v.3

yt£,J..€-

e^n,i^eay,.€yy'

/1{^A /) 9. rir.fti.tr^...
.mo.

THE
BIBLICAL MUSEUM,

^'' For ready ,t handy .^ tersely-expressed and happily-chosen ex
position,, no tnoderately-priced commentary ive have met wtth
can he compared with the Biblical Mu.seum."
The biblical MUSEUM.
NEW TESTAMENT DIVISION.
NOW COMPLETE.
Volume I, Matthevf and Mark.
Volume II,- Luke and yohn.
Volume III. Acts and Romans,
Volume IV. Corinthians to Philemon.
Volume V, Heireivs to Revelation.
With Copious Index to the $ Volumes,

OLD TESTAMENT DIVISION.
{To be completed in eight volumes^
VOLUMES NOW READY.
Volume /. Genesis and Exodus.
Volume 21. Leviticus^ Numbers., and Deuteronomy.
Volume III. yashua^ yudges^ and Ruth.

SOLD SEPARATELY.
Handsomelyand strongly bound in cloth,$i.5opervol.

ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY,
900 Broadway^ Cor. 20tt 8t.^ New Tork,
Either or all of the above sent by mail or express, prepaid, on
receipt of the price.

THE
BIBLICAL MUSEUM
A COLLECTION OF NOTES
EXPLANATOET, HOMILETIC, AND ILLUSTEATIVE,

ol^ g)criptures»

KSPECDLLLT DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF MINISTERS, BIBLE-
STUDENTS, AND SUN-DAY-SCHOOL TEACHERS.

BT
JAMES -COMPER GRAY,
* f *
Author 0/ ' ' Topics foi- Teachers," " The Clou and the Dai," <ta, <*«.

OLD TESTAMENT.
VOL. III.
(lontsmmg |og^«a, |abgcs, fut^, anb J rntb 2 gantJteL

NEW YORK:
ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY,
900 BROADWAY, COR. 20th STREET.

V.J

THE BOOK OF JOSHUA,

JnlrobtttfioK.

I. Title, Joshua, derived not so much fr. the author, as the contents— the
hist, of the achievements of J. The first Bk. in the Canon called by name of
mdividual. II. Autiior. Compiled, probably, fr. materials supplied— i. hy J.
'himself, (a.) It is plainly the story of a contemporary, and eye-witness, v. 1,
vl. 25. (b.) J. is spoken of as the writer, xxiv. 26. (c.) He was a teacher aud
prophet, vi. 26 ; 1 K. xvi. 34. (d.) To this may be added uniform Jewish
tradition, (e.) It must have been written bef. time of David and Solomou,
XV. 63 ; comp. with 2 S. v. 7—9, and xvi. 10 with 1 K. ix. 16. — ii. ly adrUtiow
hy a la-te-r niriter, xix. 47 (comp. Jud. xviii. 27 — 29, xv. 13, 19 ; see also Jud. i.
11 — 16), and xxiv. 29—33. III. Time. It comprises a period of ab. 30 yrs.
but some say 17, and others 27 yrs. Hales places the d. of J. in 1582 B.C.,
JJslier in 1443 B.C., or imraediately aft. the div. of the land in 1445 B.C. ; while
acc. to Tomline, etc., his d. took place 18 yrs. aft. this div., i.e. 1426 B.C.
rv. Authenticity. Although the true authorship is unknown ; it must, how
ever, have been compiled fr. authentic documents (a.) fr. the accuracy with
wh. matters of the greatest public importance are narrated — as the div. of the
land, evidently copied fr. some coeval record the authority of wh. did not
admit of dispute, (b.) from the discourses it contains, which are apparently
given just as they were spoken. V. Scope and Design, i. To demonstrate
the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His word to the patriarchs (a.) Abraham
(Uo, xiii. 15) — (b.) Isaac (Ge. xxvi. 4) — (c.) Jacob (Ge. xxxv. 12) — (d.) Joseph
(Ge. 1. 24) — (e.) also to Moses (Ex. iii. 8). ii. To show the portion of land
allotted to ea. tribe.
Joshtia,. — " Joshua's character is a very noble one, and few blemishes are
found in it. The favoured disciple of Moses, he learned to be faithful to the
Lord God. Once, indeed, he was too jealous for what he conceived Moses'
honour (Nu. xi. 28, 29). He was generally bold and fearless, though an
unexpected check, as at Ai, at one time dispirited him. But, with these small
exceptions, an able commander, a wise ruler, a faithful servant of the Lord,
Joshua shines as a bright star among the noble luminaries with whioh God
has decorated His Churoh ; and his resolution may well be taken as the humble
decision of all who bear the name of Christ : ' As for me and my house, we
will serve the Lord.' " (i. B. K.) Speaking of this address, one says, " The
appeal was irresistible : the people swore by God not to forsake him who had
done aU these wonders for them. Thus did Joshua make a covenant with the
people, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. It was, for that
generation and their posterity, the counterpart of the covenant which Mosea
had made, on the part of God, ivith their fathers on Mt. Horeb. Joshua added
the record of this great transaction to the book of the law of God, and set up
a monument of it in the form of a great stone under an oak, by the sanctuary
of Jehovah, perhaps the very oak beneath whose shadow Abraham and Jacob
had pitched their tents  This bright period of Jewish history is crowned
by the record that ' Israel served Jehovah all the days of Joshua, and all the
days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of
Jehovah, that He had done for Israel' (Jos. xxiv. 81). The lessons of the
wilderness had not been lost upon them. Not in vain had they seeu their
tathers drop and die, till they were all consumed for their rebellion We
search the sacred history in vain, from the exodus to the captivity for
pother generation that was so wholly faithful to Jehovah." {Smith's Old
^6Stt .£j.lSi/, Ji\)0,j

Sanapsts.

(Aemrdiny to Selilzsch,)
PABT I.— The concxuest of Oanaan.
1. Preparationa  .....i. lo  u. 24
2. Passage of Jordan  iii., iv.
& Passover, etc., at Gilgal  v. 1—12
4. Conquest ot Jericho  v. 13— vi. 27
S. Story of Achan  vii.
S. Ai, Qerizim and Ebal  viii.
7. Stratagem of Gibeonites  ix,
8. Victory of Gibeon, eto  r.
9. Completion of Conquest  xi.
10. List of slain kings  xii.
PAET II.— The division of the land.
1. Territory oftwo tribes and halt  xiii,
2. Inheritance of Caleb  xiv.
3. Inheritance of Judah  xv.
4. Inheritance of Joseph  xvi., xvii,
fi. Shiloh. Tribe or Benjamin  xviii
6, Inheritance of other tribes  xix,
7, Cities of Befuge  xx,
8. Levitical cities  ,  xxi.
9. Beturn of two tribes and half  xxiL
10. Joshua's tare?rellanddeath...xxiii.,xxiT.

(According to Ayre.)
PAET I.— The conquest and occupa
tion of Canaan  i.— xii.
PAET IL-The division of the con
quered land  xiii.— xxit
PAET m.— The addresses and dying'
counsels of Joshua, his
death and burial...xiii., xir.
(According lo Home.)
PAET I.— History of occupation of
Canaan by the Israelites.
1. Call of Joshua  j,
2. Spies sent to Jericho  jj,
3. Passage ot Jordan  (U^ iv.
4. Circumcision at Gilgal, etc  v.
6, Capture of Jericho aiid Ai  vi.  viii.
6. Compact with Gibeonites  ix.
7. War with the kings  i.
8. Defeat of Jabin  xi.
0. Eecapitulation of conquests  xii.
PAET II.— Division of conquered land.
1. General division  xiiL
2, Particular apportionment  xiv.— xix.
8. Cities ot refuge and of Levites...xx,, xxi.
4. Dismission oftwo tribes and half ...xxiL
PAET IIL— Dying- addresses, etc., of
Joshua  xxiiL, xxiv,

The Book of Jasher.— The " standing still of the sun " J. confirms by ref.
to a work wh. he calls the Bk. of Jasher, or " the Upright " (Jos. x. 13), a work
quoted also by Samuel (2 S. i, 18), Some consider this the same as "the Bk,
of the Wars of the Lord " (Nu, xxi, 14) ; others as the Bk, of Genesis ; others as
the Pentateuch, " It is prob. that f r, the beginning there were certain persons
employed in writing the ' Annals ' of the Heb. nation, wh. were preserved in
the Tab. or Temp, as bks. of ref. ; and that the dif. names of ' Bks. of the Wars
of the Lord,' of ' Jasher,' and subsequently of ' Days of Chronicles,' are but
names of the same work, and indicate the portions descr. dif. times " ( Calmef).
" They are thought to have been poetical compositions. The word Jasher, ' the
Righteous,' or ' Upright,' may possibly mean the standard authentic bk. ; while
some consider the word to imply a record of the actions of upright and worthy
men " (Pinnock). [The Bk. of jasher, published in London, 1751, and reprinted
in Bristol (by Philip Rose, of 20, Broadmead) is a shameless forgery, and full
of the grossest absurdities, utterly unworthy of serious refutation.])

jrosBUA.

[Cap. 1. 1—9.

B,0. 1451.
Joshuaappointed
tne leader
of Israel
a De. xxxiii. 1.
b Nu. XiiL 8.
e He. iv. 8.
ve. 1 — 4, J. Sau-
rm. Historical
Serms. iii, 1,
T. 2. Dr. a. Law-
ton, Serms. 1
». 6. F, K Tmon,
Serm. 68.
" Though the
great n>an rises
above the level
of common hu
manity, be is no
more to be looked
upon as distinct
and separate
from the nuisses
heneath Tiim
than tbe loftiest
mountain that
bathes its head
jn heaven can
be said to be in
dependent ot
the eartb, from
vhose surface it
rises in its sub
limity and gran
deur ; pay not
thy praise to
lofty things
alone; the plains
are everlasting
as thehills."— i)r.
Ferguson. "I have leamed
by much obser
vation that no
thing wiil satisfy
a patriot but
peace." — Junius.
d Dr. Morrison.
his encou-
ra?em.entBTO. 6. 7. Km,
Dmight, D.D.,
Berms. 1. S36.
V. 7. Atip, Sut
ton, A Serm.
V, 8. W, Strong,
eerms. 617; £p.

CHAPTEB THE FIBST.
1—6. (1) servant of the Lord, trf&cial title of Mosea, De.
xxxiv. 5 : comp. man of God." Joshua, orig. Odiea ;» obs. prefix
Je - and Gk form of word Jesiis." minister, official attendant,
so best acquainted vyith Mos.' principles. (2) this Jordan, wh.
was to be B. boundary of their land, so crossmg it was takmg
possession. (3) sole of your foot, fig. used beo. reference is to
land, on wh. fooi rested. (4) this Lebanon, tho' distant, it
was visible f r. their position at the time, and formed N. boundary.
Euphrates, Ge. ii. 14, xr. 18. Hittites, put ftar Canaanites
generally, as being the dominant tribe, great sea, Mediterra^
nean, (5) stand before thee, efEectually to resist you.
The character and death of Moses (j>. 2).— We have here— I.
The character of Moses : " My servant." Moses was a servant of
God by — 1. The consecration of his powers ; 2. The homage of
his mind ; 3. The obedience of his life ; 4. The philanthropy of
his actions. II. The death of Moses. This was — 1. A penal
event ; 2. Sudden ; 3. Solitary ; 4. Subsequently attended by
extraordinary circumstances, — Mu in SJcetches, iv. 179.
TTw materials efivh'ich God can mahe great men. — That solitaiy
monk, whose attention has been drawn to the volume of etemal
truth, and who is so anxiously perusing its long-uegleoted pages ;
what is likely to become of him 1 He will prove one of the
noblest spiritual heroes which modem ages have produced ; one
that will bid defiance to popes and cardinals, and be prepared at
the call of iuij to march fearlessly onward, even should there be
as many devUa in the place to which that duty urged Mm as
there were tiles upon the houses. That profane tinker, who has
begun to weep on account of his sins, and eamestiy to pray for
mercy : what is likely to become of him t God will tum the
tinker into a successf ml preacher, and not only so, but into a
matchless dreamer ; and by bis prison thoughts he is to be the
means of helping many a weary pilgrim onward from the eity of
destruction, over one hill cf difficulty and another, even to the
shining city above. That cobbler an his stall, vrith his serious
musings, while stitching and hammering away : what is likely
to become of him ? God is going to make the humble artisan
into a Dr, Carey, and appoint him His own instrument for placing
in the hands of the teeming myriads of the Bast the glorious
charter of salvation. So with some around ub, such as that boy
in the Sabbath class, once so thoughtless, but of late so attentive
to his teacher : what will become of him ? Who can tell t
Perhaps, when the Church history of China will be written in
after ages, an answer to the question may there be given,"*
6—9. (6) strong, firm in faith, steadfast in principle, not
easily moved by surprising or depressing events, good courage,
indio. the activity and enterprise needful for his undertaking.
Repeated w. 7, 9. Qualities needed by military leader, divide,
eto., arrange locations of the tribes. (7) prosper, Heb. act
misel-y, guided by the law. (8) out . . mouth, i.e. he must be
constantly thinking and speaking about it. Minute and practical
acquaintance with it would sustain his own spirit, and give him

Cap. 1. IO— 15.]

JOSBUA.

constant good counsel." (9) dismayed, of this there was much
danger, as undertaking waa so great.
Courageoim in spirit (v. 7). — The Christian ought to be of a
very courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by
enduring triala in an heroic manner. I. If he be fearful and
faint-hearted it will dishonour hia God. II. Besides, what a bad
example it is 1 One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad.
III. Moreover, unless courage is kept up, Satan will be too much
for you. IV. Further, labour is light to a man of cheerful
spirit ; and: success waits upon cheerfulness. He who sows in
nope shall reap in joy ; therefore " be thou strong and very
courageous."' Be of good courage. — God's people should be of good courage,
in reference to the condition unto which God hath called them.
God hath appointed all Christians to be soldiers, A sacrament is
a soldier's oath. When we were baptised we took press money,
and vowed to serve under the coloura of Christ, and as manful
soldiers to fight against the world, the flesh, the devil : and as
oft as we have been at the Sacrament of the body and blood of
our Lord, we have renewtsd our solemn and sacred obligation iu
that kind in reference to Christ, who is caUed " <lie Captain of
the Lord'a host," Wisdom is not more necessary for a counsellor,
nor eloquence for au orator, than courage for a soldier."*^ Fuller
observes that this counsel is repeated five times as recorded in
Scripture, and may have been repeated even more. '"Was Joshua
a dunce or a coward? Did his wit or his valour want an edge,
that the same precept must so often be pressed upon him?
Neither is true, but God saw it needful that Joshua should have
courage of proof, who was to encounter both the froward Jew
and the fierce Canaanite, Though metal on metal, colour on
colour, be false heraldry, line ou Ime, precept on precept, is true
divinity," 10 — ^15. (10) offlcers, s7toferm.« (11) victuals,* not manna,
as it did not keep : order given in anticip. of manna ceasing after
their crossing the river.* within three days, order prob. not
given until after retum of the spies. (12) Reubenites, etc.,
the portion of Is. wh. was permitted to settle E. of Jordan.''
(13) this land, the country of Sihon and Og. In it Is. was
then located. (14) armed, officered, or marslialled under five
leaders in approved caravan order.' (15) rest, fr. enemies, and
by settlement in the land.
Joshua's marching orders {m. 10, 11). — I. Observe the vigour
with which Joshua prosecuted his work. He wasted no time
after his installation as Moses' successor. II. Notice the prudence I
with which this vigour was combined. Provisions to be prepared
at once : all to be in a state of continual readiness. Leam :¦ — We
know not how soon we may have to cross the river. Are we ready
for the march ?
Serving tJw Lord heartily.— A girl of thirteen said to her ,
teacher, " Oh, miss, I wish I could do something for Jesus. I see j
others having tract districts, etc., etc., but I seem to have no time '
or opportunity for thns showing my love to Him ; yet I do love 1
Him, teacher, and I would so like to work for Him." "Nellie,!
dear," said her teacher, " you can show your love to Jesus, even
without any active servioe of this sort, which at present you
cannot render Him. Give me your Bible, and let us look at the ,

B.C. 14S1.
Beveridge, Tfiesau-
rus; T. Dorrington,
Fam. Deoo. ii, 142.
i). 9. Dr, Featley,
Cla J/s/s.231; Bp.
Hare. Wks. i 62;
Dr, R. Gordon, ii.
2S7; J. CM Bel-
lew, Serms. 383.
a Fs. i. 2; cxix.
9—11.

" The law of God
is said to be in
the mouth when
the words of it
are before us,
pronouncedeither openly or
silently; that ia,
when we speak
eilher to our-
selves or to
others of its con
tents. * Day and
night' isevident-
1> at all suitable
seasons and
opportunities, especially when
alone." — Schmidt.

c S.Ath.

he prepares
Israel to
cross Jordan
a Ex. V. 6; De.
xvi. 18, XX. 5.
6 Fr. L. victualis,
through F. cic-
tuailles. belong
ing to food ; vic
tus, nourishment.
c *'It does not
appear that man
na ever formed
the whole and
sole sustenance
of the people, sea
Nu. sx. I — 5."—
Spk, Com.
d Nn xxxii. 33.
e Ex. xiii 19,
marg.
Calmet thinks
that tt ese officers
were heralds, as
we should now
terra them, who
were only sent
forth on certaia
occasions like
the present

10

JOSBUA.

[Cap. ii. 1—7.

B.O. 1451.
Scott is of opinion
that this com
mand was given
after the events
mentioned in cap.
ii., since the spie^
were away more
than three days.

Israel pro
mises to obey
Joshua
a Nu. xxxii. 17,
18.
V. 17. Dr. J. Ers
kine, Serms. ii
333.
t Dr. Parker.
It has been
observed that
Joshua is oue of
the very few
saints in Scrip
ture of whom no
fault is recorded.
This also is to be
noted about him,
that "his cha
racter is to an
extent over-
Bhadowed by the
grandeur of the
events and cir
cumstances iu
which he was
placed." •'Had I a dozen
sons, — each in
my love alike, —
I had rather
have eleven die
nobly for their
country, than
one voluptuously
surfeit out of ac
tion," — Shake-
ijma-e.

twenty-third verse of the third of Colossians. ' Whatsoever ^
do, do it heartily as to the Lord.' It matters not whether we arfe
at school leaming our lessons from moming tiU night or at
home helping our mothers in the housework, or m difterent
situations ; the Bible tells us whatsoever we have to do may be
done 'to the Lord,' and for His glory ; therefore, Nellie, strive to
live your life for Jesua. Let these four words, ' as to the i,ord,
be the motive for every action, and you may be sure He will be
glorified." 16—18. (16) The immediate and hearty response of these tribes
is worthy of high commendation." (17) Lord . . thee, thia the
true ground of obedience, and the security of success. (18) be
strong, men can recognise the value of those qualities wh. God
requires, -vv. 6, 7, 9.
The moral advantages of a good organisation.— "Eere we have
God electing Himself a leader for His people. Three things about
the true leader which are most notable ",—(1) He must be directly
called of God ; (2) Being thus called, he will walk constantly in
the Divine counsel ; (3) Walking thus, he shall achieve the moat
distinguished success. As in the case of Joshua, so in the Churoh
God has appointed leaders, Bvery man has a place, and ought to
keep to it. When this principle is recognised we shall get good
organisation ; and such, organisation would — I. Facilitate the
development of individual talent. II. Consolidate the Christian
society assembling in one place. III. Present the most formidable
front to the enemy. IV. Promote a most healthful spiritual
discipline.' Formation of courage. — The love of queen and country, the love
of home, the cry of " Our hearths and our altars," has made many
a coward brave. Faith also wUl produce courage, even without
any very deep affection. For instance, how the natural courage
of the British soldier waa raised to the heroic by the knowledge
that Wellington was with the army, and that his genius was
present in every movement executed by the battalions. And
when faith in the wisdom of a general, and love to his person
and the cause he represents, meet together in a soldier's spirit,
the bright flame of courage rises fierce and steady. Garibaldi,
his men and their deeds, will fumish abundant illustration of
these principles. In the same way, love to God and confidence
in Him will produce courage in His service ; and the lack of it
shows a deficiency of faith and love. Thus it is that the fearful
find themselves in such sad company in Eev. xxi. 8.

two men sent
as spies to
Jerichoa Nu, xxv. 1,
xxxiii 49.
6 " Acacia grovet
BtiU remain iu
the vicinity," —
Ayre. c " Some derive
name f r, word for
net; moon, fr,cre3-

CHAPTEB THE SEOOND.
1 — 7. (1) Shittim," lit, acacia treesfi spy secretly, dan'^'ep-
ous but necess, work. Practical information of country, etc., is of
utmost value to invading army. Jericho, place of fragrance :'
a rich and strongly fortified placcJ (Nu, xxii, 1). harlot's
house, some ' would read, a tvoman, an innliecver, but text is
correct, (2) told, by sentinels posted in this time of danger.
(3) bring forth, to be killed as spies. (4) hid theim. lit. him,
i.e. esich one in a separate place, wist . . were, no donbt ahe
had suapicions, poss. not actual knowledge about them. Sc. does
not commend her equivocation. (5) shutting of gate, done

Cap. li, 8-13

JOSBUA.

U

at sunset in E, cities. (6) roof, flat, flax, laid to be dried ; i
piled in little stacks three or four feet high. <7) fords,/ expect- '
ing retum of spies to camp, shut the gate, to be sure of them
if still in city.
Tlie sp'ics at the house qf Rahah. — I, Prudence of Joshua in
sending spies, 1, Great men must see with other people's eyes ;
2. Faith in God's promise not to supersede proper means ; 3,
Zealous men were ready to imperil their lives, II, Piovideuce of
God in directing the spies to this place. III, The piety of Eahab,
1, She welcomed them; 2. Hid them; 3. Hoodwinked the.„, .„„,„„ lu^.u
officers (yet it is plain she betrayed her country, and told a lie).? [ passTs Tnto'^tSe
— ThM fords of thji Jordan.— The more southern fords were in the [ <^e.°"'»J
neighbourhood of ancient Jericho. Hereabouts are the bathing- '°'"° "
places annually visited by the pilgrims of the Latin and Greek
Churches respectively ; and tratlition makeg this also the scene of
the baptism of Him who was "made under the law" for the
deliverance of both Jew and Gentile. Here the spies sent out by
Joshua (Josh, ii. 7) must have crossed the stream ; and here the
Israelites assailed the Moabites in the days of Ehud (Judg. iii.
28). When David passed over the river to attack the Syrian
(2 Sam. X. 17) he must have taken this route to Helam ; here he
crossed in the day of his sorrow and humiliation, and came to
Mahanaim (xvii, 22, 24), and by these fords he returned in
triumph when God had tumed his mouming into joy (xix, 15),
8—13. (8) laid down, composing themselves for the night,
(9) your terror, terror of you, Eahab herself had more faith
than fear. (10) heard, by reports wh, spread with astonishing
rapidity, Sihon, etc., Nu, xxi, 24, (11) melt, Ex, xxiii, 27 ;
De, ii. 25, xi. 25, (12) true token, pledge wh. ye will faithfully
keep, (l3) alive, in the time of destruction she knew was
coming, Rahat protecting tlie spies. — Consider— I. The service she ren
dered, 1, What she did ; 2, From what principle she acted (H»..
xi. 31). II, The reward she obtained, 1, She and all her family
were preserved ; 2, She is enrolled amongst.the number of Gods
most eminent saints ; 3. She was made an ancestor of the Messiah | ^t'/^ove'ry work
Himself. Leam — (1) There is no person so vile but he or she that' comes from
may become an eminent saint ; (2) Faith, if true, will unifonnly a good cause,
produce good works; (3) Whatever we do for God shaU most : ™™™''°''j^* ^ J^^
assuredly be richly rewarded, i ^ess! "performed
Illustrations of Mndness. — The Marquis de Renty, an illustrious in a good man-
nobleman, having a command in the French army, had the mis- • "s^- '.° "¦ sood
fortune to receive a challenge from a person of distinction in i^or'ii,^ whether
the same service. The Marquis returned for answer, that he was '¦ the ohject matter
ready to convince the gentleman that he was in the wrong ; or,
if he could not convince him, he was ready to ask his pardou.
The other, not satisfied with this reply, insisted upon his meeting
him with the sword. To which the Marquis sent this answer,
that he was resolved not to do it, since God and his kir.g had for
bidden it ; and that all the endeavours he had used to pacify him
did not proceed from any fear of him, but of Almighty God and Hi.s
displeasure ; that he would go every day about his nsual business;
and if he assaulted him he would make him repent it. The angry thought, and
man, not able to provoke the Marquis to a duel, one day drew his (^"i^^'^^njoo^^
sword, and attacked him. The Marquis soon wounded and dis- !,^j,|j equable in
armed both him and his second, with the assistance of a servant jthe roji^ghest

B,0. 1461.
cent-like plain,
formed by au
amphitheatre of
hi Is, in wh. it
stood." — lamie-
son.d " Tt was the
tey ot W. Pales-
tire, as standing
at the entrance
of the two main
nto the
moun
tains." — Stanley.
e Josephus, Targ.,
etc,
f Jord, is crossed
at several well-
known fords, two
iust below Seaof
Gal., one above
aud one below
the pilgrim's
bathing-place,
just opposite Je
richo." — .SniiOCs
Did, on Jordan.
See Bp, Hall,
Rahah Contemp.
g M, BeniT/.
Kahabextorts a
promise of
safetyV, 11. Dr,B.Gor-
don, ii, 268,
C, Simeon, M,A.
"Good - works
are works of
piety, works of
righteousness.

I be God or man.'
Avthimy Burgess.
" That inex-
haustitile pood-
natnre, which is
tbemost precious
gift of heaven,
snrfading itself
lilie oil over the
troubled sea of

12

JOSHUA.

[Cap. li. 14-20.

B.C. 1451.
weather."— Wash
ington Irving
"Kmdnesaes do
not always pro
duce what we
expect; from a
hand which we
bate they are
regarded as of
fences; the raore
we lavish on one
who may hate us,
the more arms
we give to hira
wbo may betray ,
us." — Comeille,
they escape I
from Jericho
a 2 Oo. xi. 33.
6 " Behind the
city rose the jag
ged ranjie of the
white limestone
mountains of
Judea. here pre
senting one of
the few varied
and beautiful
outlines that can
be seeu amongst
the southern bills
of Palestine," —
Stanley *' Garments that
bave once one
rent ia them are
subject to be
tom on every
nail; and glasses
that are once
cracked are soon
broken , such is
man's good name
ouce tainted with
just reproach."—
Bp, HaU.
*' Heaven in sun-
Bhiue will requite
the kind." — By
ron.e C. Stanford.
the scarlet
threada "This cord was
spun ot threads
dyed with cochi
neal, i,e, of a
deep and bright
scarlet colour,
so eaaily distin
guished." — Spk.
Com,
"As ciphers
added one by one
inan endless row
to the left hand
of a unit are of

who attended him. Here did this truly Christian nobleman show
jthe diif erence between a brutish and a Christian courage : tor,
(leading them to his tent, he refreshed them with wme and
I cordials, caused their wounds to be dressed, and their swords to be
! restored to them ; then dismissed them with Christian advice,
and was never heard to mention the affair afterwards, even to his
nearest friends. It was a usual saying with this great man,
" That there was more tme courage and generosity m bearmg
and forgiving an injury for the love of God, than in requiting it
with another ; in suffering, rather than avenging, because the
thing was really more difficult." Adding, " That bulla and beara
had courage enough ; but it was brutal courage ; whereaa that
of men should be such as became rational beings and Christians."
14 — 16. (-14) our life for yours, marg, more exa.ct, instead
of yotl to die. Virtual oath ; may God put us to death if we fail
iihee. (15) cord , strong enough to bear weight of a man. upon
the wall, prob. town wall was back wall of house, so window
looked toward the country. Sometimes in B. cities houses are
built on the walls vpith overhanging windows. Comp. escape of
Paul fr. Dam.» (16) she said, had said, previously, moun
tain,' Quarantania (uow Jebel Karantul) 1,200 to 1,400 feet
high. Rahab requited, — I, A solemn assurance of safety.: " our life
for yours," II, A prudent condition : " If ye utter not." A timely
escape : " through the window," IV. A sage word of advice.
Kindness to an enemy. — A slave who had, by the force of his
sterling worth, risen high in the confidence of his master, saw
one day trembling in the slave-market a negro, whose grey head
and bent form showed him to be in the last weakness of old age.
He implored his master to purchase him. He expressed hia aur-
priae, but gave hia consent. The old mau was bought and con
veyed to the estate. When there, he who had pleaded for him
took him to his own cabin, placed him on his own bed, fed hitn
at his own board, gave hira water from his own cup ; when he
shivered, carried him into the sunshine ; when he drooped in the
hut bore him softly to the shade. " What is the meaning of all
this ? " asked a witness, " Is he your father 1 " " No," " Is he
your brother 1 " " No." " Is he, then, your friend ? " " No ; ho
is my enemy. Tears ago he stole me from my native village, and
sold me for a slave ; and the good Lord has said, ' If thine enemy
hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for iu so doing,
thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head,' " "
17—20, (17) thine oath, oath made to thee, and in thy
favour, (18) line of scarlet, as a sign of the house, and token
of oonfidence in them," It was prob, not twisted about the
lattice, but left to hang down, and was in sight of Is, while
marching round the walls, (19) go out, etc., on the day of
entrance of Israel into the city ; the protection waa only to
extend to the house in wh. they found shelter. (20) and . .
business, this precaution necess, to her safety, not theirs. If
she told of her private arrangement, people of city might kill her,
or remove the token. The spies might, however, have meant,
keep our secret while we aro hiding.
The scarlet thread.— I. A remembrance to her of meroy she
was to expect. II. A remembrance to Israel of a great kindness

Cap. 111. 1-6.1

JOSBUA.

13

done to the spies. III. A pledge of safetj to all who were in the
house. Leam — 1. So Israel of old was safe behind the blood-
sprinkled doors ; 2. So our salvation is secured by <* crimson
sign. I
Scarlet thread sacrnl. — The scarlet thread, in this instance, |
might be nothing raore than a sign : it is. ho^^ver, sacred ainong |
the Hindoos. When the devotees hear the histo ry of the god \
Pulliar, which takes up twenty-one days, a scarlet thread is tied ,
round the right arm, which shows that they are engaged in a i
eacred duty, and that during that period " they will not commit .
sin." When the priest whispers the ubatheasam in the ear of a \
youth, the thread is tied in the same way, to denote tlie same |
thing. On the day of marriage the scarlet is bound round the :
right wrist, but is taken ofE on the fourth day. WTien a person |
leams to fence, or goes into battle, the thread is fixed round the ;
right arm or right ankle. The priest also sometimes binds it|
round the wrist of a person in the article of death. It is called i
Itapti, which signifies "guard or protector ; " and is applied also, |
in the same sense, to bracelets, armlets, or anklets. A person
having on the scarlet thread will not be interrupted ; and during
the period he will neither shave nor bathe, and will endeavour to
be very moral. See Gen. xxxviii. 28.*
31—24. (21) ¦bound . . window, not at once, but when city
was surrounded, then it would not be seen by inhabitants. (22)
abode there, in caves of the limestone ridge, all the way,
bet. Jericho and fords of Jordan. (23) returned, to this two
things necess., to come down fr. mountain, and swim over Jordan.
(24)''faint, Heb. melt.
TJie line qf scarlet thread.— 'Regoxd. this "line of scarlet
thread " as— *I. A means of deliverance. The cord being seen,
the house would be spared. II. A sign of faith. Its presence m
the window would show that Rahab believed the promises of the
spies, and trusted to bhem to save her and her family. III. A
double memento of gratitude. It would— 1. Remind the spies of
their obligation to Rahab ; 2. Remind Rahab of her deliverance
through the spies. Leam— (1) Little things sometimes work
most good : had Rahab made some great and showy sign to
effect her deliverance, her own people might have suspected and
punished her ; (2) Believing faith always meets with reward."
True friendship. —
Friendship, which, once determined, never swerves,
Weighs ere it trusts, but weighs not ere it serves ;
And soft-eyed Pity, and Forgiveness bland,
And melting Charity, with open hand ;
And artless Love, believing and believed,
And honest Confidence, which ne'er deceived ;
And Mercy, stretching out, ere Want can speak,
To wipe the tear which stains AfBiction's cheek.*

B.C. 1451.
DO value, but, on
the right haDd,
rapidly lu ulti ply
its power, so,
although good
i\-orlis are of no
avail 10 make a
mail a Christian,
yet a Christianas
good wiirlis are
both pleasing to
God and proflt
able to men."—
Ai-noi. " Health, beauty,
vigour, richea,
and all tbe other
thiEgs called
gooas, operate
equally as evila
to the -vicious
and unjust, aa
they do as bece-
fltB to the just.'*',
—Plato. 6 Roberts,
the spies
return to
Joshuaa J. Hoaison.
"Friendship cousietB properly
innutual offices,
ano a generous
strife Id aliernate
acts of kiiidr;>ess.
But he who does
a kindness to an
ungrateful per-
Bonsetshispealto
a flint, and sows
his seed upon tho
sand. Upon the
former he makea
no impression,
and fr.im the
latter he finds no
production."— aouth. '^Kitidnesa in
oiii"se]ves is the
honey that
blunts the sting
of ui'kindnesa
in another." —
Landor.
b H. More.

THE THIBD.
, some six miles fr. the river, (2)

CHAPTEB
1—6. (1) Shittim, Jos, ii, 1, „..—  — -. ,
three days, by Heb, reckoning one ent'ire day, includ, evening
of arrival and morning of crossing, offlcers, Jos i, 10, (rf;
ark Ex xxv 10 ; when at rest it was in plaoe of honour, the

Israel re
moves from
Shittim to
Jordana Nu, iT, 15', Jos.

u

JOSBUA.

[Cap. 111. 7— 13,

B,0, 1461,
vi. 6 ; 1 Ki! viii,
S— 6,
V. 4, J. Hamble
ton, Serms. 446,
e. 5, W, S.ovgall,
M.A.. Wks, 210;
J. WilHson, Wks,
SSO; Dr, E. 8.
Pusey, Serm. i. 35,
*'A master gives
hid servant worlc
to do, but he
caunut give him
Bti-engthtoworls;
but God, as He
cuts us out worlc,
BO He gives us
strength, ' My
strength shall be
made perfect in
thy vpeakness.'
•Give Thy
strength unto
Thy servant,' " —
T. Watson.
Lord Dundas,
being wished a
happy New Year,
replied, "It had
need he happier
than the last; for
I never knew one
happy day in it,"
"Wilberforce said,
*'The last year
has been the
happiest of my j
life." Romainie'a
New Tear's wish j
for hii people i
was, " God grant '
thiit this may be
a year famous for
believing! "
"A man's
streugth does not
stand in himself,
but in leaning on
God. The middle
of the Atlantic is
as safe aa any
other part when
a storm is raging.
And a child is as i
safe as a strong
man, because if
the ship does not
go down, both are
preserved; butif
it does go down,
they are both
drowned, Tho
difference in
their strength is
nothing when it
Is the Atlantic."

* R.A. Griffin.
God pro
misea to cut

centre of the camp ; during a march usually in middle of pro
cession, priests the lievites, disting. fr. Kohathite Levites,
the usual bearers ; this a solemn occasion." (4) space, of nearly
a mile ; so that all might see the miracle, (5) sanctify your
selves, see Bx, xix, 10, 14, 22, 23, (6) take up, lift oa
shoulder by the poles, before, instead of in the middle.
Looldng ont into the Nem Year (v. 4 ; for a New Tear's serm,).
— Introduction : — Picture Israel's state : forty years of wandering,
but now the wilderness is passed. We oan readily understand
the various emotions actuating the host. There are the young,
revelling in dreams of victory, honour, wealth ; the aged, seeing
beyond Jordan the land of their grave ; the wcaJi, agitated aud
distressed by the excitement of the times ; the strong, panting for
the fight ; little children asking their strange questions — all feel
new emotions, new ambitions : all are making resolutions,
and preparing themselves. Our position this moming is very
analogous to theirs. We stand as travellers about to enter on a
new journey in an unknown country. As we stand on the
threshold of our journey let us commune with our own hearts.
Listen to — I. The language of fear : it points forward, saying,
" Boast not thyself of to-morrow," Consider — 1. The-uncertainty
of human things ; 2, The deceitfulness of sin, II, The Gospel
of faith. In the future there may be death, bereavements,
afflictions ; but nothing save our own perversity oan make them
calamities. Faith points to the grave, and cries, " O death 1
where is thy sting 1 " To losses, " What can harm you, if you be
the followers of that which is good 1 " To temjrtations, Gocf ha&
said, " My grace is sufBcient for you." Faith indulges in many
strange but blessed paradoxes. We may be — 1. Most happy
when all combines to make 'us miserable : Paul singing in the
dungeon ; 2. Richest when poorest ; 3, Most glorious wheu
covered with shame — martyrs ; 4. Most renowned when least
known -angels rejoicing. III, The -song of hope. We may
prosper in the family, in the church, in the soul— doubts dispelled
and faith stronger, IV, The lamentation of humility. What if
you have been negligent and half-hearted ? Think of Peter, and
of Mark, V, The psalm of experience. Do not forget the former
mercies of the Lord : they all cry, " Our God is gracious,"'
Tlie source ofthe Jordan.— The Jordan is the principal river of
Palestine ; it derives its name ( Jor-Yar-dan, the river of Dan)
because its rise was in the vicinity of the little city of Dan, Its
true source is in two fountains at Paneas, a city better known by
its subsequent name of Cesarea Philippi, at the foot of Anti
libanus. It flows from beneath a cave at the foot of a precipice,
m the sides of whioh are several niches with Greek inscriptiona.
During many miles of its course it continues to be a small in
signiflcant rivulet. It flows due south through the centre of the
couutry, intersecting the Lake Merom, anciently called Somono-
chitiB, and the Sea of Galilee, and it loses itself in the Dead Sea,
though it IS probable that in very ancient times it pursued its
course to the Red Sea, until the convulsions occasioned by the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the subsequent filling
up ot the bottom of the valley by the drifting sand, caused the
stoppage of its waters,
f'i~^^';,^^^ magnify," by witness of great miracle, like that
ot divided sea, which honoured Mos. before Is. (.8) brink, edge

Cap. iii. 14—17.]

JOSBUA.

15

or border. (9) come hither, draw near, gather round, so that
all may hear, (10) living God,' as opposed to senseless, help
less idols of the nations around, Canaanites, etc., Ge, xv, 18 —
21 ; De, vii, 1. (11) Lord , . earth, Jos, iii, 13 ; Ps, xlvii. 2.
(12) twelve men, to carry stones, Jos, iv. 2. (13) The whole
bed of the stream should dry up.
An important Lesson mell taught (v. 7), — I. The lesson itself :
that God was with Joshua, as he had been with Moses, Important
that the people should have confidence in their new leader. II,
How it was to be imparted. By a crowning success and a great
prodigy, in the passage of Jordan,
Description of t'he Jordan. — " The Jordan would scarcely be
dignified with the name of river in America, and its appearanoe
is, in reality, quite insignificant. It is, however, deep, narrow,
and very muddy, and hurries away to the sea with great velocity.
In approaching the river you descend several benches or terraces,
and though rauch swollen with the rains and the melting snows
of Lebanon (at the time of our visit), it was still fifteen or
twenty feet below its proper banks, . . . These are the banks
that were flooded when the Israelites passed over. Nor was the
miracle unnecessary. It would be impossible for such a host to
cross the Jordan at the same season of the year without either a
bridge or a miracle, for boats could do nothing in such a current,
and it is too deep to ford. Travellers have differed widely in
their description of the Jordan, principally from two causes —
visiting it at difEerent seasons of the year, and at difEerent places.
When and where I saw it, the widli. might have been twenty
yards, and its depth ten feet."'
14 — ^17. (14) removed . . tents, indio. full preparation for the
passage ; 'they took the tents with them, (15) oveifloweth . .
harvest, brimful, fills all its banks, this occurs in April or
May, fr. melting of snows on Antilibanus. During this time
river cannot be forded, (16) Adam," near Mt Sartabeh, in
northem part of the Ghor, Thirty miles fr. Is. encampment.
Salt Sea, called also Dead Sea. (17) in the midst, middle
of the bed, prob. at place of the usual ford, dry ground,
comparatively such,''
The priests in tlie midst of .Tin-dan ; or moral firmness. — Intro
duction : Look at Israel's journey in the wilderness as illustrating
— (1) The future difficulty in life's joumey ; the Jordan of death ;
strange, perilous, neoes,sary is its passage ; (2) The true guide in
life's joumey ; (3) The final deliverance in life's journey : " all
the people were passed clean over," Note particularly the sub
lime calmness of the priests; and consider concerning their
flrmness that— I, It was rational in its foundation. Its founda
tion was in the Word of God, It is more rational to trust in the
Word of God than in the laws of nature, because- 1. His words
bind Him to aotion, the laws of nature do not ; 2, Deviation from
His word would be a far more serious thing to the universe than
dcvi.ation from the laws of natui-e ; 3, He has departed from the
laws of nature, but has never swerved an iota from His word,
II It was salutary- in its influence. This incident suggests—
1, The force of human influence ; 2. The philosophy of useful
influGiiC6 ''
The Jordan.— It was in the month of April that I vieited this
" holy place " on the Jordan. It was already the time of harvest,

B.C. 1451.
off the watera
of Jordan
a Jos. iv. 14.
b De. T. 26.
" The Koman
censors took a
ring off lhe flnger
of the soa of
Africanus, in
wbich his father's
, image waa en
graven, because
he was degene
rated from the
noble qualities of
his father ; Lot ¦
allowing him to
wear on his fin
ger what he did
not bear in his
mind. "Neither
will God t-uffer
any to bear bis
name who do not
bear Bis image."
— Spencer.
c Dr, Thomson,

the passagra
of Jordan
a The passage
should run," rose
up an heap far
away, by Adam,
the city wh. is
beside Zarlhan.'*
Spk. Comm.
6"The river
about Jericho
has a flrmpebhjy
bottom on wh.
the host might
pass without in
convenience." —
Jamieson. See Bp. Ball, Jor-
dan Liv. Contemp.
V. 17. H. P. Bvd-
dirom. Christian
E.rod. ii. 305 ; Dr.
R. Gordon, li. 281.
Tbe Rev. W.
Cowper, pome-
time minister at
Sii)]irg, and
afterwards Bishop of Gallo
way, thus t-pote
of his dissolution
to his friends:
" Death is some-
ffbat dreary and
the streams ot

16

JOSBUA.

[Cap. iv. l-O-

B.O. 1451.
that Jordan wh.
is between us
and our Canaan
run furiously ;
but they stand
still when the
ark comes."
c Dr. Tliomas.

stones for a
memorial" Spoil not thy
memory, nor
make it bad by
suspecting it.
How canst thou
find tbat true j
which thou wilt
not trust ? Mar- '
shal thy notions I
into a handsome
method. One
will carry twice i
more weight, I
trust and packed;
up in bundles, I
than wheu iL lies
untowardly flap
ping about bis
Bhoaiders. ' — 7,
FuUer. "Memoryisare-i
\curr6nce of sen
sations, which I
existed formerly, >
produced by the |
operations of :
some ioterna!
changes, after
the lauses by
which the flrst
Bensatons were
excited have
ceased to exist."
—Borace Welby.
"Aristotle calls it
the scribe of the
soul ; and Ber
nard calls the
memory the sto
mach of the soul,
because it hath
a retentive fa-^
cuHy, and turns
heavenly food
into blood and
spirits."— r.mif-
%on.
a Dr. Kitto.
the purpose
of the
memorial

for the people of Jericho were reaping their little fields upon
the plain. And we are told that " Jordan overfloweth all its
banks at the time of harvest." The fact is stiU true, thougli
Palestiue is changed ; the heavy rains of early sprmg faUmg
on the northern mountains, and the winter snow melting on the
sides of Hermon, send a thousand tributaries to the sacred nver.
It rises to the top of the lower banks, and when I was there, the
muddy, swollen waters had flowed over and crossed portions of
the meadows or each side.

CHAPTEB THE FOUBTH.
1 — 5. (1) Iiord spake, not at this partie. time ; instruetions
were given before, but are restated here to complete the aecount.
(2) twelve men, one to represent ea, tribe, Jos, jii. 12, They
would wait on B, bank of river to receive Josh.'s <srder, (3)
midst, fr, bed of river, wh, was pebbly and rocky, lodging
place, convenient situation some little distance fr. river bank.
(4) prepared, poss, referring to their election by the tribes, and
approval by Jos, ; more prob, it means, set ready, appointed.
(5) before the ark, but after the whole host had crossed.
The stones of memorial. — Consider the lessons to be leamed—
I, From their number. The twelve tribes of Israel all passed
over. Ancient promises of God fulfilled, II, From their original
resting-place. The bed of the river, A visible proof of the
miracle. The stones henceforth as dry as Israel's feet had been.
Ill, Their final destination, Israel's first lodging in Canaan.
IV. Their historical use. To set forth, notthe prowess of Joshua,
but the mercy of God,
The Jordan. — This river, being the principal stream of Pales
tine, has acquired a distinction much greater than its geographical
importance could have given. It is sometimes called " the river,"
by way of eminence, being, in fact, almost the only stream of the
country which continues to flow in summer. The river rises
about an hour and a quarter's journey (say three miles, or three
miles and a quarter) north-east from Banias, the ancient Cesarea
Philippi, in a plaiu near a hill called Tel-el-Kadi, Here there are
two springs near each other, one smaller than the other, whose
waters very soon unite, forming a rapid river from twelve to
fifteen yards across, which rushes over a stony bed into the lower
plain, where it is joined by a river which rises to the north-east
of Banias, A few miles below their junction the now consider
able river enters the small lake of Houle, or Semeohonitis (called
'¦ the waters of Merom " in the Old Testament), Thislake receivea
several other mountain streams, some of whioh seem to have as
good claim to be regarded as forming the Jordan as that to
which it is given in the previous statement ; and jt would,
perhaps, be safest to consider the lake formed by their union as
the real source of the Jordan, After leaving the lake, the river
proceeds about twelve miles to the larger lake, called by various
names, but best known as the Sea of Galilee ; after leaving
which it flows about seventy miles farther, until it is finally lost
in the Dead or Salt Sea, "
__ 6—9. (6) sign," a standing record of mirac. passing of Jordan.
No inscription on it gave information, but its existence started

Cap. lv. 10-13.] JOSHUA.

17

inquiries. (7) cut off, stayed fr, flowing ; there is no indie, thatl b.o. M51.
M was a mere path bet. heaps of water, as is too often imagined, I „ ,p, 
t»»? ^^'^'"t'" :,• ^°' *•"• ^7 *^^*^ t^'^l-^e representatives (9) : of cSn/orS
sweive . Jordan, another set of stones, making heap in bed of piles or stones, m
nver, prob, at plaoe of usual ford, aud visible above usual water ! mnnuments of
hne, unto this day, the time when Bk. of Josh, was written ¦ '^'rf,^'^^'^ „ ta
at kast twenty years W. ™'**="' j UTr^'^n "T
youthful curiosity.— Thin implies— 1. That children were ex-'™o''«'=' a" vo-
peoted to be observant, not listless and indifferent II That'^'i*' «i'P'"'i'ily 'n
parents were expected to be familiar with the great events of , rudVperiods"o1
their country s history. III. That the inquiries of curious youth j their history,
were to meet with intelligent and ready answers. Leam—] We '^'^"^ ''™ *'* "s-
have many things— buildings, ruins, monuments, etc— to awaken ' of "SroetuS
our ounosity ; 2. We have many sources of information— books, : the memory of
teachers, ete, I important trans-
Menu>rial stones.~The practice of setting up a stone in memorial ! J'=''°°s,"-/amie-
Df mercies received is still common in the East. Mr. MorierU. 6, j imiiar
describes what he witnessed m ascending the rock of Istakhar, in ' '-"v Ltd. 134. '
Persia :— " We ascended on the north-west side, winding round ' '' "*^ '^f' ''°-
the foot of the rock, and making our way through narrow and Ne*on° wh™
intricate paths, I remarked that our old guide every here and bis memory had
there placed a stone on a conspicuous bit of rock, or two stones "•l™ost com-
one upon the other, at the same time uttering some words which t'hft'''''he * "'id
I learnt were a prayer for our safe return. This explained to me never forget "two
what I had frequently seen before in the East, and particularly' 'hings;— i. That
on a high road leading to a great town, whence the town is first; '^.° '"'^ % %l'^*
seeii, and where the Eastem traveller sets up his stone, accom- 1 je^ur^hriBt was
panied by a devout exclamation, as it were in token of his safe | a great and
arrival 1 " I mighty Saviour.
10—13. (10) finished, passing of people, and ceremony of Israel's
carrying out the stones, hasted, indio. either that their faith \ vanguard
was mingled with fear, or that haste was needed to get so large a j <• Jos. i, 16— is,
host across in a given time. (11) clean passed over, people, * "The higher
flocks, and baggage, aU safe on further side. So they were able I J?'™''* o' J™-
to wateh the ark come out of Jord,, as they had watehed it go in. ' nSes^jroad^'^Th"
(12) fulfilling their pledge," Moses spake, Nu. xxxii. 20 — 33, [ mountains here
(13) plains of Jericho, part of the Arabah.' I recede some «iiat
Passing over the flood (v. 10),- 1, How difCerent was this bastel Ie„e aYevd' and
to enter Canaan from their reluctance forty years before. They . fertile space,"—
had learned obedience in the school of affliction, II. They hasted ; Spk, Comm.
m the van to secure the safe passage of the rear. Ill, T^ej -l^j^^^^,^""^^
hasted, yet marched in order, IV. They hasted, animated by ^ god; and he is
hope, not as when passing through the sea impelled by fear. V, much what thei
They hasted as conquerors, not as fugitives. VI, They hasted, -^ ¦'*'"' ^ ™*y
being ready. Apply— To the river of death. May we all joy- ™]™°oJ ™ 5%
fully press forward, and all pass clean over. | Dieu — very in-
Terraces and fords of the Jordan. — " The river runs between | i^iiiseDt, rather
successive terraces, one, two, or three, _ according as the hills | ^^^J" ^.^^^"^ ,^3
approach more or less near to its banks. "It is crossed by three, ori want anything,
at most four, well-known fords. The first and second are marked
by remains of Koman bridges, immediately below the Sea of
Galilee, and agaiu immediately above its confluence with the
Jabbok : the third and fourth immediately above and below the
present bathing-place of the pilgrims opposite Jericho, . , The I """^""g ^^^g ^^^
actual stream of the Jordan, as it flows between these banks, isl imago of stone."
frora sixty to a hundred feet wide, and varies from six to f our I — jEfor«.
TOL. III. O. T. B

we

but far away, out
of sight, when
we have a mind
to do wrong.
Such a god is as
much an idol as

18

JOSHUA.

[Cap. iv. 14-24.

the •waters
of Jordaa
returna Ex, xxv. IS.
" la our fields
abundance of
wet breeds abun
dance of weeds,
and, consequent
ly, great scarcity
of com. And is
it not 80 with our
souls? The more
of Qod's bless
ings and wealth,
the more weeds
of carnality and
vanity; and the
more rich to the
world, the less
righteous to
God commonly."
'-Spencer. "What millions
died that Ceesar
niight be great,"
.—Campbell.b Prince.

the memorial
set up at
Gilgral
o Jos. v, 9, 10.
b Ju. il, 1, lii, 19;
1 Sa, vii, IG, X, 8,
xi, 14, 15, xiii. 4,
7, 8, 12, 16, XV.
12,21,
t C. Simeon, M.A,
If the Gospel
does not bid you
despair, never do
you despair of
yourself, •'Monuments are
the grappling
irons tbat bind
ohe generation to
anoth^," — .lou-
bert."Those only de
serve a monu
ment who do not
Deed oue, that is,
who have raised
themselves a
monument iu the
minds and me
mories of men,"
—MatlUl.

feet in depth. Where it is widest tlie bottom is mud ; where
narrowest, rock or sand,"
X4_il8. (li) magnified, Jos, iii. 7. This a Divine testimony
+o his appointment to succeed Mos. (15, 16) command the
/¦xiests, indio, Jos,' supreme authority. He acted under imme
diate Div. direction, testimony," sometimes covenant, (17)
out of Jordan, on to the westem bank. (18) flowed . . .
banks, not flowed over as a flood, but fllled all its banks fuU,
Tlie river and tlie roadway (v. 18).— I, Who, looking at that
river, would have suspected a host had passed over its bed ? II.
The world full of scenes where nature holds on her way unmind
ful of great events — the cornfields of Waterloo, the waves at
Trafalgar, III. The events leave their mark elsewhere.
True greatness. — Who are the great 7
Those who have boldly ventured to explore
Unsounded seas, and lands unknown before — •
Soar'd on the wings of science, wide and far.
Measured the sun, and weighed eaoh distant star-
Pierced the dark depths of ocean and of earth,
And brought uncounted wonders into hirth —
RepeU'd tte pestilence, restrain'd the storm,
And given new beauty to the human form.
Waken'd the voice of reason and unf url'd
The page of truthful iknowledge to the world ;
They who have toil'd and studied for mankind-
Aroused the slumbering virtues of the mind —
Taught us a thousand blessings to create : —
These are the nobly great,'
19 — 24. (19) first month, Nisan. Gilgal, the plaoe so
named afterwards,* It continued long a place of rendezvous,
and perhaps a sanctuary,' It was some five miles f r, the river.
(20) pitch, set up, to form a heap, or rude pillar. (21) See v. 6.
(22, 23) Comp, Bx, xiv, 21, (24) 'Two objects were to be served
by this monument — it was a testimony to surrounding heathen,
and a memorial to God's people.
Tlie passage of Jordan commemorated (vv. 20 — 24), — ^Notice —
I, The mercy commemorated : the passage of Jordan, II, The
means used to perpetuate the remembrance of it : two monuments
were erected. These were to serve — 1, As evidences of God's
power. Who can ever oppose Him -with success ? Who can ever
fail that trusteth in Him ? 2, As memorials of love. We see
what we may expect in the time of trouble, and in the hour of
death, from God. Improvement : — Let us — (1) Remember God's
mercies to us ; (2) Transmit the knowledge of His goodness to
the latest generations."
Public monuments. — It has been common in all times, and
among all people, who make any pretences to civilisation, to
signalise great events by the erection of public monumenta. The
word monument, from moneo, to remind, is suggestive of their
purpose. Such were the triumphal arches of the Romans (as of
Titus, A.D, 80: of 'Trajan, 114; and of Constantine, 321— of
which the marble arch in Hyde Park is a model) ; and the
obelisks, pillars, often found in ancient cities. Among the best
known is the monument of London, the loftiest isolated column

Cap. V. 1—9.)

JOSHUA.

19

m the world (202 feet high, cost £1 4,500), erected to commemorate
the great fire of London in 1666. The scenes of great battles, too,
as Waterloo, are often indicated by monuments of various kinds.
But whereas their erection has been usually instigated by a
variety of human passions, as pride, ete,, to commemorate human
exploits, this was erected by express command of God for pur
poses of instruction, warning, and encouragement.

CHAPTEE THE FIFTH.
1 — 3. (1) Amorites, chief of the nations dwelling in hill
country of Judea, Canaanites, chief of those dwelling on
coast and low lands," heart m.elted, prob, the difficulty of
such a host crossing Jordan had been one of their confidences.
Such fear is ever the beginning of misfortune. (2) that time,
immediately on taking possess, of their land, sharp knives,
made of flint. Such knives appear to have been long used for
circumcision, and sacred purposes, again, not on those already
done, but a general circum, to insure all should bear mark of
God's people, (3) hill, etc., i.e. where foreskins were buried,
A national panio («. 1).- — I, The cause of this panic. " They
heard." 1. The people of the region must have witnessed the
event ; and, filled with wonder, have spread the report of it ; 2.
Those who heard must have regarded this miracle as evidenoe of
a present God ; and. therefore, as the prelude of certain victory,
II. The efEects of the panic, 1, Their heart melted with fear.
They would feel that no resistance would ultimately avail. The
moral effect would favour the Israelites ; 2, The panic-stricken
people would give Israel time for the first duty of the priests
{vv. 2—4).
The tide retarded. — " In the number of Providential interpo
sitions in answer to prayer," says Le Clerc, " may be placed what
happened on the coast of Holland in the year 1672. The Dutch
expected an attack from their enemies by sea, and public prayers
were ordered for their deliverance. It came to pass, that when
their enemies waited for the tide, in order to land, the tide was
retarded, contrary to its usual course, for twelve hours ; so that
their enemies were obliged to defer the attempt to another oppor
tunity, which they never found, because a storm arose afterwards,
and drove them from thexoast,"
4 — 9. (4) cause, or occasion necessitating a general circum
(6) born in the wilderness, their varied movements would
lead to neglect," (6) walked, sojourned, moving to and fro,
(7) by the way, or while journeying thro' desert. (8) whole,
the wounds made in the process had healed up. The panic of the
Canaanites prevented any attack during this period. (9) re
proach of Egypt, either taunts uttered by Egyp, on hearing of
their sins and sufferings in wildemess : * or more prob, ref. is to
the degradation of bondage in Egypt, when they were without a
countj, and slaves. Gilgal, Jos. iv. 19.
Israel's first proceedings in Canaan (w. 8 — 10). — Consider — I,
The conduct of Joshua on his entrance into Canaan : directly
opposite to what we should have supposed, II, How far is it
proper for our imitation at this day 1 We may leam from it that,
in whatever ciroumstanoeB we be— 1. Eeligion should be our first
B 2

'*Mon umenta
themselves me
morials need."—
Crabbe.

the circum
cision at
Grilg-ala Nu. xiii 29.
"Clemency la ft
virtue by which
God so attem
pers the chastise
ments and pun-
ithmenta of tho
creature, even at
the very time
when Be iuflicta
them, that by
their weight and
continuance they
may not equal
the magnitude of
the sins coramit
ted ; indeed, that
they may not ex
ceed the strength
of the creature."
— Arminius.
" Prayer is a
supernatural work, and there
fore the principle
of it must be su
pernatural. He
that hath noth
ing of the Spirit
of God cannot
pray at all : he
may howl as a
beast iu his ne
cessity or dis
tress, .or may
speak words of
prayer; hut pray
he cannot." —
Leighton.the reproaoh
of Beypt
rolled away
a "Generally
thought tjj^ true
cause was a tem
porary suspen
sion of the cove
nant with the
unbelieving race
who, being re
jected of tho
Lord, wero
doomed to perish
in the wilder
ness, and whose
children had to

20

JOSBUA.

[Cap.v. 10—15.

B,C, 1451.
bear the iniquity
of their fathers,"
— Jamieson.
h The taunts in
dustriously cast
by that people
upon Is, as na
tionally rejected
by Qod by the
cessation of cir- |
cumcision," — ;
Keil. I
c C. Simeon, M.A.
d Beecher.

flrst pass-
over in
Canaan
mannaceases
o Gesenius. S
time of barley
harvest.b Le, xxiii. 10, 11,
14.
e Le, xvi, 3S.
If you have but
ft grain of grace.

infinitely valuable
all your
posaes-
juat as a
diamond
exceeds in worth
a mountain of

itmoro
thanothersions ;
small

d Uarryat.

the captain
of the Lord's
host a Ge, xii, 7, xviii,
2.6 Ge, xxxii. 24.
e Phil, a 7, 8.
d Oomp. Nu. xxii.
31. t "The armed
people of Is, are
hever called 'the
host of the Lord,'
though once
spoken of in Ex,
xii. 41, as 'all
the hosts ot the

concern ; 2, We should plaoe the most implicit confidence ia
God ; 3, We should be determmed, through grace, to " roU away
the reproach " of our unconverted state,"
Blotting out the past.—Aa 1 hpw blessed are they that know
how to shut the door of the past, and not open it again — for
when we have shut it we usually have had enough of the hours
that we have passed through, and we had better write upou
them, " Forgetting the things that are behind," unless it be some
fairer joy, unless it be some better hope, that we fain would
cherish. The mistakes, the sorrows, the weaknesses, the tempta
tions, the defeats of past hours— let them go with the honrs. Let
us not turn back to find them,''
10—12. (10) fourteenth day, of Nisam, Ex, xii, 6—18. (11)
old corn, more correctly produce, deriv, of word" indicates refe
rence to the fruits of the land just then ready for reaping.
Another sug. is (Mat, Henry) that the inhabitants of country
fled before them, leaving old com in their storehouses, morrow,
not after even of v. 10, but after day of holy convocation, so the
16th, unleavened cakes, as used for passover, parched,*
the grains roasted avithout other preparation. (12) manna
ceased,' bee. necessity for it was no longer felt.
Tlie food af the milderness exchanged for the fruits of Canaan. —
I, For forty years one kind, now a rich variety. II, For forty
years a sweet food, now diversity of flavour. III. For forty
years a measured supply, now a boundless store of choice provi
sions. Apply:— Here we have daUy bread for the body, and
portions of truth for the mind : hereafter a banquet in tha
heavenly Canaan,
Past and future.— The, world has arrived at a period which
renders it the part of fashion to pay homage to the prospective
precedents of the future, in preference to those of the past. The
past is dead, and has no resurreotion ; but the future is endowed
with suoh a life, that it lives to us even in anticipation. The
past IS, in many things, the foe of mankind ; the future is, in all
things, our friend. Por the past has no hope ; the future is both
hope and fruition. The past is the text-book of tyrants • the
future the Bible of the free. Those who are solely govemed by
the past, stand, like Lofs wife, crystallised in the aot of lookin?
backward, and for ever incapable of looking forward.''
-}^~^a' 9^^^ ^y Jericho, Jos. had adyanced near to examine
city, and plan his attack, a man, see Div, manifest, to Ab,,'
andJacob ; God s appearing in the form of man was anticipative
ot the Incarnation." sword drawn, attitude of prep, for war.-*
(14) captain, Heb. prince, with idea of leader, host of the
iiora,^ prob, ref, here is to angels, and is the assurance of mirac.
help m overcoming Jericho, Comp. Ge, xxxii, 1, 2. did wor-
snip, as to one claiming respect, not as to God. (15) Jos.
needed a deeper sense of the dignity of his visitor : he must feel
tne hfillowmg of Div, presence, Comp, Ex, iii 5
Captam^ the Lord's host.— 'Let us view the narrative before
us as-^i Describing an anticipatory appearance of Christ. IL
iore^jidowmg a peculiar relation that subsists between Christ
and His foUowera, See-1, The fact of this relation, (1) They
^^Ll Z*^' host, the Cliurch is a host on account of ite
numbers, its unity, and its order ; (2) Of thia host, Christ is the

Cap. vl. 1—5.]

fOSBUA.

21

Captain : He is Captain by sanction of law, by the suffrage of
the army, and through all time ; 2. The consequences of this
relation. As Captain of the Lord's host Christ— (1) Summons
His people to a life of warfare ; (2) Requires unquestioning
obedience to His authority; (3) Fumishes His soldiers with
power for their warf are— llie power of His spirit, of His truth,
and of His love ; (4) He leads us to an enterprise that must end
in glory — glory to His own name, and glory to each individual
engaged upon His side/
Tlie captain of the Lord's host. — The march was Over. The
Jordan had been forded. Up, through the long steep jungle at
the river's edge, the tribes had shorn their way and were now
at last fairly encamped in Canaan, To their eyes, still aching
with the glare of the desert, the scene that now opened was one
of enchanting freshness and glory — It was a scene divine,
A blending of all beauties, streams and dells.
Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, cornfield, mountain, vine.
But their warfare was not yet accomplished ; not yet were they
to enter into rest, . . . Right in the middle of their path, five
miles onward, towering above the palm-groves, rose in its massive
strength the fortified city of Jericho, It was the key of the
country, and before they conld open the country to take posses
sion of the heritage their God had given them they had to take
that key, . . . How was this to be done ? . . . . We may be
sure that this hour of pause was to their leader an hour of
prayer. ... In this mood he went forward alone to reconnoitre
the place. While he was there thinking and thinking, all at
onoe there glimmered in the twilight over against him the figure
of " a man with a drawn sword in his hand."»

B,0, 1451.

Lord.'" Comm.

¦Spk.

CHAPTEB THE SIXTH.
1  5. (1) straitly, strictly ; lit, luid shut (its gates) and mas
fast shut. A fenced city with high walls, De. i, 28. (2) given . .
hand, that which God foreordains may be spoken of as accom
plished, king, even small cities had one : monarchy the only
form of government then known. (8) compass, march round.
(4) trumpets, lit, of Jobel, Le, xxv. 9. seven, this number
regarded as symbol of the covenant." Shout, " the weU-known
and tei-rible war-cry " peculiar to Israel.' flat, marg. under it,
i.e. the shont, ,tt. ¦,
Tlie siege of Jericho (», 3),— It seemed good to Infinite Wisdom
to appoint this method of besieging the city. I. To magnify
His power, and show in a convincing manner, both to the
Canaanites and to Israel, that Omnipotence alone had achieved
the work, II, To try the faith and obedience of Joshua and
the people by proscribing a course of conduct that seemed to
human wisdom the height of folly. III. To put honour upon
the ark as the appointed token of His presence, and to confirm
BtiU more fully that veneration and awe with which they had
always been taught to regard it." , , , t,
Usteemivg our religious teachers for their morhs «aAe.— J^ecause
they a*e like lamps, which consume themselves to give Ught to

See A Serm., by
lip. Bulkeley; also,
X. Hall, MA.,
Wks. V. 248, and
Dr. R, Om-don, 11.
293.
/ 0. Stanford.
"T he more
powerful the ob
stacle, the more
glory we have in
overcoming it ;
and the difBcul
ties with which
we are met aro
the maids of
honour which
set off virtue." —
Moliere. " Wisdom is not
found with thosa
¦ who dwell at
tbeirease; rather
nature, when sho
adds brain, adds
difficulty."— £m-
I erson.
g C. Stanford,

the sieire of
Jerichoa ''Seven is tha
signature of
God's covenant
with men, . , , As
to the reason of
this, 3 is the sig
nature of God,
in the ever-
blessed Trinity;
4 of the world,
e,g„ 4 elements,
4 seasons, etc.
Seven being thua
made up of 3 and
4 is appropriato
signature of the
covenant." —
Trench.
b Stanley, Oomp.
Ju, vii, 18, 20.
i; Ben. 0. Budt.

22

JOSffUA.

[Cap. vi. a— la.

B.0. 14S1.
See Bp. Ball,
Contemp. Siege of
Jericho.vv. 1—3. B p.
Jeirel, Wis. il. 968.
d B. Smith.

the city
compassed
a Wordsworth.
b Nu. X. 26.
"Oat of all
earthly things
tbere cometh
out good and
evil ; tho good
through God,
and the evil from
the evil heart," —
Coleridge. " Earthly great
ness is a nice
thing, and re
quires so much
charineaa in the
managing aa the
contentment of it
cannot requite."
—HeM. "Faith ia no
thing else but
the BOuPa ven
ture. It ven
tures to Ohrist,
in opposition to
all legal terrors.
It ventures upon
Christ in opposi
tion to our guiltl-
ness. It ven
tures for Ohrist,
in opposition to
all difBculties
aud discourage-
m e n t s." — W,

e D'Aubigne.

the compass-
in'^ of the
city repeated
Geven times
a "A shout for
mastery, a shout
of faith, and a
shout of prayer."
.—Matt. H^nry.
V. 16. C. Brad
ley, Prac. Serms.
ii. 59.

others, so they consume themselves to give light to you ; because
they are like the hen, whioh cluoketh her chickens together from
the kite, so they cluck you together from the serpent : becauae
they are like the shout whioh did beat down the walls of Jericho,
so they beat down the walls of sin ; because they are like the
fiery piUar which went before the Israelites to the land of
promise, so they go before you to the land of promise ; beoausa
they are like good Andrew, which called his brother to see tha
Messias, so they call upon you to see the Messias ; and, therefore,
make muoh of such.''
6 — 11. (6) See v. i. (7) he said, Heb. they said, the ofBcers
receiving Jos.' instructions, him that is armed, the two and
a half tribes, Jos. i. 14 ;¦¦ or more prob. the general army. (8)
blew, not continuously, but at intervals, deafening and alarming
blasts. (9) rereward, as is usual in marching order, a few
soldiers guarded the rear : this prob. the place of the tribe of
Dan.* (10) Two sets of people watehed, those of Jer., aud those
of Is. ; the scene was to teach them both, but very different
lessons. (11) once, the work of, at most, a few hours.
'WorMng and mailing. — The conquest of Jericho a great vic
tory of faith, Heb. xi. 30. We may leam — I. That faith will
adopt the means appointed of God, even though science and
custom may reject them as Ul-adapted, or unusual. II. That
faith wiU not only use the means appointed of God but in the
way prescribed by Him. III. The town of Mansoul to be
taken in the Lord's name by the " foolishness of preaching." IV.
When the Gospel trumpet is blown as God directs, only He can
make the walls of sin, and pride, and pbstinate resistance fall
down. The courage of faith, — As Luther drew near the door which was
about to admit him into the presence of his judges (the Diet of
Worms), he met a vaUant knight, the celebrated George of
Preundsberg, who four years later, at' the head of his German
lansquenets, bent the knee with his soldiers on the field of Pavia,
and then, charging to the left of the French army, drove it into
the Ticino, and in a great measure decided the oaptivity of the
king of France. The old general, seeing Luther pass, tapped
him on the shoulder, and shaking his head, blanched in many
battles, said kindly, " Poor monk, poor monk 1 thou art now
going to make a nobler stand than I or any other captains have
ever made in the bloodiest of our battles. But if thy cause is
just, and thou art sure of it, go forward in God's name and fear '
nothing. God wiU not forsake thee." A noble tribute of respect
paid by the courage of the sword to the courage of the mind,"
12—16. (12) early, before the heat of the day. (13) Comp.
w. 4, 5 8, 9. (14) six days, completing the week. (15)
seventh day, most prob, a Sabbath, dawning, very early, to
gam time for the seven marches. This arrangement tested the
faith of the people by delaying expected result : and it occupied
the time until the Sab, day closed at even. (16) shout, » tha
ory of such a multitude must have been most impressive.
Week-day obedience and Sabbath blessing (v. 15),— I Here was
a Sabbath preceded by a week of obedience. II, Here was a
Sabbath marked by extraordinary effort : crowning and rendering
effectual the preceding toil. IH. Here was Sabbath work, ren-

Cap. vl. 17-25.]

JOSHUA.

23

dering the whole duty complete and securing the blessing of
God. Learn — Week-day obedience and fidelity to duty a pre
paration for Sabbath blessing,
God's share of the spoils of mar. — I speak not this, because I
think nothing at all may be left to any special purpose ; for even
in Jericho, where was made a general destruction, God Himself
commanded that aU silver and gold, and vessels of Ijrass and iron,
should be saved, ahd not saved only, but be brought into the
Lord's treasury. Howbeit, the things that may be reserved must
not be dust, or chaff, or hay, or stubble ; but gold and silver, and
iron and brass — I mean they may not be things meet to fumish
and maintain superstition, but such things as be strong, and may
serve either directly to serve God, or else for comeliness and good
order. Such things may be reserved, notwithstanding they come
out of the spoil of Jericho.*
17—21. (17) accursed, marg. devoted, see idea Ulus, in
Le, xxvii, 28, 29, Jericho was to be regarded as kind of first-
fruits of their victory, and so must be devoted whoUy to God,
See the principle of the Mos, system," (18) keep . , thing,
usuaUy they were allowed to take spoil of captured cities. As de
voted to God, it would be sacrilege tn touch anyof this, a curse,
bring it under a curse.' (19) Reference to gold, ete., indio.
wealth of city, (20) wall fell down," in crushing of inhab,,
and consequent panic. Is, could rush in and take possession,
(21) all, to make Jericho one great sacrifice.
The taldng of Jericho (vv. 20, 21),— We shall notice— I. The
preparations for the siege. The people— 1, Renew the ordi
nance of circumcision ; 2, Keep the feast of the passover, II,
The fall of the city. The manner of its taking both surprising
and instructive. III. The destruction of the inhabitants.
Learn— (1) The excellence of faith; 2. The benefit of enlisting
nnder the banners of Christ.''
Engines of mar. ~ Sir Thomas TJrquhart tells us that John
Napier the father of the first lord, and inventor of the logarithms,
had invented a destroying engine that would clear a space a
mile in extent each way of the enemy; in other words, of thirty
thousand Turks, without the loss of a Christian, But on being
requested, in his last illness to reveal the contrivance, he replied,
"That if he could lessen the means already existing for the
destruction of man, he would with all his might apply himself
to the purpose ; but that they should never by his means be
increased," He died in 1617.
22  25. (22) had said, giving beforehand special instruc
tions, (23) Though her house was on the town wall, it had not
fallen with the rest, without the camp, outside it ; then-
presence, as heathen, would pollute it, (24) only the silver,
etc., things indestructible by fire. (26) dweUeth m Is., bemg
admitted as proselyte. She became an ancestor of Messiah."
unto, this day, Jos. iv. 9. -, „ ^ _,. ,. i
Old friends in a nem cliaracter («. 23).— I, Contrast the former
with the present visit of these men, II, Consider some of the
lessons taught by this history, 1, The reward of kmdness ;
2, Faithfulness in perfoi-mance of a promise ; 3. Divme recog
nition of faith. Heb. xi. 31. , t^ ,• i.
Illustration of humanity .—In the year 1746, when the Enghsh

B.O. 1461.
" When we havo
Bible conversa
tions our lives,
as rich diamonds,
east a sparkling
lustre in the
Church of God,
and are, in some
sense, parallel
with the life of
Christ, aa tho
transcript with
the originaL"^
T. Watson.
b Bp, Jewel.

Jerichotakeu o Ex. xxxlT. 19,
20. b De. Tii 26.
e "It may bd
that the means
were found in
the resources of
the natural
agencies of
earthquake, or
volcanic convul
sion, wh. mark
the whole of tho
Jordan valley, fr.
Gennesare th
down to the Dead
Sea." — Stanley.
d C. Simeon, M. A.
V. 20. J. Saurin,
iii. 20; R,P,Bud-
dicom, ii. 328 j
Dr. R. Oordon, iL

Kahabspareda Matt. i. 5.
"The losa of fl
friend often
afflicta no less
by the momen
tary shock than
when it is
brought back to
our minds some
time afterwards
by the sight of
some object as
sociated with
him in the me
mory; of Bomo-

24

JOSHUA.

tCap. vl. 26, 27.

were engao-ed in war with Spain, the Elizabeth, of London,
Captain WUliam Edwards, coming through the gulf from Jamaic^
richly laden, met with a most violent storm in -whi^ ^^'^ 'f ?
fnrung a leak, that obliged them to run into the Havanna a
Snanifh port. The captain went on shore, and directly waited
on ttie govemor ; told the occasion of his putting m, and that he
surreXed the ship as a prize, and f'^^^'^l^^ ^^^'^
prisoners of war, only requesting good quarter. No, sir re-
plied the Spanish govemor; "if we had taken yon m fan: war
at sea or approaching our coast with hostile intentions, your
shi^ would then have been a prize, and your people pns^ers ;
but when, distressed by a tempest, you come into our ports for
the safetv of your lives, we, being men, are bound as such, by
the laws of humanity, to afford reUef to distressed men who ask
it of us. We eannot, even against our enemies, take advante^fe
of an act of God : you have leave, therefore, to unload your ship,
if that be necessary to stop the leak ; you may refit her here, and
trafiQ.0 so far as shall be necessary to pay the charges ; you may
then depart ; and I wiU give you a pass to be m force tdl you
are beyond Bermuda. If after that you are taken, yon wiU then
be a lawful prize - but now you are only a stranger, and have a
stranger's right to safety and protection." The ship accordingly
departed, and arrived safe in London.
26, 27. (26) adjured," imposed on the people an oath. This
destruot, waste be. a permanent memorial of God's abhorrence
of idolatry ; and a" reminder that all the land was God's, and
that this they had acknowledged by giving Him wholly the first
'I eity that was taken. Poss. the curse was levelled against the

B,0, 1451,
thing which re
minds us that
we have laughed
together, or shed
tears together,
that onr hearts
bavo trembled
nnder the same
breeze ot glad
nesa, or that we
have bowed our
heads under the
same stroke of
sorrow." — Grant.
" How good God
is, and conde
scending to our
littleneases and
inflrmities! I
am persuaded wo
cannot too much
treat Him as a
Friend, and the
more we do so,
the greater will
be our reverence
as well aa our
intimacy.''Joshua'sfame is
noised about
a Lat. ad,ju7.are,
to a wear,
toeat^famestly; ! fOTtifi'oaSonsT rather " than the mere site. Cotop. Jos.~xviii. 21 ;
as if under oath. | Ju, iii, 13 ; 2 Sa, X. 5. shall lay, etc., his eldest son shaU die
"The words pf i .^j^gjj j^g 'begins, hia youngest when he finishes.!" (27) noised,
the oath have m ¦ , o > .i =
the orig, a rhyth- j spreaa,
mioal character, | Tice unprosperous builder. — Consider — I, The cause of the curse
wh, would tend {jg^e pronounced : " that riseth and builds this city Jericho."
toe lips and to I Why would God not have Jericho buUt again ? Because— 1. He
the memory of would have it a perpetual remembrance of His goodness and
merciful dealing with His people, passing over Jordan, and
coming freshly into Canaan ; 2, It was dedicated to God as the
firstfruits ; 3. He wished it to be a terror to the rest of the in-
; habitants ; 4. It might be a means to draw others to come in to
I God's people to join with them, and submit, and prevent their

the people," —
Sj^. Comm.
b 1 Ei, xvi, 84
V. 2G. R, Sibbs,
as, vii. 17; Dr.
T. M mton. Wks,
cK Sibbes, I destruction, II," The specification of the curse, wherein it stands :
The celebrated "he shaU lay," ete. 1, God hath the supreme power of life and
death ; 2, Cfaildren are part of their parents ; 3. These children
would probably imitate their father in ill.'^
Based cities. — This course, of making a monument of a con
quered and destroyed oity or building by solemnly interdicting
i3ie restoration thereof, has not a few parallels in ancient history.
Thus the Romans made a decree full of execration against any
placed over the who.should dare at any future time to rebuild Carthage, which
door of the haU y^^^ Toeea their rival in empire, and the situation of which was so
Sa'leotures,''7re-! advantageous as to create the fear that it might be restored.
nocui vivite/ Nu- Similar imprecations were pronounced by Agamemnon against
menadesf'—Uve ¦ g^gji ^s should rebuild Troy, and by Greece against those who
obserros youf" ' Pl^ould restore Sidene, " according to SJicient custom," Bays Stiabo,
a Dr. Kitto. by whom liie faot is recorded,"*

liinnffius always
testilied in hi^i
conversation.writings, and
actions, the
greatest sense of
God'a omnia-
cience. He

Cap. vll. 1—9.1

JOSBUA.

25

CHAPTEB THE SEVENTH.
1 — 5. (1) trespass, or acted treacherously, in, or in regard
to, the thing dedicated to God, Achan, troubler, spelt also
Achar," Carmi, Zabdi, 1 Chr. ii. 6, Zerah, Ge. xxxviii. 29, 30,
the genealogy here given is not complete, some names omitted,
took, for his own use : the sin of sacrilege. (2) Ai, also Sai,''
Aija," Aiath,* poss, the modem Tell-el-hajar, two miles E,S.E, fr.
Bethel.' Bethaven, Jos. xviii. 12 ; Ho, iv, 15, v. 8. x. 5, Bethel,
the ancient Luz. Ge, xxviii. 19, modem Beitau, or Beitin. (3)
but few, pop. about 12,000./ (4) went up, indie, hilly situation
of Ai, (5) Shebarim, breakings ; the openings of the passes ;
or the stone quarries, going down, marg, in Morad, the steep
declivity of the wady.
Israel's defeat at Ai iv, 5). — ^The effect of this defeat wonld
naturally be — I. To serve as an evidence of God's displeasure,
and a solemn call upon the people to hiimble themselves nnder
His mighty hand, and institute a rigid self-examination to dis
cover, if possible, the cause of so sad a reverse, II. To harden
the Canaanites, and make them more secure than ever in their
sins. Thus their ruin, when it came, would be the more dreadf ul.e'
The tyranny of sin. — Tyranny is always obnoxious to its
victim. But you would feel it to be the worst of all tyranny, to
be all but intolerable, if your tyrant resided constantly in your
own family circle, obtruding his hateful surveillance, his despotic
interference, into your most secret hours of retirement. But
here, surely, is a worse tyranny stiU ; when the tyrant foUows
you, not merely to your home, to the domestic circle, to the
closet, but penetrates your "own breast, and resides perpetuaUy
within your own bosom. And yet how certain it is that a
pampered appetite, an ungovemable passion, does wield such a
tyrannous sway over the soul I Is it not the case ? May we not
say to such a one, that conscience, duty, sense of right, that
in you which ought to rule your being, has been enervated and
enfeebled, and bereft of all power to govem your conduct ? Have
not a fierce democracy of lusts and passions driven conscience
from its throne within your breast t Do you not feel that they,
and not you, are the masters 1 That when temptation comes m
its strength, though you see what is right, you cannot resist it ?
Over your own thoughts and desires, your own will and working,
is it not so that often you have no more command than the sea
over its waters, or forest trees over their motions, as they bend to
the blast?*
6—9, (6) rent, etc., usual signs of grief and alarm, Le, x, 6 ;
Job ii 12 ; Joel ii. 12, 13. (7) In this lang, there is intensity of
feeUng, but no intended reproach of God. (8) backs, lit, necks.
(9) environ," surround, encircle, thy great name, wh. is
pledged to establish the people in the land.'
Israel discomfited by the men qf Ai (v. 8),— I. The discomfiture
of Israel. Their mode of proceeding to the attack of Ai was tar
from right ; but their discomfiture was owing to another cause.
II Joshua's distress. 1. His conduct on this occasion was by no
means unexceptional— (1) The manner in which he complained
to God ; (2) His distrust of God ; 2. Yet on the whole there was

B.C. UBI.
Achan's sin;
and defeat
cf Israei
before Ai
a 1 Chr. ii. 7.
6 Ge. xii, 8, xiii
3.
c Ne, xi. 31.
d Is. X. 28.
e "The precis©
position of Ai is
unknown, but
this verse points
out its prob. site
in the wild en
tanglement of
hill and valley at
the head of the
ravines runniug
up fr. lhe valley
of the Jordan."—
Stanley.
f Jos. viii. 25.
V. 4, J, Macgowan,
itl,g Q, Bush,
" When once a
manhasinvolvedhimself deeply in
guilt ho has no
^ safe ground to
.stand npon.
Everything is
I unsouDd and
rotten under his
I feet. The crimes
I he has already
j committed may
ihave au unseen
, connection with
I others, of whic|i
Ihe has not Iho
I flightest Buapi-
I cion ; and he may
I be hurried, wben
be leaat intends
it, into enormi
ties of which ho
once thought
himself utterly
incapable."—Bisliop Porleus.
A Dr. Caird.
Joshua's prayer
a From Fr. en
viron, fr, viron, a
circle.
b Ex, xxxii. 12;
Nu, xiv. 16, 16;
Dc. xxxii. 26, 27;
E2e.xxxvi,22, 23.
c C. Simeon, M.A.
The alave who
digs in the mino
or labours at the

26

JOSHUA.

