.W; ch.'Z'i.'i). 1
Samuel Anoints Savi, 1 SAMUEL X, XI. and he is Cliosen King by the People. l6.%%t anJ nearly, extinct tribe (Judge? 20.), Divine wisdom dergneJ to remove all grounds ol jealousy aniougsl the other tribes. Saiuutl took Saul, and broiiglit tiiin observance of Saul while the prophet and he lived; that in every great crisis, as a hostile incursion on the country he should repair to Gilgal, where he was to rtniaiu seven days, to afl'ord time for tlie tribes on both sides Jordan to assemble, and Samuel to reach it. 9. when I»e had turned Itls back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart—Influenced by the words of Samuel, as well as by the accomplishment of these signs, Saul's reluctance to undertake the onerous office was overcome. The fulfilment of the two first signs is passed over, but the tliird is specially described. The spectacle of a man, though fitter to look after his father's cattle than to take part in the sacred exercises of the young prophets—a man without any previous Instruction, or any known taste, entering with ardour into the spirit, and skilfully accompanying the melodies of the sacred band, was so extraordinary a phenomenon, that it gave rise to the proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (see on ch. 19.24). The prophetic spirit had come upon him ; and to Saul it was as personal and experimental an evidence of tiie truth of God's word that had been spoken to him, as converts to Christianity have in themselves from the sanctifying power of the Gospel. 12. but who is their father! —The Sept. reads, "Who is his father?" referring to Saul the son of Kish. 17. Samuel called the people togctlier at Mizpeh—a sliaft-like hill near Hebron, 500 feet in height. The national assemblies of the Israelites were held there. A day having been appointed for the election lnt«> the parlour—the toilworu but uoble-looiiiiig traveller found himself suddenly seated amongst the principal men of the place, and treated as the liiost distinguished guest. iJ4. Tlie took took up the shoulder, and set it before Saul. Aitd Samuel Siiid, lieliold that tt-iiicli is left, set it before tliee, and eat i. e., reserved (see on Genesis 18. ti; -13. Si). Tills was, most probably, the right shoulder; which, as the perquisite of the sacrifice, belonged to Samuel, and which he hail set aside for his fexpected guest. In the sculptures of tlie Egyptian shambles, also, the first joint taken oH' was always the riglit shoulder for the priest. The meaning of those distinguished attentions must have been understood by the other guests. 25. Samuel eommuned wltii Saul upon the top of tlie Iiouse—Saul was taken to lodge with the prophet for that night. Before retiring to rest, they communed on the flat roof of the house, the couch being laid there (Joshua 2. 6), when, doubtless, Samuel revealed the secret, and described the peculiar duties of a monarch lu a nation so related to the Divine King as Israel. Next morning, early, Samuel roused his guest, and conveying him o,a his way towards the skirts of the city, sought, before parting, a private interview—the object of which is narrated in the next chapter.
CHAPTER X. of a king, Samuel, after having charged the people with a rejection of God's institution and a superseding of it by one of their own, proceeded to the nomination of the new monarch. As it was of the utmost importance that the appointment should be under the Divine direction and control, the determination was made by the miraculous lot, tribes, families, and individuals being success ively passed until Saul was found. His concealment of himself must have been the result either of innate modesty, or a sudden nervous excitement under the circumstances. When dragged into view, he was seen to possess all those corporeal advantages which a rude people desiderate in their sovereigns; and the exhibition of which gained for the prince the favourable opinion of Samuel also. In the midst of the national enthusiasm, however, the prophet's deep piety and genuine patriotism took care to explain "the manner of the kingdom," i.e., the royal rights and privileges, together with the limitations to wliicli they were to be subjected; and in order that the constitution might be ratified with all due solemnity, the charter of this constitutional monarchy was recorded and laid up "before the Lord," i. e., deposited in the custody of the priests, along with the most sacreu archives of the nation. 36. Saul went home to Glbeuh —Near Geba; this was his place of residence (see on Judges 20.), about five miles north of Jerusalem, there went a band of men whose hearts God had touclied Who feared God, and regarded allegiance to their king as a conscientious duty. They are opposed to " the children of Belial." 27. The children of Belial said. How shall Ver. 1-37. SAMtJEL Anoints Saul, and Confirms HIM BY niE PliEDICTION OF TlIREE SIGNS. 1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil — This was t)ie ancient (Judges 9 S) ceremony of investiture with the royal office among the Hebrews and other Eastern nations. But there wer« two unctions to the kingly office; the one In private, by a prophet (ch. 10. 13), which was meant to bo only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity—the more public and formal inaugu Jatlon (2 Samuel 2.4; 5.3) was performed by the high piies*., and perhaps with the holy oil, but tliat is not certain. The first of a dynasty was thus anointed, but Dot his heirs, unless the succession was disputed (1 Kings L 39; 2 Kings 11, 12; 23. 3U; 2 Chronicles 2,3. 11). kissed lilm —Tills salutation, as explained by the words that accompanied it. wjiK -.T. "vst of respectful homage, a token of congratulation io the new king (Psalm 2. 12). 2. wlnen thou art departed from me to-day—The design of tliese Bpecitic predictions of what should be met with on the way, and the number and minuteness of whicli would arrest attention, was to confirm Saul's reliance on the prophetic character of Samuel, and lead him to give full credence to what had been revealed to him as the word Of God. Racliel's sepulclire—Near Bethlehem (.see on Genesis S-i. 10 1. Zelzali—Or Zelah, now Bet-jalah, in the neighbourhood of that town. 3. the plain—Or the oak of Tabor, not the celebrated mount, for that v/as far distant, three men going up to God to Betliel—Apparently to offer sacrifices there at a time when the ark and the tabernacle were not in a settled abode, and God had not yet declared the permanent place which he should choose. The kids were for sacrifice, the loaves for the otliM-ing, and the wine for the libations. 5. the hill of God—Probably Qeba (ch. 1.3. 3>, so called from a school of tlie prophets being established therW* The company of projihets were, doubtless, the pupils at tliis seminary, which had probably been instituted by Samuel, and in which the chief branches of education t.-uiglit were a Icnowlcdge of tlie law, and of psalmody witli instrumental music, which is called " i)ropI)esying" (here and In 1 Chronicles '£>. 1,7). 6. tlie Spirit of tlie Iord will come ui>on tliee lit., rush npou thee, suddenly endowing tliee with a capacity and dl Kposition to act In a manner far superior to thy previous character and habito, and Instead of the simplicity, ignorance, and sheepish ness of a peasant, thou wilt display an eui Tgy, wis<loni, and magnanimity worthy of a prince. thou itlkalt go down before me to Gilgal — This, according to.Iosephus, was to be a standing rule for the tliis man save usT And they despised. Itim, and brouglit him no presents—In Eastern countries, th<! honour of the sovereign and the splendour of the royal household are upheld, not by a fixed rate of taxation, but by presents brought at certain seasons by officials, and men of wealth, from all parts of the kingdom, according to the means of the Individual, and of a customary registered value. Such was the tribute which Saul's opponents withheld, and for want of which he was unable to set up a kingly establishment for a while. But "biding his time," he bore the insult with a prudence and magnanimity which were of great use in the beginning of his government.
