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 old man's heart. Eli's ad- t lrnt though the message of Samuel coufinns juration, ,ve must further note, was er1uiva- all that hnd been threatened by the man lent to putting Samuel upon his oath, so of Goel, yet that 110 bitter or painful words that any concealment on his pm-t would have nre put into the mouth of one who was still involved the sin of perjury. a child. For this there may also be a further ERTAllLISHMENT OF SAMFEL IN THF. OFFICE reason. The first message was .intencled to OF PROPHET (ver. 19-iv. I). Ver. 19.--And give Eli and his sons a final opportunity of Samuel grew. His childhood up to this time repentance, and, that it might produce its has been carefully kept before our view ; now full effect, the severity of the doom impend- he passes from youth to manhood. And ing upon them was clearly set before their Jehovah was with him. By special gifts, eyes. They did not repent. Eli hardened but especially by establishing his words. himself in his weakness, and took no steps Spoken by Divine inspiration, they were all to vindicate God's service from the slur cast fulfilled. So in Eccles. xii. 11 the words of upon it by an unworthy priesthood. His the wise are compared to "nails fastened" sons hardenecl themselves in crime, and made securely, and which may therefore be de- their office ii. reproach. It was enough, there- pended upon. But in their case it is ex- fore, to repeat and confirm generally the terms perience and sound judgment that makes of the former prophecy, as no moral object them foresee what is likely to happen ; it would be gained by calling attention to the was a higher gift which made Samuel's words lleverity of the coming judgment. remain safe anJ sure, and capable of firmly Yer. 15.-Samuel . . . opened the doors. holding up all enterprises that were hung In Exod. xxvj. 36 ; xxxvi. 37, the word upon them. used, though translated door, really means Yer. 20.-From Dan, upon the north, to 1111 opening, protected by a hanging curtain. :Beer-sheba, upon the south, means" through- The word used here means double or folding out the whole country." The phrase is inter- doors of wood, and we must therefore conclude esting, as showing that, in spite of the virtual that solid buildings had grown up round the independence of the tribes, and the general tabernacle (see on eh. i. 9), and a wall for its anarchy which prevailed during the time of defence in,case of invasion, or the assault of the judges, there was nevertheless a feeling pred,itory tribes. The confiding the keys that they all formed one people. Was estab- of these enclosures to Samuel shows that he lished. The same word used in Num. xii. 7 was no longer a mere child, or he would have of l\Ioses, and there translated was faithful. been incapable of holding a position of such It is one of those pregnant words common in high trust (on the key as an emblem of Hebrew, containing two cognate meanings. authority see Isa. xxii. 22). Vision, as It says, first, that Samuel was faithful in noticed above on ver. 10, means something his office ; and, secondly, that because he seen by a person awake and in full possession was found trustworthy he was confirmed and of his senses. strengthened in the possession of it. Vera. 16, 17, 18.-God do so to thee, &c. Ver. 21.-And Jehovah appeaTed again. This adjuration shows bow great had been Literally, "added to appear," i. e. revealed the agony of Eli's suspense, yet, true to his himself from time to time on all fit occasions. sluggish nature, he had waited patiently To appeai·, literally, "to be seen," is the verb till the morning came. Then he summons • nsC<l of waking vision (see on ver. 15 ). By the Samuel to him, calling him lovingly my son, word of Jehovah. Many of the olJ comment- and everything tends to show that there was ators refer this to the second person of the a real nlfection between the two. He next Holy Trinity, but he is himself Jehovah, as asks, What is the thing that he bath eaid we affirm in the Te Denm: '' "\Ye believe thee unto thee 1 T)1e A. V. greatly weakens this to be the Lord,"?'.. e. the Jehovah of the Ohl t.y i11serti11g the words "The Lord." The Testnmcnt., usually translated, in deference original is far more suggestive. Put quite to n Jewish superstition, "the Lo RD." .Ai indefinitely, it says, "Whoever or whatso- the Word, Christ is "the Word of Goll" ever be thy visitor, yet tell me all." Then, The phrase really means, "by prophetic in- when Eli has heard the message, he sitys, It spiration" re.-ealing to Samuel the truth is Jehovah. Though he had not had the (comp. Isa. li. 16; Jer. i. 9). coumge to do what was right, yet his sub-
HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-10.-Light withlielcl. The facts given are-1. A lnck of the mani- fest revelations of the Divine will to ,vhich Israel had been accu~tomed. 2. A,, F2 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUI<:L. [ell. II{. 1-21.