The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 141

of a ~ingle block or 0£ a heap of stones ; they generally received some "ignifican t 11amc, or were marked with a brief inscription, and they sometimes became centrc8 around which the people gathered, and were replaced by more imposing structures. The earliest instance mentioned in the Bible was at Bethel (Gen. xxviii. 8). Other instances, Gen. x.xxi. 45; Exod. xvii. 15; Josh. iv. 9, 21, 22; x.xiv. 26. This memorial was set up- I. ON THE OPPORTUNE RECEPTION OF DIVINE llELP. Looking backward on tl1e past, let us remember-I. How much that help has been needed by us-in sorrow, labour, conflict, danger, which our own strength was wholly inadequate· to meet. 2. How often it has been afforded when we were at the point of de8pair. But why, it may be asked, should God have allowed us to arrive at such a point? (1) To teach us the very truth concerning ourselves, and deliver us from a vain confidence in our- selves. "This unfortunate self-reliance forms within us a little favourite sanctuary, which our jealous pride keeps closed against God, whom we receive ae our last resource. But when we become really weak and despair of ourselves, the power of God expands itself through all our inner man, even to the moat secret recesses, filling us with all the fulness of God 11 (A. Monod). (2) To produce in us humility and submission, to excite us to fervent prayer, and to strengthen and perfect our faith. (3) To afford occasion for a more impressive manifestation of his power and grace. 3. How completely it has been adapted to our need and accomplished our deliverance. Here we are this day, after the trouble and conflict, ourselves monuments of his mercy I "We went through_ fire and through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place 11 (Deut. viii. 2; Ps. ]xvi. 12; lx.xvii. 10; Acts xxvi. 22). II. IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF DIVINE HELP. Looking upward to heaven, let us reflect-1. How plainly the Source of our deliverance now appears. "Hitherto bath the Lord helped us." "Not with thy sword, nor with thy bow 11 (Josh. xxiv. 12). His arm alone has brought salvation nigh. We see it now more clearly than we did before, and as we meditate upon it our hearts overflow with thankfulness. "\Ve have not always recognised the Source of our mercies, and therefore often omitted to be -thankful; but who can fail to see these signal tokens of his power? "Not unto us," &c. (Ps. cxv. 1). 2. How much we owe to the God of our salvation. Everything. 3. How we can best te8tify the gratitude of our hearts. " What shall I render unto the Lord? 11 (Ps. cxvi. 12). Loud songs of praise. Renewed vows of consecration. Earnest written or spoken words for God. Large gifts of what he has given. Fresh acts of piety and beneficence. These shall be the memorial we now set up. III. As A. PERMANENT RECORD OF DIVINE HELP. Looking forward to the future, let us consider-1. How helpful the record may be to ourselves in times of conflict and -trial. For such times will come; we are liable to forget what has occurred ; and it will remind us of him who changes not, and incitA us to faith and prayer. 2. How useful it may be to others in similar circumstances. What he has done for us he can <lo for them, and seeing it they "may take heart again." 3. How conducive it may be to the glory of God. As often as we behold it we shall be stirred to fresh thanks- g·i ving·. When we are gone it will still endure. Others will g·ather around it, and ask the meaning of the "great stone which remaineth unto this day" (eh. vi. 18), and, on being told, will give glory to God. So hie praise shall be perpetuated from generation to generation, until it merge into the anthem of heaven. Conclusion.-1. Let us be thankful for the memorials of Divine help which other11 have left for our benefit. They are among the greatest treasures the earth contains, and meet our view wherever we tum. 2. Let us do something to add to these treasures, and further enrich the earth. 3. Above all, let us seek to be ourselves the everlasting monuments of the Divine power and grace.-D. Vere. 15-17. (RA.MAH, BETHEL, G!LOAL, MIZPA.H.)-Samuelthe}udge. The "judges" of Israel were deliverers from oppression, leaders in war, perpetual dictators in national affairs, and supreme arbiters in judicial matters. "All that was greatest in those times was certainly due to them, and some of their names shine eternally like brig·ht stars in the long night of a troubleLI age" (Ewald, 'History'). Of these judges Samuel was the last and greatest. His superiority appears in - 1. The characte1· he possessed. He was free from the vices into which soma of the most 138 THE FinST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH, VII. 1-17.