[Cap. Til. lO-ai.

>. 0. 1451,
oar, can rejoice
at the prospect
of laying down
hia burden to
gether with his
life; but to the
slave of guilt
there arises no
hope from death.
On tho contrary,
he is obliged to
look forward
-with constant
terror to this
most oertain of
all events aa the
concluaion of all
his hopes, and
the commence
ment of hia
greatest miae
ries."— iteir.

Ood's answer
to Joshua
a "Heb. word
for lot [gordt, de
rived fr. goor, or
ffarar, to roll)
Buggeats that
small Btonos,
prob. white and
black onea, were
naed. These were
prob, drawn fr.
a cheat." — Spk.
Comm.I Qe. xxxiv. 7;
De. zzii. 21.
•.12. Dr.J.Ed-
tiiardt,Sems.lS2.». 13. 31 Pyle,
Jf.!., iii, 185 ; /.
Doimes, i, 221.
e S. Mai-iin.
"A notion pre
vailed among the
Jews that detec
tion of a criminal
was performed
by observing the
shinings of the
stones in . the
high prieat'a
breastplate." —
H. W, Phillott, in
Smith's Dicty.
d T. Walton.
• F.W.Roberlian.

Aohan's dis
covery and
confession

much in it to be admired— (1) The concem he expressed for the
loss of life ; (2) His humUiation before God ; (3) His tender
regard for God's honour."
Sin a trouble.— Sin is always a trouble, though m many different
ways. A robber bribed an unscrupulous lawyer to plead his cause,
promising him a thousand crowns. The suit having been gained,
the law-breaker brought the money. Supper foUo-ived, and the
night being stormy, the guest was invited to lodge there. In the
middle of the night he found his way to the advocate s room,
bound and gagged him, repocketed his thousand crowns, broke
open a chest, and bidding the helpless host good night, marched
off with goodly epoil.—Tyranny of s'm.— When sin is let in as a
supiiiant it remains as a tyran^. The Arabs have a fable of a
miller who was one day startled by a camel's nose thrust in at the
window of the room where he was sleeping. " It is very cold
outside," said the camel, '¦ I only want to get my nose in." The
nose was let in, then the neok, and finally the whole body.
Presently the miUer began to be extremely inconvenienced at
the ungainly companion he had obtained in a room certainly not
large enough to hold both. " If you are inconvenienced, you may
leave," said the camel ; " as for myself, I shall stay where I am."
10—15. (10) get thee up, tone of reproof. It was time for
searching out people's sin, not for susjieoting Div. faithfulness.
(11) Obs, how the aggravations of the sin are dwelt on. (;i2)
they were accursed, as threatened, Jos. vi. 18. (13) sanctify,
by clearing them fr, this guUt, and guilty one. (14) Lord
taketh, most prob. by lot," (15) burnt, after stoning, -e. 25.
See Le, xx. 14. wrought folly,' or wickedness, wh. in view of
its conseq. is also foolishness.
Get thee up (v. 10). — ^Address these words to— I. The doubter,
depressed and paralysed by his doubts. II. Those who have
fainted under the struggles of life. III. Those who have gone
back ; who have spiritually declined. LV. Those who are hindered
and disheartened in their godly enterprises. Leam : — (1) It
is God who speaks to us, and says, " Get thee up ;" (2) He speaks
thus to our -wUl and to our hearts."
Temporal evils of sin. — It is the Trojan horse — it hath sword,
and famine, and pestilence in the belly of it. Sin is a coal, that
not only blacks but bums. Sin creates all our troubles ; it puts
gravel into our bread, wormwood in our cup. Sin rots the name,
consumes the estate, buries relations. Sin shoots the flying roll
of God's curses into a family and kingdom (Zech v, 4). It is
reported of Phocas, having built a wall of mighty strength
about his city, there was a voice heard, " Sin is in the oity, and
that win throw down the wall."'' — "Classes of sins. — There are two
classes of sins. There are some sins by which man crushes,
wounds, malevolently injures his brother ; those sins which speak
of a bad, tyrannical, and selfish heart. . . . There are other sins
by which a man injures himself. There is a life of reckless
indulgence ; there is a career of yielding to ungovemable pro
pensities, which most surely conducts to wretchedness and ruin,
but makes a man au object of compassion rather than of con
demnation.' 16 — 21. (16) early, to show eamestness a'nd zeal. (17) took,
according to sign given by the lot. (18) man by man, putting

Oap. vll. 22—26.]

JOSHUA.

27

one after another under the test. (19) give glory, etc., declare
the tmth, whatever it may cost thee, Comp, express, as used Jno,
ix. 24. (20) indeed I havo sinned, this eamest way of speak
ing we may hope showed true repentance. (21) Bab. garment,
Ut. robe of Shinar ; the long robe usually wom by kings, shekel,
6e, xxiii. 15, 16. wedge, bar in the shape of a tongue, midst,
middle ; this could hardly be done without knowledge and parti
cipation of his family.
Aohan's guilt and punishment (m. 19, 20). — Consider — I. His
guilt. It was proved from — 1, Unquestionable testimony ; 2. Per
sonal confession ; 3, Corroborating facts. II, His punishment,
1. The sentence, though dreadful, was not too severe. To see this,
look at the sin — (1) In itself ; (2) Its circumstances ; (3) Its
effects. 2. The execution of it was calculated to produce the
best effects. Behold in this history — (1) The deceitfulness of
sin ; (2) The certainty of its exposure ; (3) The awfulness of its
award. The danger cf avarice. — ^A servant of an Indian rajah was
ordered to keep away from a cave near the rajah's residence, and to
keep all others away. The servant began to consider the probable
reason of his having been forbidden to enter the oave. He made
up his mind that his master must have great treasure hid there,
and resolved to get it. Taking a feUow-servant with him to
secure the coveted prize, they rolled away the stone at the mouth
of the cave, when a tremendous tiger sprang upon them and tore
them to pieces.
22 — 26. (22) ran, a sign of eager interest the people felt,
(23) laid . . Lord, as a token of their belonging to Him ; and
as indie, the discovery of the sin. Prob. presented at door of
tabernacle. (24) and all Israel, the clearance was to be as
national as had been the sin. valley of Achor, trouble, now
Wady-el-Kelt,"" sons and daughters, as after accompUces,
Some suggest they were taken to be solemn spectators, not to
share his fate ; but see Jos. xxii, 20. (26) heap of stones,
making at once a grave,' and a pillar of memorial.
Tlie troubles of Hn (v. 25).— We wiU show from this text— I.
That sin is a very troublesome thing. Consider— 1. The load of
guilt by which it oppresses us ; 2. The subterfuges resorted to
to conceal our sins ; 3. Its corrupt and restless influences on the
tempers and dispositions. II. That however artfully concealed
Bin must be exposed. 1. The most secret sins are often revealed
in this world ; 2. Those sins that escape detection here will be
manifested in the last day. III. When the sinner is exposed, he
is left without any reasonable excuse, IV. That punishment
treads npon the heels of sin. 1. God has power to trouble sinners ;
2. He will trouble them."^ ,,, t
Achan's punishment.—" Were the family and the cattle of
Achan stoned V " Were they bumed with fire ? ' " If so, upon
what ground did the sentence to that efEect proceed 1 eto. Dr.
Adam Clarke is of opinion that Achan only was stoned, and that
his substance was burned with fire ; or that, if even his oxen, etc.,
frere destroyed, yet his sons and daughters were left uninjured,
and were brouglit <>"* ^^^ ^^ ""^^l^y ""^^ *^* ^^^^ ™'.^u ^l
and fear, and be for ever deterred by their father s punishment
from imitating his example. The reason which the doctor assigns
for this opinion is, that the cliildren of Achan could not justiy

B,0. 1451.
'. 19, Dr, 11.
Hole, Liturgy, i,
7«.
vv. 19—20, Bp.
HaU, Cont. Achan;
J. Saurin. iii. 78;
" '. T. Wilson, iv.
329.vo, 19— 21, R.P.
Buddicom, ii, 360.
vv, 20, 21, V. E.
Kennaway, Semu.
to Young, 236.
V. 21, K. Robin
son, Viti. Serm.
426.c C. Simeon, M.A.
"O cursed hun
ger of pemicious
goldl what
bauds of faith
can impiooB
lucre Itoldl"—
Diyden. '' Poverty wants
some, luxury
many, avaruse
ali things.^^
Cowley.

Achan's punishment
a Ho. ii. 16.
b Jos. ViiL 29|
2 Sa, xviii. 17.
c Beta.
" They who onco
engage in iniqui
tous designs,
miserably de
ceive themselves
when they think
that they will go
so far and no
further; one fault
begets another,
one crime ren
ders another
necessary ; and
thus they ara
impelled con
tinually down
ward into a
depth of guilt
which, at the
comm encement
of their career,
Ihey would have
died rather than
have incurred,"
— Southey.
" Avarice isolates
man from tho
great nniveraa
and the holy
dod, deadens tM

28

JOSHZTA.

COap.vlJl.l— 8.

B.0. 1451.
sensibilities to
the highest joys,
and shuts the
Boul np in Its
own dark self,
the victim of A
thousand mise
rable suspicion::;,
aud the sabjecc
of attributes that
6Tery generoua
heart mnBt
loathe.*'— Dr.
Thomas.
d Carpenter,

the attack on
Ai renew^ed
a KeU.
b Mi^haelU.
c Wordsworth.
V. I. J. ff. Pott,
Semu. ii. 70.
"I do not think
a braver gentle-
msji, more ac
tive-valiant, or
mora valiant-
youDg, more
daring, or more
bold, is now alive
to grace this
latter age with
noble deeds." —
Shakespeare. " Courage en-
¦largep, coward
ice diminishes
resources. In
desperate straits
the fears of ,the
timid aggravate
the dangers that
imperil the
brave. For co
wards the road
to destruction
should be left
open. They will
carry over to
the enemy no
thing but their
feara. The pol
troon, like the
scabbard, is an
encumbrancewhen once the
Bword is drawn."
^-Bovee. d Dr. BawHtu.
the ambush
about Ai
a Ju.xx. 29, 32.
"Popular glory
is a perfect
coquette; her

suffer with him, because of the law, Deut. ixiv. 16, unlesa they
had been accomplices in his guilt, of which, as he suggests, there
is no evidence. The leamed editor of Calmet acquiesces m this
opinion, and gives the following as the probable sense of the
passao-e :— "They stoned HIM [Achan] with stones, and bumed
THEM [his property] with fire, and [rather ob] stoned them with
stones ; that is, making a distinction in guilt between his pro
perty and the things stolen ; and raised over him [Achan] a heap
of stones." In justification of this interpretation of the passage,
he suggests that, had his family been stoned, the heap of stones
wotdd have included them also, whereas it was raised over him ;
and that the burning was probably applied to such things as
might suffer by buming, and the stoning to what ihe fire might
have had little or no effect on.**

CHAPTEB THE EIGHTH.
1 — 3. (1) fear not, a needed rebuke, as Jos. was muoh dig.
pirited by the failure, all the people, i.e. the soldiers; all
were now necess. bee. fear had weakened the army. (2) ambush,
stratagem was to be used. In all ages such tactics are con
sidered fair in war. God now intended to show how His blessing
would rest on hum. instrumentalities. (3) tliirty thousand,
comp. V. 12. Bither there is a, mistake in tiie number given in
V. 3," or the 5,000 were sent, out of the 30,000, to take posi
tion nearer the city,' or the 5,000 were sent to reinforce the 30,000
the day after they had taken position."
Learning fr/im experience. — I. This the second attack upon Ai ;
let us compare it with the former. 1. Then self-confident, now
cautious ; 2. Then self -prompted, now Divinely guided. IL Ap
ply the lessons to the conflicts of life. 1. If we have suffered
defeat, inquire into the cause ; 2. Not sit down in inactivity or
despair, but wisely prepare for a better attack.
Moral andphysical courage. — We all understand the general dif
ference between physical and moral courage ; the one belonging
rather to the bodily temperament, the other to the mind — the one
to the animaljthe other to the man ; physical courage opposing itself
to dangers which threaten the person or the life ; moral courage
the opposite of weakness, and proof againat ridicule, false shame,
the fashion of the day. And we know they may be nnited— as
they were, for example, pre-eminently combined in that great
man (Duke of Wellington) whose loss we are now deploring ;—
or they may be separated, as for instance, when Cranmer signed
his recantation, and yet afterwards manifested at the stake the
most unflinching fortitude. And it is often to be noted that
those who abound in physical courage, never appalled by dangers,
or even courting them, are defioient in moral courage, afraid of
their companions, easily seduced to evU, shrinking before a laugh
or a sneer."*
4—8. (4) lie in wait, hide behind the hill, or amid the trees
and caves, behind the city, west of Ai, v. 9, a direction in
wh. king of Ai expected no foes. (5) approach, by ordinary
route, flee, so as to produce an excitement wh. would le3.ve Ai
defenceless, (6) drawn, Heb. pulled, by their anxiety to pur
sue fleeing Israel." (7) seize upon, this would be easy as onJj

Oap. VUI. 9—13.]

JOSHUA.

29

worn, and childr. would be left in oity. (8) on fire, for hmita
tions of the destruction, see v. 2.
Readiness (r, i). — Two great classes of men — the unready and
the ready. The unready are those who are always taken by sur
prise let what will happen. The ready are those who have a oer
tain alertness of mind : possess watchfulness and a spirit of fore
thought. The people of God should be always ready — I. For
every good word — of comfort, reproof, waming, exhortation. II.
For every good work — of teaching, toiling, fighting for the truth.
III. For prayer. IV. This readiness should be general. " Be ye
all ready."
A last opportunity. — On a wild coast of Britain, there are taU
and craggy cliffs which overhang the ocean. The people residing
near make their livelihood by gathering the eggs of the rock-
birds. An iron is fixed in the cliS above : a rope is attached, and
the adventurer lowers himself until he arrives at the ledge of the
rook. Once a man found the rook to overhang so jnuch, that he
was obliged to swing himself to and fro, so as to gain his foot
hold on the rock. He succeeded; but in doing so he lost the
rope from his grasp. The rope swung to and fro, its vibrations
becoming less and less, and each time more and more distant.
The man stood, and, quick as thought, reasoned thus with him
self : " That rope is my only chance of life. In a little while it
will be for ever beyond my reach. It is nearer now than it ever
wiU be again, I must lay hold of it or die I " So saying, he
sprang from the cliff as tie rope was next approaching, caught
it, and was safe I
9-13. (9) abode, etc., settled in their hiding-place,_'» (10)
numbered, in military sense, wh, includes marshalling in order
for marching and battle, went up, fr, Gilgal to Ai is about 15
miles, (11) a valley, the deep chasm of the wady EL-Miirogede.
(12) took, had taken, see on v. 3. (13) midst of valley, no
doubt with a small body of men, who would seem to intend an
attack like the previous one.*
The vigilant leader (¦(•. 13), — ^These words may be apphed to our
Joshua-^I. In relation to the histoiy of the Church, In the
night of spiritual darkness— the dark ages— He went through the
midst of the valley ; disposing His forces, preparing for the coming
conflict. II, In relation to human experienoe. In the night of
sorrow, humiliation, etc, death, Jesus is in the midst of the valley,
Wash'mgton on ??«?•.— Perhaps few facts would more forciblj^
iUustrate the views, which eveu reflecting military men take ol
the nature of war, than the following :— Thomas Mullet. Esq..
an English gentleman, being in America, called ou General
Washington, at his residence at Mount Vernon, soon after the
close of the contest between that country and Great Britam.
Washington asked him, in the course of conversation in his
library, if he had met with an individual in that country who
could wTite the history of the recent contest. Mr. M. replied
that he knew of one, and only one, competent to the task. The
general eagerly asked, " Who, sir, can he be ?" Mr. M. rephed,
" Sir, Ca3sar wrote his o^vn Commentaries." The general bowed,
and replied, " Caesar oould write his Commentaries ; but, sir, I
know the atrocities committed on both sides have been so gi-eat
and many, that they cannot be faithfuUy recorded, and had
better be buried in oblivioa I "

E.o. 1451.
lovers must toil,
feel every in
quietude, indulge
every caprice,
and pertaps at
last be jilted ioto
the bargain.
True glory, on
tbe other hand,
resembles a wo
man of sense ;
her admirers
must play no
tricks ; they feel
no great anxiety,
for they are sure
in the end of
being rewarded
in proportion tp
their mei it. "-^
Goldsmith.
" If it were done
when 'tie done,
then 'twere well
it were done
quickly."— >S/jai-fi-
speare." A wise man
will make mora
opportunities
than he finds,"—
Bacon.
the nig-ht
march in
the valley

a "Bethel, though
lying quie near
m dii ei tion of
wes'; by north,
cannot te been
from Tell - el-
l.aj^ir; two rocky
heights rise be
tween both
placer^, just aa
the la.\iDg of an
arabush to west
of Ai would To-
quiro."-floi'7'nsort.b -The king ot
.\i, in the morn
ing, would see
liCither the am-
tiush in his rear,
nor the host
among the bills
away to the
north, on his
tett.-Sjpi. Comm.

" The warrior
wbo cultivates
his mind po
lishes his arms."
—De Boi'fflert.

30

JOStlUA.

[Cap. via. 14-27.

B,0, 145L
the men of
Ai pursue,
leavinff the
city un
guardeda "Ttie words,
01- Bethel, are not
in the Sept., and
are rejected by
Bome eminent
Bcholars as an
interpolation not
found in the most
ancient MSS,'
Jamieson, "Yet it may be
more loFty coU'
rage dwells ir
one weak heart
which braves
an adverse fate,
than his whose
ardent soul in
dignant swells,
¦warm'd by the
flght, or cheer'd
through high
debate." — Hon,
Mrs. 'Noi-ton.
the men in
ambush enter the
oity "Prudent men
lock up their
motives, letting
familiars have a
key to tbeir
hearts as to their
garden." — Slien-
stone. *'A commander
must uso pretty
cheats: dark
stratagems de
vise." — Alleyn's
Cressey.
The Spartan mo-
thers used to
counsel their
sons: "If your
Bword be too
short, add a step
to it."

the king- of
Ai taken,
aud Ai
destroyed
a Ex, xvii, II, 12,
b C, Simeon, M,A.
A personal friend
said to Mr. Lin
coln, "Mr. Pre
sident, do you
really expect to

14—17. (14) saw, indio, of another attack on the city, time
appointed, perhaps should be place, somewhere suited tor
gathering together his army. Or reference may be to appoint
ment made with his confederates at Bethel, before the plain,
Heb, the Arabah, the tract of land stretching down to the Jordan
valley, (15) made as if, turning their backs after a little
show of fighting, (16) people, i,e. soldiers, (17) or Bethel,"
wh, was confederate with Ai, and had sent its entire army, city
open, the very gates unprotected, having no thought of other
foes. Strategic movements (v. 15),— I, In the history of Christianity
there have been tinies when the forces of Immanuel's army have
appeared to be in full retreat, II, At such times the enemy has
boastfully said, " I will overtake," ete. III. Subsequent events
have often shown that the Leader of Israel was only heading a
strategic movement as part of a preconcerted plan.
The remard of mar. — The Duke of Marlborough observing a
soldier leaning pensively on the butt-end of his musket, just
after victory had declared itself in favour of the British arms at
the battle of Blenheim, accosted him thus : " Why so pensive, my
friend, after so glorious a victory ? " " It may be glorious," replied
the brave fellow, " but I am thinking that all the human blood I
have spilled this day has only earned me fourpence."
18 — 21. (18) stretch . . spear, Jos. stood on tl;e heights, at
some chosen point of observation. A flag or streamer prob. hung
from his spear. The ambush would set watchers to observe this
signal, (19) ambush, poss, the 5,000 specially appointed entered'
the city, and the 25,000 fell ou the rear of the Aites, (20)
no power to flee, a sudden panic seized them, people that
fled, soldiers forming the attacking party wh. ascended the valley.
(21) The main host of wh, this company formed a part,
ITom Philip of Macedon tooli Prin.a.s.Si(S.— Philip of Macedon
won Prinassus by the following stratagem. He attempted first
to undermine the city, but found the ground so rooky as to resist
his most vigorous and repeated attempts. He still, howeyer, per
severed, and commanded his pioneers to make a more than ordi
nary bustle and noise below ground. In the night he caused
earth to be secretly brought from a distance, and raised enormous
mounds at the entrance of the mine, in order to inspire the
'besieged with the belief that the work went forward with
astonishing rapidity. At length he informed the townsmei^, that
two acres of their wall were undermined, and stood upon wooden
props, to which if he set lire and entered by a breach, they might
expect no meroy. The Prinassians were deceived, and surrendered
at disoretion to an enemy, who oould not with his utmost exer
tions have taken the town by real force.
22—27. (22) midst of Is., quite surrounded, (23) king . .
alive, for publio execution, (24) inhab. , . field, the men, or
soldiers, all of whom had hurried to the fight. (25) men and
women, i,e. the adult population. (26) drew . . back, either
a fig. of his earnestness in fully accomplishing the Div. will, or
similar case to that at defeat of Amalek." (27) spoil, such of
the property as could be saved fr. the fire. ,_
Persevering zeal recommended (see v. 2&'). — In this act of.
Joshua's we see — I. How our great Captain interests Hunself for"

Cap.viil. 28— 35.]

JOSHUA.

31

ns. II. How we are to engage in combat for ourselves. With —
1, Determined purpose ; 2, Confident expectation. Conclusion —
(1) Think not lightly of the spiritual warfare ; (2) Ceaso not to
prosecute it till your victory is complete,'
War multiplies losses. — Thomas Jeiferson both wrote and aoted
¦with great decision in favour of peace. "I stand in awe," he
says in 1798, " at the mighty confiict to which two great na^tions
(France and England) are advancing, and recoil with horror at
¦the ferociousness of man. Will nations never devise a, more
rational umpire of differences than force ? Are there no means
of coercing injustice more gratifying to onr nature than a waste
of the blood ef thousands, and of the labour of millions of our
fellow-creatures 2 Wonderful has been the progress of human
improvement in other respects. Let us then hope that the law
of nature will in time influence the proceedings of nations as
well as of individuals, and that we shall at length be sensible
that war is an lustrum ent entirely inefficient towards redressing
•wrong, and multiplies instead of indemnifying losses. Had the
money which has been sjpent in the present war been employed
in making roads, and constructing canals of navigation and
irrigation through the country, not a hovel in the Highlands of
Scotland, or the mountains of Auvergne, would have been with-
out a boat at its door, a riU of water in every field, and a road to
its market town.
28—31. (28) for ever, often used in O, T. for s. very long
time, desolation, sceneof ruins. The place identified with Ai
is still called Tell, a heap of stones, (29) hanged, gibbeted,
put to death first." take , , tree, see la^Y laid down by Mos,*
heap of stones, a huge cairn, by this usage the grave ef persons
whose memory is inlanious is still distingui&hed. (30) Mt.
Ebal, about 20 miles fr. Ai ; De. xi. 29. (31) whole stones,
Ex. XX. 25, burnt-offerings, Ge, xxii, 7. peaoe-ofl',, Le. iii 1.
Obedience far mercies. — God accounts those mercies forgotten
which are not written with legible characters in our lives. That
of Joshua is observable (chap, viii, 32). Upon their victory over
the city of Ai an altar is built, as a monument of that signal
mercy. Now mark, what doth God command to be writ or
engraved upon the stones thereof 1 One would have tliought the
history of that day's work should have been the sculpture ; but it
is the copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence
of the children of Israel, whereby He plainly showed the best
way of remembering the mercy was not to forget the law.''
32 — 35. (32) wrote .'. stones, as enjoined, De. xsvii, 2—8,
prob, stone pillars were erected beside the altar, (33) the ark,
wh, was set in the middle ; the people were assembled near, but
one part towards Ebal, or on the Ebal side : the other towards
Gerizim ; along the sides and base of each hill, (34) read, prob.
caused Levites to read." (35) This indio. that more than the
usual summary was given on this occasion. It seems likely that
these rv. (30—35) are not set in the proper context in our version ;
they come in better after ch. ix. 2, t mi. j.
the whole lam for the whole people (v. 35),— Note here— I, That
the whole of the law was read, II. That it was read distinctly.
Ill That it was read to all Israel. Leam— 1, The Word of God
is not for the priests alone ; 2. That it is not to be wrapt up in anJ

B.O, 1451.
end this war
during your ad
ministration?" "Can't say, can't
say, sir," "Eut,
Mr. Lincoln, what
do you mean to
do?" "Pegaway,
sir; peg away;
keep pegging
away!" And
"pegging away"
dirt it,
" Wars be to the
body politic
what drams are
to the individual.
There flre limes
wheu they may
prevent sudden
death, but if fre
quently resorted
to, or long per
sisted in, they
heighten the
energies only to
hasten the disso
lution." — Culton.

altar of un
hewn stones
on Ebal
a Nu, xxv, 4,
6 De. xxi. 22, 23.
vo. 30—35. Dr. S.
Oordon, ii, 319.
" He holds no
parley with un
manly fears;
where duty bids
he confidently-
steers, faces a
thousand dan
gers at her call,
and, trusting in
his God, sur
mounts them
all." — Coujper.
e Qurnail.

Ebal and
Oerizlm
" All desp'rata
hazards courage
do create, as he
jilays frankly
who has least
estate : presence
of mind, and
courage in dia-
trees, are mora
than armies to
procure Haoceas.*
'Di-ydm.

32

JOSBUA.

[Cap. Ix. 1, 2,

a De. xxvii, 14,
"There is sncTi
fulness in that
Book that often-
timea it sa.ys
much by aaying
nothing; andnot
only its expres-
Bion but its si
lences are teach
ing, like the dial
iu which the sha-
ck>w as well as
the light informs
us." — Boyle.
"Procrustes, the
robber of Attica,
had a famous
iron bedstead,
whereon he was
wont to lay his
¦victims. If they
were shorter
than it, be
stretched tbem
to the deaired
length; if longer,
ho cut them to
flt. Many theo
logians follow his
example ; they
lay truth on the
rack of precon
ceived formula,
and bring it
somehow, and at
all hazards, to
the required
dimensions. "-
Rev. Henry Gill,
( Mills's Nablus.

the king's of
Canaan forxa
a leaifue
True, you may
not deatroy grace
by your iucon-
si>-tencieH, but
you will greatly
hinder itsgro wth
in your soul, and
destroy your own
enjoyment of it.
Every man.
without ffraoe in
his heart, is a
hater of God.
"Iknow you tbat
ye have not the
love of G-od in
you,"maybe said
to unconverted

unknown tongue ; 3. How muoh less is the Gospel of any private
interpretation. , , , ,,  .
Scene at Gerizim and Ebal— "Those who have seen the spot
where this wonderful event took plaoe can readily realise the
me. Just where the tWo mountains approach eaoh other
nearest, are the two lower spurs, looking like two noble pulpits
prepared by nature, and here the Levites would stand to read.
The valley running between looks just like the floor of a vast
plaoe of worship. The slopes of both mountains recede gradu
ally, and offer room for hundreds of thousands to be conveniently
seated to hear the words of the law. — Read'mg the lam at Geriz'im
and Ebal.— An objection has been raised, alleging that the dis
tance between the two mountains is too great for the human
voice to traverse. . . . Having satisfied myself more thau once
during my stay at Nabliis of its feasibility, a party of us resolved
to make tiie experiment. We had pitohed our tent m the valley
near the foot of Gerizim, on the line between the two mountains,
where I have supposed the ark to have formerly stood, I clam
bered up Gerizim, and Mr. WilUams up Ebal, Mr. Edwards re
maining with the men at the tent. Having reached the lower
spur, I found myself standing, as it were, upon a lofty pulpit,
and my friend found himself similaxly situated on Ebal. Having
rested awhile, I opened my Bible, and read the command con
ceming the blessings in Hebrew, and every word was heard most
distinotiy by Mr, Edwards in the valley, as well as by Mr. Wil
liams on Ebal. Mr, Williams then read the cursings in Welsh,
and we all heard every word and syllable. Before we descended,
Mr, Edwards requested us to sing, and gave out, ' Praise God, from
whom all blessings flow,' &o. I commenced it upon the tune
Savoy, or the Old Hundredth ; but I pitehed the tune in a key
too high for them to join me. I was determined, however, to
sing it through ; and if I ever sang well and with spirit, I did sb
then on Gerizim, and was heard most distinctly by all. And it
was our impression, and still is, that if the whole area before and
around ns had been filled ¦with the hundreds of thousands of
Israel, every soid amongst them would have heard every note
and word with perfeot clearness.'

CHAPTEB THE NINTH.
1, 2. (1) this side, the westem side, in the hills, etc., the
hill country of central Canaan ; the low country from Cannel to
Gaza ; and the shores of the Medit, ' (2) A common danger led
to united action, though these nations contended among them
selves. Scotched but not hilled v. (2.)— Our text brings before us— I. A
united enemy. II. A united enemy composed of strange ele
ments, forgetful of, or keeping in abeyance, national rivalries,
etc. III. A united enemy on common ground, and for one com
mon object. Leam — 1. Modem times have witnessed compacta
and conf ederacies not less strange; 2. Let the tribes of Israel,
under their one Leader, be also united for the common weal of
Christianity. Our spiritual mar.— Owe spiritual war is a sore, fierce, and dan
gerous war. The truth of this was manifested in Christ our

Oap. Ix. S— 10.]

JOSHUA.

33

Head, whom the devil hurried from wildemess to pinnacle, from j
pinnacle to mountain. What the devil did to Christ out-svardly
and visibly, he useth to do to others inwardly and secretly. The ;
estate and condition of Christ while He lived en earth is a lively j
representation of the estate and condition of His Church in this !
world. Peter felt such a wrestling, so did Paul, so do all that i
slavishly yield themselves to the powers of the devil," |
3—6. (3) Gibeon, capital of Hivites; now El- Gib. 5 to C
miles north-west of Jems, : at head of the pass of Beih-horon, \
leading fr, Jerus. to Joppa, and the coast." (4) ¦wilily, by stra- ]
tagem, with insidious art : matching the device of Is. in capture
of Ai ; " they resolved to meet craft with craft," old sacks, etc.,
travelling' necessaries were so carried, ¦wine bottles, made of
skin ; they wanted to indicate poverty and insignificancy, as well
as to indicate their residing at a distance. (5) clouted,'' patched.
(6) Gilgal, Jos. iv. 19.
Cunning and discretion. — Cunning has only private, selfifh
aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them succeed : dis
cretion has large and extended views, and, like a well-formed
eye, commands a whole horizon. Cunning is a kind of short
sightedness, that discovers the minutest objects which are near
at hand, but is not able to discern things at a distance. Discre
tion, the more it is discovered, gives a greater authority to the
person who possesses it : cunning, when it is once detected, loses
its force, and makes a man incapable of bringing about even
those events which he might have done had he passed only for a
plain man. Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide
to us in all the duties of life : cunning is a kind of instinit, that
only looks out after our immediate interests and welfare. Dis
cretion is only found in men of strong sense and good under
standing : cunning is often to be met with in brutes themselves,
and in persons who are but the fewest removes from them. In
short, cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass
upon weak men in the same manner as ¦vivacity is often taken
for wit, and gravity for wisdom.
7—10. (7) ho-w . . you? for .their orders sc« Ex, xxiii, 32,
xxxiv. 12; De. vii. 2. (8, 9) because of the name, etc, pre
tending relig. motives. (10) Eeference is only made to events
occurring before passage of Jordan." This most of all threw
Jos. off his guard. Ashtaroth, Jos. xii. 4, xiii. 12, .31.
Fame— a goodly repntation.—'Sor is the desire of fame so vain
as some have imagined ; fame being, when belonging to the liv
ing, that which is more gravely called a steady and necessary
reputation : and without it hereditary power or acquired great
ness can never quietly govem the world, 'Tis to the dead a musi
cal gloi-y. in which God, the Author of excellent goodness, vouch
safes to take a continual share ; for the remembered virtues of
great men are chiefly such of His works (as mentioned by King
David) as peii^etually praise Him ; and the good fame of the
dead prevails by exaraple much .more than the reputation of the
living, because the latter is ahi-ays suspected by our envy, but
the other is cheerfully allov,-ed and religiously admired; for
admiration, ivhose eyes are ever weak, stands still and at gaze
npon great things acted afar off ; but when they are near, walks
slightingly away as from familiar objects. Fame is to our sons a
VOL, IIL O.T. 0

B.O. 1461,
men univer
sally. "What
ever be youi^ gifts
and gfat-es, do
rot allow tbem
^tand in the
plare of Christ."
a IV, Gonge,
the craft of
the Gibeon
itesa Fr. its situation
It wuuld bave
been iho next
prey onwh.lhels.
bost would Lave
sprung ' -.Staninj.
b A.*^. clU'.ei. rag.
V 3. Bp. Hall,
Cont, Gibeonites;
J, Saurin, iii. i^.S.
DD. 3—6. R. P.
HudJiom, ii. 373.
I'. 5. J, Coctirane,
Strms. onPtcuiiar
Texts, if..
"In dealing witli
cunning persona,
we must ever
consider their
ends to interpret
their speeches;
and it is good to
saylittle to them,
and tbat which
they least look
for, Inalluego-
tialiors of diffl
culty a man may
not look to 60W
and reap at
once; but must
prepare businass,
and BO npen it
by degrees." —
Lord Bacon.
a "They repre
sent themselves
as not having
yet heard of the
aggression on
¦\Vestern Palea
tine, only of tha
b>g(ine conquest
of lhe -Amorite
kings b(\vond
the Jordan."—
.'¦ tanley,
vv, 8— 16. Dr.
Woi-dfioorlh Oc
ca, Serms, iv, 21.
" Fame to our
aphes comes,
ala-^! too late:
and prfli^eemeT3
rank upon ihe
coffin p!»te.""»
Mariial.

34

JOSHUA.

[Cap ix. 11— Sl.

B.c, 1451.
h Davenant.
Joshua de
ceived makes
a peace
with them.
o Fr. ligne, Lat,
ligare, to bind.
6 Ei, ixviii, 30.
V. 15, C. .Simeon,
M.A., ii. SSS.
c R. A, Gi-iffln.
"When the Spirit
of Q-od ceases al
together to strive
with you, your
day of graca is
past *&n\ over.
There is such a
thing as the un
pardonable win;
and wherever it
occurs these
tbree effects fol
low — there is
henceforth no
Bpace, or place,
or power of re-
penance.'' " God accounts
for His grace to
wards fallen
man, the end
being to mani
fest the riches of
His glory ; but
He assigns no
reason, except
His own will, for
its bestowment
upon one more
than another."
" Wa hava as
much need of
the Spirit of Sod
to guide us into
the right way as
we have of the
grace of G-od to
deliver out of the
wrong one."

the subtilty
of Gribeon
discovered
oEzr.il. 25; Ne,
vii, 29,
h Robinson.
e 1 Sa. vi. 20, 21,
vii. 2; 2 Sa. vi. 2;
Ps. cxxxii. 6.
d 2 Sa, xxi, 1—3

valid inheritance, and not unuseful to remote posterity ; and to
our reason 'tis a first, though but a little taste of '-¦ternity,'
11—15. (11) with you, lit, in your luxnd. league," com
pact or treaty. (12) hot, as fr. the oven. (13) rent, with hard
use during a long- journey. (14) the men, i.e. the elders.
took . . victuals, either to test the truth of their story ; or,
aooording to custom of Eastern nations, pledging peace by shar
ing food together, asked not-, etc., by Urim and Thummim ;'
a very strange neglect if Josh, -was privy to it. (15) Josh, at
least accepted terms made by elders,
Unadvised («, 14), — Deceit has played no minor, part in the his
tory of the world. Many a strong fortress has yielded to it which
long defied the power of strength. Many a noble cause haa by
it been lost ; many a noble nature degraded. In this narrative
we have an iU, of the folly and consequent punishment of those
who are deceived, I. Let us show the probable cause of their
disastrous negleot : " they asked not," etc. Why? ], Their sym
pathies were enlisted. Feeling blinded them to duty. Feeling
is a little child whose hand is full of luscious fruit: but she
must not go alone : reason must take her hand, or the robber
i may have what was designed for the beggar, 2. Their pride was
flattered: "we are your servants," A very flattering portrait
often leads the person for whom it is intended to praise the
faithfulness and honesty of the artist, 3, Or they thought the
case so plain, they needed not to ask counsel. There is no step
we take in life too trivial to be made a matter of prayer, II.
Let us call to mind its sad effects. When they discovered their
folly they could not break their word, 1. They had to tolerate
Canaanites iu the land — a source of weaknesss ; 2. They were .
loaded with shame ; 3. Deprived of a triumph ; 4. Excited dis
content in their own Camp ; 5. A heavy curse fell on the de
ceivers. Application : —Judge not by appearances. Trust nofrin,
your own discemment. " Lean not tp thine own undSrstanding."
Beware of rashness, self-suificiency, and flattery.'
The rencmed soul a scene of confl'ict. — Every renewed soul isthe
scene and stage wherein the two mightiest contraries in the
I world —the spirit and the flesh, light and darkness, life and
death, heaven and hell, good and evil, Michael and his angels,
and the dragon witli his— are perpetually combating hand to
hand. And well it is for a Christian that the Holy Spirit is lust
ing in him against the flesh, God takes thy part. Christian ; thei
Spirit of the Lord of Hosts is with thee, if thou dost not sin and
grieve Him away. Follow but thy Leader, be prompt and ready
to start at the Divine signal, when the Bkily Ghost displays Hia
ensigns, then march forth under those mighty and victorious
banners, and thou shalt become invincible.
16—31. (16) end of three days, as in ch. iii. 2. neigh
bours, their city was within 20 miles of Gilgal. (17) third
day, longer time than necessary, no occasion for a forced march.
Gibeon, v. 8. Chephira^h," modem Kefir, Jos. xviii. 25, 2«.
Beeroth, modern Birch, 8 miles N. of Jerusalem, Kirjath-
jearim, city of moods, or forests ; modem Kuriet-el-Enabf 9
miles fr, Jer, on road to Jaffa, Jos, xv. 60," (18) rnurmured,
etc., sparing the Gibeonites seemed unfaithfulness to Jehovah,
(19) touch them, to Mil them. (20) live/ but only live ; they

Cap. Ix. 22—27.]

JOSHUA.

35

were to be so humiliated as to make life almost ¦worthless. (21)
hewers, etc., lowest menial ofaces ;« called Nethin'ims, i.e. given,
appropriated, M'lnding nature of a vom (v. 20), It is plain— I. That the
Lsraelites considered themselves bound by their oath, and exposed
to the wrath of God if they violated it, II, That their adherence
to their oath was acceptable to God — 1. Because He expressed no
displeasure at the time ; 2, From the nature of His subsequent
dealings ¦with them. He avenged the violation of this treaty by
Saul. Learn : — 1, Make vows with the utmost caution ; 2, Keep
them with scrupulous 'fidelity ; - 3, How much have they to
answer for who by craft exact improper pledges,
Dramers of water. — " Drawing water was the oflSce of the
meanest slaves," In illustration of this, the follo'wing lines from
the Iliad may be quoted. Hector, in taking leave of his wife
Andromache, says : —
'' I see thee trembling, weeping, captive led !
******
To bear the ¦victor's hard commands, or bring
The weight of -waters from Hyperia's spring."/
Adopted captives, — When the difEerent tribes of Indians on the
Ohio were compelled by the expedition of General Bouquet to
deliver up all "the Europeans whom they had taken captives for a
series of years, the tender reluctance with which they made the
surrender was singularly remarkable. The chief of the Sha
wanese, addressing the English, said, " Fathers, we have brought
your flesh and blood to you ; they have been all united to us by
adoption ; and although we now deliver them, we will always
look upon them as our relations, whenever the Great Spirit is
pleased that we may visit them. We have taKen as much care
of them as if they were our o-vvn flesh and blood. Many of
them are now become unacquainted with your customs and
manners, and therefore we request you will use them tenderly and
kindly, whioh will induce them to live contentedly with you."
The regard of the Indians to their captive friends continued all
the time they remained in the English camp. They visited them
from day to day, loaded them with presents of corn, skins, and
other articles ; and displayed all the marks of the most sincere
and tender affection, Nor did they stop here : for when the
army marched, some of the Indians solicited and obtained leave
to accompany their former captives all the way to Fort Pitt ;
and exercised their skill in hunting, to obtain for them every
delicacy which the forest could supply. Cruel and unmerciful
in war as the Indians, through habit and long example, are, yet
whenever they come to give way to the native dictates of
humanity, they have exhibited vu-tues which Christians need
not blush to imitate,
22—27. (22) beguiled, imposed on us. (23) cursed, or
humiliated," none of you, Heb. idiom, not be cut offfrom you.
bondmen, devoted to God, not as Jericho, but to bond-service
in His sanctuary. (24) sore afraid,' their fear of their lives
gives poor account of their courage. (25) in thy hand, willing
to submit to thy judgment. (26) SO did he, as v. 23. (27) for
the altar,': in connection with the altar, place . . choose,
De. xii, 5. , , . , ,
Hewers of mood (». 27).— Note— I, The class represented bj thess
ca

B.C. 1461.

e De, sxii, 11.
"But when the
fox hath once got
j in his nose, he'U
I soon find means
to make the body
follow," — Sliake
speare. " To conceal any.
thing from thosa
to whom I am
attached is not
in my nature. 1
can never close
ray lips where I
have opened my
heart" — Dickens.
"Their services
are, clock-like, to
be set backward
and forward at
their lord's com-
m an d." — Ben
Jonson,
f Iliad, bk, vl.
" Altliough
heaven bo given
us freely, yet we
must strive for
it. Our work is
great, our Master
is urgent, our
time is short.
We must be
earnest as well
as diligent.
'Whatsoever thy
band findeth to
do, do it with all
thy might,' "
" I can only say
that there is not
a mau living who
wishes more sin
cerely than I do
to see a plan
adopted for tha
abolition of it
[filavery]." — Geo.
Washington.
" It is injustice
to permit slavery
to remain for a
single hour,"—
William Pitt.
the Gibeon
ites made
hewerfe of
w;ood, etc.
a Ge. ix. 25. .
b Ex. xxiii. 32,
33; De, vu, 1, 2.
c Ps. ixxxiv. 10:
Lu, XV. 18; a*
iv. 1, «.

36

JOSHUA.

[Cap. X. 1—5.

B.C. 1461.
" Ere the base
laws of servitude
begaa, when wild
in woods tbe
noble savage
ran." — Dryden,
"Wellfare their
hearts who will
not only wear
out their shoes,
but also their
feet in God's
service, and yet
gain not a shoe
latchet thereby.'"
— Thomas Fuller.
**Sir, I envy
neither the heart
nor the head of
that man from
the North, who
rises here [in con
gress] to defend
sia v ery from
principle."— /oAn
Randolph. "Slavery is
% state so
improper, bo
degrading, so
ruinous to the
feelings and ca
pacities of hu
man nature, that
it ought not to be
suffered to exist."
— Burke.
d Paxton.

confede
ration ag'alnstGibeon
a Qe. xiv. IS,
i Jos. ix. 3.
e Robinson.
rf Job. XV, 35; Ne,
Ii. 29.
On whole cap.
Bee Bp. Ci>oper-s
Brief Expos. ;
Bp. Hall, Con
temp.; Saurin's,
Disc, Hist., etc. iii.
117; Jacob Bry
ant's Obs. 167.
*' In these dis
tracted times,
When each man

people. 1. Deceivers in general, whose deception involves the
penalty of profitless toil ; 2. The world, that has a theoretical
faith in the power of the Church, and not a saving faith to
warrant adinission into the Church ; 3, Worldly helpers of the
Church, like those who helped to build the ark but did not enter
it, II, The truth illustrated by this history, 1. Those who are not
of the Church shall yet subserve its interests; 2, The deceivers of
Israel shaU be the unwilling helpers of the cause of God.
Servile bondage.— In the kingdom of Algiers, the wonien and
children are charged ¦with the care of their flocks and their herds,
with providing food for the family, cutting fuel, fetehing water,
and when their domestio affairs allow- them, with tending their
silk-worms. The daughters of the Turcomans in Palestine are
employed in the' same mean and laborious offices. In Homer,
Andromache fed the horses of her heroic husband. It is pro
bable the cutting of wood was another female occupation. Tho
very great antiquity of ¦these customs is confirmed by the prophet
Jeremiah, who complains that the children were sent to gather
wood for idolatrous purposes ; and iu his Lamentations he
bewails the oppressions which his people suifered from their
enemies in these terms : " They took the young men to grind,
and the children fell under the wood." Hence the servUe con
dition to which the Gibeonites were reduced by Joshua, for
imposing upon him and the princes of the congregation, appears
to have been much more severe than we are apt at first to
suppose : " Now, therefore, ye are cmrsed, and there shall none
of you be freed from being bondmen, and' hewers of wood, aud
drawers of water, for the house of my God, " The bittemess of their
doom did not consist in being subjected to a laborious service,
for it was the usual employment of women and children ; but
in their being degraded from the characteristic employment of
men, that of bearing arms, and condemned with their posterity
for ever to the employment of females.**

CHAPTEB THE TENTH.
1—5. (1) Adoni-zedek, comp, Welchi-zedeh," also King of
Salem, Jerusalem,, -pToh. meaning, foundation of peaoe ; anoient
names, Salem, Jebus ; modem, Bl-Kuds. (2) as one of, etc.,
Gibeon prob, a republic, no king is named,* (3) Hebron, Ge.
xiii. 18, xxiii, 2 ; Jos, x. 36, xv, 54. Jarmuth, now Tarmuk,
situated on hill called Tell Armuth ;= allotted to Judah." La-
chish, not identified, poss, Vm Lahis, 2>) miles W, of Eleuthero
polis, Eglon,_ near Lachish, modem Ajlan, 10 miles N.B, fr.
Gaza. (4) smite Gibeon, so discourage and check advance of
Israel. (5) encamped, made regular siege.
The confederacy against Gibeon.— I. Of whom it was composed.
1. Its head. A bad king with a good name, Adoni-zedek, i.e. lord
of righteousness ; 2. Its following. Horam, Piram, ete. IL
The pui'pose of its formation. War against deceiving Gibeon.
Leam— 1, Title not always an index to character ; 2, Deception
involves men in ti'ouble, Gibeon by deceiving Israel exposed to
the anger of old allies.
Some of the difficulties in the may of marlilte alliances.— In his
(Geo. IIL) majesty's first speech from the throne he declared hia

Oap. X. 8—11.]

JOSHUA.

37

Resolution to support the King of Prussia with his heartiest
concurrence, and to maintain the war with firmness and vigour
until the enemy should be brought to just terms of accommo
dation. This clause is said to have been inserted not sponta
neously by the king, but at the eamest instigation of Mr, Pitt,
The King of Prussia had always been a great favourite with the
English nation, whose generous sympathy in his fortunes seemed
to rise in proportion to the increasing number and success of his
enemies. With the English Court, however, Frederick was so
much the reverse of being on friendly terms that until the two
last years of George II.'s reign there were no two courts in
Christendom who hated each other more cordially than those
of St, James and Berlin, Frederick, among other means which
he took to gall the feelings of the British monarch, had for his
ambassador at Paris an attainted peer of Britain, the Earl
Marischal, and would receive no other in return from France
but one of the same stamp, the Earl Tyrconnel ; both of whom
wore the Order of the Garter, given them by the Chevalier, and
the former always with great ostentation, when in the presence
of Lord Albemarle, the British ambassador, who appeared with
the same order duly conferred on him by George II. It was
owing to the wise counsels of Mr. Pitt that a reconciliation was
at length brought about between the two courts, and to his
bold and well-concerted measures that the alliance was followed
up with a degree of success which flattered the proudest hopes
of the British people, and made a declaration of perseverance
in the same course one of the most acceptable assurances they
oould_ possibly receive from their new sovereign.'
6 — 11. (6) slack not, the case needed bold and prompt
action. (7) Gilgal, Jos. iv. 19 ; with select portion of army
Jos. made forced night march. (8) This reassurance was
needed bee. the league with Gibeon was depressing Joshua, and
host to be attacked the most formidable Jos. had met." (9)
suddenly, in early moming, to the surprise of both besiegers
and besieged. (10) discomfited them, same word used 1 Sa.
'vii. 10, suggests its reference to the hailstorm. (10) Beth-horon,
house of cares ; there was an Upper and a Ketlig)- Beth-horon,
and between the two a steep pass, still very rocky and rough,*
(11) down to, towards JVrfAer Beth-horon. Fugitives outrtripped
•the pursuers, hailstones, tempest with haU ; not meteoric
stones. Thq Lord figliting for Israel.— 1. This event illustrates the
resources of Providence. II. Those who contend with God
forget that nature becomes an arsenal whose agencies and
forces may be employed against them. III. Who hath fought
against God and prospered? (IU. the Armada scattered by a
tempest.) Hailstm-m on the Bosphorus. — " We had got perhaps a mUe
and a half on our way, when a cloud arising in the west gave
promise of rain. In a few minutes we discovered something
falling from the heavens with a hea-vy splash, and of a whitish
appearance. We soon discovered it to be large balls of ice falling.
Immediately we heard a sound like rumbling thunder or ten
thousand carriages rolling furiously over the pavement. ^ The
whole Bosphorus was in a foam, as though heaven's artillery
had beon^oharged upon us and our frail bark. Our umbreUas

B,C. 1461,
dreads tbebloody
stratagem ol
busy heads," —
Otway,"Iam moro and
more convinced
of this world's
tastelessnebs and
treachery — that
it is with God
alone that any
satislying con
verse is to he
had." — Chalmers.
" Wordly posses
sions, through
human depia-
vity, are often
not helps but
hindrances in
the way of true
religion."
e Percy Anec.
" To rei^n is
worth ambition,
though in hell;
better to reign iu
hell than serve in
heavou."-J/i^iort.

battle of
Beth-horona " The battle of
Gibeon is one of
the most impor
tant in the his
tory of the woi Id;
it is one of tha
few military en
gagements wh.
belong equally to
ecclesiastical and
to civil history,
which have de
cided equally the
fortunes of the
world and of the
Vhm-ch,"-Stanley. b " Israel pur
sued the enemy
in N.W. direc
tion, towards the
pass of Beth-
horon, and fr.
th^nce through
lhe pass down
into the plain,
where prob. Aze
kah and Malike-
dah ^AJ,"— Lange.
vv. 6, 7. R. P.
Buddicnm Chnsi.
Exod, ii. 39*.

JOSHUA.

[Cap. X. 12—19

B.C. 1451.
"God's promises
are not intend'^d
to slacken or
Bupersedo, but to i
quicken and en
courage our own
endeavours." —
M, Hem-y.
Bee Notes and
Queries. 3 Serm,
240—245. See Timbs- Pop.
Science, p. 22,

the ann and
moon stand
StiUa Spk. Comm,
Hengstenberg,Heil. b Thomson, Zand
and Book.
c 2 Sa. i. 1&
d Comp. Ju. vi,
20. See on this mir,
D. S. Deyling.
Obs. i, 100; W,
Reading, A.M., Ss,
i, 200; Mir. of
Joshua, Kitto's
Journal, iii. ; Dr.
R. Gordon, 11,330;
M. Cowie, M.A,,
Huts. Lee. 155.
V. 12. E. Butcher,
Ss. 134.
r, 13, Dr. G,
VOy'y,Ss,ii,Kb.,
Alfred Williams,
Ss. iii. 429.
e H. A. Hei-bert,
B.A.
/ Zd. and Book,

the five king's
in the cave at
IXakkedah
a Am, ix. 2, 3;
Ps, cxxxix, 7, 8;
Is, ii, 19,
V. 19, Fw'p. "cut
oil the last of the
fugitives," Arab,
" clip off their

were torn into ribbons, and our fate seemed inevitable. For-
tunately, we had a bullock's hide in the boat, and under it we
crawled, saving ourselves from further injury. One of the oars
men had his hand literally smashed, another was much mjured
in the shoulder. It was the most awful and teiTifio scene I ever
witnessed. The scene lasted perhaps five minutes ; but it was
five minutes of the most awful feeling I ever experienced. AVhen
it passed over we found the surrounding hills covered with
masses of ice, the trees stripped of their limbs and leaves, and
aU looking desolate. Many of the inhabitants of the villages
had their bones broken, and some were kiUed outright. It is
impossible to convey to you an idea of the scene. Imagine,'
however, the heavens suddenly frozen, and as suddenly broken
into irregular masses of from half a pound to a pound in weight,
and precipitated to the earth."
12 — 14. These vv. are an inserted extract fr. a poetical book,
kno-wn as the Bk, of Jasher" (v. 13). (12) Remember that the
storm temporarily obscured the sun ; and that hiU of Gibeon
would hide its light from the valleys below. Sun and moon
may be seen in the sky together, though they cannot efEectively
shine together. Ajalon, place of deer, or gazelles ; now Merj-
Jbn-Onieir.'' (13) Jasher," or of the npright, a poetical appel
lation of Israel, Probably a ooUection of national songs in
honour of renowned and pious heroes, about a whole day,
i.e. 12 hours,'' (14) hearkened, in such a wonderful way.
Tite miracle of tlie sun and vrMon stand'ing still. — From this
miracle we may leam — I. AVhither to have recourse for help,
whenever the state of the weather has proved unfavourable to
our respective undertakings. II. By what unlikely means the
Almighty brings about the deliverance of His people, and the.
discomfiture of His enemies. III. To praise God for dispensing
the beams of the sun and moon over us. IV. To ascribe afl.
proper honour to Christ, by comparing His miracles with this.'
El Jib — the Gibeon of the Bible. — ^This viUage is situated on
an isolated and rocky hill of moderate elevation, with plains,
valleys, and higher mountains aU around it, Eemains of
anoient buildings, tombs, and quarries indicate a large and
important city, thongh now it is a miserable hamlet, occupied by
a few hundred sour and stupid Moslem peasants. We, of course,
drank of the famous fountain, deep under the perpendicular
rook in the vale to the south-east of the village, ... It must
have been somewhere in these open plains east of Jib that the
great battle took place, and the memorable rout and flight of
the Canaanitish host down Wady Talo (Ajalon), when Joshua
said, in the sight of Israel, " Sun, stand thou stiU," etc., an event
fit to inimortalise any site on earth./
15—19. (15) This v. properly ends quotation fr, Jasher. Jos.
did not retum just immediately, v. 43, (16) Resumes narrative
ir.v. 11, (17) Makkedah," plaoe of shepherds; only know
that it, and Azeltah, were in the low country of Judah, (18)
great stones, closing the narrow entrance, (19) smite the
hindmost, lit, cut off the tail; this haste was necess, bee, the
day was passing, and the fugitives were making for the walled
cities.

Vain concealments.— T:he five kings concealed in'the cave

Cap. X. 20-24.]

JOSHUA,

39

fr^^'rif ^™* *' ^^^-'^- 0^ the false security of the wioked,
11. Ot the safe keepmg of the wicked. III, Of the ultimate
exposure ot tne wicked and their punishment, Leam -—Tlie
Christ™"'^ ''^^'^°° ^""^ *¦'"' '^^"^^'^ ^^ *he meroy of God in
Battle of Malplaquet.-ln this celebrated battle, so glorious to
the British arms, the Prince of Orancie was the most daring of
all the commanders engaged in the dreadful conflict. He led on
the firstnmo battalions under a tremendous shower of grape and
musketry. He had scarcely advanced a few paces, ¦n-hen the
brave Oxenstiern was killed by his side, and several aides-de-camp
and attendants successively dropped as he advanced. His own
horse being killed, he rushed forward on foot ; and as he passed
the opening of the great flanking battery, whole ranks were
swept away ; yet he reached the entrenchment, and waving his
hat, in an instant the breastwork was forced at the point of the
bayonet by the Dutch guards and Highlanders, But before they
could deploy, they were diiven from the post by an impetuous
charge from the troops of the French left, who had been rallied
by Marshal Boufflers, At this moment the corps under Dohna
moved gallantly against the battery on the road, penetrated into
the embrasures, and took some colours ; but ere they reached the
front of the breastwork, were mown down by the battery on the
flank, A dreadful carnage took place among all the troops in
this concerted attack ; Spaar lay dead upon the field of battle ;
Hamilton was carried off wounded ; and the lines beginning to
waver, recoiled a few paces. Calling up fresh spirit to recover
from this repulse, the heroic Prince of Orange mounted another
horse, that was also shot under him ; still his energy remained
unshaken ; on foot he rallied the nearest troops ; and seizing a
standard from the regiment of Mey, marched almost alone to the
entrenchment. He planted the colours upon the bank, and
called aloud, "Follow me, my friends, here is your post 1" His
gallant troops followed tiieir leader. Again the onset was
renewed, but it was no longer possible to force the enemy ; for
the seoond line had closed up, and the whole breastwork bristled
with bayonets, and blazed with fire. Although again repulsed,
the Princo of Orange would not be dissuaded from returning
once more to the charge ; and at length' actually carried the
seemingly impregnable entrenchment,'
20—24. (20) fenced cities, there finding only temporary
rest, vv. 28 — 43, (21) camp . . Makkedah, where Jos, staid,
while detachments pursued the fugitives, none moved his
tongue, proverbial expression, for all enemies were subdued."
(22) then, prob. next morning, open the mouth, scc v. 18.
(23) brought forth, for more deliberate execution. (24) put
your feet, etc., a great indignity; in E. sign of subjection and
servitude.'' Joshua's victory orer the confederate hings (vv, 24, 2.5), — I. The
occasion of the confederacy, II. The means by which it was
defeated. Ill, The extent of that defeat, IV. The prospect it
afforded the people in all their future conflicts. Application : — To
(1) Those who put discouragements in the way of repenting sin- ,
ners ; (2) Those who yield to disoouragement,<^
Moving tiie tongue, — AVhen a person speaks of the fear to which
his enemy is reduced, he says, " Ah I he dares not now to shake

B.C. 1451.
hindmost." Sea
Heb, in De. xxv,
IS, "Servants,
dependents, or
courtiers in the
East always fol
low their pupe-
riorp. Should
oneof them cease
to serve or follow
his master or
tpntron, having
gained his end,
anolher on see
ing this awlis,
' Where is your
tail?' 'The tail
has been long in
my way; I have
cut it off.'"— iJo-
berts. See Porter, Hd.
Bk. for Syria, 239.
"If the wicked
flourish, and thou
suffer, be not dia-
couraeed ; they
are fatted for
destruction, thou
art dieted for
health."— Fuller.
" Beware ambi
tion ; h( aven is
not reach'd with
pi ide, but with
Bttb m i s B ion."^
Middleton.
" Fatal ambitioii!
say what won
drous charms
delude minkiud,
to toil for thee in
arms ! " — Rowe.
b Percy Anec

the king
brought out
of the oave

ICo.

a Ex, xi, 7.

b Ps, ex. 1
XV. 25.
/. Puckle, Ss. iL
•254.
c Simeon, M.A.
" We are told
that "Valerian in
chains, but in
vested with the
imperial purple,
was exposed to
the multitude, a
constant speo-

40

JOSHUA.

[Cap. X. 25-32.

B.C. 1451.

tacle of
greatness

fallen and
that whenever
the Pei-tiian rao
narch (.Sapor)
mounted on
horseback he
placed his foot
on the neck of
a Roman em
peror." — Oibbon.
d Roberts.
^he five
king's are
hunir a.Gal, iii. 13.
»De. xxi. 22, 23;
Jos. viii. 29.
"It isin the time
of trouble, when
some, to whom
we may have
looked for cou-
BOlation and en-
coura'gement,
regard us with
coldness, and
others, perhaps,
treat us with
hostility, that
the warmth of
the friendly
heart and the
support of the
friendly hand ac
quire increased
value, and de
mand additional
gratitude." —
Bishop Mant.
"We should- nei
ther court neg
lect, nor dread
to bear it," —
Byron.battle of
Makkedah
^ a Joa. XV. 42, xxi.
13; 1 Chr. vi. 57.
*Jos, xr, 21, 39;
Is. xxxvii, 8,
"He is not wor
thy of tho honey
comb that shuns
the hive because
the bees have
Btings," — Sliake
speare. " All thy virtue
dictates dare to
Ao.".— Mason.

his tongue against me." "He hurt you I the feUow will not
shake his tongue against jOM."—Eeet on the neclis of enemies.—
This in the East is a favourite way of triumphing over a fallen
foe. In the history of the battles of the gods, or giants, par-
ticular mention is made of tha closing scene, how the conquerors
went and trampled ou their enemies. When people are disputing,
should one be a Uttle pressed, and the other begin to triumph,
the former wiU say, " I wiU tread upon thy neck, and after that
beat thee," A low-caste man insulting one who is high, is sure
to hear some one say to the 'offended individual, " Put your feet
on his neck." {See on Isa. xviii. 2, 7.)<*
25—27. (2.5) So glorious a conquest must be taken as pledge
of further victories. (26) slew them, this was usual before
hanging. Exposure of a corpse thus on a tree was counted
supreme indignity." (27) took them down, according to Mo
saic law.'
Words of encouragement. — Observe— I. Joshua could not have
so encouraged Israel if God had not previously encouraged him,
II. Joshua having bean encouraged himself did his utmost to
encourage others. III. The encouragement he offered was the
voice of his own experience, and an echo of the comfortable
words of God,
Encouragement of a brave chief. — There is a touching fact re
lated iu the history of a Highland chief, of the noble house of
MGregor, who fell, wounded by two balls, at the battle of Preston
pans. Seeing their chief fall, the clan wavered, and gave the
enemy an advantage. The old chieftain, beholding this effect of
his disaster, raised himself up on his elbow, while the blood
gushed in streams from his wounds, and cried aloud — " I am not
i dead, my children ; I am looking at you to see you do your duty,"
These words revived the sinking courage of his brave High
landers. There was a charm in the fact that they stiU fought
under the eye of their chief. It roused them to put forth their
mightiest energies ; and they did aft that human strength could
do to stem and turn the dreadful tide of battle. And is there
not a more powerful charm for thee, 0 Christian, in the faot that
you contend, in the battle-field of life, under the eye of your
Saviour 1 AATierever you are— however oppressed by foes — how
ever exhausted by the stern strife with evU — the eye of Christ is
fixed most lovingly npon thee.
28—32. Jos, proceeds to take possession of the cities of the
district, wh, are now undefended. (28) as he did, etc., Jos. vi,
21. (29) Libnah," mhiteness, site not certainly identified; either
Arah-el-Menshiyeh, or Tell-es-Safieh. (30) none remain, i,«.
alive. (31) Lachish, > v. 8. (32) second day, indicating that
they made show of resistance. '
Utter destruction {v. 28) — " He utterly destroyed them : " God,
through Joshua's instrumentality, gave no quarter, so to speak,
to the offending Canaanites. Eegard this as — I. A just expres
sion of God's hatred of sin. II. A fit and righteous punishment
of glaring iniquity. III. A distinctly expressed waming to
others, IV, A type and foreshado^wing of the great destruction
which shall surely come upon the wicked.
Sexge of Strasburg .—There were 241 pieces of artiUery placed
in battery by the besiegers. During the 31 days ove^hioh the

Cap, X 33-43.]

JOSHUA.

41

regular operations extended these fired 193,722 shots ; an average
of 6,249 per day, or 269 iier hour, or between four and five a
minute. In the catalogue it is stated that 73.000 grenades came
out of rifled twelve and twenty-four pounders ; nearly 6,000
bombs, of from seven to fifty pounds, from smooth-bore mortars ;
besides shrapnels and long grenades from guns of various struc- '

ture and calibre.
feu d'enfer.'

In more than one meaning this was truly a

33—36. (33) Gezer," a steep place, on W. border of tribe of
Ephraim ; it was not effectually subdued at this time. (34)
Eglon,' JI, 3, (35) that day. showing the to'wn was small, and
offered little resistance. (36) Hebron," v. 8 ; Ge, xiii, 18. went
tip, fr. the plain to the hill-country.
Tlie victorious campaign. — I, AVhat could withstand Joshua?
Not great distances, fenced cities, numerous and united enemies.
II, Joshua jtype of Jesus : who or what can withstand Him 1
III, We, like Joshua, have a life of conflict before us, but may
come off more than conquerors through Him who fighteth for
us. Early Christians and mar, — The absolute inconsistency of war
with the Gospel was the prevalent belief of the early Christians.
Justin Martyr, a.d. 140, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah already
cited, says, " That these things have come to pass you may be
readily convinced ; for we who were once slayers of one another
do not now fight against our enemies." Irenseus, Bishop of
Lyons, 167, disous.ses the same prophecy, and proves its relation
to our Saviour by the faot that the followers of Jesus had dis
used the weapons of war, and no longer knew how to fight.
Tertullian, 200. indeed alludes to Christians who were engaged
in military pursuits ; but, on another occasion, informs us that
many soldiers quitted those pursuits in consequence of their con
version to Christianity, and repeatedly expresses his own opinion
that any participation in war is unlawful for believers in Jesus,
not only because of the idolatrous practices in the Eoman armies,
but because Christ has forbidden the use of the sword and the
revenge of injuries, Origen, 230, in his 'vvork against Celsus,
says : " We no longer take up the sword against ¦any nation, nor
do we learn any more to make war. We have become, for the
sake of Jesus, the children of peace. By our prayers we fight
for our king abundantly, but take no part in his wars, even
though he urge us."''
37 — 43. (37) utterly, prob. as being a leading and im
portant place. (38) Debir, or Xirjath-sephir:". Eirjath-sannah.^
(39) See second account of its capture." (40) south, or the
Negeb. springs, or slopes ; undulating ground between the
lowlands and the hills,'' (41) Kadesh-barnea, Nu, xiii, 26.
Gaza, limit of the present conquest on the W. Goshen, not
identified, xv, 51, e'vidently in S. part of territory of Judah.
(42) at one time, during this first expedition. (43) returned,
comp. ti. 15.
E'li-ine sm-creignty (y. 42), — I. God has an indisputable right to
dispense His favours to what persons and in what proportions He
pleases. As sole proprietor of tho universe it is His to dispose of
 1. Worldly goods ; 2, Bodily constitution and healtJi ; 3. Mental
qualifications ; 4. Spiritual privileges. II. He has an equal right

S,C. 1481.

c Leisure Hour.
"War, that mad
game the world
8 . lovey to play.**
—Sieift.

Iiachlsh and
Egloncaptureda Jos. xvi. 3. 10;
Ju.i.29; 1 Ki.ix,
15, 17; 1 Chr, Tii.
28.b Jos, XT. 21, 39.
c Nu. xiii. 22 ; Ju.
i. 10 ; Jos. xiv.
13— 15, XV. 13, It.
"Be great in act,
as you have been
in thought; be
stirring at the
time; be fire with
fire; threaten the
threatener, and
outface the brow
of bragging hor
ror; so shall in
ferior eyes, that
borrow their be
haviours from
the great, grow
great by your
example, and
put on the daunt
less spirit of re-
s o 1 u t i o u."—
Sliakespeare.
d Cheever.
" There are few
die well tbat die
in battle." —
Shakespeare.

Hebron and
Debir taken ;
conquest of
the south
completed
a Jos, XT. IS ;
Ju. i. 11.
6 Jos. XT. 49.
c Jos. XT. IS, 17.
d De. iii. 17,
marg.V. 40. Dr. W-
Paleil. Ss, 4^29 ;
R, Wamer, Old
Ch. of Eng. Prin.,

42

JOSBUA.

[Cap. xi. 1—0.

B.C. 1451.
ii. 201; W. H.
Mill, Ss. 117; /.
B. Gii7'7iey, Ss on
Old. Test. Bist.
121. He's truly va
liant that can
wisely suffer the
worat that maa
cau breathe, and
make his wrongs
his outsides, tj
wear them like
his raiment,
carelessly ; and
ne'er prefer his
inj iiries to his
heart, to bring
it into danger."
'^Dryden.

to resume or to transfer His favours. III. He may justly pum^
every voluntary transgression of His righteous and equitable
laws. IV. In executing His righteous purposes,, God may employ
what agency or instrumentality He pleases. Learn- (1) Reve
rence; (2) Dependence; (3) Humility; (4) Gratitude; (5) Con
fidence and obedience.
Jew'ish wars of exterviination.—De Quincey haa called atten
tion to the fact that in these wars of extermination, if rightly
viewed, there resided a true and transcendent spirit of mercy,
since they maintained the unity of God against polytheism, and,
by trampling on criisl idolatries, indirectly opened the channels
for benign principles of morality through endless generations of
men. There was a wisdom which looked far into the future,
though the present severity seemed to approach, or actually
amount to, cruelty. But yet, on consideration, we shall observe
[many indications of a relenting kindness and a tendemess of
I love in the Mosaic ordinani^s.

B.O. 1450.
confederacy of the king's
of the north
a Ju. iv. 2, 17 ; 1
Sam. xii. 9. Ac
cording to Jose
phus it lay on
thei ange of hills
which stretches
itself on W. of
Sea of Merom,
now the Jebel
Safed. Porter
found here a
place, Bafur ;
Bobinson found
a hill, TeU-Khu-
reibeli, wfL he
would laeotify
with llazor. —
Lange. b Site of Dor is
Identified by
travellers as the
modern Tantura,
or Bandora, a
name wh. ia
itself only a cor
ruption of the
ancient Dor. —
Spt Com.
1 Sa. xxviii, 7.
e Jos. liii. 26, xv,
38; Lu. xi. 29;
1 Sa. xxii. 3.
they are
defeated at
the -waters
of Merom
ais. viii. V2, 13;
Ps. IK. 7, 8;
xxxiii. 16, 17; 2
S. viii. 4.
b *' Smelting fac
tories near the

CHAPTEB THE ELEVENTH.
1 — 5. Confederacy of the kings of northern part of Canaan,
(1) Tabin, the inteUigent, prob. an hereditary and royal title,
like Pharaoh, Csesar, eto. Hazor," situated near Lake Merom,
and capital of district. Madon, xii. 19. Shimron, xii. 20,
xix. 15. Aohshaph, xix. 25. (2) mountains, the mount.
district of Galilee. ' plains, the N. part of Arabah, or Jordan
valley. Chinuerothj = Gennesaret. bonders of Dor,' high
lands of Dor ; a royal town below Carmel, 6 miles fr. Cesareai
(3) Canaanite, iii. 10. Hermon, De. iii. 9. Mizpeh, oi
3Iizpah, a plain stretching south-westwards fr. Hermon. Other
places were so named.' (4) chariots, tipped with iron, xvii,
18. (5) Merom, the upper waters, now Lake Huleh.
Evil companions. — Ths following beautiful allegory is trans
lated from the German : — Soplironius, a wise teacher, would not
suffer even his grown-up sons and daugters to associate with
those whose conduct was not pure and upright. " Dear father,
said the gentle Eulalia to him one day, when he forbade her, in
company with her brother, to visit the volatile Lucinda — " Dear
father, you must think us very childish if you imagine that we
should be exposed to danger by it." The father took, in silence,
a dead coal from the hearth, and reached it to his daughter. "It
will not buru you, my child, take it." Eulalia did so, and
behold 1 her beautiful white hand was soiled and blackened, and
as it chanced, her white dress also. " We cannot be too careful
in handling coals," said Eulalia in vexation. "Yes, truly," said
the father ; " you see, my child, the coals, even if they do not
burn, blacken ; so it is with the company of the vicious."
6 — 9. (6) hough," out tendons of hind hoofs, so render hope
lessly lame. (7) suddenly, swiftness of Joshua's marches in
troduces a new style of warfare ; huge aiTaies move slowly,
requiring to keep near their base of operations. Comp. the
tactics of the first Napoleon. (8) great Zidon, chief city o£
Phoenicia. Misrephoth-maim,' burnings of maters, near
Zidon, and prob. the Zarephath or Sarepta of Scrip." (9) burntj
etc.,^ showing ohariots were only iron-tipped.

Cap. 3d. lO— 14.2

JOSHUA.

43

Character of Joshua. — I. A brave man. Had fought battles
before (Ex. xvii. 9). II. That fight with Amalek was forty years
before this. So he be^an to fight young. III. Knew how to
serve as well as how to fight (Ex. xxiv. 13, xxxiii. 11). IV. Not
afraid to stand alone (Nu. xiv. 6 — 10). V. Whence this courage ?
A maif of faith ; believed God's promises (Nu. xiv. 8).
Cajiture of C'ludad Bodrigo. — The capture of Ciudad Rodrigo,
in the late war in Spain, deserves to rank with the proudest
deeds of the British army ; it being probably the only well-
authenticated instance of a retrenched breach, fully manned.
and prepared for defence, being carried by an eflEort of cool and
deliberate courage, against a brave and skilful enemy. Lord
Wellington, who directed the siege, observing strong indications
of an advance of the enemy to relieve the place, decided upon
giving the assault as soon as the breaches should be judged
practicable. In consequence, such were the exertions made to
push forward the attack, that two good breaches were effected on
the thirteenth day, notwithstanding the garrison fired above
11,000 large shells, and nearly an equal number of shot, without
a single round being fired against the defences in return. General
Picton's division was directed to assault the larger, and General
Crawford's division the lesser ; whilst the demonstration of an
escalade, to divert the attention of the garrison, was directed to
be made on the opposite side of the place, by a body of the
Portuguese, under General Pack. At 9 a.m. the leading brigade
of each division most cheerfully moved forward, preceded by
parties of sappers, carrying some hundreds of bags of hay, which
they threw into the ditch to les.=en its depth. Major-General
Il-Kipnon first descended opposite the great breach ; at which
moment hundreds of shells and various combustibles, which had
been arranged along the foot of the rubbish. prematurely exploded,
and exhausted themselves before the troops arrived within the
sphere of their aotion. The men gallantly ascended the breach
against an equally gallant resistance ; and it was not until a;fter
a sharp struggle that the bayonets of the asfailants prevailed,
and gained them a footing on the summit of the ramrart.
There, behind an interior retrenchment, the garrison redoubled
their defensive efforts ; but nothing could long resist the ardour
of the attacking columns, and the French gave way at the very
moment that the lesser breach was forced ; then, being attacked
on both Hants, they took refuge in the town, where they were
pursued from house to house, tiU all the survivors wore made
prisoners.* 10—14. (10) smote withi sword," prob. beheaded, comp.
X. 26. (11) burnt Hazor, in a deliberate manner, making the
chief city an impressive example. (13) still in their strength,
marg. on their heap, or eaoh on its own hill. (14) spoil, of
household and royal property.
Extirpation of tlw Canaanites.— InMels say, that it seems
wholly inconsistent with what we should suppose to be the
merciful character of God, that He should thus command whole
nations to be destroyed by the sword. But when we hear that
pestilence has depopulated crowded citie?, or that Napoleon has
swept the oonfciuent of Europe, and left but the wrecks of smoking
homes and the bones of slaughtered citizens to be the mementos
of his march, we do not say that this is a proof that there is no

B.C. 14.->0.
waters." — Gese
nius. "On tbe nortU
I order of the
piain of Acre,
now called Mu-
H h e i r i f e h." —
Ttiomson.
c Joa. xiii. 6.
d Jos. X. 9.
In the battle of
Ban nockburn,
the Scotch dug a
great number of
Flmall holes ia
front of their
position ; so tbat
the £nglish
horse, charging
over tbe honey
combed ground,
were thrown into
confusion. " A man who
has a noble
cause, and who
subordinates,
and even sacri
fices himself to
it — he is a great
man. A man
who does hie
duty in despite
of all outward
contradiction,
and who reve-
I ences bis con
science so
greatly as tbat
to preserve it
unharmed be
will face any
difficulty and
submit to any
penalty — he is a
great man." — Dr.
Ferguson.e Percy Anec.

Hazor ia
taken and
burnt a Nu. xxxiii. 52,
53; De. vii. 2.
"Just as the tra-
vel'er, whom wo
see on yonder
mountain height,
began his ascent
fiom the plain,
so the greate-t
man of whom
our world can
boast is bnt oue

44

JOSHUA.

[Cap. zl. 16—23,

B.O. 1450.
of ourselves
standing on
higher ground,
and, in virtue of
his wider intelli
gence, his nobler
thoughts, his
loftier cbaracter,
his pur^r inspira
tion, or his more
manly doing,
claiming the em
pire as bis right."
.—Ferguson. ** Ambition, thou
powerful source
of good and ill."
—Young. i Dr.. Camming.

the conquest
of the whole
laud com
pleteda " Prob. identi
cal with the ' as
cent of .ikrabbim-
(Jos XV. 3; Nu.
xxxiv. 4), which
Eobinson be
lieves he bas dis
covered in a re-
mnrkable line of
cliffs that run
across the entire
Ghor, a few
miles S. of the
Dead S e a."—
Lange.
V. 20. T. Brad
bury, Ss. ii. 76.
b Bailey.
" A slave has but
one master: the
ambitious man
has as many
masters as there
are persons
whose aid may
contribute to the
advancement of
his fortunes." —
Za Bruyere.

God in heaven, nor any moral govemment of the inhabitants of
the earth ; and yet, if the destruction of the nations of the
Canaanites immediately by God is a proof that the Bible whicli
records it is not the inspiration of God, then the destruction of
nations by the sword of the conqueror or by the breath of pesti
lence must be a proof that there is no God, or that creation ia
not the work of God, nor providence a part of the general
government of God. When we see juries in our own country
bringing in a verdict of guilty, the judge pronouncing sentence
of death, and that sentence executed, we do not complain that
there is anything wrong or unjust in the act. Now these
Canaanites are declared and proved to have polluted and stained
the land with abominable crimes : they had time and were urged
to repent of them, and thus escape destruction ; and when they
were cut off by the sword of Heaven, it was merely the holy judge
pronouncing sentence on flagrant criminals, and the righteous
govemor executing that sentence to the letter. We are not to
regard the extirpation of the Canaanites as an act of arbitrary or
private revenge, but as the execution of the sentence of retri
butive justice, and such as had perhapa as great meroy to the
innocent as equity to the guilty.'
15—20. (15, 16) Goshen, x. 41. (17) mount Halak,"
smooth-m.ounta-ln, the southem limit of Jos.'s conquests. Seir,
Ge. xiv. 6. Baal-gad, lord of fortune, or good luck, prob. mod.
Paneas. (18) a long time, five years, some say seven. (19)
save the Hivites, ix. 3. (20) harden their hearts, oomp.
Bx. iv. 21.
Joshua a type qf Christ. — 1. Joshua and Jesus same name : in
Acts vii; 45, and Heb. iv. 8, " Jesus " means not Christ, but Joshua.
2. Joshua completed what Moses began. So Jesus, John i. 17 ;
Gal. iii. 24. 3. Joshua the leader and captain. So Jesus, Isa. lv.
4 ; Heb. ii. 10. 4. Joshua conquered Israel's enemies. So Jesus
oui-s, Heb. ii. 14 ; 1 Cor. xv. 25, 26, 57. 5. Joshua gave Israel the
promised land. So Jesus to us, John x. 28, xiv. 2, xvii. 24,
¦ Df all bad things maris tlie mor st. —
" How, still, from age to age,
Prevails the universal lust of death
And vulgar slaughter ; war of all bad thinga
Worst, and man's crowning crime, save when for faith
Or freedom waged ; but when for greed of ground
Or mere dominion, cursed of man and God.
As when the clans Mogul— which late had left
Their maze of mountains the high plains that bound-
Whence Buzanghir and all his valorous brood, ^
Heads of the golden horde, and sons of light.
Whom Alanoova to her sun-spouse bare
At treble-birth ; the lords of throne and crown,
Khahph's. or King's, or Tzar's, which Zinghis gained,
Or filial Kublai, with all-suasive sword.
Bright ravisher of souls, into one reahn
Hounded and died."''
«r! ^ff^^ff"^ oo^^^^?- ^^^) Anakims," gigantic race of S. Palestine, De. t
are cut off 28. Hebron, x. 3. Debir, x. .38. Anab, acity in hill country
of Judah. S. of Hebron. (22) Gaza, Gath, Ashdod," cities of
(23) gave it," etc., as hereafter recounted.

o Nu. xiii 22, 28,
S3; De. i. 23;

district of Philistia.

Oap. ztl, 1-3.]

fOSWUA.

