The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 277

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-9. (GIBEAH.)-.A probatwnary commission. 1. Tlte .fidelity of Saul h the principle of his appointment, viz. obedience to the, will of Jehovah, was one<'>· :ir.~ again put to the ~est. H_e ha_d been tried b_v: inaction, delay, and distresR, winch became the occasion of Ins bemg tempted to distrust, and the use of his power fn_r his own safety, in opposition to the word of God (eh. xiii. 11). He bad been tncd by enterprise, encouragement, and the expectation of brilliant success, whicl~ b~came the occasion of l)is being _tempted to presumption in entering rashly upon !ns own ways, and adoptmg "foolish and h_urtful devices" for conquest and glory,. 1~dependently of the counsel of God (eh. xiv. 19, 24). He must now be tried by victory, po"·er, and prosperity. Having chastised his enemies on every side (eh. xiv. 47), his assured success becomes the final test of his character and fitness to• rule over Israel. 2. Tlte temptations of Saul may be compared with those of others and especially with the three temptations of Christ (Matt. iv. 1-10; Luke iv. 1--,-12):. which are "an epitome of all the temptations, moral and spiritual, which the devil, has contri-.ed for man from the day of his first sin unto this very hour." 'The antecedents in both cases, the circumstances under which the temptations occurred, the principles to which they appealed, fhe inducements which they presented, the· means afforded for their resistance, and their result, are all suggestive. Where the' first king- of Israel .failed the last King of Israel prevailed, and whilst Saul w.as rejected, Jesus was perfected, and "crowned with glory and honour" (Luke xxii. 28, 29 ; Heb. ii. 10, 18). 3. The comrnisswn of Saul to execute jndgment upon the Amalekites was brought to him by Samuel, whose authority as the pro:phet of the- Lord he never called in question, however much he may lrnve acted contrary to his directions. After Saul exhibited a determination to have his own way, Samuel seems to haYe exerted little influence over him. At the battle of Michmash the high priest Ahiah was his only spiritual counsellor. It became more and more evident that he- wished to establish a "kingdom of this world," like the surrounding· heathen king- doms, in opposition to the design of God concerning Israel, which the pi:ophet represented and sought to carry into effect; and it was inevitable that, with such contrary aims, a conflict sl1ould arise between them. "The great prophet's voice- brings him a new commission from his God, and preludes it by a note of very i;pecial warning: 'The Lord sent me,' &c. This tone of adjuration surely tells all. It speaks the prophet's judgrnent of his character, of prayers and intercessions, of days of watching and nights of grief for one be loved so well, as be saw growing on that darkening countenance the deepening lines of wilfulness. The prophet sees that it will be a crisis in that life-history with which by God's own hand his own had been so strangely entwined.'' The commission was- • I. DIVINELY APPOINTED (ver. 1). 1. When a communication enjoining the per- fJrmance of any action comes unquestionably from God. it should be unhesitati,ngly obeyed. His authority is supreme, his power is infinite, and his commands are right· und good. It does not follow that everything he directs men to do in one age is obligatory on all others in every age. But some things he has undoubtedly enjoined upon ns all. 2. When such a communication is made with peculiar directness and'. solemnity, it should be obeyed with peculiar attention and circumspection, for important issues are involved in its faithful or faithless observance. 11 If thou h~st hiled in other things, take heed that thou fail not in this." 3. When special privilege and l,onour have been bestowed upon men by God they are plac~d under special obligations of obedience to him. '' Though thou wast little in thine own si;lit,'' &c. (ver. 17). II. JusTLY DESERVED by those against whom it was directed (ver. 2)-"the sin11ers 1l,c Amalekites" (ver. 18). 1. Some sins are marked by an unusual degree 0£ criminality and guilt. Like !he people of Israel, tl,e Amalckites were descenda11t.i of Abraham (Amalek being the gra11dson of Esau-Gcu. xxxvi. 12, 16); hut t.:<>y c'FI, XV. 1-35.] THE FinST BOOK OF SAMUEL.