PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel
Robert Payne Smith [1818-1895] · 500,296 words · 562 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 61
EXPOSITION. THE DIVINE JUDOMENT UPON ELI AND morality declined ; then there was a short ms nousE (vers. 27-36). Ver. 27.-There violent crash, and the house of Eli met its came a man of God. The title man of doom. God is the usual appellation of a pro_phet The prophet begins by enumerating Jeho- in the books of Judges…
976 wordsSECTION 62The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 62
Yrs. assnrrdlY. Kot. from mankind as a should be left without an old man to guido whole, nor from the Chnrch as a whole, but its course onward to renewed prosperity. from each particular nation, or Church, or Ver. 33.-Themanofthine,&c. The mcnn- indiYidual. To rach separate person God's !ng of_ the Heb. is her~ agai…
1,002 wordsSECTION 63The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 63
a powerful contingent (1 Cliron. xii. 28). more, just as our Lord was a "prophet like t-nmucl is tho one person in Jewish history unto Moses" (Deut. xviii. 15), and a "King who approaches the high rank of Moses, set upon the holy hill of Zion" (Ps. ii. 6 1 , Israel's founder (Jcr. xv. 1). The argument but in a far high…
1,178 wordsSECTION 64The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 64
HOMILETICS. Yers. 211-36.-linpendinr, retribution. The facts in this section are-1. A DiYine message declares to Eli.the coming doom of his house. 2. The justice of tho- judgmcnt is brought home to him by a reference to past privileges enjoyed and sins committed. 3. A painful sign of the certainty of the whole predict…
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events, or by some strong passage of Scripture, or by a faithful friend, or by the silent, reflected light of some holy Christian life, the privileges and favours of bygone years are flashed ,before the spirit, to the sudr!en terror and quickened action of conscience. Past mercies cannot be thought of in isolation ;…
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one man's dis,,bedience" we all have suffered physically and spiritually; but by onf' Redeemer we may find power to become the true children of God. It is true El i's descendants, if renewed, w~uld not become so good and physically perfect men -as though the ancestors had not smned ; and we on earth, though saved in…
943 wordsSECTION 67The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 67
Vers. 27-36. (SIIILOH.)-A message of approaching judgment . 1. This message came from God, who observed, as he ever does, the sins of his people, and especially hie ministers, with much displeasure, and after long forbearance resolved to punish them (Amos iii. 2; 1 Pet. iv. 17). 2. It came through a man whose name has …
686 wordsSECTION 68The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 68
fulfilment of th~ promise_s o~ Go~ and the continuance of relig·ious privileges <lepei,d on tl1e etlucal relatwn m winch men stand toward him. His covenant with Le\'i was "for the fear with which he feared me" (Mai. ii. 6, 7) ; put when his <le~ccndants _lost that_ fear they_ "corrnpted the covenant," and ceased to …
826 wordsSECTION 69The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 69
There is no otlier alternative. 11 For me or against me" (Exod. xx.xii. 26; Jer. viii. 1 ; Matt. vi. 24; vii. 13, 14; xii. 30). JII. 'l'HA'f IT IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCES, "J will honour." 11 Shall be lightly esteemed." 1. Honour; by his friendship, appoint- ment to honourable service, giving s…
810 wordsSECTION 70The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 70
oll "·ho _honour him. Nay, he honours them; bnt after his own manner, not aftet' the fasl11on of the world. He honours_ faithful servants in this world by giving· therr:. more' "·ork to ~o. He honours true w1tn_csses by extending the rang·e for their testi- mony. Sometimes ~1e honours those w1~h whom he is w?ll pl_e…
1,233 wordsSECTION 71The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 71
CH.APTER III. to the trauceJ eye of the seer when in 11 state of ecstasy ; while the other, mareh, is THE CALL OF SAMUEL (vers. 1-10). Ver. a vision seen by the natural eye. From the 1.-The word of the Lord was precious in days, however, of Isaiah onward, hazon be- those days. Or rather rare; it came but came the gen…
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slPrp, hears a voice calling l,im. and spring- xix. 3), a calamity which Jcrcminh compares ing up, natnrnlly hurries to '.Eli, supposing to the fall of Shiloh (Jcr. vii. 12, 14; xxvi. that he needed his scrYiccs. Eli had not 6, 9), inasmuch as both of these events in• hc•nr,1 t.hc voice, and concluding that it was Yolv…
