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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Samuel had promised Israel, from God, that they should have a king; it
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is strange that the next news is not of candidates setting up for the
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government, making an interest in the people, or recommending
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themselves to Samuel, and, by him, to God, to be put in nomination. Why
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does not the prince of the tribe of Judah, whoever he is, look about
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him now, remembering Jacob's entail of the sceptre on that tribe? Is
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there never a bold aspiring man in Israel, to say, "I will be king, if
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God will choose me?" No, none appears, whether it is owing to a
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culpable mean-spiritedness or a laudable humility I know not; but
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surely it is what can scarcely be paralleled in the history of any
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kingdom; a crown, such a crown, set up, and nobody bids for it. Most
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governments began in the ambition of the prince to rule, but Israel's
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in the ambition of the people to be ruled. Had any of those elders who
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petitioned for a king afterwards petitioned to be king, I should have
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suspected that person's ambition to have been at the bottom of the
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motion; but now (let them have the praise of what was good in them) it
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was not so. God having, in the law, undertaken to choose their king
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+17:15">Deut. xvii. 15</A>),
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they all sit still, till they hear from heaven, and that they do in
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this chapter, which begins the story of Saul, their first king, and, by
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strange steps of Providence, brings him to Samuel to be anointed
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privately, and so to be prepared for an election by lot, and a public
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commendation to the people, which follows in the next chapter. Here
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is,
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I. A short account of Saul's parentage and person,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. A large and particular account of the bringing of him to Samuel, to
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whom he had been before altogether a stranger.
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1. God, by revelation, had told Samuel to expect him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:15,16">ver. 15, 16</A>.
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2. God, by providence, led him to Samuel.
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(1.) Being sent to seek his father's asses, he was at a loss,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:3-5">ver. 3-5</A>.
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(2.) By the advice of his servant, he determined to consult Samuel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:6-10">ver. 6-10</A>.
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(3.) By the direction of the young maidens, he found him out,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:11-14">ver. 11-14</A>.
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(4.) Samuel, being informed of God concerning him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:17">ver. 17</A>),
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treated him with respect in the gate
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:18-21">ver. 18-21</A>),
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in the dining-room
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:22">ver. 22-24</A>),
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and at length in private, where he prepared him to hear the surprising
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news that he must be king,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:25-27">ver. 25-27</A>.
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And these beginnings would have been very hopeful and promising if it
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had not been that the sin of the people was the spring of this great
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affair.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Parentage of Saul.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1075.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name <I>was</I> Kish, the
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son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of
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Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
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2 And he had a son, whose name <I>was</I> Saul, a choice young man,
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and a goodly: and <I>there was</I> not among the children of Israel a
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goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward <I>he was</I>
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higher than any of the people.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are here told,
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1. What a good family Saul was of,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He was of the tribe of Benjamin; so was the New-Testament Saul, who
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also was called <I>Paul,</I> and he mentions it as his honour, for
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Benjamin was a favourite,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:1,Php+3:5">Rom. xi. 1; Phil. iii. 5</A>.
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That tribe had been reduced to a very small number by the fatal war
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with Gibeah, and much ado there was to provide wives for those 600 men
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that were the poor remains of it out of that diminished tribe, which is
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here called, with good reason, <I>the smallest of the tribes of
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Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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Saul sprang as a root out of a dry ground. That tribe, though fewest in
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number, was first in dignity, <I>God giving more abundant honour to
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that part which lacked,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+12:24">1 Cor. xii. 24</A>.
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His father was <I>Kish, a mighty man of power,</I> or, as the margin
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reads it, <I>in substance;</I> in spirit bold, in body strong, in
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estate wealthy. The whole lot of the tribe of Benjamin coming to be
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distributed among 600 men, we may suppose their inheritances were much
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larger than theirs who were of other tribes, an advantage which
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somewhat helped to balance the disadvantage of the smallness of their
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number.
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2. What a good figure Saul made,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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No mention is here made of his wisdom or virtue, his learning or piety,
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or any of the accomplishments of his mind, but that he was a tall,
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proper, handsome man, that had a good face, a good shape, and a good
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presence, graceful and well proportioned: <I>Among all the children of
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Israel there was not a goodlier person than he;</I> and, as if nature
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had marked him for pre-eminence and superiority, he was taller by the
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head and shoulders than any of the people, the fitter to be a match for
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the giants of Gath, the champions of the Philistines. When God chose a
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king after his own heart he pitched upon one that was not at all
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remarkable for the height of his stature, nor any thing in his
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countenance but the innocence and sweetness that appeared there,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+16:7,12"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 7, 12</A>.