CHAPTER XI.
Ver. 1-4. N.\.HASH Okfer-s Them of Jauesh-gilead a Reproachful Condition. 1. Then Naliaslk the Ammonite came up—Nahash (serpent), see on Judges 8. 3. The Ammonites had long claimed the right of original pos-
Samuel lieproves the People. i SAMUEL XII, XIII. SauPs Sekcied Band. sired, their condriet was liighly displeasing to their heavenly King; uevertheless, if they remained faithful to him and to the principles of the theocracy, they might be delivered from many of the evils to which the new state of things would expose them. And in confirmation of those statements, no less than in evidence of the Divine displeasure, a I'emarkable piienomenon, on the invocation of tlie prophet, and of wliicli he gave due premonition, took place. 11. Bedan—The Sept. reads Barak; aud for "S.amuel," some versions read "S.amson," which seems more natural than that the prophet should mention himsession in GiloaiJ. Thougli repressed by Jephtliali fJudses
11. 1 liey now, alter ninety years, renew tlieir pretensions; and it was tlie report of their tlireatened invasion tliat liastened tlie appointment of a king (cl>. VI. 12). Make a covenant -vvitli us, aud ivc will sen-e tliee— They saw no prospect of aid from the western Israelites, wlio were not only remote, liut seareely aljle to repel the incursions of the Philistines from themselves. 'Z. thrust out all yonr rlglit eyes— scoop or hollow o'ht the ball. This barbarous mutilation is the usual punishment of usurpers in the East—inflicted on chiefs; sometimes, also, even in modern history, on the whole male population self to the total omission of the greatest of the judges. (Cf. Hebrews 11. of a town. Nahash meant to keep the Jabeshites useful as il-l't. He Terrifies Tiiem with Thunder in Harvest-time. 17. Is it notwlieat harvest to-rtayl—That season in Palestine occurs at the end of June or beginniji of July, when it seldom or never rains, and tlie sky is serene and cloudless. There could not, therefore, have been a stronger or more appropriate proof of a Divitie mission tlian the phenomenon of rain and thunder happening, without any progno.stics of its approach, upon the prediction of a person professing himself to be a prophet of the Lord, and giving it as an attestation of his worda being true. The people regarded it as a miraculous display of Divine power, and, panic-struck, implored tlio prophet to pray for them. I'roniising to do so, he dispelled their fears. The conduct of Samuel, in this whole aflair of the king's appointment, shows him to have been a great and good man who sank all private aud personal considerations in disinterested zeal forhis country's good* and whose last words in public were to warn the people, and their king, of the danger of apostasy and disobedience to God. tributaries, whence lie di<l not wish to render them wholly blind, but only to deprive them of thi'ir ri'-ht eye, which would disqualify them for war. Besides, liis object was, through the people of Jabesh-gilead, to insult the Israelitish nation. 3, 4. send inesseingers »into nil tSie coasts of Israel—A curious proof of the general dissatisfaction that prevailed as to the appointment of .Saul. Those Gileadites deemed him capable neither of advising nor succouring them; and even in his own town the appeal was made to the people—not to the prince.
5-11. They Send to Saul, and are Delivered. 6-11. he took a yoUe of oxen, and lieived tlietu in pieces— (see on Judges 19.) This particular form of war-summons was suited to the character and habits of an agricultural and pastoral people. Solemn in itself, tlie denunciation that accompanied it carried a terrible threat to those that neglected to obey it. Saul conjoins the name of Samuel vv-ith his own, to lend the greater in Huence to the measure, and strike greater terror unto all contemners of the order. The small contingent furnished by .Judah suggests that the disatl'ectiou to Saul was strongest in that tribe.
CHAPTER XIII.
8. Bezek—This place of general muster was not far from Sheclicm, on the road to Reth-shan, and nearly opposite
Ver. 1, 2. Saul's Selected Band. 1. Snnl reigned one year (fiee Marg.) Tlie transactions recorded in the eleventh and twelfth chapters were theprincipal incidents comprised in the first yea;' of Saul's reign ; and the events about to be described in this happened in the second year, 8. Snnl chose liim three thousand men of Isi'ael—This band of picked men was a boily-guard, who were kept constantly on duly, while the rest of the people were dismissed till their services miglit be needed. Itseems to have lieen his tactics to attack the Pliilistine garrisons iu the country by dil Tei'ent delachments, rather than by risking a. general engagement; and his first operations were directed to rid his native territory of Benjamin of these enemies. the ford for crossing to Jabesli-gilead. The great number on the muster-roll showed the eirecl. of Saul's wisdom and promptitude. 11. on the morrow Sanl put tJie people
In three companies—Crossing the Jordan in the evening, Saul marched his army all night, and came by daybreak on the camp of the Ammonites, who were surprised in three difl'erent parts, and totally routed. This happened before the seven days' li vice expired.
