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 301
the qualities on which n:ien were _accustomed to _depend. Great physical strengtn, lofty stature, o,erpowermg physique were not his. And so in Christ there was an absence of the out"·ard form which men of low type count powerful. Fie was not apparently competent to subdue the world by the only force which men take c…
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the Anointed One, the God-given Saviour. He, transfusing our natural powers with his glorious energy, will make us "more than conquerors." General lessons :-1. Great natures may be nurtured in lowly places while engaged in quiet pursuits. 2. Amidst the intricacies of life God keeps his eye on his loved ones, and calls…
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his face, and that, being bent on their secret guilty way, the whole force of Providence is against them in _the futnre I 3. Fear o.( expositre. Samuel took no steps to de- throne Saul or to_ a_henat_e the p~ople fr?m hnn. He ke_pt t!1e secret of rejection, and expressed the D1vme will only m ceasmg to hold official mt…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1. (BETRLEHEM.)-David's parentage and education. (References :-Family register-1 Chron. i.-iii. I. Early life: shepherd, harper, champion-chs. xvi., xvii. II. Courtier and outlaw life-cbs. xviii.-xxxi. ; 2 Sam. i. HI. Royal life in Hebron and Jerusalem-2 Sam. ii.-xxiv. ; 1 Kings i.…
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(<'h. ::-;xii. ~~), and his lowly occnpation-1. Was adapted to nurture physical .<trmgth, agility, and _end_urnnce _; to call forth energy, self-reliance, nnd courage amidst numerous perils m a wild country, from beasts of prey nnd hill robbers (1 C)uoi:i. vii. 21); to make him exper~_in the use of the.~ling, like the…
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Vers. 4-13. (BETHLEHEM.)-David chosen and anointed. "Arise, anoint him: for this is he" (ver. 12). In the exercise of his prophetic office Samuel appaars to have been accustomed to visit one place or another, rebuking crime and sin. Hence his presence at Bethlehem ( clad in a mantle, his white hair flowing over his -sh…
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Ver. 7. (BETHLEHEM.)-God's regard to the heart. "The heart is the centre of (1) the bodily life; (2) the spiritual-psycliical life-will and desire, thought and conception, the feelings ~nd the affections; and (3) the moral life, so that all moral cor>ditions-from the nighest mystical love of God to the self-deifying…
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'2. To endure patienel'/1 the wrong judgments that others may form and utter concern- ing us. If we sometimes judge wrongly of them, need we wonder that they should judge wron~Iy of us? "Unto God would I commit my cause" (Job v. 8). 3. To judge charitably of their motives, character, and worth. A judgment must some- …
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disease l,as ended, and madness or mental disease has begun" (Trench). Sin not only disturbs the moral balance of the soul, but also disorders the whole nature of man. It is itself a kind of madness, from which the sinner needs to "come to himself" (Luke xv. 17). "Madness is in their hearts," &c. (Eccles. ix. 3; 2 P…
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5. It opens n wider field for the exercise of natural or acrp1ired abilities, and the- attainment of desired objects. 6. It determines in most instances. the subsequent course of life, It is like the commencement of a river; or like the rolling of a stone- down the mountain-side, the course of which is determined by th…
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"He is Saul, )·e remember in glory,--e1·e enor had bent The hroa<l. brow from the daily communion; and still, though much spent Be the life an,l the hearing that front you, the same, God did choose To receiYe what a man may waste, desecrate, novcr quito lose" (Bro~1ing, • Snul '). Many other instances of a similar …
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~hngerous an errand as the Lord prescribed to him, when he did go was inclinetl to he over-hasty. AsRuming that a new king who should supplant Saul ought to be not inferior to him in stature and strength, the prophet at once fixed on Eliab, the eldest son in Jesse's family, as the one who should be the Lord's anointed…
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oblig~d t? protec~ their flocks from pro"·ling beasts of prey. How many encountel'l!- of this kmd David may have had we do not know ; but we learn from himself that while yet a striplin~-, he had fought an~ slain both a lion and a bear rather than giv~ up one lamb or kid of the flock. His was the best sort of courag…
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Re nnd nn <'Vil conscience oecause of !,is disobedience to Divine commanrls, nn,1 though faithfully reproved by the prophet Samuel, he does not appear to have ev"'r sought pardon or healing. Thus the purpose of God to give the kingdom to another and a better man weighed on him as a dreadful secret, and his native melan…
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CHAPTER XVII. was the gai or ravine." In the .A.. V. no exactness of rendering is ever attempted, and GOLIATH'S DEFIANCE OF ISRAEL (vers. both the ernelc, the broad strath or valley 1-11). Ver. 1.-The Philistines gathered of Elah, with gently sloping sides, e.nd the together their armies. As the object of the gai, …
