The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 26

Vers. 11 (21, 23, 28). (SHILOH.)-Vows. "And she vowed a vow." The first recorded instance of a religious vow is that of Jacob (Gen. x:xviii. 20; xx:xi. 13). Under a sense of obligation to God, he entered into a spontaneous and solemn engagement: before him to do what he believed would be pleasing in his sight, joining with it the desire of obtaining certain benefits at his hand. He did not, as it has been said, make a bar- gain with God ; but gratefully repeated what had been virtually promised ("if" or "since God will be with me," &c.), and simply desired those blessings, without which it would be impossible for him to fulfil hie purpose. Directions concerning the practice of making vows were given in the Law (Levit. x:xvii.; Num. vi., xx:x.). The age of the judges was an age of vows. "Then appears a new power of the age, the bind- ing vow-a spasmodic impulse, dangerous to many, yet in the greatest emergencies of life indispensable; bracing up the deepest energies, and working the greatest marvels ; often renovating, or else entirely transforming, whole nations and religions ; assuming a thousand forms, and in all, while the first fidelity endures, exercising an indomitable power" (Ewald). Jephthah- Samson - Samuel. Vows are seldom alluded to in the New Testament (Luke i. 15; Acts xviii. 18; xxi. 23). In some of their forms, and in so far as they might embody a legal spirit, they are done away. But they are not prohibited ; and, understood as denoting a solemn binding of our- selves to the service of God, or resolutions and engagements made before him to perform or omit certain definite acts, they are often needful and beneficial. Con• aider that- I. THERE ABE CERTAIN THINGS TO WHICH THEY MAY LAWFULLY PERTAIN. 1. :J.'hinga over whu:Ji we possess a rightful authority. We may not vow what do.:~ not beloug to us. 2. Things whwh ought to be done, independently of vows; but. the ob!igation of whicl1 is felt fur the first time, or with unusual force. 3. Things which are in tlte'ln- Belves imlifferent; being right or wrong according to the individual conscienc~, but with reference to which a vow creates a new obligation. The vow of a Nazante to abstain from wine, &c. 4. Things, more particularly, that relate to the use of (1) property (Gen. xxviii. 22; 1 Cor. xvi. 2) ; (2) time,- (3) in,fluence over othere, especially in the training of children; (4) the 11arious powers of body and soul (Rom. xii. 1). II. THERE ABE SPECIAL OCCASIONS ON WHICH THEY ARE APPROPll.IATELY MADE. ] . Severe trouble-personal afliiction, nearness to death, bereavement; bringing the en. 1. 9-28.) THE FinST DOOK OF SAMUEL.