mh_parser/vol_split/9 - 1Samuel/Chapter 3.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>