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Philistines flccl to the mouth of the valley, armour to be capable of assuming the offensi, ~ where Gath stoo,I towering on its white against a light-armerl enemy. To Davi,! chalk cliff, n frontier fortress, the key to the belongs the credit of seeing that the Philis- high road leading to the corn-lands of Judah tine c…
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or the ,r nrs of Jehovah, narratives of stir- ally known to him. Apparently it hnd been ring cwnts like this before us, and histo- but a short visit, possibly because after the ries both of their own chiefs, such as was fit of melancholy had passed away there wna Samuel, and afterwards Elijah and Elisha., no return …
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conntries. The profession of soldier, the pomp of military parade, ihe ze,;t with which battles nre described, the lmze of glory thrown around the unutterable horrors of war, and rivalry among men for distinction in action-all show that the war-spirit is fostered. Is it not true that a mere desire to find actual occnp…
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from caring for sheep to care for his brethren on the battle-field. Leavino- out of ,-iew the moral condition of Israel nnd its consequences as dwelt on in the last s<'ction, we may regard the army of Saul as being engaged in the service of the Ji,·ing God (vers. 26, 36), virtually against the foes of the kingdom of th…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-11. (THE VALLEY OF ELAH.)-lsrael smitten with fear. "They were dismayed, and greatly afraid" (ver. 11). 1. The renewed attempt of the Philistines to subjugate Israel showf(,"in comparison with their former invasion, a decrease of power. They did not penetrate into the heart of the …
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drca<_l. ~- §ympe:tl1y 11'i'.tli a faithless leader, and participation in the "spirit of fear" (2 Tim. 1. 1) which he possesses. Saul had forsaken the Lord. He had not the presence of Sanrnel with him; nor, apparently, that of the high priest ; nor did he seek the DiYine counsel as aforetime. He ruled independently …
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EXPOSITION. Vors. 20:._22.-He came to· the trench. Still we cannot imagine that Saul had intro- More probably the barricade, or outer circle duced taxes, nor was the political organisa- of defence for theix: camp, made of their tion of the State ripe enough for so advanced wagons (see on eh. x. 22). Strictly the wo…
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l1im. And lhns Dnvid a second time, and Ver. 37.-Saul a&id unto David, Oo. The under nry different circumstnnces, found king's consent was necessary Ix.Jore David himself agnin standing in the king's presence. could act as the champion of the Israelites. It DAYID UNDERTAKES THE COMBAT WITH w~s ~ courage?us ~et in Sa…
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Vera. 46__:_47.-And with a shield. Really, probably not so monstrous in size as Goliath's "o. javelin" (sec on vcr. 6). David of course other weapons. Champion is not the word mentions only his arms of offence. As Goliath so rendered in vers. 4, 23, but that used in hnd reviled David by his god, so David now eh. xvi. …
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HOMILETICS. Vers. 20-30.-A religious man's view of things. 'fhe- .facts are-1. David carri-ves at the camp just as preparations are being made for battle. 2. While with his brethren be hears the defiance of Goliath, and observes the ·dismay of Israel. 3. Being informed of the inducement offered by Saul for any one …
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great purpose of redemption. The fear of Israel he referred to loss of faith in the· people's mis8ion to the world, and in God as the perfecter of tliat mission. Illustra- tions of tlte .•ame course are elsewhere found. True religious enlightenment must express itself in some form. 'fhe holy cannot look on life and be …
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fle11eral f:•ufhs on our life is great-greater than some suppose. They lie deep down m the nnnd, and yet are e,·er at command to regulate tho11ght and feeling and to suggest lines of conduct. Hence those in whom they are most fresh and diear are persons of wider range of view, soundP.r judgment, and deeper convictions.…
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Vera. 38-40.-Naturalness. The facts are-I. Saul clothes David with his armour-. 2. David, distrusting its value, puts it aside. 3. He goes forth to the conflict armed only with a sling and a stone. There is a curious blending of cowardice, prudence, and folly in Saul's conduct. Not daring to fight the foe, he hesitates…
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Vers. 41-51.-The governing principle of life. The facts are-1. The Philistine, on observing the youth and simple weapons of David, disdains and curses him, and boasts of soon giving his flesh to bird and beast_ 2. David, in reply, declares that be comes in the name of God, and expresses his assurance that, in the sp…
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Yers. 52-58.-Unl.-nown and yet well known. The facts are-1. Stimulated by the exploit of DaYid, the people complete their victory over the Philistines. 2. David lcaYes his weapons in his tent and carries Goliath's head to Jerusalem. 3, During tl1e conflict Saul inquires who David was, but obtains no information, til…
