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 361
Jona!,h.an's 12ure soul w~s equal ~o the occasion. His conduct was marked by exqms1te delicacy of fcelmg and w!Sllom. He would not so degrade his father ns to tell David that he had been asked to slay his friend, while he assured David of his real danger. While not assuming the tone of an advocate, he skilfully hand…
855 wordsSECTION 362The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 362
holy direction ; if it be impure the whole life will be stained. Out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the weakness of all systems of morality that they exalt virtue and teach the evils of vice, but furnish no adequate power to render the life virtuous in the highest sense of the term. Moralists may be immo…
871 wordsSECTION 363The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 363
I\·. That ALTHOUGH rnrERFECT MORAL CONDUCT MAY SUDSERVE THE IN'rEREB'l'B 01' Go1i"s SERYANTS, IT NEVERTHELESS IS lllSRONOURING TO THEM. Michal acted a lie ,11,d also told deliberate lies, in order to shield David nnd then herself. The issu~ ,rns advantageous to David, as it put a wide distance between him and his ·p…
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"Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain ; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain." Looking at the teaching of the section, we see- I. .AN IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL POWER BEING NOURISHED AMIDST THE TURliOIL OD' PUBLIC AFFAIRS. While battles were being fought, and the kingdom was troubled: …
812 wordsSECTION 365The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 365
pious home, a meeting for prayer and counsel, and the service of the sanctuary. It is helpful to court occasional retirement. The "communion of saints" should be more than an article in our creed. III. A Dl\'INE RESTRAINT IS PUT ON THE ENEMIES OF Gon's SERVANTS. Saul'a wicked desperation was great when he sent to N…
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of others were full of detraction and calumny, by which they sought to dr,stroy him as with sharp swords (Ps. !ix. 7). 2. Urgent claims on the part of friends and ldndred. A father's wishes are sometimes opposed to a friend's welfare. 3. Self- mterest. I£ David were spired Jonathan's accession to the throne would be je…
832 wordsSECTION 367The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 367
l. 1T 1s DANG En, and the anxiety and distress by which it was naturally attended ( \'Crs. 11, 14: 17, compared ''.·ith Ps .. lix.). 4dversity- l. Often follows closely upo1'. prosp_eritv. In the morning David occupied a position of hig·h honour as the kmg s son-m-Ia_w, the su~ces.sfol ge~~ra), the I?Opular hero; ~t…
1,170 wordsSECTION 368The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 368
Ver. 20. (RAMAH.)-Samuel the president. Of Samuel one more glimpse is afforded before his life closes. After his separation from Saul he appears to have devoted himself to the training of o. body of younger men to carry on his prophetic work. The flight of David to him shows that an intimate relationship had previously…
1,201 wordsSECTION 369The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 369
Vere. 22-24. (RAMAB,)-The meeting of three remarkable men. This appears t4 ·have been the only occasion on which Samuel, Saul, and David were present at the same time and place. The meeting was a notable one, and may be compared with others (Exod. x. 16; 1 Kings xviii. 16; Acts xxv. 24). Besides the three men just ment…
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"The way of order, though it lead through windings, Is the best. Right forward goes the lightning And the cannon-ball ; quick, by the nearest path, They come, opening with murderous crash their way To blast and ruin ! 11Jy son, ,thq quiet road . Wl1ich men frequent, \there 1;1eace' and blessings travel, Follows t…
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liimself among the prophets in the very outset of his history; and although sadly deteriorated in character, he still retained his early sensibilities. Indeed, throuo-h the very disorder of hi~ faculties he had become more susceptible than ever of reliO'ious excitement; so when he reached Naioth he was quite beyonrl…
1,169 wordsSECTION 372The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 372
CHAPTER XX. 15). The phrase is used again in ver. 12. For will do nothing the written text reads JoNATHAN's COVENANT WITH DAVID RE• "has done for himself," which the Kri NEWED (vers. 1-23). Ytr. 1.-David :fled properly corrects. The rashness of Saul's from Naiotb. While Saul was under the temper, and his frank talk…
