immediately with the
|
|||
|
tidings to Eli, this would have looked as if he desired the woeful
|
|||
|
day and hoped to build his own family upon the ruin of Eli's;
|
|||
|
therefore it became him not to be forward to declare the vision. No
|
|||
|
good man can take pleasure in bringing evil tidings, especially not
|
|||
|
Samuel to Eli, the pupil to the tutor whom he loves and
|
|||
|
honours.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p16">2. Eli's careful enquiry into it, <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.16-1Sam.3.17" parsed="|1Sam|3|16|3|17" passage="1Sa 3:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>. As soon as ever
|
|||
|
he heard Samuel stirring he called for him, probably to his
|
|||
|
bed-side; and, having before perceived that God had spoken to him,
|
|||
|
he obliged him, not only by importunity (<i>I pray thee, hide it
|
|||
|
not from me</i>), but, finding him timorous and backward, by an
|
|||
|
adjuration likewise—<i>God do so to thee, and more also, if thou
|
|||
|
hide any thing from me!</i> He had reason enough to fear that the
|
|||
|
message prophesied no good concerning him, but evil; and yet,
|
|||
|
because it was a message from God, he could not contentedly be
|
|||
|
ignorant of it. A good man desires to be acquainted with all the
|
|||
|
will of God, whether it make for him or against him. His
|
|||
|
adjuration—<i>God do so to thee, if thou hide any thing from
|
|||
|
me</i>—may intimate the fearful doom of unfaithful watchmen; if
|
|||
|
they warn not sinners, they bring upon themselves that wrath and
|
|||
|
curse which they should have denounced, in God's name, against
|
|||
|
those that <i>go on still in their trespasses.</i></p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p17">3. Samuel's faithful delivery of his
|
|||
|
message at last (<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.18" parsed="|1Sam|3|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:18"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
18</scripRef>): <i>He told him every whit.</i> When he saw that he
|
|||
|
must tell him he never minced the matter, nor offered to make it
|
|||
|
better than it was, to blunt that which was sharp, or to gild the
|
|||
|
bitter pill, but delivered the message as plainly and fully as he
|
|||
|
received it, <i>not shunning to declare the whole counsel of
|
|||
|
God.</i> Christ's ministers must deal thus faithfully.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p18">4. Eli's pious acquiescence in it. He did
|
|||
|
not question Samuel's integrity, was not cross with him, nor had he
|
|||
|
any thing to object against the equity of the sentence. He did not
|
|||
|
complain of the punishment, as Cain did, that it was greater than
|
|||
|
he either deserved or could bear, but patiently submitted, and
|
|||
|
accepted the punishment of his iniquity. <i>It is the Lord, let him
|
|||
|
do what seemeth him good.</i> He understood the sentence to intend
|
|||
|
only a temporal punishment, and the entail of disgrace and poverty
|
|||
|
upon his posterity, and not a final separation of them from the
|
|||
|
favour of God, and therefore he cheerfully submitted, did not
|
|||
|
repine, because he knew the demerits of his family; nor did he now
|
|||
|
intercede for the reversing of the sentence, because God had
|
|||
|
ratified it with a solemn oath, of which he would not repent. He
|
|||
|
therefore composes himself into a humble resignation to God's will,
|
|||
|
as Aaron, in a case not much unlike. <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.10.3" parsed="|Lev|10|3|0|0" passage="Le 10:3">Lev. x. 3</scripRef>, <i>He held his peace.</i> In a few
|
|||
|
words, (1.) He lays down this satisfying truth, "<i>It is the
|
|||
|
Lord;</i> it is he that pronounces the judgment, from whose bar
|
|||
|
there lies no appeal and against whose sentence there lies no
|
|||
|
exception. It is he that will execute the judgment, whose power
|
|||
|
cannot be resisted, his justice arraigned, nor his sovereignty
|
|||
|
contested. <i>It is the Lord,</i> who will thus sanctify and
|
|||
|
glorify himself, and it is highly fit he should. <i>It is the
|
|||
|
Lord,</i> with whom there is no unrighteousness, who never did nor
|
|||
|
ever will do any wrong to any of his creatures, nor exact more than
|
|||
|
their iniquity deserves." (2.) He infers from it this satisfying
|
|||
|
conclusion: "<i>Let him do what seemeth him good.</i> I have
|
|||
|
nothing to say against his proceedings. He is righteous in all his
|
|||
|
ways and holy in all his works, and therefore <i>his will be done.