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up with the greatest advantage. Such a victory was D,ivid's. 1. He arrived at the wagon-rampart when the host was about to make an advance; leaving there the things he curried, he ran into the ranks to seek his brethren ; and, while talking with them, there stalked forth, as on previous days, the Philistine champion…
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Vers. 32-37. (THE VALLEY OF ELAH.)-Faith's argument from expmence. "He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine" (ver. 37). Many things tend to hinder the exercise and work of faith. Some of them arise from the heart itself.. Others arise from the speech and conduct of other people. Such was the scornful repro…
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4. Is confirmed in practice as often as it is faithfully tested, and increases in force, depth, and breadth with every fresh experience of Divine help. "Oh, were we but acquainted with this kind of reasoning with God, how undaunted we should be in all troubles I We should be as secure in time to come as for the time pa…
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h_e smtnble to_ others. but not to us. \Ve must learn by experience. "\Ve must be ll1mvle, genurne, and true to ourselves. And above all, we must look for Divine guidance in the matter. "The weapo_ns of our wn1fare :ue not carnal," &c. (2 Cor. x. 4). 3. He selected the weapons which we,·e most q/'ective. "And he too…
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Vera. 29, 37-39, 45-41.-Tliree vict01-ie.'J in one day. Here the history assumes the charm of romance, and David stands forth a hero above all Greek and Roman fame. By the grace of God he won three victories in quick succession. 1. Over the spirit of anger. When David, shocked to see all Israel defied and daunted by on…
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blasphem{'?". Gol_iath was a terrible oppon~nt in a time when gunpowder as yet wn8 not, an<l pro,,-ess m the field depended on size, strength, and armour. No one dared to accept his challenge ; and as he stalked along the valley he scoffed at the men of lsra~l with imptmity. It ,ms a_ prodigy of courage on the part …
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EXPO.SIT ION. PERSONAL RELATIONS OF SAUL AKD DAVID (CHS. xvm.-xxvn.). FnIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JONATHAN (CHS. xvm.-xx.). ver. 5). And thus the love which bcga1, CHAPTER XVIII. with admiration of David's prowess grew JONATHAN LOVES DAVID (vers. 1-5). deeper and more confirmed by constant Ver. 1.-When he had made an…
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I in,,,." Tl,c nllnsion is not to the combat ~ Sam. ii. 14 it _is used of a war-dance ending ,Yilh nolinth, hut to one of the expeditions Ill a real conflict; nnd again (2 Sam. vi. refcrrc,l to in nr. 5, in ~-hich David had 6, 2~ ; 1 C)iron. xiii. 8; xv. 29) of David gained some dcrisi,·e Yictory. The women dancmg t…
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of his imagination. And so he lost all control Israel and J udab is an indication of tt,, over himself, nnd prophesied. The conju- Books of Samuel having been written at a gation employed here (Hithpahel) is never post-Solomonic date, though the distinction used of real, true prophecy (which is always was a very old…
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g1tincr. Da,id will probably be slain, he warfare that the lives of cuemios shouhl thum• thinks, in trying to get the dowry asked of be_ taken, without any public provocation, for him; and if not, at an ewnt.s he will himself pnvate purposes (comp. Judges xiv. 19). be cleared of the stain of public dishonesty Vcrs. …
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instances we seem to hear discord ; faith only enables us to refer the discorrl to our defective organs of knowledge. But here, as in some other instances, we can trace the exquisite harmony between David's detention by Saul, involving his friendship with Jonathan, and David's subsequent entrance on the dnties and d…
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forn,n_tjon of per~onnl_ friendship_s _in which all ordinary feelings are intensified nnJ ben11t1~ed by _t(ie 1_nfns101! of _:i spmtual_ eleme_nt. Som~ modification of the view just gn-en 1s requ1s1te m cons1dermg the friendsliip of Christ for John and the family at B_ethany. B\1t alth~ugh the perfect Saviour saw not i…
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II. THE SOUNDNESS AND THE DEFECTS OF POPULAR INSTINCTS. The mass of tl,r, ,people were quick in recognising the fact that David was the hero of the day, anrl only expressed the real truth in ascribing to him his "ten thousands," and to Sa11l 'bif.l' thousands." Their instincts led them to honour above the king the man…
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Da,;d and Saul,-he was with the one and was departed from the other -and thi consequences ensuing thereon in their respecti,·e lives. Each man maa'e hie own, position, and was answerable for the state he was in and attained to; nevertheless, the presence and absence of God accounted for much. Thus, also we have the div…
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Vere. 17-30.-Tlie plot and its lessons. The facts are-1. Saul, in hopes of com- passing the death of David, promises him his eldest daughter to wi£e, on condition that he is valiant against the Philistines. 2. David expresses his unworthiness. of so great an honour. 3. Saul, having broken this promise by giving Merab t…