602 wordsSECTION 373The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 373
therefore, that David might now return to evil against him, or now entertain any evil his home and wife, 1111<! resume his duties desiipis, then let the covenant he abrogated. and take his place at the royal table. Should David refuses to shelter himself under it if the old craze come back about David being he has i…
1,028 wordsSECTION 374The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 374
pror.ide for l1is safety by flight. The con- Jonathan's own lovo; but tho Masotetio· cludmg prayer that Jehovah might be with text agrees better with what has gone be- Dand as he had been with Saul contains fore, and with his wish that their covonan t the same presentiment of David attaining under no change of circu…
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ledge of their friendship and its effect on his methods, Jonathan expresses readiness to do whatever David may suggest. 4. Thereupon David suggests a means hy which Saul's disposition towards him can be ascertained. 5. He further pleads, on the ground of their strong friendship, that Jonathan should slay or aid to deli…
870 wordsSECTION 376The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 376
as~erl:ion were it not t_hat he wa_s subject to a t_rea.tment not expiicable on ordinary prmc1ples_. It. w_as tm1e f?r 1nm to affirm Ins mnocence, and bring his natural mtegnty mto d1stmct consc10usness. He often does this in the Psalms not to claim righteousness in relation to God, but to rebut accusations in refer…
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its vindication, as in case of our Saviour; nevertheless, no means should be left nnuse,1 to assert our innocence and if possible prove it. Tlie subtle powers wlii,:h- threaten our life may be often avoided by observance of laws of health and abRtention from unnecessary risks. Many men commit slow suicide by wilful neg…
848 wordsSECTION 378The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 378
speaks as one not worthy of such honour; and yet, with all this reverence and awe -of the ~ominp; majesty and power, t_here was the tender love "passing that of ":omen. ~a1tl: sa,: through ~he lonelmess and oppressed state of David, and recog- nised the l~mg m Z101:· ,Tliis ~C!-8 _the real feeling of the apostles, i…
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from any 8ection of our life-this were debasement and 8hame indeed. Love- " passing that of women "-seeks satisfaction in living for Christ and glorying only in him. General lessons :-1. We should inquire whether any of Christ's requirements have as yet been disregarded. 2. It is a matter of doubt whether the professi…
785 wordsSECTION 380The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 380
~cC'nes anrl belo'l'crl friend~, to "be m~ssed" from our accustomed place is a sadden• !ng lh_o'.1ght. But ~v\iat gwe~ solem111ty to dea_th as well as life is its moral aspect, 1ts spmtua\ and Dinn~ relat!ons. 1. !t. terminates our earthly probation-severs our nnme~iate connect10n with the pnv1leges, means, and oppo…
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That he shows f~vour nnd. affords help to _those who strive 1:0 keep them faithfully. "Who bath not liftrd up his soul unto vamty, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord" (Ps. xxiv. 4; xv. 4; Ephes. iv. 25). II. DEEPENING THE SENSE OF OBLIGATION. Jn some cases a covenant creates a new ob…
829 wordsSECTION 382The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 382
Henry Kirke White, though his tone was too gloomy, when he wrote, deprecating lii 9 early fate- " It is hard To feel the hand of Death arrest one's steps Throw a chill blight o'er all one's budding hopes And hurl one's soul untimely to the shades." ' Poets, both heathen and Christian, have often deplored the dise…
1,172 wordsSECTION 383The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 383
EXPOSITION. r OPEN HATRED. 01!' SAUL AGAINST DAVID jocose way of speaking adopted by Jona th1U1> {vers. 24-34). Vers. 2f-26.-The king !at as if the matter were a mere trifle. him down to eat meat. Hebrew, "the king Vers. 30, 31.-Thou son of the perversd 1:1at down at the bread to eat." On sitting rebellious woman. …
879 wordsSECTION 384The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 384
HOMILETICS. Vere. 24--34.-Wasted influences, mujfted thoughts, and ronjf,icting interests. The facts are-1. While David lies hidden, Saul notices hie absence from the feast on the first day, and refers it to some ceremonial defilement. 2. On the 5econd day he calls Jonathan's attention to the fact, and inquires the…
