mh_parser/vol_split/7 - Judges/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="Jud.xiv" n="xiv" next="Jud.xv" prev="Jud.xiii" progress="17.87%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="Jud.xiv-p0.1">J U D G E S</h2>
<h3 id="Jud.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jud.xiv-p1">At this chapter begins the story of Samson, the
last of the judges of Israel whose story is recorded in this book,
and next before Eli. The passages related concerning him are, from
first to last, very surprising and uncommon. The figure he makes in
this history is really great, and yet vastly different from that of
his predecessors. We never find him at the head either of a court
or of an army, never upon the throne of judgment nor in the field
of battle, yet, in his own proper person, a great patriot of his
country, and a terrible scourge and check to its enemies and
oppressors; he was an eminent believer (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.32" parsed="|Heb|11|32|0|0" passage="Heb 11:32">Heb. xi. 32</scripRef>) and a glorious type of him who
with his own arm wrought salvation. The history of the rest of the
judges commences from their advancement to that station, but
Samson's begins with his birth, nay, with his conception, no less
than an angel from heaven ushers him into the world, as a pattern
of what should be afterwards done to John Baptist and to Christ.
This is related in this chapter. I. The occasion of raising up this
deliverer was the oppression of Israel by the Philistines,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.1" parsed="|Judg|13|1|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. His birth is
foretold by an angel to his mother, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.2-Judg.13.5" parsed="|Judg|13|2|13|5" passage="Jdg 13:2-5">ver. 2-5</scripRef>. III. She relates the prediction
to his father, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.6-Judg.13.7" parsed="|Judg|13|6|13|7" passage="Jdg 13:6,7">ver. 6, 7</scripRef>.
IV. They both together have it again from the angel (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.8-Judg.13.14" parsed="|Judg|13|8|13|14" passage="Jdg 13:8-14">ver. 8-14</scripRef>), whom they treat with
respect (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.15-Judg.13.18" parsed="|Judg|13|15|13|18" passage="Jdg 13:15-18">ver. 15-18</scripRef>),
and who, to their great amazement, discovers his dignity at
parting, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.19-Judg.13.23" parsed="|Judg|13|19|13|23" passage="Jdg 13:19-23">ver. 19-23</scripRef>. V.
Samson is born, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.24-Judg.13.25" parsed="|Judg|13|24|13|25" passage="Jdg 13:24,25">ver. 24,
25</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Jud.xiv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13" parsed="|Judg|13|0|0|0" passage="Jud 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jud.xiv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.1-Judg.13.7" parsed="|Judg|13|1|13|7" passage="Jud 13:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.13.1-Judg.13.7">
<h4 id="Jud.xiv-p1.11">An Angel Appears to Manoah's
Wife. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1161.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.xiv-p2">1 And the children of Israel did evil again in
the sight of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p2.1">Lord</span>; and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p2.2">Lord</span> delivered them into the hand of the
Philistines forty years.   2 And there was a certain man of
Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name <i>was</i> Manoah;
and his wife <i>was</i> barren, and bare not.   3 And the
angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p2.3">Lord</span> appeared unto the
woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou <i>art</i> barren, and
bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.   4 Now
therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink,
and eat not any unclean <i>thing:</i>   5 For, lo, thou shalt
conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for
the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall
begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.  
6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God
came unto me, and his countenance <i>was</i> like the countenance
of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he
<i>was,</i> neither told he me his name:   7 But he said unto
me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no
wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean <i>thing:</i> for
the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of
his death.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p3">The first verse gives us a short account,
such as we have too often met with already, of the great distress
that Israel was in, which gave occasion for the raising up of a
deliverer. They did evil, as they had done, <i>in the sight of the
Lord,</i> and then God delivered them, as he had done, into the
hands of their enemies. If there had been no sin, there would have
needed no Saviour; but sin was suffered to abound, that grace might
much more abound. The enemies God now sold them to were the
Philistines, their next neighbours, that lay among them, the first
and chief of the nations which were devoted to destruction, but
which God <i>left to prove them</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.3.1 Bible:Judg.3.3" parsed="|Judg|3|1|0|0;|Judg|3|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 3:1,3"><i>ch.</i> iii. 1, 3</scripRef>), <i>the five lords of
the Philistines,</i> an inconsiderable people in comparison with
Israel (they had but five cities of any note), and yet, when God
made use of them as the staff in his hand, they were very
oppressive and vexatious. And this trouble lasted longer than any
yet: it continued forty years, though probably not always alike
violent. When Israel was in this distress Samson was born; and here
we have his birth foretold by an angel. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p4">I. His extraction. He was of the tribe of
Dan, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.2" parsed="|Judg|13|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
<i>Dan</i> signifies a <i>judge</i> or <i>judgment,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.30.6" parsed="|Gen|30|6|0|0" passage="Ge 30:6">Gen. xxx. 6</scripRef>. And probably it was with
an eye to Samson that dying Jacob foretold, <i>Dan shall judge his
people,</i> that is, "he shall produce a judge for his people,
though one of the sons of the handmaids, as one, as well as any
one, of the tribes of Israel," <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.16" parsed="|Gen|49|16|0|0" passage="Ge 49:16">Gen.