12-15. SAUL Cox FIRM ED KiNO. ti, 13. tke people said, Who said, SUall Satjl reign over ws^—The enthusiastic admiration of the people, under tlie impulse of grateful and generous feelings, would liave dealt summary vengeance on the minority who opposed Saul, had not he, either from principle or policy, sliown himself as 3, 1. He Calls tite Herrf.ws to Gii.oal Ag.vinht the PlflLlSTlNES. 3. .Tonathnn (God-given), smole the sa>^ rison oi'the Philistines in Gcba—Geba and Gibeali were towns in Benjamin, very close to each other (Joshua IS. great in clemency as in valour. The calm and sagacious counsel of Samuel directed the popular feelings into a right channel, by ai)pointing a general assembly of the 21, 2H). The word rendered "garrison" is ditl'erent from thatti.2^^; ch. 11. l,and signilies, ?i7., something erected; probably a pill.ar or Ilag-stall', indicative of Philistine ascendency; and that the secret demolition of this standard, so obnoxious to a young and noble-hearted patriot, was the feat of Jonathan referred to, is evident from the words, "the I'hilistines heard of it," which is not the way we should e.xpect an attack on a fortrc-ss to be noticed. Sa»] blew the trnmpet tItroiij;liojtt «H *l>e land—This, a well-known sound, was usual Helirew war-summons; the first blast was answered by the beacon fire in the neighbouring places. A second blast was blown —then answered by a tire in a more distant locnlity, whence the militia, the really ellective foi-ce of the nation, at Gilgal, where, amid great pomp and religious solemnities, the victorious loader was coulirmcd in his kingdom.
CHATTER XII.
Ver. 1-5. Samuel Tf-stities His iNTEGnrrY. 1. Samuel said nnto all Israel—This public address was made after the solemn re-instalment of Saul, and before the convention at Gilgal separated. Samuel having challenged a review of his public life, received a unanimous testimony to the unsullied honour of his personal character, as well as the Justice aii<l integrity of his public ailministr.ation. 5. tlie Iord is witness a;;:>lnst yon, and liis anointed is witness afwinst yon—that, by Iheir own acknowledgment, he had given them no cause to weary of the Divine government by judges, and that, therefore, the Dlame c«f desiring a change of government rested with themselves. This was only Insinuated, and they did not proclamation was speedily dill'used over the whole country. As the I'liilistines resented wliat Jonathan had done as an overt attempt to throw ofT their yoke, a levy, en vin.isc, of the people was immedlatc-ly ordered, the rendezvous to be the old camping-ground at <iil«al.
T). The Philistines' Gkkat Host. ."i. Ti>e VliillsOnea gatliered themselves tofvether to flfjlit with Israel tlxlrly thousand elinrlois, aii<i six tliousnnd horneineli —Either this number must iuclude ciuirlots of every kind —or the word "cliariots" must mean the men fighting In them (2 Samuel 10. l«; 1 Kings '^0. 21; 1 Chronicles I!). IS) fully perceive his drift.
()-l(). llK Uni'iiovios Tirr, Vicoi-Ln for Inoratitiidii;. 7. Now tliercfore stand still, tliat I may reason witli yon—The burden of thif laithful and uncompromising address was to show them, that though they hail obtaii\ed the change of government they had so Imporluucly deor, us some eminent ciltlcs maintain, SlielMliitit, tliirl.y
1H2
TJu. Sacrifice, of Saul. 1 SAMUEL XIV. Jonathan Smites the rhl Ualines. has crept iiitf> the text, instend of She!oxh, t/iree. The Entrenched, along with Samuel and Aliiah the high priest, on the top of one of tlio conical or spiierical hills gathoriii!? of the chariots timi horsemen must be underwliicli abound in the Benjamite territory, and favouralile, Htooil to be on the Pliilistine phiin, before tliey ascended for an encampment, called Migron (a precipice). 4-. Between the passages i. e., the deep and great ravine ol Suweiiiit. .Jonatiian sought to go over nnto tlte Pliilistines' garrison—A distance of aliout three mil(>s running between two jagged points, or IRO., "teetli of tlie the western pusses, i\nd pil<:he(l iu the heart of the Kenjiimite hills, in " Michmnsh," (now JUilunas), a "steep precipitous Viilley" [RoB[^'^jON], ejislvvard from Beth-avea (Beth-ea
6, *!. THK Isit AEMTKS' DlSTKESS. 0. wlk Cll tll«M»ieil of lar'nvl aaw tSjat *!iey were in a strnit—Tlioufili -ShuI's cliff."' tlaere was a sharp roch on the one* side, and u siiai-p roeii on the oilier side . . . " Bozez"—(^Sliining) from the aspect of the chalky rock. "Seneh"—(The tliorn) probably from a solitary acacia on its top. They are tlie only rocks of the kind in tliis vicinity; and the top of the crag towards Michmash was occupied as the post of the Philistines. The two camps were in sig'at of each otiier, and it was up the steep rocky sides of this isolated eminence th.at Jonathan and his armour-bearer gallantry was uual)ated, his sulijects displayed no degree of zeal and energy. Instead of venturing an encounter, they fled in all directions. Some, in their panic, left the country (r. 71, ljut most took refuge iu the hiding-places which the brolten ridges of the neif;hbourhood abundantly afford. The rocks are perforated in every direction witli "oaves,' and "holes," and " pits "'—crevices and fissures sunk deep in the rocky soil, subterranean granaries or dry wells In the adjoining tields. The name of Jiichmash (w. (i) made their adventurous approach. This enterprise is one of the most gallant that history or romance records. The action, viewed in Itself, was rash and contrary to all estatilished rules of military discipline, whicli do not permit soldiers to fight or to undertake any enterprise that may involve important consequences without the order of the generals. 6. It may be that t3ie Lord will work for us—This expression did not imply a douI)t; it signified sinipljr that the object he aimed at was not in his own power—but it depended upon God—and that he expected success neither from his own strength nor his own merit.