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II. WASTED INFLUEN~ES. _Saul's SJ?irit and condu?t at this_ time_ were evidence that all the efforts to brmg him to a nght state of mmd were m vain. During hie career Providence had wrought through trouble and joy, prophet and people, threat- ening and e_ncouragement, and lately through the wise and gentle persuasions …
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If Jon~1tl,a.n kept_ the one l,c n_rnst lose the other. Saul assumed that policy andl prudence would d1ct~te the ch01ce of the succession,' for, witlr the swift logic of the cruel, he wound up !11s argument by, "Therefore now send and fetch hin-i unto me for he shall surely die " (wr. 31 ). It is easy to show that Saul…
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giant, and subsequently received favours at the hand of Saul. But the possibilitie,; of human experience transcend all our effort to foresee. What the web of life w;JI embrace aa the weaving goes on who can tell? It is true one stage prepares tl,e wa v for another according to fixed laws, but we know not what new exter…
860 wordsSECTION 388The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 388
HOMILrnS DY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 24-34. (GrnEAH.)-Anger. "Saul's anger was kindled ngainst Jonathan" ~ver. 30). "And Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger" (ver. 34). Anger 1s not necessarily sinful. "It is in itself, and in its original no more than indig- nation against injury and wickedness " (Butler, …
1,195 wordsSECTION 389The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 389
Ver. 41. (THE STONE EzEL. )-The parting of friends. Friends sometimes part because they cease to esteem each other. They also sometimes part not in feeling, but only in space; not willingly, but under the constraint of a higher necessity; and their separation is one of the most painful trials of life. Such was the part…
1,178 wordsSECTION 390The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 390
with s~mething. of its old splendour. And hand." I have no ordinary food ; there is this· agrees with Saul's character. At the only hallowed bread, that is, the shewbread, commencement of his reign wo find Ahiah which, after remaining in ,Jehovah's presence with hiin as high priest, and even when he from sabbath to sab…
1,019 wordsSECTION 391The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 391
moved on some prcnous day. As after a that; for it was a memorial of his greatost week's exposure it was stale and dry, the achierement, and might bo tho presllge of priests, we are told, ate but little of it, and good fortune a.gain. the rest was left (see Talmud, 'Tract. Yorn.,' DAVID SEEKS IlEFUGE WITH THE KING …
1,014 wordsSECTION 392The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 392
excitement to which Davi<l was a prey in his objects. Feigned himself mad. Literally, last interview with Jonathan (eh. xx. 41); "he roamed hither ancl thither" rest!es;ly nnd only in his first grief nt Saul's cruel and in terror. In their h1mds. I. e before bitterness woul<l his min<l have been so them, in their pr…
901 wordsSECTION 393The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 393
"Fathei> business" which Christ w~s _commi~sioned to acc~mplish (Luke ii. 49; John xn1. 4-9). But, at all events, 1t 1s certain that our Saviour regarded David's requc~t and the response of the priest as indicative of the subordination of a lower to a_ l!1gher law (M~rk ii. 24-28). To save and sustain_ the life ?f a…
901 wordsSECTION 394The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 394
tions of the·' anointer];" great l,is pleasure in revealing to Saul anything gratify- ing to his wicked malice. The lesson is obvious. Thi, servants of God Jive in the midst of a" perverse generation," o.nd any inconsistencies in their conduct flre sure to be used o.guinst them. Some men take unusual delight in detec…
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most perilous, and of very doubtful character, and which involved farther recourse- to a most humiliating expedient. I. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN Goo's SERVANTS ARE APPARENTLY LEFT TO THEIR OWN USE OF PREVIOUS TEACHING, which they find difficult to apply to new and dangerous circumstances. David was placed in great peri…
873 wordsSECTION 396The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 396
An appearance of wealth covers real poverty; a geniality of manner is adopted wl.en real avernion lies in the heart ; a pretence of ill-health secures escape from obliga- tion~; ambiguous words and evasions are employed to suggest our ignorance of matters when we know them well. To be real, to be known to be just what…