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,:111e11/ to commit murder. The whole procedure originated in a determination to insure DaYid's dP,ath. Blood "·as shed in intent. The true universe is the unseen for it is enduring·. In that sphere Saul slew, before the clear, searching eye of God'. the best friend he eyer had next to Samuel. (2) The covering of mu…
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cent life, is, in the issue, more than a match for all cun'ning comhinations of evil. Were men more Himple in purpose, less given to mere policy, keeping their heart~ free from petty jealousies and ambitions, their foot would be less often caug-1,t in a snare, and their reputation would take care of itself. 3. God take…
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L1t<'r, "·as not destitute of worldly show, and was marked by the obsequiousness ,;elf-S<'C'ki!cg-, C'nrnla!ion, a~d. intrigue which too_ often prevail in such places, especially "-hen ;he monar?h 1s ?rtP:1c10us, proud, a_nd without ~he £ea!· of God (eh. :xxii. 6, 7). lland s connect10n with 1t was of great nnportan…
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retamed, and, indeed, never to be parted with, unless he ceases to be that for which he was chosen" (Jer. Taylor). II. IT IS FOUNDED UPON MUTUAL ESTEEM. When David "had made an end of speaking unto Saul," in which he doubtless said much more tho.n is recorded, the soul of Jonathan II was knit (linked or chained) wi…
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Defence, eupport, and effectual help. 3. Sympathy, encouragement, and everlaAting coneolation. "And now," eaid Jonathan Edwards, on his death-bed, turning from hie earthly friends toward the approaching darkness, "where is Jesus of Nazareth. my true and never-failing Friend?" IV. ITS CLAIMS, or the duties of thoee who…
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of rri'.ef. "As it shows itself in hatred it strikes at the person envied• but as it afl'~cts a man in th~ nature of grief it recoil~ and does execution upon 'the envier. It lies at _the_ l:eart h_ke n worm, always g·nawing and corroding and piercing it with n l'ecret, 1m,s1b)e stmg and rois?n" (South, 'Sermons,' !v…
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by the promise of Michal (ver. 21), but only RS "a snare," nnd her love was marle use of for the purpose. .And at length (when the king had formed his plan, and felt sui'e of !ta success), he was told. by his servants ( as if in confidential communication), "Behold, the king hath delight in thee," &c. (ver. 22), "desir…
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I. Jo_NA1:BAN's LOVE. ~f tliere was a man in Israel who had reason to be jealous of David, 1t was the Pnnce Jonathan. He was a gallant soldier, and here was a greate~ ~ei:o to eclipse him. He had by personal va_lour gained. a_ signal victory over the Ph1hstmes, and here was a personal courage still more brilliant, a…
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for his sake. Now this wns always a strong characteristic of David-a charm ot character and bearing which attached to him many lovers and friends. Jonathan loved him in youth as his own soul. His warriors were so devoted to him, that ho had but to wish for water from the well of Bethlehem, and three heroes dashed throu…
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as n nntionnl. hero, appointed as n1) officer of high rank in the army, made son•in- law to the kmg, and nt the sam_e tune trusted and honoured_ by t!1e people, the son -0f Jes~e ha~ much to tempt !nm to se1£.comf!lacence. It 1s a sign that the Lord was with h11n that he bore lmnself meekly, circumspectly, and with …
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entiously to tlic ohligations of your present stntion, and fear not but the Lorri will give yon ns milch elevation aR is good for you in thi~ present time, and in the ngc to come n place and a portion with the King and with his saints. II. THE IMPRESSION WHICH DAVID PRODUCED. 1. On t!te people. They were captivnted…
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CHAPTER XIX. Vcrs. 4-7.-In the field Jonathan inter. cedes for David, assures his father of hia JoNATRAN'S LOVE FOR DAVID (vers. 1-7). friend's innocence, reminds him of his noble Ver. 1.--Saul spake to Jonathan his sou . .. exploit, and of Saul's own joy at it, and; that they should kill David. The transla- beseec…
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house, with orders that when in the morning fice. It was a loose mantle, worn over the he came out, suspecting no clanger, they close-fitting meil (see eh. ii. 19). Thus Ezr.. should fall upon him and alny him. But (eh:. i;;. 3, _5) says, "I rent ~y beged and my Michal in some way or other became aware meu, which th…
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who wci'c called "sons of the prophrts," not tlw-great_·well that ~s .in Sechu-morc pro- lwcanse their fathers were prophets, but b:ihly the c1Stemortank there. From thevaluo bcc,111se they were under prophetic training, of ,\'atcr it was no doubt a well-known spot at with prophets for their teachers, though not the…
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hostility of Saul on the one side, and the open services of Jonathan's friendship on the other. Father and son are at croRs purposes concerning the life of one who in the providence of God is to supplant both. Each performs his part with perfect natural- ness; and in the progress of the conflict between enmity and f…
865 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.