45

The conquest and partition of Canaan (v. 23).— I. The conquest
of the land. Note the analogy between the warfare of the
Israelites, and that which is maintained by every true Christian
Mark their warfare in its various stages. 1. Its commencement
2. Its progress ; 3. Its completion. II. The partition of it. Mark
here the order of events. 1. The grant; 2. The acquisition ; 3.
The enjoyment. Leam the issue of— (1) The world's impieties ;
(2) The saint's conflicts.
J7te desolation caused by war. —
" Her vine, the merry cheerer of the heart,
Unpruned dies : her hedges even-pleach 'd.
Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair,
Put forth disorder'd twigs : her fallow leas
The darnel hemlock, and rank fumitory.
Doth root upon ; while that the coulter rusts,
That should deracinate suoh savagery :
The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth
The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover.
Wanting the scythe, all uncorrected, rank,
¦Conceives by idleness; and nothing teems
But hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs,
Losing both beauty and utility.
And as our vineyards, fallows, meads, and hedges,
Defective in their natures, grow to wildness.".'

CHAPTEB THE TWELFTH.
1 — S. (1) other side, B. side of Jordan. Arnon, Nu. xxi.
13 — 15, Southem border of Is. territory E. of Jordan. Hermon,
boundary on N.E. De. iii. 8, 9. plain, etc., tract of Jordan
V3,lley on B. bank. (2) Sihon, etc., Nu. xxi. 21 — 30. Aroer,
De. ii. 36. middle pf the river, or, " city that is in the midst
of the river," " i.e. built partly on an island in the river. Gilead,
prop, mountain region bet. Ai-non and Jabboh, but sometimes
put for whole district E. of Jordan. (3) frpm the plain,' m'er
tlie plain, i.e. the E. portion of the Ghor. Eeth-jeshimoth,
Nu. xxxiii. 49. Ashdoth-pisgah, De. iii. 17, iv. 49.
'War iUustrated. — A Scotch writer, in iUustrating the history
of wars, says : " The history of every war is very like a scene I
once saw in Hjthsdale. Two boys from difEerent schools met one
fine day upon the ice. They eyed eaoh other with rather jealous
and indignant looks, and with defiance on each brow. ' What
are ye glowrin' at, Billy 1 ' ' What's that to you 1 I'll look where
I have a mind, an' hinder me if you daur.' A hearty blow was
the return to this, and then a battle began. It being Saturday,
all the boys of both schools were on the ice ; and the fight
instantly became general and desperate. I asked one of the party
what they were pelting th« others for. ' Oh, naething at a' man :
we just want to gie them a good thrashing.' After fighting till
they were quite exhausted, one of the principal heroes stepped
forth between, covered with blood, and his clothes in tatters, and
addressed the belligerent parties thus : ' Weel, I'll tell ye what
we'll do wi' ye : if ye'll let us alane, we'll let ye alane.' There
¦was no more of it: the war was at an end, and the boysi
scampered away to their play. I thought at the time, and havej

B.O. 1450.
Job. xiv. 12, xv.
18-15.
6Nu. xxxiii. 55;
Jos. xxiii. 13';
1 S. xvii. 4 ; 2 S.
xxi. 22.
V. 23. R. P. Bud
dicom, Christ.
Exod. U. 417.
c No. xxvi. 62,
53, xxxiv. 2 — 13 ;
De. xxxiv. 1—4;
He. iv. 8, 9.
d C. Simeon, M.A.
" Sorae are bom
great, some
achieve great
ness, and some
have greatuess
thrust upon
tbem." — Shake
speare. "War is the sink
of all injubtice.'*
— Fielding.
e Shakespeare.

B.O. 1452.
list of
conquered
king-s of
Canaan
Sihon
a Spi. Com.
b De. iii. 17; Ei
xxv. 9.

"All our endea
vours after
greatness pro
ceed from no-
tbinghutadesire
of being sur
rounded Dy a
multitude ot
persons and af
fairs that may
hinder us from
looking into ('Ur-
selves, which is
a view we cannot
bear." — Paschal.
" There is none
made so great
but he may both
need the help
aud service, and
stand in fear of
the power tai

46

JOSWTA.

COap. xU. 4-a4i.

B.0. 1452. often thought since, that that trivial afEray was the beat epitome
nnklni^s,oven ' °' ''^^r in general that I have ever seen. Kings and ministers of
of the meanest state are ]ust a set of grown-up children, exactly like the children
or mortals." — I speak of, with only this material difEerence, that instead of
fighting out the needleaa quarrels they have raised, they sit in
safety and look on, send out their innocent but servile subjects
to battle, and then, after a waste of blood and treasure, are glad
to make the boy's conditions, ' If ye'U let us alane, we'U let ye
alane.' "

Og, Eins
of Bashan
a De. 1. 4, iiL 4—
13.
"Meant Halak
was in the paral
lel of Beersheba,
and Baal-gad is
Identical with
Banais, four
miles east of
Dan. These,
then, were the
limits of what
we call * the
land of poBses-
Bion.* The ' land
of promise * was
much larger." —
Dr. Porter.
h J. Ayre, M.A.
supple
mentary list
of conquered
kingrsa Rosenmiilter.
6 Jus. xvii. 11.
e Babinson.
dl Ki. xiv. 17;
xv. 31,33; S. S.
vl.4. "Edward, the
Black Prince,
having con
quered and taken
prisoner Kiag
John of France,
nobly conde
scended to wait
on his royal cap
tive the same
night at supper.
Christ, having
first subdued His
paople ^ y His
grace waits on
th'^m afterwards
to the oni of
thfeir livOB.*"—
Whitearoa.

4 — 8. (4) Ashtaroth,' prob. as Ge. xiv. 6. Edrei, Nn. xri,
33. (5) Saleah, De. iii. 10. Creshurites, Maachathites,
De. iii. 14. half Gilead, comp. v. 2. (6) Comp. Nu. xxxii. 29 ;
De. iii. 12, 13. (7) Baal-gad . . Halak, Jos. x. 17. (8) Comp.
Joa. xi. 16.
I Ashtaroth. — Statues of Astarte — a city probably ao called from
the worship of Astarte here. It waa one of the chief places in
the dominions of King Og, and waa af terwarda in the territory
of the Eastem Manassites (Jos. ix. 10, xii. 12 — 31). It is said to
have been assigned to the G-ershonite Levitea (1 Chron. vi. 71) ;
but elsewhere (Joa. xxi. 27) Beeshterah is mentioned : thia, how
ever, ia probably only a variation of the name. Ashtaroth is also
called Astaroth (De. i. 4). Ashterath-Karna'im — Ashteroth of the
two homs ; homed Astarte — a place which was the abode of the
Bephaim in the time of Chedor-laomer (Ge. xiv. 5), is often sup-
I posed to be identical with Ashtaroth ; but there are reasons for
I questioning this. Ashteroth-Kamaim is doubtlesa the Carnaim,
or Camion, of Maccabean history.'
9 — 24. The list of kings is given in the order of their con-
queat ; the /re* A names only need be noticed. (13) Oeder, mod.
Jedur, Jos. xv. 58 ; 1 Chr. xii. 7 ; situate in hiU district S. of
Judah. (15) Adullam, Ge. xxxviii. 1 (uot same as in 1 Sa.
xxii. 1). (17) Tappuah, xv. 34. Hepher, unknown (not as
in xix. 13). (18) Aphek, near Hebron. Lasharon, prob.
Sliaron." (21) Taanach, in tribe of Manasseh. Slegiddo,
locally in territory of Issachar, but assigned to Manasseh.*
(22) Kedesh, or Kedesh-Jfaphtali, xix. 37. Jokneam, iu
territory of Zebulon, xix. 11, mod. Kaimon.' (24) Tirzah, mod.
TuUvzah, 3 miles N.B. of Nablous.''
Christ the best Eing. — At a missionary meeting on the island
of Rarotonga, one of the Hervey group in tiie Pacific Ocean, an
old man, a candidate for church fellowship, saidjt " I have hved
during the reign of four kings : in the flrst we were continually
at war, and a fearful season it was ; watehing and hiding with
fear were all our engagements. During the reign of the second
we were overtaken with a severe famine, and all expected to
perish ; then we ate rats and grass, and this wood and that wood.
During the third we were conquered, and became the peck and
prey of the two other settlements of the island ; then if a man went
to fish he rarely ever retumed, or if a woman went any distance
to feteh food she was rarely ever seen again. But during the
reign of this third king we were visited by another King, a
great King, a good King, a powerful King, a King of love,
Jesus the Lord from heaven. He has gained the victory, He has
conquered our hearts ; therefore we now have peace and plenty
in this world, and hope soon to dweU with Him in heaven."

Oap. xIlL 1—14,

JOSHUA.

47

CHAPTEB THB THIBTEENTR.
1 — 0. (1) old, prob. over 100 years : not able to complete his
conquest, so bidden to proceed to division of land at once.
remaineth . . possessed, ere God's covenant-promise of the
land was fulfilled. (2) borders, territory. Oeshuri, a, district
S. of Philistia. (3) Sihor, or Shihor," the black stream ; not
the Nile ; known now as the Wady El-Arish, Nu. xxxiv. 5.
Ekron, one of five divisions of Philistia, named after chief
towns, Gaza, Ashdod, Askelon, Gath, and Ekron. Avites,' add
first sentence of v. 4. Avites on tlie south, where they settled.
(4) Canaanites, the mountainous district of Upper Galilee.
Ilearah, cave, or the cave-district. Aphek, aa xix. 30, not as
xii. 18, mod. Aj^ca. (5) Giblites, people of Gebal, 40 miles N.
of Sidon." Hamath, Nu. xiii. 21. (6) Misrephoth, xi. 8.
Progress in religion (v. 1). — I am come — I. To remind you that
there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed : much of
your religion is unattained, unoccupied, unenjoyed. Take a
survey of your religion. Consider — 1. Your knowledge ; 2. Your
holiness ; 3. Your privileges. II. To call upon you to arise, and
make fresh and continued progress. And here I would place
before you — 1. The commands of God ; 2. The images employed
by the sacred writers, when they would describe the nature of
a reUgious life ; 3. Examples : these teach the same truths ; 4.
The advantages of progressive religion. A Christian should be
concemed for— (1) The honour of God ; (2) The welfare of his
fellow-creatures; (3) Hia own prosperity. III. To give you
some advice with regard to your future efEorts. If you would
advance — 1. Shake off indolence ; 2. Beware of diversion ; 3.
Guard against despondency ; 4. Be afraid of presumption ; 5.
Eeview the beginning of your religious course ; 6. Look forward,
and survey the close of all.''
Laws of progress. — Gradnal ascent is as necessary to the mind
in order to ite reaching a great idea, as it is to the body in order
to its reaching a great height. We cannot ascend to the pinnacle
of a cathedral, which towers aloft in air, without either steps
or an inclined plane. We cannot reach the summit of a
mountain without first toiling up its base, then traversing its
breast, and then successively crossing the limits were verdure
passes into crag, and crag into a wildemess of snow. Even
when we have gained the highest point, we are still, it ia true, at
an infinite distance from the blue vault of the firmament which
stretches above our heads. Still we have a better and more
exalted view of what that firmament is : we have at least risen
above the fogs and mists which obscure ita glory ;_ and the air
which encompasses us is transparent to the eye, and invigorating
to the frame. Now, the law of man's bodily progress is also the
law of hia mental progress. Both must be gradual. No grand
idea can be realised except by successive steps and stages, which
the mind must use as landing-places in its ascent."
7  14. (7) divide, even the yet unconquered parts ; he was
to do it iu faith. (8) with whom, i.e. the other half tribe of
Manasseh. (9) Medeba . . Dibon, Nu. xxi. 20. (10, 11) See

B.O. 1445.
land yet to
be possessed
a " The brook of
£g.,Ehinokolura, lioTvs before, i.e.
easlwarcly or
north - east-
wardly, fr. Eg.,
while the Nile
takes Its course
through the mid
dle of that coun
try." — Zange.
b Jos. xviii. 33.
e 1 Ki. T. 18,
Eze. xxvii, 9.
d W. Jay.
"Multitudes feel
under the ser
mons they hear,
even weep at the
sufferings of Je
sus, and yet re
main in their
sins. Whyf Be
cause tbe emo
tion is simply a
natural OLe, wbat
they might expe
rience in think
ing of the
execution of Sir
Thomas Moie, or
the beheading of
Lord William
Bussell — human
sympathy with
human suffering,
and nothing
more; it ia
purely religioua
sentimentality,wanting the in
spiration of tho
Spirit, and des
titute of any
baptism from
on high." —Rev.
Henry Gill.
We do not get
forward our^
s elves by keeping
others back.
e Dr. Goulbom.

inherltan<<eof two crises
and a half

43

JOSHUA.

[Oap. xiu. 15-23.

xii. 2, 3. (12, 13) See xii. 4, 5, 6. (14) none inheritance, oa
arrangement for Levites, De. x. 8, 9, xviii. 3.
A conquered world ihe Church's spoil {vv. 7, 8).— I. As Canaan
had to be conquered by Israel and occupied : so the Churoh of
Christ has to conquer and occupy the world. II. The choice
things of the conquered land became available for the higher
uses of the people of God, were no longer devoted to idolatry,
ete. Presently the world's learning and wealth, etc., wiU be
rescued from their lower uses, and employed in the service of
God. God is mi/r portion. — ^To have a portion in God is to possess
 that which includes in itself all created good. The man who
the" King of all I is in possession of some great masterpiece in painting or sculpture
kings I" — C"!"- 1 need not envy others who have only oasts or copies of it. The
''''"''' _ original plate or stereotype is more valuable than any impressions
^!kBvima"Dar- °'- ougraviugs thrown ofE from it ; and he who owns the former
m«. Bvoua r- Q^jjg Q^^ which includes, is capable of producing, all the latter.
Surveying the wonders of creation, or even with the woid
of inspiration in hia hand, the Christian can say, " Glorious
thongh theae things be, to me belongs that which is more glorioua
far. The streams are precious, but I have the Fountain ; the
vesture is beautiful, but the Weaver is mine ; the portrait in its
every lineament is lovely, but that great Original, whose beauty
it but feebly depicts, is miue, my own. ' God is my portion ; the
Lord is mine inheritance.' To me belongs all actual and aU
possible good, aU created and uncreated beauty, all that eye
hath seen or imagination conceived : and more than that ; for
eye hath not seen nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the
heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepared for them that
love Him. All thinga and beinga, aU that hfe reveals or death
conceals, everything within the boundless possibilities of creating
wisdom and power is mine ; for God, the Greator and Fonntaia
of aU, is mine.'-'"
15 — 23. The southem part of territory B. of Jordan was
allotted to Keuben, middle part to Gad, and northem part to
Manasseh. For aU three the Jordan valley formed the W. border,
Arnon was boundary on S., Mount Hermon boundary on N. (17)
Bamoth-baal, Nu. xxi. 19. Beth-baal-meon, Nu. xxxii. 38 ;
these names of Amorite occupation. (18) Jahaza, Nu. xxi. 23.
Kedemoth, De. ii.26. Mephaath, Jos. xxi. 37. (19) Kirjath-
aim, etc., Nu. xxxii. 37, 38. Zareth-Shahar, unknown.
(20) Beth-peor, Nu. xxiii. 28. Ashdoth, De. iii. 17. Beth-
jeshimoth, Nu. xxxiii. 49. (21) Evi, etc., Nu. xxxi. 8.
dukes, or vassals. (22) Balaam. Nu. xxxi. 8. (23) border,
used in two senses in v., for boundary, and for territory-
Spreading titles. — We have in the midst of us a human being,
subject to like passions as ourselves, who is Duke of Wellington,
Marquis of Douro, Marquis and Earl of Wellington, and Baron
Douro in the peerage of the United Kingdom. He is First
Magistrate, Master of the Morals, Keeper of the Rolls of a county
which includes London ; he has the appointment of other magis
trates and large patronage in his gift. He is Earl of Morning-
ton, Viscount WeUesley, and Baron Momington in the peerage
of Ireland, where the love of lords is a consuming passion. He
is Prince of Waterloo in the Netherlands ; Duke of Ciudad
Bodrigo, and a grandee of the first class in Spain ; Duke of

B.0. 1445.
"If aking should
Jiromise one a
iving whilst he
lived, It would
lessen hia care-
fulnesB for
earthly things.
How much more
shonld God's
promise make
ns careless for
worldly things,
S'-eing He

make you a "par
taker of the
Divine nature "
in union with
Himself before
He will aJmit
you into com
munion with
Himself."He only Is ad
vanced in life
.whose heart is
getting softer,
whose blood
Srarmer, whose
rain quicker,
whose spirit .is
entering into
living peace." —
Ruskin,
a Ih-. Caird.
inheritance of Keuben

Balaam
slainV. 15. /. Saurin,
Disc. Hist. iii. 200.
B. 23. R. W. Dib-
din. it.A., Ss. 28.
"Tes, there's a
patent of nobility
above the mean
ness of our com
mon state; with
what they do the
vulgar natures
buy their titles,
and witii what
they are, the
great I " — Schiller.
" The rank is but
the guinea stamp
— the man's the
gowd for a' that."
— Bums.
"Every step of
progress whieh
the world has

Cap. XlU. 24—33.]

JOSHUA.

49

Vittoria, Marquis of Torres Vedras, and Count of Vimiera in
Portugal ; also a Count of Austria. He is owner of Straithfield-
saye and Aspley House, patron of five churches, and has an
hereditary pension of ""o.OOO a year beside all these things.
This irresistible Polyaroh has wronged no man. He has never
on one occasion put forth his strength for an evU purpose. Let
ns think of this with admiration."
24 — S8. (25) Jazer, Nu. xxi. 32. Gilead, as distinguished
fr. Bashan. Aroer, not same as v. 16. Rabbah, De. iii. 11.
(26) 'Ra,msA,'h,--an.z-[iela,, = Bamoth- Gilead," De. iv. 43. Be-
tonim, unknown. Mahanaim, Ge. xxxii. 2, 3. (27) Beth-
aram, comp. Nu. xxxii. 36. Succoth, Ge. xxxiii. 17. Chin-
nereth,= Gennesaret, which border of Gad just touched. (28)
villages, indio. that some of prev. names apply to small
places. The rights and duties of property.— Those whose fortune it is
to possess land and rank in this country cannot be too often or
too eamestiy reminded of the fact that the possession of such
advantages constitutes, in every case whatever, a retaining fee
on the part of the nation. Neither God, nor nature, nor society,
contemplates the existence of an idler as that which ought to be.
The country gentleman, the peer, and the prince, have their pro
fessions fixed on them : let them surrender the fee if they mean
to shrink from the work ; let the sinecure be a sine-salary. _ 'The
mighty majority must, in all times and places, earn their living
UteraUy by the sweat of their brow, and the only principle on
which any are exempted from the literal application of the
great primary condition of our human existence is, that there
are services essential to the inteUectual, moral, political, and
relio-ious well-being and advancement of the whole, as a whole,
which could not be efEectuaUy secm-ed for them were not some
exempted. The question is not whether a great man can
afford services of plate and regiments of footmen, but whether
any man is entitled to consume the produce of the English soil
without discharging the duties which his station imposes on
him to the English people.'
29—33. (30) Bashan, northern part of country_ B. of
Jordan, towns of Jair, Nu. xxxii. 41. (31) Machir, Nu
xxxii. 39 ; one half of his family settied W. of Jordan. ^ (32)
by Jericho, over opposite Jer. (33) the Lord God, etc., as
Nu. xviii. 20. . . i, i 4-1,0
God for all.—1-fo one claims propriety m the ocean to tne
exclusion of others. It is for aU nations and people to use tor
their interests ; nor is there any fear of exhausting its resources,
were the whole world of humanity to make draughts upon it.
It rolls its wavn? against every shore, and sends its tides into
every land, as if to invite tiie inhabitants to her riches and
facilities, and as if to show she was the property of all. So w^th
tiie Uving God. No man can claim Hun to the shutting out
of others He is the God of aU ; for their knowledge, their .love
their obedience, their felicity: and should e^f.^ ™*^l^ff^^*
being on the earth draw from His treasury of good to tl^e f^ dtess
satisfaction of his nature, there would ?jf ^^^^^^^f^"^ ^.^^f '^^
nlenitude left And to convince aU that He is then God, ne
S^es to aU We, breatii, and aU tilings. He fans tiiem with His
VOL. ni. O.T, D

B.O. 1445.
made has been
from scalTold to
8C affold, and
from Btake to
stttke.'*— WendeU
Phillips.a Vanity Fair,
inheritance of Gad
a Joa. XX. 8.
" Propeity com-
muDlcates a
charm to what
ever is lhe object
of it. It is the
first of our ab
stract ideas : it
cleaves to ua the
closest and the
longest. It en
dears tothe child
its plaj thiog, to
tbe peasant his
cottage, to the
landholder hU
estate. It sup
plies the place of
prospect and
scenery. Instead
of coveting the
beauty of distant
situations, it
te aches every
mau to flnd it in
his ovvn. It gives
boldness and
grandeur to
plains and fens,
tinge and colour
ing to clays and
fallov7s."— /*a/ey,
h Washington Ir-j
ving. inheritance of half tribe
of Manasseh
Levi
V. 33. Br. R.
Eyre, S., Sons of
the Clergy.
"The goodness
of the Essence of
God is that ac
cording to which
it is essentially
in itself the Su
preme and very
good ; from a
participation in
whi'h all other
things have an
existence and
ave good ; and to
which all other
things are to be
referred as to
their suprema

60

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xlT. 1-B,

B.a. 1445.
end; for this
reason it is called
communicable"(Matt. xix. 17;
Jas. i. 17; 1 Cor.
X. 31).-Armwiif«.
o /. Bafe.
B.0. 1444.
the inheri
tance of nine
tribes and a
half to be de
cided by lot
a Ex. vi. 23—2.5,
xxviii. 1 ; Nu. iii.
32, IX. 28, xxvi. 1,
xxvil. 18—23.
h " Not told in
what manner
the lot ^as cast.
Perhaps two urns
were employed,
one coutainiDg
a descrip. of the
several districts
to be allotted,
the other the
jumes of the
tribes, and por
tion of each
tribe would then
1)0 determined
hy a simulta-
neons drawing
from the two
urns." — Spk,
Comm.
e Spencer.
d Beeper.

Caleb
claims bis
inheritancea Jos. lv. 19, 20.
h 1 Sa. vil 16, 1.
8, XL 14, 19, etc.
e "The spot on
wh. Caleb set his
heart was the fer
tile valley of Be-
bron, ..therewas
the cave of Mach
pelah. ... it was
a winding valley,
whose terraces
-were covered
¦with the rich
verdure and
golden clasters
of the Syrian
vine, so rarely
(sen lu Egypt,

influence ; draws them by His love ; sends hosts of holy agents
to bring them to Himself. By ten thousand attractions of love
and mercy He invites tiie world to plunge in His fulness and
be satisfied."

CHAPTEB THE FOUBTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) Eleazar," tiiird son of Aaron, placed .at head of
Levites after death of his brothers Nadab and Abihu. (2) by
lot,' Nu. xxvi. 52—56, xxxiii. 54. (3) had given, before tha
crossing of Jordan, so they had no part in this lot. (4) two
tribes, this is said to explain the number, nine wad a half, for
which settlement in Canaan was to be provided. Omitting' Levi,
Reuben, and Gad, eto., only eight and a half would be left, but
Joseph reckoned as two, Ephraim and Manasseh.
Ood all irt all. — King Porus, when Alexander asked him,
being then his prisoner, how he would be used, answered in one
word, Basil'ikeios ; that is, "Like a king." Alexander again
replying, " Do you desire nothing else V " No," said he : " all
things are in this one word, ' Like a king.'-" Whereupon Alex
ander restored him again. But this has not always been the
happiness of kings and princes. Yet he that hath God hath all
things, because God is all things. Take a pen, and write down
riches, honours, preferments, they are but as so many ciphers ;
they signify nothing : but write down God alone, and He will
raise them to thousands, hundreds of thousands. And then it is
that a Christian is truly happy, — when he can find himself and all
things in his God.' — God for all. — ^The sun does not shine for a
few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. The lowly
pine on the mountain top waves ite sombre boughs, and cries,
" Thou art my sun ;" and the little meadow-violet lifts its cup of
blue, and whispers with its perfumed breath, "Thou art my
sun ;" and the grain in a thousand fields rustles in the wind, and
makes answer, " Thou art my sun." So God sits efEnlgent in
heaven not for a, favoured few but for the universe of hfe;
and there is no creature so poor or so low that he may not look
up with childlike confidence, and say, " My Father, Thou art
mine."* 6—9. (6) in Gilgal," stiU settlement of the camp, and for
some time the sanctuary.' Caleb, Nn. xiii. 6. thing that
the liOrd said, Nn. xiv. 24 ; De. i. 36. Kadesh-barnea,
Nu. xiii. 26. (7) espy out the land, Nu. xiii. 6, 17—33. (8)
brethren, all his fellow-spies, except Joshua, melt, by a
discouraging report. (9) the land, ete.,' prob. the bunch of
grapes bronght back was fr. this district, wholly followed,
kept faith, and energetically urged obed. to God.
The reguest of Caleb (w. 6 — 14). — ^We commend this address of
Caleb to your consideration — I. Because it contains a grateful
review of the past. Caleb recalls — 1. The ancient promise of
God ; 2. His own faithfulness amid tiying and degenerate times;
3. That there is another linked with him— Joshua — in a common
work, a common character, and a common promise. U. Because
it evinces a due estimate of the present. Caleb here — 1. Asserts
his oondition ; 2. Makes good his claim. III. Beoauseit contains
a hopeful survey of the future.

Oap.Jdv.lOt-iS.]

JOSHUA.

51

_,_ Peligion in old age. — "I am on the bright side of seventy,"
Baid an aged man of God ; " the bright side, because nearer to !
everlasting _glory." " Nature fails," said another, " but I am
happy." " My work is done," said the Coujitess of Huntingdon,
when eighty-four years old : " I have nothing to do but to go to
my Father." To a humble Christian it was remarked, " I fear
you are near another world." " Fear it, sir I" he replied, " I
know I am ; but, blessed be the Lord I I do not fear it : I hope
it." " 10—12. (10) forty and five years, the promise was made
in antumn of second year aftei? the Exodus. This calculation
makes Joshua seven years subduing Canaan.» (11) as strong,
no symptoifi of enfeebling old a^e. (12) this inountain, the
hill district round Hebron, where the spies had seen the Anakim.
Caleb had not been frightened out of faith by the sight, so he
asked to be the one to Subdue tiiem,Nn, xiii. 28 — 33.'
Caleb's reflection on the goodness and faithfulness of God to
'him, (». 10). — Consider, as suggested by the text, that— I. It is
God that keepeth us alive. We are apt to forget and neglect
the due improvement of this fact. II. The aged have peculiar
reason to make this acknowledgment. Like Caleb, they have
been wandering in a wilderhess, they haye seen all their early
companions die. III. It is a great satisfaction to aged sainte
to reflect on tiieir obedience to God, and the accomplishment of
His promises to them. IV. The experience which aged sainte
have had of God's goodness and faithfulness is a strong encou
ragement to them to hope and trust in Him.*
Chroming old. — A person being in company with some of his
gay acquaintance, one of them observed to him that his hair
began to be sprinkled with grey. " I wish you had not made
that remark," replied he, "as it pute me in mind of my
growing old ; a subjeot of which I cannot bear to tiiink. I had
rather be the most miserable hackhorse in this world than be an
angel in heaven." How dreadful must have been the testimony
of this man's conscience I Alas, why should he not have sought
thatx)ardon which gives peace of conscience, and enables the
Christiau to desire to depart, that he may be writh Christ 1
13—15. (13) blessed him, publicly acknowledging his
bravery and faith. (14) unto this day, time when history of
Jos. was completed. (15) Kirjath-arba, reason to think
Caleb only restored orig. name, the one famiUar to the patriarchs.
Qe. xxiii. 2. had rest, no other combined and active resistance
was at this time made.
BeUgion in old age. — i,. _l je * t
Behold a patriarch of years, who leaneth on the staff of reli
gion ; . , J, ¦j_
His heart is fresh, quick to feel, a bursting fount of generosity j
He, playful in his wisdom, is gladdened in his children s glad
ness ; . , . , J! i T
He, pure in his experienoe, loveth m his son s first love :
Loftv aspirations, deep afEections, holy hopes, are his dehght ;
His abhoi-rence is to strip from life ite charitable garment of
The shrewd world laughed.at him for honesty, the vain world
mouthed at him for honour.
D 2

B.C. 1444.
beautiful a
vesture of the
bare hills ot Pa
lestine."— S(an?ey.
I am suffocated
and lost when I
have not the
bright feeling of
progression ? *'— .
Margaret Fuller.
a Jos. xL 17.
h The Anakim
had been ex
pelled by Jos..
but had only
withdrawn to
Philistia.Thence they had,
as must be in
ferred from the
text here, re
turned and reoc
cupied Hebron,'*
— Spk. Comm.
'* 1 have been
twenty years in
the ministry of
the Gospel, and
I do not believe
I could enume
rate three per
sons over fifty
years of age
whom I havo
heard ask tho
solemn question,
' What shall I
do to be saved?"*
—Dr. Bedell.
c Job Orton.

Hebron Is
{riven to him
"One's age
should be tran
quil as one's
chililhood should
be playful; hard
work, at either
extremity of hu
man ' existence
seems to me out
of place; the
moming and tbe
evening should
be alike cool and
peaceful; atmid-
, day the sun may
'¦ bum, and men
'may labonr
j under It" — Dr.
\ Arnold,

62

JOSHUA.

[Cap. XT. i— 1!^
The false world hated him for truth, the cold world despised him
for afEection. vi i, _i.
Still he kept his treasure, the warm and noble lieart.
And in that happy old man survive the child and lover."
CHAPTEB THE FIFTEENTH.
1  0. (1) the lot, a description of the boundaries of the lot.
Edomi Nu. xxxiv. 3. Zin, Nu. x. 12. .(2) bay, ete., tongue,
the southem shallow end of Dead Sea. (3) Comp. Nu. xxxiv.
3, 4. Karkaa, not otherwise mentioned. (4) river of Eg^ypt,
'Wady-el-Arish. (5) end of Jordan, where it falls iuto Dead
Sea. bay of the sea, northem end. (6) Beth-hogla, poss.
threshing floor of Atad, Ge. 1—10, 11." Beth-arabah, comp,
V. 61, xviii. 22. stone of Bohan, comp. xviii. 17.
The mountain region of Palestine. — ^The mountainous partsof
the Holy Land are so far from being inhospitable, unfruitful, ot
the refuse of the land of Canaan, that in the division of this
country the mountain of Hebron was granted to Caleb aa a
particular favour : " Now, therefore, give me this mountain of
whioh the Lord spake in that day." In the time of Asa, tha
"hill country of Judah" mustered five hundred and eighty
thousand men of valour ; an argument beyond dispute that tha
land was able to maintain them. Even in the present times,
though cultivation and improvement are exceedingly neglected,
while the plains and valleys, although as fruitful as ever, lie
almost entirely desolate, every little hill is crowded with in
habitante. If this part of the Holy Land was composed, as some
object, only of naked rocks and precipices, why is it better
peopled than the plains of Esdraelon, Rama, Acre, or Zabulon,
tte" bes" ^r't S which are aU of them extremely fertile and delightful? It
the land, to show cannot be urged that the inhabitente Uve with more safety on
that God had a ^^ hiVis and mountains than on the plains, as there are
fha7°tribe°above neither walls nor fortifications to secure their villages and en-
the rest."-7'rqpp. campments ; and except in the' range of Lebanon, and some
"What are the other mounteins, few or no places of dif&cult access; so that
aims which are , both of them are equally exposed to the insnlte of an enemy,
a' *e»»«8 '™8 j But the reason is obvious; they find among these mountainous
the port Jct?ng*onro«'^8 ^^^ precipices, suificient convenience for themselves, and
ourselves, "the ! much greater for their cattle. Here they have bread to the full,
happines^ of while their flocks and herds browse upon richer herbage, and
both man and beast quench their thirst from springs of excel
lent water, which is but too much wanted, especiaUy in the
summer season, through all the plains of Syria.'
7—12. (7) Debir, not same as v. 15. Achor, vii, 26.
Gilgal, iv. 19. going up to Adummim, ascent or pass on
road fr. Jerus. to Jericho, name signifies red.'^ river, Waiy
Keltfi En-shemesh, spring 2 miles fr. Jerus. En-rogel, in
bed of Kidron, just below junction of valleys Hinnom and
w»y, so much jeiiosiiaphat.'' (8) Hinnom, ravine by Jerus., scene of idol
be^^n shed'°- sacrifices.'' (9) Nephtoah, mod. Ain lAfta, 2i miles N.W. ft.
Jerus. Kirjath, ix. 17. (10) Seir, not the range of Edom,
Beih-shemesh, 1 Sa. vi. 10. Timnah, not same as in !). 67,
or xix. 50, xxiv. 30. (11) Ekron, xiii. 3. Jabneel, 3 miles
from coast, and 12 S. of Joppa.

B.O. 1444.
a 11. Tupper.

Inheritance of Judah
a Spk. Comm.
t>. 1. Ths lot
came forth, up,
or out (Jos. xix.
1, 10, 17) of the
hosom, lap (Pr.
xvi. 33), pot, or
some otber ves
sel in use for that
pnrpose; for the
manner of this
lottery ta not
expressed ; but
that it was so
lemnly done with
fasting and
prayer premised,
is probable (.Fud.
XI. 26; Ao.i.24);
and that it was
ordered by a
Divine provi
dence is certain,
and hence it was
that Judah's lot
came out flrst,
and fell out in

others." — Kant.
i Paxton.

a "From St. Je
rome we leam
that a partie.
part or this road
was called the
red or bloody

Trench.b Robinson.
c Thomson, Robin-
ion.

oap. XV. 13—19.]

JOSHUA.

63

Tlie fertility of the Holy Land.— This fertility of Canaan is
fully confirmed by writers of great reputation, whose impartiality
cannot be justly suspected. Tacitus calls it a fruitful soil, nber
solum ; and Justin affirms that in this country the purity of the
air and the fertility of the soil are equally admirable : Sed non
minor loci ejus aprivitatis quam libertatis adm'irat'io est. The
justice of these brief accounts, Dr. Shaw, and almost every
modern traveller, fully verifies. When he travelled in Syria and
Phoenicia, in December and January, the whole country, he
remarks, looked verdant and cheerful ; and the woods particu
larly, which are chiefly planted with the gall-bearing oak, were
everywhere bestrewed with a variety of anemones, ranuncu
luses, colchicas, and mandrakes. Several pieces of ground near
TripoU were full of liquorice ; and at the mouth of a famous
gi'otto he saw an elegant species of the blue Uly, the same with
Morrison's UUum Persicum flor ens. In the beginning of March.
the plains, particularly between Jaifa and Kama, were every
where planted with a beautiful variety of fritiUaries, tulips of
innumerable hues, and a profusion of the rarest and most beau
tiful flowers ; while the hills and the mountains were covered with
yeUow poUimn, and some varieties of thyme, sage, and rose
mary." 13—15. (13) Arba, see name of Hebron Kirjath-arba. (14)
Sheshai, etc, prob. names of Z families of Anakim, not merely
of individuals. (15) Kirjath-sepher, comp. v. 49, booli-city,
apparently a seat of learning.
Youth in age. — Be you young until you die, so far as energy,
persistence, ambition, and augmentation of resources are con
cerned. There are some things that curl over easily in the
autumn. Their leaves become sere and yellow, and fall to the
ground before there are any signs of frost in the air. I do not
like suoh vegetables ; I do not have them in my garden. Others
carry their green leaves clean down into freezing before they
give up. These I like. And I Uke to see men that can look at
God's froste and not be blighted, but remain green and succu
lent and growing, even into the edges of winter."
16 — 19. (16) The city was doubtless strongly situated and
defended. (17) brother," said of Othniel, son of Kenaz, =
Kenuizzite, so Achsah was his niece. (18) came unto him,
removing from her father's house, a field, some well-known
field, bee. of its abundant springs, lighted off, word used
indie, suddenness and excitement. She herself would ask what
she could not persuade her husband to. (19) south land, so
Ukely to be dry. upper . . nether, that is, a sloping district
with springs on the higher and lower levels.
Aclisah's dowry (w. 19).— From this story we may leam— I.
That a moderate desire for the comforts and conveniences of
this life is no breach of the commandment, "Thou shalt not
covet." II. That mutual consultation and joint agreement
between husbands and wives is the surest omen of success. III.
That parents should never think that lost whioh is bestowed
upon their children for their advantag-e."
The request of Achsah.— Attev surveying the exterior ot the
mosque (of Hebron), we rode over tho hills south of Hebron to
visit the probable scene of the romantic transaction between

d 2 Chr. xxviii.
3, xxxiii. 6.
V.7. ^^ En-rogel. or
the fuller's well;
who hath his
nnme in Hebrew
from footing it,
quia pedibus roun
del vestal. So the
talebearer hath"
(Ps. XV. 3).—
Trapp.
e Paxton.
"The labour of
tbe body relieves
us from tbe
fatigues of the
raind, aud tbis it
is which forms
the happiness of
the poo r."—
Rochefoucauld,

Caleb's
portion and
conquest
V. 14. Caleb di-ove,
^^ ^os quogue mili-
temus. Heaven
is not to be had
sine sanguine et
sudore, without
pains, patience,
violence.' '—
Trapp.
a Beecher.

Caleb makes
provision for
his daughter
a Ju. i. 13.
vo. 16, 17. Dr. J.
Everard, Gospci
Treasures, 265.
b M. Henry.
"All brave men
love; for be ooly
is brave who has
affections to flght
for, whether in
the daily battle
of life or in phy
sical contests." —
Hawthorn." "Wisd IJI with
out innocency is
knavery ; inno
cence without

54

JOSHUA.

[Cap. XV. 2(J— 29.

B.C. 1444.
¦wisdom is fODl-
- ery ; be there
fore as wise as
serpents and in
nocent as doves.
TUe subtilty of
the serpent in-
Btrm;t3 the inno
cency Of the
dove; the inno-
cencyof the dove
corrects ihe sub
tilty of the ser
pent. What God
hath joined to
gether let not
man separate.'* —
Quaries.
c Stanley.
" Some men so
dislike the dust
kicked up by the
generation they
belong to, that,
being unable to
pass, they lag be
hind it." — Bare.

the cities of
Judaha 2 Sa. xxiii. 30.
b "This name is
omitted in some
editions of the
LXX., and may
have been inter
polated fr. 0. 55."
.—Spk, Comm,
c Knobei, W-illon,
rf Home of Judas,
Mat. X. 4.
e I Chr. iv. 28;
Ne. xi. 27.
" I t.less aod for
cities. Cities have
been as lamps of
life along the
pathway ot hu
manity and reli
gion. Within
t^em science has
given bil th to her
no'lest disco
veries. Behind
their walls free-
djm has fought
her noblest bat-
ties. They have
stood on the
surface of the
earth like great
breakwaters,rolling back or
turning as-iile the
swelling tide f>f
opnreBsiOD. Ci
ties, indeed, have
been the cradles
Of human liberty.
They have been

Caleb and his daughter Achsah. A wide valley, unusually green,
amidst the barren hills of the " south country " suddenly breaka
down into an almost precipitous and still greener ravine. On
the south side of this ravine is a village called Dura, possibly
the Adovaim of the Book of Chronicles (2 Chron. xi. 9) ; on the
north, at the summit of a steeper and more rugged ascent, is
Dewir Dan, whioh recalls the name of Debir, the fortress which
Othniel stormed on the condition of winning Achsah for his
bride. " Give me," she said to her father, as she rode on her
ass beside him, "a field"— "a blessing" — a rich field, suoh aa
that which lies spread in the green basin which she and Caleb
would first encounter in their ride from Hebron. "For thou
hast given me a south land " — ^these dry, rocky hills whioh
extend as far as the eye oan reach, till they melt into the hazy
platform of the desert. " Give me also the ' bubblings ' {gulloth)
of water, the upper and the lower bubbUngs." It is an expres
sive word, which seems to be used for " tumbling, falling, waves,"
and is thus especially appUcable to the rare sight of the clear
rivulet that, rising in the green meadow above mentioned (Ain
Nunkar), falls and flows continuously down to the bottom of
the ravine, and by its upper and nether streams gives verdure
to the whole. The identification is not, perhaps, absolutely
certain, but the scene lends itself to the incident in every par
ticular." 20 — 29. The catalogue of cities is divided, according to
natural features of the district, into those in the south ; (Negeb)
those in the lowland ; those in the highlands ; and those in the
wildemess. (20) inheritance, possession. (21) Enumeration
begins with E. of Negeb : places omitted in these notes are not
identified. Kabzeel, birthplace of Benaiah." (22) Dimouah,
=D'ibon, Ne. xi. 25. (23) Kedesh, Nu. xxxiv. 4. Hazor,
prob. should be Hazor-Ithnan. (24) Ziph,'' comp. v. 55.
Telem, poss. Telaim, 1 Sa. xv. 4. Bealoth, = Bamoth-Negeb,
the mod. Kiirnub.' (25) Hazor, Hadattah, or New Hazor.
Kerioth-Hezron, to be joined ; word Ker'ioth indio. military
occupation."* (26) Shema, xix. 2. KEoladah, Ne. xi. 25, 26,
mod. Malatha. (28) Hazor-shual, village of jackals, xix. 3.<
Beer-sheba, Ge. xxi. 28 — u2. (29) Baalah, xix. 3. mod. Ddr-
el-Belah, near Gaza.
City life. — I dread nothing more than to hear young men
saying, " I am going to the city." If they ask me, as they often
do when I am travelling about the country, what chances there
are for a lawyer in the city, I say, " Just the chance that a fly
has on a spider's web ; go do^vn and be eaten up !" If they ask me
what chances there are for a mechanic in the city. I say, " Good I
good ! there death carries on a wholesale and retail business 1
The mechanic art flourishes finely 1 Coffin-making is admirable 1
Men are dying ten times as fast as anywhere else I" If a man's
bones are made of flint ; if his miLS-^Ies are made of leather ;
if he can work sixteen or eighteen hours a day and not wink,
and then sleep .sinarcely winking ; if, in other words, he is built
for mere toughness, then he can go into the city, and go through the
ordeal which business men and professional men are obliged to
go through who succeed. The conditions of city life may be
made healthy, so far as the physical constitution is concerned ;
but there ia connected with the business of the city so much

Cap. XV. 30-47.]

JOSHUA.

55

competition, so muoh rivalry, so much necessity for industry,
that 1 thmk it is a perpetual, chronic, wholesale violation of
natural law. There are teu men that can succeed in the country,
where there is one that can succeed in the city./
80 -.40- (30) Eltolad," xix. 4. Chesil, name of stars we
call Onon, so prob. seat of idolatrous worship;' site 15 m SW
of Beersheba. Hormah, Nu. xiv. (31) Ziklag, 1 Sa. xxvii. 6.
(32) Ain Rimmon, one name, Ne. xi. 29, 10 m. N. of Beer
sheba. (33) valley, lowlands, bounded S. by Kegeb, N. by
plain of Sliaron, W. by Medit., E. by highland district. Eshtaol,
Ju. Xlii. 25 ; Zoreah, Ju. xin. 2. (34) Enam, Ge. xxxviii. 14
(35) Jarmuth, x. 3. Adullam, xu. 15. Socoh, 1 Sa. xvu. 1.
Azekah, x. 10. (36) Sharaim, 1 Sa. xvii. 52. Gederah,
xii. 13. (38) Mizpeh, xi. 3. (39) Lachish, etc., x. 3.
Cities.— A. city is in one respect Uke a high mountain ; the
latter is an epitome of the physical globe ; but its sides are
belted by products of every zone, from the tropical luxuriance
that clusters around its base to its arctic summit far up in the
sky. So IS the city an epitome of the social world. All the
belte of civiUsation intersect along ite avenues. It contains the
products of every moral zone. It is cosmopoUtan not only in a
national but a spiritual sense."
41-47. (41) Makkedah, x. 10. (42) Libnah, x. 29.
Ether and Ashan, xix. 7. (14) Keilah, 1 Sa. xxiu. 1, 5, 12.
Achzib, Ge. xxxviii. 5. Maresha, 2 Chr. xiv. 9 — 13. (45)
Ekron. (46) Ashdod. (47) Gaza, cities of Philistia. river
of Egypt, V. 4.
Social and moral influence of cities. — If the history of cities
and of their influence on their respective territories be deducted
from the history of humanity, the narrative remaining would be,
as we suspect, of no very attractive description. In such case,
the kind of picture whioh human society must everywhere have
presented would be such as we see in the condition, from the
earliest time, of the wandering hordes of Mongolians and
Tartars, spread over the vast flate of Central Asia. In those
regions scarcely anything has been " made " by man. But this
most happy circumstance, as it seems to be accounted, this totel
absence of anything reminding you of human skill and in
dustry, has never been found to realise our poetic ideas of
pastoral beauty and innocence. It has called forth enough of
the squalid and of the ferocious, but little of the refined, the
powerful, or the generous. If anything be certain, it would
eeem to be certain that man is constituted to realise his destiny
from his association with man, more than from any contact with
places. The great agency in calling forth his capabilities,
whether for good or for evil, is that of his fellows. The pic
turesque, accordingly, may be with the country, but the intel
lectual, speaking generally, must be with the town. Agriculture
may possess ite science, and the farmer, as weU as the land
owner, may not be devoid of intelligence ; but in suoh connections
the science and inteUigence, in common with the nourishment
of the soil, must be derived, in the main, from the studies pro
secuted in cities, and from the wealth realised in the traffic of
cities. If pasturage is followed by tillage, and if tillage is made
to partake of the nature of a study and a science, these signs of j

B.C. 1444.
the active cen
tres of almost all
Cburch anrl Stato
ref nrmalion." —
Dr, Guthrie.
f Beeclier.

a 1 Chr. iv. 29,
b " Sozomen ap-
pears to bo
speaking of this
place when he
mentiuns a Be
thel in tlie terri
tory of Gaza,
populous, and
famous for an
ancient and
splendid teu. vie,
wh., he conjec
tures, gave to the
place it.^ name."
— Spk. Com.
c Dr. Chapin.
**Our large trad
ing cities bear to
me very nearly
the aepset of
monastic esta-
blishraen's, in
which the roar
or the mill-wheel
aud the crane
fake the place of
other devotional
musie, and in
whieh tbe wor
ship of mammon
and Moloch ie
conducted with
a teuder reve
rence and an
exact propriety i
the merchant
rising to his
mammon ma
tins with the
felf-denial of an
anchorite, and
expiating the
frivolities into
which he may
be beguiled in
the course of the
day by late at
ten dance at
mammon ves
pers." — Ruskin.
"The most civi
lised people are
as near to bar
barism as the
most polished
steel is to rust.
Nations, like
metals, have
only a superflcial

66

JOSBUA.

[Cap. xvi. 1-4,

B.O. U44.
¦brilliancy." —
Rivarol. a Dr. R. Vaughan.
a la. xxi. 2.
** There i3 such.
a difference be
tween the pur
suits of mea in
great cities, that
ona part of the
inhabitants lives
to little other
puipose than to
wonder at the
rest. Somo have
hopes and fears,
"Wishes and aver-
Bions, whiuh
never enter into
the thoughts of
others ; and in
quiry is laboii-
ously exerted to
gain tbat which
those who poa-
eess it are ready
to throw away."
— Johnson.
h Wordsuforth.
the Jebusites
•'General Provi
dence is the
general provi
sion made in
the properties
and law.-^ of both
matter and miud
for the accora
plishment of His
designs. It re
gards bObh mat
ter and mind ;
not only as real
existences, but
aa possessing in
herent proper
ties and laws,
•whieh, however,
are not self-
existent and
self-sufficient,
hut require the
upholding' or
Busiaining power
of G-od." — Fin-
vey. a /, Ayre, M.A.

inheritanceof Joseph
o "The united
inheritance of
the two tribea
inclades a fruit
ful and, for the

improvement are peculiar to lands in which cities make their
appearance, and they become progressive only as cities become
opulent and powerful."
48—57, (48) mountains, highland district bet. Negeb_ and
Jerusalem' having the wildemess on the E. Jattir, xxi. U.
(49) Kirjath-sannah, x. 38. (50) Anab, xL 21. Eshte-
moh,'xxi. 14. (52) Dumah," now Dau-meh,-aea,T Hebron. (54)
Kirjath-arba, x. 4. (55) Maon, 1 Sa. xxiii. 24. Oarmel, as
1 Sa. xxv. 2 ; 2 Chr. xxvi. 10. (56) Jezreel, not the famous
town of Ahab, but as 1 Sa. xxv. 43. (57) Gibeah, name often
repeated. llie city in the early morning. —
The oity now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the moming 
IN'ever did sun more beautifully steep,
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill,
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep ;
The river glideth at its own sweet will.
Dear God I the very houses seem asleep,
And all that mighty heart is lying still.''
58-63. (58) Beth-zur, 2 Chr. xi. 7 : Ne. iii. 16. Gedor,
now Jedm\ bet. Jerus. and Gaza. (60) Kirjath-baal, ix. 17.
(61) wilderness, extending from N. boundary of Judah along
the shore of Dead Sea, to the Negeh^ and bounded on W. by the
highland district. Beth-arabah, v, 6. (62) En-gedi,. Ge.
xiv. 7. (63) Jebusites, inhabitants of Jerus. at time of
invasion. llie Jfbusites. — They were descended from Canaan the youngest
son of Ham (Ge. x. 16), and are named last in the various cata
logues, possibly because they were but a small clan, or occupied
a circumscribed territory (xv. 21 ; Ex. iii. 8, 17). Their chief
abodes were Jerusalem and the surrounding district, together
with the moun tain- country afterwards belonging to Judah;
where they were near neighbours to the Amorites and th©
Hittites. Although defeated, and their king slain (Jos. x.
1, 5, 20) and their city subsequently bumt by the tribe of Judah
(Jud. i. 8) it was not entirely destroyed ; for we are told thatthe
Benjamites to whom it was assigned (Jos. xviii. 28) could not
clear it of its Jebusite occupants (Jud. i. 22, comp. with v. 68
above), and it appears to have afterwards had an exclusively
Jebusite population (Jud. xix. 10 — 12). Indeed it was not till
the reign of David that these were altogether conquered and
dispossessed of the stronghold of Zion (2 Sam. v. 6 — 8 ; 1 Ch.
ix. 4 — 6), and even still some of them remained (2 Sam. xxiy.
10. 18 ; 1 Ch. xxi. 15, 18, 28). Solomon made the remnant
tributary (IK. ix. 20), and some seem to have been recognisable
after the captivity (Ezra ix. 1).*
CHAPTEB THE SIXTEENTH.
1—4. (1) Joseph, "I includ. both Ephraim and half Manasseh.
water of Jericho, Ain-es-Sidtan.b throughout mount
Beth-el. right np to. Beth-el, vii. 2. (2) Luz, Ge. xxyiil. IS-
Archi, or of the Archite." Ataroth, v. 5, mod. Atara. (3) Beth*
horon, x. 10. Gezer, x. 33,

Cap. xvll. 1—6.]

JOSHUA.

5T

Providence rightly places its, — Suppose the mole should cry,
" Howl could have honoured the Creator had I been aUowed to
fly ! " it would be very foolish, for a mole tiying would be a most
ridiculous objeot ; while a mole fashioning its tunnels and
casting up its castles, is viewed with admiring wonder by the
naturalist, who perceives its remarkable suitability to ite sphere.
The fish of the sea might say, " How could I display the wisdom
of God if I could sing, or mount a tree like a bird ;" but a
dolphin in a tree would be a very grotesque affair, and there
wonld be no wisdom of God to admire in trouts singing in the
groves ; but wheu the fish cute the wave with agile fin, all who
have observed it say how wonderfully it is adapted to its habitat,
how exactly its every bone is fitted for ite mode of life. Brother,
it is just so with you. If you begin to say, " I cannot glorify
God where I am, and as X am," I answer, neither conld you any
where if not where you are. Providence which arranged your
surroundings, appointed them so that, all things being considered,
you are in the position in whioh you can best display the wisdom
and the graoe of God."*
5—10. (5) Note precedence of Ephraim.' the upper, it was
near the one in K. 3. (6) onthe north side, northward. (7)
Naarath, see 1 Chr. vii. 28 ; fr miles frora Jericho. (8) Tap
puah, xii. 17, xvii. 7. river Kanah, the brook of reeds, mod.
Nahr-el-Kassali, wh. flows into Medit. between Joppa and
Cesarea. (9) separate, or single cities, additional ones, prob.
because of the number of the tribe. (10) drove not out,
neglecting the Divine command.''
Injliience of companions. — It is said to be a property of the tree-
frog, that it acquiries the colour of whatever it adheres to for a
short time. Thus, when found on growing corn, it is commonly
of a dark green ; if found on the white oak, it has the colour
peculiar to the tree. Just so it is with men : they generally
resemble those with whom they associate.' — An oUl lam agaimt
bad companions. — An ancient historian, mentioning the law
which Charondas gave the Thurians, says, " He enacted a law
with reference to an evil, on which former lawgivers had not
animadverted, — that of keeping bad company. As he conceived
that the morals of the good were sometimes quite ruined by their
dissolute acquaintance, that vice was apt, like an infectious
disease, to spread itself, and extend its contagion, he expressly
enjoined that none should engage in any intimacy or familiarity
with immoral persons ; appointed that an accusation might be
exhibited for keeping bad company ; and laid a heavy fine on
suoh as were convicted of it."''

B.C. ]444.
most part, plea
sant cunnti'v ly
ing iu tlje midst
0^ weslci'n Pales
tine." — Lange.
bl Ki. ii. IU.
c 2 Sa. XV. 32.
God s provi-
dences ofLeu re-
seml'ile IJ ecea of
tapestry bi-lore
they are put to
gether ; here ift a
head, there is a
limb, yonder is a
hand or a foot.,
or something
else. When the
wbolo is com
plete it is a per
fect ppecimeu of
tieanly.
d Spurgeon.
inheritanceof Sphraim
a Qe. xlviii. 20,

CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH
1_6. (1) Machir, Ge. i. 23. man of war, Nu. xxxii. 33.
(2) Ahiezer, Nu. xxvi. 29. (3) Zelophehad, Nu. xxvi. 33.
commanded Moses, Nu. xxvii. 4, 8—11. (5) ten portions,
male posterity branched into five families, the sixth son divided
into five daughters, who took a portion each. (6) land of
Gilead, across the Jordan. ,
Reliance on Providenee.— ^o make our reliance upon Provi
dence both pious and rational, we should, in every great enter

b De. sx. 16.
" As one scabbed
ebeep inTecteth
many others, as
a little poison
inTecteth a great
ftc!i] of meat and
lirinb, as a few
sick of the plague
may infect a
whole honse or
town ; even so
the company of
the wicted in-
fectftth the godly,
because there
can be no con
cord between tha
sons of wisdom
and the sona of
toWy.^—Cawdray,
c Bibl. Treas.
d Dean Bolton.

inheritanceof Manasseh
daug-hters of
Zelophehad "The decrees of
Providence are
inscrutable; in
I ppitp of man's
i shnrt-sighted en-
I deavours to dig-
pose of eveuts

68

josnuA.

[Cap. xvii. 7— 18.

B.O. 1444.
BccordiQ£? to his
own wishes and
his own pur
poses, there is
an intelligence
bevoTid his rea-
BOn, whiuh holds
the seales of jus
tice, and pro
motes hi.«i well-
l.eing. iu soite of
his puny efforts."
.—.Horier. a South.
coast of
Xliiuxsseh a " The northern
border is only
indicated in
general terms,
perhaps he'^use
the Israelites
¦wcrenotyetcom- pletety masters
of tliis part of
the country, so
had not precisely
determined it."
—Spk. Coin.
God's special
Buperintsuding
providence puts
an end to the idea
of clrance or
mere accident.
•'Known unti
G-od arfl all His
worlfs from the
beginning of the
world."b Dr. GutJtrie.
the ohildren
of Joseph
claim more
than their
portion
a For spirit of
this tribe of Jo
seph see Ju. viii
], xii. 1; 2 Sa.
xix. 41; 2 Chr.
xxviii. i).
6 a. Bush.
"The whole
cour.'^e find serie-^
of Divine provi
dence t'twards
the saints is like
a music-hoolc. in
every loaf where
of there i'' a sons:
rf'ady prieked for
them, to learn
and fl'n^ to the
praise of their
God; no passage
of their life of

prise we take in hand, prepare all things with that oare, dili-
geuoe, and activity, as if there were no such thing as Providenoa
for us to depend upon ; and again, when we have done all thia,
we should as wholly and humbly rely upon it as if we had made
no preparations at all. And this is a rule of practice whioh will
never fail, or shame any who shall venture all that they have
and are upon it,— for as a man, by_ e.terting his utmost foroe ia
any action or business, has all that human strengtii oan do for
him therein, so, in the next place, by quitting his coniideaoe in
the same, and placing it only in God, he is sure of all that Om
nipotence can do in his behalf."
7—13. (7) Eu-tappuah, xvi. 8. (8) Tappuah waa one of
the single cities referred to, xvi. 8. (9) Kanah, xvi. 8. thess
cities, names have been in some way omitted, or lost The
single cities of Ephraim were on the south side of the river;
the territory on tho H. side was wholly given to Manapeh. (10)
mst together, together reached unto." (11) Beth-shean,.
1 Sa. xxxi. 8. Ibleam, Ju. i. 27. Dor, xi. 2. Taanaeh . .
Megiddo, xii. 21. (12) could not, indio. failing faith. (13)
tribute, suoh subjection involved future perils.
Continuous Providence. — Providence has no Sabbath. No night
suspends it ; and from its labours God never rests. If I may
compare small things with great, it is like the motion of the
heart. Beating our march to the grave, since the day we began
to live the heart has never ceased to beat. Our limbs may grow
weary, not it. We sleep ; it never sleeps. Needing no period of
repose to recruit its strength, by night and day it throbs in every
pulse ; and constantly supplying nourishment to the meanest as
well as the noblest organs of our frame, with' measured, steady,
untired stroke, it drives the blood along the bounding arteries,
without any exercise of will on our part, and even when the
consciousuess of our own existence is lost in dreamless slum
bers.'' »
14—18. (14) They expected two full lots: their complaint
was unreasonable, seeing their numbers were not excessive ; a
portion of them settled E. of Jordan." (15) Joshua bids them
give proof of prowess by fully subduing and occupying the land
they had got. wood country, they might clear it for occupa
tion : prob. the range between Gilboa and Carmel. Perizzites,
Ge. xiii. 7. g-iants, Ge. xiv. 5. (IC) chariots of iron, like
those of Egypt. Ex. xiv. 7. (17) not have one lot, bee. by
driving out the Caananites they might double it. (18) The limit
of their lot is made to depend on their own prowess.
2'lie petition of the children of Joseph (rr, 14, 16).— We may
learn from this — I. How prone men are to be discontented mth
their lot. II. That our complaints of comforts withheld are
often no more than testimonies of our own supineness, negli
gence, and fear of the cross.'
Chariots of iron, — The warriors of primitive times were carried
to the field in ohariots, drawn for the most part by two horsea.
The custom of ridinff and fighting upon horses was not intro
duced into Greece and the regions of Asia bordering on the Hel
lespont till some time after the Trojan war ; for Homer, whose
authority in such cases is indisputable, always conducte his
heroes to battle in chariots, never on horseback. In what age

Oap. xviii 1-7.)

JOSHUA,

59

the chariot was first used in battle cannot now be ascertained ; I
but by the help of the sacred volume, we can trace the practice
to a very remote antiquity, for the aboriginal inhabitants of
Canaan appear, from the number of armed ohariots which they
possessed, when Joshua invaded their country, to have been
trained to that mode of warfare long before. " And the children
of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us ; and all the
Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of
iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they
who are of the valley of Jezreel." This by no means intimates
that the chariots were made of iron, but only that they were
armed with it. Such chariots were by the ancients called ciirrvs
fiilcati, and in Greek dfitTravoipvpai. They had a kind of scythes,
of about two cubits long, fastened fo long axle-trees on both
wheels ; these being driven swiftly through a body of men made
great slaughter, mowing them down like grass or corn. The effi
cacious resistance whioh the Canaanites, from their chariots of
iron, opposed to the arms of Israel, is emphatically remarked by
the sacred historian : "And the Lord was with Judah, and they
diave out the inhabitants of the mountain, but could not drive
out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of
iron." The native princes of Canaan, fully aware of the great
advantages to be derived from this species of force in combating
the ann ies of Israel, which consisted, as has already been
observed, entirely of infantry, contiuued to improve it with a
care and diligence proportioned to its importance. In the time
of the judges, not long after the death of Joshua, Jabin the king
of Canaan, sent nine hundred chariots of iron into the field
against the people of Israel : and in a succeeding war, between
this people and their inveterate enemies the Philistines, the latter
met them in the field with " thirty thousand chariots, and six
thousand horsemen, and people H3 the sand whioh is on the sea
shore for multitude.""

CHAPTEB THE EIGHTEENTH.
1 — 7. (1) Shiloh, Ju. xxi. 19, mod. Seiliin;' tabernacle re
mained there some 300 years.' (2) remained, after arrange
ment for 2-i tribes E. of Jordan, and for other 2,^ as ch. xv. — xvii.
(3) slack, partial possession was followed by indifference,
partly due to settlement of other tribes in their territories. (4)
each tribe, of the 7 mentioned, describe it, numbering the
cities and general features so that it might be fairly allotted.
(.5) in their coast, within their territories. (6) describe . .
parts, they were to suggest the tribal divisions. (7) no part,
xiii. 14.
Sloth and liihewarmness reproved (v. 3).— I. The force of the re
proof as applied to the Israelites. They were reproved for— 1. In
dolence : 2. The undue satisfaction they took in their present
comforts ; 3. The light thoughts which they entertained of their
promised inheritance. II. The justice of it as applied to om--
eclves. Consider how slack we are in— 1. Eeading the Scriptures;
2 Prayer ; 3. The mortification of sin ; 4. Pressing forward for
the prize of our high calling. III. The considerations which are
proper to stk us up to diligence. Consider— 1. How much time

B.O. 1414.
which they can
ay, 'In this I
received no
mercy for which
I should bless
(ioi,"—Ouriiall. "What I do
thou knowest not
now, but thou
shalt know here
after,' is the un
varied language
of God in His
providence. He
will have credit
at every step.
He will not as
sign reasons, be
cause He will
exercise faith," —
Cecil, " Allourprogress
is au unfolding,
like the vege-
:ab'e bud. You
have flist an in
stinct, then the
opinion, then a
knowledge, as
the plant has
root, bud, and
fruit. Trust the
instinct to tho
end, though you
can render no
reason." — Emer
son.
c Paxtim.

tabernacle
set up in
Shiloh
rest of land
describedand divided
a Robinson.
¦' It waa 20 or 25
railes N. of Jerus.,
1-2 miles N. of
Bethel, 10 S. of
Shechem, and
embosomed in a
rugged and ro
mantic glen,"'—
Jamieson.b 1 Sa, iv. 1—11 ;
see also De.xii. 5.
V. 1. Dr. R. Oor
don, ii. 344.
1. KP.Buddi-

60

[Cap. xvill, 8—20

eom. Christ, Exod,
ii. 44.0; Tr. Bus-
vxll, Ss, 228.
c C. Simeon, M.A,
" Westward the
course of empire
takea its way." —
Bishop Berkeley.

d Hughes.
lots cast for
land a " No light task
to undertake. It
required leam
ing and intelli
gence, which
they, or their
instructors, brought with
them out of
Egypt, Jose
phus says the
survey was per
formed by men
expert iu geome
try." — Jamieson.
b Dr. Hitchcock.

inheritance of Benjamin
a "Territory of
Benj. was
general moun
tainous, in part
very desert, but
in part also as in
neighbourhoodof Jericho and
Jerusalem.a well-
cultivated, fruit
ful land."-iaflp«,
b Spk. Comm.
c'Jos, ix, 17.
"Give me theeye
which can see
God in all; the
hand wbich can
serve Him with
all; and the
heart which can
bless Him for
all," — Seeker.
a T. Fuller.

you have lost already ; 2. How your difficulties are increased by
delay ; 3, How oertain is your success if ye advance in your
work ; 4, How richly heaven wiU compensate for aU your
labours,' Tlie true vaine of paucssion. — One's own — what a charm thera
is iu the words 1 how long it takes boy and man to find out their
worth ! how fast most of us hold on to them I faster and more
jealously the nearer we are to the general home, into which we
can take nothing, but must go naked as we came into the world.
Wheu shall we learn that he who multiplieth possessions multi-
plieth troubles, and that the one single use of things which we
call our own, is that they may bs his who hath need of them 1 ^
8 — 10. (8) charged them, gave instructions. (9) in a
book," making an exact inventory. (10) before the Lord,
prob, at door of tabemacle.
Providence toreards the Clmrch. — It is not the nations, but the
Church, that God has cherished as the apple of His eye. The
three great nationalities, Jewish, Greek, and Roman, that stood
together over the cradle of our religion, perished not till they
had ceased to be of service to Christ. Charlemagne, Charles V.,
CromweU, and Napoleon were all soldiers of the Church, whether
conscious of it or not, whether willingly or not. Here we find a
key of the history of other ages and nations ; a thread that will
lead us out of every labyrinth of the x>resont and the future.
Towards Calvary, for thousands of years, all the lines of history
converged. And now for other thousands of years, to the end of
time, from Calvary will the lines diverge, " till the kingdoms of
this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and He shall
reign for ever and ever." ^
11—15. (11) between, etc.,' De. xxxiii. 12. (12) Comp.
xvi. 1 — 3, wh. gives border of Ephraim. Beth-aven, vii. 2.
(13) Luz, Ge. xxviii, 19. Ataroth-adar, as in xvi. 2 ; not as
in xvi. 7. (14) corapassed, etc., or turned mi the mest side,
soiithmards,!' the boundary line of Benj., at the lower Beth-horon,
bends southwardly toward Kirjath-baal." (15) Nephtoah, Aia
Lifta, XV. 9.
_ The mystery of Proridence. — I looked upon .the wrong or back
side of a piece of arras (or tapestry) : it seemed to me as a con
tinued _ nonsense. There was neither head nor foot therein,
confusion itself had as much method in it, — a company of thrums
and threads, with many pieces and patches of several sorts, sizes,
and colours ; all which signified nothing to my understanding.
But then, looking on the reverse, or right side thereof, all put
together did spell excellent proportions, and figures of men and
cities ; so that, indeed, it was a history not wrote with a pea
but wrought with a needle. If men look upon some of God's
providential dealings with a mere eye of reason, they will hardly
find any sense therein, ,such their muddle and dtsorder. But,
alas ! the -WTong side is objected to our eyes, while the right side
is presented to the high God of heaven, who knoweth that an
admirable order doth result out of this confusion : and what is
presented to Him at present may. hereafter, be so showed to us
as to convince onr judgments in the truth thereof.'
"Forbear, fondl 16— 20. (16) Jebusi, = Jerusalem. En-rogel, xv. 7. (17)
man; — (fta «| Comp. xv. 5—9. (18) Arabah, or the plain. (19) Beth-

Cap. xvill. 21—28.]

JOSHUA.

61

hoglah, XV. 6. (20) Jordan, this river is the general boundary I b,c, 1444,
on the E. 
Wisdoin qf Providence.— k\\ the events of life are precious to llJartr" accuse"
one that has this simple conneotion with Christ of faith and love, ijust, though
No wind oan blow wrong, no event be mistimed, no result imyste rious,
disastrous. If God but cares for our inward and etemal life, if !OTfn„"'ihiw°h
by all the experiences of this life. He is reducing it and preparing ' wayB"unmarked,
for its disclosure, nothing can befall us but prosperity. Every sorrow j 'rom guilt to
shall be but the setting of some luminous jewel of joy. Our 1 P'™isbment," —
very mourning shall be but the enamel aiound the diamond ; our

very hardships but the metallic rim that holds the opal, glancing
with strange interior fires."
21—28. (21) valley of Keziz, or Emeh Kezii ; there is a
Wady-el-Keziz a little distance E. of Jerusalem. (22) Zemaraim,
or two wooded hills, mod. Sumrah, see Ge. x, 18, (23) Avim,
poss, same as ^li, Ophrah, 1 Sa, xiii, 17 ; not same as in Ju.
vi. 11. (24) Sites not known. (25) Gibeon, ix, 3. Kamah,
1 Sa. i. 19, Beeroth, ix. 17, (26) Mizpeh, a name applied
to different places ; this the one mentioned 1 Sa, vii. 5 — 16.
(28) Zelah, 2 Sa. xxi. 14. Gibeah, Ju. xix. 14. Kirjath,
nob the town of this name in territory of Judah.
Bamah. — The oriental geographers speak of Ramah as the
metropolis of Palestine ; and every appearance of its ruin« even
now confirms the opinion of its having been once a considerable
city. Its situation, as lying immediately in the high road from
Jaffa to Jerusalem, made it necessarily a place of great resort ;
and from the fruitfulness of the countiy around it, it must have
been equally important as a military station or a depot for
supplies, and as a magazine for the collection of such articles of
commerce as were exported from the coast. In its present state,
the town of Ramah is about the size of Jaffa, in the extent
actually occupied. The dwellings of this last, however, are
crowded together around the sides of a hill, while those of Ramah
are scattered widely over the face of the level plain on which it
stands. The style of building here is that of high square houses,
with flattened domes covering them ; and some of the old
terraced roofs are fenced around with raised walls, in which are
seeu pyramids of hollow earthenware pipes, as if to give air, aud
light, without destroying the strength of the wall itself. The
inhabitants are estimated at little more than five thousand
persons, of whom about one-third are Christians of the Greek
and Catholic communion, and the remaining two-thirds Moham
medans, chiefly Arabs ; the men of power and the military being
Turks, and no Jews residing there. The principal occupation of
the people is husbandry, for which the surrounding country is
highly favourable, and the staple commodities produced by them
are corn, olives, oil, and cotton, with some soap and coarse cloth
made in the town. There are still remains of some noble subter
ranean cisterns at Ramah, not inferior either in extent or exe
cution to many of those at Alexandria : they were intended for
the same purpose, namely, to serve in time of war as repervoirs of
water." Not 400 yards from Rachel's tomb the guide showed us
a heap of old rubbish, which he said was called Ramah. This
appeared to me like a modern invention, originating in a desire
of these very accommodating people to gratify the solicitude of
BibHcal antiquarians.' '

Eurydice. a Beecher.

cities of
Benjamin God does no
thing hastily.
He allows lime
to the sea to ebb
aud flow, to the
raoon to wax and
wane. Our wis
dom is to abide
His pleasure.
"Be not ignorant
of this oue thing,
that one day is
wih the Lord as
athousandyrars,and a thoustind
3 ears as one day.
The Lord is not
slack concerning
His promise."
"Melancthon,
when he used
sometimOM to be
too anxious and
troubled, would
chide away h^s
fears ^y saying,
' Let Philip cease
to rule the
world.'" — Bowes.
If God bas a
grac'ous end in
view. He never
wants means to
bring it about.
a Buckingham.
Kamah Is now
a prior village on
a hill six miles
north of Jerusa
lem: it is called
er-lKim.

b Dr. Thomson.

62

JOSHUA.

[Cap. 2cix. 1—23

B.C. 1444.
inheritanceof Simeon
V 1. Within, etc.,
th e reason
whereof see v.
9, and Ju iah
yielded, aa being
raSiciom's manci-
pium; see Ja. iii.
17.— Trapp.
"If virtue pro
mises happiness,
prosperity, and
peace, then pro
gress in virtue is
certainly pro
gress in both of
these, for to
whatever point
the perfection of
anything brings
us, progress is
always an ap
proach towards
it." — Epie.eiits.
a T. Jackson.

inheritance of Zebulun
V. 13. Gitta-hep-
her, Jonas the
prophe's birth
place (2 K. xiv.
25), and there
fore the better
thought of by
God (Ps. Ixxxvii.
6) : tbe word
means wine
press of the wdl;
it U now called
el-Meshhad, a
vill. two ms. E.
of Seffirieh.
V. 1 4. Jiphthah-el,
wh. God opens.
It is prob. that
in this vail, stood |
Jotapater, now,
Jefat, so noted,
in the war with
Vespasian.
a T/'eTich.

Inheritanceof Issachar

a "Jezreel, and
its famous and

CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH.
1—9. (1) within the inheritance, etc., it was taken out
of a portion of Judah. (2—7) Comp. xv, 26—32, 42, (6) thir
teen, 14 names are given, either by error or copyist, or by
separation of one of the names into two. (8) Baalath-beer,
the Bealoth of xv, 24, (9) too muoh, prob, in proportion to
that wh, oould be given to other tribes,
Befin'itions of Providence. — By the Providence of God, generally
speaking, is meant His care for every object of nature ; so that
His power is uninterruptedly exercised in upholding, controlling,
and directing every person and everything, rendering all sub
servient to His glory, and the accomplishment of His wise, holy,
gracious, merciful and righteous purposes. As He is everywhere
present in all the perfection of His nature, nothing escapes the
observation of His eye, and nothing takes plaoe but by His agency,
His appointment, or His permission ; for every creature is at His
disposal. Inorganic matter is sustained in being by His power ;
the earth and the heavenly bodies perform their revolutions
under His direction ; in vegetable nature His hand is in coustant
operation ; by His bounty the wants of the entire animal creation
are daily supplied ; and mankind, created in His image, endued
with understanding, and therefore under His moral government,
are the objects of His special regard, having the greatest share in
His paternal love."
10—16, (10) Sarid, though important as starting the boun
dary, this plaoe is not identified. (11) sea, of Galilee, border of
Zebulon nowhere touched the Med. Jokneam, xii. 22. (12)
Chisloth-tabor, flanks of Tabor, v. 18. (13) Gittah-hepber,
or Gath-hiqjlier, 2 Ki. xiv. 25, Remmon-methcar, or Eem-
mon wh, reacheth to Weah. (14) " Makes a tum round Neah
towards the N." Jiphthah-el, mod. Jefat, Eom. Jotapata.
(15) Bethlehem, mod. viUage, Seit-lah'in. 12 cities, namea
are not all given here.
Pj-ooidence in our life. —
Thou cam'st not to thy plaoe by accident, —
It is the very place God meant for thee ;
And shouldst thou there small scope for aotion see,
Do not for this give room for discontent ;
Nor let the time thou owest to God be spent
In idly dreaming how thou mightest be.
In what concerns thy spiritual life, more free
From outward hindrance or impediment.
For presently this hindrance thou shalt find.
That without which all goodness were a task
So slight that virtue never could grow strong ;
And wouldst thou do one duty to His mind,
The Imposer's — over-burdened thou shalt ask,
And own thy need of grace to help, ere long,"
17 — 23, (17) Issach'r, territory is marked by prev, allot
ments to Zebulon and Manasseh. HS) Jezreel," xvii. 16.
Shunem,'' 1 Sa, xxviii, 4, (20) Kishion, xxi, 28. (21)
Bemeth, see Jarmuth of xxi. 29. Engannim, xxi. 29, mod.

Cap. xix. 24-39.]

JOSHUA.

63

Jenin. (22) Tabor, poss. not the mountain, but a town of this
name, 1 Chr. vi, 77. Beth-shemesh, not confuse with xv. 10.
or xix. 38.
The Chriifi ail's inheritance. — Poor Christians, what though
you have little in hand, yet you have much in hope ; though you
have little in possession, yet you have much in reversion. He
that hath but little in present possession, yet if he hath a fair
estate in reversion, he comforts himself, and solaces his spirit in
the thoughts of it, that there will come a day when he shall live
like a man, when he shall live bravely and swgetly, and this
makes him sing care and sorrow away. Poor Christian, do you
do so 1 You have a fine, a fair . estate in reversion, though you
have but little in possession ; therefore, bear up bravely and live
comfortably," 24—31. (24) Asher, whose W, border was Medit. sea. (25)
Helkath, xxi. 31. (2fi) Misheal, xxi. 30. Carmel, xii. 22.
Shihor-libnath, black or muddy river, prob. Nahr Belka, 8
miles below Dor. (27) Cabul, 4 to 5 miles W. of Jotapata; 10
miles S.E. of Aore. (28) g-reat Zidon, in Phoenicia. (29)
Bamah, 12 miles S.E. of Tyre. (29) Achzib, mod. Z'lb, 8 or 9
miles N. of Acre. (30) Aphek, xiii. 4.
V'ien\i of Providence. — Our views of Providence are now par
tial and superficial. We judge too much by the appearance and
present effect of things ; but in the future life we fhall enjoy a
clearer understanding of them, and see more into the reasons
and connections of them. "We are now something like a person
who should pass judgment upon the interior of a watch, when
he had never seen one. nor had any perfect instructions in it ;
then, we shall be like the same person, having the interior ex
posed to his view and fully explained in all its parts and relations
by one who is intimately conversant with the whole. Now we
see Providence as one looking on the back part of a piece of em
broidery ; then as one looking on the finished and proper side.
Now we see it as men see a magnificent stained glass window of
a, chm-ch from the churchyard, then as one who gazes upon it
from the interior of the building."
32 — 39. (33) AUon to Zaanannim, or from the oak-forest
at Zaan. Jordan, bet. seas of Gennesaret and Merom, and
above Merom. (34) -westward, away from the Jordan. Judah
upon Jordan, the (10 cities, llavoth Jair, E. of Jordan, were
reckoned to Judah (1 Chr. ii. 4—22). (35) fenced, fortified.
(36) Hazor, xi. 1. (38) Migdal-el, poss. Magdala of Matt.
XV. 39.
Seiil Teh-ada.. — Who was this Lord Judah — for suoh is the sig
nification of the name— and what place is this ? That it marks
eome very ancient site is unquestionable : and I believe it is
that " Judah on Jordan, toward the sun-rising," which Joshua
mentions as the extreme N.B. point in the boundary of Naphtali.
If this identification be correct, it solves one of the greatest geo
graphical puzzles of the Bible. It always seemed to me impos
sible that the border of Naphtali oould touch that of Judah any
where, certainly not " upon Jordan toward the sun-rismg." But
heie we have an important ancient site, called Judah, on this
most eastern branoh of the Jordan, at a point which must have
marked the utmost border of the tribe eastward, if we admit that

B.C. H44.
fertife plain, was
lhe oboicefit part
of lhe territory."
— Sf,k. Com,
6 1 Ki. i.3i 2Ki.
iv 8. viii. 1 ; S. S,
vi. 12.
V 19. Hapliraim,
see Ld, and Bk.
328. c T. Brookes.

inheritance of Asher
" A man on the
f-ummit of a lofty
mountain cf.m-
mands a wider
landscape, and
sees things that
on the plains be
low would have
lieen quite iu-
\isible. So many
ihings unlinown,
inoomprehen-
aiblf to us on the
plains of earih,
will he all visible
on the mount of
hpa\ en." — Dr.
Guthrie.
a J. Bate.

inheritanceof Naphtali
"It is good for
us to have our
well-mearitviewB
frequfnfiy j er-
pl. xed and over
turned, else we
mightgrowhead- strong and fancy
ourselves wise
enough to be the
Lord's privy
counsellors: yea,
able to out-coun
sel Iiim. "We had
raiher tit with
.Te^us at ¦ the
council board,
than follow Him
with a strirg on
our nose, to turn
us rouud, or tura
us back, at Hia

€4

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xix. 40—51,

B.C. 1444.
-pleasure,"— 'Serri,
o Land and Book,
iM,,

Inheritance of Dan
"Tou cannot
produce the great
mau before his
time, and you
cannot make him
di6 before his
time ; you cau
not (Jisplace nor
advance h\m. nor
put him back ;
you cannot con
tinue his exist
ence aud replace
him, for he ex.
isted only he-
cause he had his
¦work to do; he
exists no longer,
because there is
no longer any
thing for him to
do ; and to con
tinue him is to
continue a use
less part."— CoM-
sin.
t* Beecher.
•'I am not cove
tous for gold ;
but if it be a sin
to covet honour.
I am the moat
offending soul
alive," — Sliake
speare.

Israel g-ives
Joshua an
inheritance
a "Called also
Tunnath-h ores
(Jud, ii, D) i that
is, the figure
of the sun, be
cause, belike,
the sun had heen
there worship
ped: like another
Heliopolis. Here
he built the city;
he restored the
old ruinous city,
repaired and
beautified it, tliat

it came up to it, and I see no valid objection against this admis
sion. Naphtali possessed the W. side of this plain, and, if able,
would certainly have extended their border quite across it to the
foot of the mountains, just where this Seid Tehtdah stands. I
have great confidence in this identification, and regard it as
another evidence that, as our knowledge of this country becomes
more extensive and accurate, difficulty after difliculty in Biblioal
topography will vanish away until all are solved.*
40 — 48. (40) Dan, situate bet, allotment of Benjamin and
Medit. sea, with Judah on S. and Ephraim N, Comp, borders of
these tribes, xv. (42) Shaalabbin, Shaalbim, 1 Ki. iv. 9.
Ajalon, X. 12. (43) Ekron, xiii. 3. (44) Eltekeh, etc., Le
vitical cities, as xxi. 23. Baalath, as xv. 11, (46) border
before Japho, or Joppa, Jaffa, (47) -went out, or was ex
tended ; for the reason see Ju. i. 34, 35. lieshem, Laish, N. of
territory of Naphtali, Ju. xviii. 7.
Tme great men. — The great men of the earth are the shadowy
men, who, having lived and died, now live again and for ever
through their undying thoughts. Thus living, though their
footfalls are heard no more, their voices are louder than the
thunder, and unceasing as the flow of tides or air. Moses was
not half hving when he was alive. His real life has beeu since
he died. The Prophets seemed almost useless in their time.
They did little for themselves or for the Church of that
day ; but when you look at the life they have lived since, you
shall find they have been God's pilots, guiding the Church
through all perils. From their black bosoms they sent forth the
blast of His lightning and the roar of His thunder ; and to-day,
if the Church needs rebuke and denunciation, it is they who
must hurl it. I could have killed old Jeremiah, if I coulii have
got at his ribs ; but I should like to see the archer that oould hit
him now. Martin Luther was mighty when he lived ; but the
shadowy Luther is mightier than a regiment of fleshly Luthera.
When he was on earth, he in some sense asked the pope leave to
be, and the emperor and the elector leave to be ; he asked the
stream and the wheat to give him sustenance for a day ; but
now that his body is dead — now that that rubbish is out of the
way — he asks no leave of pope, or elector, or emperor, but is
the monarch of thought, and the noblest defender of the faith
to the end of time.*
49 — 51. (49) to Joshua, a special one in recognition of his
great service. (50) Timnath-serah,» comp, xiv, 6, 9; and Ju.
ii. 9, the name means, the portion that remains. (51) Comp. Nu.
xxxiv. 17.
Tlie inheritance of Joshua (y. 50), — We have the greatest of
all Joshua's conquests described in this verse : " He that ruleth
his spirit is better than he that taketh a city." Many a city— of
prodigious strength and reuown — had he taken in his time. This
little city, which he received as a gift, was more glorious to him
than them all. We shall see this, if we consider — I. His lofty
position. In some points he was greater than Moses, And yet
look at the time when he received his inheritance. The first in
station, he was last in time I II, His advanced age. Older
by. twenty years than all save Caleb, and yet content to wait till
the last. And then his choice falls on a little city without note,

Cap. XX. 1—8.5

JOSHUA.