xlix. 16</scripRef>. The lot of the tribe of Dan lay next to the
country of the Philistines, and therefore one of that tribe was
most fit to be made a bridle upon them. His parents had been long
childless. Many eminent persons were born of mothers that had been
kept a great while in the want of the blessing of children, as
Isaac, Joseph, Samuel, and John Baptist, that the mercy might be
the more acceptable when it did come. <i>Sing, O barren! thou that
didst not bear,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.1" parsed="|Isa|54|1|0|0" passage="Isa 54:1">Isa. liv.
1</scripRef>. Note, Mercies long waited for often prove signal
mercies, and it is made to appear that they were worth waiting for,
and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in
God's mercy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p5">II. The glad tidings brought to his mother,
that she should have a son. The messenger was an <i>angel of the
Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.3" parsed="|Judg|13|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), yet
appearing as a man, with the aspect and garb of a prophet, or man
of God. And this angel (as the learned bishop Patrick supposes, on
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.18" parsed="|Judg|13|18|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>) was the Lord
himself, that is, the <i>Word of the Lord,</i> who was to be the
Messiah, for his name is called <i>Wonderful,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.18" parsed="|Judg|13|18|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>, and <i>Jehovah,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.19" parsed="|Judg|13|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. The great
Redeemer did in a particular manner concern himself about this
typical redeemer. It was not so much for the sake of Manoah and his
wife, obscure Danites, that this extraordinary message was sent,
but for Israel's sake, whose deliverer he was to be, and not only
so (his services to Israel not seeming to answer to the grandeur of
his entry) but for the Messiah's sake, whose type he was to be, and
whose birth must be foretold by an angel, as his was. The angel, in
the message he delivers, 1. Takes notice of her affliction:
<i>Behold now, thou art barren and bearest not.</i> Hence she might
gather he was a prophet, that though a stranger to her, and one she
had never seen before, yet he knew this to be her grievance. He
tells her of it, not to upbraid her with it, but because perhaps at
this time she was actually thinking of this affliction and
bemoaning herself as one written childless. God often sends in
comfort to his people very seasonably, when they feel most from
their troubles. "<i>Now</i> thou art barren, but thou shalt not be
always so," as she feared, "nor long so." 2. He assures her that
she should <i>conceive and bear a son</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.3" parsed="|Judg|13|3|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>) and repeats the assurance,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.5" parsed="|Judg|13|5|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. To show the
power of a divine word, the strongest man that ever was was a child
of promise, as Isaac, born by force and virtue of a promise, and
faith in that promise, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.11 Bible:Gal.4.23" parsed="|Heb|11|11|0|0;|Gal|4|23|0|0" passage="Heb 11:11,Ga 4:23">Heb.
xi. 11; Gal. iv. 23</scripRef>. Many a woman, after having been
long barren, has borne a son by providence, but Samson was by
promise, because a figure of the promised seed, so long expected by
the faith of the Old-Testament saints, 3. He appoints that the
child should be a Nazarite from his birth, and therefore that the
mother should be subject to the law of the Nazarites (though not
under the vow of a Nazarite) and should <i>drink no wine or strong
drink</i> so long as this child was to have its nourishment from
her, either in the womb or at the breast, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.4-Judg.13.5" parsed="|Judg|13|4|13|5" passage="Jdg 13:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. Observe, This deliverer of
Israel must be in the strictest manner devoted to God and an
example of holiness. It is spoken of as a kindness to the people
that God raised up of their young men for Nazarites, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Amos.2.11" parsed="|Amos|2|11|0|0" passage="Am 2:11">Amos ii. 11</scripRef>. Other judges had
corrected their apostasies from God, but Samson must appear as one,
more than any of them, consecrated to God; and, notwithstanding
what we read of his faults, we have reason to think that being a
Nazarite of God's making he did, in the course of his conversation,
exemplify, not only the ceremony, but the substance of that
<i>separation to the Lord</i> in which the Nazariteship did
consist, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.6.2" parsed="|Num|6|2|0|0" passage="Nu 6:2">Num. vi. 2</scripRef>. Those
that would save others must by singular piety distinguish
themselves. Samuel, who carried on Israel's deliverance from the
Philistines, was a Nazarite by his mother's vow (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.11" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.1.11" parsed="|1Sam|1|11|0|0" passage="1Sa 1:11">1 Sam. i. 11</scripRef>), as Samson by the divine
appointment. The mother of this deliverer must therefore deny
herself, and not eat any unclean thing; what was lawful at another
time was now to be forborne. As the promise tried her faith, so