1,015 wordsSECTION 73The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 73
wnrning in eh. ii. 27-36. Hence the marked mission to God, and the humility of his 1·cpctit.ion of the denunciation of finality in resignation, prove that the Holy Ghost had their doom. Again it is said that it is for in these years of waiting being doing its -ever. It has, however, been well noticed work upon the ol…
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,·,111srio11rnPss of tl1is want on the part of the few pious in Israel. 3. 'l'he continued se1Tice ?[ Sanrnel i!' the ordinary routine of the san?tu~ry. 4. 'l'he resun1ptio11 u:£ tl!e, mamf_est rcvela!1?n by tl1e call of Samuel to )'ece1ve 1t. 5.. Samuel experiences <l1ft~culty m recogmsm_g. the call of ~o_d. 6. Eh …
849 wordsSECTION 75The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 75
'!':Weet, bellntifol light of day. Agony enters us when we gaze on men devoid of th4f light of reason. The wisest grope as in perpetual fear when the pillar of fire and Divine silence show not the way to take. Worst of all when the Church has no guidance suited to its need. There have been periods when the written w…
983 wordsSECTION 76The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 76
Lou.f.1/ i11.<trmnents. The transiti?n fr?m the_ em1;>loyment of Eli, as the meBBenger ?f God to th~ people, ~o Samuel, brmg~ mto view important truths concerning the mstrnmentahty by winch God effects Ins purposes concerning man. I. God always has IN RESERVE AND TRAINING SUITABLE INS1"RUMENTS for promoting· the en…
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the quickening power of the Holy Spirit, by which all these shall pass away, ;,nd I\ restored life shall result. II. The CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENTS in working out God's will are, BO FAR AS PERSONS ARE CONCERNED, WELL ASCERTAINED, There is great udvantuge in having the child-life of Samuel ske…
817 wordsSECTION 78The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 78
c-alls t,, rise t,1 n1ore arduous positions in the Chnreh, or to enter on some line ui pri,·ate Cl,ri,tian ernieavonr that shall more truly bless mankind. Let devout men ,wt forg-<'t that thr Divine C'all to higher work is not confined to pnblie functionaries. A II kind, "f \\·urkrrs are cngngcd on the spiritnal tem…
1,253 wordsSECTION 79The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 79
Vers. 11-14.-Privileges and cares. The one great fact here set forth is that God reveals to Samuel-1. The judgment impending over the house of Eli, and its reasons. 2. That Eli had been already informed of its nature. 3. That the judg- ment when it comes will cause the most intense consternation in Israel. I. An ENTRA…
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Vers. 15--21.-l}iverse experiences. The principal facts are-1. Samuel, on enter• ing upon liis daily duties, fears to relate to Eli what hnd been told him. 2. Eli,. under the action of conscience, and convinced that ·something important has been communicated, employs strong pressure to obtain it from Samuel. 3. Eli,…
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his r~~o~mlH'.ll in the ]?lace of ~l_i. _Th~1s t!iree elements enter into th,i rp-adual ocqms1twn o.f a reputatwn. 1. .Fidelity III discharge of known duty. This gives !'°''·er ~o the son] for any further duty, however unpleasant. 'l'emptat.ions overcomo m on~ mstance lose_ force afterwa!·ds. s~nse o~ rigl~t g:ains …
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their eyes. They are full of eloquent regrets. But all in vain. When they have done wrong once tlicy do wrong again. What are such persons to be in the next life? Where will tlie Elis of this world be? God only knows" (Robertson). II. THE CilILD CALLED TO DE A rnorIIET. We may discern even in" little Samuel" the begin…
875 wordsSECTION 83The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 83
for a grand and difficult career began. Early in his life he had to see evil among those wl10 ought to have shown the best example. He had to see what mischief is wrought by relaxation of morals among the rulers of what we should call Church and State, so that an abhorrence of su~h misconduct might be deeply engraved o…
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liigh priest, but n chi!,!, ns a more loyal subject, and more susceptible to DivinP teaching (Mntt. xi. 25, 26). 2. It broke suddenly on the silence and slumbers of the, niglit ,· "ere the lamp of God went out," i. e. toward the morning-a season suitable to deep and solemn impression. "Untroubled night, they say, gi…