66

III. His great services to Israel. When William conquered Eng
land, he considered the whole land to be his. The whole of
Canaan belonged to Joshua by a much better right ; yet he
appropriated none to himself Conclusion: — See (1) The great
secret of Joshua's noble disinterestedness : religion ; (2) Its
success : he left all in God's hands ; God accepted the trust, and
rewarded it.
The perseverance of great men. — It is not tools that make the
workman, but the trained skill and perseverance of the man
himself. Indeed, it is proverbial that the bad workman never yet
had a good tool. Some one asked Opie by what wonderful pro
cess he mixed his colours. " I mix them with my brains, sir,"
was his reply. It is the same with every workman who would
excel. Ferguson made marvellous things — such as his wooden
clock, that accurately measured the hours— by means of a com
mon penknife, a tool in everybody's hand ; but then everybody
is not a Ferguson, A pan of water and two thermometers were
the tools by which Dr. Black discovered latent heat ; and a prism,
a lens, and a sheet of pasteboard enabled Newton to unfold the
composition of light and the origin of colour. An eminent
foreign savant once called upon Dr, Wollaston, and requested
to be shown over his laboratories, in which science had been
enriched by so many important discoveries; when the doctor
took him into a little study, and, pointing to an old teatray on
the table, containing a few watch-glasses, test-papers, a small
balance, and a blow-pipe, said, " There is all the laboratory I
have." Stothard learned the art of combining colours by closely
studying buttei-flies' wings : he would often say that no one
knew what he owed to these tiny insects. A burnt stick and a
barn-door served Wilkie in lieu of pencil and canvas. Bewick
first practised drawing on the cottage-walls of his native village,
whioh he covered with his sketches in chalk ; and Benjamin
West made his first brushes out of the cat's tail, Franklin first
robbed the thunder-cloud of its lightning by means of a kite
made with two cross-sticks and a silk handkerchief. Watt made
his first miDdel of the condensing steam-engine out of an anato
mist's old syringe. Gifford worked his iu-st problem in mathe
matics, when a cobbler's apprentice, upon small scraps of leather,
which he beat smooth for the purpose ; whilst Rittenhouse, the
astronomer, first calculated eclipses on his plough-handle.

CHATTER THE TWENTIETH.
1—6. (1, 2) cities of refuge, Ex. xxi. 13 ; Nu. xxxv. 6—28.
(3) unawares, De. iv, 42. Indicates the tone of Jewish law
thus disting, bet. accidental and wilful homicide." avenger
of blood, the nearest surviving relative.' (4) declare his
cause make testimony that his deed was done unwittingly.
This siiflSced to secure admission. (5) pursue after him, even
to the city, claiming that he should be delivered up to death.
(6) stand . . judgment, "before the local court," submitting
to a trial in wh. both accusation and defence might be heard.
death of high priest, Nu. xxxv, 25. .„ , .
Cities ofrefvge.—ik Sunday-school address.) Explain purpose
for wh. appointed ; distinction between dehberate and unpre-
YOL. in. O.T. E

B.O. 1444.
I there he might
I end his r^ays.
\- Regum xquahat
\ opes animism aud
well he might
I have engraven
j over his gates
! that distich of
I Eunius couccrn-
I ing Scipio, '-Si
r„ . i coedendo 1
'-''" \cedendo (
- cceleilia samdere
¦ cuiquam, mi soli
caii maxima
porta pates.' "—
Trapp." A man's genius
is always, in tbe
beginningof life,
as much un
known tohimself
as to others, and
it is only after
frequent trials,
attended -with
success, that he
dares think bim
self equal to the
undertakings in
which those who
have succeeded
have flxed tha
admiration of
m a n k i n d." —
Hume.
OonsciouBgrowth is better
than angelio
fiattery. A liltie
boy said to me
once. " I try to
bo good, and I
know I try." So
may you always
say, " I try to
advance, and I
know I move."

oitiea of
refuge purpose
a *' These laws of
Moses were per
fectly wise. Tha
man who invo
luntarily killed
another was iu-
nocent, but he
was obliged to
be taken away
from hefore tha
eyes ot the rela-

66

JOS HITA.

[Cap, XX. 7— 9,

B.O. 1444.
tives of the de
ceased." — Mon
tesquieu, thro"
Gracts.b '-We flnd ven-
gpance for blood,
not only araong
the He'TBws.
Arabs, Persians,
but also anion?
tbe GreRks, with
the Germanic
and Slavic peo
ples, in the in
fancy of their
developmeT't, as
now among sa-
¦va^e nations." —
Lnnne.c Hive.
*'Be assured
those will be thy
worst enemies,
not to whom
thou hast done
evil, but who
have done evil
to thee ; and
thoae will be thy
best friends, not
to whom thou
hast done good,
hue who have
dune good to
thee " — Lavater.
*'Clearatjd round
dealing is the
honour of man's
nature, and mix
ture of falsehood
is like alloy in
coin of gold and
Bilver,whichmay
make tbe meial
work the better,
but it embaseth
It ; for these
windings and
crooked cour-es
are the goin;LS
of the serpent,
which goeth
basply upon the
belly, anii not ou
the feet."-Z;acon,
situation

"Make no ene
mies ; he ia in-
Biguiflcant in
deed, who can
do thee no
iharm." — CvUon,

a J. Parsont.
"Everybody has

meditated murder ; uncivilised nations have idea of blood-
revenge, nearest relative being* the avenger of blood. These
cities of Judea were conveniently situated, could be reached in
half day from any part of land. On hills, in full view, with
i good roads to them, and sign-posts to point the way. Fr. thia
ill. Christ, the Great Befuge. 1. As sinners we want a refuge;
j 2. G-od has Himself provided one for us ; 3. God makes the way
to His refuge plain ; God expects us to flee toward His refuge.
Hymn — " Jesus, refuge of my soul.""
Highland honour. — The son of a chieftain of the Maogregora,
residing on his freehold at Glenorchy, went in the shooting
season with a party of young associates to the moors in the braes
of the country. They met with a young gentleman of the name
of Lamont, from Cowal, who, attended by a servant, was going
to Fort William. They all went to a sort of inn that was in the
place, and took refreshment together. While there, a quarrel
unfortunately arose between Lamont and young Macgregor.
Dirks were drawn, and before friends could interfere, Macgregor
fell, mortally wounded. In the confusion Lamont escaped, and
though pursued, under cover of the night got securely to the
house of Macgregor, which happened to be the first habitation
that met his eye at the dawn of morning. The chieftain had got
up and was standing at the door. " Save my life ! " said the
stranger, " for men are in pursuit of me to take it away."
" Whoever you are," says Macgregor, " here you are safe."
Lamont was just brought to an inner apartment, and intro
duced to the family, when a loud inquiry was made at the door
if a stranger had entered tljie house ? " He has," says Macgregor,
" and what is your business with him ?" " In a scufSe," cried
the pursuers, " he has killed your son : deliver him up that we
instantly revenge the deed." Macgregor's lady and his two
daughters filled the house with their cries and lamentations.
" Be quiet " says the chief, with his eyes streaming with teara,
" and let no man presume to touch the youth, for he has Mac
gregor's word and honour for his safety, and as God Uves he
shall be safe and secure whilst in my house." In a little while,
after Lamont had experienced the most kind and hospitable
treatment, the chieftain accompanied him, with twelve men
under arms, to Inverary, and having landed him in safety on the
other side of Lochfine, took him by the hand and thus addressed
him :-" Lamont, now ypu are safe ; no longer can I or wiU I
protect you ; keep out of the way of my clan. May God forgive
and bless you ! "
. J— ^- (7) Kedesh, Jos. xii. Shechem, Ge. xii. 6. Kir-
jath-arba, Ge. xxiii. 2. (8) assigned, had previously assigned,
De IV. 43 ; refer to this passage also for Bezer, Kamoth, and
Golau. (9) not die, etc., the avenger otherwise being at
liberty to kill him wherever he might be found.
The cities of Tefiifje (v. 9).— Observe— I. That the persons for
whom the cities of refuge were provided were in circumstances
of immment danger. II. That these persons were fumished
with ample directions and facilities to reach the cities. HI.
That, on reaching them, they were assured of inviolable security.
See— 1. The grounds of this security ; 2. The blessings involved
m it. IV. That if they removed or were found away from the
cities, they were justly left to perish."

Cap. xxl. 1—8.]

JOSHUA.

67

The Spaniard and the Moor. — A Spanish cavalier having
tilled a Moorish gentleman at Grenada, in a duel, instantly fled
from justioe. He was vigorously pursued, but, availing himself
of a sudden tum of the road, he leaped, unperceived, over a
garden wall. The proprietor, who was also a Moor, happened
to be walking in the garden, and the Spaniard fell upon his
knees before him, acquainted him with his eate, and in lhe most
pathetic manner implored concealment. The Moor listened to
him with compassion, and generously promised his assistance.
He theu locked him in a summer-house, and left him. with an
assurance that when night approached he would provide for his
escape. A few hours afterwards, the dead body of his son was
brought to him, and the description of the murderer exactly
agreed with the appearance of the Spaniard whom he had then
in custody. He concealed the hoiTor and suspicion which he
felt ; and, retiring to his chamber, remained there till midnight.
Then going privately into the garden, he opened the door of the
summer-house, and thus accosted the cavalier ; — " Christian ! the
youth whom you have murdered was my only son. Your crime
merits the severest punishment. But I have solemnly pledged
my word for your security : and I disdain to violate even a rash
engagement with a cruel enemy." He conducted the Spaniard
to the stables, and furnished him with one of his swiftest mules.
" Fly," said he, " whilst the darkness of night conceals you —
your hands are polluted with blood; but God is just, and I
humbly thank Him that my faith is unspotted, and that I have
rejoined judgment unto Him."' '

' CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST.
1—8. (1) heads ofthe fathers, the most venerable men of
the three Levitical families of Gershom, Kohath, and Merari,
Elf'azar," closely associated with Joshua in his life-work. (2)
Shiloh, called "the camp,"' only designed to be temporary rest
ing-place for the Ark. commanded, Nu. xxxv. 1—5. suburbs, <¦
portions of the country close roimd the cities. " These were,
however, not fields for agriculture, but pastures for cattle."''
(,'?) out of, giving up some of their tribal rights to them. (4)
The priestly ofBce ran in this hne." thirteen cities, u, large
allotment/ (5) the rest, efo. . descendts. of Izhar, Hebron and
TTzziel.!; (6) Gershom, firstborn ^on of Levi, Ex. vi. 16. (7)
These cities were mostly E. of Jordan. (8) Cities not taken by
Jos., bnt given by the people.
No support m'dlmit religion, — There are few instances, I believe,
to be met with, in any situation, of a regular and supported con
duct without the aid of religion. This is necessary to fill up
and quicken those dull intervals which happen in the busiest
life, and to preserve a retired one from a total stagnation. It is
religion whioh must plant in the soul that motive principle which
will display itself in a useful course of employment, whatever be
the circumstances in which we are placed, like a perennial spring,
that still sends forth a pure and salubrious stream, notwith
standing every alteration of weather or vicissitude of seasons.
The activity of man, as a rational being, depends chiefiy on the
end he has in. view. Now the end presented to him by religion
£ 2

B.C. 1444.
enemies. To
have an enemy
is quite ani ther
ihing. One muat
be somebody in
Older to have an
enemy. One
mus^i be a force
before he can bo
rcKlsted by an
other force."—
Mdme. Swetthine.
A Christian
should not dis-
coverthat he bas
enemies by any
other way thaa
by doing moro
good to Ihem
than to .there."
— ijp. Wilson.
" The best sort of
revenge is not to
t c like him who
did the injury."
. — Antoninus.
b Preachsr't
Lantern.

cities of the
Levitessummary a Nu. iii. 32. xx.
28. xxvi. ], xxvii.
18—28; Jos. xiv.
1, xxiv. 83.
b Ju. xxi. 12.
c Lat. suburbinm,
fr. sub, unH er,
and urbs, a city.
d Stanley.
e Nu. xviii, 1, 2,
7.
/ "It avppars
that the two sur
viving sons of
Aaron, Eiea^fir
andlthamar.had
togfther twenty-
four Pons, heads
of priestly fami
lies. Nor would
BitVier priests or
Levitea occuny
the whole of tba

68

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xxl. 6-19.

8.0. 1444.
dwellings in any
city."-Spk, I omm.
jBx. vi. 18; Nn.
iii. 19, xxvi. 67.
h Bates.

et "This -was a
provision, the
admirable wis
dom and pro
priety of which
waa fully mani
fested on the
schism that took
place in the reign
of Rehoboam."-
Jamieson. " "When a man
is told that the
whole of religion
is summed up in
the loye of (iod
and tha love of
man, he is ready
. to cry out lilie
Charoba, in Ge-
bir, at; the first
Bight of the sea,
•Is this the
mighty ocean ?
Is this all?' Yes,
all ! but how
Btnall a part of
it do your eyes
survey! Only
trust yourself to
it; launch out
Bpon it; sail
abroad over it;
you will flnd it
has no end ; it
will carry you
rouud ths world.''
—Hare. b Taylor.

a 1 Ki. ii. 26; Jo.
i. 1, xi. 21, 23;
Ezr. ii. 23; Ne.
Tii. 27; la. X. 30.
A hidden light
soon becimes
dim, and if it be
entirely covered
np. will expire
for want of air.
So it ia with
liidden religion.
It muat git out.
There cannot be
t. Christian
whose light in
some a soects
doea uot shine.

is of the most excellent and interesting nature, and if duly
apprehended will always command a vigoroua exerciae of hia
moral and intellectual powers, and thus furnish him with the
noblest occupation, even in the midst of a desert. He who ia
fully conscious that he has a soul to save, and an eternity to
secure, and, still further to animate his endeavours, that God
and angels are the spectators of his conduct, can never want
motives for exertion in the most sequestered solitude."
9  12. (9, 10) The situation of these cities should be observed ;
they -were all close round the spot in which the Ark of God waa
permanently to rest.- (11) Arba, Ge. xxiii. 2. (12) fields, cic,
in this case limiting the suburbs so as not to interfere with
Caleb's possession, Jos. xiv. 14: ; 1 Chr. vi. 56.
Tlie simpl'icity of relig'ion. — He that means to meditate on the
best order to the productions of piety must not be inquisitive for
the highest mysteries, but the plainest propositions are to him of
the greatest use and evidence. For meditation is the duty of all ;
and therefore God hath fitted such a, matter for it, which is pro
portioned to every understanding ; and the greatest mysteries
of Christianity are plainest, and yet most fruitful of meditation,
and most useful to the productioa of piety. High speoulationa
are as barren as the tops of cedars ; but the fundamentals of
Christianity are fruitful as the valleya or the creeping vine. Por
know, that it is no meditation, but it may be an illusion, when
you consider mysteries to become more learned without thoughta
of improving piety. Let your afEections be as high as they can
climb towards God, so your considerations be humble, fruitful
and practically mysterious. " Oh, that I had the wiugsof a dove,
that I might fly away and be at rest," said David. The wings of
an eagle would have carried him higher ; but yet the innocent
dove did fumish him with a better emblem to represent his
humble design ; and lower meditations might sooner bring him
to rest in God. " An old and simple woman," said ^gidius, " if
she loVBs Jesus, may be greater than was Brother Bonaventure."
Want of learning and disability to consider great secrets of theo
logy do not at all retard our progress to spiritual perfections.
Love to Jesus may be better promoted by the plainer under
standings of honest and unlettered people, than by the finer and
more exalted speculations of great clerks, that have leas
devotion.'' 13—19. (13) a refuge,. cities of refuge were all Levitical
cities. Libnah, Jos. X. 29. (14) Jattir, Jos. xv. 48. Eshte-
moa, Jos. XV. 50. (15) Holon, Jos. xv. 51. 'De'ai-r , ot Kii-jath-
Sepher, Jos. x. 38, 39, xv. 15, 49. (16) Ain, Jos. xv. 33.
Juttah, Jos. XV. 55. Beth-shemesh, Jos. xv. 10. (17) Gibeon,
Jos. ix. 3-27. Geba, or ffa Ja, Jos. xviii. 24. (18) Anathoth,"
1 Chr. vi. 60. Almon, Alemeth of 1 Chr. vi. 60. (19) priests,
as disting. fr. Levites.
2'he influence ofreligion. — Just as'thesun gleams over the palace
and into the cottage, flushing alike with its splendour the
council chamber of the monarch and the kitchen of the peasant ;
as the all-pervasive light fllls the vast dome of the sky and the
tiny cup of the flower, so religion illumines at once the heaven
! of our hopes and the earth of our cares. Secularities become
I hallowed ; toil brightens with the smile of God '

Oap. xxi. 20~42.]

JOSBUA.

69

crystalline ; lig-ht from God comes through it to us, glances from
us to go through it to God.*
20—26. (20) Ephraim, for district allotted, see Jos. xvi. 5,
8. (21) Shechem, Ge. xii. 6, xxxiii. 18—20. Gezer, Jos. x.
33, xii. 12, xvi. 3, 10. (22) Kibzaim, poss. JoJcneamof. 1 Chr. vi.
68. Beth-horon, two places of the name, Jos. xvi. 3, 5. (23)
Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Jos. xix. 44. (24) Aijalon, Gath-
rimmon, Jos. xix. 42, 45. (25) Tanach, Taanach, Jos. xii. 21.
Gath-rimmou, comp. Bileam, Jdleam, 1 Chr. vi. 70. (26)
remained, the number was seriously lessened after revolt of
Korah." Religion the basis of society. — We know, and what is better we
feel, inwardly, that religion is the basis of civil society, and the
source of all good and of all comfort. We know, and it is our
pride to know, that man is by his constitution a religioua aniraal ;
that atheism ia against not only our reason, but our instincts,
and that it cannot prevail long. But if in the moment of rest,
and in a drunken delirium from the hot spirit drawn out of the
alembic of hell, we should uncover our nakedness, by throwing
off that Christian religion, which has hitherto been our boast
and comfort, and one great source of civilisation among us, and
among many other nations, we are apprehensive (being well
aware that the mind will not endure a veil) that some uncouth,
pernicious, and degrading superstition might take place of it.^
27—33. (27) Golan, De.iv. 43. Beeshterah," or Ashteroth. as
1 Chr. vi. 71. (28) Kishon, Joa. xix. 20, Kedesh is substituted,
1 Chr. vi. 72. Babareh, or Baherath. (29) Jarmuth, not as
Jos. X. 3 — 5, prob. Bemeth^ Jos. xix. 21, and Ramoth, 1 Chr. vi. 73.
Engannim, Jos. xix. 21, (30) Mishal, Jos. xix. 26. Abdon,
prob. Hebron of Joa. xix. 28. (31) Helkath, Jos. xix. 26,
Hnhoh, as 1 Chr. vi. 75. Behob, Jos. xix. 28, 30. (32) Kedesh
in Galilee, Jos. xii. 22. Hammoth-dor, Jos. xix. 35. Kartan,
prob. Raltkath of xix. 35, and Kirjathaiin of 1 Chr. vi. 76.
Artificial religion. — Wheu Archdeacon Hare first visited Rome,
some of his Protestant friends, it is said, who knew his love of
art and the personal sympathy which he had with the Etemal
City, trembled for the effect it might prodace upon his mind
These fears were groundless. Rome was all, and more than all
he had imagined. But the splendid vision left him a stronger
Protestant than it found him. " I saw the Pope," he used to say,
" apparently kneeling in prayer for mankind ; but the legs that
kneeled were artificial ; he was in his chair. That sight was
enough to counteract all the aisthetical impressions of the
worship, if they had been a hundred timea stronger than they
were." Thus it is with all mere ritualism and other formalism, —
the legs which kneel are artificial.
34 — 42. (34) Jokneam, as Jos. xii. 22. Kartah, poss
Kattath, Jos. xix. 15 ; comp. 1 Ch. vi. 77. (35) Dimnah, prob
Rimmon. Nahalal, village 4 miles from Nazareth, in plain of
Esdraelon. (36) Bezer, De. iv. 32. Jahazah, Joa. xiii. 18. (37)
Kedemoth and Mephaath, Jos. xiii. 18. (38, 39) Ramoth,
ISSabanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer, Jos. xiii. 25, 26. (40 — 42)
Thia number of cities aeems a large proportion, but the cities
were scarcely more than villages in size.
Froxy religion. — ^A certain man who would never go to church,

6 8. Coley.
a Nu. xvi.
It has beeu said
that men carry
on a kind of
coasting trade
with religion. In
the voyage of life
they profesB to
he in search of
heaven, but take
care not to ven
ture BO far into
their approxima-
tionB to it as en-
tirely to losa
sight of tbe earth;
and should their
frail vessel be in
danger of ship
wreck, Ihey will
gladly throw
their darling
vices overboard,
as other mari
ners their trea
sures, only to
fish them up
again when tho
storm is over.
b Burke.
a "The syllables
should Le written
continuously,aod not divided
as in A.V. Tha
same is a con
traction of Btih-
Ashterahy or
house of Ash-
t e rah."— jSjj*.
Cotnm.
" All who have
been great and
good without
Christianity would have been
greater and
better with it. If
there be, among
the sons of men,
a single excep
tion to this max-
i'D, the divine
Socrates may ba
allowed to put in
the strongest
claim. It was his
high ambition to
deserve, by d-- eds
and not by
creeds, an unre
vealed hetiven,
aud by works,
uot by faith, to
enter an unpro-
mised land."—
Colton. "Too many of
Ui aro like tha

70

JOSBUA.

[Cap. xzU. l-lOi

8.0. 1441.
little girl, who,
at the close of
her evening
prayer one day.
Bald, "Now,
good-by, Gh)d ;
good-by, Jesns
Christ : I'm
going to Boston
to-morrow." — G.
D. Foss.
the promise
fulfilleda Qe. xiii. 16, xt.
18, xxvi. 3, xxviii.
a. 4, 13; Ex. iii.
17. »Jo8. xi. 23; He.
It. 9, 10; De. Tii.
24; Ps. lxxviii.
6S.e Jos. ixUL 14;
Ps. xvi. S, 6.
iSpurgem.

the tribes of
Reuben
dismisseda Jos. L 12 — 15.
h C. Simeon, M.A.
eJ.Flaoet. He that would
rest 'must work.
Best is for
heaven, toil ie for
earth. There will
be no Monday in
hearen ; and we
shall not have to
begin the old
round of toil
afresh as soon ai
the Sabbath's
peace is past
There wili be an
everlasting Sal>-
bath.The nearer the
soul is ' to God,
the less ita per
turbations; a'^
the point nearest
the centre of a
circle is subject
to the least mo
tion. the altar of
witness

¦when he heard the bell, would say to his wife, "Go thou to
ohurch, and pray for thee and me." One night, he dreamed that
both he and hia -wife were dead, and they knocked together at
heaven's gate for entrance. St. Peter (by the legend) is the
porter, and suffered the -wife to eater in, hut kept the hushaiia
out, answering him, " She is gone in both for herself and thee.
As thy wife ¦went to church for thee|, so she must go to heaveu
for thee."
43—45. (43) aU the land," all -was allotted, thongh some
remained to he taken fr. .orig., occupiers. (44) rest,' no enemy
venturing actively to disturb them. (45) all came to pass,' no
limitation on side of God's provision, but some on the side of the
people'a faith. ' .
Preciousness of the promises. — The promises of God are to the
believer an inexhaustible mine of wealth. Happy is it for him
if he knows how to search out their secret veins, and enrich him
self with their hidden iareasures. Tl^ey are an armoury, containing
all manner of offensive and defensive weapons. Blessed is ho
who has leamed to enter into the sacred arsenal, to put on the
breastplate and the helmet, and to. lay his hand to the spear and
to the sword. They are a surgery in which th^ believer will find
all manner of restoratives and blessed elixirs ; nor lacks there an
ointment for every wound, a cordial for every faintness, a remedy
for every disease. Bleased is he who is well skilled in heavenly
pharmacy, and knoweth how to lay hold on the healing viirtaes
of the promises of God."*
CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND.
1 — 6. (1) Reubenites, etc., not the ¦whole tribe, but the con.
tingent of armed men who aided in tho invasion." (2) kept,
etc., Nu. xxxii. 20. (3) these many days, the time had prob.
reached to seven years. (4) land of your possession, Ka.
xxxii. 23 ; Jos. xiii. 8. (5) diligent heed, this counsel was
necessary, beo. their separation would put them in peril of for*
getting Jehovah. (6) blessed them, in the name of the Lord;
and thanking them for valuable and faithful service.
Tlie disbanding of the troops of Isi-ael (4, 5). — From this
parting exhortation we are led to remark — I. That a progress in
holiness is above all things to be desired. II. That, whatever
progress any persgn may havo made, ho still needs to hear worda
of counsel and exhortation. III. That a state of peace and
prosperity is a season of peculiar danger.'
Hest.— 'Rest ia a sweet word to a wea*y soul ; all seek it, nono
but believers iind it. " We which have believed, do enter into
rest." Not they shall, but they do enter into rest. There is ft
sweet calm upon the troubled soul after believing, an ease or rest
of the mind, which is an unspeakable mercy to a poor weaiy
soul. Christ is to it as the ark was to the dove, when she wan
dered over the watery world, and found not a place to rest tho
sole of her foot. Faith centres the unquiet spirit of man in
Christ, brings it to repose itself and its burden on Him. It is tho
soul's dropping anchor in a storm, ¦which stays and settles it."
7 — 10. (7) Explains why only half the tribe of Manasseh
went back over Jordan. C8J divide the spoil, Nu. xxxi, 25 — ^29j

Oap.x:dl. 11— 20.]

JOSBUA.

n

1 Sa. XXX. 24. (9) out of Shiloh, sho^wing that they staid ¦with
Jos. tiU after the sanctuary was moved from Gilgal. Gilead,
used generally for countay B. of Jordan. (10) borders . .
Canaan, muoh diff. of opiuion as to wh. side the river this altar
vras placed." a g-reat altar, intended to be clearly visible from
the opposite bank.
Refraining from appearance of enil. — A Christian is called to
refrain from some things, which, though aotually right, yet •will
not bear a good appearance to all men. I once judged it my
duty to refuse a considerable sum of money ¦which I might law
fuUy and fairly have reoeived, because I considered that my
account of the matter could not be' stated to some, to ¦whom a
difEerent representation ¦would be made. A man who intends to
stand immaculate, and, like Samuel, to come forward and say,
"Whose ox, or whose ass, have I taken?" must count the cost.
I knew that my character to me was worth more than this snm
of money. By probity a man honours himself. It is the part of
a ¦wise man to waive tiie present good for the future increase. A
merchant suffers a large quantity of goods to go out of the king
dom to a foreign land ; but he has his object in doing so : he
knows, by calculation, that he shall make so muoh more advan
tage by them. A Christian is made a wise man by counting the
cost.'' 11 — 14. (11) over against, confronting, borders, lit.
circuits, at the passage, returning tribes would cross by the
ford. (12) whole congregation, more valiant to keep others
free fr. idolatry than to keep themselves, gathered, etc., they
had begun to disperse to their several districts, this news created
general excitement. (13) Phinehas, Bx. yi. 25 ; Nu. xxv. 6,
xxxi. 6. (14) chief house, marg. liouse of the father."
The altar of witness (vv. 11, 12).— This history will suggest
much for the regulating of — I. National interests. II. Judicial
policy. III. Religious zeaL Our zeal should particularly exert
itself — 1. To prevent apostasy from God; 2. To preserve love
and unity with man ; 3. To avert the Divine judgraents from
onr guilty land.*
Mrils if suspicion. — If thou begin to suspect e^iril of another,
the next thing is to conclude it, and the next to report it. This
suspicion is a strange shadow, that every action of another will
cast upon our minds, especially if we be beforehand a little dis
affected towards them. Thus, very dreams increased suspicion
against Joseph in his brethren. And if once a man be out of
esteem with us, let him then do what he ¦wiU, be it never so
¦virtuous and commendable, suspicion ¦will still be the interpreter ;
and where suspicion is the interpreter of men's actions, slander
and detraction will be the gloss and comment upon them. Indeed,
suspicion is always too hasty in concluding: and many times,
our jealousies and distrusts, upon very small occasion, prompt us
to conclude that what we have thus surmised is certainly come
to pass; and so we take shadows for enemies, and report that
confidently for truth, which yet we never saw acted, but only in
ouTOwn fancies."
15— 20 . (15, 16) an altar, wh. they supposed was intended to be
a plaoe of sacrifice, but really was only designed for a memorial.
In connecting the word trespass with a person, Jehovah, it is

B C. 1444.
a Advocates of
E. bank, Jose
phus, itaur'er,
Bp. Wordeworth,
Lange, etc. ; of
W. bank, Spk.
Comm., etc.
V. 10. Hairs Con
temp. Altar of
llie Reubenites ;
Smiths Old Test.
Bist. 263; Dr.
Kitto's Bail!/ Bibl.
nius. ii. 307.
" An ingenious
web of probabili
ties is the surest
screen a wise
man can place
between himself
and the truth."—'
0, Elliot.
b R. CeeH.

the deputa*
tion to
Keuben
a The quality
of the deputies
evinced the deep
solicitude that
was felt on the
occasion to main
tain the purity
of tbe Divine
1 worship through-
jout Israel." — Ja*
I mieson.6 C.Simeon, If JL
c Bp. Hopkins.
"Never put
much confidence
in suL-h as put
no confldence in
others. A man
prone to suspect
evil is mostly
looking in bis
neighbour for
what he sees in
himself. As to
the pure all
things are pure,
even so to the
impure all things
are impure."—
Hare.

the messaga
deUvered

a Zange.

72

JOSHUA.

[Oap. xxil. 21-2B,

intended to suggest that they dealt treacherously, underhandedly.'
(17) iniquity >> putfor its conseq. not cleansed, etc., inolma-
tion to Baal worship still lingered amongthe people." (18) with
the Tsrhole cong., as in the illus. caae, when 24,000 died. (19)
unclean, seemed so to them as separated by Jordan fr. the sanc
tuary. (20) Achan, ch. vii. In this case, too, indiv. sin brought
terrible conseq. on the whole people.
Achan's sin and e»<?.— Here (y. 20) is a reference to— I. Ths
perpetration of sin. Our text refers us to the "iniquity" of
Achan. This was heinous on account of — 1. Its intrinsic nature ;
2. Its being perpetrated against the Divine command, distinctly
expressed and amply known ; 3. Its a1;tendant dissimulation and
attempted concealment. II. The infliction of punishment: "that
man perished not alone." Observe the punishment of the trans
gressor. 1. Himaelf; 2. In relation to the interests of others.
III. The lessons which from the example of guilt and punish
ment ought to be secured. There ought to be amongat ua— 1.
Anxious application for the pardon of our transgressions, per
petrated in paat times ; 2. The determined repudiation aud avoid
ance of sin for the timea that are to come; 3. The dUigent
endeavours to bring our fellow-men to salvation.*
Rebuking mith authority. — ^When the late Eev. Mr. K  ¦was
settled in his congregation of S  , they could not furuish him
¦with a manse, or even ¦with lodgings. In these circumstances, a
Captain P  , in the neighbourhood, though a stranger to reli
gion, generously took him into his family, and gave him his
board, it ia believed, gratuitously. But our young clergyman soon
found himaelf in very unpleaaant circumstancea, owing to the
captain's usual practice of profane swearing. Satisfled of his
duty, however, he determined to perform it at all hazards.
Accordingly, one day at table, after a very liberal volley of oaths
from the captain, he observed, calmly, " Captain, you have cer,
tainly on the preaent occaaion raade use of a number of very im
proper terms." The captain, who was rather a choleric man, waa
instantly in a blaze. " Pray, sir, what improper terms have I
uaed?" "Surely, captain, you must kuow," replied the clergy,
man, ¦with greater coolness, " and having already put me to ih?
pain of hearing them, you oannot be in earnest in imposing upon
me the additional pain of repeating them." "You are right, sir,"
resumed the captain, "you are right. Support your character,
and we will reapect you. We have a parcel of clergymen around
us here, who seem quite uneasy till they get us to understand that
we may use any freedoms we please before them, and we despise
them." It ought to be known that the captain never afterwards
repeated the offence in his presence, and always treated Mr. K 
with marked respect, and befriended him in all his intereste.
21—25. (21) children of, by their representatives. They
vigorously yet calmly resent the unworthy suspicion of theii
brethren. (22) Lord God of gods," repeated twice in eamest
protestation.'' save us not this day, direct appeal to imme-
diate judgment of God. (2,S) Mention of the diff. kinds of sacri-
I fice is intended to repudiate all worshipping intentions in connec-
» "There is no ; tion with it. C2'l) your children,' dwelling in Jehov.'s aoknow.
rfecrVmSn ! ^^^^: ^uf children separated by the river, and gradually be-
In their vindicft- : commg" alienated. (25) Jordan a border, the natural boundary
tion of them- of the whole country on E. eide.

B.O. 1444.

h No. XXT. 4, 10
—15.c Joa. xiiT. 14 —

U.20. Bp. Hacket,
Si. 831.
d J. Parsons.
Eeprove mildly
and sweetly, in
the calmest
manner, in the
gentlest terms ;
not in a haughty
or imperious
vr&jy not hastily
or fiercely, nnr
with Bour looks,
or in bitter lan
guage ; for these
ways do beget
all the evil, and
hinder tho best
effects of reproof.
They do cer
tainly inflame
and disturb the
person reproved.
*' Surmise is the
gossamer that
malice blows on
fair reputations;
the corroding
dew that de
BtrovB the choice
blossom. Sur
mise is primarily
the squint o?
suspicion, and
suspicion ia es
tablished before
it !B confirmed."
—Zirnmerman.
Austin deQnes
covetousness as
a dishonest and
insatiable desire
for gain, and in
one of his epis
tles compares it
to hell, which
devours all and
yet never hath
enoTigb, s bot
tomless pit and
endless misery.
Beuben's
replya Includes the
three nam*>8 of
Gorl, Kl Elohim,
and Jehovah.

Oap. zzll. 26-34.]

JOSHUA.

73

ITow to meet nnjnst accusations (v. 22). — 1. Tlie unworthy accu- \
tation. — These tribea had behaved so honourably and well, they '
ought not to have been so eaaily suspected. 'Twas well for them
to go at ouce and inquire, but they might have gone more kindly.
We should be very valiant for God, but very slow to accuse our
brethren. 2. Tlie soft ansn-ei-. — ^The tribes might well have been
indignant. They give model of patience, and illus. of the power
of patience. " Not easily provoked." " Thinketh no evil."''
A hajipy reproof. — "When ouly nineteen, Mdlle. Wagner was
walking round one of the squares in the immediate vicinity
of her residence in company with a friend much older than
herself, when the ladies became painfully conscious that they;
were followed by two fops, who took good care that their admi- '
ration of the younger one should reach her cara. Piqued at
her indifEerence alike to their proximity and their remarks, they
pushed rudely by at an accelerated pace, and soon after turned
back again, ao aa to meet her face to face. As they drew near,
she heard one of them, in animated dispute with his companion,
say, " She is, I tell you ! " and the other, " She is not ! " The
first speaker dre^w up directly in front of her, put up hia glass,
and then pronounced his verdict : — " She is painted, by God I " i
She stopped, haughtily scanned him from head to foot, and with '
a face aflame with indigiiation retorted on him, "Yes, sir ! I ami
painted (then pointing solemnly to heaven) — by God!" The'
young men, not altogether destitute of good feeling, were awed I
by the gravity of her reproof ; and, blushing for theu- effi-ontery, j
took off their hats, retiring from the acene, it is to be hoped,
Badder and wiser men.'
, 26 — 29. (26) altar, making it in form of altar, not of ordi
nary pillar, that it might remind of the altar at the tabernacle.
(27) ¦witness," r. 34, a pledge that they would also serve Jehovah
in His appointed way. (28) pattern, or image, representation.
To it and itsi associations appeal could be made as long as it
stood. (29) God forbid, solemn form of repudiating the mere
idea. The altar of witness. — I. The outoome of the purest motivea
is sometimes open to misinterpretation, "i-l. Suspicions not to
be harboured, but explanation sought. III. Treat false accusa
tions with prudence and meekness. IV. Abstain from the appear
ance of e^Til ; and, by timely explanations, let not your good be
evil spoken of.
Avoiding the appearance of evil. — President Adams the elder
was once within twenty miles of home when overtaken by the
Sabbath. He had been delayed by impassable snow-banks. A
sickly family at home required his presence. His clerical friend,
With whom he lodged, told him he thought the circumstances of ,
his case would justify his travelling on the Sabbath. His reply j
Waa, that, to those who witnessed it, it would have the appear- j
ance of evil, as they would be ignorant of the justifying circum- 1
Stances. The friends of the Sabbath would be grieved to see him '
apparently disregai-d the sacredness of the day ; and those who j
wi.shed to be free from its restraints weuld rejoice to have him to
Banction their indulgence by his example. '
30—34 CSO) pleaded them. Heb. it was good in their eyes,' the name of
it satisfied their anxieties, and calmed their fears, (31) now ye^ ^^^ ^'-^^

B.O. 14*4.
seWes." — Spk.
Comm,
c "This anxiety
¦was not unfound
ed, in so far aa
in the promisea
only Canaan waa
spoken of, there
fore only the
land "W. of Jor
dan." — Lange,
V, 22. /. Hunt,
M,A,, Ss, 166;
Dr. W. Smilh, A
Sei-m. ; D. W.
Marks, Ss. 1.
vv. 22, 23. M.
Henry, Wks. 11.K.
d Hive.
"He who whea
called upon to
Bpeak a disagrea
ble truth tella it
boldly and baa
dooe, is both
bolder and mild
er than he who
nibbles in a low
voice and never
ceases nibbling."
— Lavater.
e Life of C. M.
Young.
purpose of
the altar
stated

a Ge. nxl. 47—
49.
" Eeprove not in
their wrath in-
censfed men; good
counsel comea
clean out of sea-
soD then: but
when his fury ia
apppased and
past, he will con
ceive hia faulty
and meud at last.
"When he ie cool
and calm then
utter it : no man
gives physic in
the midst o' th'
fit." — Randolph.
¦Without consia-
tency there is no
moral strength.

74

sosnnA.

tOap. Sxiil. 1*6^

B.C. 1444.
a Bescned the
nation fr. the
calamity of a
fratricidal war,
or providential
judgments." —
Jamieson, 6 '* The title
placed on the
altar was, per
haps, simply as
Bp Worddworth
BiJggesis, 'a wit-
xii'ss bet us that
.theLord isGod.' "
¦'—Spk. Comm.
¦'Consideringhow man,7 difQ-
culties a friend
hfta to surmount
befoi'e ht9 can
bring himae'f to
ropro^e me, I
oui,'ht-to be very
ariucli obliged to
him." — J Foster.
c Bairoto^

B.O. 1427.
Joshua's dy
ing- charg'e
to Israel
lie recalls
the past
a De. i. 15.
6 "Of his own
merits towarda
Israel themj'Jest
hero boasrs not
a word." — Lange.
w. 1—3. F. D.
Maurice, Old Test.
8M.
c Hive,
"He will never
enjoy the sweets
cf th6 8pricg,nor
will he o'ltain
the honeycombs
of Mount Hybla,
if he dreads his
face being stung,
or is annoyed by
briprs. The rose
is guarded by its
thorn, the honey
is defended by
the bee."— /Vooi
theLatitU

have delivered, rather, kept from falling under the judgement
of God.« (32, 33) pleased, etc., who waited with utmost distress.
the return of their deputation, did not intend, abandoned
their intention. (34) Ed, a witness.^
On receiving reproof. -M.b.jij who will not stand a direct re
proof, and cannot abide to be plainly admonished of their fault,
will yet endure to be pleasantly rubbed, and will patiently bear a
jocund wipe ; though they abominate all language purely bitter
or sour, yet they can relish discourse having in it a pleasant tart
ness : you must not chide them aa their maater, but you may gibe
with them as their companion ; if you do that, they will take
you for pragmatical and haughty ; this, they may interpret
friendship and freedom. Most men are of that temper; and
particularly the genius of divers persona, whose opinions and
practices we should strive to coixect, doth require not a grave and
severe, but a free and merry way of treating them. . . . The
guilty person cannot but observe, that he who thus reprehends
him is not disturbed or Out of humour, and that he rather pitieth
than hateth him ; which breedeth a veneration to hira, and im
parteth no small efiicacy to his wholesome suggestions. Such a
reprehension, while it forceth a smile without, doth work remorse
within ; while it seemeth to tickle the ear, doth sting the heart,
Tn fine, many whose foreheads are brazed, and hearts steeled
against all blame, are yet not of proof against derision ; divera
who never will be reasoned may be rallied into better order ; in
which cases raillery, as an instrument of so important good, as a
servant of the best charity, may be aUowed."

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD.
1 — 5. (1) a long time after, 14 yrs. after conquest, 7 yrs.
after distrib. of the land, stricken in ag:e, Heb. come into days,
Joa. xiii. 1. (2) all Israel, in an aasembly of their leaders and
representatives." (3) ye have seen, he reminds them that they
had all shared experiences of God's power in recent years.' (4)
nations that remain, still unsubdued, or not dispossessed of
their territories. (5) Assurance of continuing Div. aid, if they
only remained faithful.
An aged preacher (v. 1). — -],. Tlie man. — A great man, a brave
man, a good man, an old man, a faithful mau, a pious man. The
strength of hia whole life was the decision for God which he
made when he began his career. Impreaa this. Begin life as
devoted to God in Christ. 2. Tlie audience. — All great men;
magistrates and generals (De. i. 15). Most of them Joshua's
companiona for many years. Full of deepest respect for him.
Would reverently listen to all he would say. Show that they give
us an example of how to listen to our teachera. 3. Tlie speech.—
Its reminiscences ; its personal testimony ; ita warnings of com
ing danger ; ita plea for heart- religion."
JVeed of perseverance. — Ke who allows his application to falter,
or shirks his work on frivolous pretexts, is on the sore road to
ultimate failure. Let any task be undertaken as a thing not pos
sible to be evaded, and it will soon come to be performed with
alacrity and cheerfulness. The habit of strenuous, continued
labour Will become comparativelj^ easy in timej like etei7 othet

Cap. xxiii. 6-16.]

JOSHUA.

75

habit. Thus even men with the commonest brains and the moat
Blender powers will accomplish much, if they will but apply
themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a turn'. Sir
Charles Napier, when in India, encountered au army of 35,000
Beloochees with 2,000 men, of whom only 400 were Europeans.
He charged them in the centre, up a high bank, and for three
hours the battle was undecided. At last they tumed and fled.
It is this sort of pluck, tenacity, and determined perseverance
which wins soldiers' battles, and, indeed, every battle. It is the
one neck nearer that wins the race and shows the blood, the one
pull more of the oar that proves the " beefiness of the fellow,"
as Oxford meu say ; it is the one march more that wins the
campaign ; the five minutes more persistent courage that wins
the fight. Though your force be lesa than another's, you equal
and outmaater your opponent if you continue it longer and con
centrate it more. The reply of the Spartan father who said to
hia aon, when complaining that his sword waa too short, " Add a
step to it," is applicable to everything in hfe.''
6 — 10. (6) Comp. counsel given to Jos. himself." (7) come
not among, have no intercourse with, make mention of
the name,* make object of a call or proclamation. (8) cleave,
keep cloae in devotion aud obedience to God. (9) able to stand,
beo. you were so powerful through His aid. (10) one man, etc.,
Le. xxvi. 8 ; De. xxxii. 30.
Religious stability enforced (v. 8).— Notice — I. The duty the text
recommenda : " cleave unto the Lord." This implies — 1. Previous
union with Him ; 2. Faithful adherence to Him — to Hie name,
to His word, to Hia ways, at all timea. II. The importance the
text involves. The duty enforced is — 1. Reasonable ; 2. Honour
able ; 3. Profitable ; 4. Indiapenaable. III. The motives the text
suggests. Motives of — 1. Sacred obligation ; 2. Former obedience ;
3. Sincere gratitude ; 4. Solemn waming.
Thorns in the ei/e. — " What I " says a wife to her angry hus
band, " am I a thorn in your eyes ? Alas I alas ! he has seen
another ; I am now a thom in his eyes. Were I not a thom in
his eyes, his anger would not bum so long." " My old friend
Tamban never looks at my house now, because it gives thoms to
his eyes." '
11 — 16. (11) yourselves, Heh. your soiils. True secret of
strength and success is right-heartedness. (12) go back, decline,
backslide, fall away fr. yr. allegiance, make marriages ,« the
most ready and certain source of national backsliding. (13)
snares and traps, Ex. xxiii. 33 ; Nu. xxxiii. 55. perish fr.
off, moral evils surely involving national decay ; as their after
histoiy fully exemplified. (14) this day, term used generally,
soon, going . . earth, he was contrasting the abiding presence
of Jeho\fch, with temporary presence of any earthly leaders.'
(16) all evil things, faithfulness to promises involved faith
fulness to threatenings. Reference is to Mosea' last addresses.'
(16) anger, holy wrath.
Love God (v. 11). — I. The natnre of love, and of love to God
in particular. II. The importance of this principle as charac
terising the whole of our religion. 1. It distinguishes it from
all counterfeits ; 2. It keepa everything in a atate of moral order ;
3. It is the great preservative from error ; 4. It is the grand

B.C. 1427.
" For Hercules
himself must
yield to odds ;
and many
strokes, tho' with
a littJe axe, hew
down and fell
the hardest
timber'd oak." —
Shakespeare. "The whole
complexion of a
npgrois less no
ticed than a «iin-
gle stain on tha
features of a
white counte
nance." — Jay.
d Smiles.

he exhorts to
perseverance
a Jos. i. 7, 8, 9.
6 Ex. xxiii. 13.
" To mention
the names of
the gods, to
swear by them,
to serve them
(by offerings),
and to bow down
to them (call
upon them in
prayer), are the
four expressions
of Divine wor
ship."— A'eiV.
D. 6. W.Agar.Ss.
126 ; A. B. Emm,
Ss. 126.
V. 8. /. Plumptre,
Pop. Com. i. 366.
vo. 8, 9. Bp. Tre
lawney, A Sei.m.
vv, JO, 11. Si
meon's Wks.iLQlS.
c Robsrts.
he warns
agrainstapostasy
a Ex. xxxiv. 13
—16; De. -vii 3.
b 1 Pe. i. 24, 25.
c De.xxviii., xxix.
r. 1 1 . W. Reading,
M,A,, Ss, iii. 3S6;
R, Walker, Ss. i.
453; A Fuller,
Ss. 268; T. S.
Jones, Ss. ; O. Jt.
Oleig, Ss, 15.
vv. 11—13. T.
Jones, MA., Wkl.
257.V. 14. SimeonS
Wks. ii. 618; B.
P, Buddicom.
Chrift. Exod. ii.

76

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xxiv. 1-4.

B.C. 1427.
465; A. WUliams,
M.A., Ss. ii. 56.
d A. FaUer.
€ Homilist.
*' As ia a dis
tempered and
corrupt air it is
hard for Mm
that hath a
strong constitu
tion to avoid
sickness; so it is
in evil company,
in corrupt ages
and places, very
hard to live un
spotted from the
world." — Oaw-
dray.
f K. Arvine.
"A Christian.
Tvheu he makes
a good proEes-
Biou, should be
sure to make his
professi.m good.
It is sad to see
many walk in
the dark them
aelves, who carry
a lantern for
otiiers." — Pecker.

Joshua's charg-e at
ShecJiema The LXS.
here has Shiloh.
b Jos. viii. 30 —
35.
0 Ge. Ii. 27.
vv. 2—13. Dr. W.
B. CoUyer, Xptr.
Facts, 355.
d Hive.
"In that central
Talley or the
hills of Ephraim
which com
mands the view
of the Jordow
valley on the east
and the sea on
the west, a com
plete draught
through the
heart of the
couutry, was the
flt seat of the
house of Joseph,
the ancient por
tion of their an
cestor, given hy
Jacob himself.

spring of evangelical obedience. III. The danger we are in of
declining from it. IV. A few directions for preventing decline
of love to God. Beware of the love of the w^orld — of indulging
any sin. Be conversant with the "Word of God— prayer. Society
of spiritual people — the cross of Christ.'' — Joshua's retrospect
(^, 14). — In looking back at this juncture, Joshua seems to have
been much impressed by — I. The largeness of God's promises.
II. The steadiness of His purposes. III. The completeness of
His work : " not one thing hath failed. "«
Christian conduct in worldly company. — A pious officer of the
army, traveUing through the Mahratta country, was asked by
Judge D  , a religious gentleman, to accompany him to a
publio dinner, at which the commanding officer of the district,
with all his staff, and various other public characters, were
expected to meet. " I expressed a wish to be excused," says the
officer, " as I had no relish for such entertainments, and did not
think that much either of pleasure or profit was to be derived
from them." His reply was, — '• While I feel it my duty to
attend on such an occasion, I certainly have as little pleasure iu
it as you have. But there is one way in which I find I cau be
present at such meetings, and yet receive no injury from thera,
I endeavour to conceive to myself the Lord Jesus seated on the
opposite side of the table, and to think what He would "wish me
to do and to say when placed in such a situation, and as long as
I can keep this thought alive on my mind, I find I am free from
danger."/

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH.
1 — 4. (1) all the tribes, this was a later assembly, inoludingf
the people, as well as the leaders. Shechem," comp. prev.
scene at this place.'' before God, expression usually means
before the tabernacle ; poss. the Ark was brought fr. Shiloh for
this occasion. (2) your fathers, names given are Terah and
Nahor." fl.ood, the river Euphrates, gods, prob. teraphim, as
Ge. xxxi. 19 — 34 ; the exact nature of their idolatry is unknown.
(3) father Ab., their first national father, as with him the Div.
covenant was made. (4) mount Seir, Ge. xxxvi. S.
Israels pledge to serve God (the whole chapter).— I. The pledge
reconsidered. It was made at first in view of the goodness and
mercy of God in providing for them, keeping and guiding them,
and giving them victory over their foes. It would be well for
them to know the God of holy claims, of justice, who is swift to
punish transgression. There are two sides on which God must
be viewed. If we were to take up a religious life for the sake of
what we were to get by it, it would be a blessing to be made
reconsider our resolve, and think about the holy, jealpus God.
II. The pledge retaken. Further thought only made tnem more
eamest. Less excitedly, but more reverently and heartily, the
people said, " We will serve the Lord." So we should find to
know God better, would be to give ourselves to Him more
heartily and entirely.'' _ .
Tlie casltet of pr omises. .— ffhe-ce is thy casket of promises'
Bring it out ; open the jar of jewels. Pour out the golden ingol^
stamped with the image and superscription of heaven's Kingi

Cap. xxiv. 5—13.] ¦

JOSHUA.

77

Count over the diamonds that flash in thy hand like stars. Com
pute the worth of that single jewel, "Ask, and ye shall receive ;" ]
or that other ruby, " All things shall work together for good to
them that love God." Bring foi'th that royal Koh-i-noor, " He
that believeth shall be saved." Then remember who it is that
gave them, and to what an unworthy sinner, and tell me if they
are not " exceediug great and precious." When Ccesar once gave
a man a great reward, he exclaimed, " This is too great a gift
for me to receive." " But," said Csesar, " it is not too great a
gift for me to give." So the smallest promise in thy casket is
too much for thee to deserve ; yet the most magnificent promise
is not too great for the King of kings to bestow. God scorns to
act meanly and stingily by His children ; and how must He scom
ns often when we put Him ofE with such contemptible stinginess
of deeds or donations I '
5—10. (5) plagued Egypt," briefly recalling the well-
known signs and wonders. (6) pursued after, Ex. xiv. 9. (7)
they cried, your fathers, darkness, the black side of thej
guiding cloud. Ex. xiv. 20. (8) tbey fought, i> Nu. xxi. 33.
(9) Balak.' Balaam," Nu. xxii. 5. (10) blessed you, Nu.
xxiv. 3—9.
Our trials save lis. — Two painters were employed to fresco
the walls of a cathedral. Both stood on a rade scaffolding, con
structed for the purpose, some forty feet from the floor. One of
them was so intent upon his work that he became wholly
absorbed, and, in' admiration, stood off from the picture, gazing
at it with intense delight. Forgetting where he was, he moved
back slowly, surveying critically the work of his pencil, until he
had neared the edge of the plank on which he stood. At this
critical moment his companion turned suddenly, and, almost
paralysed with horror, beheld his imminent peril ; another
instant, and the enthusiast would ba precipitated upon the pave
ment beneath. If he spoke to him, it was certain death ; if he
held his peace, death was equally sure. Suddenly he regained
his presence of mind, and seizing a wet brush, flung it against
the wall, spattering the picture with unsightly blotches of
colouring. The painter flew forward, ,and turiied upon his
friend with fierce upbraidings ; but, startled at his ghastly face,
he listened to his recital of danger, looked shuddering over the
dread space below, and \vith tears of gratitude blessed the hand
that saved him.
11—13. (11) men of Jericho, "The phrase is noteworthy;
It means apparently the owners or burghers of Jericho.""
Amorite, etc., Jos. iii. 10. (12) hornet, Es. xxiii. 28. (13)
land . . labour, De. vi. 10—12.
Trials are expressions of love.—0\xr heavenly Father loveth us :
and because He loveth us. He takes away our precious things.
He deals with us somewhat after the manner of an ancient
painter witii his pupil. The young artist had genius, and pro
duced a picture of much merit, which was greatly admired by
all His young heart then swelled with vanity. He laid aside
his pallet and pencil, and sat daily before his easel, admiring
the offspring of his own genius. One mommg. he found his
beautiful creations expunged from the canvas. He wept bitterly.
His master appeared, and said, "I havedone this for your benefit;

B.C. 1427.
In and around
Shechem rose
tho first nalural
burial-place, a
rounterpoise to
the patriarchal
supulchies of
Hebron. Jo
seph's lomh was
already fixed;
its repuled pito
is visible to this
do-y.-^SUinley.
e Spurgeon,

he recoujits
Israel's past
history from
Egypt to
Canaan
a Ex. iii. 10, It.
28, V. 1.
b De. iiL 8.
e 3a, xi. 25.
d De. xxiii. 4.
vv. 9, 10. B.
Thompson, Ba-
laam's Hist. Con
sidered: Watson's
Ss, l6t Series, 26.
" Because you
find a thing very
difficulty do not
presently con
clude that no
man can master
it ; but whatever
you observe pro
per, and practi
cable by another,
believe likewise
within your own
power."— £<«te.

he rehearses
the story of
the conquest
a Spk. Comm.
v. 34. Haddon
Smilh, .9s. 106;
0,Carr,Ss,i.le5-,
Edm. Beeston, Ss.
178.
A succession of
defeats often
paves the way
for victory, and
a BuccesBioa of

78

jo.^nuA.

• [Cap. xxiv. 14—18.

B.O. 1427.
victories often
paves the way
(or defeat.

he exhorts
Israel to
resolve to
serve God
a Do. xxx. 15.
A. G, Spencer, Ss.
322 ; J, Browne,
Bs. 1.
V. 15. E. Calamy,
Serm. bef. House of
Lords, 1643 ; J.
Howe, TFfa.v.373;
.116^. Tillotson. Ss.
ii. 247, iii. 394
Dr. D. Jennings,
Early Piety, lv.
Dr. R. Lucas, Ss.
ii. 197 i Dr. J.
Foster. Ss. i. 345 ;
Abp. Seeker, Ss. ii.
25 ; Dr. J, Jorlin,
Ss.iv,a3;0,Wldie-
field, MA„ Wks.i,
S,'i;J.Wesley,M.A., Wks. vii. 76; Br.
S. Stennett, Wk>.
ii. 22 ; Bp. Heber,
Ss. ii. 288 ; Bp.
Blomfield, Ss.UT;
J. C. Hare, Ss, 369;
F, Trench, Ss, 300;
H, Alford, Ss. iii.
423; T. Dale, Ss.
271. b J. Parsons.
c R. B. Ouieji,
Among the
Mreakei-t.

the people
promise to
serve the
liord "Anselm was a
mau of holy re-
solution : '1 had
lather,' saith he,
'go to hell pure
from sin than to
heaven polluted
with that fllth."
And saith
another, ' I will
rather leap into
a bonHre than
wil fu ly to siu
against Qod.'" —
T. Brooks.
a E. F. Scott,

the picture was ruining you." " How so ?" demanded the pupil.
" Because, in the admiration of your own talents, you were losing
your love of the art itself. Take your pei;cil, and try agam."
The youth dried his tears, seized his pencil, and produced a
masterpiece, which, but for this severe trial, he would m all
probability have never executed.
14—15. (14) fear, not dread, but reverence mingled with
love, and these finding expression in obedience, put away, etc.,
seemino- to intimate that Jos. knew of some inclin. to idolatry
still lingering among the people. (16) seem evil, i.e. undesirable
after your experience, choose ye," the only service acceptable
to God is that in which our heart and will find expression.
The two sei-v'ices (v. 1.5). — I. What are the two orders of service,
to one of which you must be devoted? The service of— 1. Siu ;
2. God. II. What is the contrast which these two orders of
service present for careful estimation 1 1. Service of sin essen
tially wrong— of God essentially right ; 2. Of sin, degrading— of
God, exalting ; 3. Of sin, painful— of God, happy ; 4. Of sin,
destructive — of God, saving. III. What is the conduct which
this contrast does properly and invariably secure? 1. The nature
of this conduct : " choose you whom ye will serve ;" 2. The time
for adopting it : " this day ;" 3. The mode of exemplifying it :
solemn publicity.*
Ana'imlass life. — I committed one fatal error in my youth, and
dearly have I abided it. I started in life without au object,
even without an ambition. My temperament disposed me to
ease, and to the full I indulged the disposition. I said to myself:
" I have all that I see others contending for ; why should I
struggle ?" I knew not the curse that lights on those who have
never to struggle for anything. Had I created for inyself a
definite pursuit — ^literary, scientific, artistic, social, political, no
matter what, so there was something to labour for and to over
come — I might have been happy. I feel this now — ^too late I
The iK)wer is gone. Habits have become chains. Through all
the profitless years gone by, I seek vainly for something to
remember with pride or even dwell on with satisfaction. I have
thrown away a hfe. I feel sometimes as if there were nothing
remaining to me worth living for. I am an unhappy man.=
16—18. (16) people answered, no doubt through theii
leaders, all by uplifted hands, or by shout, consenting to their
words. (17) They fully concur in Josh.'s declaration that only
in the strength of God had they been brought out. (18) our
God, in personal relations with us, which we resolve to maiatain.
The people's resolve. — I. Bvery man must serve some God. II.
A man must choose his God. III. Many deem it an evil thing
to serve the Lord. IV. Others know it to be a blessed thing to
serve the lord. V. Those who serve God themselves should
command their households after them."
Resolutions are deceitful.— '^¦^iet/itxis, tells us of a gentleman
retuming from banishment, who in his joumey towards home,
called at his house, told a sad story of an imprudent life, tha
greatest part of which being now spent, he was resolved for the
future to live philosophically, and entertain no business, to bs
candidate for no employment, not to go to the court, nor to
salute Ojesax with ambitious attendances, but to study and wor-

Cap. xxiv. 19—25.]

JOSHUA.

79

ship the gods, and die willingly, when nature or necessity called
him. It may be this man believed himself, but Epictetus did
not. And he had reason ; for letters from Cjesar met him at the
doors, and invited him to court ; and he forgot all his promises,
which were warm upon his lips ; and grew populous, secular,
and ambitious, and gave the gods thanks for his preferment.
Thus many men leave the world, when their fortune has left
them ; and they are severe and philosophical, and rethed for ever,
if for ever it be impossible to retum ; but let a prosperous sun
shine warm and refresh their sadness, and make it but possible
to break their purposes, and there needs no more tempation,
their own heart is enough ; they are like " Ephraim in the day
of battle, starting aside like a broken bow."'
19 — 21. (19) ye cannot, in your o^vn strength: it is more
difficult than you imagine. Josh, wanted the resolve of calm
judgment, not of excitement, holy God, so must be served
with holiness, jealous, term used first Ex. xx. 5. not forgive
rather pass by, as if taking no notice. Josh, is supposing their
wilful rebellion and forsaking of God. (20) strange gods,
Ge. xxxv. 2, 4. do you hurt, Josh xxiii. 1^. (21) nay, verily,
assuredly. This theh first solemn national response. Former
expression by their leaders.
Tlie holy character of God (». 19). — I. Though the Lord is full
of compassion and mercy. He is yet a holy God ; He is a jealous
God. II. As a consequence of this feature in His character,
there are certain conditions of mind in which " He will not
forgive your ti-ansgressions nor your sins," and in which there
fore " ye cannot serve the Lord." III. And therefore if, like
the people before Joshua, you have fully made up your minds
that the Lord your God you will serve, it becomes you to consider
beforehand what that service will require from you."
Power of resolution. — It was resolution made Empedocles sacri
fice himself to the flames of Etna. It was resolution made
Anaxarchus, when his bones were crushed, make sport with his
torments, and cry out, " Break, break the carcase of Anaxarchus,
but his mind you shall never break." It was resolution made
Eegulus fling himself into the merciless arms of his enemies, and
suffer himself to be stung and pricked to death. It was resolu
tion made Attains sit do%vn cheerfully in the fiery chair his per
secutors had prepared for him, and say, " Ifs not we that do eat
children, but it's you that devour innocent Christians." It was
resolution made Blandina encourage her fellow-Christian, though
she was wounded, tom, bruised, racked, and miserably handled.
It was resolution made Job bear his los.?es, and ulcers, with
invincible magnanimity. It was resolution made David run
through a troop and leap over walls (Ps. xviii. 29).''
S2— 25. (22) against yourselves, as they took the pledge
together they could testify against each other. Each was held
responsible for the other, we are witnesses, their second
response. (23) put away, etc.<^ intimates that idolatry lingered
among the people, we do not know whether in Egyp. forms, or in
Canaanitish, very prob. in use of teraphim, as by family of Jacob.
incline your heart, without wh. mere outward separation fr.
idolatry would be vain. (24) Third and most distinct national
response. (25) a statute, etc., Ex. xv. 25.

B.O. 1427.
" Sudden reso
lutions, like the
sudden rise of
lhe mercuiy m
the barometer,
indicate no
thing but the
changeablenesaof the weather."
—Phelps. b Bp. Taylor,

Joshuawarns and
Israel repeats
the promise
!). 19. Dr. IT.
Phelan, Remains,
i. 67.
V. 20. /. Havie,
Wks. vi. 328.
0. 21. Abp. J.
Sharp, irij.vi.200.
w. 21—27. Sim
eon's Wks. ii. 623.
*' A good resolu
tion is the most
forti fying armour
a good man can
wear. That caa
defend him
against all tha
unwelcoraeshufQes that the
poor rude world
can put upon him.
Withoutthis.like
hot iron he hisses
at every drop
that finds him ;
but wilh it he ?au
be a servant as
well as a lord,
and have the
same pleasant
ness in the shakes
of fortune, that
ho carries in her
softe.'^t smiles.'*
— J. Beaumont.
a E. O. Marsil,
M.A. b A. Homeck.
Joshua makes a
covenantwith Israel
a Keil and others,
indeed. under
stand ihepassaga
to mean simply
that the hearta
of some among
them Trere io*

80

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xxiv. 26—28.

Chais,

B.O. 1437.
clined to idolatry.
But this is bardly
conitistent with
tho plain c, > i
obvious sense of
thewords."— »^A.
Comm.
». 22. S. Davies,
iii. 438.
». 24. C.
Ss. i. 61.
h Hive.
Besolution ia ne
cessary to guard
ns ag.iinst de-
Jecti'>n ; for the
¦world will beat
that man whom
fortune buffets.
And unless, by
this, he can «vard
off the blows, he
will be sure to
feel the greatest
burden In his
own mind. A
wise man makes
trouble less by
fortitude ; but to
a fool it becomes
heavier by stoop
ing to it.
e Dr. J. Hamilton.
a stone of
w^itness erected
a Ge. xxviii. 18,
xxxi. 45.
t "Possibly the
Bame as tbat at
the root of wh.
Jacob buried the
ildolB and charms
found in his
family. Ge.xxxv.
« "In a vivid
ImagiaatioD, the
Btone is regarded
as a person, so
to speak, who
lias been and
heard every
thing. Jos. xxii.
34." — Lange.
V, 26. /. Uede,
Wks. I. 86.

c2 Hioe.
"Eesolved and
agreed, that
God's will cught

A' popular response to an earnest appeal (v. 24). — I. A suitable
response to a most important appeal, v. 15. It was for this that
Joshua had so earnestly laboured. II. A promise of obedience
founded upon past experience of Divine power and meroy. III.
A promise whioh, being kept, preserved the people : the decline
of their power began with their forgetfulness of these wordg.
IV. You often make good promises to parents, teachers, etc. The
virtue lies in the keeping. For this you must seek constant help
of God."
The need of perseverance, — In the heathery turf you will often
find a plant chiefly remarkable for its peculiar roots. From the
main stem dovm to the minutest fibre you wUl find them all
abruptly terminate, as if shorn or bitten off ; aud the quaint
superstition of the country people alleges that once on a time it
was a plant of singular potency for healing all sorts of maladie?,
and therefore the great enemy of man in his maUgnity bit off
the roots, iu which its virtues resided. The plant with this odd
history is a very good emblem of many well-meaning but little-
effecting people. They might be defined as rad'ic'ibiis prasmorsii,
or rather inceptis snccisis. The efficacy of every good work lies
in its completion, and all their good works terminate abruptly,
and are left off unfinished. The devil frustrates their efficacy by
cutting off their ends. Their unprofitable history is made up of
plans and projects, schemes of usefulness that were never gon?
about, and magnificent undertakings that were never carried for
ward ; societies that were set agoing, then left to shift for them
selves ; and forlorn beings who for a time were taken up aud
instructed, and just when they were beginning to show symptoms
of improvement were cast on the world again."
26 — 28. (26) wrote these words, registered thia pledge.
great stone, anoient custom to seal engagements by erection of
pillars." an oak, the oath, or terebinth, referring to a well-
known tree, or grove of trees,* Gen. xii. 6. by the sanctuary,
the ancient one where Ab. and Jao. had sacrificed and worshipped.
(27) it hath heard, speaking figuratively.' (28) depart, ha
dismissed the great assembly.
Sunday-school address on v. 26. — Intro. Picture the scene in
Shechem. Joshua's address and the people's response. A memo
rial stone set up to mark the site, the event, the pledge. L The
stone. Durable material. The stoue found recently in Moab;
set up in that age, has lasted to this. They might have planted
a tree. Preferred a, stone to represent their firm and lasting
determination to serve God. II. A great stone. Visible fr. afar.
They were not ashamed of the promise they had made. Others
seeing the stone, and learning its history, encouraged to make a
similar vow. III. A great stone under an oak. TraveUers
encamping there, or shepherds taking shelter fr. the heat there,
would see it, inquire about it ; idolaters, who worshipped in
groves, would see it also. IV. A stone near the sanctuary. It
was set up, as in the sight of God. It was like asking Him to
help them to keep their promise. It was as a pledge to Him that
they would keep it. Eemember that God marks your vows,
though you set up no memorial stones.''
Palse and true religion. — You have Pilate washing his hands
in hypocrisy, as well as you have David washing his hands in
innocency. You have the Sadducees with their doctrine, aa weli

Oap. xxiv. 29 -33.]

JOSHUA.

81

as the Apostles with their doctrine. You have the Pharisee with
his prayer, as well as the publican with his prayer. You have
the exorcists with their Jesus, as well as Paul with his Jesus.
You have Satan with his scripture, as vvell as Christ with His
Soripture. You have Cain with his sacrifice, as well as Abel
with his sacrifice. You have Ahithophel with his wisdom, as
well as Solomon with his wisdom. You have Jezebel with her
JEasts, as well as Anna with her fasts. You have the harlot with
her vows, as well as Jacob with his vow. You have the devils
with their faith, as well as Christians with their faith.«
29 — 31. (29) Joshiaa . . died, soon after this scene. Light
foot computes that he lived 17, others 27, years after the entrance
into Canaan. (30) border of his inheritance," according
to Jewish custom. Timnath-serah, Jos. xix. .50. hill of
Gaash,i> not identified. (31) elders, etc., Joshua's contem
poraries, who shared his impressions of the power and goodness
of Jehovah.
Sunset on Mt. Ephraim (vv, 29, 30). — This is a brief obituary.
It allows no scope for imagination to paint the scene of the
dying hero. But his life is his noblest monument - his vast and
varied achievements are his best panegyric. Let us gather, in
thought, around that solitary tomb " on the north side of the hill
of Gaash." We can read the epitaph of "the man of God" as
well as the warrior and the patriot : '¦ he being dead yet speaketh."
Four elements of strength appear to stand out conspicuously in
Joshua's character, and which distinguish him pre-eminently in
the 0. T. as the "Warrior Saint." I. Zeal for God's honour : this
his paramount aim and motive through life — stripping himself
of all glory aud exalting God alone (.sec ch. iv. 21 — 24, v. 14,
viii. 30, xxiii. 3). II. Deference to God's law : like every true
and loyal soldier, he aoted up to the orders of his superior (ch.
i. 7, 8, viii. 34, xxiii. 6, x>.iv. 27). III. Dependence on God's
strength : in the hour of disaster he casts himself humbled
before the " Eock of his strength (see ch. x. 12—14, 42). IV.
Trust in God's faithfulness : this only the necessary concomitant
and result of the preceding (see ch. xxiii. 14).«
Death a halt iu tlw journey of life. — A sergeant of Duryea's
Zouaves was vv'ounded at the battle of Bull Run, and lay on the
field for three days unrelieved. At last, brought to the hospital,
it was too late to save his life. When sinking. Col. Rice broke
the news to him thus : " Sergeant, we are going to halt soon ; we
shall not march muoh farther to-day." " Are we going to halt,
colonel, so early iu the day ? Are we going iuto bivouac before
night 1 " " Yes, sergeant : the march is nearly over ; the bugle
will soon sound the lialt." The tears of the colonel interpreted
his words ; and the sergeant said, " Do you mean that I am so
soon to die ?" " Yes : you are soon to die." " WeU, colonel, I am
glad I am going to die : I want to rest, the march has been so
long ; and I am weary, very weary. I want to halt ; I want to
be with Christ ; I want to be with my Saviour." He bade fare-
well to his aunt and sister (who had reached his bedside), sent
keepsakes to his mother and his affianced, and cheering words to
his comrades of the army ; then made hia last halt on earth to
bivouac in heaven.
32, 33. (32) bones of Joseph, the sarcophagus, with his
VOL. UI. O.T. f

B.C. 1427.
to determine
mine, and not
mine pretend to
determine the
will of God."— '
Gossner.
e H. Smitli.

death of
Joshuaa " According to
ft very ancient
tradition, in the
I same gi-ave were
j buried the stone
koives uced in
I the ceremony of
I circumcision at
1 tjilgal, wh. were
' long sought out
as relics by those
I who came in
^ after years to
i visit the tomb of
I of their mighty
I deli verer." —
Stanley.
'b lo. ii. 9 ; 2 Sa.
xxiii. 30 ; 1 Chr.
I xi. 32.
! o. 29. Dr, R. Gor-
; don, ii. 3.56.
' c Dr, Macduff.
I " It is rainful to
' grow old, to lose
I by degrees the
isuppleness, strength, and
[activity of the
j body; to perceive
leach day our
organs growing
! weaker ; but
j when we feel
that the soul,
1 constantly exer-
I cised, becomea
I daily more re-
flective, more
mistress of her
self, more skilful
to avoid, more
strong to sustain,
without yielding
to the shook of
all accidents,
gaining on the
t one hand what
we lose on tha
. other, we are nq
1 longer sensible
of growing old."
—Robert Hall.

Joseph's
bones

82

JOSHUA.

[Cap. xxiv. 32, 33.

B.C. 1427.
interred at
Shechem

lileazar dies
a Ge. 1. 26, 26 ;
Ex. Iiii. 19; He.
xi. 22.
6 Mod. Geeb, as
Maundrell; Fibia,
as Robinson;
Chirbet .Tibia, as
Ritter. "Yotn: worm is
your only em
peror for diet.
"We fat all crea
tures else to fat
lis ; and we fat
ourselves for
maggots. Tour
fat king and your
lean beggar is
but variable ser
vice, — twoiiisbes
but to one table ;
that's the end."
.^Shakespeare. *' A grave, wher-
ever found,
preaches a short
and piihy sermon
to the soul" —
Hawthorn. e Burder.

embalmed body, had been with them through all their wan
derings." Jacob bought, Ge. xxxiii. 19. (33) in a hill, etc,,
lit. in Gibea-Phinehas, 5 miles N. of Guphna, toward Neapolis or
Shechem.' Tlie burial of Joseph. — Joseph was not interred m Shechera,
but, according to the ancient custom, in a field adjoining. Pro
bably the other children of Jacob received the like honour, each
tribe taking care to bury its ancestor, either at Machpelah, or
elsewhere in the land of Canaan. Josephus asserts that it wa-s
so, upon the credit of an ancient tradition. St. Stephen coniiims
the relation (Ac. vii. 16). Savages consider the tombs of thsir
ancestors as titles to th.e possession of the lands which they
inhabit. This country is ours, say they : the bones of our fathers
are here laid to rest. When they are forced to quit it, they dig
them np with tears, and carry them off with every token of
respect. About thirty miles below the falls of St. Anthony (.says
Carver), in North America, several bands of the Naudowessie
Indians have a burying-place, where these people, though they
have no fixed residence, living in tents, and abiding b'at a few
months on one spot, always contrive to deposit the bones of their
dead. At the spring equinox these bands annuaUy assemble hers
to hold a grand council with all the other bands : wherein they
settle their operations for the ensuing year. At this time, iu
particular, they bring with them their dead, for interment, bound
up in buffaloes' skins. If any of these people die in the summer,
at a distance from the burying-ground, and they find it impossible
to remove the body before it would putrefy, they bum the fiesh
from the bones, aud, preserving the latter, bury them in the
manner described."

Supplementary Wote on the Patriarchate. — Patriarch, a Gk. word, = Ruler,
Father ; specifically given in N. T. to Abraham (Heb. vii. 4) ; to twelve sons
of Jacob (Ac. vii. 8, 9) ; to David (Ao. ii. 29). In the LXX. patriarcli = head,
or prince of tribe (1 Chron. xxiv. 31, xxvii. 30, xxiv. 12) ; it is commonly
apphed to dese. of Adam, through Abraham to Moses. Till time of Mose^
the moral gov. of God called patriarchal dispensation ; defined by Paul as
"until the law," from Adam to Moses (Ro. v. 13, 14). It was an experiment
of moral gov. in the simple and beautiful form of family harmony, the ideal
expressed in Gen. xviii. 19. P. dispen. divided into three stages— 1. Adam-
flood ; 2. Noah — call of A. : 3. Abraham — Moses. Most perfectly seen in third
stage. Father hands down covenant blessings to children. Leading idea of
patriarch is that it was based on sacredness of family ties and patemal
authority. " In Scripture it is authority as consecrated by an ultimate
reference to God as the God of the patriarch, the Father — that is, of both him
and his children." God's titles and relation " would confirm what the gene
rality of the covenant with Noah and the promise of blessing ' to all nations,'
in Abraham's seed, must have distinctly taught, that the chosen family were
not substitutes, but representatives of all mankind, and that God's relation to
them was a clearer and more perfect type of that in which God stood to all."
Still the distinction and preservation of the chosen fam., and the maintenance
of the paternal authority, are the special purposes which give a key to the
meaning of the history, and of the institutions recorded.— Topic* for Teaclws.

THE BOOK OF JUDGES.

va

Ssttopstg.

(According to Home.)
I. State of Israel af. d. of Joshua,
till they beg. to turn aside fr.
serving- the Ijord  i.— iii. 4
n. Hist, of oppressions of Israel
and deliv. by the Judg-es iii. 6— xvL
1. Subj. to Mesopotamia, and deliv. by
Othniel  iii. 5—11
2. Subj. to Moab, and deliv. by Shamgar
iii. 12-31
SL Oppress, by Jabin, and deliv. by Deborah
and Barak  iv. — v.
4. Subj. t J Midian and deliv. by Gideon, etc.
vi. — ii.
6. Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon,
Abdon  X. — xii.
6. Samson  xiii. — xvi.
in. Acc. of intro. of idolatry and its
consequences  xvii. — xxi.
1. Idol of Micah, etc  ;  xvii., xviii.
3. Sin, etc., of Benjamites ...:  xix. — xxi.

(According to LittoH-y.
PAET I.-National decline  i.— iil.
PAET II.— Exploits of Judges iii.— xvi.
FART III.— Appendix.
1. Hist, of Micah  xvii., xviii,
2. The Benjamites  xix.— xxi.
(Accordingto Delitesch.)
I.— Introduction  i.— iil. 8
II.— Hist, of Judges  iii 7— xvi. 31
1. Othniel  iii. 7— u
2. Ehud  iii. 12-30
3. Deborah, Barak  iv. y.
4. Gideon, etc  vi.— x. 1—6
6. Jephthah, etc  x. 6 — xii. 8 — 1&
6. Samson  xiii. — xvi.
IIL Twofold Appendix.
1. Micah  xvit, xviii.
8. Benjamites  xix.— xxi.

Addenda. — ^There were fourteen Judges (fifteen including Josh., who is not
usually numbered with the Judges) who were raised up under extraordinary
circumstances to govem Israel, during a period of " abont 450 yrs." (Ac. xiii. 20).
The chronology of this period is very obscure. " The doubt has beeu raised
whether the numbers given in the Judges are properly consecutive ; and it has
been supposed that some of the servitudes and of the judgeships were con
temporaneous in diff. parts of the land." The foil., however, =450 yrs. («.=
servitude, and^'. >= judge) : — I. s. to Mesopotamia = 8 yrs. ; i. j. Othniel = 40 yrs.
II. s. to Moab = 18 ; ii. _;. Ehnd, and iii. j, Shamgar ; together =80. III. s. to
Jabin and Siserah:= 20 ; iv.,?'. Deborah and Barah = iO. IV. s, to Midian = 7 ;
V.,;. Gideon = iO-, -vi. j. Abimeleeh = 3; yii, j. Tola = 23; viii. J. Jair =22.
v. s. to Ammon = 18; ix..;. Jephtliah=6; x.j. Ibzan=7; xi,j. Elon = 'lO ; xii.
j. Abdon = 8. TL. s. to Philistines = 40 ; xiii. j. Samson = 20 ; xiv. j. Eli = iO.
" The time covered according to the history is as follows : — Crushan, 8 years ;
Othniel, 40 ; Eglon, 18 ; Ehud, 80 ; Jabin, 20 ; Deborah, 40 ; iu all 206 years.
Then we have, uuder Midian, ete., 7 years ; Gideon, 40 ; Abimelech, 3 ; Tola,
23; Jair, 22; in all 95 years. Servitude under Philistines, ete., 18 years;
nnder Jephthah, 6 ; Ibzan, 7 ; Elon, 10 ; Abdon, 8 ; under the Philistines again,
40 ; under Samson, 20 ; in all 109 years. Total, 410 years, which, with the
judgship of Eli, 40 years, brings the period of the Judges to ' about the space
of 450 years tiU Samuel ' (Acts xui. 20)." — Hev. Stanley Leathes, M.A.

JntrDbuclbit.