(liidden treasure) .seems to be derived from this natural peculiarity. [.Stanley.] 8. Saul fsirrt<-cl scv«-« daysHe was stil! in the eastern borders of his kingdom, in tl>e valley of Jordan. 8ome bolder spirits had ventured to join tlie camp at Oilgal; but even the courage of tliose stout-hearted men gave way in prospect of this terrible visitation; and as many of them were stealing away, he tliought some inmiediate and decided step must be taken.
.Saui,, Weary of Staying for Samukl, Sachii'lCES. !>. Sniil gsii<l, Brljag liitlitr a Imrjut <»fi\ i-iiig to me, and prnce offerings—Saul, though patriotic enougii
9, 10. if tliey say, Come up unto us; thessi we will go lip: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand —When Jon.ithan appears liere to prescribe a sign or token of God"s will, we may infer that the same spirit which inspired tliis enterprise suggested the means of its execution, and put into his heart what to ask of God. (See on Genesis 2J. 12-1-1. ) 11. Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of their holes—As it could not occur to the sentries that two men had come with hostile designs, it was a natural conclusion that they were Israelite desertiu his own way, was more ambitious of gaining the glory of a triumph to liimself than ascribing it to Ood. He did not understand his proper po;<ition as king of Israel, .md although aware of the restrictions under which he held the sovereignty, wished to rule as an autocrat, who posuessetl aijsolute power both in civil and sacred things. This occasion was his first trial. Samuel waited till the last day of the seven, in order to put tlie constitutional character of the king to the test; and, as Saul, in his impatient and passionate haste knowingly transgressed ers. And hence no attempt was made to hinder their ascent, or stone tln'.m. li. that first slaughter, wJileh ,Tonathan and liis strnuour-bearer nuade, was all>o»it twejity nten, wit Jiin as It were an half acre of land wliich a yoke of oxen might plough—This was a very ancient mode of measurement, and it still subsists in the East. The men who saw llieni scrambling up the rock had been surprised and killeil, and the spectacle of twenty corpses would suggest to others that they were attacked by a numerous foi'ce. The success of the adventure was aided by a panic that struck the enemy, produced both by tlie su<lden surprise and the shock of an earthquake. The feat was begun and achieved by the faith of Jonathan, and the issue was of God. 16. tlte wsitflimen of Saul looked—The wild disorder in the euemles" camp was describeii, and the noise of dismay heard on the heights of Gibeah. 17-19. Tlien said Saiil nn<o the people that were ^vith him, Niiw numfjer, and see wlio (f. 12) by invading the priest's of Hce, and thus showing his unfitness for his high office, as he showed nothing of the faith of Gideon and other Hebrew generals, he incnrred a threat of the rejection whicli his subsequent waywardness confirmed. 15, 16. Samuel gat Tnim tinto Glbenlt . . . niicl Sniil ancl •Toiiatltan his s»», and tlie people that were present with tlicm, abode in Gibeah —Saul removed his camp thither, either in the hope that.
It being liis native town, he would gain an increase of followers, or that he might enjoy the counsels and inlluenee of tlie propliet. 17. the spoilers came out of" the camp oft the Philistines iu three companies—Ravaging through the three valleys which radiate fi'om the uplands of Michmash to Ophrah on tlie north, througli the pass of Beth-horon on the west, and down the ravines of Zeboim (the hya?nas), towards the Ghor or Jordan valley on the east. 19. now there was no smith tlirougliout Israel—^T!ie country was in tlie lowest state of depression and degradation. The Pliilistines, after the great victory over the sons of Eli, had become the virliuil masters of the land. Tlieir policy in disarming the natives has been often followed in the East. For repairing any serious damage to their agricultural implements, they had to apply to the neighbouring forts. " Yet they had a file," as a kind of privilege, for the purpose of sharpening sundry Bmaller utensils of husbandry. is gone from us—The idea occurred to him that it might be some daring adventurer belonging to his own little troop, and it would be ea.sy to discover him. Saul said imto Ahiah, Bring liither the ark of God—T'lere is no evidence that the ark had been brought from Kdjath-jearim. The Sept. version is preferable; which, by a slight variation of the text, reads, "the ephod;" i.e., the priestly cape, which the high priest put on when consulting the oracle. That this should be at hand is natural, from the presence of Ahiah himself, as well as the nearness of Nob, where the tabernacle was flien situaled. Wilhdraw thine hand—The priest, invested with the ephod, prayed with raised and extended hands. Saul, perceiving that CHAPTER XIV.