this precept tried her obedience; for God requires both from those
on whom he will bestow his favours. Women with child ought
conscientiously to avoid whatever they have reason to think will be
any way prejudicial to the health or good constitution of the fruit
of their body. And perhaps Samson's mother was to refrain from wine
and strong drink, not only because he was designed for a Nazarite,
but because he was designed for a man of great strength, which his
mother's temperance would contribute to. 4. He foretels the service
which this child should do to his country: <i>He shall begin to
deliver Israel.</i> Note, It is very desirable that our children
may be not only devoted entirely to God themselves, but
instrumental for the good of others, and the service of their
generation—not recluses, candles <i>under a bushel,</i> but <i>on
a candlestick.</i> Observe, <i>He shall begin</i> to deliver
Israel. This intimated that the oppression of the Philistines
should last long, for Israel's deliverance from it should not so
much as begin, not one step be taken towards it, till this child,
who was now unborn, should have grown up to a capacity of beginning
it. And yet he must not complete the deliverance: he shall only
<i>begin</i> to deliver Israel, which intimates that the trouble
should still be prolonged. God chooses to carry on his work
gradually and by several hands. One lays the foundation of a good
work, another builds, and perhaps a third brings forth the top
stone. Now herein Samson was a type of Christ, (1.) As a Nazarite
to God, a Nazarite from the womb. For, though our Lord Jesus was
not a Nazarite himself, yet he was typified by the Nazarites, as
being perfectly pure from all sin, not so much as conceived in it,
and entirely devoted to his Father's honour. Of the Jewish church,
<i>as concerning the flesh, Christ came,</i> because to them
pertained the promise of him, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p5.12" osisRef="Bible:Rom.9.4-Rom.9.5" parsed="|Rom|9|4|9|5" passage="Ro 9:4,5">Rom. ix.
4, 5</scripRef>. By virtue of that promise, he long lay as it were
in the womb of that church, which for many ages was pregnant of
him, and therefore, like Samson's mother, during that pregnancy was
made a holy nation and a peculiar people, and strictly forbidden to
<i>touch any unclean thing for his sake,</i> who in the fulness of
time was to come from them. (2.) As a deliverer of Israel; for he
is Jesus a Saviour, who saves his people from their sins. But with
this difference: Samson did only begin to deliver Israel (David was
afterwards raised up to complete the destruction of the
Philistines), but our Lord Jesus is both Samson and David too, both
the <i>author and finisher of our faith.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p6">III. The report which Manoah's wife, in a
transport of joy, brings in all haste to her husband, of this
surprising message <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.6-Judg.13.7" parsed="|Judg|13|6|13|7" passage="Jdg 13:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6,
7</scripRef>. The glad tidings were brought her when she was alone,
perhaps religiously employed in meditation or prayer; but she could
not, she would not, conceal them from her husband, but gives him an
account, 1. Of the messenger. It was a man of God, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.6" parsed="|Judg|13|6|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. His countenance she
could describe; it was very awful: he had such a majesty in his
looks, such a sparkling eye, such a shining face, so powerfully
commanding reverence and respect, that according to the idea she
had of an angel he had the very countenance of one. But his name
she can give no account of, nor to what tribe or city of Israel he
belonged, for he did not think fit to tell her, and, for her part,
the very sight of him struck such an awe upon her that she durst
not ask him. She was abundantly satisfied that he was a servant of
God; his person and message she thought carried their own evidence
along with them, and she enquired no further. 2. Of the message.
She gives him a particular account both of the promise and of the
precept (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.7" parsed="|Judg|13|7|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), that
he also might believe the promise and might on all occasions be a
monitor to her to observe the precept. Thus should yoke-fellows
communicate to each other their experiences of communion with God,
and their improvements in acquaintance with him, that they may be
helpful to each other in <i>the way that is called holy.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.xiv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.8-Judg.13.14" parsed="|Judg|13|8|13|14" passage="Jud 13:8-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.13.8-Judg.13.14">
<h4 id="Jud.xiv-p6.5">The Angel's Appearance to
Manoah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p6.6">b. c.</span> 1161.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.xiv-p7">8 Then Manoah intreated the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p7.1">Lord</span>, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God
which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we
shall do unto the child that shall be born.   9 And God
hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again
unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband
<i>was</i> not with her.   10 And the woman made haste, and
ran, and showed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man
hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the <i>other</i> day.