1. Title, Judges (headed Shophet'im in the Heb., icpirai in the Alex, V., and
called liber Judicum in the Vulgate), so named from the acc. it gives of Israel
under gov. of Judges, of whom there were 13 (including Abimelech), or 15
(including Eli and Samuel). II. Author, uucertain ; the Jews assign it to
Samuel. " As it would seem to fall in the lifetime of that prophet, there is no
improbability in suppostag him to be the author, who used, no doubt (aee
Deborah's song, cap v.), written documents " (Ayre). "Others ascribe it to
Phinehas, Hezeki2,h, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Ezra, who compiled it fr. the
memoirs of his own time which were left by ea. Judge : while others think it
was compiled out of the publio registers or records that were kept by the
priests and Levites " (Home'). " From xix. 1 we gather that it was written
aft. the commencement of the monarchy, and fr. i. 21 that it was written bef.
the access, of David : consequently its prob. date is the reigu of Saul "
(iittore / in this view Z»e/(7r.S(i/t concurs). III. Time. " It comprises the hist.
of ab. 300 yrs." (Home), or acc. to some (Hales) 400 yrs. " There is great dif.
in settling the precise ciironology of the several facts related in the Book of
Jud., because many of them are reckoned fr. dif. eras, whioh cannot now be
exactly ascertained " (Home). IV. Scope. " The author himself states
(ii. 11 — 23) the object he had in view — viz., to prove that the calamities wh.
the people sufEered were the consequences of their unfaithfulness to the
covenant, and to set forth the goodness of God, so strikingly manifested ia
His readiness to accept their repentance, aud to grant deliverance " (Litton).
"This hist, abundantly verifies the frequent warnings and predictions of
Moses ; acc. to wh. the people, being under the immediate gov. of God, were
in the most exemplary manner to ba rewarded for their obedience, and punished
for their disobedience, and esp. for their conformity to the religions of their
neighbours, whom God had devoted to destruction on acc. of their polytheism
and idolatry " (Priestley). V. CharacteristicSi " Other portions of Scrip.
may be more profitable" for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for instmc
tion in righteousness ; " but for merely human interest— for the lively touches
of ancient manners — for the suooession of romantic incidents— for the con
sciousness that we are living faoe to face with the persons described — for the
tragical pathos of eveuts and characters — there is nothing like the hist, of the
Juds. fr. Othniel to Eli. No portion of the Heb. Scrips., whether by its actual
date or by the vividness of its representations, brings us so near to the timea
described ; and on none has more light been thrown by the German scholar, to
whose investigations we owe so much in the study of the Older Dispensation"
(Stanley). "From the accounts in this bk. originated prob. the ingenious
fictions mentioned in profane hist., such as the story of the Sabine rape ; of
JVisns' hair, and the golden loch given to Pterelaus by Neptune ; that of
Ilercnles and Oinpliale ; of the pillars qf Hercules ; of the death of Cleomedes
Astypalosiis ; and of Agamemnon and Iphigenia" (Dr. Gray). "-Regarded
naturally as only a chapter in the national history, the Bk. of Judges repre
sents the efforts made by the people in the development of what afterwards
became a monarchy. Moses and Joshua had been kings in everything but the
name ; Abimelech endeavoured, but with only partial success, to convert the
judgeship of his father Gideon into an hereditary monarchy, and the bk. which
carries on the history of the judges shows us how the kingdom of Saul found
its root in the supreme judicial power of Samuel " (JRev. Stanley Leathes, M.A.).

86

JUDGES.

COap. 1 1—8,

B.C. 1425.
Jndab. and
Simeon
renew the
war. a No. xxvii. 21.
h Qe. xiii. 7
xxxiv. 30.
c 1 Sa. xi. 8,
d "The name an-
nuunces Itself as
an appellative
derived fr. the
character of the
region, it deaig-
nates mifruitfvl,
ttony sand areas.
The land W, of
Dead Sea, thro'
w h. Judah
inarched into his
territory, is for
the most part of
this character."
^•Lange.
«. 1. Dr. E. Chal
loner, Ss. 173.
vv. 1, 2. Dr. R.
Gordon, Ii. 369.
See also L. H.
Wiseman, M.A,,
Men of Faith.
e Dr. J. Bums.
f Dr. W. Amot.

Adoni- bezek
requited
o " Thumbs were
cut off to incapa
citate the hand
fr. usingthebow
^eat toes to
render the gait
uncertain."—
Lofige.
dLe. xxiv. 19,20;
De. xix. 21.
c Jos. XV. 62 ; Ju.
xix. 10—12; 2Sa.
V. Q—2.
d Dr. Parker.
vv. 6, 7. W. Jay,
l3kort Disc. ii. 339.
r.7. J. Jifedi?,Wis.
1 188; Bp. Kidder,
Ss. 62.
"The loss of the

CHAPTER THE FIRST.
1 — 4. (1) after the death of Joshua, oomp. Jos. i. 1, wh.
is here imitated as a formula, the events summarised up to ch, ii.
9, occurred before the death of Joshua, and are a recapitulation
by way of introduction, asked the Lord, by Urim aud Thum
mim, thro' the high priest," already narrated, Jos. xiv. 6—15.
(2) go up, fr. Gilgal into the hiU country, land, the district
comprising his lot. (3) unto Simeon, whose lot was within
that of Judah, Jos. xix. 1, 2. (4) Perizzites,' prob. dweUers in
scattered villages. Bezek,« apparently applied, to a district
rather than to a town."'
Cruelty's retribution (v. 7). — Observe — I. The ruthless influences
of the war-spii-it. II. That God sees the conduct of men in their
career of cruelty. III. He often inflicts a just and terrible re-
tribution.« Disbelief in future retribution. — To disbelieve it is not to de
stroy the fact. Even' in Scotland — the narrow end of au island
nowhere very broad— I have met with persons well advanced iu
life, of good common education, and good common sense, who
had never -seen the sea. Suppose that these persons should have
cause greatly to dread the sea, and should therefore ardently de
sire that there were no such thing in existence. Suppose further
that, in the commou way of the world, the wish should become
father to the thought, and that they at last should firmly believe
that there is not a sea. Would their sentiments change the state
of the fact 1 Sinners, to whom the name and naturo of a plaoe
of punishmient are disagreeable, have uo more power to anni
hilate the object of their aversion than the shepherds of the
Cheviots to wipe out the sea by a wish. The sea is near these
men, though they have never seen it ; and if they were cast into
it, they would perish, notwithstanding their opinion../'
_ 5 — 8. (5) found, took by surprise. Adoni-bezek, lord, or
king, of Bezek. (6) cut off thumbs," etc., a barbarity unusual
with Israelites, a designed retribution for his cruelties.' (7) This
verse teUs of intestine wars among the petty kings of Canaan,
weakening them before the attack of Israel. God, the Deity,
he speaks wholly in the spirit of heathenism, brought him to
Jerus., it is difficult to decide whether Jerus. was at this time
in the hands of Israel. (8) had fought, orig. simply ss,-ys fought,
not implying as our vers, that it had been previously taken.'
Tlie law of requital (v. 7). — As I have done, so God hath re
quited me; then — I. The life of man oannot escape the judg
ment of God. II. Let no man take the law into his own hands.
III. Bvery good deed will be honoured with appropriate reward.
IV. Though justice be long delayed, yet it will be vindicated
eventually.'' Retribution in this life. — Bajazet was carried about by Tamer
lane in an iron cage, as he intended to have carried Tamerlane.
Mazentius built a bridge to entrap Constantine. and was over
thrown himself on that very spot. Alexander VI. was poisoned
by the wine whioh he had prepared for another. Charles IX

top^etieWs^eod^ ^^^ *'^^ streets of Paris run with Protestant blood, and soon
which was one of ' after blood streamed from all parts of his body, Cardinal Beaton

Cap. i. 9—21,1

JUDOES.

87

condemned George Wishart to death, and presently died-a violent
death himself ; he was murdered in bed, and his body was laid
out in the same window from which he had looked upon Wish-
art's execution.
9—15. (9) Comp. Jos. xi. 16. (10—15) Comp. Jos. xiv. 6—15,
XV. 13 — 19, in which this passage is almost exactly given.
Forlorn hope. — Military and civil writers of the present day
seem quite ignorant of the true meaning of the expression " for
lorn hope." The adjective has nothing to do with despair, nor
the substantive with the " charmer which lingers still behind : "
there was no suoh poetical depth in the words as originally used.
Every corps marching in an enemy's country had a small body of
men at the head (hmipt or hope, or perhaps haiifen, a troop) of
the advanced guard, and which was termed the '¦ forelom hope "
(" lorn " being here but a termination similar to ¦' ward " in
" forward "), while another small body at the head of the rear
guard was called the " rear-lorn hope." — See A Treatise of Ire
land, by John Dymmok, p. 32, written about the year 1600,
and printed by the Irish Archeological Society in 1843. A refe
rence to Johnson's dictionary proves that civilians were misled,
as early as the time of Dryden, by the mere sound of a technical
military phrase, and in process of time even military men forgot
the true meaning of the words. It grieves me to sap the foun
dations of an error to which we are indebted for Byron's beauti
ful phrase : " Full of hope, misnamed forlorn.""
16 — 21. (16) Kenite, i.e. Jethro. Kenites were a tribe which
dwelt in the grottoes abounding S. of Palestine." city of palm
trees, Jericho;' no record of their occupying the site of the
miins is given, but nothing is more likely. Arad, Nu. xxi. 1,
xxxiii. 40 ; Jos. xii. 14. among the people, of Judah. (17)
Hormah, a name fixed on Zephath in conneotion with a vow.'
(18) Gaza, etc., comp. Jos. xi, 22, xiii. 3, xv. 45 — 47. (19)
inountain, hill district, valley, lowlands, chariots of iron,
Jos. xvii. 16. (20) Comp. Jos. xiv. 12—15. (21) Stated of Judah
in Jos. XV. 63.
What hinders the Gospel? (v. 19 : see also Ro. i. 18). — ^What
hinders the Gospel 1 I can find the chief, if not the whole,
obstruction in one •woxA—malre2>rese.ntation: a holding of "the
truth of God in unrighteousness." Our first text (Jud. i. 19) con
tains two truths well suited to guide us here. (1) That the great
God frequently makes human agency the oondition of His own
action ; (2) That so entirely does He abide by this plan, that if
the required agency is not put forth, He will not work. Three
general remarks may show that there has been sufiicient mal-
representation to account for the Gospel's present Umited influ
ence. Consider that the Gospel regards — I. The ceremonial as
subordinate to the doctrinal. And therefore ritualistic displays
a mal-represeutation of the Truth. II. The doctrinal as subser
vient to the ethical. And if so, a mere theological manifestation
is a mahepresentation. III. The true ethical as embodied iu
the life of Christ. And hence a mere dry legal manifestation is
a malrepresentation.'' Retribution in this ft/i?.— About fifty years ago there lived a
gentleman owner of a sm ill propeity on the Welsh coast. Though
a landowner, he was the leader of a band of wreckers, and had

B.C. U25.
the qualiScationa
of a warrior,"—
Spk. Conm.
Caleb,
Othniel, and
Achshah " Collision is as
necessary to pro
duce viitue iu
men as it is to
elicit fire in inani
mate matter ; and
chivalry is the es
sence of virtue."
—Ld. J. Russell.
"The age of
chivalry has
gone, and one of
calculators and
economists haa
succeeded." — H.
Burke.
a Remains of Dr.
Graves, of Dublin.

furthersuccesses ot
Judah.failure of
Benjamin
a Nu. ixiv. 21, 22.
b De. xxxiv. 3.
c Nu. xiv. 45, xxi.
1—3; De. i. 41.
d Dr. Thomas.
" Our humilia
tions work out
our most elevat
ed joys. The way
that a drop of
rain comes to
blag in the leaf
that rustles ia
the top of th6
tree all summer
long is by going
down to the
roots first, and
from thenoe as
cending to tha
bough."— S^ecftflr.
" A weet filled
up with selfish
ness, and tha
Sabbath stuffed
full of religious
exorcises, will
make a good
Pharisee, but a
poor Chris'ian.
There are many
persona who

88

JUD0S.1.

[Cap. 1. 22—32.

B.O. 1425.
think Sunday is
a sponge with
which to wipe
out the sins of
the week. Now,
G-od's altar
stands from
Sunday to Sun
day ; and the
seventh day is
no more for reli
gion than any
other. It is for
rest. The whole
seven are for
religion; aud one
of them for rest."

Joseph takes
Bethel

Z4UZ founded
a Jos. i. 4 ; 1 Ki.
X.29; 2B;i.vii.6.
" Is there not
some chosen
curae, some hid
den thunder in
the stores of
heaven, red with
uncommon Wrath, to blast
the man which
owes his great
ness to his
country's ruin! "
— Addison.
" There ia no
traitor like him
whose domestic
treason plants
the poniard with
in the breast
which trusted to
his truth." —
Byron.failure of
Slanasseh,^.phraim,
Zebulun, and
Asher. •
*' A failure estab
lishes ooly this,
that our determi-
natiou to succeed
was not strong
enough." — Bovee.
*'He only is
exempt from
failures who
makes no
efforts." — Whate-
ly. "Success is full
of promise till
men get it, aind

been the means of bringing many a vessel to destruction in order
to enrich himself with the spoils cast on the shore. One evening
I he heard that a Spanish trader was in sight and in distress. Im-
' mediately the false beacon fires were lit. and the poor seamen,
thinking they were friendly guides, steered for them, and came
in right among the breakers, where she was soon da'ihed to pieces.
The wicked wrecker went down to the sea-side, and the first dead
body he saw on the shore, his face turned up and the moon
shining full upon him, was his only son, to whom he was deeply
attached. Unknown to the father he had embarked on board
I this ship for home, little thinking that his own father would be
his murderer ; who indeed would rather, if he had had the
choice, have perished himself.
22—26. (22) house of Joseph, Jos. xvi. 1. Bethel, Ge.
xii. 8, xxviii. 19. (23) descry, lay close siege to by setting
watchers around. (24) entrance, readiest mode of access; un
defended points. (25) th6_man, they had forced to betray the
city. (26) Luz, a new Luz, prob. iu N. of Palestiue, on the
borders of Syria."
A traitor's rerBard,—The Duke of Buckingham, having by an
unfortunate accident lost the army which he had raised against
Richard III., was forced to flee for his life without page or atten
dant ; at last he took refuge in the house of Humphrey Bannis
ter, at Shrewsbury, who, being one of his servants, and having been
formerly raised by him from a low condition, would, he trusted
be ready to aflford him every possible protection. Bannister, how
eyer, upon the king's proclamation, promising £1,000 reward to
him that should apprehend the duke, betrayed his master to John
Merton, high sheriff of Shropshire, who sent him under a strong
guard to Salisbury, where the king then was, by whom he waa
condemned to be beheaded. But on demanding the £1,000 that
was the prioe of his master's blood, King Eichard refused to pay
it, saying, " He that would be false to so good a master, ought
not to be encouraged." He was afterwartls hanged for man
slaughter ; his eldest son soon fell into a state of derangment,
and died in a hog-sty ; his seoond son became deformed and lame ;
his third son was drowned in a small pool of water, and the rest
of his family perished miserably.
27—32. (27) Bethshean, Jos. xvii. 11, 16. Taanach,
Jos. xii. 21. Dor, Jos. xi. 2, xii. 23. Ibleam, Jos. xvii. 11.
Megiddo, Jos. xii. 21. (28) tribute, a subjection only main
tained while Israel was united and strong. (29) Gezer, Jos. x.
38. (30) Kitron, poss. Kattath, Jos. xix. 15 ; for this see
KTahalol. (31) Aceho, seaport town, 30 miles S. of Tyre.
Zidon, Jos. xi. 8. Ahlalj, nowhere mentioned. Achzib, Jos.
xix. 29. Helbah, prob. Hehel, Jos. xix. 29. Aphik, Aplielt of
Jos. xix. 30. Rehob, Jos. xxi. 31. (32) Obs. indio. that
Canaanites were the stronger.
Ea'iliires in the great campaign. — I. Judah (v. 19), II. Judah
(r. 21). III. Manasseh. IV. Ephraim. V. Zebulun. VI. Asher.
VII. NaphtaH (v. 33). VIII. DjCn (vv. 34, 35). Difl[icult war all
along the line, — enemy jubilant, — Israel demoralised, — but a God
of Providence still watehing over His people.
Failure — a practical lesson. — It is far from being true, in the
progress of knowledge, that after every failure we muat recom-

Cap. 11. 1—5.]

JUDOES.

89

jnence from the beginning. Every failure is a step to success ;
every detection of what is false directs us towards what is true ;
every trial exhausts some tempting form of error. Not only so ;
but scarcely auy attempt is entirely a failure ; scarcely any
theory, the result of steady thought, is altogether false ; no
tempting form of error is without some latent charm derived from
truth." 33—36. (33) Bethshemesh, comp. Jos. xix. 38, 41. Beth-
anath, Jos. xix. 38. (34) Amorites, Ge. x. 16. (35) mount
Heres, poss. the Ir-shemesh of Jos. xix. 41. (35) hand of
Joseph, we have no other record of this aid being given. (36)
coast, border, going up to Akrabbim, Nu. xxxiv. 4 ; Jos.
XV. 3 ; the ascent of scorpions, the rook," Has-selah, Petra,
the capital of Idumea. upward, i.e. northward.
Excuse foi- bad company. — A young man, a professor of religion,
dressed himself elaborately for a ball. " Can you reconcile it
with your views of duty ? " asked his room-mate. " I am going
from a sense ot duty," said the young man. " Does your copy
of the Bible read, ' be ye conformed to this world ' ? " " No, but
I go because it will give me an opportunity of speaking with
some in regard to their salvation." '• We are never to transgress
a positive command that we may do good." " Something must be
done for the fashionable portion of society. We can do nothing
for them if we never come in contact with them." The young
man went to the ball. Whether, at the intervals of dancing, he
spent his time in inviting the thoughtless to serious reflection,
and in warning sinners to flee from the wrath to come, I do not
know. The strong probability is that he did not. The above
faot is a striking illustration of the excuse made by many for
transgressing the law : " Be not conformed to this world." In
the case thus stated, the unsoundness of the excuse is very clearly
seen. It is no less unsound in cases where the absurdity is lesa
clearly apparent. The real motive is the love of the world — the
love of sin : the excuse is a mere pretence.

CHAPTER TEE SECOND,
1—5. (1) angel of the Lord, not a prophet, but God present
in symbol of angelic form.a from Gilgal, so reminding of the
renewal of covenant there.^ Bochim, so named fr. this inci
dent : meaning tlw weepers; LXX. places it near Bethel, never
breakt unfaithfulness cannot be charged to Him. (2) league,
covenant, De. vii. 2, 5, xii. 3. why, eto.^ appeal designed to
arouse conscience. (3) Kender, Ihave noro said, etc^ thorns,
etc.. Nu. xxxiii. 55. (4, 5) Signs of anxiety, conviction, and
penitence. The danger of indecision. — Consider— I. The danger of indeci
sion. We should — 1. Not associate with worldly men ; 2. Not be
deeply immersed in the cares or pleasurea of the world ; 3. Har
bour no besetting sins ; 4. Listen to none of Satan's temptations.
II. The duty of those convicted of it. 1. Humiliation of soul|
before God ; 2. Application to God through the medium of sac- !
rifice.*' I
Beath and sorrow in sin.— The tale of the goblet which the |
genius of a heathen fashioned waa true, and taught a moral of \

B.C. 1426.
then it is a last
yf ar'e nest, frum
whiuh the bird
has flown."—
Jieecher.
a WheweU.
failure of
Naphtali and Dan
a " So called from
j the mass of pre-
i cipitoua rock
I which eucloseB
j the town, and out
I of wh. matjy of
1 its buildings are
ex cava ted."-^
: Sjik. Comm.
"Sin is like
sound, and It
: finds the mnral
nature of man,
1 Jike the atmo-
I sphere, a good
' conducting me-
dium."— i£ey. If.
1 Amot. " The freer you
feel yourself in
the presence of
another, the mora
free is he."~i(i-
vaier.

rebuke of the
aug-el at
Bochiia
a Ex. xxiii. 30;
Jos. T. 14.
6 Jos. V. 2—11.
c "I now protest,
and decare." —
Gesenius.
d C. Simeon, M.A.
" St. Austin iu
his youth wae in
the habit of
praying agaioBt
lust and unclean
ness, and secretly
desired that God
would not bear
him. How many
nowadays, lik«

90

JUDGES.

[Cap. a. 6-15.

which many a death-bed furnishes the melancholy illnstration.
Having made the model of a serpent, he iixed it in the bottom
of the cup. Coiled for the spring, a pair of gleaming eyes in its
head, and in its open mouth fangs raised to strike, it lay beneath
the ruby wine. Nor did he who raised that golden oup to quench
his thirst, and quaff the delicious draught, suspect what lay
below, till, as he reached the dregs, that dreadful head rose up,
and glistened before his eyes. So, when life's cup is nearly
emptied, and sin's last pleasure quaffed, and unwilling lips are
draining the bitter dregs, shall rise the ghastly terrors of remorse
and death and judgment upou the despairing soul. Be assured,
a serpent lurks at the bottom of guilt's sweetest pleasure.'
6—10. (6) let the people go, Jos. xxiv. 28. (7) outlived,
prolonged days after Josh. (8) Jos. xxiv. 29, 30. servant of
the Iiord, Moses' title, De. xxxiv. 5. (9) buried him, places
of sepulture highly honoured in the Bast. (10) kuew not the
IiOrd, by immediate experiences of His power.
Man. — This fragment of ancient history gives us several facts
concerning our race. I. The moral obligation of every member
of our race. All creatures serve God ; but some — 1. Withont a
will : inanimate matter, insentient life ; 2. With their will :
brutes, with their instinct ; 3. Against their will : wicked men,
fallen angels ; 4. By their will : saints and angels. Oue condi
tion indispensable to this last — viz., supreme love for Him as the
Sovereign. This wiU — (1) Induce man to attain to an under
standing of His law. (2) Prompt him cheerfully to obey it.
II. The service of one good man to our race. 1. A man can
induce his race to serve the Lord ; 2. To do this, he must himself
be God's servant ; 3. However useful a man may be, he must
die. III. The melancholy succession of our race. 1. The suc
cession involves no extinction : man's soul immortal ; 2. Its mode
involves a moral cause. IV. The degenerating tendency of our
race. Thia tendency — 1. Is often stronger than truth's most
elevating iniluencea ; 2. Indicates the necessity of a conscioua
reliance upon the gracious help of God."
2'he tomb of Joshua. — This is certainly the most striking
monument in the country, and strongly recommends itself to the
mind as au authentic site. That it is the sepulchre of a man of
distinction is manifest from the great number of lamp niches
which cover the walls of the porch : they are over 20ii, arranged
in vertical rows, . . and all smoke-blacked. One can well imagine
the wild and picturesque appearance presented at any time wheu
the votive lamps were all in place, and the blaze of light shone
out of the wild hill-side, casting long shadows from the central
columns. The present appearance of the porch is also very pic
turesque, with the dark shadows and bright light, and tha
trailing boughs which droop from above.* The tomb is a square
chamber, with five excavations ou three of its sides, the central
one forming a passage leading iuto a second chamber beyond.
Here is a single cavity, with a niche for a lamp ; and here, there
is good reason to believe, is the resting-place of the warrior chief
of Israel.
apostasy of | 11—15. (11) Begins incidents taking place after death of
Israel and Its Josh. Baalim, plural of Raal; see v. 13. (12) bowed them-
oonsequenoes gglves, in worship as to Deity. (13) Ashtaroth, plui-al form

B.O. 1426. I
him, pray against
BijQ, but desire
not to be heard, '
besaose of the
Inward secret ;
love which they
bave to some .
particular habi- '
tuated sioB ! " — '
Anon. [
« Dr. Guthrie.

tomb of
Joshua

a new
generationand its sin
V. 7. J. Frost, Ss.
285 J Bp. Sherlock,
Wks. iii. 473.
a Dr. Thomas.
"Like as if a poor
man should be
commanded by a
prince to put oft
his ragged gar-
meats, aod put
on costly royal
robes, it would be
a great rejoicing
In his heart ; so
much more joyful
newsiuustthisbeto all repentant
sinners, when the
King of heaven
comes to them
by death, and
bids them lay
down their
patched gar
ments, and put
on the princely
robe of immor
tality. No tongue
can expre-a th*^
excellency of this
most blessed and
happy estate." —
Cawdray.
b Dieut. Conder.

the property of
another, robbers,
plunderers."^
Lange.
V, 14. Dr. R. Got-

Cap. 11. 16-19.1 JUDGES, 91
of Astarte, or Ashtoreth, the female deity.' (14) hot, Ps. cvi. I b.o. 142S.
39, 40. spoilers, fr. root, rob, 2 Ki. xvii. 20." sold them, ! 
De. xxxii. 30 ; Ps. xliv. 12. (15) against them, contrast " " The plural
Jos. i. 9. sworn, Le. xxvi. 37 ; De. xxviii. 25. I 'mZs^^of " the
Thepromise brolicn.—l, Temptatiou— from people aroimd : I goduess, or it
they were idolaters. People daily saw idol-worship. No doubt '^v imply that
were invited to join. Especially they saw idol-festivals, ""^ith j shfpB^d''at diffl"'"'
their excitement. They had wilfully and sinfully put them- ect places under
selves in the way of these temptations. Do we do so now ? Can I some different
we expect God to keep us if we wilfully get into the way of evil 1 ' jsp^cts or modi-
II. Yielding. This they would not have done if they had keptj '""'°"^- ~'^^™
heart-true to God. That is the secret of walking through theji "The shosim
world, and uot spotting the garments. III. Consequences. Pre- ""'^ enemies of
sent pleasure : short-lived, however, ending in bitter sorrows."
Keeping bad company, — In the year 1S32, died in Essex, Eng
land, under very painful circumstances, a young man who had
once promised to be happy and useful. He was apprenticed to a ^ ^^ ^ _
respectable shopkeeper, who insisted on his always being at home i dm,' idii.
by a certain hour in the evening. For eome time he appeared '
very attentive to his business, and was useful to his master ; but " ¦^''''*-
he unhappily acquired the habit of walking about the streets of ' jiany resolutions
an evening, and soon after formed very improper connections at are like impres-
a public-house. He was seriously admonished, and at times si ^ns made on
appeared to feel the impropriety of his conduct, but the sins he *av"'^wathe°a
cherished hardened his heart, and his irregularities became con- j them away.
firmed. At length his master, on returning from a journey, '
heard complaints of his conduct, which led him to threaten that J?^^™. *° J'^
unless his conduct was altered, he would cancel his indentures, to 'commit^oma
He now felt that his sins were hastening him to the ruin against sin. how often
which he had often been warned ; he had lost alike the confi- ^ "Joes the bitter
dence of his master and his parents. Stung by the convictions jp^Pj""^™^"'^'^
of his guilt he repaired to his room, when he knew that he would from it i The
be expected to dinner, and committed suicide; thus rushing into burnt child
the presence of his Judge uncalled, and every way unprepared. | ^'^^^ 'be flre.
'Who can conceive the acuteness of his anguish, when he found ot ^ Amine.
himself in the presence of that God whose laws he had trampled
under his feet, but from whose wrath he found it impossible to
escape !"*
16—19. (16) judges, Shophetim, combining military leader- 1 judges are
ship with civil rule, and beginning authority with an act of and Israel
national deliverance. (17) not hearken, suiEciently to return delivered
to permanent obedience, their fathers, i.e. the generation led
by Joshua. (18) Lord was with, as with Moses and'Josh.,
the secret source of all power and success, it repented," only ^ jj ^ ^^^^
part of the idea of repentance can be applied to God. (19) bury,Ss,i.l'Sfi.
ceased not, Heb. let nothing faU of their own dpings. t. r n x„.
Mission and success of tlie .Judges.— I. Their office must not be ^^ ''¦ Wiseman,
confounded with that of subordinate functionaries whom Moses j
appointed to administer justice in the wilderness. II. Then- func- Shun all the by-
tionsmay be partly understood by ref erring to the position m u7^?°'±,'J=^.^S
which Moses and Joshua stood in relation to the twelve tribes, p^,^^ „« Chris-
III Their times were, on the whole, marked by national advance- 1 uan doctrine and
ment IV Note the spiritual or typical interpretation of these duty ; look weU
uiKiii.\j,^ J. . . r- „ ,- *Q ^j^g ancient
naratives of the Judges." , ,, , , . . , , i landmarks whioh
A ruler's a«<y.— Philip, kmg of Macedon, bemg importuned o[,jij,t has setup;
by a poor widow to do her justice, answered that ,be was not at 1 and in due time

a Fs. cvi. 34, 35.

92

JVDGBS.

your portion will
be etemal g'ory.
"It ia to be
lamented that
gi-eat characters
are seldom with
out a blot."—
Washington.

God is angry
with Israel
a *' Intermediate
vv. are au inter
ruption of the
Benae, refer to
much later times,
and appear to be
reCltictionB ot the
compiler." — Spk.
Comm.1 L. H. Wiseman,
M.A.
€ Dr. Beaumont.
"For many miles
around Swansea
no vegetation
exists, owing to
the smoke from
tbe large copper-
works tbere :
even so, the in
fluence of bad
companionsprevents man
flourishing iu the
Divine Ufe." —
jReu. T. Jones.

B.O. 1406.
nations left
to prove
Israel
a Nu. liii. 21,
xxxiv. 8.
" Many a day
have I BougJit
death with tears ;
Hit out of im
patience, distrust,
or perturbation,
but because Iam
weary of sin, and
feirful to fall
Into it."— Cowper.
•'Katioual en
thusiasm ia the
great nursery of
genius."— r«^«c-
man.

[Cap. lit 1-4^
leisure ; to whom she replied, " Then cease to be a king, for to do
justice is the very reaaon wliy you are a king at all." Hearing
thia, he felt so much the force ofthe rebuke, that he took care
of her cause immediately. Lord, Thou requirest of us that we
should do Thee service, and we are sometimes tempted to say we
cannot attend to it ; but it may well be replied to us, then cease
to live ; above all, cease your spiritual life, for therefore gavest
Thou us our natural life and our new life, that we might lay
them out in Thy service.
20—23. (20) This v. continues the narrative fr. v. 13.« (21)
drive out any, the further fulfilment of His promise waa
stopped. (22) prove larael, test, try, with idea of doing it
through sufEeriugB. (23) hastily, suddenly, and entirely, at the
first invasion.
The angel at Bochim (note on whole cap.). — I. The command
to extirpate the Canaanites explicit and often repeated. II. The
people were disobedient. 1. The Canaanites represent tlie enemiea
of the Church, and the inward besetting sins of its members ; 2.
¦ Our warfare is not completed when we partake of peace through
believing ; 3. Many stop short of full salvation ; 4. The history
illus. the causes of weakness in the Church. (1) Indolence ; (2)
Secret love of sin ; (3) Unbelief. III. A terrible series of penal
ties were the consecjuencea of Israel's unfaithfulness.^
Learnmg from company. — As there is no book out of which a
man may not gather something for hia good ; so there is no com
pany so bad but a wise man may leam something to make him
aelf better. So admirably hath G-od disposed of the ways of men,
that even the sight of vice in othera is like a warning arrow, shot
for us to take heed. We should correct our own faulta by seeing
how uncomely they appear in others : who will not abhor a cho
leric passion, and a saucy pride in himself, that sees how ridicu
lous and contemptible they render those who are infested with
them l*

CHAPTER THE THIRD. '
1 — 4. (1) left, more or less established in the land, eome un
subdued, some paying tribute, not known, etc., showing refe
rence to be to generation succeeding that led by Josh. (2) First
clause should read, " that He might knom the generations of tlie
children of Israel." Know by prov'ing. war, their situation
might demand defensioe war, for wh. th'ey mu.st be prepared. (S)
Philistines, Ge. xxi. .S2. Hamath, extreme N. boundary or
Canaan." (4) prove, Ju. ii. 22.
Geographical position qf Palestine. — Palestine was always an
isolated country. It lay like a bridge leading from the Euphrates
to the Nile, with a desert on one side and a sea on the other ; in
the very midst of the region of west Asiatic culture, yet isolated
from and unafEected by it. No other country had a similar posi
tion. No other lay like it in the immediate neighbourhood of the
six most illustrious, cultivated nations of the ancient world, the
Babylonians, Assyrians. Medes, Persiaus, Phoenicians, and Egyp
tians ; and yet in their very midst, divided from them by Nature
herself, in order to secure to this country its own complete oppo
sition, its own altogether peculiar culture, its monotheism, its

Oap. lii. 5—15.]

93

grand spiritual independence. None lay thus so intimately con
nected with each of the three continents in their points of con
tact, and with the five arms of the sea, reaching far inland, thus
early showing the paths prepared for the fulness of time, when
the Gospel should be ready to be despatched from this common
centre, in every direction to the ends of the world,'
5—8. (5) Comp. Bx. xxxiii. 2. dwelt among', ihstead of
driving them out utterly. (6) took . . sons, a distinct and most
wilful breach of the covenant. (7) and the groves, Heb.
Aslwrah.^ comp. De. xvi. 21. The symbol or image Of the goi-
dess Ashtoreth.^ (8) Chushan-rishathaiin,'' either 7«ost«7f/'e(i
Cushite, or lord of the land of the imo rivers. Mesopotamia,
Aram.-Xalmra'im, Ge. 8 — 11.
Ashtei-oth. — Groves.— The name of this deity occurs earlier in
the Bible than that of any other (Ge. xiv. 5). Ashteroth was
the principal female deity of the old Canaanites, as Baal was the
principal male deity. The moon was her eymbol. Hence the
name of that primeval city of the Eephaim, Ashteroth-liarna'im.
" the two-horned Ashteroth ; " that is, as I actually found the
goddess represented on a colossal bas-relief in Bashan, a female
with a crescent moon on her forehead. The Hebrew Ashteroth.
the Egyptian Athor, and the Greek Astarte, symbolised produc
tive power. She was the universal mother, or producer. She
presided over all productiveness, both in the animal and vegetable
world. Her worship, nnder the guidance of sensuaUty, came to
be connected with the most licentious rites. Her sanctuaries
were dens of infamy. By such orgies her power was supposed to
be propitiated. This form of idolatry tended, like others, to the
utter degradation of human nature. Ashteroth is called by
Jeremiah (viii. 18) " queen of heaven," and he describes Hebrew
women as oiiering cakes to her in the streets of Jerusalem.
9—11. (9) Othniel," Jos. xv. 16—19 ; Ju. i. 13 ; one of the
contemporaries of Joshua. (10) spirit, etc, as a spirit of war
fare and of judgment. (11) the land, i,e, the district specially
overrun by Chushan. forty years, poss. not intended to fix an
exact number, but to stand for a generation.
Providential changes. — I have often observed that when the
fulness and maturity of time is coma that produces the great con
fusions and changes in the world, it usually pleases God to make
it appear, by the manner of them, that they are not the effects
of human force or policy, but of the Divine justice and predesti
nation; and, though we see a man— like that which we call
" Jack of the clock-house"— striking, as it were, the hour of that
fulness of time, yet our reason must needs be convinced
that his hand is moved by some secret and, to ua that stand
without, invisible direction.'
12  15. (12) king of Moab, an extensive portion of the
ancient possessions of Moab were in hands of Is. ; these Eglon
BouEfht opportunity t» recover. (13) Ammoh, Amalek, both
bitter foes of Israel. Continually spoken of m conjunctioh with
Moab city of palm-trees," Jericho; havihg subjected the
eastern tribes, the enemy suddenly crossed the Jordan. (14)
served r 8, were under tribute. (15) Gera, one of Benj. s
eous Ge xlvi 21. left-hauded, lit. bound in, not able to use.

B.C. uos.

6 Carl Ritter.

Israel Inter-
' marries with
I Canaan
jo 2 Ki. iTil 10.
b Smith's Die. of
Bible,
c The only in
vader fr. the re
mote Eaat till the
decline of the
monai chy, and
j his name has as
I yet received no
' illuBtrationfr.lho Assyrian monu-
ments or
history," — Stan
ley. " Every sin has a
Satan in it, and
roba the soul of
ita beauty. Every
I sin hath robbeiy
' in it. It ia an en
deavour to carry
away some one
or other of the
crown jewels of
heaven." — Hali-
burton.

Othniela "His military
experience quali
fied him for the
work, while the
gallant exploits
he waa known to
have performed
gained him the
full confldence of.
his countrj men
in his ability aa a
leader." — Jamie
son, ¦'The last of tha
generation of
conquerors.''-^
Stanley. b Cowley.

" They eetab-
lished them
selves at Giles).

94

JUDGES.

[Cap. iil. 16-24.

B.C. 1406,
and Jericho. But
beyond the
mountain barrier
they do not g i.
Their dominion
extended itself
over the neigh
bouring tribe of
Benj amin." —

Aco. to LXX.
Ehud was an
ambidexter, i.e.
able to uHe both
hands with equal
facility.b Dr. Parker.
c Anthony Bur
gess.

Ehud kills
Eglon, king
of Moab
oPs.cxlix.6: Re.
1.16.». 20. E. Cooper,
Prac. Ss. iii. 1 ;
Simeon, Wks. iii.
12; W.J, E, Ben
nett, Ss, ii. 1.
6 W. M. Smith.
"Ev'n to the
dullest peasant
standing by who
faaten'd still on
bim a wondering
eye.heseem'd the
master-spirit of
the land.' -Joanna
Baillie. " Heroism — the
Divine relation,
which, in all
times, unites a
great mau to
other men." —
Carlyle.

e Burder.

a A. S. haft,
hcifiao, to take,
seize. b Thia explii.na-
tion is adopted
b; /. D. iiiclieelis.

his right liand; many such in this tribe, Ju. xx. 16. present,
the tribute.
I Ehud (v. 15). — The text shows— I. That many men may be de-
I pendent o-a. one man. 1. He may move about more quickly; 2.
' He may be in a better position. II. That the instruments chosen
of God may ofteu surprise and disappoint men. Ehud left-handed.
I.A man not great merely because left-handed. 2. No mau should
I be condemned merely because he does not take hold of things in
the commou way. III. That some good use may be made of the
most unlikely qualifications.*
I Conscience no judge in religion. — When a man performeth that
! which his judgment calls upon him to do, he finds great serenity
' of miud, and is like the upper region, wherein turbulent meteors
make uo confusion ; so that you must never judge of the truth
of any way in religion, by the comfort and peace of conscience
you find therein ; for all Turks, Jews, papists, and heretics, have
much quietness of conscience in discharging that (raditional re
ligion they are brought up in, and would be much troubled iu
conscience to deny or apostatise from their way, until their con
sciences ba rectified out of God's Word.'
16—20. (16) dagger, short sword, two edges," custom
ary way of sharpening, right thigh, sword being usually
worn on the left side, this enabled Ehud to escape detection.
(17) fat mau. said to explain effectiveness of Ehud's attaolc
(18) sent away, going at first with them. (19) quarries,
either well-known stoue quarries near the place where Eglon
was ; or, as some think, graven images, statues of Moab. idols.
(20) summer parlour, 'iit. -upper chamber qf coolness. Making
as if to whisper, Ehud got close to the king.
A message from God unto man (v. 20). — Notice — I. The mea
senger. II. The message. To — 1. The impenitent : "repeut ;"
2. The true believer : "be not weary;" 8. The tempted: "blessed
is the man that endureth temptation ;" 4. The afflicted : " pray ;"
5. The almost Christiau : "takeheed;" 6. The poor ignorant man
desiring to know the way of life. III. From whom the message
comes : " from God." IV. To whom it is addressed : " unto
thee,"* Tlie secret errand. — From a circumstance mentioned by Mr.
Bruce, it appears that Ehud acted in strict conformity to the
customs of the time and place, so that neither the suspicion of
the king nor his attendants should be excited by his conduct.
It was usual for the attendants to retire when secret messages
were to be delivered. " I drank a dish of coffee, and told him
that I was a bearer of a confidential message from Ali Bey of
Cairo, and wished to deliver it to him without witnesses when
ever he pleased. The room was accordingly cleared without
delay, excepting his secretary, who was also going away, whea
I pulled him back by the clothes, saying, ' Stay, if you please ; we
shall need you to write the answer.' "«
21—24. (21) left hand, so taking Eglon at unawares. (22)
haft," hilt or handle. (23) porch, where the entrance doors
were, parlour, antechamber in which the courtiei-s might
wait. (24) gone out, wh. he did with surprising calmness.
covereth his feet, for sleep.' comp. 1 Sa. xxiv. 3.
Xlie tummer parlour.— Dv, Shaw tells us, their doors are large,

Cap. iil. 25-31.1

JUDGES.

95

and their chambers spacious ; conveniences, as he observes, very
well adapted to those hotter climates. But when Eglon is repre
sented as receiving Ehud and Death, in a parlour of cooling, or
ratlier in a chamber of cooling, something more seems to be
meant than merely its having a large door, or being spacious ; at
least thei-e are now other contrivances in the Bast, to give cool
ness to particular rooms, -which are very common ; and though
the time in whioh Eglon lived, is acknowledged to be of very
remote antiquity, yet we are to remember he was a prince, and
in the palaces of such these contrivances without doubt began.
EusseU has given us the following account of one of their
methods of cooling rooms. Their great houses at Aleppo are
composed of apartments on each of the sides of a square court, all
of stone ; and consist of a ground floor, which is generally arched,
and an upper stoiy, which is flat on the tx)p, and either terraced with
hard plaster, or paved with stone ; above-stairs is a colonnade, if not
round the whole court, at least fronting the west, off from which
are their rooms and kiosques ; these latter are a sort of wooden
divans, that project a little way from their other buildings, and
hangover the street; they are raised abont a foot and a half
higher than the floor of the room, to which they are quite open,
and by having windows in front aud on each side, there is a
great draught of air, which makes them cool in the summer, the
advantage chiefly intended by them.
S5— 30. (25) ashamed, comp. 2 Ki. ii. 17, viii. 11. a key,"
an opener, the chief ofBcer would doubtless hold a duplicate key.
(26) Seirath, " the forest bordering on the cultivated plaiu
near Gilgal." (27) mountain, or hilly district. (28) fords
of Jordan, those by Jericho, thus the enemy was intercepted
and readily feU a prey. (29) lusty, fat like their king. (30)
the land, the part occupied by tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin
chiefly. Ancient loclis. — The wooden locks commonly used in Egypt,
" consist of a long hollow piece of wood, fixed in the door, so as
to slide backward and forward, which enters a hole made for it
in the doorpost, and is there fastened by small bolts of iron wire,
which fall from above into little orifices made for them in the
top of the lock. The key is a long piece of wood, liaving at the
end small pieces of iron wire of different lengths, irregularly
fixed in, corresponding in number and direction with the bolts
which fall into the lock ; these it lifts upon being introduced
into the lock, which it then pulls back. The bolts of wire differ
in number from three to fourteen or fifteen, and it is impossible
to guess at the number a lock contains, or at the direction in
which they are placed."'
31. Shamgar, not otherwise mentioned, poss. a contemporary
of Jael." As Beth-anath is in tribe of Naphtali, he may have
been of that tribe.' ox- goad, instrument used by ploughmen.
A strong pole 8 or 10 ft. long, with a point at one end to urge on
the oxen, and a kind of chisel at the other to clear the plough
share fr. earth and weeds, etc.
Slmmgar (v. 31).— Note— I. How absurd it is for any man to
blame his tools for bad work— (ox-goad ; jawbone of ass ; sling
and stone).  II. How important it is that men should use those
instruments which they can handle most ekilfully. III. How

Bp. Patrick, Spk.
Comm., etc.
" They cannot
account for the
long closing of
the door, exf^ept
I on tbe suppoai-
j tion that their
I lord had retired
for purposes
I which Oriental
I deli acy reserves
I for seclusion."—
Stanley.
I "Death doth lurk
' always in life's
j delicious cup :
the mulberry-leaf
must bear the
, biting of a worm,
I lhat so it may be
, raised to wear
I ita silken form."
•Ruxkert.

Ehud calls
Israel to
arms
a " Keys and
locks in Pales
tine are very Ire-
queolly now,and
were, doubtless,
inold time, lirge,
and both of them
made of wood.
Ancient keys
were crooked,
bent into the
ahape ofa sickle,
and like it borne
on the shoulder."
— Ayre.
b Turner's Tour in
the Levant.

Shamg:ar
a Ju. V. 6.
6 Smith's Die.
'*Do not ridicule
the instrument.
Look at tbe -600
dead men, at the
slain giant, a.t the
prostrate walls of
Jericho. Eule
applies to every
department of

96

JUDGES.

[Cap. iv. 1-9.

B.C. 1406.
life J to preach
ing, to missions,
to every Chris
tian effort."— i>r.
Parker. c Dl-. Parker.
'* The greatest
obstacle to being
heroic is the
doubt whether
one may not. be
going to prove
oneself a fool ;
the truest hero
ism is to resist
the doubt ; and
the profoundest
wisdom to know
when it ought to
be resisted, and
when to be
obeyed." — Baw-
thorne.d Maundrell.

foolish it vrould be to ridicule the instrument when the results
are so obviously of God. IV. How victories are sometimes wou
iu the face of the greatest improbabilities."
The ox-goad.—" The country people were now everywhere at
plough in the fields, in order to sow cotton. It was observable
that in ploughing they used goads of an extraordinary size ;
upon measuring several, I found them about eight feet long,
and at the bigger end six inches in circumference. They were
I armed. at the lesser end with a sharp prickle for driving the oxen,
I at the other end with a small spade, or paddle of iron, strong and
1 massy, for cleansing the plough from the clay that encumbers
iit in working. May we not from hence conjecture, that it was
I with such a goad as one of these, that Shamgar made that pro-
idigious slaughter related of hira. Judges iii. 21? I am confident
that whoever should see one of these instruments would judge
it to be a weapon not less fit, perhaps fitter, than a sword for
such an execution. Goads of this sort I saw always used here
abouts, and also iu Syria ; and the reason is, because the same
single person both drives the oxen, and also holds and manages
the plough ; which makes it necessary to use such a goad as is
above described, to avoid tho encumbrance of two instruments."''

bppressionunder Jabin
a Ps. IxxviiL 66
— S8.
b Smith's Dict.Bib.
c Spk. Comm.';
Stanley.d Zand and Book,
pp. 2S5, 286.
e Land and Book,
pp. 436, 437.
VV.l—d. J. Plump
tre, Pop. Com, i,
386; Noel Alexan
der, Hist. Eccles.

f it. Henry.

Deborah sends for
Barak a Ex. It. 22.
6 " The spirit of
Deborah was like
a torch for Israel,
kindling their
languid hearts."
— Lange.
t Ge. xxxv. 8.
d Jos. xix. 32, 35,
87, XX. 7, xxi. 32.
« "Barak is to

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
1—3. (1) did evil," in yielding to surrounding idolatry. (2)
sold them, as iu ch. ii. 14. Jabin, prob. hereditary name of
kings of Hazor. Comp. Jos. xi. Either the two chiefs of name
of Jabin were contemporaries,' or Hazor was rebuilt after its
destruction by Joshua.'^ Hazor, city of Naphtali, near waters
of Merom, Jos. xix. 36 ; poss. mod. Hazere.^ Harosheth, not
identified ; Thomson thinks the double mound called Harothieh.«
of the Gentiles, or nations, Is. ix. 1. Upper Galilee. (3)
chariots Of iron, Jos. xvii. 16. oppressed, word used Ex. iii.
9. Prob. Israelites were put by Jabin to task work in hewing
timber. Israel' s sin and oppression. — Here is — I. Israel backsliding from
God. See in this — 1. The strange strength of corruption ; 2. The
common ill effects of a long peace ; 3. The great loss which a
people sustain by the death of good governors. II. Israel op
pressed by their enemies. Ill; Israel returning to their God. Dis
tress drives men lo Him. /
4 — 9. (4) Deborah, a bee, comp. Ge. xxiv. 59. prophetess,
person thro' whom Divine communications were made, comp.
Miriam," and Huldah. wife of Lapidoth, or, a woman of a
fiery spirit, or of the torch-glow;'' lapidoth means firebrands,
lamps, or flames. (5) under the palm, tent set up under well-
I known tree." Kamah, prob. Ramatluiim-zophim. judgment,
j of civil disputes. (6) Barak, lightning. He. xi. 32. Kedesh-
naphtali, to distin. fr. town in Issachar. i* Iiord God, Jehovah
God of the covenant, draw, or spread out." Tabor, at N.B.
corner of plain of Esdraelon. (7) Kishon, now Mukutta,
stream issuing fr. Carmel/ (8) go with me, her presence would
inspire the host. (9) woman, Jael, vv. 17 — 21.
Deborah (w. 4 — 7). — I. Her lowly yet well-known dwelling.
II. Her office, prophetess, _,Gp(i uses. divert, insti-iiments. Pri(&

Oap. lv. 10-13.1

JUDGES.

97

taken out of man by use of a woman. Women have often shamed
men by their courage at critical times (Joan of Arc, Maid of
Saragossa). III. Her influence ; that of wisdom. Israel per
ceived that she was the mouthpiece of God. IV. Her knowledge.
She knew Barak, the right man for the tiines. V. Her faith. Be
heved God would draw Sisera into the snare i believed the time
of Israel's deliverance ha-", come. — Barah. — I. His humility.
Would not go without Deborah. II. His self-denial. Would go,
even though not for his own honoiu:. Note, such elements enter
into the character of aU real heroes.
The siimm'it of Tabor. — Here we are, on the top of Taborl Let us
breathe our tired animals beneath this fine old oak at the entrance
into the fortress. You observe that a fosse once protected the wall
on aU this part of the summit, because it is less precipitous than
elsewhere. This narrow plot on the north side, I suppose, was
levelled into its present shape, by the inhabitants of this ancient
city, for gardens, or to make a hippodrome and parade-ground.
South of this a rocky ridge rises some fifty feet higher, and the
entire summit was surrounded by a heavy wall, strengthened
with towers at suitable distances, and further defended by a
ditch when needed. These works are obviously of very different
ages ; aud history not only accounts for, but demands them.
There was a town here, and no doubt fortified, at or before the
time of Joshua. Here Barak and Deborah assembled the thou
sands of Najihtali to attack Sisera. And Tabor is never lost sight
of, either by Hebrew historian or poet. It has, therefore, a story
many times too long for us to repeat, — Canaanitish, Jewish,
GrEeco-Macedonian, Eoman, Christian, Saracenic, Frank, and
Turk.? 10—13. (10) at his feet, following him, Ex. xi. 8, marg.
went up, to meeting-place on Tabor. (11) Should read, Heber
had severed himself fr. ch'ildr. of Hobab. '^ Hobab, Nu. x. 29—32.
Kenites, Ge. xv. 19 ; Nu. xxiv. 21, 22. plain, oak or terebinth
tree. Zaanaim, Jos. xix. 33. (12) shewed, reported to. (13)
gathered, by cry, or proclamation ; as marg. from . . Kishon,
the entiise plaiu of Esdraelon.
Heber tlie Kenite (v. 11).— I. A man descended from an idola
trous ancestry. II. A man who was saved the doom of his coun
trymen by a timely separation. III. A man who proved the
sincerity of his conversion by the aid he rendered Isis.e'L—Si.sera's
hope (v, 18). — Chariots of iron. I. He illustrates the vain confi
dences of those who make not the Lord their trust. Historical
examples. II. He illustrates the fate of those whose dependence
is in the creature. His own chariots made the confusion of his
defeat the greater.
Men at his feet.— The phrase " men at his feet " did not, I be
heve, refer to any particular class of soldiers, but applied to aU,
whether they fought in chariots, on horses, or on foot. This form
of speech is used in Eastern books to show how many obey or
serve under the general. It may be taken from the action of _ a
slave being prostrate at the feet of his master, denoting submis
sion or obedience. In this way devotees, when addressing the
¦ gods, always speak of themselves as being at their feet. When
the Orientals speak of his Majesty of Britain, they often allude
to the millions who are at his feet. The governors, generals, or
judges in the East, are said to have the people of such countaes,
VOL. iu; O.T. Q

B.C. 1316.

gatherlO.OOOmen
tuwai'd Tabor,
oneafter another,
in small squads:
the tyrant must
know nothing of
the rising until
the hosts are
assembled."—, Lange.
f lu. V. 21; IKJ.
xviii. 40.
v.i. Dr.H.Huoter.
Sac. Biog. ix. 98;
Dr. II. Hughes,
Fem. Charac. I.
286.Tradition hag
flxed on this spot
as (he sceneof the
ti-ansfigurationof Cluist, but tho
correctness of
thia opinion has
been disputed by
Dean Stanley and
other writers.
g Thomson, Land
and Book.

Barak and
Siserasumtnon their armies
a Nu. X. 29; Ju.
1.16.The transactions
of Providence
are not seeu
clearly at first;
the painter at the
, first makes buta
rough draught of
his picture — flrst
a hand, then an
eye; but when he
hath filled up
every part and
laid on his
colours, it is
beautiful to be
hold : we who live
in this age of the
Church see but a
rough draught of
God's Provi
dence, but wheu
we reach heaven,
and see all the
lineaments of
God's Provi
dence drawn out
and completed,
all will be per-
iection and wis-

l<jap. iv. 14— 21,

B.0. 1316.
dom and mercy,
— kindness and
love wili seal the
¦whole.b Roberts.
the army of
Sisera routed
a, "Word here
rendered discom
fit, is one spoken
especially of God-
See Ex. xiv. 2i,
xxiii. 37; Jos. X.IO,
etc." — Spk.Comm.
t Ge. xviii. G, 10,
xxiv. 67.
r.l4. W.Reading,
M.A., Ss. i. 304.
'¦Wouldst thou
know the lawful
ness of the action
which thou de
sirest to under
take, let thy
devotion recom
mend it to Divine
blessing; if it be
lawful thou shalt
perceive thy
heart encouraged
by thy prayer; if
unlawful, thou
Bhalt find thy
prayer dis
couraged by thy
heart That
action is not
¦ffarrantabl e
which either
blushes to beg d
blessing, or,
having succeed
ed, dares not
presenta thanks-
giving.-'-Quarles.e Percy Anec.
Sisera is
killed by
Jael
a"Itisanancientpractice.commouto aU Bedouins,
Ara/bs, etc., that
whosoever has
eaten or drunk
anything in the
tent is received
into the peace of
the house. The
Arab's mortal
enemy slumbers
securely in the
tent of his adver
sary, if he have
drunk with him."
— Lange.
b "Though
praised in the
Bong, the eulogy
must be Con

or armies, or districts, at their feet. Nay, it is common for mas
ters, and people of small possessions, to speak of their doinestics
as being at their feet. It is therefore heard every day for " I
will send my servants," en-hdl-adiyila, "those at my feet."'
14 — 17. (li) ¦went down, though the plain gave great advan
tage to Sisera's chariots. A sudden onslaught ere Sisera was pre
pared for battle. (15) discomfited," produced a panic, off hia
chariot, either bee. stuck fast in the morass, or fearing recog
nition if iuit. (16) Sisera tries to get out of the regular course
of flight. (17) tent of Jael, woman's tent' gave greater
security. ZTp, this is the day (v, 14). — Eegard these words of Deborah
as — I. A call to immediate action. Attack the enemy to-day.
Delay is dangerous ; if you delay you may be attacked instead.
II. A double stimulant to courage. Barak's courage would be
kept up by — 1. Deborah's promise of success ; 2. Her assurance of
God's presence with him. III. Good advice for regulating our
warfare with sin. Attack Satan now. Every moment lost
weakens you aud strengthens your already formidable adversary.
Resist him now, and he wUl flee from you.
Decision and indecis'ion contrasted. — Wheu Gen. Suwarolf com
manded, under the Prince of Coburg, on the frontiers of Turkey,
he had an army of twenty-two thousand men. Coburg himself
had thirty-seven thousand, and the Turks only twenty-eight thou
sand. Prince Coburg's army, which had taken a good position on
a rising ground, about nine miles distant from SuwaroTf, was
attacked, and obliged to fall back. Coburg then 'wi'ote tb Suwa-
roff, " I was attacked this morning by the Turks. I have lost my
position and artillery. I send you no instructions what to do.
Use your O'wn judgment, only let me know what you have done
as soon after as you can." Suwaroff immediately sent the follow
ing answer : " I shall attack the Turks to-morrow morning, drive
them from your position, and retake your cannon." Before three
o'clock in the afternoon, Suwaroff kept his word ; and Coburg's
army had the cannon and their old position before night."
18 — 21. (18) to meet Sisera, tidings of battle seem to have
reachedher. mantle, rug, or coverlet. (19) bottle, made of skin;
giving this was sign of friendliness.* (20) anxious about his
safety, he set her on the watch. (21) nail, prob. a spare tent-
pin, to wh. the ropes were fastened, hammer, the mallet used
in driving pin into the ground. This was violation of hospitality,
and murder. '
Sisera's death (v. 21). — The great commander dies — I. In his
fast asleep and weary. Fettered in the chains of sleep,
he could not resist. II. With his head nailed to the ground : an
emblem of earthly-mindedness. III. By the hand of a woman.
This added to the shame of his death before men."
Butter in tlie East. — The method of making butter in the East
illustrates the conduct of Jael, the wife of Heber, described ia
the Book of Judges : " And Sisera said unto her. Give me, I pray
thee, a little water to drink, for I am thirsty : and she opened a
bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him." In the '
song of Deborah the statement is repeated : "He asked water,
and she gave him milk, she brought forth butter in a lordly dish."
The word (Jiemah) whioh our translators rendered butter, pro-

Cap. V. 1—6.1

JUDGES

99

perly signifies cream ; which is undoubtedly the meaning of it
in this passage, for Sisera complained of thirst, and asked a little
water to quench it, a purpose to which butter is but little adapted.
Mr. Harmer, indeed, urges the same objection to cream, -jvhich,
he contends, few people wotild think a very proper beverage for
one that was extremely thirsty ; and concludes that it must have
been buttermilk which Jael, who had just been churning, gave
to Sisera.''
22—24. (22) whom thou seekest, Barak wanted to com
plete his victory by putting to death, or taking prisoner, the
general of the army. (23) God subdued, they must see past
the secondary to the chief agent. (24) prospered, lit. as marg.
" the hand of Israel went on, going on, and being hard."* They
followed up this first victory with further successes.
Lessons suggested by defeat of Sisera. — I. That whioh was the
chief boast of the heathen oppressor, and the chief terror of
Israel, proved to be one of the chief causes of Israel's salvation.
and of the enemy's overthrow— chariots of iron. II. That faith
is the highest reason. III. A type of the final overthrow of
Satan. IV. An emblem of encouragement to ourselves in the
daily struggle with evil.
Arab momen. — The Arabs are not so scrupulous as the Turks
about their women ; and though they have their harem, or women's
apartment, in the tent, they readily introduce their acquaintances
into it, or those sti'angers whom they take under their special pro
tection. Pococke's conductor, in his joumey to Jerusalem, led
him two or three miles to his tent, where he sat with his wife
and others round a fii'e. The faithful Arab kept him there for
greater security, the wife being always with him ; no stranger
ever daring to come into tlie ¦\4'0inen's apartment unless intro
duced. We discover iu this custom, the reason of Jael's invita
tion to Sisera, when he was defeated by Barak : " Turn in, my
lord, turn in to me, fear not." She invited him to take refuge
in her own division of the tent, into which no sti-anger niight
presume to enter ; and where he naturally supposed himself in
perfeot safety,"
CHAPTER THE FIFTH
1 — 5, (1) sang Deborah., sho both composed fche song-, and
led the singing. (2) avenging, De. xxxii. 42.« (3) kings,
calling attention of the mighty ones among the nations, as Ps. ii.
I will sing, word used indie, accompanying her song by playing
on some instrument.* (4) out of Seir,«^ the march to take pos
session of Canaan commenced at Kadesh, by Seir. (5) Sinai.
prob. here used as figure.'*
God fraued hy a song (v. 1).— I. A veny natural expression of
rejoicing. II. A very proper expedient for spreading the know
ledge and perpetuating the remembrance of great events.^
Songs on the hattle-ficld.—A. Western captain as he lay on the
battle-field of Shiloh, suffered greatly from a fatal gunshot-
wound through both thighs, and from thirst. He said, " The
stars shone out clear and beautiful above the dark field ; and I
began to think of that great God who had given His Son to die
a death of agony for me ; and that He was up there— up above
Gr 2

B.C. 1316.
sidered as pro
nounced, not OQ
themoral charac
ter of the woman,
aud on her deed,
but OD tho public
bcnefitswh.intheoverruling Pro
vidence of God,
would flow from
it." — Jamieson,
c if. Hi-nry.
d Paxton.
Jael salutes
BarakV. ?3. R. Warnfir,
O'd CIt. of Eng,
Prin. ii. 21-4.
L. IJ. Wiseman.
M.A.Why did tha
" Invincible Ar
mada " perish,
despite tho
beauty of ita
vessels, aud ttia
loug-ti'ied ex
perience of its
mariners ? Pro-
Viably iho very
fact that it called
itself invincible
had some share
in its defeat. God
allows us the
epithet only after
the fact.
"A woraan's
noblest s' ation is
retreat.'" — Lerd
Lyttleton.
a Paxton.

the song' of
Deborah praise to Grod
a "For the
leading of tho
leaders in Israel,
foi' the free self-
offering of lhe
people, praiso
Jehovah l"-5;aB-
ley.
b Lange.
c Ps. Ixviii. 7—9;
Ha. iiL 3-12.
t? Prayer Bk.Tor.
of Ps. Ixviii. 8.
V. 1. lip. /Jois.'ci/,
Bi0l.Ciit,ii.i-2i-~

100

JUDGES,

[Cap. V. 6— 13i

437 ; /. Davghtv, '
Analecta Sacra,
3.9.S.vv. 1, 2. W. Reel
ing, Ss iii o'»;) i
Dr. ff. Iliiglm,
rem. Cha. i. 3 1 'I.
F. D. .M.iuHce, Old
Test 323.
t M Henry.
the exploits
of Shaiui?"ar
rehearsed,and the
decUne of
larael
a "The obscure,
tortuou3 pa'h3
wera the only
means of. com-
m unicatioa " —
Btan'ey, h " There wa'? no
one to do justice
in the gate.' —
S..k Comm.
" Tliei-e ceased
to 'te heads in
Isr.iel." — Stanley.
v,1. Dr J.Talbot,
A Ser.
V. 8. Abp. Nicliol-
son, .4 .S r.
v.d Dr.C.iforgan,
A *r,
" I knew a, very
wise man that
believed that ir a
man were per-
mit'ed to milie
all the ballads,
ho need not care
who fill >uld make
the l.iws of a
nation -~. Andrew
Fletclu-r.
c T. Ad tms.
"¦Whatiidereat?
Nitthiug butedu-
caiion, nothing
but t'lo iirst at^p
to sometiiing
bet'cp." — WendeU
PhiHipn.d Harmer.

princes and
others exhorted to
praise G-od

the scene of suffering-, and above tbose glorious stars ; and I felt
that I was going home to meet Him, and praise Him there ; and
I felt that I ought to praise God, even wounded, and on the
battle-field. I oould not help singing that beautiful hymn,
' When I can read my title clear,' etc. And," said he, '• therewas
a Christian brother in the brush near me. I could not see him ;
but I could hear him. He tools up the strain ; and beyond him
another and another caught it up, all over the terrible battle-field
of Shiloh. That night, the echo was resounding ; and we made
the field of battle ring with the hymns of praise to God."
6—9. (6) Shamgar, Ju. iii. 31. high-ways, etc., -vivid
picture, of unsettled times." (7) villages, here, and v. 11,
judges,' rulers.' a mother, to the grown people she was w
mother to a child. (8) ne-w gods, other than Jehovali. spear
seen, all ths weapons of the people -were taken away. (9)
heart is towards, 'i.e. is full of admiration of.
The soldier's honour (vv. 8, 9). — I have ohosen two strains
I of this song, from which, as they shaU ^ach me, so I pur-
Ipose to teach you, to bless the Lord that teacheth us all.
jThe Lord give me a tongue to sing it, and you ears to
I hear it, and us all hearts to' embrace it. Herein I observe— L
! Great afflictiou. In the affliction I find three points of war :
i 1. The alarm : " they chose new gods." (1) " They chose," a
! frank choice, no compelling; (2) "Gods." And they a natiou
trained up in the knowledge of oue God ; (3) " New gods."
Will any other natiou change their gods? 2. The battle;
" war in the gates." (1) " War," the nature of it ; (2) " Then,"
tiie time of it : when " they chose new gods ;" (3) " The gates,"
the place of it ; this an extreme progress of war ; 3. The lorlom
hope : " was there a shield," etc. War in ths gates, and yet no
weapons ! Two inferences from this part of the subject -. (1)
That war at some tiinss is just and. necessary ; (2) That muni
tions and arms should at all times be in readiness. II. Great
affection: "my heart is set," etc. Set upou — 1. Men: "tha
governors of Israel;" 2. God: '- Bless ye the Lord.""
Roads in tho East. — There are roads in these countries, but it is
very easy to turn out of them, and go to a place by winding
about over the lands, when that is thought Safer. Dr. Shaw
' takes notice of this circurastance in Barbary, where, he says, they
I found no hedges, or mounds, or enclosures, to retard or molest
I thera. To this Deborah doubtless refers. The account Bishop
! Pococke gives of the manner in whioh that Arab, under whosa
care he had put himself, conducted him to Jerusalem, illustrates
this with great liveliness, whicli his lordship tells us was by
night, and not by the high road, but through the fields ; "and I
observed," says he, " that he avoided as much as he could going
near any village or encampment, and sometimes stood still, as I
tliought, to hearken." And just in that manner people were
obliged to travel in Judea, in the days of Shamgar and Jael.''
10—13. (10) -white asses," white dappled she asses, scarce
and costly ; so used by kings and nobles, in judgment, or on
."addles, or horse cloths. " Ye that sit on rich carpets." walk
by the way, the common people. (11) places . . water,'

i "F^i *' amidst reference to the wells outside the towns ; villages, as v. 7. down
the touting oti to the gates, coming from their hiding-places to dwell agaitt

Oap. V. 14—18.]

101

in the towns. (1 2) a-wake. exciting her spirit to further flights.
captivity captive, pointing to the captive Canaanites. (13)
him that remaineth, the reranant left of the persecution.
_ Blessings of peace. —Of these this passage gives us a vivid
picture. I. Nobles whose equipages made them conspicuous for
a prey. II. Judges whose administration of justice was sus
pended. III. Travellers whose mercantile pursuits had been
hindered. IV. Shepherds whose well had been stopped, or the
approaches cut off. V. Simple villagers whose life and property
had been threatened -were to rejoice with accord, while the pro
phetess and the hero led the song.
'Ilie ambush at the foiin.ta'm.—'D-c. Shaw mentions a beautiful
rill in Barbary, whioh is received into a large basin, called shriih
we hrvb, Drink and away, there being great danger of meeting
there with rogues and assassins. If suoh places are proper for
the lurking ot murderers in times of peace, they must be proper
for the lying in ambush in times of war : a circumstance that
Deborah takes notice of in her song. But the writer -«'ho is
placed first in that collection which is entitled Gesta Dei per
Prancos, gives a more perfect comment still on that passage :
for, speaking of the want of water, which the Croisade army so
severely felt at the siege of Jerusalem, he complains that besides
their being forced to use water that stunk, and barley bread,
their people were in continual danger from the Saracens, who,
lying hid near all the fountains, and places of water, everywhere
destroyed numbers of them, and carried off their cattle. To which
may be added a story from William of Tyre, relating to Godfrey.
Duke of Lorrain, afterward king of Jerusalem, who, stopping
short of Antioch five or six miles, to which place he was returning.
in order to take some refreshment in a pleasant grassy place near
a fountain, was suddenly set upon by a number of horsemen
of the enemy, who rushed out of a reedy fenny place near them,
and attacked the duke and his people."
14 — 18. (I'l) " Out of Ephraim came those whose root is in
STount Amalek,"" Ju. xii. 15. Machir, western Manasseh, Jos.
xvii. 1—6. the pen, lit. staff of the ruler. Refer, is to officer
who kept the muster roll. (15) on foot, contrast with chariots
of enemy, the divisions, trans, "among the brooks of
Eeuben i"' watercourses descend, to the Jordan. (16) bleatings
of, lit. pipings to the flocks."^ (17) Gilead, name of district B.
of Jordan, breaches, creeks, havens, harbours." (18) jeo
parded, exposed to peril.«
Tlie divisions of Peiiben (vv. 15, 16).— I. Explain the word " divi
sions." 1. Not dissensions in the tribe of Eeuben ; or 2. Separa
tion from the rest of Israel : but 3. The watercourses that flowed
through the ten-itoiy of the tribe. What happened at these
divisions. When the sound of war echoed through the land the
children of Eeuben thought of what they might gain or lose by
the contest ; and searched for plausible excuses for withholding
aid. Our quiet resting-places are too often places for inglorious
ease rather than nurseries of noble resolutions. _
'Hie breaches of >l.s7i«('.— Though the coast of that part ot byna
which is denominated Palestine is not remarkable for the
number of its ports, yet besides Joppa, St. John d'Acre, Caipha
under Mount Carmel, and a few others that might be named,
there are some creeks, and smaU oonvement places, where Uttle

B.C. 1296.
the di-viders of
spoils, between
the water-
troughs." — Stan
tly. '- No peace was
ever won from
fa' 6 by subter
fuge or aj^ree-
ment; no peace
is ever in etora
for any of us, but
that which we
shall win by
Tictory over
shame or sin ;
victory over
the Bin tbat
oppresses, as well
over that which
corrupts." — Rus
kin, '- It is the religiou
of Jesus alono
that can give
peace to man; it
unites him with
his Saviour ; it
subdues his pas
sions, it controls
his desires, it
c nsoles him
with the love of
Chiist : it givea
him joy even in
sorrow; and ihis
is a ]0_\ that
cannot be taken
away." — Fenelon,
c Harmer.
the divisions
of Eeuben
a Spk, Comm.
b Gesenius.
c Nu. xxxii. 1 — 5;
Ge. xlix. 4.
d Jos. xix. 29.
e 0. 'Kng,juparlie,
fr. Fr. Jen partie,
even git me.
Afterwards con
founded with Fr.
jeu-perdu, a lost
game.V. 1 5. J. Stennett,
Wks. i. 310.
The wicked are
repelled by any
obstarles, how
ever slight, in tha
way to heaven,
but thpy make
great efforts to
gratify their
lusts.

102

JUDGES.

[Cap. V. 19—27.

B.O. 1295.
/ Harmet-.

the stars aud
the river
a Josephus.
b Lange. Ps. xviii.
12—14.
v.iO.Dr, J.Donne,
Wis. vi. 191.
V. 21. C. Bullen,
Ss. 179.
«. 23. N. Culver-
well, Mt. Ebal,
Light of Nature;
E. iiifkenngell.
Wks. i. 220.
V. 2-2 may read: —
" ' Then were the
horse-ho ofs
broken by means
of the prancings,
the prancings of
their strong
steeds.' Anciently
horses were not
shod, nor are
they at the pre
sent day in some
parts of theEast"
— Carpenter.
*' A great name
of worldly glory
is but like a peal
rtmg onthe bells;
the common
people are tbe
clappers ; the
rope that moves
them ia popu
larity; if youonce
let go your hold
and leave pull
ing, the clappers
lie still and fare
well honour."^
T. Adanis.
c Paxton.
the exploit
of Jael
a Siunley
i>. 24. Up. Hall,
Contemp. ; T. Ar
nold, Ss.onInlerp.
7S
tin 24 — 28. Bp.
Medley, Ss. 296.
b C Simeon, M.A.
V 2 5. "Tho
approaches of
sin are like tho
ccnduct of Jael,
i*. brings butter
in a lordly dish.
It bids high for
the soul. But
when it has
ascinated flud

vessels, and such as those that are used for fishing, may shelter
themselves, and land what they take, though there are very few
rivers on all that coast. To these places Deborah seems to refer,
when she says, " Asher continued on the seashore, and abode in
his breaches,"' or creeks, as it is translated in the margin/
19 — 23. (19) Taanach, Jos. xii. 21. -waters, etc., either
the Kishon flowing by Megiddo, or a mill-stream running iuto
the Kishon. gain of money, either no ransoms received, or no
booty taken. (20) stars, etc., allusion to great storm," or to
peaceful shining of stars* on the victors, astrological reference
to misfortune of Sisera. (21) river, a small stream, swelled
suddenly in a storm. (22) Picture' of chariot-horses -without
drivers, and entangled in bog ; anciently horses were not shod.
Meroz, not certainly identified.
'J7ie cursing of Meroz (v. 23). — I. The duty of universal union of
the Church against a common foe is here clearly implied. Theh
heathenism, now popery, scepticism, or worldliness. II. The
terrible consequences of neglecting this duty. The very site of
Meroz not known. III. Some of the reasons that Meroz may
have offered for this dereliction of duty. As, perhaps — 1. Not
consulted at other times, now sulky ; 2. Too small to render
essential aid. IV. This neutrality was evidently exceptional.
The ancient river Kishon. — The Kishon, whose furious cmrent
swept away the routed legions of Sisera, though mentioned in
; Scripture as a river, is only a small stream, except when swelled
by the rain or melting snow. " That ancient river " pursues its
course down the middle of the plain of Esdraelon, and then
i passing close by the side of Mount Carmel, falls into the sea at
a place named Caipha. When Maundrell crossed this stream, ou
I his way to Jerusalem, its waters were low and inconsiderable ;
I but in passing along the side of the plain, he observed the tracts
i of many tributary rivulets falling down into it from the moun
tains, by which it must be greatly swelled iu the rainy season.
It was undoubtedly at the season when the Kishon, replenished by
the streams of Lebanon, becomes a deep and impetuous torrent,
that the bands of Sisera perished iu its waters. The Kishon, like
several other streams in Palestine, does not run with a full
current into the sea, except in the time of the rains, but perco
lates through the sands which interpose between it and the
Mediterrauean.c 24 — 27. (2i) blessed, in contrast with Meroz ; she arrested
one of the fugitives. (25) butter, curds, or curdled milk. (26)
smote off, " smote his head, and beat and struck through the
temple. "« (27) dead, slaughtered.
Jael and Sisera. — Consider this transaction as — L An historic
fact. Eecount the circumstances. Justify the aot. II. An
emblematic record — 1. Of the judgments that await God's
enemies ; 2. Of the triumphs that are prepared for the Lord's
people.' Jael's lordly dish. — 'I'hough the bowls and dishes of the -vulgar
Arabs are of wood, those of their emirs are, not unfrequently, of
copper, tinned very neatly : La Eoque takes notice of this cir
cumstance iu more places than one. I have met with a like
account, I think, in other travellers. May we not believe that
the vessel which Jael made use of, to present buttermilk to Sisera,

Cap. V. 88-31.]

JUDGES,

103

and -which Deborah in her hymn calls a lordly dish, or a dish of
nobles, was of this sort 1 Her husband certainly was an Ai-ab
emir -, the -ivorking of metals muoh more ancient than lier time,
Gen. IV. 22 ; and the mere size of the vessel hardly could be the
thing intended. La Eoque, indeed, tells us, that the fruits that
were brought in at the collation that the grand emir of the
Arabs whom he visited treated hira with were placed in a large
painted basin of wood : its being painted was, without doubt.^a
mark of honour set on this vessel of the grand emir, which dis
tinguished it from the wooden bowls of the commonalty ; but
a painted wooden ve.?sel would have been not so proper for
buttermilk, as one of copper, tinned, which therefore most pro
bably was the sort Jael used,"
28—31. (28) Shifting of subjeot to fears and hopes of Sisera's
mother, lattice, openwork, for coolness, beforo window or
round a balcony. (29) wise ladies, her maids of honour.
answerto herself, thought it over in her own heart. (30) a
prey, etc.," mocking Sisera as himself the prey. (31) as the
Bun, Dan. xii. 3.
'The song of Deborah and Barah (». 31). — Notice — I. The two
main distinctions of character which this -text brings before us.
1. The heathen oppressors of God's people ; 2. The lovers and
friends of God. II. The portion assigned to each. 1. The doom
of enemies ; 2. The reward of friends.*
Treacluiry at Deborah. — There is an apparent treachery in the
conduct of Jael to Sisera; and it appears from the following
account as if the inhabitants of that country were still actuated
by tho same principle of interested dissimulation. " It was
about noon when we reached the smaU village of Deborah, where
we alighted to refresh, not suspecting that the treachery for
which , it is traditionally infamous, both in holy and profane
records, was still to be found here at so distant a period. We
entered into this village, aud, like the unfortunate Sisera, de
manded only a little water to drink, for with everything else our
scrip was well provided. It was furnished to us, as we desired,
with provender for our beasts, and the offer of ah that the village
possessed. While the animals -were feeding, I was desirous of
ascending to the sumrait of Mount Tabor, for the enjoyment of
the extensive view which it commands. Our guide from the
convent offering to accompany me, we took with us a man from
the village, who promised to facilitate our ascent by directing us
to the easiest paths ; and taking our arms with us, while my
servant and the muleteer remained below to take .care of the
beasts, we all three set out together ; by forced exertions we
reached the summit in about half an hour. In our descent from
Mount Tabor we entered a grotto, in which there had formerly
been a, ohurch, and had scarcely got within it before we heard
the rushing of persons before the outer part of the passage by
-which we h.id entered. On turning round to ascertain the cause
of this noise, -we observed five or six armed men, three of whom
we recogniBcd to b.i those who had made suoh offers of theie
hospitality in the village of Deborah below.'

B.C. 1280.
lulled the victim,
the najl and
hammer are ho.
bind."— Ceci;.
'¦Sure the last
end of the good
man is peace 1
How calm his
exit! Night-dews
fall not moro
gently to tho
ground, nor
weary, worn-out
winds expire so
soft"— B(a«r.
c llarnwr.
conclusion
of the son^
of Deborah
a "Trans. 'A
dyed garment,
aud two parti
coloured cloths
for the necks of
tb 0 booty.' Either
hy booty meaning
the captive 'him-
sels ; the captiva
cattle ; or tha
backs or
shoulders of men
or beasts laden ¦
with the booty.'*
— Spk. Comm.
b W. B. Kerr.
e, 31. S. HeiroK,
Wks. i. 441 ; /.
Stennett, Wis. i.
213; A. Alison, Ss.
i. 191; J.HJVeu)-
man, v. 173.
" "Whether such
sentiments would he appro
priate in our own
day is not in
question : wa
believe in tha
doctrine and in
the fact of pro
gressive light." —
L. H. Wiseman,

It is time to
fear when ty
rants seem to
kiss." — Shake-
epeare.
E BmLiugham.

104

JUDGES.

[Cap. vi. 1-10.

oppression
under Midiana Ge.xxv.2; Nu.
¦ xxxi. 1— IS.
fc "Caves with air
holes like win-
do'wa "—Lange.
"Catacombs, or
galleries wh. they
cut out of the
rock."— SiawZey.
c Ex. X. 4—6;
Joel i., ii.
ForG-ideon's call
BeeBp.Hall'sCont." Believe always
your state and
condition to he
the work of God,
and vary not
therein, for a
sparrow faileth
not but hy His
proviilence, and
your humiliation
as well as your
consolation is
the glory of God,
and the good of
niany others," —
Gree7i7iam."A desire to re
sist oppression is
implanted in the
natnre of man."
-¦^Taciius. "Defeat is a
Bchool in which
truth always
grows strong."
— Beeclm:
d Bwckhardt.
Israel's cry
and the
prophet's¦warning:"Men think God
is destroying
them because He
is tuning them. \
The violinist j
pcrcws up the ,
key till the teuse !
cord souuda the |
coitcert-pitch; '
but it is not to
brnak it, but to
use it tunefully,
that he stretches
the string upon

CHAPTEE THE SIXTH.
1  6. (1) Midian," nomadic people, occupying territory E. of
Red Sea. Name applied sometimes to all Arab tribes. (2) dens,'
etc, country is threaded with caves, which make good hiding
places. (3) sown, the year's harvest. This done year after
year. (4) againat them, ainong them with hostile intention.
Gaza, the limit of their depredations, Ge. x. 19 ; Jos. x. 41.
(5) grasshoppers, locusts." impoverished, scarce able to
secure grain enough for seed.
Note on the Judges. — I. The order of judges, the natm-e of
their ofSce ; its distinction from either the olfice of Joshua, dr
that of the later kings. They were first deliverer.3 of tho people
from some foreign yoke, and then civil rulers, centres of unity
and authority in the difEerent districts. II. The influence of
particular judges was felt only in parts of the country. One
after another diiferent districts got into trouble, and the deliverer
was generally found among the people in the sinning and suf
fering region. III. The character and conduct of the judges ia
not always to be commended. Some of them, as Samson, illus.
the wildness and immorality of the age.
Eastei-n oppression. — In May the whole Hauran is covered with
swarms of wanderers from the desert, who remain there till
September. They come for a twofold purpose — water and pas
turage for the summer, and a supply of corn for the winter. The
oppressions of the govemment on one liand. and of these Bedouins
on the other, have reduced the fellah (cultivator) to a state little
better than that of the wandermg Arabs. Few' individuals die
iu the same village where they were bom ; families are con
tinually moving from one plaoe to another. In the first year of
their new settlements the sheikh acts with moderation towards
them ; but his vexations being in a few years insupportable, they
fly to some other place, where they have heard that their brethren
are better treated, but they soon find that the same system prevails
over the whole country. This continued wandering is one of the
principal reasons why no village of the Hauran has either
orchards, or fruit-trees, or gardens for the gi'owth of vegetables.
" Shall we sow for strangers ? " was the answer of a fellah to
whom I once spoke ou the subject.''
7—10. (7) cried, iii. 9, 15. (8) prophet, to show the
national sin wh. led to national calamity. (9) their land, ref.
to Canaanites fr. whom delivered under Barak. (10) gods of
the Amorites, prob. addressed to those living among the
Amorites. Their idolatry was very foul.
A timely reminder. — L Israel's cry. 1. To whom directed;
2. The reason. II. Jehovah's answer. God sends a messenger.
1 . A prophet : He was not without a witness even then ; 2. The
message — (1) A reminder of past deliverances ; (2) A reproof for
present disobedience.
The iLsrs of discijiline. — Beethoven said of Eo<!sini that he had
in him the stuff to have made a good musician if he had only beeu
well flogged when a boy ; but that he had been spoiled by the
facility with which he produced. When Mendelssohn was about
to enter the orchestra at Birmingham, on the first perfonnanoeof

Cap. vl. 11—18.

JUDGES.