Ver. 1-U. Jonathan MiRACULousLySMiTF-STHEPiiii,- ISTINES' Garkison. 1. the Philistines' garrison—J/r/jy/., the Standing camp " in the passage of Miclimash" (cti. l:!. Hi, tlie opportunity was inviting, and that God apixareo to have sulliciently declared in favour of His pi>opIe, requested the priest to cease, that they miglit ininudiately join in tlie contest. The sf'ason for eonsullation wa.s 2!i), now Wady Ks-Suweinit. " It tiegins in llie lUMghbourhood of Betln (Reth-el) and El-Bireh (Beeroth), and as It breaks through the ridge below these places, its sides form precipitous walls. On the right, about a quarter of an acre below. It again breaks olT, and p.-usses between high perpendicular precipices." [Uoiiinson.J 2. Saul tarried In the iitteriuoat parts of Glbtah—/At.., Geba. p;ist—the tiiiK! for prompt .action was come. HO-'M. Sani and all the people—All the warriors In the garrison at Gibeah, the Israelite deserters In the camp of tiio Philistines, and the fugitives among the mountains of Eiihraiiu, now all rushed to the pursuit, which was hot
Said SluI to Destroy Amalek, 1 SAMUEL XV. Rejected by Godfor DixuledieTiee. and sauguina ry. 23. So tlie I.ord saved Israrl that day ; and tlie battle passed over unto Bctli-aven i. e., Beth-el. Jt passed over the forest, now destroyed, on the central and sleepless hatred during the 500 years thai had elapsed since their doom was pronounced. Being a people of nomadic habits, they were as plundering and dangerous as the Bedouin Arabs, particularly to the southern tribes. The national interest required, and God, as King of Israel, decreed that this public enemy should be removed. Their destruction was to be witiiout reservation or exception. I rememher—I am reminded of \^hfit Amalek did—perliaps by the still remaining trophy or memorial erected by Moses (Exodus 17. 1.3, 16). 4. Saul gathered the people together—The alacrity with which he entered on the necessary preparations for the expedition gave a fair, but delusive promise of faithfulness in ildge of Palestine, then over to the other side from the eastern pass of Michmash (v. 31), to the western pass of Aijalon, through which they escaped into their own plains. a4. Saul had adjured the people—Afraid lest so precioHS an opportunity of eflectually humbling the Philistine power might be lost, the impetuous king laid an anathema on any one who should taste food until the evening. This rash and foolish denunciation distressed the people, by preventing them taking such refreshments as they might get on the march, and materially hindered the successful attainment of his own patriotic object. as, all they of the laud came to a ivood, and there was honey—The honey is described as "upon the ground," "dropping" froni the trees, and in honeycombs—indicating it to be bees' honey. " Bees in the East ai e not, as in England, kept in hives : they are all in a wild state. The forests literally flow with honey ; large combs may be seen hanging on the trees as you pass along, full of honey." [Roberts.] 31-34:. the people were faint, and flew upon the spoil—At evening, when the time tixed by Saul had expired. Faint and famishing, the pursuers fell voraciously upon the cattle they had taken, and threw them on t'.ie ground to cut off their flesh and eat them raw, so that the army, by Saul's rashness, were defiled by eating blood, or living animals ; probably, as the Abyssinians do, who cut a part of the animal's rump, but close the hide upon it, and nothing mortal follows from that wound. They were painfully couscientious in keeping the king's order for fear of the curse, but had no scruple in transgressing God's command. To prevent this violation of the law, Saul ordered a large stone to be rolled, and those that slaughtered the oxen to cut their throats on that stone. B.v laying the animal's head on the high stone, the blood oozed out on the ground, and suflicient evidence was aflbrded that the ox or sheep was dead before it was attempted to eat it. 36-46. the people rescued Jonathan, tliat he died not—When Saul became aware of Jonathan's transgression in regard to the honey, albeit its execution. Telaim—or "Telem," among the uttermost cities of the tribe of Judah towards the coast of Edom (Joshua 1.5.21,24). 5. Saul came to a city of Amalek—probably their capital, laid wait iu the valley following the strategic policy of Joshua at Ai (Joshua 6). 6. Kenites—(See on Judges 1. 16.) In con.sequence, probably, of the unsettled state of Judah, they seem to have returned to their old desert tracts. Though now intermingled with the Amalekites, they were not implicated in the offences of that wicked race; but for the sake of their ancestors, between whom and those of Israel there had been a league of amity, a timely warning wasafl'orded them to remove from the scene of danger.
7-9. He Spares Agag and the Best of the Spoil. 7-9. Saul smote the Amalekites—His own view of the proper and expedient course to follow was his rule, not the command of God. 8. he took Agag alive—This was the common title of the Amalckite kings. He had no scruple about the apparent cruelty of it, for he made fierce and indiscriminate havoc of the people. But he spared Agag, probably to en.ioy the glory of displo.ying so distinguished a captive, a)id, in like manner, the most valuable portions of the booty, as the cattle. By this wilful and partial obedience to a positive command, complj'ingwith it in some parts and violating it in others, as suited his own taste and humour, Saul showed his selfish, arbitrary temper, and his love of despotic power, and his utter unfitness to perform the duties of a dolegated king in Israel. it was done in ignorance and involved no guilt, he was, like Jephtluvh, about to put his son to death, in conformit.y with his vow. But the more enlightened conscience of the army prevented the tarnishing the glory of the day by the blood of tlie young hero, to whose faitli and valour It was chiefly due. 47, 48. So Saul fought against all hU enemies on every side—This signal triumph over the Philistines was followed, not only by their expulsion from the land of Israel, but by successful incursions against various hostile neighbours, whom he harassed though he did not snlxlue them.
10, 11. Gon Rejects Him for Disoredience. 10, 11. Tile word of tlte Lord came unto SamnrI, saying. It reprntetli me that 1 have set up Saul—I!cpcntan(^e i.s attributed in Scripture to Him when bad men give Him cause to alter His course and method of procedure, and to treat them as if He did " repent" of kindness shown. To the heart of a man like Samuel, who was above all envious considerations, and reall.v attached to the king, so painful an ajinouncement moved all liis pit.'V', and led him to pass a sleepless night of earnest intercession. 13. Saul came to Carmcl—In the south of Judah (Joshua l.i.
CHAPTEE XV.