  11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to
the man, and said unto him, <i>Art</i> thou the man that spakest
unto the woman? And he said, I <i>am.</i>   12 And Manoah
said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child,
and <i>how</i> shall we do unto him?   13 And the angel of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p7.2">Lord</span> said unto Manoah, Of all that I
said unto the woman let her beware.   14 She may not eat of
any <i>thing</i> that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink
wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean <i>thing:</i> all that I
commanded her let her observe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p8">We have here an account of a second visit
which the angel of God made to Manoah and his wife.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p9">I. Manoah earnestly prayed for it,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.8" parsed="|Judg|13|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. He was not
incredulous of the story his wife told him; he knew she was a
virtuous woman, and therefore the <i>heart of her husband did
safely trust in her;</i> he knew she would not go about to impose
upon him, much less was he, as Josephus unworthily represents him,
jealous of his wife's conversation with this stranger; but, 1. He
takes it for granted that this child of promise shall in due time
be given them, and speaks without hesitation of <i>the child that
shall be born.</i> There was <i>not found so great faith,</i> no,
not in Zechariah, a priest, then in waiting at the altar of the
Lord, and to whom the angel himself appeared, as was in this honest
Danite. Things hidden from the wise and prudent, who value
themselves upon the niceness of their enquiries, are often revealed
unto babes, who know how to prize God's gifts and to take God's
word. <i>Blessed are those that have not seen and yet,</i> as
Manoah here, <i>have believed.</i> 2. All his care is <i>what they
should do to the child</i> that should be born. Note, Good men are
more solicitous and desirous to know the duty that is to be done by
them than to know the events that shall occur concerning them; for
duty is ours, events are God's. Solomon enquires concerning the
good men should <i>do,</i> not the good they should <i>have,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.2.3" parsed="|Eccl|2|3|0|0" passage="Ec 2:3">Eccl. ii. 3</scripRef>. 3. He therefore
prays to God to send the same blessed messenger again, to give them
further instructions concerning the management of this Nazarite,
fearing lest his wife's joy for the promise might have made her
forget some part of the precept, in which he was desirous to be
fully informed, and lie under no mistake: "<i>Lord, let the man of
God come again unto us,</i> for we desire to be better acquainted
with him." Note, Those that have heard from heaven cannot but wish
to hear more thence, again and again to meet with the man of God.
Observe, He does not go or send his servants abroad, to find out
this man of God, but seeks him upon his knees, prays to God to send
him, and, thus seeking, finds him. Would we have God's messengers,
the ministers of his gospel, to bring a word proper for us, and for
our instruction? <i>Entreat the Lord</i> to send them to us, to
teach us, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.15.30 Bible:Rom.15.32" parsed="|Rom|15|30|0|0;|Rom|15|32|0|0" passage="Ro 15:30,32">Rom. xv. 30,
32</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p10">II. God graciously granted it: <i>God
hearkened to the voice of Manoah,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.9" parsed="|Judg|13|9|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Note, God will not fail some way
or other to guide those by his counsel that are sincerely desirous
to know their duty, and apply themselves to him to teach them,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.25.8-Ps.25.9" parsed="|Ps|25|8|25|9" passage="Ps 25:8,9">Ps. xxv. 8, 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p11">1. The angel appears the second time also
to the wife, when she is sitting alone, probably tending the
flocks, or otherwise well employed in the field where she has
retired. Solitude is often a good opportunity of communion with
God; good people have thought themselves never less alone than when
alone, if God be with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p12">2. She goes in all haste to call her
husband, doubtless humbly beseeching the stay of this blessed
messenger till she should return and her husband with her,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.10-Judg.13.11" parsed="|Judg|13|10|13|11" passage="Jdg 13:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>. She
did not desire him to go with her to her husband, but would fetch
her husband to him. Those that would meet with God must attend
where he is pleased to manifest himself. "Oh," says she, overjoyed,
"my dear love, thy prayers are answered—yonder is the man of God,
come to make us another visit—he that came the other day," or, as
some read it, <i>this</i> day, for <i>other</i> is not in the
original, and it is probable enough that both these visits were on
the same day, and at the same place, and that the second time she
sat expecting him. The man of God is very willing she should call
her husband, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:John.4.16" parsed="|John|4|16|0|0" passage="Joh 4:16">John iv. 16</scripRef>.
Those that have an acquaintance with the things of God themselves
should invite others to the same acquaintance, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:John.1.45-John.1.46" parsed="|John|1|45|1|46" passage="Joh 1:45,46">John i. 45, 46</scripRef>. Manoah is not disgusted
that the angel did not this second time appear to him, but very
willingly goes after his wife to the man of God. To atone (as it
were) for the first fatal miscarriage, when Eve earnestly pressed
Adam to that which was evil, and he too easily yielded to her, let
yoke-fellows excite one another to love and good works; and, if the
wife will lead, let not the husband think it any disparagement to
him to follow her in that which is virtuous and praiseworthy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p13">3. Manoah having come to the angel, and
being satisfied by him that he was the same that had appeared to
his wife, does, with all humility, (1.) Welcome the promise
(<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.12" parsed="|Judg|13|12|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>Now let
thy words come to pass;</i> this was the language, not only of his
desire, but of his faith, like that of the blessed Virgin,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.38" parsed="|Luke|1|38|0|0" passage="Lu 1:38">Luke i. 38</scripRef>. "<i>Be it
according to thy word.</i> Lord, I lay hold on what thou hast said,
and depend upon it; <i>let it come to pass.</i>" (2.) Beg that the
prescriptions given might be repeated: <i>How shall we order the
child?</i> The directions were given to his wife, but he looks upon
himself as concerned to assist her in the careful management of
this promised seed, according to order; for the utmost care of both
the parents, and their constant joint endeavour, are little enough
to be engaged for the good ordering of children that are devoted to
God and to be brought up for him. Let not one devolve it on the
other, but both do their best. Observe from Manoah's enquiry, [1.]