105

his Elijah, he said laughingly to one of his friends and critics,!
" Stick your claws into me. Don't tell me what you like, but 1
what you don't like." Washington lost far more battles than he '
gained, but he succeeded in the end. The Romans, in their most
victorious campaigns, almost invariably began with defeats.
Wellington's military genius was perfected by encounters with
difliculties of apparently the most overwhelming character."
11 — 14. (11) an oak, the well-known one. Ophrah, disting.
from Oph. of Benj." Abi-ezrite, Jos. xvii. 2. threshed, etc.,
in an unusual and unsuitable place, winepress, either the
place in wh. the pressing is done, or the vat into which the wine
flows. (12) mighty, etc., prophecy of what he would be. (13)
my lord, simple term of respect. (14) looked upon him,
phrase signif. to look graciously, giving strength by his look.
thy might, with which he was now endowed.
Gideon's victory (v. 12). — Consider — I. The story connected
with the text. II. Some of the lessons of instruction we may
derive from it. 1. Not to depend upon our own strength in con
flicting with the enemies of our salvation ; 2. He who would
serve God with acceptance must put away from him all idols ;
3. God is a jealous God, and will not give His glory to another ;
4. Do not doubt of success when God promises His aid."
Historical characters. — The great and successful men of his
tory are commonly made by the great occasions they fill. They
are the men who had faith to meet such occasions, and therefore
the occasions marked them, called them to come and be what the
successes of their faith would make them. The boy is but a
shepherd, but he hears from his panic-stricken countrymen of
the giant champion of their enemies. A fire seizes him, and he
goes down, with nothing but his sling and his heart of faith, to
lay that champion in the dust. Next he is a great military
leader ; next the king of his country. As with David, so with
Nehemiah ; as with him, so with Paul ; as with him, so with
Luther. A Socrates, a Tully, a Cromwell, a Washington— all the
great master-spirits, the founders and lawgivers of empires, and
defenders of the rights of man— are made by the same law.
These did not shrink despairingly within the compass of their
poor abilities ; but in their heart of faith they embraced each
one his cause, and went forth, under the inspiring force of their
call, to apprehend that for which they were apprehended.'
15—18. (1.5) my lord, orig. indie, that Gideon now perceived
his speaker was more than a traveller. Comp. Moses " and Saul.'
poor, lit. poorest, meanest. (16) with thee, assurance as given
to Mos. and Josh. (17) found graoe, Ge. vi. 8, xviii. 3, xix. 19.
sign, to confirm the commission. (18) Eating would show his
visitor was a man, yet only a man ; it would also be sign of
friendliness, present, lit. m.incha, meat-offering."
The call of Gideon.— I. The call and its attendant promise. A
call to work ; a great work, noble work, a dangerous work. The
promise not of Divine aid only, but also of Divine presence. II.
The signs, and their comforting assurances. Consumed .sacrifice
showed angel was really from God. God graciously in the others
met Gideon's own wishes. , ti i
Eastern threshing-floors.— In Palestine, as m Greece aud italy,
the floor was for' the most part in the open air. Thus the

B.O. 1236.
the musical
rack." — Beecher.
a Dr Smiles.

Gideonhis call
a Job. xviii. 23.
" Close by the
sm( oth level
was a cave, into
which the juice
or tbe grapes ran
off. . . . and which
Gideon now used
to hide the corn
from the rapa
cious iuvaders.
Above this cave,
as it would seem,
stood a rock, in
the midst of a
grove of trees,
amongst whicli
the most con
spicuous was a
well-known tere
binth, spi-eading
its wide branches
alike over the
rock and tho
winepress."—Stanley, 0 T, Grantham..
r. 11. /. MUner,
Ss. iii. SIO; Lady
Howard, Gi.ieon;
I'\ tllwin, Ss. on
Gideon ; II. H'at-
mujf. Gideon ; R.
W. Evans, Sa-ip.
Biog. ii. 55.
V, 12. T, Reeve,
Ss. S5.
c Dr. Bushnell.
vv. 12, 13. T.
Bradbury, Ss. ii.
31)1. vv. 12— IC. Bous
set, Ss. xvii. Itl3.
V. 14. F. Russell,
M.A., Ss. 10!.
he asks for
a sigrn
a Ex iii. 11.
b 1 Sa. ix. 21.
c " Its double
sense of ofTLniog
to God, or a gift
to man. suits the
doubtin Gideon's
mind as to who
his visitnr might
be."— -Siit. Comm.

106

JUDGES.

[Cap. vi. 19-24.

e.i 5. Bourdaloue,
Ss. (F. i.) 238.
vv. 15, 16. T. B.
Hankin<on, Ss
341: J. Riddle,
Bamp. Lect. ¦2&2.
••The proper
means of in
creasing the love
wo bear our na
tive country is
to reside some
time iu a foreign
one. ' — Shenstone
"An extreme
rigour is sure to
arm everything
against it."-
Burke.
d Paxton.
Jehovah- ehalom
a Ge. xix. S.
ft Ge. xxxv. 14.
« "Itwas a belief
prevalent in an
cient times, that
whoever saw an
angel would
forthwith die." —
Jamieson. t. 24. J. S. M.
Anderson, Cloud of
Witnesses, ii. 149.
" Jehovah - Sha
lom," •' TheLord,
Peace," one of
the b'^autiful, :n-
Btructive, com
forting names by
which God haa
revealed Himself
to man. Many
have seen the
picture of the
martyr aaleep.
The jailer is
coming to open
the door, the
crowd awaits
the spectacl

threshing-floor of Gideon appears to have been an open un.
covered space, upon which the dews of heaven fell without in
terruption. •' I will put a fleece of wool in the floor, and if the
dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry oa all the earth besides,
then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand aa
Thou hast said." But a barn, or covered space, had been unfit
for such an experiment. The threshing-floor of Ara,unah, the
Jebusite, seems also to have been an open area, else it had nofi
been a proper place for erecting an altar, and offering sacriflce.
In the p ophecies of Hosea the idolaters of Israel are compared
to the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor.
Hence it was designedly prepared in a place to which the wind
had free access on all sides ; and from this exposed situation it
derived its name in Hebrew. In Greece the sarae kind of situa
tion was chosen ; for Hesiod advises his farmer to thresh his corn
in a place well exposed to the wind. From this statement it
appears that a threshing-floor (rendered in our translation a void
place) might well be formed near the gate of Samaria, which
was built on the summit of a hiU ; and afforded a very convenient
place for the kings of Israel and Judah giving audience to the
prophets.'' 19-24. (19) ephah, three measures, usual quantity for one
baking." flesh, cut into strips, and toasted, broth, for imme
diate use. (20) this rock, used as an altar, pour out, etc., aa
a libation.!! (21) fire, symbol of God, and mode in wh. He
accepted offerings. (22) alas!'' trembling and fear succeeds
visions of God. See Moses, Josh., Job, Is., St. John, etc. (23)
the Lord, not now the angel. (24) Jehovah-shalom, the
Lord is peace. More of a monument than an altar.
Tlie accepted sacrifice. — Concerning Gideon's, note — I. Of what
it consisted. II. How it was offered aud accepted. III. What
the acceptance signified. The person of Gideon accepted. Peaoe
and safety. Both these procured by Christ our Sacrifice for us.
Well might Gideon call his memorial Jehovah-shalom.
Tlie flesh in tlu-- baslcet. — There is a passage in Dr. Shaw that
entirely unravels this matter, and affords a perfect comment on
this text. It is in his preface : " Besides a bowl of milk, and a
basket of figs, raisins, or dates, which upon our arrival were pre
sented to us, to stay our appetites, the master of the tent where we
lodged fetched us from his flook, according to the number of our
company, a kid or a goat, a lamb or a sheep, half of which was
immediately seethed by his wife, and served with cuscasoe ; the
rest was made kabab, i.e. cut into pieces and roasted, which we
reserved for our breakfast or dinner next day." May we not
imagine that Gideon, presenting some slight refreshment to the
supposed prophet, according to the present Arab mode, desired
him to stay till he could provide something more substantial for
'^™ ' ^^^^ ^'^ immediately killed a kid, seethed part of it. made
tiie ainii'hithea- i kabab of another part of it, and when it was ready, brouerht tiie
stewed meat in a pot. with unleavened cakes of bread whichhe
had baked ; and kabab in a basket for his cnrrying away with him,
and serving him for some after repast in his journey ? Nothing
can be more conformable to the present Arab cus^toms, or a more
easy explanation of the text; nothing more convenient for the
can'iage of the reserved meat than a light basket ; so Thevenot
informs ua he carried his ready-dressed meat with him in a

tre, the linns,
fierce witii hun
ger, are thirsting
ior blood, but
the Christian
sleeps, vvith a
deep repose ex
pressed in his
features. He i^

Cap. vi. 25—32.]

107

B.C. 1280.

maund. What othors may -lh;nk of the passage I know not, but I
I never could, till I met with these remarka, account for his'
bringing the meat out to the angel in a basket. As for Gideon's go i "'"¦"' '""'
leaving the supposed p'o;)het under a tree, while he was busied ,. t, " .
in his house, instead of introducing him into some apartment of fear nS 'let°'all
his habitation, and bringing the repast out to him there, we have tire ends thou
seen something of it under the last observation. I would here "*" =¦'' '^^ ^« 'liy
add, that not only Arabs tliat live in tents, and their depemlents. Go'd'^s''' a*n d
practise it still, but those also that live in houses, as did Gideon! truth's."-^ SAufe-
Dr. Pococke frequently observed it among tho Maronites, and epeaiv.
was so struck with this conformity of theirs to ancient customs, d Hwmer.
that he eould not forbear taking particular notice of it : laymen
of quality and ecclesiastics, the ijatriarchs and bishops, as well as
poor obscure priests, thus treating their guests.<*
25 — 27. (25) the Lord said, in vision, even, and: 2
bullocks seem intended, throw down, prob. labour of bullocks
required for this work." grove, tree or trunk,of tree, covered
with all manner of symbols, dedicated to Astarte.'' (26) this
rock, not as ¦p. 20. Word means strong place, fortress, ordered
plaoe, lit, as marg. -in orderly manner. (27) father's house
hold, house of fathers, as Nu. i. 2.
Difficult duties of faithf ul men. — -I. The duty wus plain since
the commaud was so explicit, and from Crod Himself. II. The
execution was difficult. Opposition to be feared — 1. From his
father's household ; either they were idolaters, or would be
unwilling to spare the animal ; 2. From tho men of the city.
III. It was resolutely performed in the way that, under the
circumstances, was best. Learn to be as ingenious in devising
plans for the execution of duty, as the godless are for evading it.
Excnse from duty. — When Palamedes came to Ithaca to invite
TJlysses to join in tlie expedition against Ti"oy, tlie latter, un
willing to engage in the undertaking, betook himself to plough
ing the eand, and sowing salt, ou the pretence of being visited
v/ith insanity. There are multitudes as insane as Ulysses, who
betake themselves to works as insane, and all in the way of pre
tence to excuse themselves from the duties to whioh God calls
them.

28 - 32. (28) men of city, prob. remnant of Canaanite popu
lation, altar . . built, close by, and with materials of idol
altar. (29) asked, Gid. did not try to conceal his act. (30)
die, as onr- committing sacrilege, (.'^l) Emphasis lies on word
ya. Baal, if a god, conld take care of himself.<« (32) Jerub
baal,'' comp. Jerub-ioslwih, 2 Sa. xi. 21, bosheth, a term of re
proach for Bail.
Joa.-!h drfcnding Oideon (v. 31).— The conduct of Joash leads us
to remark— I. That if we have been zealous in a bad cause, we
sliould with greater zeal seek to amend what we have done amiss,
by our open advocacy of the truth. II. Nothing must prevail
upon us to give up the innocent, whoever combine to destroy
them. Though it may be highly dangerous to reprove a wicked
people, we must do our duty, and trust God with the event."
¦Tlw. i-ni potency of idols.— When Pomare. king of Tahiti, gave
up heathenisra, he ordered a chief to chop his gods in pieces.
The priests threatened Divine vengeance, but beginning with a'
trembling hand, and flnding no evil result, he completed the.

Gideon
destroys the
altar of Baal
a"Altarsof Eaal,
as the sut;erior
Sun-god, were
located on
heights or
elevated situa
tions. Thoy
were bui't of
B'one, sometimea
also of wood or
earth, and were
of considerable
mas siveness.".^
Lange. b Ju iii. 7.
f. 2.5. Saurin,Hist.
Disc. iii. 347.
Men are valued,
not by their use
fulness on great
occasions, but by
the way in which
they discharge
the common
place duties of
life. Gidec'a'a
name is
chang-ed
a 1 Ki. xviii. 27.
7)"Thatis— 'Will
Baal contend
with him, for ha
bas thrown tlown
his altar?' It
sets forth the
utter impotence
of Baal, anil the
mockery vvhich
it excited."^
Lange '' Joash qiaieted
the mob in s,
manner similar
to that of tho
1 n wn- clerk of
Ephesus. It waa
uot for them to

108

JUDGES.

reap. vl. 33-4(X

B.C. 120G.
take the matter
into their own
hands The one,
however, made
an appeal to the
magistrate, the
other to theidoia-
trous god him
self."— C/ialmers.
e G. Bush.
Gideoncalls Israel
to arms
a "The S. part
of the Ghor lies
in a vory low
level, so that
there is a steep
and difficult
descent into
Canaan by the
southern wadies.
Keeping tliis in
view, we see the
reason why the
Mid. army, fr. E.
of Jordan, en
tered Canaan by
the northem
wadies of the
Ghor, opposite
J ezreel."— ./amifi-
son. b Sir W. Seotl's
Lady of the Lake.
v.Zi, Saurin.Hist.
Disc. iii. 362.
Gideon's
fieecea " God's own
character is well
indicated in the
Bign ofthe fleece,
cool in beat of all
aro und,dry when
all aronnd are
damped by fear."
— Ewald.
i Ge. xviii. 32.
" Sailors have
used every night
to hang fleeces
of wool on the
Bides of their
ships towards the
water, and they
have crushed
fresh water out
of them in the
morning." — Spk.
Comm.
c C Simeon, ^t.A.
d Burder.

work heartily. After the last decisive battle, Pomare told the
people to commit Cero (the god of war) to the flames. Instead
I of entering the temple, some bold spirits fired into it, saying,
I '• Now, ye gods, if ye be gods, and have any power, come forth,
jand avenge these ins'jlts !" The gazing multitude were amazed,
both at the rashness of tho assailants and the impotence of the
gods. At last the house was i>ulled do%vn, shots were poured into
the idols and they were burnt to ashes.
33 — 35 (33) went over, Jordan ; their crossing place near
Befhihean," now Beisan. Jezrieel, plain of Esdraelon, the great
battle ground of Canaan, (iii) blew a trumpet, the well-
known war call. His own trilie responded heartily. (35) mes
sengers, heralds. Comp. calling of Scotch clans.*
Prepar'ing for war. — Gideon saw the coming struggle and — I.
Himself sounded the war-ci-y. II. Sent messengers to arouse
Israel. III. His call to arms recognised by the tribes. Note :
Asher, rebuked for past supineness by Deborah, also responds.
Duty rewarded. — The late Duke of Wellington was very fond
of field sports, and ou one occasion a farmer's boy was ordered
; to keep a certain gate shut in order to prevent the many hunteis
¦ who went that way from trampling down his master's crops.
I After he had been at the gate a short time, a gentleman came
I up and asked him to open it. " No," said the lad ; " I was placed
'here"to keep it shut." The gentleman became indignant and
i expostulated with the boy, remarking, " Don't you know who I
j am ? I am the Duke of WeUington." The lad said he did not
! mind who he was, upon which the duke praised him for his firra-
j ness and gave him half -a-sovereign. Away ran the boy, skipping
j across the field, and shouting to every one whom he met, " Ah, I
jhave done more than what Bony oould do ; I have stopped tha
Duke of Wellington 1"
36 — 40. (36) if thou wilt, then graciously confirm thy
purpose with a sign. Gid. did not ask in doubt, but for the
confirming of his faith. (37) fleece," prob. a whole one, wool
would collect the dew. floor, threshing-floor. Smooth, circular
space, in the open air. (38) early, to be sure no one had tam
pered with it. (39) anger be hot, asking another sign was,
he feared, a trial of Div. patience.''
Gideon's fleece. — In these verses we see displayed — I. The weak
ness of man. Gideon could not give full credit to the woik ot
God. II. The condescension of God. God accedes to his request.
III. The eiSoacy of prayer. 1. Prayer prevailed here ; 2. God
will answer our prayers now."
Tlie dews qf the East. — It may seem a little improbable to ns
who inhabit these northem climates, where the dews are incon
siderable, how Gideon's fleece, in one night, should contract such
a quantity, that when he came to wring it, a bowl full of wate;:
was produced. Irwin, in his voyage up the Eed Sea, when on
the Arabian shores, says, " Difficult as we find it to keep om'selves
cool in the daytime, it is no easy matter to defend our bodiea
from the damps of the night, when the wind is loaded with the
heaviest dews that ever fell ; we lie exposed to the whole weighs
of the dews, and the cloaks in which we wrap ourselves, ara tl
wet iil the morning as if they had been immersed in the sea."*

Cap. -vll. 1— 4.J

JUDGES.

109

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.

B.C. 1249.
Gideon's

1— "*• (1) Harod, .ipring of trembUng .- so named fr. fear of
people, V. 6: mod. Am Jalud, foimtain of Jezreel" hill ofi^^™'^
Moreh, prob. little Hermon, Jebel-el-Diihy.i- (2) too mauy, U i Sa. xxix. i.
bee. great impress, of Div. presence and blessing was to be made ' b ma Bib
vaunt, boast." (3) go to, Ge. xi. 3. fearful, De. xx. °'''"'"'*'-
mount GUead, prob. G'llboa.d (4) water, of the brook.

Tlie Lord saveth not mith
was not great at the first— 1. When compared with the number

'i sword and spear. — I. Gideon's army
,-, , - -1- When compared with the number
and warlike character of the foe ; 2. When compared with former
armies of Israel. II. But too great for the accomiilishment of
the mam purpose -1. '1'he quickening of Israel's faith in God ¦
2. Givmg a warning to Israel's enemies.
Lapp'ing the water.— The Arabs lap their milk and pottage but
not their water. On the contrary, D'Arvieux teUs us, that after
they have eaten, they rise from table, and go and drink large
di-aughts out of a pitcher, or, for want of that, out of a leathern
bottle, which they hand to one another round and round. Few
of the Israelites, if they did in commou sup their milk and
pottage out oftheir hands, as the Arabs do, would have been dis
posed to lap water in the same manuer, if they drank too as the
Arabs now drink. Two considerations more will complete the
illustration of this part of the history of Gideon. The one is,
that the Eastei-n people are not wont to drink standing. Busbe'
quius, the imperial ambassador at Constantinople, in his cele
brated letters conceming the Eastern people, affirms this in a very
particular manner ; the other, that the lapping with their hands
is a very expeditious way of taking in liquids. " They are not
restrained in their choice," says Dr. Eussell. " When they take
water with the palms of their hands, they naturally place them
selves on their hams to be nearer the water ; but when they drink
from a pitcher, or gourd, fresh filled, they do not sit down on
purpose to drink, but drink standing, and very often put the
sleeve of their shirt over the mouth of the vessel, by way of
strainer, lest small leeches might have been taken up with the
water. It is for the same reason they often prefer taking water
¦with the pahn of the hand, to the lapping it from the surface.
D'Arvieux, in that accurate account of the Arabs of Mount
Carmel, expressly takes notice of this, observing that this may
be the reasou why spoons are so universally neglected among the
Arabs, as a man would eat upon very unequal terms with a spoon,
among those that use the palms of their hands instead of tliem.
Until I met with this passage of Busbequius, I could not tell
what to make of that particular circumstance of the history '".''¦^ "'''"•' P'''°-
of the Jewish judge, that all the rest of the people bowed down ^"JJ." pafrio^'^Ts
npon their knees to drink water. It appeared to me rather the animated, if the
putting themselves into an attitude to lap water than anything measures he sup-
else : as I supposed the words signified that they kneeled down g°'ai to the com-
by the side of some water in order to drink. But the matter is munity. The
now clear : three huiidred men, immediately upon their coming nation is in
to the water, drank of it in the quickest mannor they could, : ^^'"ested in hia
in order to be ready without delay to follow Gideon : the rest motives are hia
took up water in pitchers, or leathern bottles, or some kind of own. The pro-

cFr., cmito'jLat,
vanitare,lv. vanus,
vain.
d "Others think
this may be tbe
customary form
of proclamation
in Manasseh."—.
Spk. Comm.
"The Hottentots
have a cuiioas
custom, resem
bling thedogand
lhe three hun-.
drp*i chosen men
ofGideon'sarmy.On a journey,
immediately on
coming to water,
they stoop, but
no farther than
what is sufflcient
to allow their
right baud to
reach tho water,
by wbich they
throw it up so
dexterously, that
their hand sel-
dotn approaches
nearer to their
mouth than a
foot ; yet I never
observed any of
the water to fall
down upon their
breasts. They
perform italmost
as quickly as the
dog, and satisfy
their t'airsc i&
half the time
taken by another
man.'' — African
Light. It matters not

110

JUDGES.

[Cap. vii. 5T-14i

B.O. 1249.
perties of a pa
triot are perish-
able iu the
individual ; but
there is a quick
Buccession of
subjects, and the
breed is worth
preserving."—JuniuA,

€ Barmer.
Gideon'sthree hun
dred men
a "The wander-
lug people in
Asia, when on
a journey or in
haste they come
" to water, do not
Btoop down with
deliberation on
their knees, but
only bend for
ward as much
as is necess. to
brine; their hand
in contact witli
the stream, and
throw it up with
rapidity, aud at
the same time
Buch address
that they do not
drop a particle."
^Jamieson.h Stanley.
Comp. company
at Tiiermopylfe
and cavalry at-
t^ckatEalaclava.
V. 6. A, Roberts,
Via. Ss. iv. 179.
"Originality pro
vokes original
ity." — Goetlie

the cake of
barley bread 17; Is.

a Ge. xxii,
Ju. vi. 6 ;
Xlviii. 19.
*'That the inter
preter should hit
upon the expla
nation given is
not, therefore.
very wonderful;
andiftheMidian-
ites were accus
tomed, in their
ea.temporancou8

vessel, and bending down so as to sit jointly upon their heela
and knees, or with their knees placed upright before them,
either of which might be called bowing their knees to drink,
though the last is the posture Busbequius refers to, they handed
these drinking vessels with ceremony and slowness from one to
another, as they were wont to do in common, which occasioned
their dismission. So two-and-twenty thousand of those that
were faint-hearted were first sent away ; then all the rest,
excepting three hundred men of peculiar alacrity aud dispatch,
the most proper for the business for which they were designed,
but visibly unequal to the task of opposing the Midianites ; and
without some miraculous interposition of God, absolutely un
equal."" 5 — 8 (5) lappeth, not putting mouth to water as a dog, but
catching up some in hand, and lapping fr. it." Character waa
thus shown; those lapping proved themselves self-restrained.''
(6) the people, the remaining 10,000. (7) Gideon's faith must
now be put to the test. (8) took victuals, took what they re
quired for their enterprise fr. the people, before they left. This
accounts for each of 800 having pitc'hers, lamps, and trumpets.
G'ldeon's army (v. 7). — Here were — I. Three huntted eamest
men. The rest of the ten thousand drank at their ease. These
stand, arms in hand, erect; not thinking unnecessarily about
themselves, eager for the fray. II. Three hundred united men :
one mind in those three hundred. Not merely extemal union,
but union of heart and soul is required. III. Three huniJred
brave men. Only three hundred left, and yet' none discouraged.
IV. Three hundred believing men. So strong was their faith tiat,
when the time came, they were willing to lay aside their weapons,
and content themselves with the God-directed use of "lamps,
pitchers, and trumpets." V. Three hundred selected men:
selected that all Israel might learn that the battle is God's, and
that all His enemies might know that opposition to Him is in
vain. "VI. Yet only three hundred.
Many called but few chosen. — Noah preached the coming fiood
to the old world for one hundred years, but only eight souls were
saved thereby. To the cities of the plain Lot preached, but only
three souls were chosen from them. Six hundred thousand men,
besides women and children, passed throiigh the Eed Sea, but
only two entered the promised land. Gideon went to fight the
Midianites with thirty -two tliousand men. but only three hundred
were allowed to participate in the victory. These are types of
the " many called, but few chosen."
9 — 14. (9) Command to begin, but delayed to afford Gid.
another encouragement. (10) down to, important to observe
relative pcciition of the parties. (11) armed men, disting. fr.
the camp followers: term used Bx. xiii. 18, Jos. i. 14, iv. 12,
means under 5 officers, in 5 regiments, the custom of encamp
ments. (12) grasshoppers, locusts. Obs. Eastern extravagance
of expression." (13) barley bread, the food of the poor and of
beasts ; exin-essing contempt for Israel. (14) This ans. shows
a panic had already begun.
The M'idian'ite soldier, • the power of the Uttle (w. 13 — 15).—
This dream ill. the power of the little — (1) By representing a
great end reached by most insignificant instrumentality; (3)

Cap. -vil. 15-18.1

JUDGES.

Ill

By influence it had upon the mind of Gideon. The power of tho
little furnishes— I. Au argument for special Providence. II. A
lesson for our eveiy-day life. 1. Despise not things of humble
aspect ; 2. Cultivate an appreciation of the little ; 3. Recognise
God's presence in the minute as wcU as the vast.'
Barley brind. — Barley bread is in some reg-ions of Persia com
monly used by the lower orders. It mu.st not. however, be
omitted, that in making bread, barley was used before any other
sort of com ; for it is reported, says Artemidorus, that this was
the first food which the gods imparted to mankind ; and it was,
according to Pliny, the most ancient sort of provision. But in
more civilised ages, to use the words of the same author, barley
bread came to be the food of beasts only ; yet it was still used
by the poorer sort, who were not able to furnish their tables with
better provisions ; and in the Roman camp, as Ve.getius and Livy
inform us, soldiers who had been guilty of any ollence, were fed
with barley, instead of bread com. An example of this punish
ment is recorded- in the history of the second Punic war. The
cohorts that lost their standards, had an allowance of barley as-
sigiiiDd by Marcellus. And Augustus Ca2sar commonly punished
the cohorts which gave way to the enemy by a decimation, and
and allowing them no provision bnt barley. So mean and con
temptible, in the estimation of the numeroua and well-appointed
armies of Midian, was Gideon, with his handful of undisciplined
militia ; but guided by the wisdom, and supported by the power
of the living God. he inflicted a deserved and exemplary punish
ment on these proud oppressors. The meagre barley cake was
put into the hand of Mitlian by the God of armies as a junish-
ment for disobedience of orders, not to make a full end of his
chosen people. " And when Gideon was come, behold, there was
a man that told u, dream unto his fellow, and said. Behold, I
dreamed a dream, and lo, u, cake of barley bread tumbled into
the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it
fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. And his fellow
answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon,
the son of Joash, a man of Israel ; for into his hand hath God
delivered Midian, and all the host." '
15—18. (1.5) interpretation, marg. the breaking thereof.
host of Israel, the 300 prepared men. At once Gid. put his
plan inio action. (Ifi) three companies, each to take diff.
ways, and produce impression of surrounding the army, lamps,
firebrands, torches, hiding their light at first within the pitchers.
(17) look on me, prob. giving them an example of what he in
tended. The signal to be his blowing the trumpet. (18) say,
Bhout. The .shout of Israel always terrible."
Interpretat'wn of dreams (r. l."".).— I. In many cases we have
interpretation of 'heaven-sent dreams by Him who sent them.
II. Here we have a dream interpreted, as, by the ungodly, dreams
often are, by natural conscience quickening superstitious fear.
Israel's battlr-cni (f. IS).— I. One part for Israel-'the sword ot
the Lord "—to keep alivo uhe courageous zeal of the three hun
dred II The other part—" and of Gideon "—to strike increased I
terror into the heart of the foe, who already dreaded Gideon sl
Batt ie-rr ies.— It was foi-merly the custom of almost eyery
nation, when joining in battle, to begin the attack with loud

B.C. 1249.

songs, to call
Giileon and h's
Ijuml, 'caier? of
barley 1 read,' aa
tlicir successors,
tlinse hoUihty
I Biitlawiu, uitea
' i'o to lidlfule
tl oir enemies,
the applicirion
would be all llio
more natural.'—
Dr. Thomson.
b Dr. Thomas.
"Superstition ib
the poetry of
lifo. It is in-
hcient in man's
nat ure ; and
when we think
it i.s whollyeradi-
cated. it takea
refuge in the
strangest holes
and corners,
whence it peeps
out all at once,
as soon as it can
with safety." —
Guelhe.
"Whenmonarch
reason sleeps,
this mimic
wakes."— /Jr^t/e».
" A certaia de
gree of fear pro
duces the ssmo
effects as rash
ness."— Cardiff
de Retz.
c Paxton,
Gideon's
uigrht attack
a Na. xxiii. 21.
Three compa
nies: to produce
the imipression
of a large yrmy,
and make their
enemy thiuk ho
was eiitirt'ly sur
rounded, so pro
ducing panio and
disorder. Ao-
t-i-'Ut warfare
largely employed
stratagem. See
Saul's imitaiion
(I Sjim.xi. 11).
r. 16. Ttie irura-
pcts had been
taken from the
reyimeLts dis
missed. Earthen
jars or pitchew

!12

JUDGES.

[Cap. vll. 19—21

B.O. 124D. I shouts, called cries of war, or of' arms ; these shouts were in-
1 T7 Bd ! tended to terrify the enemy, to occupy the soldiers, and prevent
S*tlie°Eit°for ! them from hearing the shouts of their opponents. Froissart says
watr:r, as well i that " At the battle of Crecy, fifteen thousand Genoese archers
as skins. The | bggan to yell in a most frightful manner, to terrify the English."
10^8 or spun- ' In these cries, every nation, and almost every leader, had their
ters ol re ioous ! peculiar word or sentence, which also served as a kind of watch-
woud, still used j ivord to distinguish friends from foes ; cries of arms were like-
to give I'S'i' ™ ; ^vjse used to rally broken squadrons, especially when their banner
Firra°g"out of i was in danger. The ancient English cry was St. George; this
tho Irish bogs : was in suoh estimation, that a military writer, Davis, in the be
have been cut j ginning of the seventeenth century, inserts the observance of it
Side th^"'av'Sl- ' among the military laws, to the obedience of whioh he would
able. i have all soldiers swom. " Item," says he, " that aU soldiers enter-
The battle-cry of 1 jng into battle, assault, skirmish, or other actions of arms, shall
was ^°The Lwd ' '^^'^'^ ^°^ ^^^i^^ common cry and word, ' St. George I St. George I
of ' Hosts, the ¦ forward, or upon them, St. George I ' whereby the soldier is much
Lord of Hosts i comforted, and the enemy dismayed, by calling to miud the
is with us," that:^^j,jgjj(; valour of England, which with that name had been so
; often victorious : therefore, he that shall maliciously omit it, shall
be punished for his obstinacy."'

of the cavalieis
was, "The King
and Constitu
tion." b Percy Anec,
lamps, pitchers, and
trumpets
« "The sleepsrs
and thedi-eamers
alept on, to bc
waked up by the
bla-t of the pas
toral horns, and
at the same mo
ment Ihe cra-h
of the three bun
dled pitchers,
and the blaze of
the three hun
dred torches, and
tbo shout of
Israel, ahvays
terrible, wh.
brolcc thro' the
stillness of the
midnight air fr.
three opposite
<iuarters at
ojice." — l^tanley.
v. 20. /. E. Han-
kinsM, Ss. S5d.
b D. Lewis.
c /. Darrouj.
*' Emulation ad-
miresaud strives
to ijijtato great
ILcM'.ns; envy is
011I.7 moved to
l[nJllao.",—La'zac.

19— Sl. (19) middle watoh, Jewish division of night into
3 watches of 4 hours each ; so this about 1 1 o'clock, when sleep
most profound." (20) tliree companies, almost simultaneously.
(21) th.ey stood, the 300, every man proving himself brave aud
faithful, ran, to see what was the matter, cried and fled,
vivid description of panic in large and jpixed host.
Tlie natural and supernatural (v. 20). — Notice — I. Some of the
events in which we behold the co-operation of the natural and
supematural. 1. Providence: God works iu Providence only
what man oannot ; 2. Conversion : all who would be saved must
co-operate with the influence of the Divine Spirit ; 3. The suste
nance of the religious life ; 4. The propagation of the Gospel.
II. That the co-operation of the natural and supematural is
necessary to insure success. 1. This the only way success might
be expected ; 2. The only way in which success is possible ; 3. A
way that makes success certain. Learn — ^(1) Form a true esti
mate of yourselves ; (2) Acknowledge the Lord iu every suc
cess.* lite power of example. — No kind of studious entertainmenii
doth so generally delight as history, or the tradition of remark
able examples : even those who have an abhorrency or indisposi
tion toward other studies are yet often muoh taken with histori
cal narrations. And suoh are those whioh present to us the Uvea
and examples of holy ¦men, abounding with wonders of provi
dence and grace : no attempts so gallant, no exploits so illustrious,
as those which have beeu achieved by the faith and patience, by
tho prudence and courage, of the ancient saints ; they do far sur
pass the most famous achievements of pagan heroes. It was, I
dare say, more woriderful that Abraham, with his retinue of house
hold servants, should vanquish four potent and victorious kiugs;
and that Gideoli, with three hundred unarmed men, should dis
comfit a vastly numerous host ; than t'uat Alexander, with a well*
.ippointed anny of stout and expert soldiers, sliould CTertum tha
Persian Empiro,"

Cap. viil. 1—3.]

JUDGES.

113

B.O. 1249

1 Sa.
2 Chr

the panio
and defeat
of Midian
a Con-jp.
xiv. 20;
XX. 23.
6 Porter.
c Is. X. 2G.
At oue instant it
appeared aa if a
m'gli ty army bad
fallen upon them,
and waa a'ready
conqueror. The
clashing of the
broken pitchers
sounded as if

22 — 25. (22) against his fellow, mistaking friend for foe."
Beth-shittah, house of the acacia, mod. Shiitta.'> Zererath,
or Zereda, poss. Zaretan of Jos. iii. 16, not far fr. Beth-shan.
Abel-meholah, field of the dance, 1 Ki. iv. 12, xix. 16. Tab-
bath, poss. lower down Jordan valley. (23) pursued after,
those at first rejected were not far away, and niight help to secure
fruits of victory. (24) waters, both the streams of the district,
and the northern fords of Jordan. Beth-barah, prob. Bethabara.
(2h) Oreb, the raven. Zeeb, the wolf." other side, ht.froin
beyond, Ephraim had pursued the princes over Jordan to the E.
side. G'ldeon's army and attach.— \. The select few. The bravest,
most faithful men found out by a double test. Describe each.
We alwaya want to find the men best fitted for special enterprise.
Best generals. Best Christian workers. II. The skilful stratagem.
Effective because Midianite host made up of several tribes and | ^"Jready^n ™a
nations, and a lot of non-fighting followers. Such an army I tems-. the trum-
would be liable to panio, and quite helpless in suoh a time. III. 1 pets represented
The utter discomfiture. Overwhelming, humiliating, complete, "-n immense
A glorious fulfilment of God's promise. lUus. how strong they
are who trust in God and obey Him.
,Arab names. — "We find the meaning of these two names "Oreb"
and "Zeeb," to be, the former " raven," and the latter " wolf ,"
— truly appropriate designations of Arab leaders. The custom of
bestowing on individuals the names of certain animals, either
from some supposed resemblance of character, or some remark
able circumstance in their history, has prevailed in difEerent
countries at all times. Canon Stanley tells us that the title
" Leopard " is now given to the chief of the Arabs beyond the
Jordan, who may be considered as the modem successors of Oreb
and Zeeb. If we look into Koman history, we find yet more ap
posite examples in the ancient family of the Gracchi, called, it is
said, from a word signifying " jackdaw ; " and in another distin
guished man, who, we are told, in consequence of the unexpected
and effectual assistance of a crow, while engaged in deadly con
flict with a gigantic Gaul, received tlie surname of " Corvinus."
That it was not, however, a crow, but a raven, that espoused the
cause of Valerius is evident ; for Corvinus is derived from a word
which means not crow but raven, and tho adventure would be
incredible if related of the crow, whereas it is perfectly in accor
dance with the ascertained habits of the raven.''

army; and the
flashing lights
bewildered and
fiighlejied tha
host ; sudden
panic seized
them, and tbey
struck dowa
each other.
It wns a maxim
ol Napoleon 1.
that the skill of
a consummate
general is never
so critically
tested as in de
ciding how to
turn a vii:toiy to
the best advan
tage. " A person with
a bai name is
already half
hanged, saith tho
old proverb." —
Whipj>le.
d Ed. Wilton, in
Good Words.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
1—3. (1) Ephraim, the leading tribe, chide, j!«Ex. xvii. 2.!
(2) gleaming," etc., a fig. way of acknowledg. that the greater
honour belonged to them bee. they had taken the prmces In
ancient warfare much depended on securing the persons of the
princes or chieftains. (3) God hath, greatest honour due to
Him. anger, Heb. sp'irit. , „. ^t i. e „
Gideon' f answer to the men of Ephraim (v. 2).-Notioe a few
lessons suggested by the text. I. " A soft answer tumeth away
wrath." 1 War averted by Gideon's soft answer ; 2. Apply the,
lesson to the Christian Church ; 3. Apply also to the home life.,
IL It IS better to destroy the principles of evil than to be oon-
»0L. ITI, O.T. Ji

B.C. 1249.
the expostu
lation of
Ephraima '- Their remon
strance is a.9
characteristic of
the growing
pride of Eph., as
Gid. s answer i3
of the forbpar-
ance and calm
ness wh. placea
him at the sum
mit of the heroes

114

tOap. viii. 4-9

B.C. 124a.
of hia i>,ge."-Stan-
ley. b A. P. Rarfleld.
We all love to
pluck the fairest
fruit, and to
gather the
BweetPstflowers;but put this down
as a truth worthy
to be graven on a
pillar of brass, —
that more enjoy
able fruit grows
by the wayside of
the path of duty
than in all the
wilderness of
wilful irrjlina-
tion.cJ. B.Brown, B.A.
Grideon
pursuesZebah aud
Zalmunna a Ge. xxxiii. 17 ;
Jos. xiii. 27 1 1 Ki.
vii. 4(!.
& Robinson.
e Kitto, etc.
d"A cruel tor
ture, to wh. cap
tives were oftgn
subjected in
ancient times,—
by having thorns
and briers plafe.l
on their nakert
bodies, and
pressed down by
sledges, or heavy
implements of
husbandry being
dragged over
them." -Jamieson.
e Suiiiie.ii.
V. 4 Dr. S. Sten-
velt, Wks. i. 339 ;
W. Fenn, Ss. 55;
Dr, R. Ilaicker.
Ws.ii. 123; HR.
Koxby, Ss. 351 ;
Dr. R. Gordon, Ss.
25G, and Christ as
Made Known.
S93 : E. Bleneowe,
*i i S3.
f Anon.
AB the flre-damp
suddenly do-
etroys thnso who
appeared to be
working in
safety, so '•' sud
den destruction''
oomes upon the
Binner when he
least expecta it
g liurder.

stantly fighting against results. HI. Promptness iu responding
to the call of duty is the only way to ensure success. IV.
Although late in the field, that is no reasou why we should be
discouraged. The gleanings may be better tban the vintage.'
'Tlie happiness qf duty. — To som3 duty, like law, seems a cheer
less and rayless thing. The sun thinks not thus when he " re
joiceth as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, or a strong
man to run a race." There is a sunny joy in the motion, the life,
of all creatures, which, to the tuned and attentive ear, is music ;
which is but the hum of duty iu the aoti'ng. The song of the
creation is the hymn of duty. E very bird that sings, every bee
that hums, every flower that lifts its tremulous voice of praise to
Him who has made so good a world, every star, bears its parf in
the great flood of harmony which floats the tributes of the-duty
of creation before the eterual throne. For man, duty in tha
doing is glory in the winning : '¦ To them who, by patient con
tinuance in well-doing " (the complete picture of duty), " seek
glory, honour, and immortality, etemal life."''
4 — 9. (4) passed over. Mid. host had broken up, and fled in
different directions, the three hundred, who had been up all
night. Gid.'s special companions in his stratagem. (5) Succoth,
place of tents or booths." Sakut, on W. of Jordan ; ' more prob.
town on B. of Jordan, in territory of Gad.° (6) adding taunt to
their refusal. (7) tear,"* etc., thresh. The fierce answer of
great provocation. (8) up, fr. Jordan valley. Penuel, Ge.
xxxii. 24 — 30. (9) tower, of the Divine vision.^
Fa'mt, yet pursuing (». 4). — I. A case analogous to the Christian
life. 1. A case, not only of warfare in general, but of pursuit
against a conquered tyrant and enemy ; 2. A warfare that aims
at entire freedom ; 3. A strife, according to human judgment,
unequal and little likely to succeed ; 4. Not conducted withont
means, yet entirely dependent upon Divine counsel and power. II.
A condition often realised in Christian experienoe. Liability to
faintness recognised in Soripture, arising— 1. Not only from the
labours, but the discouragements of the Christian life ; 2. From
the privations incident to a state of warfare ; 3. From the in
fluence of unbelieving fears. III. The duty incumbent under
auch circumstances: "pursuing." Consider — 1. How great and
good your cause ;, 2. What great encouragements you have; 3.
What loss if you fail ; 4. What reward awaits the victor/
Tearing with thorns. — Thus did Gideon threaten the inhabitants
of Succoth ; and thus do masters, fathers, and schoolmasters
swear they will punish those who have offended them. To see
the force of the figure, it must be kept in mind that the people
are almost in a state of nudity. To tear a man's naked body,
tiierefore, with briers and thorns, would be no small punishment.
See poor travellers sometimes, who, in consequence of a wild
beast, or some other cause, have to rush into the thicket ; before
they cau get out again, in consequence of thorns, they are
literally covered with blood. There have been instances where a
raaster, in his anger, has taken the jagged edg'e of the palmirah
branoh, to tear the naked body of his slave, and nothing oan be
more common than to threaten it shall be done to those who
have given offence. People also often menace each other with
the repetition of the old punishraent of tying the naked body in
a bundle of thorns, and rolling it on the ground.*

Cap. vlll. 11—21.] JUDGES. 115
10 — 12. (10) Karkor, beyond district of towns E. of Jordan, ; b.c. 12ii/.
in the open wastes inhabited by nomad tribes. Not more than ' „.- 
day's journey from Succoth. (11) Nobah, Nu. xxxii. 40, 42. atteoka and
Jogbehah, Nu. xxxii. 34, 35. Gid, seems to have made a circuit takes Karkor
and come on them fr. behind, secure, considering itself beyond " a man in a
dispute. (12) kings, comp. Oreb and Zeeb, called princes, ch. trance saw him-
yii, 25. ^^'^ locked up in
'Jlie secure host. — I. Picture the host retreating utterly discern- through the walls
filed, and rallying at Karkor. Imagined safety. So with of which, as
enemies of God. 1 Th. v. 3 ; Pr. vi. 15. II. Gideon's forced through walla of
march. By au unlooked-for quarter. Divine retribution comes fee'^ his enemies
in our secure moments, and by unthought-of channels. III. assailing him
Another night surprise. Vain to say, " surely the darkness shall with swords,
cover me." It was a great thing to cut offi the two princes, ^^..'^nete'- ^^^
who else might have devised another campaign. ....
Fancied security, — Stat.es that never kuew
A change but in their growth, which a long peaca
Hath brought unto perfection, are like steel,
Which, being neglected, will consume itself
With its own rust : so doth security _
Eat through the hearts of states, while they're sleeping
And lull'd in her false quiet."
13—17. (13) before the sun, lit./r. the heights of Heres, an ' Gideon takes
unusual word for the sun : it may refer to the mountain pass by ^J^^°
wh. Gid. returned." (14) described, wrote down the names. ^ Xt Bp ^^y.
The number suggests a senate or council. (15) came . . Suo- i contemp. '
coth, not returning by way of Penuel. (16) thorns, etc., v.l.\b c. Simeon, M,A.
taught, should be thrcihed. (17) tower, as threat of v. ^Alf"'^^,^^ 1%
men of city, elders or princes. ^ cruelty; so mnl-
Gideon ciM.itising tlie men of Succoth and Penuel (m. 15 — 17). — tif arious, so
Consider— I. The punishment inflicted on them. 1. The pro- ' rapid ™ ever-
vocation given was very great; 2. The punishment was just. ,^„j^^j.^ ? „^.
II. The lessons it suggests to us. It is instructive to us m—l. [known to tho

but
his life was safe,
for his fortress,
was locked with
in. So is the
Christian aecure
am'dthe assaults
of the world."^
C. Evans.
a Nabb.

A civil view ; 2. A religious view. We should leam— (1) To pro- ] animal kingdom;
secute the spiritual warfare under all discouragements ourselves ; j p*rimentr''pro-
(2) To put no discouragement in the way of others.' I -yokes another.

Tearing mith thorns.— This punishment probably relates to a ' and refines upon
cruel method of torture used in those tiines for putting captives ««^^st; though
to death, by laying briers and thorns on their naked bodies, and g;^^^ y^j always
then drawing over them some heavy implements of husbandry, remote trom the
Drusius thinks that persons put to death in this manner were endr-Lavaler.
laid naked on thorns and briers, and then trampled on.» l
18-21. (18) childr. of king, Oriental figure for beauty. f^^l\°l
strength, and grace of fo-m. (19) of my mother, when there Zalmunna
was more than one wife, this indio. the closest relationship. (20) ^ j^^ ^^ ^^
Jether, as the heir, was the proper blood-avenger, youth, ;," small ones ot
comn 1 Sa xvii 33 (21) rise thou, esteeming it an honour gold, in shape of
to be slain bv a warrior, a disgrace to fall by hands of a youth or ^f^'™™„„ Z
a woman." Death by a strong man would be swift and complete, ^^^jj^ of men.
ornaments. 'rM., according to custom of age. j women and
"Ip^Arengtk (v. 21)?-!. There -e/--VwX"o?t ortdo°rntn'^
tween men, not only of a physical or intellectual, but also ot a ^^^^^ ^, ^^^^j^
mnrnl and soiritual character. II. There are great differences prevailed among
betweenlhe'^^me individual at different timea. III. The in- , Arabs so lat. a,
2 H

116

JUDGES.

(Cap. viii. 22-3J,

B.C. 1249.
lime of Maho-
va.B\,''-Spk.Comm. " Oh, if so much
of beauty doth
reveal itaelf in
every vein of life
and uature, how
beautiful must be
the Source Itself,
the Ever-Bright
One!" — Tegner,
c Roberts.
Gideon
declines the
kingship,and makes
an ephod
a Ge. xxiv. 47;
Job xlii. 11 ; Is.
iii. 21 ; Ez. xvi.
12. marg.
6 Ex. xxviii. 4—
85; 1 Sa. ii. 18,
xxii. 18 J 2 Sa. vi.
14 ; 1 Chr. XV.
27.
ri). 22, 28. /. S, M,
Andersun.Cloud of
Witnesses, ii. 171.
V. 26. J. Weemse,
Expos. L 96.
*' It would seem,
f r. the hist., that
fae was not
blamable in
making this
ephod, etc., as a
civil robe or or
nament merely,
but that it after
wards bee. an
object to wh. re
ligious ideas
were attached,
whereby it
proved a snare,
and consequent
ly an evil, by
perversion, to
Gideon and his
iLOU96."—Taylor'sFragment. c Percy Anec.

peace for
forty yeara
" Numa Pompi
lius, from a love
of peace, and to
recommend it,
altered the
beginning of the
noman year. It
formerly com
menced Witii the

crease of spiritual strength is intensely desirable for individual
comfort — for usefulness to others— for the glory of God. IV. It
is essential to Christian prosperity to aot upon the conviction
that our strength is in God. V. The means by which spiritual
strength may be increased. 1. Food: God's Word, Christ's flesh ;
2. Air : communion with God in Christ ; 3. Exercise : practice
of Christian graces.
Cluldren of a hing. — Of a person who is beautiful or of a fair
complexion, who is courageous and stately iu his gait, it is said
in the East, " He is like the son of a king." " He is as the son
of Manmathon (CUpid)." " He is the son of a god."«
22 — 27. (22) rule thou, in impulse of gratitude. Obs. be
ginning of desire for a king, and idea of hereditary sovereignty.
(23) the Iiord, Jehovah ; iirst principle of the theocracy. (24)
earrings, prob. should be nose-rings.'' Ishmeelites, Ge.
xxxvii. 28. (25) they spread, or Gid. spread his large military
mantle. (26) ornaments, see note, v. 21. collars, these lit.
eardrops, purple, the costly, royal colour. (27) ephod,' for
use as a civil magistrate ; no idolatrous intention, whoring,
Ju. ii. 17. snare, cause of ruin.
Gratitude and piety. — I. The gratitude of the people — 1.
Evinced their desire for a monarchical form of govemment ; 2.
Showed what kind of king they wonld prefer. II. The answer
of Gideon — 1. Illustrates the humility of his heart: 2. His
desire that God might reign in the hearts of His people. (1)
Had this wish of Gideon been fulfilled the nation had contiuued
great ; (2) The fulfilment of Israel's wish led to the ultimate
ruin of the nation.
Mare .self-denial. — The Emperor of Germany, Joseph II., having
a vacant office, which he wished to confer on the son of Count
de Palsy, intimated his intention to the father. The count
thanked his Imperial Majesty for his kindness, but begged leave
to observe that his son aheady possessed a considerable fortune,
and had great expectations, and he thus had no occasion for au
addition to his income. 'The count humbly suggested whether
the place might not be more acceptably conferred on some father
of a family, whose slender income would render it a desirable
object. The emperor still pressed the office, when the count finally
addressed his sovereign, saying, " Sire, I consent that my son
should accept the appointment with which you design to honour
him, but I implore your maje.sty to permit the salary annexed to
it to be assigned to some person less fortunate in circumstaKices."
The emperor, sensibly affected by such an instance of true
greatness of mind, consented to the count's request : the place
was given to his son, and the profits appropriated to the aged
father of an impoveriehed family."
28—31. (28) lifted up, etc., after this most crushing blow.
(29) own house, one he erected at Ophrah as the seat of Ma
judgeship. (30) body begotten, indie, the royal state he
' assumed, and the low state of moral sentiment in that age. (31)
I concubine, not called wife, prob. bee. a Canaanite woman.
I A great man's influence (v, 33).— I. The influence of Gideoa
, for good was felt and acted upon while he lived. His living
I presence needful to animate it. II. When he died his influence
died also. Christ's influence is still felt. Tbe risen and ever-living

Oftp. Ix. 1—6.]

JUDGES.

117

Saviour still makes His power felt. The world's great ones die not I
only out of sight but out of mind. - Iiiflueiiee of the life. — A holy
life is the most effectual power for doing good : in this case the |
man himself seems, in a Scripture sense, to become an arrow. A
poor invalid came home to an ungodly father's house to die ; her
meek submission, her patient endurance, her joyous hope, subdued
his rebellion ; and she expired, expecting to see him again. A
modest tradesman upheld his family devotion, though it tried all
the fibres of his courage ; a clerk who lodged with him was won
by the spectacle to begin a better life. A wife, ou the way home
from church, ridiculed the awkwardness of the preacher ; looking
up in her husband's face, she discovered his eyes were fllled with
tears ; his emotion melted her heart. A peeress had a little class
of ignorant women, whom she was wont to teach in the Scriptures.
A blacksmith in the neighbourhood, a notorious villain, swore he
would break up the school, aB.d so one day violently forced his
way in. She went faithfully forward in her work, and God
touched his hidden sensibilities with the purity of her purpose
and the indefatigableness of her zeal, and he became her efBcient
ally." 32—35. (32) Gid. appears to have preserved his integrity to
Jehovah up to the last. (33) Baal-berith, covenant-lord. The
name under wh. Baal was worshipped by the Shechemites."
(34) remembered not, i.e. so as to be anxious about their
allegian<5e to Him. (35) kindness, etc., ingratitude toward
God will be soon shown in neglect of God's servants.
Tlie meaning of influence.— 'V<'ha,t is the proper meaning of
influence? Originally, it certainly was used to denote some
subtle mysterious agent flowing in upon some person or thmg,
something in the way that we conceive of an electric cun-ent, eto.
Since, its meaning has been greatly extended ; but still we do
not extend it to every cause. As we should never speak of the
influence of a stream canying a man off, or of men who drag
him to prison by physical force, so, neither, should we speak of
a man's being " influenced " by the demonstrations of Euclid.
But in moral concems we do speak of his being influenced by
arguments ; though we should oftener speak— and should con
sider ourselves as speaking more strictly— of the mfluence ot
various passions. But we always use the word, I thmk, m those
cases to which our ancestors confined it, viz., when we speak ot
one man having gained an influence over another of ;«'hich no
account can be given ; when he sways him independently ot the
amount of love, fear, respect, ete., felt, and beyond what can be
referred to his reason, or to regard for his interest, or to any
intelligible motive. I think there must be a certain mesmeric
power possessed by some people in reference to some others Some
can thus infiuence one, or few ; some, a great many ; and some,
none at all.'

11.0.1249.
month of March
(whii-h Eomuliia
liad appointed
bpcause ho loved
MarH. the god of
war), but Pumpi-
II u^ changed it
to Jauuary, from
JanuB, the god of
p^-ace.'* — Anon,
a Hive.
" Planets govem
not the soul nor
guide the desti
nies of men, but
triflea. lighter
than straws, are
levers iu the
building up of
character."— Tapper.

CHAPTER THE NINTH.

1-6 (1) the son, ch. viii. 31. Shechem, Ge. xii 6, chief
„=L Z Vrihviim mother's brethren, so Canaanites. His

Gideon dies
and Israel
declines
a Ju. ix. 4, 46.
vv. 34, 35. Dt: R.
Sjut/t, Ss. i. 450.
We are to flnd
oar flrst sphere
of duty acGord-
iog to our moral
nature, our age,
and our cirC'jm-
Btances. Thus, a.
child, nice or ten
years old, ia con
verted, and be
lieves itself to be
a Christian ; it
would be simply
monstrous to say
to that child,
'¦ Now you ought
to go round and
talk to people
about the Lord
Jesus Chiist."
"Not one false
man but doea
unaccountablemihchief."— Car*
lyfe. b Abp. Wliatdy.

B.C. 1209.
Abimelech.he kills liifl
bretJireu

118

[Cap. ix, 7-©.

a Comp. 2 Sa.
XX. 1 ; 1 Ki. xii. 16.
6 "It is evident
that there was a
distinct pot'ula-
tion dwelling in
MiDo, which tho'
perhap:3 numeri
cally small, had
great weight fr.
possessing the I
stronghold." — I
Spk. Comm. |
See Bp. Halt, '
Abimelech's Usur
pation, Contr.mp. '
" Men are so
simple, and yield
eo much to neces
sity, that he who
will deceive will
always find him
who will lend
himself to be de
ceived." — Mach
iavelli.
Jotham's parable
a "Several lofty
precipices of I3i0-
rizim literally
overhang the
city, any ttne
of which would
answer his pur
pose." —Landand
Book,
vv, 7—15. C. Si
meon, Wks, iii. 47.
0 Dr. Tliomas,
*'A brier is a I rier,
though it be iu a
paradise; and a
lily is a lily, \ho'
it grow in a wil
derness." — Rey
nolds. The pr^ar^hing
of the Wold in
6ome places is
like the planting
of woods, whore,
thjugh no profit
is received for
twenty years to
gether, it comes
afterward. An old farmer's
de-cription of a
pointless prOMcb-
er was, "A good
man likely, but
he rakes with
the teeth up,"

divided authority, reigu, neither Gid. nor his sons sought
regal power. (3) indie, the way in wh. the plot was secretly
spread." (i) pieces, shd. be shekels, idolat. money, house,
place of worship, poss. temple. Baal-berith, ch. viii. 33. vain
and light, worthless vagabonds. (5) one stone, as act of
sacrifice to Baal. (6) Millo,'' a citadel or fortress of Shechem,
house of, those who garrisoned it. plain, oak.
Tho spirit of a demagogue. — Abimelech strikingly illustrates. ihe
spirit, of a demagogue. I. He was artful. He insinuated an un
truth : that the nation would be ruled by many men with mauy
minds. II. He was mercenary, quite willing to receive gifts
from any source. III. He was cruel. Demagogues care little
for their brethren. IV. He was ambitious. Got made kiug.
Self-aggrandisement, at whatever cost, the demagogue's real aim,
In our day nothuig less than to write M.P. after their namea
will suit them.
The dissembler. —
0 serpent heart, hid with a flowering faoe 1
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave 1
Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical I
Dove-f eather'd raven 1 wolfish-ravening lamb
Despised substance of divinest show I
Just opposite to what thou justly seemst,
A damned saint, an honourable villain.
7—9. (7) Gerizim, Shechem is in valley under this monnt :
poss. the ancient city was on the hill." (8) A parable, or cutting
sarcastic allegory, olive, Ge. viii. 11. (9) honour God, bee.
oil was used in the meat-offerings, and man, olive very useful
tree, go . . trees, marg. go tip and dmcnfor other trees.
Bramble rule ; or, tlie people and their leaders (vv. 8 — 15).—
The general truths contained in this fable are — I. That the
people have a conscious want of leaders, and they are not par
ticular in their choice of them. The want arises from — 1. An
instinctive faith that there is somewhere an unpossessed good for
them ; 2. A consciousness that they are incapable of reaching it
themselves ; 3. A conviction that there are members of their race
superior to themselves. II. That inferioir men are often more
ready to assume the responsibility of leadership than great ones.
III. That leadership in the hands of inferior men is ever fraught
with mischief. 1. Small men can do great mischief ; 2. The
higher the oflfice they reach, the greater is the mischief they can
efEect.' Eastern allegories.^— The people of the East are exceedingly
addicted to apologues, and use them to convey instruction or
reproof, which with them could scarcely be done so well in any
other way. Has a man been told a secret, hc says, in repeating
it. lor instance. " A tree told me this moming, that Kandan
ofEered a large bribe to the Modeliar, to get MuttSo turned out of
his situation." Does a man of low caste wish to unite his son
in marriage to the daughter of one who is high, the latter will
say, "Have you heard that the pumpkin wants to be married to
the plaintaiu-tree ?" Is a wife sterile, " The cocoa-nut-tree in
Viraver's garden does not bear any fruit." Has a woman had
children by improper intercourse, it is said of her husband'a
garden, '' Ah. the iialmirah-trees are now giving cocoa-nuts."
Has a man given his daughter in marriage to anoQier, who uses

Cap. Ix. 10—15,]

JUDGES.

119

^Z^?}^'^^^^''^^ says -I have planted the sugar-cane bythe
Bide of the margossa (bitter) tree."''
10—13. qO) fig, Ge. iii. 7. (11) sweetness, etc.. its fruit
highly valued. (12) vine, Ge. ix. 20. (13) clieereth God,
allusion to dnnk- offerings of wine."
Pulint Iramlles; or, a vacant Clmrch maUnq cJtoice ofa
mmister {rv. 8— 15).— Introduction :—(!) It is a time of great
responsibihty to churches when making choice of a minister •
(2) Churches sometimes show great want of shrewdness in their
choice ; (iJ) They ought to keep a view to the practical in giving
a call ; (4) Very often we find the most insignificant ministers
the most ready to accept invitations from large churches ; (5) A
stated ministiy is advantageous to churches ; (6) Great evils
follow the choice of unsuitable ministers ; (7) Churches will
never reach their true position while their pulpits are filled with
brambles. Consider- 1. That the ministerial life is one of
great sacrifice: "should I leave my fatness?" II. That most
frequently the ministerial brambles are blessed with unanimous
calls (v. 14). III. That the men of small talent, almost without
exception, are full of vanity. IV. That the great force of the
bramble pulpit is in destruction. V. That some of our large
churches have frequently been deservedly punished when they
have lost their old minister.f"
The power and nse of .satire. —
Oh, sacred weapon, left for truth's defence,
Sole dread of folly, vice, and insolence.
To all but heaven -directed hands denied ;
The muse may give thee, but the gods must guide.
Rev'rent I touch thee, but with honest zeal,
To rouse the watchmen of the public weal ;
To virtue's work promote the tardy hall,
And goad the prelate, slumbering in his stall."
14, 15. (14) bramble, At7iael, as Ps. lviii. 9; either prickly-
pear ;« or the Lycium EiirojJceum, wh. is common in hedges i** or
the Rliam-nus Paliurus, of Linnasus, the Zmjpltns sp'ma Christi.*^
(15) in truth, sincerely. Obs. satire in finding shadow under a
bramble bush, fire, etc., the burning of only a bramble might
set fire to lofty trees.
Jotham- on Gerizim. — " The ancient city of Shechem, I suppose,
stood where Nablus does now, and it is easy to comprehend how
Jotham could stand above it, and deliver his cutting allegory in
the hearing of the people, and then 'run away' before they
could take him. Several lofty precipices of Gerizim literally
overhang the city, any one of which would answer his pnrpo?e.
Nor would it be difficult to be heard, as everybody knows who has
listened to the 'pnhiic crier of villages on Lebanon. In the still
ness of evening, after the people have returned home from their
distant fields, he ascends the mountain side above the place, or to
the roof of some prominent house, and thero ' lifts up his voice
and cries' as Jotham did; and he gives forth his proclamation
with such distinctness that all can hear and understand it.
Indeed, the people in these mountain countries are able from long
practice so to pitch their voices as to. be heard distinctly at
distances almost incredible. They talk with persons across
enormous wadies, and give the most minute directions, which are
perfectly understood ; and in doing this they seem to speak very

e Roberts.
a Le. xxiii. 13.
b Moi'lais.
" Of satires I
think as Epicti^-
tus did: "If evil
De said of tl ee,
and if it be true,
correct thyself;
if it bo a lie,
laugh at it.' By
dint of time and
experience Ihave
learued to be a
good post-horse ;
I go throngh my
appointed daily
stage, and I caro
nnt for the cura
who bark at me
along the road."
— Frederick the
Great." A satire should
expose nothing
but what is cor-
rigible, and
should make a
due discriminar-
tion between
those . that are
and those that
are not the pro
per objects of it,"
— Addison

a Dr. Bonar.
b Dr, Thomson,
c Kitto.
" My country
ilaims me all,
claims every
passion ; her
iiheity hence
forth be all my
tliought! though
with a broihcr's
life yet cheaply
bought ; for her
my own I'd
willingly resign,
and ' say, with
transpoit, tbat
the gain waa
mine." — Martyn.
A little wit and
a great deal of
ill-nature will
furnish a man
for satire; hut
the greatest in
stance of wit is
to commend
well." — TiUoisOK, ¦

120

JUDGES.

tCap.lx. 16-2a

E.o. 1209.
d Dr. Jhoinson.
Land and Dook,
p. 473.

a "The Beer of
Nu. xxi. 16, on
the frontier of
Moab." — Ewald.
vv. 19, 20. Bp.
Sheridan, Ss. i.
855. *' Satire is a Hort
of glass, wherein
beholders gene
rally discover
everybody's face
but their own ; —
¦which is the chief
reason for that
kindoFreceptionit meets in the
world, and that
so very few are
offended with it."
—Swift. "The noblest
motive is the
public good," —
Virgil.
i Bp. Porteus.

the insurrec
tion of
Shechem
a \ Sa. xvi. 14 —
23.i 'Friendship
amonff tho
wicked is only a
league of vice
agninst others.
In itself it cannot
Btand." — Lange,
" Bad company is
like a nail driven
intoapost,which,after the flrst and
second blow.may
be drawn out
with little diffi
culty; but being
once driven up
to fhe head, the
pincers cannot
take hold todraw
it out, but which
can only be done
by the destruc
tion of the wood."
."St. Augustine.

little louder than their usual tone of conversation. Jotham,
therefore, might easily be heard by the greater part of the
inhabitants of Shechem. The costume of his allegory is simple
and natural, and the allusions are to the very trees whioh most
abound at Nablus — the olive, the fig, the viae, and the bramble."''
16 — 21. (16) Endeavour to win repentauce for the Wrong
done : appeal to conscience, deserving, suggests ingratitude
of their conduct. (17) adventured, put his life in peril.
(18) maid servant, concubine, in ch. viii. 31. your brother,
the mother being Shechemite. (19) rejoice ye, be glad in, enjoy
your king. (20) fire, etc., may Abim. be occasion of ruiu to you,
and you to him. (21) Beer," now El B'lreh, 10 miles N,
of Jerus.
A patriotic satirist. — I. Some of the uses of satire, with illus
trations from Word of G-od. II. This of Jotham in particular.
1. He suggests that they may have acted up to their light iu
electing Abimelech ; 2. He hints that perhaps Gideon did not
deserve more from them ; 3. Was not Abimelech nobly boru i
i. He exhorts king and people to rejoice in each other as worthy
of each other ; 5. If these things were not right — Jotham knew
they were not — he prays that king and people may destroy each
other. Tlie patriot. — He who undertakes au occupation of great
toil and great danger, for the purpose of serving, defending, and
protecting his country, is a most valuable and respectable
member of society ; and if he conducts himself with valour,
fidelity, and humanity, and amidst the horrors of war cultivates
the gentle manners of peaoe, and the virtues of a devout and
holy life, he most amply deserves, and will assuredly receive tha
esteem, the admiration, aud the applause of his grateful country ;
and, what is of still greater importance, the approbation of hia
God.* 22— S5. (22) over Israel, apparently the other tribes sub
mitted to him. The word used for reigned indie, its tyrannical,
despotic character. (23) evil spirit," dissension was God's
judgment on their sin. treacherously, usurped authority is of
necessity unstable.' (24) laid upon, as guilt to be punished.
(25) liers in wait, spies, for him, prob. robbing and way
laying traveUers, and pretending to have the authority of Abim.,
so turning people against him.
JVo friendship among the m'lched. — I. Who are these with thia
feud ? The meu whom the king had paid : the king whom they
had elected. Friendship based on convenience, not affection.
II. How came this feud about ? It was provoked by the righteous
anger of God. IH. Why did God act thus? To avenge the
murder of the sous of Gideon. Leam — 1. Prosperity of the
wicked is shortlived ; 2. Ill-gotten gains and titles do not
prosper. Selfish friendship. — A number of mirrors are set around a little
child. He looks into them all in turn, and admires each. What
then ? does he think the mirrors beautiful ? No : he sees and
admires only himself, although, in his childishness, he is not
aware that the beauty which draws him is all his own. Alas ! we
often use our friends only as looking-glasses to see ourselves in.
We imagine that we are loving them because we look towarda

Cap. Ix. 26-38.]

JUDGES.

121

B.O. 1209.

them while we love : but it is the reflection of our own interests
all the time that lem'is us captive."
26 — 29. (26) Gaal, prob. Canaanitish adventurer. (27)
made merry, ref. to the thank-oSerings for the new vintage"
(28) Sheohem, son of, an assumed name of Abim. Jerubbaal,
Baal's enemy, in whose house they were feasting, serve, i.e. let
us serve the descendants of our ancestor Ilamor.'' (29) would
to God, Gaal wishes he were prefect of the city, as Zebul was.
increase, etc., an apostrophe addressed to the company.
Diamond ent diamond. — I. That strifes, jealousies, divisions in
high quarters furnish opportunities to the enemies of govern
ment. II. That a wicked, ill-governed people are likely to be
deceived in their choice of an insurrectionary leader. Gaal
himself a vain, boastful person.
Vintage in. the Eaxt. — In the East they still tread their grapes
after the ancient maimer. "August 20, 1765, the vintage (near
Smyrna) was now begun, the juice (of the grapes) was expressed
for wine ; a man, with his feet and legs bare, was treading the
fruit in a kind of cistem, with a hole or vent near the bottom,
and a vessel beneath to receive the liquor."''
30—33. (30) kindled, hot. (31) privily, craftily, or the | ^^^^^^^g ^
word shd. be treated as a proper name, to Tomiah." The plot ; snare for
of Gaal's party was to secijre the city : this they appear to have
accomplished. (32) by night, hurriedly, and secretly, so taking
them at unawares, in the field, outside the city. (33) find
occasion, Zebul intended to render efficient aid fr. within. ,..„.. ._ ...
The counter-plot.— ^e are reminded-I. That the policy of the icehind the
¦wicked is ofttimes one of craft. II. That government by ungodly
men leads to disorder. Like prince like people. A lawless ruler
can hardly enforce law. III. That governments founded upon
crime cannot be upheld but by craft and violence.
As thou shalt find occasion.— The Hebrew has, " As thy hand
shall find." (1 Sa. x. 7, margin.) In asking a favour, it is
common to say, " You must not deny me, sir ; but as yonr hand
finds opportunity, so you must assist me." " Well, my friend,
when I have the opportunity of the hand, I will assist you."
" The man has assisted me according to the opportunity of his
hand ; what can he do more ? "'
34—38. (34) laid wait, accord, to Zebul's advice, four
companies, or parties, for quieter movements, and better eiua-
ing observation. (35) stood . . city, prob. as assuming rule
and magistracy. (36) to Zebul, who stiUmade show of sid ng
with hira. shadow, etc.,'' by this ans. gaming time, and putting
Gaal off his guard. It indio. some contempt ^f J^^f;]; ^Jt%>
middle, mar|. navel, plain of Meonenim, oak of the sooth-
Bayers. (38) despised, v. 28. , . , i, n j
Where is boasting then ?—l. Ga&l had vauntingly _ challenged
Abimelech to increase his army and come out. Men in the pride
of their strength and influence apt to be boastful. II. Uoasttul
spirits sometimes find that Providence gives theni an opportunity
for proving their courage. III. Boasters often find some Zebul
at hand to remind them of their boasts, and hound them on to
^Th^shM'ows of the monntains.-0-ar translation of the Book of
Judgee, from the Hebrew, represents Zebul as saymg to Uaal,

c Dr. Amot.
Graal heads
the insurreO"
tion a Spk, Comin.
b Lange. Qe.
x^xiv. 1, 4.
The wicked are
upually mest
fecurewheutbey
are most in
danger. "Pe^ce hath her
vie orics no less
! enowned than
war." — Mitton.
c Chandler.

Gaal
a Marg.
"Opporiunityhaa
hair in front ;
is
you seize
her by the fore
lock, you may
hold her; hut, it
suffered to es
cape, not Jupiter
himself oan cvch
her og^nm-'- From
the I.aiin.
b Rebuts.

Abimeleohprepares an
ambush.
a "By 'tops of
mountains ' we
are to under
stand the more
distant moun
tains ; by the
¦ height of the
land ' a nearer
hill in the imme
diate vicinity of
the city; by tbe
Elon Meonenim
(magician'sgrove), a dusky
i forestagoinstihe
near horizon.".^
Lange.

122

JUDGES.

[Cap. Ix. 39— 45,,

B.O. 1209.
"Nor rural sights
alone, but rural
Bounds, exhila
rate the spirit
and restore the
tone of languid
nature."-Cowper.fr Dr. Shaw.

Gaal is
defeated "The instability
of friendship fur-
Dishes one of the
most melancholy
refle-^.tions sug
gested by the
contemplation of
human life; and
tew of us have
travelled far
npon our pilgrim'
age, without hav
ing had occasion
to lament the
loss of some com
panion who has
parted from our
Bide upon the
first rumour that
we have wan
dered from the
fountains of the
desert" — Will-
mott.
a Ootthold.

the destmc
tion of
Shechem
u Lange.
Sin has entwined
its fibrous roots
into every part of
our natural be
ing, so that a
complete disso
lution of all its
parts is required
to weed them
out flnally and
completely.6 Bagster's Bible.
"God is the
brave man's
hope and not the
coward's ex
cuse." — Plutarch.

upon his being alarmed at seeing troops of men makmg to him,
Thou seest the shadows of the mountains as if they were men ;
whereas Josephus represents him as telling him he mistook tha
rooks for men. A commentator might be at a loss to account for
this change, that had not read Doubdan's representation of some
part of the Holy Land, in which he tells us, that in those places
there are many detached rocks scattered up and down, some grow
ing out of the ground, and others are fragments, broken off from
rooky precipices, the shadow of which, it appears, Josephua
thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of
men at a distance, rather than the shadow of the mountains.'
39—42. (39) men of Shechem, as v. 26. (40) chased him,
defeating Gaal in the open ; he, however, gained the gate, and
closed it. (41) Arumah, near Shechem, poss. Rumah oi 2 Ki.
xxiii. 36. thrust out, etc., this he could do bee. pijblic feeling
turned agaiust the defeated boaster ; it did not tum to Abim. (42)
morrow, not after the defeat, but after Gaal was thrust out
field, going unsuspectingly to their work.
Caught in the toils. — I. The shadows were men after all. The
forecasting fears of Gaal were realised. II. The men who fol
lowed Gaal were, like shadows, dispersed. Eetreating upon She
chem, Gaal found the city in possession of Zebul. Learn— (1)
The hoUovniess of vain boasting ; (2) The folly of false confi
dences ; (3) The prosperity of fools defeoys them.
The fichleness ^friendship. — AVhat is sweeter than a weU-tuned
lute, and what more delightful than a friend — one who can cheer
us in sorrow, with his wise and affectionate discourse 1 Nothing,
however, is sooner untuned than a, lute ; and nothing is more
fickle than human friendship. The tone of the one changes with
the weather, that of the other with fortune. With a clear skyi,
a bright sun, and a gentle breeze, you will have friends in plenty;
but let fortune frown, and the firmament be overcast, and theii
your friends will prove like the strings of the lute, of whioh you,
will tighten ten before you find one that will bear the stretch
and keep the pitch."
43—45. (43) the people, his own people, laid wait, hiding
from view until the men were well away from the city, smote
them, as more precisely described next». (44) stood . ¦ city,
preventing both retum of the citizens, and shutting of the gates.
(45) all that day, people left in city making a vigorous resis
tance, sowed it with salt, as symbolical act, devoting it to
uselessness and barrenness as having broken covenant."
Serving salt, — Salt iu small quantities renders land extremely
fertile ; but too much of it destroys vegetation. '• Every place,"
says Pliny, " on whiob salt is found is barren, and produces ro-
thing." Hence the sowing of a place with salt was a custom in
different nations to express permanent desolation. Sigonius ob
serves that when Milan was taken, A.D. 1162, the walls were
razed, and it was sown with salt. And Brantome informs na that
it was an ancient custom in France to sow the house of a man
with salt who had been declared a traitor to his king. Charles IX.,
king of France, the most base and perfidious of huraan beings,
caused the house of Admiral Coligni (whom he and the Dukeof
Guise caused to be murdered, with thousands more of Protestaats,
on the eve of St. Bartholomew, 1572) to be sown with salt 1 *

Cap. Ix. 46—57.]

JUDGES.

123

48—49. (46) tower of Shechem, see v. 6. hold, a haU in
the idol temple. They thought it safe as a sanctuary. (47)
gathered, in this one place. (48) Zalmon," not certainly
known ; may be Ebal.* make haste, with idea of earnestness
rather than hurry. (49) to the hold, the entrance would be of
wood, and poss. the whole building. Obs. lit. fulfil, of Jotham's
curse." Crvelty and selfishness. — At the time of the destruction of the
man-of-war. Prince George, by fire, off Lisbon, by which four
hundred and eighty-five persons perished, the fishermen and mer
chantmen, of which there were many around the burning ship,
instead of rescuing their drowning fellow-creatures, busied them
selves in picking up fowls, and whatever else floated to ihem
from the wreck, except the drowning sailors.
50—53. (50) Thebez, now Tftbas." The inhab. seem to have
joined in opposing Abim. (51) top of the tower, fr. wh. in
those days they fought by throwing stones down, shooting arrows,
etc.* (52) went hard, pressing close, so as to set fire to the en
trance, burn, repeating former plan. (53) millstone, part of
ordinary household handmill. all to, an old Eng. term, meaning
quite, entirely.
The end of Abimelech. — From it we leam — I. That the death of
the wicked often reflects the character of their life. This a
violent one, like the life it ended. II. That a false life eometimes
ends with a lie. IIL That the ruliug passion of the ungodly is
sometimes strong in death. Abimelech vainglorious to the last.
Stones as implements of ivar.— A-piil 9th, we all were called up,
and acquainted that the walls were assaulted and scaled in five
different places, though it was so exceedingly dark that neither
moon nor stars were to be seen ; yet the agent and all the gentle
men of the factory (excepting a young gentleman, who was so
obliging as to stay for me), rose immediately, and made the best
of their way for the creek's mouth. In our way the women threw
tiles and stones at us from the tops of the houses, though we
called to them in Arabic to forbear, as we were English : they
answered, we lied, for that we were Agema (Persians) in English
dress. But as it was so very dark that we could not see each other
at four yards' distance, we were obliged to run the gauntlet, and
were so lucky as to escape without being knocked on the head.
although we received many blows on the arms and shoulders
whioh left their marks for some days."
54 — 57. (54) armour-bearer, such attended on ancient
chieftains." a woman, wh., to a warrior, would be the utmost
disgrace. (55) departed, having no other bond of union thau
devotion to Abim. (56) rendered, back ; brought the conseq.
of his wickedness on his own head. (57) curse, as v. 20.
Retribution. — We learn — I. That no craft or courage can evade
the just judgment of God. II. That, in the providence of God,
the sin of society recoils upon its own head.
Retribution inevitable. — When Bonaparte was about to invade
Eussia, a person who had endeavoured to dissuade him from his
purpose, finding he could not prevail, quoted to him the proverb,
•' Man proposes, but God disposes ; " to which he indignantly re
plied, " I dispose as well as propose." A Christian lady, on hear
ing the impious boast, temarked, " I set that down as the tumiug-

B.O. 1209.
the burning:
of the tower
cf Shechem
a Ps. Ixviii. 14.
b Stanley.
c Ju. ix. 20.
"Self-will is BO
ardent and ac
tive, that it will
break a world to
pieces to make a
stool fo sit on."
— Cecil.
"Thou, who
lov'st nothing
but what nothing
loves, and that's
ihyseliV'-Drydeji.
the death of
Abimelech
a 2 Sa. xi. 21.
b " The Assy
rian bas -reliefs
afford counter
parts of the scene
here described
so vividly and
exact, we might
almost t uppose
them to be re
presentations of
the same histo rid
events." — Jamie
son,
V. 53. /. Saurin,
Disc. Hist. iii. 400.
c I'arson's Tt-av.
in Asia.
"It is not our
criminal actions
that require
courage to con-
tess, but those
which are ridi
culous and fool
ish." — Rousseau.

retributiona lSa.xiv.7,xvi.
21, xxxi. 6.
"After lonff ex
perience of tha
world, I affirm.
before Qod, I
never knew a
rogue who waa
not unhappy."—
Junius." Much danger
makes great
hearts most re-
si'lute." — JUari-
lon.

124

JUDGES.

[Cap. St. 1-9,

B.O. 1206.
Tola and
Jaira Jos. XiiL 3; 1
Chr. ii. 22.
SeeBp.HaU'sCon- iemp. Jephthah;
J. Haitrin, Disc.
Hist. iii. U3.
b Dr. Parker.
Unselfish and
no'le acts are
the most radiant
epnchs in the
biography of
souls. Whon
wrought in ear
liest youth, they
lie in the memo
ry' of age lite
the I'.oral islands,
greeu and sunny,
amidst the me
lancholy waste
of ocean." — Dr.
Thomas.
*' He who,in ques
tions of ri^ht,
virtue, or duty,
sets himself a-
bove all ridicule,
is truly gr^at,
and shall Tau^h
in the end with
truer mirth than
ever he was
lauifhed at." —
Lavater.
e Paxton.
"Men are taught
virtue and a love
of independen--e
by living in the
country." — Men
ander.

oppression underFhilistiaand AmcQon
a Oomp. IIU. xi.
S, 7, 83.
A Scotch woman.
wh'jse husband
vent to sea a
lew days after

point of Bonaparte's fortunes. God will not suffer a creature,
with impunity, thus to usurp His prerogative. It happened to
Bonaparte just as the lady predicted. His invasion of Russia
was the commencement of his fall.

CHAPTER THE TENTH.
1—5. (1) defend, better as marg. deliver. Puah, 6e.
xlvi. 13 ; 1 Chr. vii. 1. Dodo, 2 Sa. xxiii. 9, 24. Shamir, not
the town in hill country of Judah, mentioned in Jos. xv. 48.
(2) judged, no special aot of deliv. fr. outside enemies was
effected by him. (3) Jair, poss. descendant of the Jair of
Nu. xxxii. 41 ; De. iii. 14." (4) ass-colts, the animal ridden by
princes, cities, villages. Havoth-jair, villages qf Jair, Nu.
xxxii. 41. (5) Camon, full of stalks or grain, prob. in Gilead;
not identified.
Historical negatives.— 1. Great deeds do not always go with
great names. II. It does not always follow that because deeds
are not great, therefore they are not useful. III. Human history
when looked at in great breadths is seen to have a plan and to be
under the most beneficent control. IV. Do not shrink from duty
because you are invited to follow an illustrious predeoeaspi.
V. Greatness will be abused if it be taken as a discouragement of
humble service. From the Cross we leam— 1. That the greatest
name is servant ; 2. That the humblest deed will be rewarded;
3. That submission must precede exaltation ; 4. That self-denial
is necessary to the growth of the best life.''
Riding on asses. — To ride upon an ass was, in the days of
the Judges, a mark of distinction, to whioh it is probable the
vulgar might not presume to aspire. This is evident from the
brief notices which the inspired historian gives of the greatness
and richness of Jair, the Gileadite, one of these judges : "he had
thirty sons that rode on thirty ass-colts ; and they had thirty
cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day." Abdon the
Pirathonite, another of these judges, " had forty sons and thirty
nephews, that rode ou threescore and ten ass-colts." It is reason
able to suppose, that the manners and customs of the chosen
tribes underwent a ch.ange when the government became monar
chical, and the fascinating pleasures of a court began to exert
their usual influence : still, however, the ass kept his plaoe in the
service of the great. Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul, rode
on an ass ; as did Ahithophel, the prime minister oE David, and
the greatest statesman of that age. Even so late as the reign oi
Jehoram, the son of Ahab, the services of this animal were
required by the wealthy Israelite ; the Shunamite, a person of
high rank, saddled her ass, and rode to Carmel, the residence
of Elisha, to announce the death of her son to the prophet, and
to solicit his assistance."
6—9. (6) Baalim, Nu. xxii. 41. Ashtaroth, pl. fo™ "^
Ashtoreth, the female deity of the Phoenicians. This descr^^
indie, very general lapse into idolatry throughout the land. CO
sold them, ch. ii. 14. Philistines, see oh. iii. 31. Smce
Shamgar's time they had grown in strength. Ammon, proh.
leagued with the Phil, and oppressing tribes E. of Jordan. (8)
that year, the last of the oppression : the attack narrate *>. *

Cap. X. lo— 18.]