.W; ch.'Z'i.'i). 1/J. he set hiiii up a place i.e., a pillar (2 Samuel 18. I.S) ; lit., a /irf?K/—indicating that whatever was the form of the monument, it was surmounted, according to the ancient fashion, by the figure of a hand, the symbol of power and energy. The erection of this vainglorious trophy was an additional act of disobedience. His pride had overborne his sense of duty in first raising this monument to his own honour, ;ind then going to Gilgal to iiirer sacrifice to God. 13. Saul said unto him, UlesKed be thou of the li Ord ; 1 have performed the comi»iand«icnt of the L.or«l — Saul was either blinded liy n partial and delusive self-love, or lie was. In his declaration to Samuel, acting the part of a Ver. I-fi. SauiSent TO DESTnoY Amalfk. 1. Samuel aid unto Saul, The Ijord sent me to anoint thee; now hearken unto the Lord—Several years had liccn jinssed in successful military operations against troublesome neighbours; and during these Saul had been left to act in B great measure at his own discretion as an independent prince. Now a second test is proposed of his possessing the character of a theocratic monarch in Israel; and In announcing the duty required of him, Samuel brought before him his official station as the Lord's vicegerent, and the peculiar obligation under which he was laid to act iu that capacity. lie had formerly done wrong, for which a severe rebuke and threatening were administered to him (ch. 1.1. 13, 11). Now an opporlunUy was afforded him of retrieving that error by an exact ol)ed Unce to the Divine command. 'Z, 3. Amnlek — Tlio powerful tribe which Inhabited the country immediately to the eastward of the iior Murn Cushites. Their lerrllory extended over the whole of tlio eastern portion of the desert of Sinai to Rephldim—was the earliest oppoliold and artful hypocrite. He professed to have fulfilled the Divine command, and lliat the blame of an.v defects in the execution lay with the people. .Samuel saw the real state of tlie case, and In discharge of the c(mimission lu! had received before setting out, proceeded t.oileiU)nnce his conduct as charact(>rly,ed by pride, rcnel Uon, and obstinate di.sohedience. Wlien ftaiil persisted In declaring that lio had obeyed, alleging that the animals, whose bleating was heard, had been reserved for a liberal .sacrinent (DeuK ronomy 2ij. IS ; Kxodus 17. 8-l())—the hereditary mill restless encniy of Israel (Numbers 1 1. 1'); .ludges .'i. l.'i; fice of thanlfsgl ving to (»od, his sliullling, prevaricatine an«W''''r called forth a stern rebuke from the pr(>i)het..
It well deserved It—for the desllnaliou of thesiioil to Ui«
<i.3), and who hud not rejiented (ch. 11. 18; of their bitter 184
Sccmutl Sml by God to Bethlehem. 1 SAMUEL XVr, XVII. He Anoints David. pre-eminence had been early promised (Genesis 49. 10). /S. How can I go!—Tliis is another instance of human infirmity in Samuel. Since God had sent him on this mission. He would protect him in the execution. I am come to sacrifice — It seems to have been customary with Samuel to do this in the different circuits to which be went, that he might encourage the worship of God. 3. call Jesse to tlie sacrilice i. e., the social least that followed the peace offering. Samuel, being the oflerer, had a right to invite any guest he pleased. 4. tlie elders of altar was a flimsy pretext—a gross deception, an attempt
conceal the selfishness of the original motive under the Cloak of religious zeal and gratitude. 24. I feared tlie people, and oljeyetl their voice—This was a different reason from the former he had assigned; it was the language of a man driven to extremities, and even had it been true, the principles expounded by Samuel showed that it could have been no extenuation of the oflence. The'proi)het then pronounced the irreversible sentence Of the rejection of Saul and his family. He was Judicially cut off for his disobedience. 34r, 35. I liave sinned . . . turn aain with me, that I may worship the Lord The erring, but proud and obstinate monarch was now humbled. He was conscience-smitten for the moment, but his confession proceeded not from sincere repentance, but from a sense of danger and desire of averting the sentence denounced against him. For the sake of public appearance, he besought Samuel not to allow their serious difl'erences to transpire, but to join with him in a public act of worship. Under the influence of his paintlie town tremhled at his coming—Betlilehem was an obscure town, and not within the usual circuit of tlie judge. The elders were naturally appreheusive, therefore, that his arrival was occasioned by some extraordinary reason, and tliat it might entail evil upon their town, In consequence of the estrangement between Samuel and the king. 5. sanctify yourselves—By tlie preiiaiations described (Exodus 10. II, 15). The elders wei'e to sanctify themselves. Samuel liimself took the great;est care in the sanctiflcation of Jesse's family. Some, however, think that the former were invited onl.y to join in the sacrifice, while the family of Jesse were invited by themselves to the subsequent feast. G-10. Samuel SMid, Surely the Lord's anointed is hcfore liini—Here Samuel, in consequence of taking his impressions from the external appearance, fails into the same error as foriiierly (c!i. 10. 2t). fully agitated feelings, he designed to offer sacrifice, partly to express his gratitude for the recent victory, and partly to implore mercy and a reversal of his doom. It was, in anotlier view, a politic scheme, that Samuel might be betrayed into a countenancing of his design in reserving the rattle for sacrificing. Samuel declined to accompany him. 27. he laid hold npon the skirt of his innntle %hc moil, upper tunic, official robe. In an agony of men-
U-14. lip: Anoints David. 11. there remaincth yet tlie youngest, and, lieliold, he heepetJi tlie sheep—Jesse having evidently no idea of David's wisdom and bravery, spoke of him as tlie most unfit. God, in his providence, so ordered it, tliat the appointment of David miglit tlie more clearly appear to be a Divine purpose, and not the design tal excitement, he took hold of the prophet's dress to detain liiiii ; the rending of the mantle was adroitly pointed to as a significant and mystical representation of his severance trom the tlirone. 29. the strengtli of Israel will not lie—Heb., "He that gives a victory to Israel;" a furtlier rebuke of his pride in rearing the Carmel trophy, and an intimation tiiat no loss would be sustained in Israel by his rejection. 31. Samuel tuniecl again after Saul—Not to worship along with him; but first, that the people might have no ground, on pretence of Saul's rejection, to witlidraw their allegiance from him; and secondly, to compensate for Saul's error, by executing Goil's judgment upon Agag. 32. Agag came iinto him delicately—Or cheerfully, since he had gained tlie favour and protection of the king. 33. 8amnel hewed Agag— This cruel tyrant met the retribution of a righteous Providence. Never has it been unusual for great or oflicial per Bonages in the East to perform executions with tlieir own bands. Samuel did it "before the Lord" in Gilgal, appointing that same mode of punishment (liitherto unknown in Israel) to be used towards him, which he had /ormerly used towards others. eitlier of Samuel or Jesse. David, having not been sanctified with the rest of his family, it is proljable tliat he returned to his pastoral duties the moment the special business on wliicli lie liad been summoned was done. 12.' he was ii Kldy, i&c-Josephus says that David was ten, while most modern commentators are of the opinion that he must have been fifteen years of age. 13. Tlien Samuel took the liorn of oil, and anointed liim—This transaction must have been strictly private. 14-18. Tlie Spirit of the li Ord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him—His own gloomy refleclious—the consciousness that he had not acted up to tlie cliaracter of an Israelitislr king—the loss of his tlirone, and the extinction of his royal house, made him jealous, irritable, vindictive, and subject to fits of morbid melanclioly. 19. Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David—In the East the command of a king is iinpei'ative, and Jesse, however reluctant and alarmed, liad no alternative but to comply. 20. Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them
CHAPTER XVI.