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mnnent an<l irrevocable. "For ever." "I lrnvc s"·orn," &c. (ver. 14). 3. It was very 1?rihtf11l to Samuel hc~ausc it was diredc-<l "agains~. Eli" (ver. 12-as well as his house), J or whom he entertfune<l a <lec-p and tender affection. The" burden of the Lord" wus, l,eaYy for a cbild to bear. It was his first experiPnce…
805 wordsSECTION 86The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 86
Thy ever-smiling face to see, And serve the cause of such a Friend 1" (Dod<lridge). III. LISTENING 'IO THE MASTER'S DIRECTIONS. "Speak." "I am waiting to hear thy con,mands, and desire to know thy will." " What saith my Lord unto his servant?" (Josh. v. 14). "What wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts ix. 6). His direction…
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II. I-rs ME\I_I_oo IS rnroRT~NT. It should be-1. _Timely; commenced at an early ng-e (ProY. x111. 24). 2. Firm nnd j11st. 3. \V1th co11side1·ation kind11e~s ancf patience (Eph. Yi. 4; Col. iii. 21). ' ' " O'er warwar,l childhood wouldst thou hold firm rule, And sun thee .in the light of happy faces, L°'·e, hope, a…
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III. HE SUBMITS TO THE sovi<:nEIGNTY OF Gon. ·• Let him do what seemeth him· good." 1. Very reverently and humbl.'/ (1 Pet. v. 6). It is vain to contend against him. 2. Freely and clteerf11lly; not hecn11se he cannot be effectually resisted, bnt because what he does is right und goo<l ; the spontaneous surrender and sa…
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<'harncler, hi, hatred of sin and loYe of righteousness, his dissatisfaction with merely f,,rmal :rnd ceremonial services, his opposition to idolatry, his g·ifts claims and p_:irposes with_ rnspect to his p_e~ple. . "The prophetic order ir~ it~ higl1est sig~ificn- t1on was not lnng· else than a hvmg witness for thos…
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EXPOSITION. smitten us 1 expresses snrprisc. The elcler3 CHAPTER IV. had evidently expected victory, and there• Ver. ].-And the word of Samuel . .. all fore the domination of the Philistines could Israel. This clause is rightly connected with not have been so complete as it certainly the foregoing verse of the pre…
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haYing began as frel,]e immigrnnts, had was no other than San!, but the rhronoloi:iy endc,l in_ obtaining possession of the land, is at rnriance with this supposition. The :rnd nustrng the rightful inha hitants. importance in old time, when even roads di<l Yer. 8.-These mighty Gods. In Hebrew n?t exist, of men capab…
1,036 wordsSECTION 92The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 92
Ver. 15.-Eli we.a ninety e.nd eight years He ha~ jndged Israel forty yeara. The old. Until the invention by the- Arabs of Septu~gint reads twentv, but these differ- the present system of numerals, all ancient ences rn numbers occur constantly. In either nations had e. most cumbrous sysfem of ex- case he would have b…
966 wordsSECTION 93The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 93
Eli's sons, nnd tl,c cnptnre by the Philistines of the ark of Goel. 'l'h<'re can he no doubt bnt that. the will of God is hcing wronght out in the trinmpl,s ai,cl disasters of nntionn1 life throngh all time. The laws by which men are govcrnC'd are 1111iform. They are often slow and subtle in operation, and it requir…
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V. IlI!LIANfJE 801,ELY ON PHYSICAL ANO MENTAL EXERTION FOR THf. ATTAINMENT Oil' A DESIRED OOOD IS BURE TO END IN I,'JNAT, DISASTER. Israel put forth physical and mental effort to attain to freedom and former prosperity. In this respect there was conformity to the will of God, and an observance, therefore, of the laws o…
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ii.:',-,), and also that an eYent should occ-nr at which "both the ears of every 01:e 1 li·,t henrethit shall ting·le" (<"h. iii. 11). The fulfilment of thi8 prediction wus, to 1he mind of Eli, certain, hnt the mcanH and occusion were uncertain. It was diffi- cnlt for the old man to conjecture how God would keep his wo…
847 wordsSECTION 96The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 96
t1ill i11g hy the wayside, feared the worst. But even he was not prepared for such a ~lirnax of calnmity. Defeat would bring sorrow, not surprise; for were not the people godless? Slaughter would be regarded with pain -as retribution for national sins. W ns it not his own foult that his sons had not suffered capital pu…
