III. THE RECErTION OF IlELr (vers. 9, 10). 1. It came in answe1· to prayer. "And the Lord nnswered him." 2. It came at the moment of their greatest extremil?J. "Anel ns Samnel was offNing up the burnt offering·, the Philistines drew near to battle ag-ninst Israel." B11t man'R extremity is God's opportunity (Gen. xxii. 11-14). 3. It cnme in nn e.?ctraordirwry mnnner. "The Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day .• , It ,ms, a~ it were, his voice in answer to prayer. The ordinary forces of nnture operated in such a manner as to make it plainly appear that they were .direct.eel by his hand (1 Sam. ii. 10). 4. It was most t;/!"ectual. "They were dis- comfited and smitten before Israel" (Job xl. 9; Ps, lxxvii. 18). IV. THE rURSUIT OF THE FOE (ver. 11). 1. The sense of the presence of God inspires his people with fresh confidence and courage, and without it they can do nothing. 2. The help of God does not render their co-operation unnecessary. It rather calls for the putting forth of their strength. He gives them strength that it may be employed against the enemy, and in the faithful and zealous use of it he giYes them more strengtl1, and crowns their efforts with success. 3. Victory over the cne!11y should be followed '!ff to the utmost (Judges viii, 1)- "The)'. smote them until they came to Beth-car. How often from not followrng up a victory are its adYantages lost l V. THE MEMORIAL OF THE VICTOilY (ver. 12). 1. The help which is derived from Goel should be gratefully ascribed to him. 2. Thanksgiving to God should be <'xpressed in a de.finite and permanent form. 3. One deliverance is an earnest of another. 4. The memorial of past deliverance should incite to future confidence, nnd the continued use of the means in connection with which it was achieved. ''Hitherto; for all Jehovah's help is only hitherto-from day to day, and from place to place; not unconditionally, not wholly, not once for all, irrespective of our bearing" (Edersheim). More conflicts have to be waged, and it is only in mistrust of self, ,trust in God, self-dedication, and prayer that they can be waged successfully. "'rhe life of man is nothing else but a continual warfare with temptation. And this is a battle from which, as it ends only with life, there is no escape; and he who fights not in it is of necessity either taken captive or slain. Because of this warfare thou must watch always, and keep a guard upon thy heart, so that it be ever peaceful and quiet" (Scupoli). VI. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE RESULT (vers. 13, 14). A true revival is always followed by beneficial and lasting effects. 1. The power of the enemy is broken. ·' The Philistines were subdued, and came no more into the coasts of Israel." 2. A sure defence is afforded agai11st every attempt they may make to regain their dominion. 11 The hand of the Lord was against them all the days of Samuel." 3. Lost territory is restored ( ver. 14). Along the whole line, extending north and south, from Ekron to Gath. 4. Far-reaching peace is established. 11 And there was peace between Israel e.nd the Amorites." 11 When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Prov. xvi. 7). The battle of Ebenezer may be considered one of the decisive battles of the world, inasmuch as it intro- duced a new order of things in Israel, and contributed in an eminent degree to its subsequent prosperity and power. "The revival of religion has ever had a most important bearing on social and moral improvement. The return of man to God restores him to his brother. Restoration to the earnest and hearty performance of religious duties towards God leads to a corresponding reformation in relative and political duties. Those countries in Europe which have had the greatest religious reforms have advanced most in liberty, civilisation, and commerce. They are not trodden by the iron heel of despotism, and they possess the greatest amount of domestic quiet. It was the revival of religion which secured the Protestant succession to England, a,id many of the liberties which we now enjoy. It was the revival of religion that gave such a martyr-roll to the Scottish Covenanters, and led to the revo- lution settlement of 1688. In Israel every revival of religion was succeeded by national prosperity and political independence" (R. Steel).-D.
Ver. 12. (Between MrzPAH and SHEN-the tooth or crag.)- '/.'he stone of help Tl1e ~etting up of memorial stones was one of the earliest methods adopted for tht purpose of recording interesting and important events. These memorials consisted CH. \'II. 1-17.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SA~IUEL. 137