. . . unto Saul—as a token of homage and respect. 21. David came to Saul—Providence thus prepared David for his destiny, by placing him in a way to become acquainted with the manners of the court, the business of government, and the general state of the kingdom, became his armour-bearer—This choice, as being an expression of the king's partiality, shows how honourable the oflice was held to be. 2,3. David took an harp, and played with his hand : so Saul w.is refreshed, and well —The ancients believed that music had a myslerious influence in healing mental disorders.
Ver. 1-10. Samuel Sent by God to BETni.KirEM. 1. The li Ord said uuto Samuel, How long %vilt tliou mourn for Saul—Samuel's grief on account of Saul's rejection, accompanied, doul)tless, by earne.st pra.vers for his restitution, showed the amiable feelings of the man; but they were at variance witli his public duty as a prophet. The declared purpose of God to transfer the kingdom of Israel into other hands than Saul's, was not an angry menace, but a fixed and immutable decree; so that Samuel ought to have sooner submitted to the peremptory manifestation of the Divine will; but to leave him no longer room to doubt of its being unalterable, he was sent on a private mission to anoint a successor to Saul (see on ch. 10. 1). The immediate designation of a king was of the greatest importance for the interests of the nation in the event of Saul's death, which, to this time, was dreaded; it wouUI establisli David's title, and co Tnfortthe minds of Samuel and other good men with a right settlement, whatever contingency might haiipeii. I have provided me a king—The language Is remarkatile, and intimates a difference between this and the former king. Paul was the people's choice—the fruit of their wayward and sinful desires for their own honour and aggrandizement; the next was to be a king who would consult the JUvinc glory, arid selected from Miat tribe to which the CHAPTER XVII.
Ver. 1-.3. The IsnAEi.iTKS and Philistines hkino Ready to Battle. 1. the Philistines gathered together their armies—Twenty-seven years after tlieir overthrow at Michniash. Having now recovered their spirits and strength, they sought an oiijiortunity of wiping out tlie infamy of that national <iisaster. as well as to regain tlieir lost ascendene.y over Israel. Shocoh—now Shuwcilieh, a town in the western plains of Judah (Joshua irj. 3o), nine Roman miles from Eleutlieropolis, toward Jerusalem, (RoniNSON.) Azkah—a small place in tlie neighbourhood, Kphes-danimlm — or I'as-daminim il Cliroii icles 11.13), "the portion or eftusioL of blood,"' situated between t-a
Quliaih ChuUenyes the Isradiles. 1 SAMUEL XVIII. David Accepts the Chcdlcnye, und Slays ITtm. otlier two. 3. -valley of £Iali i. e., the Terebinth, now Wady Er-Sumt. [Robinson.] Anollieivalley somewhat to the north, now called Wady Beit Hauina, has been tlxed on by tlie tradition of ages. and especially an Oriental youth, to make a parade of hla gallantry. But David's piety sank all consideration of his own prowess, and ascribed the success of t hose aoh ievements to the Divine aid, which he felt assured would not 4-H. iJoLiATH Challenges a Combat. 4-11. a cUampiou— Hib., a man between two; i.e., a person who, on Vie witlilield from him in a cause which so intimately concerned the safety and honour of His people. Sanl said, Go, and the Lord be witJi tliee—The pious language of the modest but valiant youth impressed the monarch's heart. He felt that it indicated the true military confidence for Israel, and, therefore, made up his mind, without any demur, to sanction a combat on which the fate of his kingdom depended, and with a champion supporting his interests apparently so unequal to the task. 38, 39. Sunl armed David witli his armour— The ancient Hebrews were particularly attentive to the personal safety of their warriors, and hence Saul equipped the youthful champion with his own defensive accout reineuts, whi<-h would be of the best style. It is probable that Saul's coat of mail, or corslet, was a loose shirt, otliorwise t)fee part of his own people, undertook to determine the national quarrel by engaging in single combat with a Ciiosfn warrior in the hostile army. 5. Ueliiiet of brass —The Philistine helmet had the appearance of a row of feathers set in a tiara, or metal band, to which were attached scales of the same material, for the defence of the neck and the sides of the face. [Osborn.] a coat ofmaU —a kind of corslet, quilted with leather or plates of metal, reaching only to the chest, and supported by shoulder straps, leaving the shoulders and arms at full liberty. 6. greaves of brass—boots, terminating at the ankle, made In one plats of metal, but round to the shape of the leg, and often lined with felt or sponge. They were useful in guarding the legs, not only against the spikes of the enemy, but in making way among thorns and briers, a target of hrass—a circular frame, carried at the back, suspended by a long belt which crossed the breast from the shoulders to the loins. 7. stall' of Iiis spear—rather under five feet long, and capable of being used as a javelin it could not have fitted both a stripling and a man of the colossal stature of tlie king. 40. brook—Wady. bag—Or scrip for containing his daily food, sling—Tlie sliny co"iisisted of a double rope with a thong, probably of leather, to receive the stone. The slinger held a second stone iu his loft hand. David chose five stones, as a reserve, in case the first should fail. Shepherds in the East carry a sling and stones still, for the purpose of driving away, or killing, the enemies that prowl about the tlook. 