In general, that, when God is pleased to bestow any mercy upon us,
our great care must be how to use it well, and as we ought, because
it is then only a mercy indeed when it is rightly managed. God has
given us bodies, souls, estates; how shall we order them, that we
may answer the intent of the donor, and give a good account of
them? [2.] In particular, those to whom God has given children must
be very careful how they order them, and what they do unto them,
that they may drive out the foolishness that is <i>bound up in
their hearts,</i> form their minds and manners well betimes, and
<i>train them in the way wherein they should go.</i> Herein pious
parents will beg divine assistance. "Lord, teach us how we may
order our children, that they may be Nazarites, and living
sacrifices to thee."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p14">4. The angel repeats the directions he had
before given (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.13-Judg.13.14" parsed="|Judg|13|13|13|14" passage="Jdg 13:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13,
14</scripRef>): <i>Of all</i> that I forbad <i>let her beware;</i>
and <i>all that I commanded her let her observe.</i> Note, There is
need of a good deal both of caution and observation, for the right
ordering both of ourselves and of our children. Beware and observe;
take heed not only of drinking <i>wine</i> or <i>strong drink,</i>
but of <i>eating any thing that cometh of the vine.</i> Those that
would preserve themselves pure must keep at a distance from that
which borders upon sin or leads to it. When she was with child of a
Nazarite, she must not eat <i>any unclean thing;</i> so those <i>in
whom Christ is formed</i> must carefully <i>cleanse themselves from
all filthiness of flesh and spirit,</i> and do nothing to the
prejudice of that new man.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.xiv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.15-Judg.13.23" parsed="|Judg|13|15|13|23" passage="Jud 13:15-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.13.15-Judg.13.23">
<h4 id="Jud.xiv-p14.3">Manoah's Alarm. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p14.4">b. c.</span> 1161.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.xiv-p15">15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.1">Lord</span>, I pray thee, let us detain thee,
until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.   16 And the
angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.2">Lord</span> said unto Manoah,
Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou
wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.3">Lord</span>. For Manoah knew not that he
<i>was</i> an angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.4">Lord</span>.
  17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.5">Lord</span>, What <i>is</i> thy name, that when thy
sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?   18 And the angel
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.6">Lord</span> said unto him, Why
askest thou thus after my name, seeing it <i>is</i> secret?  
19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered <i>it</i>
upon a rock unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.7">Lord</span>: and
<i>the angel</i> did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.
  20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven
from off the altar, that the angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.8">Lord</span> ascended in the flame of the altar. And
Manoah and his wife looked on <i>it,</i> and fell on their faces to
the ground.   21 But the angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.9">Lord</span> did no more appear to Manoah and to his
wife. Then Manoah knew that he <i>was</i> an angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.10">Lord</span>.   22 And Manoah said unto his
wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.   23 But
his wife said unto him, If the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p15.11">Lord</span>
were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt
offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have
showed us all these <i>things,</i> nor would as at this time have
told us <i>such things</i> as these.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p16">We have here an account,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p17">I. Of what further passed between Manoah
and the angel at this interview. It was in kindness to him that
while the angel was with him it was concealed from him that he was
an angel; for, had he known it, it would have been such a terror to
him that he durst not have conversed with him as he did (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.16" parsed="|Judg|13|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>): <i>He knew not that
he was an angel.</i> So Christ <i>was in the world, and the world
knew him not. Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself.</i> We
could not bear the sight of the divine glory unveiled. God having
determined to speak to us by men like ourselves, prophets and
ministers, even when he spoke by his angels, or by his Son, they
appeared in the likeness of men, and were taken but for men of God.
Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p18">1. The angel declined to accept his treat,
and appointed him to turn it into a sacrifice. Manoah, being
desirous to show some token of respect and gratitude to this
venerable stranger who had brought them these glad tidings, begged
he would take some refreshment with him (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.15" parsed="|Judg|13|15|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): We will soon <i>make ready a
kid for thee.</i> Those that welcome the message will be kind to
the messengers for his sake that sends them, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.5.13" parsed="|1Thess|5|13|0|0" passage="1Th 5:13">1 Thess. v. 13</scripRef>. But the angel told him
(<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.16" parsed="|Judg|13|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) he would
<i>not eat of his bread,</i> any more than he would of Gideon's,
but, as there, directed him to offer it to God, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.20-Judg.6.21" parsed="|Judg|6|20|6|21" passage="Jdg 6:20,21"><i>ch.</i> vi. 20, 21</scripRef>. Angels need not
meat nor drink; but the glorifying of God is their meat and drink,
and it was Christ's, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:John.4.34" parsed="|John|4|34|0|0" passage="Joh 4:34">John iv.
34</scripRef>. And we in some measure do the will of God as they do
it if, though we cannot live without meat and drink, yet we eat and
drink to the glory of God, and so turn even our common meals into
sacrifices.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p19">2. The angel declined telling him his name,
and would not so far gratify his curiosity. Manoah desired to know
his name (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.17" parsed="|Judg|13|17|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>),
and of what tribe he was, not as if he doubted the truth of his
message, but that they might return his visit, and be better
acquainted with him (it is good to increase and improve our
acquaintance with good men and good ministers); and he has a
further design: "<i>That when thy sayings come to pass, we may do
thee honour,</i> celebrate thee as a true prophet, and recommend
others to thee for divine instructions,—that we may call the child
that shall be born after thy name, and so do thee honour,—or that
we may send thee a present, honouring one whom God has honoured."
But the angel denies his request with something of a check to his
curiosity (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.18" parsed="|Judg|13|18|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>):
<i>Why askest thou thus after my name?</i> Jacob himself could not
prevail for this favour, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.29" parsed="|Gen|32|29|0|0" passage="Ge 32:29">Gen. xxxii.
29</scripRef>. Note, We have not what we ask when we ask we know
not what. Manoah's request was honestly meant and yet was denied.
God told Moses his name (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.13-Exod.3.14" parsed="|Exod|3|13|3|14" passage="Ex 3:13,14">Exod. iii.
13, 14</scripRef>), because there was a particular occasion for his
knowing it, but here there was no occasion. What Manoah asked for
instruction in his duty he was readily told (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.12-Judg.13.13" parsed="|Judg|13|12|13|13" passage="Jdg 13:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>), but what he asked to
gratify his curiosity was denied. God has in his word given us full
directions concerning our duty, but never designed to answer all
the enquiries of a speculative head. He gives him a reason for his
refusal: <i>It is secret.</i> The names of angels were not as yet
revealed, to prevent the idolizing of them. After the captivity,
when the church was cured of idolatry, angels made themselves known
to Daniel by their names, Michael and Gabriel; and to Zacharias the
angel told his name unasked (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.19" parsed="|Luke|1|19|0|0" passage="Lu 1:19">Luke i.
19</scripRef>): <i>I am Gabriel.</i> But here it is <i>secret,</i>
or it is <i>wonderful,</i> too wonderful for us. One of Christ's
names is <i>Wonderful,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.9.6" parsed="|Isa|9|6|0|0" passage="Isa 9:6">Isa. ix.
6</scripRef>. His name was long a secret, but by the gospel it is
brought to light: <i>Jesus a Saviour.</i> Manoah must not ask
because he must not know. Note, (1.) There are secret things which
belong not to us, and which we must content ourselves to be in the
dark about while we are here in this world. (2.) We must therefore
never indulge a vain curiosity in our enquiries concerning these
things, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.18" parsed="|Col|2|18|0|0" passage="Col 2:18">Col. ii. 18</scripRef>.
<i>Nescire velle quae Magister maximus docere non vult erudita
inscitia est—To be willingly ignorant of those things which our
great Master refuses to teach us is to be at once ignorant and
wise.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p20">3. The angel assisted and owned their
sacrifice, and, at parting, gave them to understand who he was. He
had directed them to offer their burnt-offering to the Lord,
<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.16" parsed="|Judg|13|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Praises
offered up to God are the most acceptable entertainment of the
angels; see <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.22.9" parsed="|Rev|22|9|0|0" passage="Re 22:9">Rev. xxii. 9</scripRef>,
<i>worship God.</i> And Manoah, having so good a warrant, though he
was no priest and had no altar, turned his meat into a meat
offering, and <i>offered it upon a rock to the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.19" parsed="|Judg|13|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), that is, he brought
and laid it to be offered. "Lord, here it is, do what thou pleasest
with it." Thus we must bring our hearts to God as living
sacrifices, and submit them to the operation of his Spirit. All
things being now ready, (1.) <i>The angel did wondrously,</i> for
his name was <i>Wonderful.</i> Probably the wonder he did was the
same with what he had done for Gideon, he made fire to come either
down from heaven or up out of the rock to consume the sacrifice.