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But when he chose a king after the people's heart, who aimed at nothing
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so much as stateliness and grandeur, he pitched upon this huge tall
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man, who, if he had no other good qualities, yet would look great. It
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does not appear that he excelled in strength so much as he did in
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stature; Samson did, and him they slighted, bound, and betrayed into
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the hands of the Philistines; justly therefore are they now put off
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with one who, though of uncommon height, is weak as other men. They
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would have a king like the nations, and the nations commonly chose
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portly men for their kings.</P>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Sa9_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Seeks His Father's Asses; Saul Goes to Seek Samuel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1075.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said
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to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and
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arise, go seek the asses.
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4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the
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land of Shalisha, but they found <I>them</I> not: then they passed
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through the land of Shalim, and <I>there they were</I> not: and he
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passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found <I>them</I>
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not.
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5 <I>And</I> when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to
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his servant that <I>was</I> with him, Come, and let us return; lest my
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father leave <I>caring</I> for the asses, and take thought for us.
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6 And he said unto him, Behold now, <I>there is</I> in this city a
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man of God, and <I>he is</I> a honourable man; all that he saith
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cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can
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shew us our way that we should go.
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7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, <I>if</I> we go, what
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shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels,
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and <I>there is</I> not a present to bring to the man of God: what
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have we?
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8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have
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here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: <I>that</I> will I
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give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
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9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God,
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thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for <I>he that is</I>
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now <I>called</I> a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
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10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go.
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So they went unto the city where the man of God <I>was.</I>
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. A great man rising from small beginnings. It does not appear that
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Saul had any preferment at all, or was in any post of honour or trust,
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till he was chosen king of Israel. Most that are advanced rise
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gradually, but Saul, from the level with his neighbours, stepped at
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once into the throne, according to that of Hannah, He <I>raiseth up the
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poor out of the dust, to set them among princes,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+2:8">1 Sam. ii. 8</A>.
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Saul, it should seem, though he was himself married and had children
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grown up, yet lived in his father's house, and was subject to him.
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Promotion comes not by chance nor human probabilities, but God is the
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Judge.</P>
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<P>
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II. A great event arising from small occurrences. How low does the
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history begin! Having to trace Saul to the crown, we find him first
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employed as meanly as any we meet with called out to preferment.</P>
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<P>
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1. Saul's father sends him with one of his servants to seek some asses
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that he had lost. It may be they had no way then to give public notice
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of such a number of asses strayed or stolen out of the grounds of Kish
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the Benjamite. A very good law they had to oblige men to bring back an
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ox or an ass that went astray, but it is to be feared that was, as
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other good laws, neglected and forgotten. It is easy to observe here
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that those who have must expect to lose, that it is wisdom to look
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after what is lost, that no man should think it below him to know the
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state of his flocks, that children should be forward to serve their
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parents' interests. Saul readily went to <I>seek his father's
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asses,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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His taking care of the asses is to be ascribed, not so much to the
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humility of his spirit as to the plainness and simplicity of those
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times. But his obedience to his father in it was very commendable.
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<I>Seest thou a man diligent in his business,</I> and dutiful to his
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superiors, willing to stoop and willing to take pains? he does as Saul
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stand fair for preferment. The servant of Kish would be faithful only
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as a servant, but Saul as a son, in his own business, and therefore he
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was sent with him. Saul and his servants travelled far (probably on
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foot) in quest of the asses, but in vain: they found them not. He
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missed of what he sought, but had no reason to complain of the
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disappointment, for he met with the kingdom, which he never dreamed
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of.</P>
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<P>
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2. When he could not find them, he determined to return to his father
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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in consideration of his father's tender concern for him, being
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apprehensive that if they staid out any longer his aged father would
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begin to fear, as Jacob concerning Joseph, that an evil beast had
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devoured them or some mischief had befallen them; he will <I>leave
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caring for the asses,</I> as much as he was in care about them, and
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<I>will take thought for us.</I> Children should take care that they do
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nothing to grieve or frighten their parents, but be tender of their
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tenderness.</P>
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<P>
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3. His servant proposed (for, it should seem, he had more religion in
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him than his master) that, since they were now at Ramah, they should
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call on Samuel, and take his advice in this important affair. Observe
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here,
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(1.) They were close by the city where Samuel lived, and that put it
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into their heads to consult him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>There is in this city a man of God.</I> Note, Wherever we are we
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should improve our opportunities of acquainting ourselves with those
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that are wise and good. But there are many that will consult a man of
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God, if he comes in their way, that would not go a step out of their
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way to get wisdom.