810 wordsSECTION 397The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 397
and fear,. and thereby te~1pte~ to invent a falsehood. If he had steadfastly set his face agamst the temptation !us need would probably have been met ih some othe1· way. There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as a lie of necessity. A man may die of necessity, but not lie. 2. The pi·omise of advantage. He thought…
763 wordsSECTION 398The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 398
8. 1'o watch against the least approach to deception in ourselves. 4. To seek pro. eervation from it by firmly trusting in God.-D. Ver. 2. (NoB.)-The sins of good men. Some of the most eminent servants of God mentioned in the Bible fell into grievous sins. This bas often been to some a ground of objection to the Bible…
804 wordsSECTION 399The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 399
eigli ·~:-fi,·e priests now dwelt nt ]Sfob, where the tabernacle (and possibly tlm ark- cl1. v11. 1) h~d been placed. Bu~ (he condition of the priesthood was very different from what 1t ~)1CC was. The_spmtual power of the_ nation la.l'. in the "_company of t~e prophets; and Saul,_ r_eJected o~ God_ and ruhng accor1mg t…
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and our Lord acted (Lnke vl. 10). "I desired mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hoset, vi. 6). 4. When it hinders the highest service of God. In all such inatances the 1trict observance of the letter "works mischief and misery, and not only kills but kills the spirit itself from which it came" (2 Cor. iii. 6). ' III. _THE_ LE…
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. Vers. 10-15. (GATH.)-Tli.efearofman. '.'And David laid up these words in his J1eart., and was sore afraid" (ver. 12). The fear of man is not always sinful. As in C'ertain cases, and within certain limits, the approbation of others is a natural and :proper object of desire, so the disapprobation of others is a like…
718 wordsSECTION 402The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 402
in the king's palace at Gath I Fingers which have struck the celestial lyre now 8cribble on the doors of the gate. From lips which have poured forth divinest song now drops the slrwer of madlless. The soul which has delighted in communion with God now emulates the riot of a fiend. And all this not brought on by the str…
754 wordsSECTION 403The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 403
would not flee into the temple to save his life when his duty was (o build up Jeru• sakm. Shadrnch, Meshaeh, and Abcdnego would not worship the golden inrno·o at Babylon to saYe their bodie_s fr~m the furnac_e;. nor \\·oul~ Dt~niel desist from p~ayer to Jehovah to escape the lions den. Paul insisted on Ins nght of p…
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Vera. 8-15.-The hero unheroic. I. A WEAPON WAS GIVEN TO DAVID AT NoB THAT SHOULD HAVE 8TIRRED ALL THE HEROIC ELEMENT IN HIM AND RESTORED HIS FALTERING FAITH. Had he forgotten that the sword of Goliath was in custody of the priests? Or did he remember it, and was it for a sight and a grasp of this mighty weapon that…
1,028 wordsSECTION 405The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 405
EXPOSITION. CHAPTER XXII. one of many in the Terebinth valley and the ravine opening into it, and was not far COMMENCEME1''T OF DAVID'S LIFE AS AN from Gath, tl1ough over the border. Here 01;TLAW. Ver. 1.-The cave Adullam. Ac- his brethren and all his father's house -cording to Josephus this was situated near a jo…
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·favomitism (ver. 7), o.nd made bitter of soul power, and from the list of those who joinc.rl by his cruelty and injustice. All such were glad him at Ziklag (1 Chron. xii. 1-22) it is e,·i. to join in what seemed to them the banner of dent not only that such was the case, but that revolt. Afterwards at Ziklag David …
1,027 wordsSECTION 407The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 407
7, rn ; xni. 16). Saul was holding a formal Yers. 14-16.-Ahimelech's answors are court, to decide what steps should be taken those of an inno~ent man who had supposed no"·that Da,i'.l had openly reYolted from him. that what he d1Ll was n matter of course. \'ers. 7, 8.-Ye Benje.mites. San! had But his cnume_ration of…
1,016 wordsSECTION 408The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 408
bably by his servants, slew in that day four- 23). Vers. 20-23.-Abiathar escaped. Pro- -9oore and flve persous that did wear a linen bably he was left in charge of the sanctuary ephod. The fact that they were thus clad in when Ahimelech and the rest were summoned their official dress added not to the wicked- into the k…