JUDGES.

125

aroused Is. to repentance, (9) Judah, etc., tribes on the W. of
Jordan. Tlic sore distress of Israel. — I. It was self invoked. II. Occa
sioned by departure from the worship and service of God.
III. Proved the weakne,ss of the gods they preferred to Jehovah.
IV. Alliance with the world's sin did not secure the world's
friendship. Tyrannical oppression. — The Hebrew has, " crushed." Of a
severe master it is said, "He crushes his servants." "Ahi my
lord, crush me not." "When will the king cease to crush his
people 1 "''
10—14. (10) forsaken . . Baalim, obs. they confess both
negative and positive transgression, (ll) the Lord said, prob.
through the high* priest. Egyptians, as Ex. xii. 29 — 36.
Amorites, Jos. x. 5, 6, 12. Phil., Ju. iii. 81. (12) Zido
nians, part of Hazor's army, Jos. xi 8 ; Ju. v. 19. Amalek.,
Ju. vi. 33. Maonites, Midianites," it may be name of one of
the Eastem tribes. (13) no more, temporary refusal designed
to deepen repentance. (14) go, etc., De. xxxii. 37, 38, so they
would learn the vanity of their idol-worship.
A Divifie taunt (v. 14). — We observe — I. That a^departure from
Grod involves men in sorrow and tribulation. II. That in their
tribulation men find the objects they preferred to God impotent
to save them. III. That God will sometimes leave men to dis
cover from experience the worthlessness of their worldly choice.
See if wealth or works will save in sorrow.
Tlie idols of tlie lieathen. — The Kev. John Thomas, missionary
in India, was one day travelling alone through the country, when
he saw a great number of people waiting near an idol temple.
He went up to them, and, as soon as the doors were opened,
he walked into the temple. Seeing an idol raised above the
people, he walked boldly up to it, held up his hand, and asked for
silence. He then put his finger on its eyes, and said, " It has
eyes, but it cannot see 1 It has ears, but it cannot hear ! It has
a nose, but it eannot smell 1 It has hands, but it cannot handle I
It has a mouth, but it cannot speak I Neither is there any breath
in it 1 " Instead of doing injury to him for aflionting their god
and themselves, the natives were all surprised ; aud an old
Brahmin was so convinced of his folly by what Mr. Thomas said,
that he also cried out, '• It has feet, but cannot run away 1 " The
people raised a shout, and being ashamed of their stupidity, they
left the temple, and went to their homes.
15—18. (15) seemeth good, they were brought to condition
of penitential submission ; returning in their very hearts unto
Jehovah. (16) put away, the outward proof of sincerity.
(17) gathered together, for a combined and serious attack of
the country. Mizpeh," a city of Gilead, on a height, and a
strong position. (18) begin to fight, they were very dependent
on the faith and enterprise of a leader, head, corap. ch.
xi. 11.
Mercy for the truly penitent. — I. The repentance of Israel
was marked by — 1. A full confession of sin ; 2. An acknowledg
ment of the justice of the Divine dealings; 3. A practical
exhibition of their real sorrow of heart for the sin of idolatry.
II. 'Hie mercy of God; manifests— 1. His compassion for a suf -

B.O. 120G.
their marriage,
used to go to
a neighbouring
headland and
wfltch for his
returning ship,
or, lying in bed,
listen for his
footfall. So God
waits for the re
turning prodigal.
b Roberts.
Israel's cry
is rejected
a T.Y-g
"Show ns yonr
God ! " said one
of the heathen
at Buhapurum
to a child who
had been edu
cated in Chris
tianity. "I can
not do that," an
swered the child;
"but I can soon
show you yours."
Taking upa stone
and daubing it
with some re
semblance of a
human face, ha
placed it upon
the ground, and,
"There," taid he,
"is such a god
as you worship."
" Superstition Is
1 hut the fear of
'¦ behef, religion is
I the confidence."
¦ — Lady Blessing-
ton."The true it] stru
ment of man's
degradation is
his ignorance."—
Lady Morgan.
Israel's
repentance
is accepted
a Ge. xxxi. 49.
" Travellers tell
US that there is
a tribe in Africa
so given to su
perstition that
they flll their
huts and hovels
with so many
idols that they
do not even leave
room tas their

126

JUDGES.

[Cap. xl 1-a.

B.o. 1206.
families. How
many men there
are who flll their
hearts with the
idols of sin, so
that there is no
room tor the
Living God, or
for any of His
- holy principles!"
— JoJm Bate.
OhristianUy al
lows no idols.
As Bagon fell
before the ark of
the covenant, so
have all the gods
of the Pantheon
fallen before the
power of the
Cross. So shall
~ they continue to
fall, till theking-
' doms of this
.world are re-
'claimed to Christ.
" Hate shuts her
Boul when dove-
eyed mercy
plead B." — C.

B.O. IICI.
Jephthah
dwells in
Tob
a Eieald; Lange.
b Wordsworth;
Spk. Comm. com
pares 1 Ohr. vii.
14-17.*' Let ua Uve for
God, and thea
we need not fear
the gathering ills
of the future.
Let us live for
God, and the
joys and the
Borrows of the
coming year will
ahke be the fore
runners to us of
endless years in
acloudlesB clime.
bis help
soughtag'alnst
Ammon
a '• They had ex-

f ering people ; 2. His willingness to answer prayer ; 3. The
condition upon which He bestows salvation.
Early tr'ials of miss'ionarles. — " I have generally," says one of
the Baptist missionaries in India, " been three or four hours every
day in actual contact with the people. Frequently I go and
return in good spirits, but sometimes I am low enough. Good
spirits are commonly necessary to dealing with my poor people,
for there is generally a great deal among them that is very
provoking. I frequently tell them that it is a regard to their
welfare that leads me to do as I do ; and the declaration ia
received with a sneer. On two or three occasions, a number
of little children have been officiously seated before me, as an
intimation that I say nothing worthy the attention of men.
The people often call after me as I go, about : one cries,
' Juggernaut I Juggernaut ! ' another, perhaps, says with a con
temptuous smile, ' Won't you give me a book 1 ' Soon after,
perhaps, a third says, ' Sahib I I will worship Jesus Christ I ' and
a fourth exclairas, ' Victory to Juggernaut the Ruler 1 ' Among
these infatuated people, I fear that the utmost propriety in spirit
and demeanour would be no protection from very, frequent
insults. In spite of the most affectionate addresses of which
I am oapable, and in the midst of them, the people, in malicious
derision, shout, ' Juggernaut 1 Juggernaut ! ' and seem deter
mined, as it were, with one heart and voice, to support theit
idols, and resist Jesus Christ. I hope He will, ere long, aot fot
Himself ; and then floods of pious sorrow will stream from the
haughtiest eyes, and the graoe uow scorned will be sought with
successful, earnestness."

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.
1—3 (1) Gileadite, or son of GUead : either name of the
country in wh. he was a foundling," or the actual name of his
father.* harlot, his father's concubine, or person casually met.
Jephthah's origin accounts for his wild, lawless life. (2) wife,
lawful wife, thrust out, an unrighteous act, after his father
had given him shelter and acknowledged him. (3) Tob, district
N. of Gilead, towards Syria. 2 Sa. x. 6, 8. vain men, idle
men, preferring a wild independent life, these made him a
leader. Comp. Abim. Ju, ix. 4 : Bamd. 1 Sa, xxii. 2.
Peculiar determining infiuences of life. — I. Note some of these
in the case of Jephthah. 1. His illegitimate birth; 2. The
taunts of which he was the subject on that account; 3. His
expulsion from home : 4. His wild independent life. Much of
his after life the outoome of some or aU of these things.
II. Note some of the special influences in the formation of other
historical characters. III. Many men can associate important
circumstances in their life ; and influential elements of their
character with peculiar trials or incidentsr IV. These peculiar
things often point to a special working of Providence.
4—0. (4) process of time, after days, after several years.
Ammon," for origin of the nation, .see Ge. xix. 38. Usually
associated with Moab ; as Ju. iii. 12 — 14. (.5) Comp. Ju. x. 18:
this verse shows the person they fixed on to invite. Jeph.'s fame

Cap. xl. 7—15.]

JUDGES.

127

as a freebooter had evidently spread. (6) captain, leader in
war, and according to later usage in peace also : see the office and
work of a judge.
Tlie recall qf tlie exile.— "We may leam from this history — I.
Not to assume that if we are thrust out we have genius, ete., that
others cannot appreciate. II. If thrust out, so to act as to make
om- recall imperative. III. To beware how we thrust out any
whom we may have to recall. IV. We have all in time past
rejected Jesus, have sought unto Him 1
7—11. (7) ye hate me, indie, that the leaders of his tribe
had shared with his brethren in his expulsion. Ey this Jeph.'s
mind was gi-eatly embittered. (8) A prudent and soothing
answer : they wished bygones to be bygones, recog. his military
genius, and were willing to trust him. (9) Comp. spirit of
Gideon.- (Ju. viii. 22, 23.) (10) -vsritness, Heb. be the hearer
between ns : this is taking an oath of faithfulness to their word.
(11) uttered, etc., made solemn protestation that he undertook
the work for Jehovah. Mizpeh, "the renowned old capital
of land beyond Jordan."* No reason to think ark removed for
the occasion."
Tlie elders of Gilead and Jephthah (v. 8). — ^This incident may
serve to remind us — I. That the least we can do when we have
injured a fellow-being is to confess frankly our wrong, and ask
his pardou. II. That we should beware of despising or trampling
upon any man, so as to make him our enemy, for we know
not how much need we may have of his friendship and services
before we die. III. That men of worth who are undervalued.
disparaged, and ill-treated, should bear it with meekness and
cheerfrduess, leaving it to God to vindicate their good name
in His own way."!
An Indian brave. — ^The Indian warrior Tecumseh, who fell in
the late American war, was not only an accomplished military
commander, but also a great natural statesman and orator.
Among the many strange, and some strongly characteristic,
events in his life, the council which the American General
Harrison held with the Indians at Vincennes, in 1811, affords an
admirable instance of the sublimity which sometimes distin
guished his eloquence. The chiefs of some tribes had come to
complain of a purchase of lands whioh had been made from the honourwill
Kiokaf ous. This council effected nothing, but broke up in oon- the brighter!"—
fusion, in consequence of Tecumseh having called General | T. Fuller.
Harrison "a liar.'' It was in the progress of the long talks that
took place in the conference, that Tecumseh, having finished one
of his speeches, looked round, and seeing every one seated, while
no seat was prepared for him, a momentary frown passed over his
countenance. Instantly, General Harrison ordered that a chair
should be given him. Some person presented one, and bowing,
said to him, " Warrior, your father, General Harrison, offers you a
seat.''' Tecumseh's dark eye flashed. "My father I " he exclaimed,
indignantly, extending his arm towards the heavens ; " the sun
is my father, and the earth is my mother ; she gives me nourish
ment, and I repose upon her bosom." As he ended, he sat down
suddenly on the ground.
12 — 15. (12) sent,efe, first seeking to gain au understanding
with the enemy, or at least a clear right to war. to do with

B.C. 1161.
pelled the Z^rn.
zammiin fr. the
region between
the Arnon and
the Jabbok, and
had established
themselves in
the strong moun-
taiuoufl country
about the sources
of these streams,
Nu. xxi. 24; De.
ii. 20, 21."— ^j,«.
his compact
with Gilead
a "The circum. of
his birth, and
long residence
in a heatljen
land, were little
Javourable to the
formation of tte
highest type of
chamcter. Tot
he has his record
among the faith
ful, He. xi. 32."—
Spk. Comm.
b Ewald. See Ga.
xxxi. 48, 4».
c Wordsworth.
o.ll. J.S.M.An-
derson. Cloud of
Witn. ii. 190.
V. 8. "Virtus
once in an age
will work her
own advance
ment; and when
such as hate it
chance to need
it, they will be
fojced to prefer
it, aod then tha

11.9. "Jephthah's
wisdom had not
been answerable
to hie valour if
he had not made
his match before
hand. He bar
gains, therefore,
for his Bove-
reignty ere he
wins it." — Bp.
Hall.
d Basil.

his messagres
to Ammon

128

JUDGES,

[Cap. xl. 16-19

E.G. 1161.
a "'When Is.!
went forth out of i
Eg. this territory
was in the hands \
of Sillon, king !
of the Amorites.
Israel itself had
fought with nei
ther Moab nor
Ammon."-Zian^e. Do. ii. 9, 19.
" Courage is like
the diamond —
very brilliant,
not changed by
fire, capable of
high poUtih ; but,
except for the
purpose of cut
ting hard bodiea,
useless."— 6'o?/on.
" No man can be
brave who con-
8i ders pain to be
the greatest evil
of life ; nor tem
perate, who con
siders pleasure
to be the highest
good." — Cicero.
t Alex. Smith.
he describes
the facts as
to Israel
a Nu- xxxiii. 36,
37; De. i. 19.
"They that go
vern elephants
liever appear
before them in
white; and the
masters of bulls
keep from them
all garments of
blood and scar
let, as knowing
that they will be
impatis tof civil
usages and dis
cipline, vvhen
their natures
are provoked by
their propar an
tipathies." — Bp.
Taylor.
*'Men suppose
that tbeir reason
has command
over their words,
EtiU it happens
that words in
return exercise
authority on rea
son." — Bacon.
b Sketches of H'lf-
vyl.

me, what is thy purpose? what cause of offence has been given?
against me, reminding him that Gilead was not, as he sup
posed, without a leader. (13) See on v. 4, marg. note. (14)
again, in reply. (15) took not away,'» position Jeph. takes is
that Is. had not grasped the land, but it had been given them by
God bee. of Amorite sins, v. 21 .
First in tlie fray, — I. Jephthah vindicates the wisdom of
those who made him their leader by at once assuming the offen
sive. II. By putting on this bold form the hopes of Gilead
would be rallied, and the fears of the enemy excited. III. He
who strikes the first blow iu necessary conflicts obtains an advan
tage. IV. Resist the devU, and he will flee from you.
Noble da-ring. — I have a heart to dare,
And spirit-thews to work my daring ont :
I'll cleave the world as a swimmer cleaves the sea,
Breaking the sleek, green billows into froth.
With tilting, full-blown chest, and scattering.
With scornful breath, the kissing, flattering foam,
Tbat leaps and dallies with his dipping lip.
Thou'rt distant now, 0 World I I hear thee not
There's no pale fingers of thy fires to-night
Around the large horizon. Yet, 0 World I
I have thee in my power, and as a man.
By some mysterious infiuence can sway
Another's mind, making him laugh and weep,
Shudder or thrill, such power have I on thee.*
16 — 19. (16) unto Red Sea, wh. they reached again after
walking thro' desert el-T'ih.'^ Kadesh, Nu. xx. 1, ete. (17)
sent . . Edom, Nu. xx. 14—21. The embassy to Moab is not
recorded separately. (18) compassed, went round, rather than
force their way through, within the border, studiously
avoiding offence. Arnon, the district in dispute. (19) Sihon,
Nu. xxi. 21—26. Heshbon, on the westem part of the high
table-land, E. of the Jordan. Orig. belongpd to Moab. my
place, W. of Jordan.
The Vie refuted.— 1. Silence under a false charge not always tha
wisest attitude. II. False stateraents to be promptly met by
a rehearsal of the plain truth. III. There are usually two sides
to every statement. IV. Seek to have truth on om- side ; and
facts to support us. V. 'What have those to say to Jesus who
chaa'ges them with unrighteous opposition ?
Accuracy of speech. — How many of the most mischieyons
falsehoods and calumnies originate from the want of a habit of
strict accuracy ! How often do suspioion and jealousy, and cool
ness, and even enmity, originate in families and in society,
simply from an inacom-ate description of narrative! And how
often is there reason to fear that the innocent suffer and the
guilty escape, in our com'ts of justice, from similar causes I _ It
will requiro but a little attention to see the manner in whioh
witnesses of real honesty, and under the sanction of an oath,
often give their testimony, and the totally new aspect which the
narrative assumes, under the cross-examination of a new ad
vocate, to perceive the immense importance of cultivating a
faculty on which the life of others often depends,'

Cap, xl. 20—33.]

JUDGES.

129

20—23. (20) trusted not, oomp. Is. promises." Jahaz,
bet. Medeba and Dibon ;» southern part of territory of Sihon,
but N. of river Arnon." Not satisfactorily identified. (21) land
ofthe Amorites, so not teixitory at, all of Ammon, whose king
he was addressing. (22) coasts, borders, districts, wilder-
r.ess, district further east, beyond the high lands of Gilead. (2?,)
thou possess it, seeing thou hast no' claim to it, save that
of occupation.
The gifts of Providence not to be thoughtlessly surrendered
(v. 23).— I. The possession of Israel was the gift of God. II.
AVhat God had so given Israel was not to resign. III. Providence
has been very good to us— nationally and personally— in the past.
IV. What Providence has given it is our duty to hold fast. V. A
careless surrender of mercy is a dishonour to God ; a slight upon
His wisdom.
Providence our guide. — I stand like one
Has lost his way, and no man near him to inquire it of ;
Tet there's a Providence above that knows
The roads which ill men tread, and can direct
Inquiring justice. The passengers iiiat travel
In the wide ocean, where no paths are.
Look up and leave their conduct to a star."*
24 — 28. (24) Chemosh," subduer, desolater, the god of war.
National god of the Moabites, but worshipped also by Ammon.
Nu. xxi. 29. Jeph. appeals to the principle on which the king
himself would act. Conquests in war were regarded as gifts
of the gods. (2.'5) Balak, who, though king of Moab, did not
dispute Is.'s right to Sihon's kingdom. (26) three hundred
years, round number : time enough to bring right of possession.
(27) Judge, vindicator ; let Him show who is right. (28) he
continued his occupation of the land.
The gifts of the gods, and of God (v. 24). — I. Superstitiously or
reverently men regard their possessions as the gifts of the higher
powers. Christians speak of God. Idolaters, of their gods.
Worldly men, of luck, fortune, ete. II. Those who connect their
portion with the wisdom and love of God are alone contented.
III. The degree of men's content is the measure of their confi
dence in the supposed or real giver.
Heathen rvorship. — The Ashantees sacrifice human victims, to
the number of 100, at all their great festivals, some of which
occur every twenty-one days. On the death of his mother the
king ofEered 3,000 victims, and at the death of a distinguished
captain, 2,400. At the funeral of a person of rank it is usual to
wet the grave by the blood of a freeman, who is slaughtered
unsuspectingly, while assisting in the funeral rites, and rolled
into the grave with the corpse. A regular correspondence is
supposed by them to be kept up with the invisible world ; hence
the king, wishing to send to any of his deceased friends, calls a
servant, delivers to him a message, and kills him that he may
carry it. Then, if he wishes to make any addition to the message,
he calls another slave, and treats him in like manner, and with all
the same indifference with which one of us would write a letter
and add a postscript.
29 — 33. (29) spirit, etc., comp. Ju. iii. 10, vi. 34, xiii. 25.
VOL. HI. O.T. I

B.C. dr. 1161.
how Israel
was treated
by Sihon
a Nu. xxi. 22;
De. ii. 26-23.
b Eusebius.
c Grove, thro'
Wordsworth,
" Whoe ver knew
truth put to the
worse, in a free
and open en
counter?" — Mit
ton,"Gifts como
from on high ia
their own pecu-
liar form." —
Goethe.
d Sir R. Howard.

the king: of
Atumourejects the
message
a 1 Ki. xi. 7, 33;
2Ki. xxiii. 13;
Jer. xlviii. 7, 13,
46. " It is very pos-
sllile that the
king of the
children of Am
mon at this time
may have been
a Moabite, poss.
the king of
Moab." — Spk.
Com.
"Igno ra n ce
breeds monsters
to flll up all the
vacancies of the
soul that are un
occupied by lhe
verities of know-
lodge. He who
dethrones the
id-^a of law bids
chaos welcome
in Its ptpad." —
Horace Mann.
" Narrow minds
think nothing
ri^bt that is
above their own
capacity.' — La
Rochefoucauld.
Jephthah

130

JUDGES.

[Cap. xl. 34-0'7.

B.O. cir. 1161.
invades
Amnion
his rash vow
o Lange.
" The fatal vow
at the battle of
Aroer belongs
naturally to the
spasmodic ef
forts of the age;
like the vows of
Samson or Saul
... or of Clovis
or 'Bruno in the
Middle Ages."—
Stanley. 6 "His Syrian
birth aod long
residence in a
Syrian city
would make him
familiar with
Euch fierce rites."
^Spk. Com.
m. 80, 31. Bu
chanan Opera, ii.
173 ; /. Weemse,
Exposition, i. 184 ;
W, Romaine,
M.A., Wks. iv.
309.
e C. Simeon, M.A.
dH.Dumter,U.A. "The Fathers
were almost un
animously oi the
mind, that he
really sacrificed
h i s daughter.
They that have
Smrposely hand
ed thia question
will tell you. that
TertuUian. Atha
nasius, Nazian
zen, Hieroin, Am-
brose, Chrysnstom,
Austen, Theodoret,
and others were
of that mind,
besides Jewish
writers that
might be pro
duced, I will
name but two,
the Chaldee para
phrase, and Jose-
phus." — Dr. T.
Light.fool.
e Dr. Cumming.
Jephthah'sdaug-hter goes out to
meet him
a Comp, Ge. xxii.
2, 1 2, 16 ; Jer. vi. |
26; Zeeb. xii. 10.1

This declares the relig. charac. of his enterprise, passed over,
or went through the country E. of Jordan, rousing the people
to war ; making Mizpeh his centre of operations. (30) vowed a
vow, "Vows are the signs and expressions of the deepest
surrender to Goa."<» Comp. Ge. xxviii. 20-22; 2 Sa. xv. S;
1 Sa. i. 11. (31) whatsoever, lit. the comer forth, wlio sluill
come forth, ete. Jeph. may have contemp, a human sacrifice, but
uot his daughter.' (32) so, resuming narrative l'r. v. 29.- (33;
Minnith, 4 m. fr. Heshbon. plain, etc., 7 m. B. of Rabbath-
Ammon. Jephthah's vow (vo. 30, 31). — We propose — I. To explain hia
YOVi. 1. The making of it. (1) No good man would make suoh
a vow as this is supposed to be ; (2) If made, the law admitted of
an exchange ; (3) The terms used on the occasion do not imply
that his daughter should be put to death. 2. The execution of it.
Observe the language — (1) Of his daughter's acquiescence ; (2)
In which is recorded his performance of the vow ; (8) In whioh
the commemoration of the event is recorded. All points to the
fact that she was not put to death. 3. The honour God put upon
it. II. To suggest some instruction from it. Learn — 1. To avoid
the rashness of Jephthah ; 2. To imitate the piety of his
daughter." — Jephthah's vow (v. 30). — Consider — I. The nature of
Jephthah's vow. II. The circumstances attending it ; the victory,
return home, Jephthah's sorrow and regret, his daughter's modest
composure and heroism. III. The manner in which he is said
to have accomplished it. Probably he literally fulfilled the vow,
and aotually slew his child."*
Jephtliah's vow.— It we refer to the marginal reading, which is
generally the most correct, we shall find it run : — " It shall snrely
be the Lord's, or I will offer up a burnt-offering ; " in the original
there is no word for it (" I will offer it up "), but the literal
reading is, " Whatsoever cometh forth of the door of my house to
meet me shall surely be the Lord's, or " (if I do not devote that
objeot to Him) " I will offer up a burnt-offering." In tfae next
plaoe, Jephthah the father was not at liberty to kill his daughter
by any law, muoh less on any vow made in haste. Human
sacrifices were interdicted under all circumstances. And, further,
in order to offer up a sacrifice there must have, been a priest to do
it. Jephthah was not a priest — ^he was a soldier. It is stated in
the thirty-eighth verse that she went with her companions for
two months, and " bewailed her virginity upon the mountains."
She was secluded — separated from the world, and devoted to.
a sort of monastic life. In the last verses it is said that " her
father did with her according to his vow " (not " he slaughtered
her ") ; " and she knew no man ; and it was a custom in Israel
that the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter
of Jephthah four days in a year." The literal rendering of that
last expression is, that " the daughters of Israel went yearly
to lament with the daughter of Jep'hthah ; " . . . she was devoted
to the immediate service and worship of God in a state of
perpetual virginity.'
34—37. (34) timbrels, Ex. xv. 20. only child, Heb. word
used as tenn of endeai-ment." (35) rent his clothes, sign
of desperate grief, brought . . low, bovtfed me down. (36)
if, not in Heb., and better oraitted. do to me, making herself
a willing offering for good of country. (37) bewail, etn./

Cap. xl. 38— 40.]

JUDGES.

131

greatest grief of Heb. women was childles-^iiess. A respite of two
months is asked. This proved she died willingly.
Filial rejoicing in ¦parental succe.ises (r, 34). — I. A picture of
a brave father returning frora victory. The retum home of raen
from scenes of conflict or toil. In defeat or trial their sweetest
solace : in victory iheir best reward to be found at horae. II.
A picture of a noble daughter welcoraing her father. Had
he retumed defeated, such a daughter would have soothed him ;
or wounded, she would have nursed him. Leam— 1. Let fathers
think of home in and after the day's battle ; 2. Let children give
their fathers a hearty welcome home.
Jephthah's daughter. —
The daughter of the warrior Gileadite,
A maiden pure ; as when she went along
From Mizpeh's tower'd gate with welcome light,
With timbrel and with song.
My words leapt forth : " Heaven heads the count of crimes
With that wild oath." She render'd answer high :
" Not so, nor onoe alone ; a thousand times
I would be borfi and die.
«***«*?» " My God, my land, my father, — these did move
Me from my bliss of life that nature gave ;
¦ Lower'd softly with a threefold cord of love
Down to a silent grave.
*' And I went mouming : ' No fair Hebrew boy
Shall smile away my maiden blame aniong
The Hebrew mothers '—emptied of all joy.
Leaving the dance and song.
" 'When the next moon was roll'd into the sky.
Strength came to me that equall'd my desire.
How beautiful a thing it was to die
For God and for my sire.
"It comforts me in this one thought to dwell,
That I subdued me to my father's will ;
Because the kiss he gave me, ere I fell.
Sweetens the spirit stiU." '
38—40. (38) companions, who were with her when shel
met her father, and who would help her in bewailing. (39) i
did with her, many think there can be no question that hei
sacrificed her.» (40) No other allusion to this custora ' is found in j
Scripture, lament, Heb. lends itself to the ambiguous feeling
of the narrative, and may mean to praise, or to lament.
3Iodi'rn Jephthahs, or parental immolations (v. 39). — In
Jephthah's vow we see — (1) A good feeling overcoming the
judgraent ; (2) A seise of right leading to an enormous crime.
We shall go on the assumption that he actually sacrificed the life
of his daughter ; and he sacrificed — I. To the true God. Parents
now offer up their children to false gods : to — 1. Idleness ,
2. Worldliness ; 3. Ambition. II. Only the body of his daughter.
Souls of children are ofteii immolated now. Soul-iramolation is
more— 1 . Gradual ; 2. Mischievous. III. From a noble impulse.
No suoh feeling prompts parents' immolation of children in these
I 2

B.C. or. 1161.
b " Lament my
virgin estate,
that I om never
to be a mother in
Israel." — Words
worth.
m, 34 — 40. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Char, i. 341.
I), 35. Dr. T. Tay
lor, Wks. 495.
"Take, then, no
vow at random,
ta'en with faith,
preserve it; yet
not bent, as Jeph
thah once, blind
ly to execute a
rash resolve,
whom better it
had suited to ex
claim, ' I hava
done ill,' than to
redeem hia
pledge by doing
worse." — Dante,
Pai: V. 64.
I caunot by any
means agree
with Dr. Kitto in
his interpreta
tion of this diffi
cult and much
controverted
passage. The
structure of tha
Heb. text does
not require such
an interpretation
as he gives, and
there are inci
dental expres
sions in the
narrative which,
in my opinion,
are decidedly op
posed to it." — Dr.
Porter.
c Tevnyson.Drea'Ol
of Fair Women.
the daughter
of Jephthah
a Ewald, Stanley,
etc. 6 "A salutary
custom, warn
ing posterity
against the sin
of making rash
vows, and of
tempting God."
\— Wordsworth.
ill. 39. Dr.J.Light-
¦ tool, WU, vit
161; Bp. Smal-
ndge, Ss, 220.
hi;. 39, 40, P.
Houghum, Ss, Sl.

1H2

JUDGES.

[Cap. xli. 1-3.

B.0, 1161.

c Dr. T/'Omas.
*' A rash, vow,
that he could not
como off with
eir.her breaking
or performing it,
but with sin. If
he performed it
not. he sinned in
making a vow
that he might not
perform. If he
performed it, he
Binned in per
forming a vow
that he might not
make. . . . He is
caught under a
rash and sinful
vow, as a man
that hath a wolf
hy the ears, that
whether he hold
himorlethimgo he is in danger."
— /. Lightfoot,
D.D. dKttto's Bib. Cy.
ert. "Jephthah.'*

B.O. 1143.
tho mur-
zauriug' of
£]phraixn
a Comp, Ju. viii.
1—3.h Oomp. Ju. xiv.
15, XV. 6.
cHeb., in the
palm of my kands,
d J. Bush.
Anger in many
instances arises
from a cowardly
fear of seeing or
being told our
own faults.
"Wheu apparent
ly enraged at
others, we are
really enraged
with ourselves
with being en
raged at all. For
further conflr
mation, consult
your own soul
after a flt of
passion.

4 Eoberts.

days. IY. With a terrible regret. Modem parents oft lay tlie
soula of their children on the altar of sin with an utter
indifference. V. "With her full concurrence. Do worldly parents
in these times get the consent of their daughters to be morally
immolated ?«^
Was the daitfjlitei' of Jeplitliah devoted to virffbtiti/ ? ~T)r,
"VV. L. Alexander's arguments in favour of this view are
summarised as follows : — 1. Jephthah must have expected to
meet a human being on his retum. 2. He clearly meant to qffe?'
such being in some way to the Zord. 3. He, as a worshipper of
Jehovah, must have known that a human sacrifice would be
abom'mated by Him. 4, His own feeUtigs, too, would revolt from
such an act. ' 5. "Would a judge do what even tha people detested?
(2 K. iii. 27.) 6. The words of the vow do not necessarily mean
a burnt- ofEering. 7. A man might vow to the Lord 2M-rsofis
or animals (Le. xxvii. 1 — 13) ; the former being redeemable, the
latter not, save unclean animals. 8. He did according to his
vow ; but had she been offered as a sacrifice, so singular a case
would surely have been stated. 9. His daughter bewailed her
virg'itiity. Would she have thought so much of that if her doom
were death 1 10. "Why, if she were put to death, should it
be added that "she knew no man"? 11. The word lament
should be praise, celebrate. Why praise if she were put to death?
On the other hand, her virtue would merit perpetual celebration.**

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH
1 — 3 . (1) Ephraim, this tribe aimed at supremacy, and were
jealous of honour gained by any other tribe." gather, etc, Heb.,
were summoned, northward, to reach the fords of Jordan.
burn thine house, indie, the lawless spirit of the times/' and
the OTerbearing pride of Eph. (2) when I called, not narrat/ed ;
prob. they were invited at the outset. (3) life in my hands,'
took on me the whole responsibility and peril.
Fphraim's anger (v. 1). — Note— I. That quarrels between
brethren are usually most bitter aud violent. II. That they who
have done the greatest service to the cause of God are not seoui'e
frora the greatest insults, even sometimes from the pretended
friends of that cause."*
Ufe in tlie hand. — The Ephraimites had found fault with
Jephthah because he did not call them to war against the
Araraonites, but he vindicated hiraself, dnd addressed them in the
language of the verse, as a proof of his courage, and that he
had been exposed to danger. The Hindoos use the same figure ;
and the idea appears to be taken frora a raan caiTying something
very precious in his hands, and that under oiroumstanoes of great
danger. When a son who has been long absent returns home, his
father says, " My son has returned from the far country with his
life in his hand ; " which means, he has passed through many
dangers. " Last night, as I went home through the place of evil
spirits, I put my life in my hands." " The other day, in passing
through the forest, I put my life in my hands, for the beasta
were near to me in every direction." '¦ Danger I truly so ; I put
my life iu my bosom." " 0 that divine doctor ! my son waa
at the point of death, but he brought his life in his hand."*

Oap. xU. 4—10.]

JUDGES.

133

. ^^' .f'') fugitives, esoapers, v. 5, the meaning of the taunt
Jf ~^6 Gileadites are no tribe at all, only runaways fr. Ephraira.<>
Eph arrogantly put itself in place of house of Joseph, to wh.
Gilead also belonged, since it was the son of Machir of Manass-
seh.' t> (r>) passages, fords : as Gid. Ju. vii. 21. escaped,
fr. the battle. (6) Shibbcleth,' this test woi-d indio. diff. of
pronunciation E. and \V. of Jordan. The meaning of the words
is not important. The Ephrairaites could not pronounce sh, as
French cannot th. (7) the cities, LXX. has the reading his
city, viz. Mizpeh.
Shibboleth (v. 6). — I. In this case a clear test of nationality.
Tet even here there raight be some failures, through imperfec
tion of utterance on the oue hand, or dulness of hearing on the
other. II. Words are often evidences of character. III. Men
not to be condemned because they cannot, through mental or
moral peculiarity, pronounce the creed of another. IV. Oue word
— the name of Jesus — we should aU seek to Hnderstand and
¦worthily to mention.
Tlie Shibboleth of a fast man. — Now, just listen for a moraent to
our fast young man, or the ape of a fast young man, who thinks
that to be a man he must speak in the dark phraseology of slang.
If he does anything on his own responsibility he does it on his
own " hook." If he sees anything remarkably good he calls it a
•¦ stunner," the superlative of which is a " regular stunner." If
a man is requested to pay a tavern bill he is asked if he will
" stand Sara." If he meets a savage-looking dog he caUs him an
" ugly customer." If he meets an eccentric man he calls hira
a " ruraray old cove." A sensible man is a " chap that is up to
Buuffi." Our young friend never scolds, but " blows up ; " never
pays, but " stumps up ; " never finds it difficult to pay, but is " hard
up ; " never feels fatigued, but is " used up." He has no hat,
but shelters his head beneath a " tile." He wears no neckcloth,
but surrounds his throat with a " choker." He lives nowhere,
but there is some plaoe where he " hangs out." He never goes
away or withdraws, but he " bolts " — he " slopes " — he " mizzles "
— he "makes himself scarce"— he "walks his chalks" — he
" makes tracks " — ^he " cuts his stick — or, what is the same thing
he " cuts his lucky I " The highest corapliraent you can pay him
is to tell him that he is u, " regular brick." He does not profess
to be brave, but he prides himself on being " plucky." Money is
a word which he has forgotten, but he talks a good deal about
" tin," and "the needful," " the rhino," and " the ready." When!
a man speaks he " spouts " — when he holds his peace he " shuts
up ; " when he is humiliated, he is " taken down a peg or two,"
and " made to sing small." Now a good deal of this slang is
harmless ; many of the terms are, I think, very expressive ; yet
there is much in slang that is objectionable.''
8 — 10. (8) Ibzan. some think the same aa Boaz. Bethle
hem, prob. of Judah." (9) thirty sons, etc,, indio. that he
kept almost royal state, and entered into alliances with the other
tribes. (10) buried, the indie, of respect for hira maintained
to close of his life.
Tlie home relations qf public cliaracters (v. 9). — I. The horae
life and duties of publio men apt to be ' overlooked in attention
to affairs of state. Ambition, etc., tend to make one forget the
claims of domestio life. II. The importance of a due regard to

B.C. 1143.
Shibboletha Wordsworth,
b Lange.'
c Word means
botli a stream,
and au ear of
corn ; Ne. xiii.
24; Zep. iil. 9.
"How many
have we that
can hardly lisp
out a syllable of
good laueuage,
and if they at
tempt it, falter
fearfully." —
Trapp. " The making of
life and deuth
to depend on the
issue of this trial
seems very hard,
seeing that an
innocent person
who had an in
firmity of lisping
or stuttering
niight thus havs
p e r i 8 h e d." — .
Assem. Annot.
V. 6, Through a
peculiirity of
Heb. enumera
tion, but may be
2,040 instead of
42,000. At the
last census of
Ephraim (Nu.
xxvi. 37), the
whole tribe was
32,S0O.
The word Shib
boleth has now
come to be
applied to the
pass-word of a
secret society ;
the secret by
which those of a
party know each
other.
d A. Mur sell.

Ibzan a Josephus.
" A house with
out a roof would
scarcely be a
m re indifferent
home thau a
family state un-
she'teved by

134

JUDGES.

[Cap. XlU. 1-5.

B.C. 1143.
God's friendship
and the sense of
being alwaya
rested in His
providential care
and guidance."
—Dr. BushneU.

bW.
ning.

E. Chan-

Blon, Abdon
a Robinson.
"Qod sends
children for
another purpose
than merely to
keep up the race,
— to enlarge our
hearts, to make
ua unselflah, and
full ot kindly
Bympathies and
affections; to
give our souls
higher aims, and
to call out all our
faculties to ex
tended enter-
prise and exer
tion; to bring
round our fire
side bright faces
and happy
smiles, and lov-
ing tender
hearts. My aoul
hlesses the G-reat
Father every
day, that He has
gladdened the
earth with little
children" —
Mary Howitt.
b Eoberts.

family duty is implied by this brief hiftory of Ibzan. The only
thing said of him concerns the size of his family and the mamago
of his children. • j. j, -i j js
T'tes of tlie family and the country.— The ties of family and ol
country" were never intended to oirourascribe the soul. Man is
connected at birth with a few beings, that the spirit of humanity
may be called forth by their tenderness ; and, whenever domestio
or national attachments become exclusive, engrossing, clannish,
so as to shut out the general claims of the human race, the
highest end of Providence is frustrated, and horae, instead of
being the nursery, becomes the grave of the heart.''
11—15. (11) Zebulonite, Ju. iv. 10, v. 18. judged, acted
as eivil ruler. No aot of deliverance was accomplished by these
men. Their civil administration gave some degree of unity and
strength to the nation. (12) Aijalon, disting. fr. city of Dan.
Josh. xxi. 24. (13) Pirathonite, so Ephraimite : Pirathm
beingmod. Ji'6'rate,vill. 6m.W.S.W.of Shechem." (14) nepheiys,
marg. grandsons. (15) mount, etc., a district of Eph. retaining
this name from sorae settlement of Amalek, or battle with them.
A large family (v. 14).— To an Englishman this may appear
almost incredible, but we have a great number of similar cases.
A man of property has as many wives aa he thinks proper to
support ; and such is the state of morals that he finds no diffi
culty in procuring them. I have known men who have had, in
eaoh of the neighbouring villages, a wife or concubine. San-
therasega, Modeliar of Oodeputty, who has been dead about thirty
years, had two wives and six concubines, who bare to him thirty
children. The old mau ia described as being of large stature,
and as having indulged in strong kinds of food. A friend of
mine in Manilla knew a man who was the father of forty
children. Lieutenant-colonel Johnson says, in his Travels through
Persia, of the king, " The number of his children I could not
i exactly ascertain : it ia generally agreed that he has at least
1 sixty boys and sixty girls living ; and many persons add, that
there are an equal number deceased, so that their total number
raust have been two hundred and forty. He has already given
in raarriage twelve of his daughters ; and about twenty-five of
the elder of his sons are governors of the principal provinces and
cities of the eraiiire. Preparations of fireworks, etc., were at thia
tirae making at the palace to celebrate the nuptials of one of his
sons, which were to take place in about three weeks."'

B.O. 1161.
Samaonhis birth
foretold a "The history of
Sam.'s acta
the "W. of Pales.
synchronises to
a certain extent
with those of
Jephthah in the
E. of Jordan." —
Wordsworth.
i Stanley.

CHAPTEB THE THIRTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) Philistines," Ju. x. 7, first mentioned Ge. x. 14, xxi.
34. The name indie, their late arrival in the country — tlie
strangers.^ Settled in the maritime plains, the low country, on
the S. W. of Canaan, forty years, this period ended with
Samuel's victory." (2) Zorah, now Surah, 14 m. W. of Jerus.
Manoah, rest. (3) angel, Ju. ii. 1. (4) drink not, etc.,
according to law, Nu. vi. 1 — 21. Sara.'s great strength v,'as not
to be thought due to artificial stimulus. (.5) no razor, he was
to be wholly dedicated to God. Nazarite, Heb. Nazirite.^ begin
to deliver, only begin. This partly done by making Phil, a
laughing-stock, bo removing the fear of theia.'

Cap. xlil. 6— 9.1

JUDGES.

135

B 0. 1161.

c I Sa. vii. 13 —
15.d A Nteir-Elohim,
i,e, one belonf^iug
especially to God,
and different fr.
ordinary mor
tals, so long as
he prtsorves in
violate the ex
ternal sign and
pledge under
wh. he has beeu
nurture d." —
Ewcdd.
e Stanliy, Ewald.

how

Strength out of wealmess.— \. The strong man was born at a
time of great national weakness. II. Of a family weak in point
of numbers. III. Was nourished upou "weak diet. None should
say his strength was artificially produced. Learn — 1. In time of
weakness look to God for help and strength ; 2. Let the strong
maintain their strength by reliance upon Goi, not by trusting to
adventitious aids.
A childless house (v. 6). — This comraand waa given to the wife
of Manoah, the father of Sarason, who had previously been sterile.
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, was also sterile, " and she vowed
a vow, and said, 0 Lord of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the
affliction of Thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thy
handmaid, but will give unto Thy handraaid a man-child, then I
will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there
shall no razor come upon his head." (Numbers vi. 5 ; Acts xviii.
18.) All who are maixied in the East have an intense desire for
children. It is considered disgraceful, and a mark of the dis
pleasure of the gods, to have a childless house. Under these
circumstances, husbands and wives perforra expensive ceremonies ;
and vow, that should the gods favour them with a son, "no razor
shall come upon his head " (i. e. excepting " the comers ") until I ^It^r
he shall be ten or twelve yeara of age. In all schools boys may and
be seen -with elf-locks of ten or twelve years' standing, giving
a testimony to the solicitude, superstition, and affection of the
parents, and a memorial of the favour of their deities./
6—9. (6) man of God, or prophet; this her first thought.
countenance, or general aspect, terrible, impressive, solem
nising. (7) Comp. John Baptist." (8) intreated the Lord,
in faith at onoe accepting the message, only asking further
direction, teaoh us, etc., more precisely. (9) sat . . field,
prob. in the position where the angel before met her, waiting for
ans. to prayer.
Thepromise ofa son to Manoah (v. 8).— Let us notice— I. Some
of the attendant circumstances, together with the vitality of that
faith with which Samson's parents embraced the message which
the angel of God brought to them. II. The substance of the
prayer recorded in our text.'
Tlie mystery of childhood.— It is a mystery to us whether the
acorn which is now wafted by the sportive winds into the cleft of
the yawning precipice shall moulder to dust on its hard bed, or
whether it shall take root, spring up, and in the lapse of ages,
become the stately oak to adom the mountain's brow, or to form
part of the noble vessel destined to plough the billows of oceans,
or to yield material for ceiling the roof of palaces ;— a mystery
whether the grain of corn which is now borne under the plumage
of the bird of passage shall drop into the pathless deep, and there
perish amidst its restless waves, or whether it shall be carried to
some distant desert land, there to grow up, and bear fruit, and,
in the sweep of time, to cover the vast regions of the globe with
the glorious honours of harvest ; and it is a raystery whether the
forest foliao-e which yesterday fell at yonr feet shall lie and rot
amidst the°r'ubbish of centuries, or whether it shall be deeply
treasured up for geological ages in the bowels of the earth, until ^_  __
it netrif y into that combustible mineral which shall warra the ¦ must have."-Sp.
hearths and cheer the homes of unborn generations: and so it\ HaXl.
is a mystery whether the babe of a span long, who now lies in the ' 6 R. B. ron iru4e.j

"0 God,
justly do
raise our eyes
from our tables
unto Thee, which
canst make
nourish
wine en
feeble us." — Bp.
Hall.
fBaberts. Hanoah asks for
guidance
a Lu. i. 15.
"Qod carries ou
his work gradu
ally, aud by
several hands.
One lays the
foundation of a
good wort,
another builds,
and perhaps a
third brings
forth the top-
s t o n e." — M.
Henry.
" When I see
the strength of
Manoah's faith,
I marvel not that
he had a Samson
to his son; he
saw not the mes
senger, he heard
not the errand,
he examined not
the circum-
siances; yet now
he takes thought,
not whether he
should have a
son, but how he
shall order the
son which ha

186

JUDGES,

[Gap. xlil. 10-14.

B.C. 1161.
eJ. Hutchinson.
his early
discipline

a Spk. Com.
" Except thou
desire to hasten
thine end, take
this for a general
rula, that thou
never add auy
artificial heat to
thy body by wine
or spice, until
thou find that
lime hath de
cayed thy na
tural heat, and
the sooner thou
begiauesttohelp nature, the
sooner she will
forsake thee, aud
trust altogether
to art"— A'*r W.
Raleigh,b The Hioe.

lap of its raother's love, shall tum out for weal or for woe, shaU
prove a blessing or a curse to herself and to the world."
10—14. (10) made haste, anxious her hasband should aee the
angel, and fearing lest he might soon depart. (11) man, not
yet discerned as certainly more than a prophet. (12) Trans.:
" What shall be the ordering of the child, and what shall be his
exploits 1"' These had been answered, but Man. asks a repetition.
(13) beware, take care to avoid. (14) of the vine, the gi-ape-
bearing vine, as disting. fr. other plants to wh. name vine waa
given. Tlie early trainini/ of Samson (a S. S. Address).— Sketch the
character and circumstancjs of Manoah and his wife. In the
prospect of having a child to train they are properly anxious.
S.S. teachers are the subjects of similar anxiety when Providence
places "youug immortals" under their care. Their thought
ofteu is, " How shall we order,'' eto. Snoh a thought — I. Implies
on the part of the teacher or guardian of youth a deep sense
of responsibility. This may arise from suoh as the following
considerations : — 1. Bvery child has an individuality of his own :
needs special and distinct training : the same ordering, and
doing, win not suit all ; 2. Every child has great possibilities and
capacities wrapt up in its young soul : these have to be developed
and directed ; 3. Every child will, in great raeasure, become what
the influences, rules, aud teachings of his youth make him (as the
twig is bent, the tree's inclined). Every child presents difficultiea
that unaided human strength and wisdom cannot successfully
encounter and correct. II. Suoh a thought, if deep and sincere,
will find expression in prayer. 1. Importance of personal and
social prayer of teachers, eto ; 2. To offer such prayer there are
many encouragements ; 3. The answer to such prayer may be
confidently expected (ill. by the case of the child referred to in
the test) ; 4. -As prayer was the parent's preparation for the work
of training Samson, so it should be the teacher's chief prepara
tion for his work; 5. But prayer was followed by constant

"If our early
years were
passed in layiug
up store for fu
turity, iu practis
ing theaffections
¦within the circle
of those whom
God has given \
to he our nearest ¦ endeavour.''
In cuUivating'to^ I Order'mg of children. — Though in the days when Manoah the
' tellect, and ac- ' Danite lived knowledge was coraparatively limited, it is evident
quiring useful he understood two things very well. The first was that even
should 'mTed no '' ^ '^'^'^'^ ^^^^ Samson, destined by God for a position of eminence,
further security and therefore the objeot of His peculiar care, would yet need to
against the mis- , be subjected to parental guidance and training ; and secondly,
I that the work of education must be carried on by the exertion of
authority, and not by persuasion alone. We hear and see much
of insubordinatioT and disobedience araongst the young, and if it
be excessive in our day it is to be ascribed to the fact that
a slackness in commanding and a remissness in obeying pervade
society generally ; so that, as a great modern author puts it. we
are in danger of losing that obedience whioh raakes men free.
This seems a paradoxical expression, yet what can be greater
slavery than a subjection to evil passions or capricious self-will ?
But those to whose lot it falls to have to " order " or manage
others will be most successful when deeply conscious that they
which oannot, are themselves under orders. Love is the law of the Christian's
but send out ufg and activity, but still it is a law, and it has both precepts
and penalties. But in " ordering " a child, no doubt the great
point is to ease as far as po.-ssible the pressure of commands whioh

of after
life. B'^ligion,
virtue,, wisdom,
and good taste,
would be our
guile 1 as well as
our protectors,"
'—Mrs, Bruce.
"With a heart
given to Jesus,
a chil'l is a sun
that cannot but
ehine, a fountain

streams, a
flower which
eannot bat au

Cap. xlll. 15—23.]

JUDGES.

137

must be enforced, not by explaining these so muoh as by proving
that the person giving the order is worthy of trust and confidence.
It is thus in some smaU degree that we are iraitators of God, for
His injunctions, being based on a sure foundation, bring those
who are willingly obedient into a state of restfulness and peace.
15 — 18. (15) ready a kid, offering hospitality. Comp. Ab.,"
and Gideon. (16) not eat, so intira. his angelic nature, offer
. . Lord,'' comp. Acts x. 25, 26 ; Eev. xix. 10. (17) thy name,
comp. Jacob's question.' (18) secret, wonderful,'' unknown.
liosp'itaUty (vv. 15, 16). — I. Note the conduct of Manoah
towards the angel. 1. Courteous ; 2. Kind. II. That, also, of
the angel towards Manoah. 1. Adapted himself to human
senses in a familiar form ; 2. Came to teaoh and bless. Leam —
(1) Some have entertained angels unawares ; 2. The angels that
others thought they were entertaining have turned out to be very
ordinary mortals. Cm-iosity. — I. In this case curiosity sprang
from a pure motive. II. Sometimes a host takes advantage of
his hospitality to pry into circumstances of his guest unreasonably.
III. The silence of the guest concerning hiraself aud his affairs
should irapose silence on honourable entertainers.
Offered on a roch (v. 1 9).— The circurastances in the histories
of Gideon and Manoah are well illustrated by some things men
tioned occasionally b.y Doubdan, in his account of his journey to
the Holy Land, for~he speaks of many rocks which he found
rising up out of the earth there, and some as parts of great rocks
fallen down. Some of them are described in such a manner as
shows they resembled altar-torabs, or altars. Speaking of his
return from a town called St. Sarauel, to Jerusalem, by a way
leading to the sepulchres of the judges of Israel, he tells us
(pp. 98, 99) that he found them in a great field planted with vines,
in which were great rocks, which rose out of the earth ; among
them, one near the wayside was so large as to be hollowed out
into several rooms, in whose sides were long and narrow holes cut
out, proper for placing the dead in, even with the floor. When
he was at Joppa, waiting to embark upon his retum, he describes
himself and his companion as placing themselves, after they had
walked until they were tired, on the beach, viewing some Greek
pilgriras, who were also waiting to take ship, and who am"used
themselves with dancing on the shore, as placing themselves in
the shade of a great rock, newly fallen down frora the moun
tains (p. 455). Eocks appear in this country : -some in their
original situation, rising out of the ground ; others are frag
ments, that have been detached from rooky eminences, and have
fallen down on the ground below. Of thia considerable number
of rocks, some were flat, or nearly flat, on the top, so as con
veniently to be used for altars. There are some such now found
in that country.'
19—23. (19) with a meat-offering, comp. Ex. xxix. 38—
42. a rock, as teraporary altar, did wonderously, as de
scribed in V. 20. (20) Comp. case of Gideon." (21) knew,
discerned he was a Divine messenger. (22) surely die, it was
generally received idea that no man could look on God, and live.
(23) his wife said, with much wisdom aud appropriateness.
No signs of Div. wrath had appeared.
Manoah's vifion (vv. 32, 23),— Let us ngticc— I, The revelation

the air witli
sweetness.

the offering'
to the angel
a Ge. xviii. 3 — 5.
b Ju. vi. IS— 20.
c Ge. xxxii. 29.
d Is. ix. 6.
V. 17. Honour.
" Such* as the
Shunamite gave
Elitdba, and as
that good woman
in the Bk. of
Martyrs gave Dr.
Sands, who, de
parting the land
tor fear of Q.
Mary, told her,
who had been
married eight
years, and was
childless, Ibat ere
one whole year
wa=i past she
should have a
son : and it oame
to pass accord
ingly that timo
twelve monihs,
lacking but ono
day." — Trapp.
e Burder.
'¦ Full in tho
midst the po-
1 i s h ' d table
shines, and the
tright goblelB,
rich with gene
rous wines; now
each partakes
the feast, the
wine prepares,
portions the
food, and each
the portion
shares."— ZToffle?*.

the ascent of '
the angel
a Ju. vi. 21.
tiu. 19,20, Dr.R.
HawkiT, Wks. iL
19 and 514.
i)i>. 23, 23, D. Oil-

188

JUDGES.

[Cap. Xlil. 24, 25.

B.C. 1101.
ton, Ss. 29; W.
Jay Short Disc,
i. 183; H. Afford,
Euls. Lec 25.
«. 22— 24. H.
Hughes, Fem.
Char. ii. 1.
».23. /. Bill, Ss.
144; Dr. S, Char
ters, Ss. ii. 173.
b C. Simeon, M.A.
e Turner's Poly
nesia.

Samson the
subject of
holy influ
encea "The deriv. of
this name fr.
shemesh, the sun.
is of long stand
ing among the
Jewish e.'iposi-
tors, and offers
the best grounds
for acceptance.
Other explana
tions, mighty,
bold, desolater,
proposed by vari
ous expositors,
fr. Serarius to
iTe^.appearto be
without any his
torical motive."
.—Langt. V. 24, Bp. Ball,
Contemp,; F.
Quaries, Bist. of
Samson; Saitnn,
Hist. Disc iv. 1;
Si- a. H. Rose,
Script. Researches;
B. W. Evans.
Script Biog. iii.
flS; /. Bruce, Biog,
of Samson; J,
Williams, B,D,
Char.of O.T. leO.

"The holy seed
In all ages has
heen prone to
cultivate intima
cies and forra
alliances with
the world of the
.ungodly."— SikA.

made to them. II. The effect produced upon them. 1. In
Manoah. fear ; 2. In his wife, confidence. Learn — (1) To guard
against low and unworthy thoughts of God ; (2) To make a just
iraprovement of the mercies he bestows upon us.'
Samoan Idng (v. 22). — Those who had the title of kings in
Samoa were of old considered peculiarly sacred. They lived in a
house isolated away from the rest, and kept up great dignity.
To approach there was considered perilous, if unattended by
certain purifications, the raost comraon of which was to sprinkle
the person wdth clean water. The evils dreaded were swelling of
the body, death, etc. It was the opinion that some deadly in
fluence radiated from the person of the king, and that this
mysterious current was broken by sprinkling. In approaching
" his majesty" on any politioal or other errand, the party, after
sitting down, would call a servant to bring some water ; dipping
his hand into the dish he would then " sprinkle with clean water"
his own person, and also the raat in the space between him and
the king. This being done, he would deliver hia message."
24, 25. (24) Samson," pronounced as LXX., and Josephus,
Sampson. Heb. Shimshcm. (25) move, stir vehemently, camp
of Dan, Maltaneh-Dan, comp. Ju. xviii. 11, 12. The moviuga of
the Spirit showed themselves iu indignation at his brethren's
wrongs, and in early feats of strength. Sshtaol, on the border
of Judah. Jos. xv. 33, xix. 41.
Tlie Hebrew Hercules (v. 24). — Notice— I. The circumstances
of his birth. II. The character of this deliverer. 1. Hia austerity
of manners ; 2. His great strength ; 3. His strange humour.
III. The great lessons of his life. 1. God'a providence is equal
to every human eriiergency ; 2. The world should see that deliver
ance is from a Divine, and not from a huraan source ; 3. Physical
strength and prowess may be allied with the meanest moral
attainments ; and therefore a man may be the weakest on
the side where the true glory of manhood lies.
Examples of great strength. — The average weight carried by a
stout porter in thia metropolis (London) is two hundred pounds ;
but we are told there are porters in Turkey who,' by accustoming
themselves to this kind of burden from an early period, are able
to carry from seven hundred to nine hundred pounds, though
they walk at a slower rate, and only carry the burden a short
distauce. " The weakest man can lift with his hands about one
hundred and twenty-five pounds ; a strong man, four hundred.
Topham, a carpenter, mentioned by Desaguliers, could lift eight
hundred pounds. He rolled up a strong pewter dish with hia
fingers ; he lifted, with his teeth and knees, a table six feet long,
with a half hundred- weight at the end ; he bent a poker, three
inches iu circumference, to a right angle, by striking it upon his
left fore-arm ; another he bent and unbent about his neck, and
snapped a hempen rope, two inches in circuraference. A few
years ago there was a person at Oxford who could hold his arm
extended for half a minute with half a hundred- weight hanging
. on his little finger " (Young's Lectures on Ifat. Philo-i, Vol. I. p. 1 29).
jWe are also told by Desaguliers of a man who, by bending
I his body into an arch, and having a hamess fitted to his hips, waa
I capable of sustaining a cannon weighing two or three thousand
j pounds : and not many winters ago the celebrated Belzoni,
I when first entering on public life, exhibited himself in the

Cap. xlv. 1—7.1

JUDGES.

189

theatres of this metropolis, and by a similar kind of harnessing
was capable of supporting, even in an upright position, a pyramid
of ten or twelve men, surmounted by two or three children, whose
aggregate weight could not be much less than two thousand
pounds ; with which weight he walked repeatedly towards the
front of the stage.'

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
1 — 4. (1) Timnath," or Timnaiha, present Tibneh, on border
of Judah, but a town of Dan, 8 m. S. "VV. of Zorah. (2) came
up, to Zorah, an ascent of wild rocky gorges.' (3) uncircum
cised Phil., with such the true Israelite may not marry. For
use of word as term of reproaoh, ste 1 Sa. xiv. 6. get her for
me, nsual for parents to conduct the negotiations, and make the
usual gifts, pleaseth me well, lit. is righteous in my eyes.
(4) he sought, that is, the Lord, who was overruling this for
the destruction of the Phil, God's overruling does not free
man's acts fr. wrong.
Marriage. — This subject teaches ns— I. That the people of
God are liable to imperfections. II. That our lusts and passions
are to be resisted. III. That care should be taken in forming
friendships or alliances of any kind with the enemies of God,
especially matrimonial. I'V. That one single circumstance— one
affection, one habit, one act — frequently influences one's whole
destiny. V. That a crooked policy does not eventually profit.
yi. That God frequently works good out of evil, or overrules
evil for good ; and that God's purposes are frequently accom
plished by means of persons and events apparently least adapted,
or even most opposed. VII. That though God may pardon our
sins, their consequences in this life are frequently irremediable.'
Love at intervals. — These starts of affection serve but to give
you a more thorough sense of the mutual hatred which imme
diately follows and fills you with bittemess of soul. Could you
live asunder, or avoid all occasions of kindness, you might at
length take sanctuary in indifference. A palsy might take the
place of this ague in your passions, and once for all benurnb
those too exquisite feelings which contrariety, at present, rubs
into rawness, and keeps perpetually alive. Time, which alleviates
other miseries, would then cease to aggravate yours. 'What an
enemy would you think him who should deprive your food of
all its relish, or cook it for yon with gall : who should rob yoiu
nights of sleep, poison every moraent of your time with grief
or vexation, throw all your affiairs into confusion, and ruin
both the morals and fortunes of your children ! This enemy you
are (I do not say to each other, but) you, the husband, to your
self ; and you, the wife, to yourself ; for want of considering
that you cannot hurt or vex her, nor you hurt or vex him, without
equally hurting, vexing, and tormenting yourself, for you can
have but one and the same condition.''
5  7. (.5) vineyards, " suoh are still found in all these
hamlets, along the base of the hills, and upon the mountain
sides." young lion, though not now found in Pales., names
of places prove the lion onoe inhabited its forests, and esp. the

b Goods
Mature.

Bk. of

B.O, 1141.
he wishes
to ^ed a
daughter of
Philistia
a Ge. xxxviii. 12
— 14 : Jos. XV.
10, xix. 43.
"Situated on the
undulating hills
by which tho
mountaindistrict is septirated fr.
the maritinio
plain, but reck
oned among tho
cities of the She-
phelah."— /S^*.
Com.
b Wordsworth.
Bp. EalVs Con
temp.
c J. Bigwood.
V. 4. "God wUl
not hear or en
dure command
ing prayers. He
that must have
a temporal
mercy, if he get
it, may have a
spiritual cijrse,
but he is sure to
have a temporal
cross So Delilah
proved to Sam
son, who would
not take his
parents' counsel,
but must havo
her whatever
comes of it But
he paid dearly
for his choice,"
— Gumall.
d Skelton.

he slays a
lion
a Th tmson,
b Names of Bur.
rounding villages

140

JUDGES.

[Cap. xlv. e—U.

B.C. 1141.
bear traces of the
wild animals he
encountered, aud
used as instru
ments of hisgreat
exploits-Lebaoth (the lionesses),
Shaalbim (the
jackals), Zorah
(the hornets).
». 6. "Thatwhich
added much to
the glory of Sam-
Bon'B trinmph
over the lion was
that when he had
done this great
exploit he did
not boast of it.
Manywouldhave made the whole
country ring of
it. Modesty and
humility make
np the brightest
crown of greit
performances." —
M. Henry.
e Paxton.
he finds
honey in the
Uon's carcase
a " This space of
time was spent
Tby the bride
elect with her
parents, in pre
paration for the
nuptials." —
Jamieson. KLXX. and
Josephus read,
"When they
were afraid of
him.""As Samson had
not fuund his
holieycomb if he
had not turned
aside to see his
linn, so we shall
lose the comfort
of God's beneflts
If wo do not re
new our perils
by meditation."—
Bp. SaU.
"Tho favours of
Philistines have
often some mis
chief or other
designed in
them."~M. Henry.
"But here they
behold a sudden
prodigy, and,
wondrous to re
late, bees througb

wild mountain passes of Judah.' (6) rent him, without any
weapon, or instmment. (7) talked with the woman, novr
properly betrothed to him.
The I'ton-h'iUer.—I. True love will brave great dangers. Love
for Christ does not shrink from possible lions. _ II. Eeal courage
does not run away from danger. The Christian soldier will
stand up for Jesua. III. Genuine modesty does not boast of
great exploits. IV. Kind thoughtfulness will conceal personal
perils from the hearts of friends.
Time of betrothal (v. 8) — Ten or twelve months commonly
intervened between the ceremony of espousals and the marriage ;
during this interval, the espoused wife continued with her
parents, that she might provide herself, with nuptial omaments
suitable to her station. This custom serves to explain a circum.
stance in Samson's marriage which is involved iu some obscurity :
" He went down," says the historian, " and talked with the
woman (whom he had seen at Timnath), and she pleased hira
well." These words seem to refer to the ceremony of espousals ;
the following to the subsequent marriage : " And after a time he
retumed to take her." Hence, a oonsiderable time intervened
between the espousals aud their actual union.'
8 — 11. (8) after a time, Heb. custom required a space of
time between betrothal and marriage." The expression as here,
after days, sometimes means, one year, aside, out of the path.
carcase, by that time either parched up by the sun, or a
whitened skeleton, swarm of bees, these very abundant, the
land even called one of milk and Iwneij. (9) came . . mother,
they were with him, but he had left them in the path. (10)
a feast, essential part of marriage ceremony ; this lasted seven
days. (11) saw him, observed his strength, companions,
with appearance of honouring him, but really in fear of possible
excesses.' 6food from strange sources. — "We learn — I. That the trials we
have conquered may become to us fountains of refreshment. II.
The honey we procure from conquered lions will be of the
sweetest we taste. III. The good we get from trials conquered
may be made a source of refreshment to others. IV. Muoh of
the honey of life obtained from the carcases of hons conquered
for us by Jesus Christ.
The bees in the carcase (v. 8).— The opinion of Virgil (see
marg.), however, is directly contradicted by auother, whioh was
held by some writers of the greatest reputation in ancient times.
Aristotle taught, that the bee will not light upon a dead carcase,
nor taste the flesh. Van-o asserts that she never sits down in an
unclean place, or upon anything which emits an unpleasant
smell. They are never seen, like flies, feeding on blood or flesh ;
while wasps and hornets all delight in such food, the bee never
touches a dead body. So much they dislike an impure smell,
that when one of them dies, the survivors immediately carry out
the carcasefrom -the hive, that they may not be annoyed by the
effluvia. The discovery which Sarason raade, when he went
down to Tiranath, may seera to contradict the latter, and confirm
the former opinion : "And after a time, he returaed to take her,
and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion ; and behold
there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion "
But It JS not said the swann was generated there, but only

Cap, xiv. 12—15.]

JUDGES

141

that Sarason found them in the carcase ; nor is it said that the
lion had been recently killed, and that the carcase was in a state
of putrefaction : the contrary seeras to be intiraated by the phrase
" after a time," literally, " after days," one of the most common
expressions in Scripture for a year. Hence the lion was killed a
whole year before this visit to Tiranath, when he discovered the
swarm in the carcase. But the flesh of the carcase, which
Samson left iu the open field a whole year, the prey of wild
beasts and ravenous birds, must have been entirely consuraed
long before his retum, or so completely dried by the violent heat
of the sun, that nothing but the skeleton, or exsiccated frame,
remained. Within the bare or withered enclosure of the bones,
which had exhaled their last putrid effluvia, the swarm, in perfect
consistency with their usual delicacy, might construct their cells
and deposit their honey. This conjecture is confirmed by the
testimony of Herodotus, who declares that bees have swarmed
in dry bones.«
12 — 15. (12) riddle, riddles are favourite oriental amusement
at festive entertaiments. Sara.'s great deeds often attended with
jokes." sheets, Heb. sedinim, loose garments, shirts, change
of garments, Heb. chalaplwth, outer garments, rendered tunicas
by Vulg. (13) put forth, accepting his chaUenge. (14) Sam.
had kept his secret even fr. his parents. (15) burn, etc., indio.
the wild lawlessness of the times, called us, invited us to
impoverish us ; they would have to pay heavily if they failed.
Samson's riddle, .or the slayer slain (ji. 14.)— I. There is a lion
lying in wait for all of you. In the form of — 1. Anger ; 2.
Falsehood ; 3. Dishonesty. II. You must slay the lion of temp
tation or he will slay you. III. Temptation overcome a source
of strength and happiness. Leam — (1) Despatch temptations
immediately. If we stop to reason with sin it will get the better
of us ; (2) 'We must depend upon God'a help, and look to Him
in prayer for His assistance in resisting sin.' — Unexpected good (v.
14).- -Eegard the text symbolically. Apply this statement — I.
To nature. 1. Generally ; 2. The elements ; 3. Convulsions.
II. Conduct of Divine providence. 1. Personal and relative
afflictions ; 2. 'Worldly losses. III. Divine grace and the
Christian economy. 1. Fall of man followed by declaration of
covenant of grace ; 2. Conversion ; 3. Spiritual confiict ; 4. Per
secution ; E. Death.
The week of tlie marriage (?). 15). — The marriage feast was of
old frequently protracted to the length of seven days ; for so
long Sarason entertained his friends at Tiranath. To this
festival Laban is thought by many divines to refer in his
answer to Jacob's complaint that he had imposed Leah upon
him instead of Eachel : " Fulfil the week of the marriage, and
we will give thee this also." This feast was called the nuptial
joy, with which no other was to be intermixed ; all labour
ceased while it continued, and no sign of mouming or sorrow was
permitted to appear. It may be only further observed, that even
in modern tiraes none but very poor people give a daughter in
marriage without a female slave for a handmaid, as hired ser
vants are scarcely known in the oriental regior.s. Hence Laban,

who was a man of considerable property in Mesopotamia, ¦• gav"
nnto his daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid, for a handmaid ;" and
" to Eachel his daughter, Bilhah his handmaid, to be her maid.

B.C. 1141.
all the belly hum
amid the pu\rid
bowels of the
cattle, pour forth
with the ferment
ing juices from
1 the burst sides,
and in immense
clouds roll along,
then swarm to
gether on the top
of a tree, and
hang down in a
cluster from the
bending boughs."
— Virgil.
c Paxton.

he proposes
a riddle
a " He overflows
with inexhausti'-
ble joyousness in
word and deed,
light-hearted-ness under tho
heaviest dis
asters, and spor
tive wit tbat
accompanies him even to tho
moment of hia
sel f -cho sen,
tra.gic end." —
Ewald.
V, 14. A. Pirie,
\ns. 3; G. Bur-
der's nil. Ss. 8.
" He was all
alone in tho
vineyard, whilher he had
rambled frora
his father aud
mother (who
kept the high
road), probably
to eat grapes.
Children con-
pider not that
they expose
tt emselves to
the roaring lion,
whf-n, out of a
foolish fondness
for liberty, they
wander from
under the eye of
their prudent,
pious parents.
Nor do i oung
j^eupte consider
what lions lurk
in the vioeyards,
tbo vil ejards of
red wine, W

142

JUDGES.

[Cap. XV. 1—5.

B.C. 1141.
dangerous as
snakes under
the green grass,"
—if, Henry.
b A. J. Goi-don.
"Temptations,
-when we meet
them at flrst, are
as xhe lion that
roared upon
Samson; but if
we overcome
them, the next
time we see
them we shall
flnd a nest of
honey in them."
^Bunyan.t Paxton.
his Tvife
obtains the
ausw^era Spk. Com.
b " It lay off the
great road from
Egypt, and was
consequently of
email import
ance io Bib. his
tory, and appa
rently little
known." — Ayre.
V. 19. " It is just
with God to des
tine what ene
mies Ho pleases
to execution. It
is not to be in
quired why this
man is stricken
rather than
another, wheu
both are Philis
tines."— 5p. fl"K.
"What pretence
of friendship so
ever he make, a
true Philistine
will soon he
weary of an Is-
raelit e."— Bp,
Hall.
c Roberts.

B.O. 1140.

In Greece, also, the marriage solemnity lasted several days. On
the third day the bride presented her bridegroom with a robe ;¦
gifts were likewise made to the bride and bridegroom by the
bride's father aud friends ; these consisted of golden vessels, beds,
couches, plates, and all sorts of necessaries for housekeeping,
which were carried in great state to the house by women, pre
ceded by a person carrying a basket, in the manner usual at pro
cessions, before whom went a boy in white vestments, with a
torch in his hand. It was also .customary for the bridegroom
and his friends to give presents to the bride, after which the
bridegroom had leave to converse freely with her, and she waa
permSited to appear in public without her veil. The money,
says Dr. Russell, whioh the bridegrooms of Aleppo pay for their
brides is laid out in fumiture for a chamber, in clothes, jewels,
or omaments of gold, for the bride, whose father makea some
addition, according to hia circumstancea : whioh thinga are sent
with great pomp to the bridegroom's house three days before the
wedding." 16 — 20, (16) wept, in intense passionate entreaty. (17)
the seven days, or the rest of the seven days, lay sore,
pleaded veheraently. (18) sun went down, close of Eastern
day. what, etc., they try to give the ans. as if they had guessed
it." Sam.'s reply vaguely indie, he had found out their treachery.
(19) Ashkelon,* one of 5 cities of Phil, spoil, apparel. (20)
his companion, one of the thirty, v. 11. They prob. had loose
notions of the sanctity of marriage.
Information di.shonestly obtained. — I. In the case before ns — i;
The Philistines employed threats. They worked upon the fears
of the woman ; 2. She employed tears and so wrought upon the
love of her husband. II. In other cases it is often obtained dis
honourably from .servants, children, etc., by employment of
bribes, etc. III. Information so obtained may injure its subject
without necessarily benefiting those who acquire it. IV. Ee-
vealersof seoretshave their reward. Samson's wife hastened the
ruin she thought to avoid (xv. 6).
TelUng a secret. — In all parts of the world, I believe, people are
pretty muoh alike as to their capability of keeping secrets. The
Hindoos, however, improperly reflect upon the female sex in
their proverb, " To a woman tell not a secret. ' That secret
must be great indeed which will prevent a son or daughter from
telling it to the father or mother. The greatest proof of confi
dence is to say, " I have told you what I have not revealed to
my father." In proof of the great affection one has for another,
it is said, " He has told thinga to him that he would not have
related to hia parents." " My friend, do tell me the secret."
" Tell you ? yes, when I have told my parents.""

CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.

he fires the ^ — 5. (1) within a while, the Heb. as in ch. xiv. 8. wheat
cornfields harvest, end .-.f our April ; the dry season, a kid, a common
S>V-r* . . I present " cam., in anger, seems to have left his wife for a time.
rnilistines j ^£-j ^^-tg^i iier, Sam.'s conduct made this suspicion reasonable.
a Ge. xxxviii. I7j I The father treated Sam. considerately. (3) blameless, he me,int
Lu. IT. 29. Ithat being now free fr. oblig. to the Phil, he would not be

Cap. XV. 6—13.1

JUDGES.

143

treacherous if he did them a hurt. (4) foxes, jackals.' fire
brands," torches wh. would bum slowly, but blaze freely when
blown by the wind. (5) shocks, etc., lit./r. the lieap of sheaves
to the grain standing in stalk.
Foxes and firebrands. — This history may be regarded as — I. An
illustration of the punishment that awaits evil-doers. I. Dis
honourable couduct does not prosper ; 2. The wise are taken in
their own craftiness ; 3. Punishment often comes in unexpected
fonns. II. As an illustration of the cunning of a revengeful
spirit. Evil reports are thus spread by tongues set on fire of
hell. Tlie cornfields of Sliephelah. — The hiU on the south-eaat, look
ing towarda Hebron, cannot fail to be recognised as that up
which the stalwart champion carried the city gates ; and on one
of the mornings of our stay outside the walls we were roused at
an early hour by a procession of Mohammedans, with flags and
music, on their way to the hiU, there to pray for the blessing of
rain. The cornfields now, all along the cultivated tract of the
Shephelah, are just suoh fields as Samson entered when he tied
the foxes or jackals, tail to tail, and grimly watched his own
" facetious outrage," aa the creatures ran amongst the standing
grain, and kindled it into a blaze, while the firebrands frighted
them info mad haste. Vineyards there, like those of Timnath
and Sorek, stiU bear fruit, and the names of villages are identi
fied with meanings which recall " the lions " and •' the bees," or
hornets, as well as " the foxes," or jackals, of the mighty man."
6—8. (6) Timnite, inhab. of Timnah. burnt her, etc.,"
comp. threat of ch. xiv. 15. (7) though, " you have punished
my wife : " or, " if you mean avenging, I also can play that
game." (8) hip and thigh, prov. expression, " cut thera in
pieces, so that oue limb lay on another." ' It may be taken fr.
the joints of the sacrifices, and so mean the great and raighty,
the choice pieces, rock Etam, cleft of the rock, in Judah,
poss. mod. TIrtas,
One evil leads to another. — I. See this proved by the history
before us. II. It is often manifested in coramon life. No side
quiet so long as the other seems to have an advantage. The last
blow, the last word. III. The ill effects of this. The party who
dealt the last blow living in dread of retaliation ; and he who
received it nursing revenge. IV. Christ's law of forgiveness the
only cure.
The sweetness of revenge. —
But 0 ! revenge is sweet !
Thus think the crowd, who, eager to engage.
Take quickly fire, and kindle into rage.
Not so mild Thales nor Chrysippus thought.
Nor that good raan who drank the pois'nous draught
With mind serene, and could not wish to see
His vile accuser drink as deep as he
Exalted Socrates ! divinely brave 1
Injured he fell, and dying he forgave :
Too noble for revenge ; which still we find
The weakest frailty of a feeble mind."
9_13. f9) went up, endeavouring to secure person of Sam
son. Lehi," the place so named here by anticipation. (10)

B.C. 1140.
'These are
gregarious, and
abound in the
neighbourhoodof Gaza. Sam.
may have caught
tbem in nets."—
Wordsworth.
c "He pnt two
jackals together,
tail by tail, and
fastened tightly
a flre-match be
tween them. At
nightfall ho
lighted the fire
brand, and sent
each pair suc
cessively down
tr. the hills, into
the plain of
Philistia." —
Jamieson, vv. 4, 6. J. Bry
ant, Obs. 151; F.
Wrangham's Ss.
ii. 437.
c Dr. Stoughton.

I he smites
the Philis
tines and
dwells ou
the rock
Etam

a " Some take it
Ibat the Phil.
burnt the w-ifo
and father-in-
law out of re
venge, as Sam.'s
nearest rela
tions. It is more
prob. tbat they
did it as an act
of justice iu fa
vour of Sam.,
and in hope of
pacifying hi^
anger." — Spk.
Com.
b Gesenius.
e Dryden.
''When our
hatred is vio«
lent, it sinks us
even beneath
those we hate,"
— La Rochefou
cauld.he is hound
by the men
of Judah

144

JUDGES.

Cap. XV. 14—17.

B.C. 1140.
a "Full name
was Ramath Lehi,
the hill of Lohl,
so called, per
haps, fr. a ridge
ot craggy ser
rated rocks ; or
f r, S'im,'s casting
away of the jaw
bone," — Ayie,
*' If we be not as
well ready to suf
fer ill as to do
good, we are not
fit for the conse
cration of God."
—Bp. HaU.
" M^n mighty-
thewed as Sam
son waa, dark-
browed as kings
in iron cast,
broad - breasted
as twiu gates of
brass." — Joaquin
Miller. " He only is
great who has
but habits of
greatness ; who,
after performing
what none in len
thousand could
accomplish,
passes on like
Samson, and
tells neither
father nor
mother of it"
— Lavater.
b Dr. Combe.
he slays the
Philistines
with a
jawbone a 1 Sa. xvii. 20.
tJ, 15. /. Jenkins's
Disc. ii. S'2.
». 1 6, '¦ With the
jawbone of an
fts.s I have killed
a heap, even two
heaps." — Ge^e-
Kins. The wor-1
is leftuntrans in
Le. xxvii, 16, Nil
xi. 32, Ez. xlv.
11, 1.3, 14, and ib
left homer, a
measure con
taining ten baths;
but there is good
reason for be
lieving our trans.
correct. "The oxhibiiion
Of real strength

(against us, men of Judah had given no offence. (11) went,
I marg. went down, situate on lower range of hills. (12) your
selves, he was anxious not to injure his fellow-countrymen in
defending himself. (13) up, to Lehi.
CoHciliation. — I. Note the state of Judah at thia time under
Philistia, and in dread. They needed a leader. They lacked faith
in Samson, the only one who could have headed them. II. The
proposition of Judah. To bind and deliver Samson. Yet these
three thousand, with him at their head, might surely have done
something better. Have there not beeu times when a timid
Church has bound their Master, or their principles, for the sake
of an unholy peace ? III. The self-denial of Samson. He would
rather be iu peril than Israel should suffer. But he knew what
he would do.
Muscular strength. — Muscular power is (other circumstances
being equal) proportioned to the size of the muscle ; bnt it often
happens, that great power is required where bulk of muscle
! would be inconvenient or cumbersorae. In suoh cases it is sup-
I plied with an increased endowment of nervous filaments; which
: mako up by the strength of stimulus what the muscle wants in
; bulk of fibre. Many birds, for example, require great muscular
' power to sustain them in their long and rapid flights through the
air, and owe its possession chiefly to the strong stimulus imparted
to moderate-sized muscles by large nerves, which add nothing, or
next to nothing', to their weight ; whereas, had the greater power
been obtainable only from an augmentation of fleshy fibres, the
consequent addition of weight would, from the greatly increased
difficulty the animal must have felt in raising and sustaining
itself in the air, have gone far to counterbalance any advantage
gained on the side of power. But in fishes, whioh float without
effort in their owu eleraent, size produces no such inconvenience,
and their strength, accordingly, is made to depend more on the
volume of the muscle than on its nervous endowment— showing
a beautiful adaptation to the mode of life and wants of the
animal.' 14—17. (14) shouted, according to their custom," and in
joy of securing their prisoner, flax, etc., half -burnt flax would
have lost its fibrous strength. (15) jawbone, in the fright of
seeing hira break asunder the cords, the Phil, left him free to
catch up the nearest weapon. The panio favoured him. (16)
This is the victor's song. There is a humorous play ou the word
chainor, wh. means both ass aud lieap. (17) cast away, thia
supposed meauing of the word Earaath, in Eamath-Lehi.
Miven bonds. — I. How brave and exultant are these Philistines
in the presence of their bound enemy. So the Tvorld, when the
Word of God is unfaithfully bound. II. How great is their dis
raay and their destruction when the strong man bursts his bonds I
So the word of God is a, terror to evil-doers. III. How the
strength of liberated Sarason should have rallied poor, crushed
Israel. Let the Israel of God rejoioe for magna est Veritas, et
preralebit. The strong man's refreshment.— Samsoii, alraost lost for thirst,
after the conflict that he had with the Philistines, prayed to God,
and found drink in an ass's jaws. Hagar, in the vrildemess,
despairing of her own life and her child's for lack of victuals,
was fed of God, and comforted beyond her expectation, Ths

Cap. XV. 18—20.1

JUDGES.