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A·eutrali..sed 11.•l'_tirlness. There is deep pathos and much instruction in the words- of the sacred historian as he closes the references to Eli: "And he had judged Israel forty years." A man eligible for so honourable a position, havino- rendered' varied serYice to his people, dies in a state of blended consterna…
724 wordsSECTION 98The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 98
sinful weakness; but while gathering the bitter fruit, he showed his profound interest in the honour and glory of Jeh?v~h b,r being so sensitive_ to the reproach brought on the sacred name. We must d1strngu1sh between the ruin of a man's work am! the ntin l{ !tis soul. In the former there is a grievous chastisement …
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distinction lies in rigliteousness of spfrit and conduct. Population, trade, urmies, fleets, ~c-1enc-e, art, h:ive no _permanence, no real valu~, a~art from a healthy national con- science and n&"ht domg. If by aT!Y !neans tins n~ht!-011sn_ess disappears, then the greatest calamity bas come ; and 1t 1s only a quest1…
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all finds response in the most devoted souls (cf. Matt. x. 37; Phil. iii. 8). 5. The piety must be very profound, and wide in its spiritual vision, that can bring all the claims of nature into subordination to the kingdom of God, and feel assured of the essentially rational character of the subordination. 6. The Saviou…
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s11p~rior to th<' nngodly ha,·e learnt their ways, it is Just and appropriate thnt they ,J,onld be given up to chastisement at their hands. 2. The chastiscme11t which is tl111s inflicted upon them is the most severe they can experience. "Let us not fall into t h0 hand of man" (2 Sam. xxiv. 14 ). "The tender mercies …
836 wordsSECTION 102The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 102
"Go<l's ju<lgmcnts are tl,e expressions of his opinion about our guilt.... But there i~ this difference between man and God in this matter :-A human judge gives his opinion in worcls; God gives his in events. And God always pays sinners back ir, land, that he may not merely punish them, but correct them; so that by t…
797 wordsSECTION 103The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 103
For sorrow sanctified bears fruit to God, "'11ich, in his heavenly garner treasured up, Shall feed his own to all eternity." D. Yer. 11.-Svinbol and spii-itual truth. "And the ark of God was taken." 'l'he· ark "·as a DiYinely-app?inted symbol or material sign of spiritual truth, and especially of tbe presence and …
773 wordsSECTION 104The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 104
Philistines. But, instead of seeking the Lord by repentance, they fell on a device to compel him, aa they supposed, to give them a victory. Had not the ark been carried round the walls of Jericho, when Israel had no engines of siege to brin"" against II fortified city; and had not the walls fallen flat to the ground? W…
908 wordsSECTION 105The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 105
C':irrying _all_ l~efore it I Alas for ~-he ark of God I So they wail and lament, and ~prea_d m1s~·1vm//:s among all_ who hsten to them. But they do little else; they have nu vigour m C'ounsel or action to prevent or to remedy spiritual disaster. It is a poor-spirited, ineffective style of Christian character. We wa…
836 wordsSECTION 106The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 106
ing to fulfil the conditions according to which alone he can dwell among them. 2. H is often held out as a warning. 3. It has actually occurred (Ezek. x. 18). "Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministra…
913 wordsSECTION 107The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 107
"wimming in t.he sea, and is snnoundcd hy a so hnmilinting a defeat. For -the gods •• multitude of marine creatures. Doubtless the heathen "~re jealous, fickle, an,! ,·cry this tignre represents Dagon, "·ho, ncvcrt.hc- ill-tempered ir any slight was put upon them. less, is not to be regarded as a sen-god, like After…
1,036 wordsSECTION 108The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 108
the prostrate condition and subsequent muti- lexicons are uncert,,in which to choose. lation of their god, the people of Ashdorl Some give, "and the cmerods hid them- recognised in their affliction the hand, i. e. selves in them," in the sense of gnawing the power, or Jehovah, and determined to and burrowing into the f…
923 wordsSECTION 109The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 109