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tmp_crior wisdom of the propl,e~. of G?d. _In all this :,ve get ~races of the qualities wlnch ~ub_seq'.1cntly _made Dand a ~v!se kuw. Her':m aro lines of conduct worthy- qf our imitation amidst the perplexities wluch sometimes fall to our lot in private. domestic, and public life. Amidst the fears and gloom of our p…
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pntience hns had her "perfect work," and discipline has brought us nearer t0 Go, 1, :t "more sum word of prophecy," which "shineth as a light in a dark place," will make clear to ns the perfect will of God. Like as Christ found an end to the " hour of darkness," BO nil who share in his sorrows will find darkness made l…
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conec!ousn~ss that he ,~·as a guilty man, that the judgment pronounced wae just, and that, rn spite of all ,nshes, hopes, and efforts to the contrary, the dreaded doom ~·ould come. In such a state of mind he saw messengers of justice and supplanter& of his position 'ld1ere others saw only blessings to Israel. A prud…
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see that he hacl lost the moral support of S;imuel, and was bent on a reckless conrse in hunting the life of David. But one man was ready to strengthen his hate and urge bim on in the fatal conflict. Doeg the Edomite, a man of low spiritual tastes an alien to Israel, maliciously added fuel to the raging evils of the …
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cn?_tr grrat fe_a!·s it shonld be regarded as instant proof of the existence of a pcrilonr,1 spmtual cond1tion: and a demand for great searc)1ing of heart. 3. Remembering ho"· much all our Jndgments are coloured by our imperfect moral state, we should pm);, much that G_od ';;ould op_en our eyes to see things_ in his…
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the instinct that leads man to fear God. To them the high priest and his suborclin ates were representatives of a sacred order, the exponents of a spiritual power, and it would therefore be violence to nil that was sacred, inexpressible, and most influ- ential in their nature were they, out of loyalty to the king or…
861 wordsSECTION 415The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 415
I\'. Tm,: DESIGNS OF THE WICKED DEFEAT THEMSELVES. The conflict wngcd by S:tnl was, as we have seen, rea_lly ag~inst the decree of God, but its ostensible object we.s e. plot o!1 the part ?f David agan~st the t!ll"one. "Whatever fears Saul mny hn,·o had concerning Samuels sympathy with David, there was no public gT0…
804 wordsSECTION 416The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 416
Buffers and endures; Saul 0£ the anti-theocratic principle." Like Moses, David bore II the reproach of Christ," who was in him and suffered with him (Acts ix. 4; Col. i. 24; Heh. xi. 26, 32-38). 2. H is limited in its power, and is always ulti- mately defeated. "Be not afraid of them that kill the body," &c. (Luke x…
1,078 wordsSECTION 417The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 417
Vera. 3, 4. (MoAB.)-Filial kindiie,ss. To honour parents is the earliest obliga- • tion of life, the foundation of human duties and a stepping-stone to Divine. It applies to children not only when they dwell at home and depend on their parents, but also when they leave home and become independent of them. The manner …
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?iv<"rs man_ners," accordi~g to o~r need, ~nd "for our good always." 3. It speake rn the readrng of the Scriptures, 111 the voice of preachers and teachers parents nnd friends, in the recollections of the memory, and often comes to the h~art and con- science with peculiar force. "Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosp…
700 wordsSECTION 419The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 419
I. MoRDID SELFISHNESS. Ily constantly directing his thoughts toward himself instead of toward God and his people, Saul had come to think of nothin"' 0 else but his own safety, power, and honour. Selfishness appears in - 1. Pride and vain- glory. Of this he had previously exhibited unmistakable signs (rh. xv. 12). Y…
1,054 wordsSECTION 420The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 420
Vers. 18, 19. (GIBEAH.)-Doeg the Edomite. Wicked men, especially when they -occupy positions of authority and possess wealth and influence, attract to themselves others of like cbaracter, and become more wicked by association with them. Of the latter Doeg the Edomite was one. He belonged to a people between whom nnd…
546 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.