The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 288

their king. "Such a sinking age could be saved from imminent dissolution only by extreme severity. He who, however kindly disposed in other respects, was most direct and inexorable in carrying out what seemed urgently needed, he alone could now become the true physician of the times, and the successful founder of a better age " (Ewald). We have here- I. A NOTORIOUS OFFENDER MEETING HIS JUST DOOM. 1. Although sentence upon an evil work is not speedily executed, it is not reversed. The long-suffering of God waits, "as in the days of Noah" (2 Pet. iii. 20), when judgment was suspended , for 120 years; but "he spared not the old world" (2 Pet. ii. 5). 2. Justice requires that incorrigible sinners should be punished with significant severity. "As" (in the same manner as) "thy sword," &c. 3. Death is naturally bitter to men, and especially to those who have heavy guilt upon their consciences. The last words of Agag were, "Surely the bitterness of death is past." 4. When sinners deem themselves moRt secure, then "sudden destruction cometh upon them." Having been spared so long, he imagined that the danger was over, and little thought that the venerable prophet was the messenger of wrath. " The feet of the avenging deities are shod wi.tb wool, but they strike with iron bands." II. AN AMIABLE PROPHET CLOTHED WITH HOLY SEVERITY. 1. The more a mar loves righteousness, the more intensely does he hate sin. "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil." What woes were ever so terrible as those that fell from the lips of Christ? 2. A good man may mflict punishment on the wicked without feelings of personal revenge against them. "Our Lord declared the inferiority of the legal position of the Old Testament not because the desire of retribution ought to be excluded from the religion of reconciliation, but because ii ought not to predominate in it" (Tholuck). 3. When some fail to carry out the purposes of God, others are bound to make up £or their defect, and sometimes to do things for which they do not seem well adapted, and which do not harmonise with their general character (1 Kings xviii. 40). "When kings abandoned their duty God often executed his law by the prophets" (Grotius). 4. That which is severity to one must often be done, provided it be not contrary to justice, for the good of all. III. AN OBSTINATE PEOPLE TAUGHT A SALUTARY LESSON. 1. No excuse can justify disobedience to the commands of God. Doubtless the people, if called to account, would have been as ready as Saul to offer excuses for the part they took in sparing Agag and the best of the sheep, &c. 2. They who fail to obey these commands deprive themselves of invaluable blessings. The sunshine of heaven is beclouded, and the sentence of rejection on their king, although at present little known, will ere long produce disastrous effects in them. 3. God's work must be done, and if one refuses to do it, another is raised up for the purpose. As with individuals, so with nations (Num. xiv. 21; Rom. xi. 22). 4. Those who, although the professed people of God, contend against his purposes must share the fate of his open enemies. " If ye shall still do wickedly ye shall be consumed, both you and your king" (eh. xii. 25).-D. Vera. 34, 35. (GILGAL.)-.A. melancholy parting. The interview between Samuel and Saul was now ended. "It was a fearful meeting; it was followed by a lifelong parting." The earlier course of Saul (from the time the prophet met him in the gate at Ramah) was marked by modesty, prudence, generosity, and lofty spiritual im- pulses, and wos one of brilliant promise. His subsequent course (from his first wrong step before the war of Michmash), although distinguished by external pros- perity, was marked by self-will, presumption, disobedience, and selfishness, and was one of rapid degeneracy. "How must the prophet have lamented as he saw the wreck of that early brightened life I " On his part, more especially, the separation was- I. NEEDFUL. A good man is compelled to separate from those to whom he has given bis counsel and aid-1. When from lack of sympathy and opposition of o.im he can no longer effectively co-operate with them. 2. When be cannot hope to exert a beneficial influence upon them. 3. 'When his continuance with them afford1 a sanction to a course which he cannot approve. His parting is a condrmnation of it, and is rendered necessary by truth and righteousness. "God's ambassador wll8 1 SAM. U  290 THE FIRST BOOK OF S,\7\ICEL. [en. xv. 1-85.