|
|||
|
I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned
|
|||
|
against him.</i>" Thus we ought to quiet ourselves under God's
|
|||
|
rebuke, and never to strive with our Maker.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="iSam.iv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19-1Sam.3.21" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|3|21" passage="1Sa 3:19-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Sam.3.19-1Sam.3.21">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="iSam.iv-p18.3">Samuel Honoured as a
|
|||
|
Prophet. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p18.4">b. c.</span> 1128.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="iSam.iv-p19">19 And Samuel grew, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p19.1">Lord</span> was with him, and did let none of his words
|
|||
|
fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to
|
|||
|
Beer-sheba knew that Samuel <i>was</i> established <i>to be</i> a
|
|||
|
prophet of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p19.2">Lord</span>. 21 And
|
|||
|
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p19.3">Lord</span> appeared again in Shiloh:
|
|||
|
for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p19.4">Lord</span> revealed himself to
|
|||
|
Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iSam.iv-p19.5">Lord</span>.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p20">Samuel being thus brought acquainted with
|
|||
|
the visions of God, we have here an account of the further honour
|
|||
|
done him as a prophet.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p21">I. God did him honour. Having begun to
|
|||
|
favour him, he carried on and crowned his own work in him:
|
|||
|
<i>Samuel grew, for the Lord was with him,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. All our increase in wisdom and
|
|||
|
grace is owing to the presence of God with us; this is all in all
|
|||
|
to our growth. God honoured Samuel, 1. By further manifestations of
|
|||
|
himself to him. Samuel had faithfully delivered the message he was
|
|||
|
entrusted with, and therefore God employed him again in his
|
|||
|
service: <i>The Lord revealed himself again to Samuel in
|
|||
|
Shiloh,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.21" parsed="|1Sam|3|21|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
|
|||
|
Note, God will graciously repeat his visits to those that receive
|
|||
|
them aright. 2. By fulfilling what he spoke by him: <i>God did let
|
|||
|
none of his words fall to the ground,</i> <scripRef id="iSam.iv-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.19" parsed="|1Sam|3|19|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. Whatever Samuel said, as a
|
|||
|
prophet, it proved true, and was accomplished in its season.
|
|||
|
Probably there were some remarkable instances of the truth of
|
|||
|
Samuel's predictions that happened soon after, which confirmed
|
|||
|
those that were afterwards to be fulfilled, and gave general
|
|||
|
satisfaction as to his mission. God will <i>confirm the word of his
|
|||
|
servants,</i> and <i>perform the counsel of his messengers</i>
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.26" parsed="|Isa|44|26|0|0" passage="Isa 44:26">Isa. xliv. 26</scripRef>), and will
|
|||
|
do what he hath said.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="iSam.iv-p22">II. Israel did him honour. They all knew
|
|||
|
and owned <i>that Samuel was established to be a prophet,</i>
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="iSam.iv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.20" parsed="|1Sam|3|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. 1. He grew
|
|||
|
famous; all that came up to Shiloh to worship took notice of him,
|
|||
|
and admired him, and talked of him when they returned home. Early
|
|||
|
piety will be the greatest honour of young people, and bring them,
|
|||
|
as much as any thing, and as soon, into reputation. Those that
|
|||
|
honour God he will honour. 2. He grew useful and very serviceable
|
|||
|
to his generation. He that began betimes to <i>be</i> good soon
|
|||
|
came to <i>do</i> good. His established commission from God, and
|
|||
|
established reputation with the people, gave him a great
|
|||
|
opportunity of shining as a light in Israel. When old Eli was
|
|||
|
rejected, young Samuel was established; for God will never leave
|
|||
|
himself without a witness nor his church without a guide.</p>
|
|||
|
</div></div2>
|