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(2.) The servant spoke very respectfully concerning Samuel, though he
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had not personal knowledge of him, but by common fame only: <I>He is a
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man of God, and an honourable man.</I> Note, Men of God are honourable
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men, and should be so in our eyes. Acquaintance with the things of God,
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and serviceableness to the kingdom of God, put true honour upon men,
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and make them great. This was the honour of Samuel, as a man of God,
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that <I>all he saith comes surely to pass.</I> This was observed
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concerning him when he was a young prophet
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+3:19"><I>ch.</I> iii. 19</A>),
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<I>God did let none of his words fall to the ground;</I> and still it
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held true.
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(3.) They agreed to consult him concerning <I>the way that they should
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go; peradventure he can show us.</I> All the use they would make of the
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man of God was to be advised by him whether they should return home,
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or, if there were any hopes of finding the asses, which way they must
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go next--a poor business to employ a prophet about! Had they said, "Let
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us give up the asses for lost, and, now that we are so near the man of
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God, let us go and learn from him the good knowledge of God, let us
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consult him how we may order our conversations a right, and enquire the
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law at his mouth, since we may not have such another opportunity, and
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then we shall not lose our journey"--the proposal would have been such
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as became Israelites; but to make prophecy, that glory of Israel, serve
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so mean a turn as this, discovered too much what manner of spirit they
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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
|
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business of the men of God to direct for the recovery of lost asses,
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they would be consulted much more than they are now that it is their
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business to direct for the recovery of lost souls; so preposterous is
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the care of most men!
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(4.) Saul was thoughtful what present they should bring to the man of
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God, what fee they should give him for his advice
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>What shall we bring the man?</I> They could not present him, as
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Jeroboam's wife did Ahijah, with loaves and cakes
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+14:3">1 Kings xiv. 3</A>),
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for their bread was spent; but the servant bethought himself that he
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had in his pocket the fourth part of a shekel, about seven-pence
|
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halfpenny in value, and <I>that</I> he would give to the man of God to
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direct them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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"That will do," says Saul; "<I>let us go,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Some think that when Saul talked of giving Samuel a fee he measured him
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by himself, or by his sons, as if he must be hired to do an honest
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Israelite a kindness, and was like the false prophets, that <I>divined
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for money,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+3:11">Mic. iii. 11</A>.
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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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Introduced to Samuel.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1070.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> 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 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto him, Behold the
|
|
man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my
|
|
people.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. Saul, by an ordinary enquiry, is directed to Samuel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:11-14"><I>v.</I> 11-14</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:31">John i. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Yet I do not think it any commendation to Saul that he was a stranger
|
|
to Samuel. However,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+7:17"><I>ch.</I> vii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:21"><I>ch.</I> viii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+3:7">Amos iii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:14">Job xxxiii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:16">2 Cor. iii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:18"><I>ch.</I> viii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
2. When Saul came up towards him in the street God again whispered
|
|
Samuel in the ear
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Sa9_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Saul Entertained by Samuel.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1070.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
I. In the gate of the city; passing through that, Saul found him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:9">Gal. iv. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
his father was a <I>mighty man of power,</I> yet he himself speaks
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diminishingly of his tribe and family. "Benjamin, the youngest of
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Jacob's sons, when grown up to be a man, was called a <I>little one</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+44:20">Gen. xliv. 20</A>);
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that tribe was diminished by the war of Gibeah; and <I>I am a
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Benjamite, my family the least,</I>" probably a younger house, not in
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|
any place of honour or trust, no, not in their own tribe. Gideon had
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|
expressed himself thus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:15">Judg. vi. 15</A>.
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A humble disposition is a good presage of preferment.</P>
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<P>
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II. At the public feast; thither Samuel took him and his servant.
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Though the advancement of Saul would be the deposing of Samuel, yet
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that good prophet was so far from envying him, or bearing him any
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ill-will for it, that he was the first and forwardest man to do him
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|
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.
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|
We may suppose it was no unseasonable kindness to Saul to give him a
|
|
meal's meat, for it seems, by what he said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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that all their meat and money were spent. But this was not all. Samuel
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|
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.
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|
Two marks of honour he put upon him:--
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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>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:9">Luke xiv. 9</A>.
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|
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>
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
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|
|
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
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
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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
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:23,24"><I>v.</I> 23, 24</A>).
|
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|
|
The right shoulder of the peace-offerings was to be given to the
|
|
priests, who were God's receivers
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+7:32">Lev. vii. 32</A>);
|
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|
|
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>
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:25,26"><I>v.</I> 25, 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+2:27">1 John ii. 27</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>the same anointing teacheth you of all things.</I></P>
|
|
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