4:;i-47. the Philistine said . . . David said to the Pliillstinc— When the two champions met, tliey generally made each of tlu in a speech, and sometimes recited some verses, (eh. in. 10). It luid an iron head, one beariHg a stiield— In consequence of their great size and weight, tlie Oriental warrior had a trusty and skilful friend, whose office it was to bear the large shield behind which he avoided the missile weapons of the enemy. He was covered, cap-apie, with defensive armour, while he had only two otleusive weapons — a sword by his side and a spear in his hand. 8-11. I rtefy tUe armies of Israel; give me a mail, tixat we may figUt together—In cases of single combat, a warrior used to go out in front of his party, and advancing towards the opposite ranks, challenge some one to fight with him. If his formidable appearance, or great reputation for physical strength and heroism, deterred any from accepting the challenge, he used to parade himself withiu hearing of the enemy's lines, specify in a loud, boastful, bravado style, defying them, and pouring out torrents of abuse and insolence to provoke their resent in en t. filled with allusions and epithets of the most opprobrious kind, and hurling contempt and defiance at one another. This kind of abusive dialogue is common among the Arab combatants still, David's speech, however, presents a striking contrast to the usual strain of these invectives.
It was full of pious trust, and to God he ascribed all the glory of the triumph he auti<'ipated. 40. Smote the Philistine in his forehead—At tlio opening for the eyes —that was the only exposed part of his body. 51. cnt off his liiead—Not as an evidence of the giant's death, for his slaughter had been ettected in presoiioe of the whole army, l)ut as a trophy to be borne to Saul. The heads of slain eiKMiiies are always regarded in the East as the most welcome tokens of victory. 5^. Shaaraim—See Joshua l"). :;(). 54. tent—The sacred tabernacle. David dedicated the sword of Goliath as a votive otfering to the l^-ys. David Accepts the Challenge, and Slays
17. T.ilte isow for tUy bretliroii an eplialk of tills parched corn, and these ten loaves—In those times campaigns selilom lasted above a few days at a time. The soldiers were volunteers or militia, who wore supplied with provisions from time to time by their friends at home. IS. talcc tlieir pledge—Toliens of the soldiers' health and salcty were sent home in the convenient form of a look of their hair, or piece of their ijail, or such like, carry these (en cheeses to the captain—to enlist his kind Bltontion. Oriental cheeses are very small, rosonililing in shape iuid sii;eour penny loaves; and aUliougli they are frequently made of so soft a consistence as to rosi'mblo curds, those which Uavid carried seem to have been fully formed, pressed, and sufliciently dried to admit of their being carried. H'Z. David lefttlte sheep wlith a keeper This is tlie only iiistanc'c in wlii('h the hired sliophord is distinguished from the ituister or one of his fanrily. trench—some feeble attempt at a rampart. It appears
Lord. 5,'i-58. Saul said unto Abner . . . -whose son Is tills youth i—A young man is more spoken of in many Kasleru countries by his father's name than his own. The gi-ov.'l h of tlie beard, and otlier changes on a no-\v fullgrown youth, prevented the king from recognizing his former favourite minstrel.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ver. l-f. Jonathan Loves David. 1. the soul of .Tonnthan was knit -(vlth the soul of David-They were nearly of an age. The prince had taken little inten-st in David as a. minstrel ; but his heroism and modest, manly bearing, liis piety and high eiulownionts, kindled the flame not of admiration only, but of all'eotion, in the cougenial niinil of Jonathan, ii. Saul would let l»lm go na more home—He was established as a permaiiont resident (see Mart/.) to have been formed by a line of carts or cliariols, which, from the earliest times, w;is the practice of nomad jxople. '/i-i. left his carriage In the liand of the keeper of the carriage—to nuvlvi; his way to tlie Standard of .ludali. make his father's house free In iKrael— His family should be exempted from the impositions and services to which the gtmeral l)ody of the Lsraelites were sul).jected. 34-.'Jfl. a lion and a bear These were two diU'erent rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. Tlie btar must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of thi brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been iierformod with no •weapons more odoeti ve than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his Hhepherd's crook. 37. Tine Lord tliat delivered me— It would have been natural for a youth, m at court. 3. Then .lonalliaii and David made a covenant—Such covenants of brotherhood are frequent In thu
East. Thoy are ratified by certain ceremonies, and in presence of witnesses, that tin; persons covenanting will be sworn brothers for life. 4. .Toiiathnn stripped him* s«'lf of tlic robe that was upon him, and gave it to David-To receive any part of the dress which had been nwrii by a sovereign, or his eld(>st son and heir, is doomed, in the East, l\n': liighesl honour which can beconforred ou a subject (see on Esther G. 8). The girdle, lieing conni Kjted with the sword and the bow, may be considered as belnft part of the military dress, and great value is attached tc
It in the East.
5-9. Haul Envies his Puaise. 0. tlic women canu