(2.) He ascended up towards heaven <i>in the flame of the
sacrifice,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.20" parsed="|Judg|13|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. By this it appeared that he was not, as they
thought, a mere man, but a messenger immediately from heaven.
Thence certainly he descended, for thither he ascended, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:John.3.13 Bible:John.6.62" parsed="|John|3|13|0|0;|John|6|62|0|0" passage="Joh 3:13,6:62">John iii. 13; vi. 62</scripRef>. This
signified God's acceptance of the offering and intimates to what we
owe the acceptance of all our offerings, even to the mediation of
the angel of the covenant, that other angel, who puts <i>much
incense to the prayers of saints</i> and <i>so offers them before
the throne,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:Rev.8.3" parsed="|Rev|8|3|0|0" passage="Re 8:3">Rev. viii. 3</scripRef>.
Prayer is the ascent of the soul to God. But it is Christ in the
heart by faith that makes it an offering of a sweet-smelling
savour: without him our services are offensive smoke, but, in him,
acceptable flame. We may apply it to Christ's sacrifice of himself
for us; he ascended in the flame of his own offering, for <i>by his
own blood he entered in once into the holy place,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.7" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.12" parsed="|Heb|9|12|0|0" passage="Heb 9:12">Heb. ix. 12</scripRef>. While the angel did
this, it is twice said (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.8" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.19-Judg.13.20" parsed="|Judg|13|19|13|20" passage="Jdg 13:19,20"><i>v.</i>
19, 20</scripRef>) <i>that Manoah and his wife looked on.</i> This
is a proof of the miracle: the matter of fact was true, for out of
the mouth of these two eye-witnesses the report of it is
established. The angel did all that was done in the sacrifice; they
did but look on; yet doubtless, when the angel ascended towards
heaven, their hearts ascended with him in thanksgiving for the
promise which came thence and in expectation of the performance to
come thence too. Yet, when the angel has ascended, they dared not,
as those that were the witnesses of Christ's ascension, stand
gazing up into heaven, but in holy fear and reverence they fell on
their faces to the ground. And now, [1.] They <i>knew that it was
an angel,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p20.9" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.21" parsed="|Judg|13|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. It was plain it was not the body of a man they saw,
since it was not chained to the earth, nor prejudiced by fire; but
ascended, and ascended in flame, and therefore with good reason
they conclude it was an angel; for he <i>maketh his angels spirits,
and his ministers a flame of fire.</i> [2.] But he did not any more
appear to them; it was for a particular occasion, now over, that he
was sent, not to settle a constant correspondence, as with
prophets. They must remember and observe what the angel had said
and not expect to hear more.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p21">II. We have an account of the impressions
which this vision made upon Manoah and his wife. While the angel
did wondrously, they looked on, and said nothing (so it becomes us
carefully to observe the wondrous works of God, and to be silent
before him); but when he had gone, having finished his work, they
had time to make their reflections. 1. In Manoah's reflection upon
it there is <i>great fear,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.22" parsed="|Judg|13|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. He had spoken with great
assurance of the son they should shortly be the joyful parents of
(<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.8 Bible:Judg.13.12" parsed="|Judg|13|8|0|0;|Judg|13|12|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:8,12"><i>v.</i> 8, 12</scripRef>), and
yet is now put into such a confusion by that very thing which
should have strengthened and encouraged his faith that he counts
upon nothing but their being both cut off immediately: <i>We shall
surely die.</i> It was a vulgar opinion generally received among
the ancient Jews that it was present death to see God or an angel;
and this notion quite overcome his faith for the present, as it did
Gideon's, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.6.22" parsed="|Judg|6|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 6:22"><i>ch.</i> vi.
22</scripRef>. 2. In his wife's reflection upon it there is great
faith, <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.23" parsed="|Judg|13|23|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Here
the weaker vessel was the stronger believer, which perhaps was the
reason why the angel chose once and again to appear to her.
Manoah's heart began to fail him, but his wife, as a help meet for
him, encouraged him. Two are better than one, for, if one fall into
dejections and despondencies, the other will help to raise him up.