history lrnve a prophetic significance for future ages. The record is "for our· ndmonition, 011 "·horn the ends of_the world have come." There i8 another bondage 1hnn thnt of Egypt, another co11fhct than that of Dagon and the ark. Here nrc twc, powers in collision, and we haYe gfren ns- I. A FORESBADOWI~G OF THE FA…
870 wordsSECTION 110The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 110
religions of the world, doing its part in common with them. As a philosophy it may have a placo among other systems. As useful in the management of peoples, states- men may Jay hold of it in support of other agencies. Christ may adorn the Pantheon in company with other ncroes in thought and action. (2) That offered b…
857 wordsSECTION 111The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 111
i11g,,1rnit,1· spent in cYading tl,e force of Di1·ine icachi11g. If they will not follow i1l<'r<'asi11g light when th<'ir doing rn is necessary io the realisation of a Divine 1•11rpo~e, pressure must be brought to bear. Pharaoh, Balaam, and Jonah are inRtaroces ,,f this. Il. The KIND OF COERCION EMPLOYED WILL DEPEN…
818 wordsSECTION 112The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 112
appointed by Goel does not profit those who refuse to stand in a right relation to God himself, but rather serves to increase their condemnation. J udgment also is executed in nrnny ways. 2. Judgment was mingled with mercy. The afflictions which they endnred were" less than their iniqnity deserved" (Job xi. 6), and …
858 wordsSECTION 113The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 113
1he Lord was he1n-y upon them of Ashdod" and" the coasts (territory) thereof" nm! '· ~,:1ote th~~-1 w~th emerods :' (Yers. 9, 12; either boils or hemorrhoids, bleeding piles -I~- lxxnn. 60). (1) Painful. (2) Heproachful, becau~e of the moral corrnption ~anction_ed in connection with idolatrous wo:ship (_Rom. i. 24-3…
873 wordsSECTION 114The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 114
God and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil" (Jonah iv. 2; Acts xvii. 27, 30). VII. PERSISTING IN THEIR ATTACHMENT TO IDOLS. We know not all the beneficial effect of the presence of the ark among them, in restraining them from evil and inciting them to good; but we know that-1. …
1,003 wordsSECTION 115The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 115
Ver. 3.-Injatuation. I. OF THE HEATHEN. Samson, calling· on the name of Jeho- Yah God, pulled down the temple of Dagon at Gaza, and showed the weakness of the idol. When the Philistines got possession of the ark of Jehovah, they placed it in another temple of Dagon at Ashdod, in order to re-establish the credit of thei…
642 wordsSECTION 116The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 116
theocratic kingdom; but if we look for the natural causes, we shall ~nd one _in tl,~ narrowness of ancient civilisation when the absence of means of socrnl and hternry comr ,unication fostered mutual ig~orance, and made sympathy almost impossible; and anc;ther in the national local nature of the religion of Israel, wit…
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Israel go. So no,v the question is whether I. e. hehintl them, leaving the ldne free to the Philistines will restore the ark on the go where they chose. The usual position of warni11g of one plnguc, or whether they will the drin)r of an ox-cart in tho Enst is in hold out till they han been smitten with ten. front. C…
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its nRe in the cognate languages it is _Pretty thousand and threescore and ten men, 1ut certain that it is rightly translated m our "seventy men, fifty thousand men," without version. Jlut besides these there were any article between, and with the smaller golden mico, according to the number of all number first, con…
914 wordsSECTION 119The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 119
HOMILETICS. Y<'rs. 1-9.-Se~l,iur, liglit. The facts are-1. The Philistines, oppressed by Provi- d:n_ce, are uncert?.m "·hat to do "·1th the ark.. 2. They, consulting· the priests and d1nn<'rs, are adnsed to send the ark away with all due honours and safeguards in case it is sent at all. 3. They are instructed how t…
869 wordsSECTION 120The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 120
the rl uctrine whether it be of God." 3. To snpplement t!tese means by watching cart!- jully for new indications. The Philistines were to do all i11 their power to enable them to judge the significance of coming events. We cannot always•make occasions for Providence to reveal itself; but we can fulfil all conditions fo…
1,092 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.