Yoke-fellows should piously assist each other's faith and joy as
there is occasion. None could argue better than Manoah's wife does
here: <i>We shall surely die,</i> said her husband; "Nay," said
she, "we need not fear that; let us never turn that against us
which is really for us. We shall not die unless God be pleased to
kill us: our death must come from his hand and his pleasure. Now
the tokens of his favour which we have received forbid us to think
that he designs our destruction. Had he thought fit to kill us,
(1.) He would not have accepted our sacrifice, and signified to us
his acceptance of it by <i>turning it to ashes,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.20.3" parsed="|Ps|20|3|0|0" passage="Ps 20:3">Ps. xx. 3</scripRef>, <i>margin.</i> The
sacrifice was the ransom of our lives, and the fire fastening upon
that was a plain indication of the turning away of his wrath from
us. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, but you see ours
is not so. (2.) He would not have shown us all these things, these
strange sights, now at a time when there is little or no open
vision (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.1" parsed="|1Sam|3|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:1">1 Sam. iii. 1</scripRef>), nor
would he have given these exceedingly great and precious promises
of a son that shall be a Nazarite and a deliverer of Israel—he
would not have told us such things as these if he had been pleased
to kill us. We need not fear the withering of those roots out of
which such a branch is yet to spring." Note, Hereby it appears that
God designs not the death of sinners that he has accepted the great
sacrifice which Christ offered up for their salvation, has put them
in a way of obtaining his favour, and has assured them of it upon
their repentance. Had he been pleased to kill them, he would not
have done so. And let those good Christians who have had communion
with God in the word and prayer, to whom he has graciously
manifested himself, and who have had reason to think God has
accepted their works, take encouragement thence in a cloudy and
dark day. "God would not have done what he has done for my soul if
he had designed to forsake me, and leave me to perish at last; for
his work is perfect, nor will he mock his people with his favours."
Learn to reason as Manoah's wife did, "If God had designed me to
perish under his wrath, he would not have given me such
distinguishing tokens of his favour." <i>O woman! great is thy
faith.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.xiv-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.24-Judg.13.25" parsed="|Judg|13|24|13|25" passage="Jud 13:24-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.13.24-Judg.13.25">
<h4 id="Jud.xiv-p21.8">The Birth of Samson. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p21.9">b. c.</span> 1161.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.xiv-p22">24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name
Samson: and the child grew, and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p22.1">Lord</span> blessed him.   25 And the Spirit of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.xiv-p22.2">Lord</span> began to move him at times
in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.xiv-p23">Here is, 1. Samson's birth. The woman that
had been long barren bore a son, according to the promise; for no
word of God shall fall to the ground. Hath he spoken, and shall he
not make it good? 2. His name, <i>Samson,</i> has been derived by
some, from <i>Shemesh, the sun,</i> turned into a diminutive,
<i>sol exiguus</i>—<i>the sun in miniature,</i> perhaps because,
being born like Moses to be a deliverer, he was like him
exceedingly fair, his face shone like a little sun; or his parents
so named him in remembrance of the shining countenance of that man
of God who brought them the notice of him; though they knew not his
name, yet thus, now that his sayings had come to pass, they did him
honour. A little sun, because a Nazarite born (for the Nazarites
were as <i>rubies</i> and <i>sapphires,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Lam.4.7" parsed="|Lam|4|7|0|0" passage="La 4:7">Lam. iv. 7</scripRef>, and because of his great strength.
The sun is compared to a <i>strong man</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.19.5" parsed="|Ps|19|5|0|0" passage="Ps 19:5">Ps. xix. 5</scripRef>); why should not a strong man then
be compared to the sun when he goes forth in his strength? A little
sun, because the glory of, and a light to, his people Israel, a
type of Christ, the Sun of righteousness. 3. His childhood. He grew
more than is usual in strength and stature, far out-grew other
children of his age; and not in that only, but in other instances,
it appeared that the Lord blessed him, qualified him, both in body
and mind, for something great and extraordinary. Children of
promise shall have the blessing. 4. His youth. When he grew up a
little <i>the Spirit of the Lord began to move him,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.25" parsed="|Judg|13|25|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. This was an evidence
that the Lord blessed him. Where God gives his blessing he gives
his Spirit to qualify for the blessing. Those are blessed indeed in
whom the Spirit of grace begins to work betimes, in the days of
their childhood. If the <i>Spirit be poured out upon our
offspring,</i> they will spring up as <i>willows by the water
courses,</i> <scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.3-Isa.44.4" parsed="|Isa|44|3|44|4" passage="Isa 44:3,4">Isa. xliv. 3,
4</scripRef>. The Spirit of God moved Samson in the camp of Dan,
that is, in the general muster of the trained bands of that tribe,
who probably had formed a camp between Zorah and Eshtaol, near the
place where he lived, to oppose the incursions of the Philistines;
there Samson, when a child, appeared among them, and signalized
himself by some very brave actions, excelling them all in manly
exercises and trials of strength: and probably he showed himself
more than ordinarily zealous against the enemies of his country,
and discovered more of a public spirit than could be expected in a
child. The Spirit moved him <i>at times,</i> not at all times, but
as the wind blows, when he listed, to show that what he did was not
from himself, for then he could have done it at any time. Strong
men think themselves greatly animated by wine (<scripRef id="Jud.xiv-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.65" parsed="|Ps|78|65|0|0" passage="Ps 78:65">Ps. lxxviii. 65</scripRef>), but Samson drank no wine,
and yet excelled in strength and courage, and every thing that was
bold and brave, for he had the Spirit of God moving him; therefore
<i>be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit,</i> who
will come to those that are sober and temperate.</p>
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