145

poor woman of Sarepta, looking to die with her child, the day
after the prophet carae to her house, had her oil and raeal so aug
mented, that she lacked not till the time of plenty retm-ned.
Therefore, wheresoever any lack happeneth, be it of com, or
such other necessaries, despair we not. Let us think with our
selves, that God is able at all times to increase our com, lying in
the barn, growing in the field, bring bread in the oven, yea, or
in thy mouth, at His pleasure, as well as He did the oil or meal
of the woman of Sarepta, or the oil of the debtor's wife, by His
prophet Elisha.'
18 — 20. (18) athirst, from -violent exertion. thou hast
given, devoutly recognising Div. aid. (19) clave, etc., difEcult
to decide whether this refers to the jawbone, or still with some
play on the word refers to the rock." Prob. the hollow was a
basin among the cliffs of Lehi. En-hakkore, the supplication
mell. (20) days of Phil., while they retained dominion over
Israel. En-luihltore (vv. 18, 19). — Spiritual warriors need Divine help
as much to keep thera after the victory, as in the struggle. Like
Samson, the arm that has gained its trophies is too weak to keep
them long, unless God interpose. I. Samson's distress. Mental
anguish as well as physical exhaustion. His young wife faith
less ; she and her father burned ; dark forebodings of future
defeat. . II. His argument -. " Shall I die ? " 1. After working
sucha deliverance:. 2. He reminds God of His relationship to
hira ; 3. He further pleads that his victory wiU be turned into
defeat, unless God interpose. III. His relief: God caused a
spring to arise at Lehi. It was— 1. Miraculous ; 2. Appropriate :
just what he needed ; 3. Abundant : enough for others ; 4.
Effectual : it revived him ; 5 . Very simple : simplest means, in
the Divine hand, work most marvellous results ; 6. Opportune :
just when he needed it, not before ; 7. Commemorated : he
named the place En-hakkore. God's goodness should be remem
bered in order to excite our gratitude, stimulate our faith, and
fire our zeal.'
En-luihkore (v. 19).— AU this passage affirras is, that in the
place where Samsoa theu was, and which, from this transaction,
he called Lelii, or the Jawbone, there was a hollow plaoe which
God clave, frora whence a fountain flowed, which relieved Sara
son when ready to parish, and which contin ued to yield a con
siderable supply of water at the time this sacred book was
¦written, and possibly may flow to this day. Doubdan, in one
single day, when he visited the counti-y about Jerusalem, met
with two such places. On Easter Monday, the first of April,
1662, he set out, he informs us, with about twenty in corapany,
to visit the neighbourhood of Jerusalem. They went the sarae
road the two disciples are supposed to have taken when our
Lord joined thera, when He made their hearts burn withm
them. A convent was afterward built iu the place where our
Lord is imagined to have met them. Only some pieces of the
walls of freestone are now reraaining, with sorae walls and
half -broken arches, and heaps of rubbish, together with a great
cistem full of water, derived partly from ram, and partly from
the springs in the mountain there, particularly from a most
beautiful and transparent fountain, a little above it, which
breaks out at the f uither end of the grotto, naturally hollowed
VOL. III. O.X, K

B.O. 1140.
is never gro
tesque. Distor
tion is the agony
of wealmess. It
is the dislocated
mind whoso
movements are
spasmodic."^ Willmott.
b W. Hugh (ISiS).

the -water of
Bn-hakkore
a ''Beyond all
question, tho
right trans, is,
the hollow place
wh. is in Lehi." —
Spk. Com., so
Lange.
"Some suppose
that God clave
lhe mortar, or
socliet, of the
teeth of Ihe jaw
bone; and this
seems the ttue
sense." — Words-
WOl'ttl.V. 18. /. Milner,
A.M., Ss. i. 133.
b R. A. Oriffln.

"If a fcol knows
a secret, he tells
it bei-MUse he is
a fool; If aknave
knows one, he
tells it whenever
it is his interest
to tell it : but
women an d
yf ung men are
very apt to tell
whatex er secrets
tlit-y know from
tbe vanity of
having been
trusted." — Clies-
U rfeld.
"The wisest,
Ihough offended,
will be the first
to sei?k peace
and the readiest
to pass by a
transgression."-"
Haweis.

146

JUDGES.

[Cap. x-vi. 1—5.

B.O. 1140.
**None are so
fond of secrets
as those who do
not mean to keep
them; such per
sons covet se
crets, as a spend-
thrift covets
money— for the
purpose of cir
culation." — C.
Colton.e Burder.

B.O. 1120.

out in the hard rook, and which is overhung with small trees,
v.'here they raade a considerable stop to refresh theraselves ; the
water of this spring running by a channel into the cistern, and
afterward turning a' mill which was just by the cistern and
belonged to the monastery, and from thence flowed, as it stiU
does, into the torrent-bed of that valley from whence David
collected the five smooth stones, of whioh one pro-red fatal to
Goliath. Here we see a hollow place, a grotto, iu which the God
of nature had divided the rock for the passage of the water of a
beautiful spring. It was a grotto in Lehi, in whioh God on thia
occasion raade the water to gush out, and run in a stream iuto
the adjoining country, where the exhausted warrior stood."
CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH.

1—3. (1) Gaza, Ge. x. 19- Jos. x. 41, xiii. 3. 35 m. S.W. of
Zorah, a fortified stronghold of the Phil, harlot," Ge. xxxviii.
14, 15. (2) quiet,* silent ; taking no action : feeling security
in the fastened gates. (3) took the doors, etc., not lifting
thera off the hinges, but tearing up side-posts and all : doors
refer to the leaves of the gate, posts to the side pillars, and bar
to the inside fastening. Hebron, or the mountains of Hebron.
Prob. a hill within an hour from Gaza.
Tlie gates cf Gaza. — I. Picture the scene. Philistines lying in
wait, watching for moming to light them to their prey. The
strong man walking off withthe gates. The chagrin of Philistia.
II. Illustrate it. 1. The truth bearing off its prison bars; 2. A
Christian carrying off spoils from the enemy ; 3. A sinner walk
ing in darkness lightly beneath a load of siu.
The road from Gaza. — It runa across a dreary, parched plain.
whioh, on the right and left, extends to the horizon, and in front
is shut in by the blue mountains of Judah. On emerging from
the olive-groves of Gaza, the desert waa before us — bare, -white,
and monotonous, without a solitary tree, or the " shadow of a
great rook," or a single patch of verdure. As we rode on we had
overhead the bright sky and blazing sun ; and beneath, the
Neither is it flinty soil, reflecting burning rays that scorched the weeds and
to count stunted camelthorn, and made them crackle like charred sticks
upon the_ weak- under our horses' feet." — Tlie burden of sin. — I find here Sa.msou
comes off from his sin with perfect safety. He runs away lightly
with a heavier weight than the gates of Gaza — the burd-jn of an
ill act. Present impunity argues not an abatement of the wicked
ness of his sin, or of God's dislike to it. Nothing is so deserving
of pity as the sinner's peace. Good is not therefore good becanse
it prospers, but because it is coraraanded. Evil is not therefore
evil because it is punished, but because it is forbidden.''
4, 5. (4) Sorek, near to Sara.'s home : not certainly iden
tified. Delilah," delicate, languid, piininq with desire. Evidently
a profligate woman. (5) lords, etc.. Jos. xiii. 3. wherein . .
strength, having succeeded at first through his wife, they em-
 ploy same means again, afflict, or humble, not directly threat-
wit-), or a~Phili3- ' eni-ag death, eleven . . silver,* if each gave this amount, thS
tint: she was a bribe was an immense one, nearly 2 talents (5,500 sh'ekels).
thetriSX;^"! Dcl'dah.-!. If the enemy cannot overcome by force he will
—Wordsworth. ' try craft. II. The strongest men have approachosto the secret

he carries oC
the gates
of Gaza
a "Samson keeps
his vow of absti
nence fr. intoxi
cation, but is all
the weaker and
wilder with re
gard to the love
of woman, as if
ho could here
make up for the
want of freedom
elsewhere." —
Ewald, ft "Orig. indie.
that &ey pro
posed patrolling
and watching all
night, but in
stead were really
afraid of him,
and kept quiet
all night."-
lange,e Dr. Porter.

ness of any
m a n's under-
Btandinff who is
thoroughly pos
sessed of the
Bpirit of revenge
to sharpen hia
invention." —
Swift. d Bp. HaU.
Delilah a " Thero is no
reason to believe
tha'-- she was
either Sam.'s

Cap. xvi. 6—14.]

JUDGES.

147

of their strength. III. Those who have power for great deeds
are often themselves overcome by weak instruraents. IV. Every
sin or secret pleasure may be a traitor and in the eneray's pay.
The power of man. — The sea cannot roll up the raountain, how
ever furious its rage may become ; it must lie in its o-wn bed.
Neither suns, stars, nor comets, have power in themselves to
sweep an inch out of their orbits. The mightiest animal of sea
or land has no power to act contrary to the stTong law of instinct.
But mau has the power to overstep the moral boundary of his
being — to fly from his appointed orbit; he cau deviate frora
truth, justice, benevolence, and piety. The great sun cannot say
No to its Maker ; a child may, and does."
6 — 9. (6) be bound, Sam. playfully accepts her idea, and
tums it into a joke. She thought some kind of cords would
break the charm on wh. his strength depended. (7) green
withs, twigs, or twists of vegetable stalks, suoh as used for
baskets, never dried, so retaining flexibility. Number 7 let
out one little piece of his secret (v. 13). (8) she bound him,
prob. as a jest, piece of rude, rough play. (9) in wait," hidden,
ready to take instant advantage of his weakness, the Philis
tines, etc., more point in this if she a Danite woman, his
strength, i.e. the secret of it.
'Wliere lieth thy strength? (v. 6.) — "Where lies the secret
strength of faith 1 It lies in the food it feeds on ; for faith
studies — I. Thepromise. 1. "What the promise is : an emanation
of Divine grace, an overflowing of the great heart of God ; 2.
"Who gave it : it considers not so much its greatness as its Author.
It remembers that it is God, who cannot lie — God omnipotent,
immutable. 3. Why it was »-iven : for God's glory. II. The
amazing work of Christ : as being a clear proof of the Father's
intention to fulfil His word. III. The past faith's battles have
strengthened it, its victories ha-^e given it courage.'
Green withs (v. 7). — That is, any kind of pliant, tough wood,
twisted in the forra of a cord or rope. Such are used in many
countries, formed outof osiers, hazel, etc. In Ireland, very long and
strong ropes are made of the fibres of bog-wood, or the larger
roots of the fir, which is often dug up in the bogs or mosses of
that country. In some places, they take the skin of the horse,
cut it lengthwise frora the hide, into thongs about two inches
broad ; and after having laid thera in salt for sorae time, take
them out for use. This is frequently done in the country parts
of Ireland ; and is chiefly used for agricultural purposes, parti
cularly for drawing the plough and the harrow, instead of iron
chains.' 10—14. (10) mocked me, it appears that Sam. knew nothing
of the men who watehed, so he carried on the joke. (II) occu
pied, more simply, ii,ted, or employed. (12) apparently Delilah
provided the ropes herself, corap. v. 8. (13) weavest," using
his hair as yarn, seven locks, plaited or braided into seven
folds ; not hanging loose. (14) pin . . web, the whole weaving
apparatus. Tlie bonds of temptation.— 1. The seven green vidths, as — 1.
Sensuality ; 2. Intemperance ; 3. Self-confidence ; 4. Levity ; 5.
Indolence; 6. Self-righteousness ; 7. Scepticism. II. New ropes,
US newly invented pleasures, etc., specially fitted to individual
K2

B.O. 1120.
6 Ju. xvii. 3.
" Custom of suc
cess makes mon
con ildentin tbeir
sins, and causes
them to mistake
an arbitrary
tenure for a per
petuity." — Bp.
Hall.
e Dr. Thomas.
he is bound
with green
withscrNot lu tha
chamber, bnt in
a chamber, an
ioner room."—
Wordsworth.
" Every willing
sinner is a Sam
son; let us not
inveigh against
his Bcnt-eless-
ness, but our
own ; nothing ia
i^o grot^s and un
reasonable to a
well- disposed
mind, which
temptation will
not represent flt
and plausible.
No soul cnn, of
his own strength,
secure himself
from that sin
which he most
detesteth." — £p.
Halt.
b C. H. Spurgeon.
c Burder.

he is bonnd
with new
ropes, and
with his hair
a "The loom waa
of very simple
construction;
th-^ woof waa
driven into tho
warp, not by a
reed, but by a
wooden spatu
la ; the extre-
tuity of the web

148

[Cap. XVl. 15— 2a

B.C. 1120.
was fastened to
a pin or stake
fixeii in tbe wall
or ground ; and
while Del. sat
pquat-ing at hev
loom, Sam. lay
Btrctche t on tho
flno , with hia
head reclining
on her lap." —
Jamieson. b Trencli.
he confesses
the secret of
his strength
a Nu. xxi. 4.
V. 17. "Et pro
P'j-p-ireo poenas
dat Scylla ca-
pillo." — Virg.
Genr. i. V. 405.
'¦ This punish
ment pursues
the unhappy
¦mai 1, and thus
the purple hair
is d-'ai-lv paid."
— lirijii,n. Does
ni.t the fable
hc-c alluded to
by Virgil of the
evil conse
quences accru-
in<r to Nisus by
the loss of his
hail-, and his re-
ventling himse'f
on Scylla, i-emind
us of Samson
and his revB-'ge
on the PhUis
tines ?
b Bush.
e Dr. Macleod.

he falls into I
the bands of
tbe Pnilis-
tines tJ, 20. T. Cruse,
Ss 125.
v.2\.J.C.Dieteric, Antiq. 336,
a W. B. Carpenter.
" It is very amus-
jng to see a full-
fisoviu eon or a

cases. III. Locks of hair : hitherto the bonds were of foreign
substances ; they are now part of himself. IV. Samson dallied
with temptation ; but V. In the strength that God gave he rent
the bonds and escaped.
Occupy (v. 11). — He now occupies who has in preseut posses
sion, but the word involved once the further significance or
using, employing, laying out that which was thus possessed ; and
by an " occupier " was meant a trader or retail dealer. Thus: —
"He [Eumenes] raade as though he had occasion to occupy
raoney, and so borrowed a great sum of them \_PlutarcKt
Liccs\.'''> 15—17. (15) heart . . me, confidence, opening of heart, ever
the true sign of love. (16) pressed him, with passionate en
treaties, vexad, " etc., worried, tired out. Comp. previous case,
ch. xiv. 16. (17) all his heart, ceased to joke, and revealed his
secret. Not expecting Del. to take advantage of his secret. He
suspected no treachery ; but the way of evil is the way of danger.
shaven, the preservation of his locks was sign of faithfuUy
keeping the Nazarite vow.
Samson's fall (-v. 17).— Learn hence — I. That fidelity is never to
be expected from those who sho-.v an utter unfaithf uliiess to God,
and have stifled and triuraphed over conscience. II. That when
the heart is infatuated by unlawful desire, repeated wamings of
danger will be disregarded. III. That they who feel themselves
unable to resist the importunity of their tempters should instantly
fly from their dangerous presence.*
Strong in Il'im. — I was requested by a brother minister, who
was unwell, to go and visit a dying boy. He told rae before some
remarkable things of this boy. He was eleven years of age, and
during three years' sickness had manifested the most patient sub
mission to the will of God, .with a singular enlightenment of the
Spirit. I went to visit him. He had suffered the most excruciating
pain. For years he had not known one day's rest. I gazed -with
wonder at the boy. After drawing near to hira, and speaking some
words of sympathy, he looked at rae with hi-s blue eyes — he could
not move, it was the night before he died — and breathed into my
ear these few words, "I am strong in Hira." The words were few,
and uttered feebly : they were the words of a feeble child, in a
poor home, where the only omaraent was that of a raeek, and
•:iuiet, and affectionate mother ; but these words seeraed to lift the
burden from the very heart, they seemed to make the world more
beautiful than it ever was before ; they b-:ought home to my
heart a great aud blessed truth. May aU of us be strong in
Him. 18 — 20. (18) lords, etc., whose large bribe she -was anxious to
secure. (19) upon her knees, with his head'on her knees ; so
I she oould not move to cut the hair herself, began to afflict,
turned to insult hira ; testing the effect of her act. (20) wist
not, knew not. departed, fr. one whose vow was now broken.
Samson's fall (r. 20). — Introduction: — Sarason's birth, glory,
and deeds to the time of his fall. Learn from the story — I. The
absolute necessity there is of our achieving a nobler morality, a
higher level of religion, than is to be found in the mere conven
tional standards which are rife amongst us. II. That we should
ou no account sacrifice our convictions. III. That temptatloa

Cap. XVl. 21—27.1

JUDGES.

149

comes gradually. IV. That there is something in our constitu
tion which makes the subtle snares of sin all the raore dangerous ;
with every sin there comes a blunting of that moral capacity by
which we detect its presence. Conclusion: — (1) Cultivate your
convictions ; (2) Preserve the consecration of your whole*ife to
God." — Danger of declension in religion. — I. "What are we to
understand by this departure of our Lord ? It implies the pre
sence and prevalence of an enemy. II. "What are the signs which
attend suoh a departure 2 III. 'The dreadful consequences of the
Lord's departing from us, IV. Application we should make of
this subject. 1. Look at sin ; 2. See how weak man is ; 3. Con
sider the holiness of God ; 4. The sequel gives us an astonishing
view of God's goodness and compassion.'
Latent power. — It is impossible to over-estimate, or rather to
estimate, the power that lies latent in our churches. We talk of
the power that was latent in steam — latent till "Watt evoked its
spirit from the waters, and sot the giant to turn the iron arms of
machinery. "We talk of the power that was latent in the skies
till science climbed their heights, and, seizing the spirit of the
thunder, chained it to our surface, abolishing distance, outstrip
ping the wings of time, and flashing our thoughts across rolling
seas to distant continents. Yet what are these to the moral power
that lies asleep in the congregations of our country and of the
Christian world 1 '
21 — 24. (21) took him, a number rushing upon him, still
half afraid of him. put out," Heb. bored out; prob. with red-
tot iron, completing thus his helplessness, fetters, two chains ;
one on eao'a foot, grind,' as a slave. (22) Intended to indicate
repentancj and return of heart to 6od.» (23) Dagon,'' fr. dag,
a fish, the national god of the Phil, our God, etc., the true
God surely vindicates Himself when His glory is thus taken
away.' (24) slew, Heb. multiplied our slain.
Saiiuon in tlie *»(/,¦!.— Teaches us— I. the blinding nature of sin.
II. The tender mercies of the wicked. III. The world's servile
work. IV. The long-suffering pity of God. V. The vain boast
fulness of the nngodly.
Putting out the eyes.— With the Greeks and Asiatics, the way of
putting out the eyes, or blinding, was not by pulling or cutting
out the eyes, as some have imagined, but by drawing or holding
a red-hot iron before them. This method is still in use in Asia.
According to Chardin, however, the pupils of the eyes were
pierced and destroyed on such occasions. But Thevenot says,
that " the eyes, in these barbarous aots, are taken out whole, with
the poiut of a dagger, and carried to the king in a basin." He
adds, that, " as the king sends whom he pleases to do that cruel
office, some princes are so butehSred by unskilful hands, that it
costs thera their lives." In Persia, it is no unusual practice for
the king to punish a rebellious city or province by exacting so
many pounds of eyes ; and his executioners, accordingly, go and
scoop out from every one they meet, till they have the weight
required./ 25—27. (2S) merry, as feasts attended such sacrifices, doubt
less merry with wine, make us sport," either meaning to
taunt and insult him, or to set him dancing and making music
for them, or to hear his jokea and riddles, or to see his rough

B.C. 1120.
husband aplepp
on his mi ther's
or wife's knees.
The plan is as
follows:— The fe
male sits cress-
legged on the
carpet or mat,
and the man hav
ing lain himself
down, puts hia
head in her lap,
and she gently
tapa, strokes,
^ingB,anclsootheahim to sleep."—
Roberts.b R, Cecil M.A.
" It is better for
Samson to be
blind in prison
ihan to abu>e
his eyes in
Sorek ; yea, I
may safely say
he was more
blind wheu ho
saw licentiously
than now that
he bees not ; ho
was a greater
slave when ho
served his afflic-
tioni* than now
grinding for tha
Philistines, Tha
Ic-'S of his eyes
shows him hia
hiu, neitliercould
he see how ill
he had done till
he paw not."—
bp. Hall.
c Dr. Guthrie.
his eyes are
put out
o Nu. xvi. 14; 3
Ki. xxv. 7; Je.
xxxix. 7.
6Ex. xi,5, xii.29;
Is. xlvii. 2; La.
V. 13.
c"Prob.hiBpi-!sonand hisbliudnesa
taught him hu
mility and d epen-
denceon God,"y.
28. — Wordsworth.
d"Hi8iii]age was
that of the trunk
of a flsh. with
head and handa
of a man." — Stan
ley ; Kitto.
. Ac. xii. 20—23.
/ Burder,
he raakes
sport for his
enemies

150

JUDGES.

iCap. XVl. 28—31,

B.O. 1120.
a "He Is called
fort'iela^ttimeto
exercise ihe well-
known raillery of
his character; he
appears as the
great jester or
buffoon of the t
nation. Theword
employed ex
presses alike the
roars of laughter
and the wild
gambols with wh.
ha 'made them
sport.' " — Stanley.
b "The roofs in
Gaza were thon
flat, as tbey are
now. Most of the
town is liuilt on
hilla, wh. have
declivitiesex- ceedingly steep, j
The temple was }
erected over oue
of these, and in
Buch a position,
if the central
columns were
taken out, the
whole edifice
would be preci
pitated down the
bill in ruinous
confusion." —
Thomson.
V. 25. A. Mac-
donald, Ss. 391.
a Paxton.

his death
r. 28—30. /. O.
Dowling, Ss. 112.
V. 30, Dp. Hall,
Contemp. ; Dr. R.
Gordon, ii. 406.
e. 31. /. S. M.
Anderson, Cloud of
Witn. ii. 217.
" Promise waa
that I should
Israel from Phi-
listian yoke de
liver. Ask

giant pianka. pillars,* supporting the flat roof, and in front of
the building. (26) feel, etc., feigning wearinfess. (27) lorda
. . there, inside the building, on the roof, wh. formed kind of
araphitheatre. Tha boy who led Sam.ion.—l. He was one of the Philistines, who
probably took part in their sport. II. He was an element of their
scorn. A boy is enough to lead one who had slain a thousand
men. III. He was ignorant of the strength of him he led.
IV. In leading out Samson to be a pastirae for others, he waa
unconsciously leading on his o-vvn destruction. Learn — 1. Let
boys beware how they join in the spOrts of- the wicked ; 2. The
thing, or person, or truth they deride may be the instrument of
their ruin.
Houses in the East (v. 27). — The method of building in the
Bast may assist us in accounting for the particular structure of
the teraple or house of Dagon, and the great nuraber of people
that were buried in its ruina, by pulling down the two principal
pillars upon which it rested. About three thousand persons
crowded the roof, to behold while the captive champion of Israel
made sport to his triumphant and unfeeling enemies. Samson,
therefore, must have been in a court, or area, beneath ; and, con
sequently, the temple will be of the sarae kind with the anoient
refievrj, or sacred inclosures, which were only surrounded, either
in part or on all sides, with some plain or cloistered buildings.
Several palaces and don-wanas, as the halls of justioe are called
in these countries, are built in this fashion, in whose courts
wrestlers exhibit for the amusement of the people on their publio
festivals and rejoicings ; while the roofs of these cloisters are
crowded with spectators, that behold their feats of strength and
agility. When Dr. Shaw waa at Algiers he frequently saw the
inhabitants diverted in this manner, upon the roof of the dey's
palace ; which, like many more of the same quality and denomi
nation, has an advanced cloister over against the gate of tho
palace, made in the form of a large pent-house, supported only
by one or two contiguous piUars in the front, or else in the centre.
In suoh open structiu-es as these, the great officers of state dis
tribute justice, and transact the public affairs of their provinces.
Here, likemse, they have their public entertainments, aa the
lords of the Philistines had in the temple of their god. Suppos
ing, therefore, that in the house of Dagon was a cloistered
buildiug of this kind, the pulling down of the front or centre
pillars which support:ed it, would alone be attended with the
catastrophe which happened to the Philistines."
28 — 31. (28) two eyes, exaotlyj/o?- one of my two eyes. (29)
middle pillars, indie, that there were others. (30) dead, etc.,
obs. the play on words, making the sentence a " touch of trium
phant satire." (31) came ftown, taking advantage of the
general excitement to get possession of Sam.'s body. Manoah,
who had previously died, judged, as deliverer only, apparently
not as civil ruler.
Sa.mson's character a,nd end (v. 28). — Consider — I. His character.
He was too much actuated by a spirit of — 1. Vindictiveness; 2.
Vainglory ; 3. Lewdness and incontinence. II. His end. Ira
proveraent of the subjeot :— Por — (1) "Warning ; (2) Encourage
ment." Ancient ahd modern Gaza. — There is an identity of name, a

Oap. xvii. 1-5.1 JUDGES. 151
continuity of history ; but, as we learn frora Jerome, scarcely { b.o. 1120.
a vestige of old Gaza reraained in his day, and the new town was 
built on a different site frora the old one. The sand has long SSive'r''er Sf**
encroached upon the neighbourhood, and wave alter wave has andfl.,dhimei'a^
rolled up- frora the Mediterranean, so that, looking from an '^s" ™ Ciaza at
eminence, it is as if an immense snow-stoi-m had fallen on the '?* ™''l- "'*
fields, and drifted over the gardens. Under that sand, hewn fn hoids ™der
stones, as of ancient buildings, have been discovered, and pottery Phiiistian yoke.
a,nd niarble may be seen in the hollows. "Walls, fragments of ^' ' '^^^' '''' ™®
buildings, and remains of foundations may still be found, indi- rn'doubt'Divlne
eating the existenccof the former Gaza, as distinguished from preiiictioniwhat!
the present. The tragical fate of the great Hebrew hero is ono " ''" foretold had
of the chief memories lingering round the city ; and a curiously {^ ^ o '"i h''^'* •''"'
travestied version of his death, in the form of a Mohammedan own "cSfanlt!'"
legend, is still given to travellers. Two prostrate columns, one Milton.
fractured in the raiddle, are pointed out, in a pathway leading a c. Simeon, M.A.
np to the govemor's house. " Once on a time," said tbe people j or. Stoughton.
to our dragoman, as we passed by the columns, "there was a
good Mussulman, very strong, who fought with the infidels
(Christians), and at last pulled a large teraple down in which
they were assembled, and they were crushed beneath the ruins."*

CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.

B.O. 140«.
Micah

he robs hia
mother
a " Some havtf
inferred fr. Ju,
xviii. 14 — 18, that
the word ren
dered molten
image was only

1 — 5. (1) mount Ephraim, Jos. xxiv. 30. Micah, word
means, mlio is like Jehcai'li. (2) eleven hundred, etc., sum
noticed ch. xvi. 5. taken from, thee, indie, lawlessness of the
tiraes. cursedst, Heb. adj uvest me bg God : though not imrae
diately, yet afterwards Micah feared this curse, and tiierefore
gave up the money. (3) dedicated . . son, he need not have
taken it therefore, graven, etc.," figures were first molten, and
then finished off with graving tool. (4) the other 90O shekels
were spent in fitting up the chapel. (5) teraphim, Ge. xxxi.
19—35. sons, not a Levite.
Confession and restitution. — "We have here — I. A son who
robbed his mother. 1. Perhaps her careful savings ; 2. Intended ! Jj"!^ " pedestal to
by her for her son's future use. The property of which by age, ^bu™thi8™8
wastefulness or theft we deprive our parents may have been hardly prob-
intended for our good. Such a son is not only guilty of theft, ! able," — Wordi-
but an inj urer of self. II. A son confessing his sin and restoring 1 """'"'•
his ill-gotten gains. But it does not appear that he confessed [ Bp. Ball. Con-
his sin to God. III. A mother blessing her son on his reforraa- , temp.
tion. IV. A mother thoughtlessly surrendering that of "'''liich!^^ . , ^
she had been sinfully deprived. She might have been sure thatjname scarce
he who had the heart to rob his mother would not be likely to | echo to a sound
use the money well. !rnd''?'''tat^l''
Best'itiition. — Two Christian chiefs. Tati and Ahurlro, were • chambers of Sis
walking together by the waterside, when they carae to a place \_ great— it dwells
where a fisherraan had been employed in making or sharpening not there, nor
hooks, and had left a large file (a valuable article in Taheiti) i "orid Speak!
lying on the ground. The chiefs picked it up ; and as they were j it in' councils?
proceeding, one said to the other, " This ia noi; ours. Is not our No, the -sophist
taking it a species of theft?" " Perhaps it ia," replied the other ; ! ?t°thence°"-f£
" yet as the owner is not here, I do not know who has a greater „ard.
right to it than ourselves." " It is not ours," said the former,]

152

JUDGES.

[Cap. xvii. 6-9.

B.C. 1406.
* Mr. Ellis.

the law of
the lawless
V. 6. Bp. A n-
drewes, Ss. v. 169 ;
Sydney Smith, ,Ss.
411; Bp. Cart
wright, Assize S. ;
Bp. Chandler, Ser.
" Wish you to
know if a soul
is of free beiUL
and temper, put
to the proof his
respect for -the
magistrates." —
Riouj^e." A man must
first govern him
self, ere he be
flt to govern a
faraily; and his
family, ere he be
flt to bear the
govemment of
the common
wealth." — Sir W.
Raleigh. "The Spartans
and Spaniards
have been noted
to be of small
dispatch: Mi
venga la muerte
de Spagna ; let
my death come
from Spain: for
then it will he
sure to be long in
coming."~fia(;o».
a Quiver.

^Xicah and
the Levite
a '"Bethlehem of
the family of
Judah,' leaving
ont the first Ju
dah."— LXX.
b Heb. words are
Cer-sh.tm. as xviii.
30. " It is imposs.
not td suspect
that the true
reading hev,? too
is, the sor if Ger-
IhomT — Spk,
Com

and we had better give it away." After further conversation,
they agreed to give it to the iSrst person they met, which they
did, telling him they had found it, and requested that if he heard
who had lost such a thing, he would restore it.*
6. The avriter of the book evidently lived when there was a
king. Comp. De. xii. 8 ; Ju. xviii. 1, xix. 1, xxi. 25 ; uo settled
government, restraining evil doers.
Tha laro of the lawless. — I. A circumstance assumed. " No
king in Israel." But was there really no king ? There was, but
unacknowledged— God was their King : they were rebels. II.
An unlawful law of life, "right iu their ovm eyea." Incli
nation no safe rule. Such " right " may be in the worst sense
wrong, to self, one's neighbour, and God. III. The truest liberty
is doing right in the sight of God.
Lawlessness; tlie Gordon riots.^-'Lord G«orge Gordon, the
leader and originator of thia rebellioua moveraent, is described by
Lord Mahon as an ignorant fanatic, and the rebellion itself a
sudden meteor, haviug its origin in the foulest marshes. Rash,
brainless, and impetuous, Lord George becarae the tool of design
ing demagogues. No project was too wild, no deed too daring,
for a nature so defiant and ballastless ; and as this kind of blus
tering noisy carriage often impresses weak minds, crowds flocked
to become his followers., anda mighty array of fools, knaves, and
rebels united iu his cause Their behaviour was just such as one
might expect from such a union, and iu a camp were discipline
and order were unknown. They paraded the streets, knocked
down the watehmen at night, the beadles by day, upset the
carriages of the statesmen and peers, and on their way to Parlia
ment dragged them out of their carriages, pulled off their wigs,
aud rolled these grave dignitaries in the mud. They went eveu
further, and sought to obtain forcible possession of tiie House of
Commons itself. But here one man's cool bravery cowed their
irapudent clamour. Colonel Murray, a relation of Lord George
Gordon's, addressed his traitorous kinsman thus : " My Lord
George, do you really mean to bring your rascally adherents into
the House of Commons ? If you do, the first man of them that
enters, I will plunge my sword not into his body but into
yours." This silenced the valiant leader, who imraediately with
drew, and, quietly retiring to the eating-room of the House, he
threw himself into a chair ; and while Mr. Bowen, the chaplain,
sought to iraprove the occasion by advice and reproof, he either
fell asleep, or pretended to do so."
7—9. (7) Bethlehem-judah," Ge. xxxv. 19. family, ti-ibe ;
Ju. xiii. 2. sojourned there,* poss. indio. that he was a
wanderer, tarrying awhile at Beth. (8) out . . from, simply,
'from the city of Beth, mouut, or hill country. (9) go to
sojourn, wander about as having no settled maintenance.
Tlie blessings of home. — I count as the greatest loss that the
young can sustain in coraing hither, the loss of home, as I count
as the greatest blessing which the young can enjoy to be that
training which a good home affords. Sorae there are to whom
horae is nothing but a grievance, and whose remerabrance of
horae is a reraembrance of soitow. Let us believe that there are
few such. Let us believe that in this happy land by far tha
greatest number have occasion all their life long to look bacls

Cap. xvill. 1—6.]

JUDGES.

153

-with thanksgiving to the experience and the memories of home,
and that this word rings out pleasure to them as long as they
are able to utter it or hear it uttered. Horae is God's natural
training ground. It has its laws, its restraints, and its compen
sations. It has its duties, its penalties, and its rewards. Al
though it is not omnipotent, though it often fails, yet, on the
whole, it holds the young everywhere with a most salutary
influence." 10—13. (10) father, or spiritual guide, priest, conductor
of sacriflces and worship, ten shekels, "V^ ordsworth says, a
paltry pittance, but this depends on the value of money in that
age. a suit, marg. a double suit. Heb. an order of garraents.
(11) as . . sons, treated him as one of the family ; shows sharae
of his running awp.y." (12) his priest, not the Lord's. Really
no priest, as not of the family of Aaron. (13) The expression of
self-deception and superstition.
The religious want and mistalce of humanity. — I. The great
religious want of humanity. 1. A friendly relation with the
Eternal ; 2. Some mediator to procure this friendship. II. The
great religious mistake of humanity. 1. That there was some
thing morally meritorious iu merely supporting a minister of
the Lord ; 2. That the priest would have sorae special power with
Heaven to obtain good ; 3. That by his formally attending to the
religious ordinances which this Levite prescribed "the Lord
would do him good."
Micah and his Levite (v. 13). — The self-complacency of Micah
may serve to reprove some popular delusions in religion of a
later day. I. Confidence iu external worship. II. Satisfaction
¦with theoretical knowledge. Obedience is the life-blood of reli
gion. It must be free and cheerful, extensive, sincere, constant,
evangelical. III. Excuses for allowed sins. IV. Palse views
of the character of God.
The lifelessness of formalism. — The artist may mould niatter
into forms of em-apturing beauty, and make us feel their elevat
ing and purifying influences ; but what is the marble Moses of
a Michael Angelo. or the cold statue of his living Christ, com
pared to the erabodiment of the Hebrew law and the spirit of
Jesus in the sculpture of a holy life ? "What are all the forras
of moral beauty in the Pharisee of religion, compared with the
true and holy life of the heart of the devoted Christian P

B.O. 1406.
c -ff. W. Beecher.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
1-^-6. (1) Danites, for their lot, .see Jos. xix. 40 — 48 : comp.
Ju. i. 34. not fallen, etc, bee. they had not conquered the
Amorites and Phil." (2) five men, as spies. Zorah, Ju. xiii.
25. (3) kne-w the voice, i" the wanderer might have lived
awhile in Dan. (4) thus, as ch. xvii. 10. (5) Comp. Ju. i. 1,
question suggested by sight of the ephod, ete. (6) Very am
biguous answer, before the Lord, may be God approves, or
only God knows.
Coiin.iel sought cf God (v. 5).— I. "Wliy we should ask counsel of
God. I. Because of our ignorance and short-sightedness; 2. It.
is the course God's people have ever adopted ; 3. God alone oan I
give the counsel needed ; 4. Our best interests are involved in '

the, Levite
dwells -with
J Micah
' a Ju. xviii. 18—
20.
V. 13. W. Jay,
n-ks. vii. Ifil.
I " Superstition ia
not, as has teen
dt-fined ,an exces3
of religious feel
ing, but a mis
direction of it, an
exhaui-ting of it
on vanities of
man's devifcing."
— Wliately.
b lir. Thomson.
" Thei 0 never
was any party,
faction, seet, or
cabal whatso
ever, in which
the most igno
rant were not
the most vio
lent: for a boo
is not a busier
animal tban a
blockhead.
However, such
in truments ara
necessai-y to poli
ticians; and per
haps it may be
with Ftates as
with clocks,
which must have
some lead weight
hungiogat them,
to help and regu
late the mot on
of the flner and
more useful
pans."— Pope.

the Danites
seek help of
God through
Micah
a "It was easier
to surprise unde-
f enfued houses
and lands, tban
to contend with
the 5 princes of
Phil., anil i', eir
numerous ar
mies."

b "The Heh,

154

JUDGES.

tOap. xviu. 7-13.

B.O. 1406.
bears the sense,
that Ihey heard
toe voice of the
Lev. a little way
off, in the chapel,
where he was at
prayers, and at
tracted by iithoy
turned as'de, and
entered the
plac e." — Spk.
Com.
c Dr. J. Bums.
d Spencer.
He who hath no
instructor in the
paths of virtue,
will never want
a master to lead
him into vice.

they spy out
Iiaish
a Jos. xix. 47,
&1 Ki. xxii. 3; 2
Ki. vii. 9.
V. 7. Bp. Hutchin
son. Assize S,,r.;
F. Peck, Four Disc.
81.
e M. Henry.
"Better walk on
rugged rocks
than ou slippery
ice. If we lose
our roil, it is in
the Arbour of
Ease, not in the
Valley of Baca.
Few Christians
backslide while
under the rod : i
is u.sually when
on the lap of
plenty tbat be
lievers sin." —
Spurgeon. d Dr. Stougl'ton.

the camp of
San
a The mod. Ku
riet et-'Aineb is
satisfactorily
ideutiflod with
this place, A
poor village with
a Latin church.
Dr. Thomson be
lieves it identical
with Emmaus.

the counsel He can give. II. "What kind of counsel we may ask
of God. As to— 1. Temporal ; 2. Relative ; 3. Spiritual concerns.
III. How raust we ask, so as to secure the counsel we need ? 1.
"With a deep conviction of our need ; 2. "With believing confl
dence in God ; 3. With a resolution to follow the counsel He
gives ; 4. Thrj-agh the periOi and advocacy of Christ."
Seeking Divine guidance, — The Israelites usually asked counsel
of God by the Ephod, the Grecians by their Oi-aoles, the Persians
by their Magi, the Egyptians by their Hierophante, the Indians
by their Gymnosophistas, the ancient Gauls and Britons by thoir
Druids, the Romans by their Augurs or Soothsayers. It waa
not lawful to propose any matter of moment in tlie senate before
their wizards had made obser, ations from the heaven or sky.
That which they did impiously and superstitiously, we raay, nay,
we ought to do in another sense, piously, religiously, conscion
ably ; i.e. not to embark ourselves into any action of great
importance and consequence before we have observed from
heaven not the flight of birds, not the houses of planets, or their
aspects or conjunctions, but the countenance of God, whether it
shineth upon our enterprises or not, whether He approve of our
projects and designs or not.''
7 — 10. (7) Laish, Zesliem," now Tell-el-Kadi, 4 miles fr.
Csesarea-Philippi, near sources of Jordan, careless . . secure,
not warlike, interested in trade ; they were a Sidonian colony.
It was a secluded situation, no business, did not interfere
with othera, or wished to be interfered with. (8) came, with
a hopeful report. (9) the land, the soil rich and productive.
are ye still,' trying to arouse interest. (10) G-od, etc., trusting
to oracle of Micah's priest, v. 6.
Laish (vv. 9, 10). —I. The observations which the apies made upou
the city of Laish, and the posture of the inhabitauts. It was —
1. Ill-governed; 2. Ill-guarded. II. The encouragement which
from hence they gave to their countrymen. They represent the
place as — 1. Desirable; 2. Attainable."
Tlie greatest danger. — When a city ia compact round about
with a wall that ia impregnable, it will yet be open still towarda
heaven, and therefore cannot be out of danger if God be an
eneray. For all their walls and bars, God could rain fire and
brimstone upon the Sodomites out of beaven. Alexander asked the
Scythians what they were most afraid of ; thinking they would
have said of himself, who was so victorious everywhere. But
they answered, scoflBngly, they were raost afraid lest heaven
should fall upon them. "We, indeed, need not fear anything but
this only, lest the heaven should fall upon us, lest God should be
our enemy.''
11-13. (11) appointed, Heb. girded. (12) Kirjath-
jearim," Jos. ix. 17. Mahaneh-dan, Ju. xiii. 25. (13)
house of Micah, situate near the route northward.
False di.spatch. — False dispateh is one of the most dangeroua
things to business that can be. It is like that which the physi
cians call pre-3igestion, or hasty digestion, whioh is siu-e to fill
the body full of crudities and secret seeds of diseases, I knew
a wise man had it for a by-word, " Stay a little, that we may
make an end the sooner." On the other side, true dispateh is a
rich thing ; for time is the measure of business, as money is of

Cap. xvlil. 14-26.1

JUDGES.

156

wares : and business is bought at a dear hand when there is small
dispatoh.' 14 — 17. (14) houses, the chapel prob. separate from the
dwelling, and a cluster of houses may have gathered round it,
V. 22. ephod, proper priest's vestment. •» (15) saluted him,
approaching in friendly way. (16) Immediately to protect the
thieves. (17) the priest stood, etc., while his attention was
engaged the gods were stolen ; on the appearance of the 5 men
with the stolen goods, the convers. took place.
Moslem, superstition. — A leading point in the faith of the
Mohammedan is a belief in the Divine origin of the Koran. He
believes that the Koran was treasured up in the seventh heaven '
for all etei-nity, and was revealed to Mohammed by the angel
Gabriel. It was written by the finger of God. It is a sin and a
crime to translate or to print it ; and although it has been printed
by Moslems in Egypt, the orthodox Moslems of Syria regard the
aot with abhorrence. They write it, in letters of gold and bright
colours, on the cornices and lintels of their rooms, but never
along or near the floor. No Moslem will ever carry a copy of the
Koran below his waist, or lay it on the floor. It must be laid on ,
the shelf, or on an elevated cushion. They carry it written in ]
elegant manuscript, handsomely bound, and coramit large por
tions of it to memory. If the Moslem approaches idolatry in one
respect more than in another, it is iu his regard for this book.'
18 — 21. (18) these, the five spies who knew their way. (19)
priest unto a tribe, touching his ambition. (20) glad, self-
interest was his ruling passion. He forgot his obligations to
Micah. (21) little ones, wives and children, indie, their inten
tion to settle, carriage, baggage, before them, expecting
pm-suit. Carriage (r. 21).— There are passages in the Bible where the
word " carriage " is evidently used as synonymous with baggage.
For example, Ju. xviii. 21 ; 1 Sa. xvii. 22. David's " carriage "
consisted, as we leam from the preceding verses, of an epha of
parched corn, ten loaves of bread, and ten cheeses. Examples of
a similar character may readily be cited from the historians and
essayists who were contemporaneous with the translators of the
Bible. North, iu his translation of Plutarch, says that " Spartacus
withdrew an opposing army, and took all their carriage ;" and
Bacon, quoting 1 Sa, xxx, 24, speaks of those " who stayed with
the carriages," substituting the word " carriages " for " stuff,"
which appears in the ordinary version. In faot, " carriage,"
" luggage," aud " baggage," were not only formed in the same
way, but were originally synonyms ; baggage being that which
is bagged, luggage that which is lugged, and carriage that which
is carried. ' i
22 — 26. (22) good -way, theft not instantly discovered. Micah's
houses near, prob. all in one court, for mutual protection, complaint
(23) cried, shouted after, aileth thee, putting bold faoe on
it. (24) my gods, etc., convicting himself of folly and idola
try. (25) Taking insolent advantage of their superior strength.
angry, chafed in their minds ; marg. bitter of soul. (26)
-went baok,""feeling his theft retumed on himself.'
The loss of gods (v. 24). — I. All men have a god. "Whatever a
man's god be, he deems it the greatest good. But man's ideas of

B.O. 1406.
b Ld. Bacon,

the spies rob
the house of
Micah

a Ex. xxviii. 4—
85 ; 1 Sa. ii. 18,
xxii. 18; 2 Sa. vi.
14; 1 Chr. IV. 27.
" They that are
agaiust super
stition often run
inlo it of the
wring side. Ifl
wear all colours
but tUck, then 1
arn superstitious
in not wearing
black.'* — Selden.

b Bibl. Treas.

the Levite
becomespriest ofthe
, Danites
i"Hold thy
1 peace " (p.19), see
I Job. xxi. 5, xxix.
9, xl. 4; Pr. xxx.
I 32; Mic. vii. IG.
1 " He who seldom
speaks, and with
one calm well-
timed word can
strike dumb t'&e
i loquacious, is a
genius or a
, hero." — Lavater.
J " Apt worrls havo
; power to 'suago
the tumults of a
I troubled mind,
and are as balm
to fester'd
wounds." — Mil
ton.

a " Loving hlfl
life more than
his god s." —
Wordsworth.
b Ju. xviii. 2.
cDr.Thcmua.

15G

JUDGES.

[Cap. xix. 1-4.

B a 1406.
'* W e a k n e BS,
fear, melan-
cboly, together
with ignorance,
aro the true
Bourcea of su
perstition. Hope,
pride, presump
tion, a warm in
digo ation, to-
grther with ig
norance, are the
true sources of
enthusiasm." —
Hume.d Cruikshank.
*' Some men, lilie
piciures, are fit
ter for a corner
than a full light."
•^Seneca.

Laish
destroyed
a Ge. xlix. 13,
b "In many Heb.
MSS. the letter n
is suspended
over the 7nand s,
BO as to introduce
•a coiTection from
Moses to Manas
seh." — Spk. Com.,,
Wordsworth.

Sa. lv. U.

e 1
v.l. "Superstition
renders a man a
fool, and scepti
cism makes him
mad."— /Wdi'nfif.

the story of
the liSvite
a 2 Ki. iv. 24.
Saurin, IHse.Hisi.
iv. 100 ; Bp. Meat,
Contemp.
V. 1—3. i. Sterne,
Ss. iii. 49.
If you ask me
which is the real
hereditary sin of
humau nature,
do you imagine
I shall answer
pride or luxury,

a god are very different and conflicting' ; amongst worldly gods
are — lust, riches, men's praise, etc. II. False gods can be takeu
from their devotees — 1. Often in life ; 2. Always at death. III.
The loss even of a false god will be felt to be a great loss.''
Milse gods exposed (v. 24). — Circumstances took place, some
years back, which led to the roguery of the principal fetish of the
Gold Coast of Africa being exposed. Of the effect of this expo
sure upon many of the deluded worshippers, we read : — " One
venerable chief, pointing to his long white beard, said, *This
teaches me that I am too old to learn ; but it ought to give
weight to the advice which I now give to all who are young, to
giye up their fetish, and go to school.' It was impossible to see
their only stay and support thus rudely shattered to pieces with
out a feeling of pity for their desolate condition, bereft of every
spiritual trust. Many of them left the castle (where the investi-
I gation had been conducted) desolate and downcast, and were
heard repeating to each other, ' What can we now do in sickness
and distress?' 'Whither can we fly for succour?' ' Our gods
have been proved to be no gods,' 'Our priests have deceived
us.' "d
27-31. (27) Laish, v. 7. (28) deliverer, fr. whom help
might be sought ; the land about there thinly populated.
Zidon," prob. its mother oity. Beth-rehob, Nu. xiii. 21 ; Jos.
xix. 28. (29) Dan, Jos. xix. 47. (30) son of, or descendant of.
Gershom, Ex. ii. 22, xviii. 3. Manasseh,'' should be Moses.
(31) all . . Shiloh, i.e. until captivity of the aik in time of
Eli." Idolaters can worship anytMng (v. 31).-^At Baitenzorg, a vil
lage of Java, Messrs. Tyerman and Bennett observed a street,
occupied exclusively "by Chinese. They called at several of the
houses and noticed an idol in each. In one they observed an
engraving of the French emperor, Napoleon, in a gilt frame,
before which incense was burning. The old man to whom the
picture belonged, in their presence, paid it divine honours, bow
ing himself in various antic attitudes, and ofEering a prayer for
blessings upon himself and family. When we asked him why he
worshipped a European engraving, he replied, " Oh, we worship
anything."

CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH.
1—4. (1) those days, soon after the death of Josh., see oh.
XX. 28. sojourning', wandering, concubine, inferior wife,
often a slave ; this not indie, immorality ; woman had rights of
a wife. (2) Ran away and left him. Bethlehem-judah, ch.
xvii. 7. fout, etc., Heb. may mean, a year and four months.
(3) servant . . asses, women travelled on asses, escorted by
servant." (4) eat and drink, this Levite easily attracted to
sensual indulgences.
The pleasures of sin. — The Persian king gave Themistocles a
goodly pension, assigning Magnesia, with the revenue of fifty
talents for his bread, Lampsacum for his wine, and Myos for his
meat ; but all the while he fed high and drunk deep, he was in-
, finitely afflicted and everything went cross to his undertaking,

Cap. xix. 5—21.]

JUDOES.

157

and he could not bring his ends about to beti ay his country ; and
at last he mingled poison with his wine and drank it off, having
first entreated his friends to steal for him a private grave in his
own country. Sjjch are the pleasures of the most pompous and
flattering of sins ; their meat and drink are good and pleasant at
first, and it is plenteous and criminal ; but its employment is
base, it is so against a man's interest, and against what is, and
. ought to be, dearest to him, that he cannot persuade his better
parts to consent, but must fight agaiust them and aU their argu
ments.' 5—8. (5) comfort,"! Heb. strengthen. Mau could hardly re
sist enticements of meat and drink. (6) be content, or willing.
(7) urged him, as v. 5. (8) afternoon, declining of day.
Until afternoon (v. 8). — " IJntil afternoon." Hebrew, " till the
day declined." In this way also do the people of the East speak
when the sun has passed the meridian ; " I shall not go tiU the
sun decline ; " "I must not go till the declining time."'
9—15. (9) draweth, etc., Heb. is weah. day . . end," Heb.
it is pitching time ofthe day. (10) Jebus, Canaanitish name of
Jerusalem. (11) far spent, almost nightfall ; scarcely safe to
proceed. (12) stranger, shows that Jebus was still in Canaanite
hands. Gibeah, of Benjamin, now Ttiliel-el-Ful,'' 5 m. N. of
Jerusalem. Ramah, 1 m. further N., now El-Ram. (13, 14)
Night decided them to stay at Gibeah. (15) sat . . eity, in the
lawless times even hospitality was forgotten."
Punishment of inhospitality (v. 15). — Jupiter and Mercury once
visited a village, and, disguised in human form, sought entertain
ment, but in vain, till they came to the thatehed cottage of the
aged Baucis and Philemon. Before the strangers was spread the
best the place afforded, with careful attention. The unwasted
wine revealed to them the gods, to whom they would have sacri
ficed. "This inhospitable village shall pay the penalty of its im
piety. You shall be free. Come with us to the" top of yonder
hill," said the gods. They obeyed, and beheld the country around
sink into a lake, while their own house grew into a magnificent
temple, in which they served as priests until transformed to
gether. 16 — 21. (16) sojourned, this not being his native plaoe.
(17) wayfaring man, some one evidently on a journey. (18)
house of the Lord," at Shiloh, where poss. his duties as a
Levite were* now calling him. receiveth, gathereth, inviteth.
(19) He was iu good circumstances, and needed only shelter. (20)
peaoe, etc., don't trouble. The old man seems to have known
the perils of the streets. (21) washed, etc., the customary E.
refreshment. HospitaUty rewarded (v. 20). — In the year 1785, a, widow
woman and her family resiled in the city of Diet, in a lonely
situation. She had one son and two daughters, and was supported
by some property which her husband had left her. One night, a
person dressed in uniform, with a musket and broadsword, came
to the house and requested lodgings. " I let no lodgings, friend,"
said the widow ; " and. besides, I have no spare bed, unless you
sleep with my son, whioh I think very improper, on account of
you being a perfect stranger to us all." The soldier showed a
discharge from Diesbaoh's regiment, which gave him an excel-

B.O. 140G.
or ambition, or
efrotism ? No ; I
f-hall Bay indo-
leDCe — who can
conquer indo
lence will con
quer all the rest.
b Bp, Taylor.

he abides
with his
father-in-law
a Ge. xviii. 5.
Sin is like a river,
which begins in
a quiet spring,
but ends in a tu
multuous Bea.
b Roberts.
the inhos
pitality of
Cribeah
a "These partie.
given to account
for their journey
running so far
Into evening, wh.
was the imme
diate cause of the
horrible catas
trophe which
followed."— /V*-
Com.
b Robinson.
c Ge. xix. 1, 2.
"Provision is the
foundation of
hospitality, and
thrift the fuel ot
n]agnil3cence."-.>
Sir P. Sidney.

the Levite is
sheltered by
an old man
a "Perhaps tbe
orig words ought
rather to be ren
dered, ' I aili one
who walk in the
i ouse of the
Lord.'" — Words
worth. r, 17. .7. Barrett,
Ser, ; J. Grant,
Course of Ss. i. ].
" If a man be
gracious to stran
gers, it showa
lhat he is a citi
zen of the world,
and his hPart ie
no island, cut off
from otber island,

158

JUDOES.

CCap. ^s. 22-28.

B.O. 1406.
but a continent
that joins them."
— £d. Baa>n.
" There is an
emanation from
the heart in gen
uine hospitality
which cannot he
described, hut is
immediately felt,
and puts the
stranger at once
at hia ease."—
Washington
Irving.eons of Belial
a Ge. xxxiv. 7 ;
De. xxii. 21 ; Ps.
liii. 1, etc.
h De. xxi. 14.
** When night
darkens the
streets, i^hen wan
der forth the
Bona of Belial,
flown with inso
lence and wine."
•"Milton. Borrible as this
V hole s tory read s
and incredible as
it may appear ii
IS abundantly
paralleled by the
corruptions of
modem times
aud of s>me ia
even Gbristian
lands. Our news
papers prove to
us that death hy
brutal and bestial
outrage is not
quite a thing of
the past. Sodom
has perished, yet
sodomy lives.
The waters that
flow over thn
ruins of the one
may well remind
us of the death
to which the
other is doomed.
"In the night,
we cannot dis
cern the spots on
our own faces ;
but, when the
light appears, we
take a glass, and
then tbey show
themselves. So
It is with the
Vices bidden in

lent character, and a passport from Count Maillebois, Governor
of Breda. He was then hospitably entertained, and withdrew tQ
bed. Some hours afterwards, a knocking- was heard at the door{
and it was almost broken through by some ij^bbers, when tho
soldier moved softly down stairs, and stopped at the hall-door,
and the son, having- seized a case of loaded pistols, joined him.
Soon afterwards the door was forced in, and two ruffians entered,
who were instantly shot. Two associates of the dead men, how
ever, retumed the fire, but without effect. The intrepid stranger
now rushed forward, and killed one with his bayonet, and the other
with his gun — thus preserving the lives of his kind friends.
This veteran's name was Adrian de Gri6s; he was a native of
Middleburgh, and was upwards of seventy years old at the time
of this exploit.
S2— 26. (22) merry, with feasting, sons of Belial, see
De. xiii. 13. old maij, v. 16. bring fortli, as Ge. xix. 4, 5.
Conduct indicating deepest moral corruption, and wildest law
lessness. (23) come . . house, and therefore had right to pro
tection, folly, in Bib. with usual ideaof wicJtedness.^- (24) The
man copied the device of Lot. Ge. xix. 8. (25) the man, i.e.
the Levite ; sacrificing his wife rather than himself,* (26) fell
down, and died.
Sons of Belial (v. 22). — I. The appellation by which they are
here distinguished, " Sons of Belial." Belial treated in the Bible
as a proper name (De. xiii. 13 ; 1 Sa. ii.l2, xxv. 17), but incorrectly;
means worthlessness, wickedness : from f}eli, without ; and yaat
profit (^Gese7ii?ts). The word Belial is rendered " wicked " in De.
xvii. 9. Belial is a New Test, name of the evil one (2 Cor. vi. 15).
Compare this signification of the term and application of Belial
to Satan with John viii. 38—44. II. The conduct attributed to
them is an apt comment ou the epithet applied to them. Ill,
Those who in our day conduct themselves in a licentious and
profligate way .may be appropriately called Sons of Belial.
Tlie .sin of adultery. — God had expressly forbidden adultery,
and had placed it in the number of those crimes of which the
simple fact rendered the offenders accursed. They were not only
to be put to death (Le. xx. 10; De. xxii. 22, etc.), but also to
perish from among God's people (Le. xix.); that is, they were to
be cut off from the synagogue ; tiiey could no longer pretend to
the promises of the covenant, or the prero^^-atives of true and
faithful Israelities ; in a word, they were to be excommunicated
and anathematised. The nation therefore could nit leave un
punished the crimes of the inhabitants of Gibeah without
charging themselves with the crime, and whatever was attached
to it. The Levite, by announcing the crime, by declaring the
obligation which there lay to punish, and by placing in full view
the anathema which they incurred who shonld refuse to league
to contribute to the effectual punishment, did nothing more than
he might do, nothing inconsistent with his condition, his rank,
his quality, his dignity ; he was even obliged to do so by his
function of Levite : he explained the text of the law, 2 Esdras
viii. 9. There was, properly speaking, no other method than that
which he took to specify the greatness of the crime of the in
habitants of Gibeah, and he confined himself to that. The
whole nation instantly understood it as a universal anathema,
without being informed of the nature of the crime which had

Oap. six. 27-30.1

JUDGES.

159

incurred it. Thus it is remarkable that all the tribes expressly
assembled at Mizpeh, to know of the Levite what was the matter.
He answered, '¦ That the Benjamites of Gibeah had threatened to
kill him unless he consented to their infarnous passion ; that,
moreover, they had injured hia concubine with so mad and in
credible a brutality, that, in short, she had died of it " (Ju. xx.
3 - 5). Upon Ihis, every one \^¦a3 convinced of the reality of the
anathema, and they not only all oblig-ed themselves by oath not
to return to their houses without chastising the inhabitants of
Gibeah in a manner suitable to the extent and blackness of their
crime (ver. 1(1) ; but also to treat, in like manner, all those of the
nation who should not march with the anny of the Lord against
the Benjamites of Gibeah feh. xxi. .5) ; whioh was, in faot, executed
with regard to the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead, who were all
put to the sword, without regard to sex or age (ver. 10). Thus is
the anathema sufficiently made out."
27- 30. (27) went out, apparently not oaring to inquire
what had become of his wife, liands . . . threshold, as
if she died in agony of entreaty. This may have touched the
husband's heart, and stirred purposes of vengeance. (28) up,
not at iirst seeing she was dead, his place, v. I. (29) knife, «
"1 Sa. xi. 7. (1)0) such deed, a report passed with the pieces,
and excited universal hon'or. This event was long remembered.''
Tlie divided body (v. 2'S). — The Levite designed hereby — I. To
represent their barbarous usage of his concubine, whom they had
better have cut in pieces thus, than use as they did. II. To
express his own passionate concern, and thereby to excite the
like in them." — National duty in relation to pr'ivate wrongs. — I.
In our day, by means of the press, the widest publicity is given
to every known atrocity of private life. A man has not to pro
claim his own wrongs. II. Evil deeds should be regarded as
violations of Divine law and involving all who, by silence, con
nive at them in the consequences of Divine anger. III. It is a
publio duty — 1. To consider— (1) Of how much evil the corrupt
heart is capable ; (2) The great need of personal godliness ; 2. To
take counsel — (1) How to prevent ; (2) How to punis^h such
crimes; 3. To speak — (1) The righteous sentence against the ill-
doer; (2) The earnest prayer to Him who alone can keep ns
from sin.
A modern illustration. — A similar incident is said to have
occuiTed recently in the tribes near Damascus. An Arab woman
having been accused of unchastity by anolher was killed by her
father, who then tore her body open in the presence of the tribe,
and found she was innocent. The slanderer was then judged.
Her tongue was cut out, and she was hewn into small pieces,
which were sent aU over the Aesert.^ — The fiery cross. — "When
a chieftain designed to summon his clan, upon any sudden or
important emergency, he slew a goat, and making a cross of any
light wood, seared its extremities in the fire, and extinguished
them in the blood of the animal. This was called the Fiery
.Cross, also Crean Tarigh, or the Cross of Shame, because disobe
dience to what the symbol implied inferred infamy. It was
delivered to a swift and trusty messenger, who ran full speed
with it to the next hamlet, where he presented it to the principal
person, with a single word, implying the place of rendezvous. He
•who reoeived tho symbol was bound to send it forvvard, with

B.O. 140S.
I UR : though lep-
j Toufi and de-
1 furmed.we think
i ourselves lieau-
I tiful till illumi-
^ji.Tted hv tha
'. Holy Spirit."—
' Cawdray.
c Critica Biblica.

the divided
bodya " Tbe Bingla
housebold im
plement, used
uot like our
knives at our
uieals but for
slsughtering and
cutting up tbe
animal into
joints for eat-
I ing.' — Spk. Com.
j b Hos. il. 9, X. 9.
1 1'. 30. Dr. R.
1 South, Ss. V. 65,
l3iii. 147; Bp.
Smalridge Ss.
1 131; '/¦. Fuller,
j Strange Justice.
, During the late
[ Sepoy revolt the
¦ f-ign or signal
I was thus curi-
I ously tvansmit-
i te f. A chat-
patty, or small
cake, was passed
^[om village to
vil'agp, ai io the
oldeu time tbe
flery cross waa
borne with
lightening speed
from crag to
crag in Scot
land. Whoever
received tliia
sign, as lhe head
ot the village,
and sent it on,
was C'Usiidered
favourable lothe
cause.
c M. Henry.
d Dr. Stanley.

160

JUDGES.

[Cap. XX. 1—11,

B.0. 1406. I equal dispatch, to the next village ; and thus it passed with iu-
„  I credible celerity through all the district which owed allegiance
to wo°k'''upo"n^to the chief, and also among his allies and neighbours, if the
the vulvar with : danger was common to them. At sight of the Fiery Cross, every
flne sense is j jjjan from 16 yrs. old to 6(1, capable of bearing arms, was obliged
like attempting jj^gjg^^^.j ^.p repair, in his best arms and accoutrements, to the
with rrazor."-!plaoe of rendezvous. He who failed to appear, suffered the ex-
Pope. treraities of fire and sword, which were emblematically denounced
to the disobedient by the bloody and burnt marks upon this war
like signal. During the civil war of 1745-6, the Fiery Cross often
made its circuit ; and upon one occasion it passed through the
< Sir V. Scott, whole district of Breadalbane, a ti'act of thirty-two miles, in
three hours."'

tlie liSvite
seeks advice
of Israel
a 1 Sa. iii. 2S; 1
Ki. iv. 2S.
iJu.i. 17,xi. 11.
" Ariston said,
that neither a
bath nor an
¦oration doth any
good unless it
purify, the one
tbe skin the
othei tbe heart.
That is good
which doth
,good." — -penning -
41 M, Henry.
d De Witt Tal
mage.

¦the rest of
Israel
xesolves to
punish Senjamin " The Thebaus
in their armies
had a band of
men tbey called
tbe holy baud,
tonsis ting of
finch only as
were joined to
gether in the
bonda of love, as
would live and
die together;
tiiese tbey made

CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH.
1  7. (1) Dan . . Beersheba, prov. expression for all Israel."
Gilead, so including tribes E. of Jordan, unto the Lord. i.e.
before His tabemacle. Mizpeh, not the town E. of Jordan,'
but in district of Benj. now Neb'i-Sainw'il. (2) chief, Heb.
corner-stones. (3) heard, but did not join them. (4—7) Com
pare oh. xix. 15—29.
Tim gathering of Israel (r. 1).— Here at Mizpeh waa— I. A
general congress of the states for counsel ; the chief of the
people presented themselves to lead and direct in this affair. II.
I A general rendezvous of the militia for action : all that drew
! sword and were men of war."
I Men aroused by strange means.— 'Meii in strangest ways
' are aroused from spiritual stupor. A profane man is brought
to conviction by the shocking blasphemy of a comrade. A man
'¦ attending church and hearing a sermon from the text, " The ox
knoweth his owner," etc., goes home unimpressed, but crossing
his barnyard an ox coraes up, and licks his hand, and he saya,
'• There it is now, The ox ' knoweth his owner, and the ass his
master's crib,' but I do not know God." The gardener of the
Countess of Huntingdon was convicted of sin by hearing the
countess on the opposite side of the wall talk about Jesus. John
Hardoak was aroused by a dream, in which he saw the last day
and the Judge sitting, and his own name called with tenlble
emphasis, " John Hardoak, come to judgment 1"''
8—^11. (8) all arose; moved with excitement by the recital,
and not remembering to inquire of the Lord. They should have
inquired further, and so have learned that .only some in Gibeah
were guilty, and that the Levite had betrayed his wife to save
himself. (9) by lot, appointing some to execute the intended
punishment. (10) fetch victual, so enabling the whole force
to keep the field. (11) all Israel, except Benj. ; they took the
side of their own city.
Popular indignation. — I. Excited by a well-adapted form of
appeal. AU could understand the argument used. II. The
appeal was addressed rather to human sympathies than to reason.
The masses were taken with this kind of appeal. III. Resulted
in complete union to punish evil-doers. IV. But all this was to
avert a common danger, i.e. danger arising from anger of
God.

Cap. XX. 12-21.]

161

The power of nnion. — Union is power. The most attenuated
thread, when sufficiently multiplied, will form the strongest
cable. A single drop of water is a weak and powerless thing ;
but an infinite number of drops united by the force of attraction
will form a stream, and many streams combined will form a
river ; till rivers pour their water into the mighty oceans,
whose proud waves, defying the power of man, none can
stay but He who formed them. And thus forces, which, acting
singly, are utterly impotent, are, when acting in combination, |
resistless in their energies, mighty in power."
12 — 17. (12) sent men, the law required offer of conditions]
before besieging a city, De. xx. 10, 12. (13) deliver, etc., this
a very right and reasonable demand. (14) but, shd. be and.
(15) Comp. numbers given Nu. i. 36, 37, xxvi. 41. (16) left-
handed," these prob. the men of Gibeah, v. 15. at ahair, so as
to hit a hair.' The sling was made of twisted or plaited thongs
of leather. (17) Oomp. Nu. i. 46, xxvi. 51.
Precision in aim (v. 16).— Consider — I. That whatever is
worth doing is worth doing well. This is so in the arts of— 1.
Peace ; - 2. War. And when we may have been in some sense
delivered from corruption ; how uniformly we are still directed
to something higher, to a greater growth in giace. II. The
necessity of exact, and patient, and assiduous care to perfection
of whatever kind."
Politics and war. — In politics, as in war, we meet with certain
ardent minds which never understand the utility of marches,
countermarches, ambuscades, and affairs of outposts, but are
always, and under all circumstances, for pitched battles. Such
men may be very good soldiers, but they would be very bad
captains. The wise general never gives battle but on favourable
ground ; and until he has found it, he manoeuvres, skirmishes,
and harasses the enemy. For in politics, as in war, not combat,
but victory, is the objeot to be pursued.''
18—31. (18) They appear to have resolved first, and asked
counsel afterwards, house of God, should be Bethel." Spk.
Com. suggests that the ark was temporarily removed from Shiloh.
first, obs. they did not ask guidance in their scheme, or a
Divine blessing on it. Judah, as leading tribe; and as con
nected with the Levites » wandering abroad, and getting into
mischief. (19) encamped, Ex. xiii. 20 ; Ju. vi. 4. (20) m
array, order for fighting. (21) dowa to the ground, prob.
indio. effects produced by the slings.
Resolution and advice (v. 18).— I. We are reminded by this
procedure of Israel of a course not uncommonly pursued by men
—that of resolving first, and seeking advice afterwards. It is
this, among other things, that renders the giving of advice so
difficult. II. We are reminded of the perplexities that sometimes
arise from the apparent strength of a cause. Here are so many
that all cannot go. III. We are reminded of the duty and
advantage of seeking the guidance of God from the first.
Mean,s without God.— Asa, was sick but of his feet,— far from
the heart ; yet because he sought to the physicians, not to God,
he escaped not. Hezekiah was sick to die; yet because he
trusted to God, not to physicians, he was restored. Means,
without God, cannot help : God without means, can, and often
VOL. III. O. T. L

B.O. 1406.
great acconnt of,
and esteemed tbe
s'rength of tbeir
armies. Such a
holy band every
society of Chris
tians sbnuld be.''
— .T. Trapp.
a Salter.
Israel'ssummons to
Benjamina "Throwing
with the left
hand, tbe stones
would come on
tbe enemy from
an unexpected
direction." —
Woi'dsworth.
b " This is a
region where
such a mode of
warfare would be
cultivated in an
cient times and
be very effective.
Tbe stones for
tbe sling are
e ve rywb ere
at band, and the
counli y is^cut by
deep gorges with
impracticablebanks. ... No
other weapon
would carry
across these pro
found deptbs." —
Thompson. 1 Ch.
xii. 2.
c Dr. C. Musgrave.
d Manin.
Judah soes
first against
Benjamina Lange, Woids-
wor th, Hengsten
berg.6 Ju. xvii. 8,
xix. 1.
"There can b»
no end without
means ! and God
furnishes no
means that ex
empt us from the
task and duty of
, joining our ovra
j best endeavourB,
The original
stock, or wild
olive-tree of our
natural powers,
was not given us
to be burnt or
blighted, but C-
I be grafted on,"—
I Coleridge.

162

JUriGES.

[Gap. XX. 22—30,

B.O. 140G.
"Tbe meaus that
Heaven yieliis
must be em- .
hraceJ, and not
neglected ; else,
if Heaven would,
and we will not.
Heaven's offer
we refuse." —
Shakespeare.
c Bp, Ball
d J. Bate.
Israel
defeated a
second time
V. 23. /. Bunt,
Ss. 129.
Difficulty excites
the mind to the
dignity whicb
sustains aud
finally conquers
misfortune; aud
the ordeal refloes
while it chastens.
a Boyd.
" Affect3d dis
patch is one of
tbe most danger
ous things to
busiuess that
can .be. It is
like tbat wbicb
physicians call
predigestion, or
hasty digestion,
whicb is soon to
flll tbe body tull
of crudities and
seci^t seeds of
diseases. Tbere
fore measure not
dispatch by the
times of sitting.
but by tbe ad
vancement of
the business."—
Lord Bacon.

Phinehas inquires of
the liOrd
o " Tbey are no
longer self-con
fident as before."
— Wordsworth.
Jos. viii. 4.
V. 26. Dr. G.
Croft, Ss. i. 80.
vo. 27, 28. Dr. J.
Lightfoot, Ss., Wks.
vi 274.
r. 28. Dr. J. Er
skine, A Ser.
i Or. J. Lightfoot.

doth. I will use good means, not rest in them.'^ —Means witiiout
the Spirit.— Ml meaus which the Ohurch may use for the salva
tion of man without the Spirit in them are like a body without
Ufe : like a' locomotive without steam ; like a watch without a
main-spring ; like an organ without arr ; like nature without
the life-giving power of the snn. However beautiful, unique,
antiquated, united, extensive, wealthy, intellectual ; however
patronised and supported by the wise, the great, and the good.
If the Spirit is absent from them they will fail to accomplish the
end desired.''
23—35. (22) They should have made fresh dispositions. (23)
went up, Bethel being only 5 or 6 miles away, they could go
to and fro in the day. (24) came near, this time making the
attack. (25) out of Gibeah, sallying forth under shelter of the
slingers. i>if eated but not d'lsheartened.—I. The ground of encourage
ment in the hour of defeat. That though defeated they had
striven for the right. That their defeat was not proof that God
disapproved their purpose. II. The course pur sued in the time of
defeat. They prepared for a fresh conflict. They inqiured of
the Lord. III. The result of the second battle. Defeat again.
God prospers the right conditionally. Israel right in pm-posa
but wrong in method.
D'lscoiiragem-mts overcome. — Mr. Disraeli might well have given
up after his first speech in the House of Commons : mauy men
would never have opened their lips there again. There is a
sublimity in his words, " The day will come when you will be
glad to hear me," when we read it by the light of events.
Galileo, compelled to appear to oome down, did not give up.
Still it moves. The great Nonconformist preaoher, Kobert Hall,
broke down in his first attempt to preach ; but he did iiot give
up. Mr. Tennyson might have given up, had he been dis
heartened by the sharp reviews of his earliest volume. George
Stephenson might also have given up, when his railway and
his locomotive were laughed out of the Parliament Committee.
Mr. Thackeray might have givea up when the publishers refused
to have anything to do with 'Vanity Fa'ir.o,
26—30. (26) wept, etc., they were now thoroughly aroused and
anxious. (27) inquired, same as express, v. 23. (28) Phine
has, Bx. vi. 25. (29) liers in wait," not only seeking (rod, but
also adopting more skilful plans. Comp. taking of Ai. (30)
children of Is., making the same appearance of attack as
before. Israel inquiring of the Lord (vv. 27, 28). — It was time to in
quire of the Lord. I. What was it they inquired about 1 II,
How did they inquire? 1. By Phinehas; 2. At the ark. Ill,
How inquired he? By Urim and Thummim.*
Humiliation improved. — "When Robert Hall first appeared to
address an audience in public, he discoursed for a few minutes
with great propriety and eloquence : and then his ideas all seemed
to desert him, and he was forced to cover his face with his hands,
and sit down in unutterable confusion. A second attempt was
equally unsuccessful on the following week. " If this does not
humble me," he remarked, on retiring to his room, " the devil
must haye ni^." Afterwards it was often remarked that he was

Oap. XX. 31—40.]

JUDGES,

163

as noted for his humility as for his great eloquence and power in
the pulpit.
31 -34. (31) house of God, Bethel. Gibeah m the field,
prob. Geba." (32) draw them, so leaving Gibeah exposed to
the ambush. (33) Baal-tamar, ^./facc of palms, here the main
army of Is. was drawn up. meadows, bare, open place.' (34)
battle, going on some distance fr. Gibeah.
Unseen dangers (v. 34). — I. Many catastrophes occur to persons
and communities from unseen dangers. II. Men who have not
been overwhelmed have often been near to danger without 1 no v-
ing it. III. Past successes often encourage a thoughtless dis
regard of possible perU. "Dangers lurk thick through aU the
ground, ' etc. Learn— I. Gratitude is due to God for deliverance
from unseen danger. II. Duty of being always prepared. " Be
ye also ready," etc.
Dependence on God in danger. — A poor, simple-hearted man
from St. Kilda was advancing, for the first time in his life,
from Ihis native rock to visit the world : and as he came
towards the island of Mull, a world in itself in the estima
tion of the poor St. Kilda man, the boatmen commenced tell
ing him the wonders he was so soon to see. They asked
him about St. ICilda ; they questioned h]m regarding all the
peculiarities of that wonderful place, and rallied him not a
little on his ignorance cf all those great and magnificent things
which were to be seen in Mull. He parried them off with gi-eat
coolness and good humour ; at length a peison in the boat asked
him if he ever heard of God m St. Kilda. Immediately he be
came grave and collected. " To what land do you belong ? " said
he; "describe it to me." "I," said the other, "come from a
plaoe very different from your barren rock; I come from the
land of flood and field, the land of wheat and barley, where
Nature spreads her bounty m abundance ind luxuriance before
us." "Is that," said the St. Kilda man, "the kind of land you
come from t Ah, then, you may forget God, but a St. Kilda mau
never can. Elevated on his rock, suspended over a precipice,
tossed on the wild ocean, he never can forget his God — he hangs
continually on His arm." All were silent in the boat, and uot a
word more was asked him regarding his religion.'
35 — 40. (35) the Lord, hitherto they had been fighting in
their own strength. (36) gave place, making show of yielding."
(37) drew along, spread themselves out, with idea of stealthy
approach. (38) sign, by wh. success of the stratagem might be
known. (39) As v. 31. (40) looked behind them,' attracted
to do so by the shouts of their foes.
Thankfulness Jor danger-signals. — If, when the channel is nar
row and tortuous, and the rocks are dangerous, and the gale is on
the sea, the shipmaster chooses to bring in his ship, and can do it
without a pilot, who cares ? If, seeing the lights that are kindled
along the coast, he says, " I do not need those lights ; I cau bring
my ship in without them," is there any fine for his not lookmg
at the lights? If he can bring his ship in without looking at
them, let him do it. But if the night is dark ; if the land-marks
are all rubbed out ; if he is going on to the coast, and he feels,
" I would to God that I knew where I was ! " and if, as he
speaks, there opens up the light, so that he says, " Thank God I I
L 2

B.C. HOG.

Baal-tamar
a " It is remark
able tbat the
north road for
Jerus. shortly
after passin g
Tuliel - el - Ful,
Beparatesintotwo branches,
one running oq
to Beitin (Bethel)
and the other
diverging to the
right to Jeba
(Geba)."— SmiWi'j
Diet, of Bible.
b "A place
cleared of wood."
Gesenius.
" There is not a
place beneath
which a believer
walks tbat is free
from snares. Be
hind every troe
there is tbe
Indian with his
barbed arrow ;
behind every
bush tbere is tbe
lion seeking to
devour ; under
every piece of
grass there lieth
tbe adder." —
Spurgeon.c Dr. N. McLeod.

Benjamindefeateda Jos viii. 15, 19.
{ b Jos. viii. 20.
j " A timid person
I is frightened be-
l fore a danger, a
! coward during
I the time, and a
courageous per
son afterwards."
— Richter.
"A man's opin
ion of danger
vdriesatdifferent
times in conse
quence of an ir
regular tide of
animal spirits;
and be >s no-

164

JUDGES.

[Cap. XX. 41—43.

B.C. HOG.
tuated by con-
siderations wbich he dares
not avow." —
Smollet.
c H. W. Beeclier.

the flight of
Benjamin

know that light — now I know where I am;" and if the light
disappears, and he is in doubt whether it was the light that he
thought it was, and it flashes again, and he is satisfied that he
made no mistake, that he judged rightly, that it was the light,
and he brings his ship safely in, has he not reason to thank God
for the lighthouse that taught him how to bring himself into
the harbour and into safety l"
41 — 44. (41) amazed, terrified so as no longer to fight, their
case was hopeless. (42) way of wilderness, toward Jericho,
and the Jordan, out of the cities, prob. other cities of the
Benjamites. (43) trode them, as grapes in wine-press ; with
^nlS- -Flytai ^^^^' ^^°- °* ^^ P"-"^" '^^- ^^ ^^^'^^^ *^^™- (**) "^^n of
from the bull, I valour, soldiers, there was doubtless also destruction of non-
feil into the river. I combatants.

— Spanish. To
shun Charyhdis,
and strike upon
Scylla. — Latin
A precipice
ahead, wolves
behind. — Latin
To be b e-
tween the devil
and the deep
Bea. — English.
To be be.
tween the ham
mer and the
(invil.— /^caicA.

a S. F. Woolrydi,

" That's a valiant
flea tbat dares
eat his breakfast
on tbe lip of a
lion ! " — Shake
speare.

the rock of
Rimmona Wordsworth,
Lange, Robinson.
b The cities of
Benj. are put
under tbe ban

other cities of
tbe enemy," —
lange.

'The sinner's surprise and overthrow (r. 41). — This text may
well remind us — I. That though often successful the sinner shall
at length be overthrown. II. That his defeat shall come from
those he has previously conquered. III. That his surprise will
be proportionate to his confidence bom of previous success. IV.
That his final overthrow will leave him no comfort from former
victories. Amazed. — The men of Benjamin were " amazed." Job xxxii,
15: "They were amazed; they answered no more" (i.e. Job's
three friends). Matt. xix. 25 : " When His disciples heard it,
they were exceedingly amazed." From these examples— coupled
wiOi others, as Isa. xiii. 8 ; Mark ii. 12, xiv. 33 ; Luke iv. 36, v,
26, ix. 43 ; Acts ix. 21 — it appears that our translators used this
verb in our present sense of being " surprised," or " astonished,"
and also in the stronger one indicative of that stupor which ia
coupled with intense fear, and which is elsewhere expressed by
" dismayed," or " confounded." This verb is obviously connected
with the noun " maze," also used as a neuter verb— see Chaucer's
Marchantes Tale." In the Old Testament, " amaze" stands for
four different Hebrew verbs, all of whioh express extreme terror
and prostration. In the servioe of the " Solemnisation of Matri
mony," we read at the end, " whose daughters ye are as long aa
ye do dwell, and are not afraid with any amazement." This ia
taken from 1 Pet. iii. 6, where the Greek word is equally strong
withthe Hebrew ones before mentioned. "Amaze" is said to
be collateral with an old English "may," " amay.""
45-48. (45) Rimmon, mod. RummSn, N.E. of Gibeah;
there are caverns near.' gleaned, as if going over a field after
harvest. Gidom, not otherwise mentioned. (46) all, vintage
uuuor me oan ^^^ gleaning. (47) fled, etc., succeeding in effecting shelter in
and bumed, like i *"^ Caves. (48) turned again, from the slaughter of the army
Jejicho, andj to the destruction of the city.!" Surely a sad extreme of excited
vengeance. The rock qf Rimmon (v. 45). — I. Whither shall Benjamin, dis-
Tho village ''°™^*s'i> ^^0 ; but to the rock Eimmon? The word means,
Eummon forms ''^'^¦Ited. II. Whither shall man, pursued by his sins or his other
a remarkable ob- j enemies flee, but to his exalted Rock — Christ? III. Observe the
ject in the land- 1 safety of those who reach the rock.
sitZ?d on and ¦ ¦ '^''''"" "¦¦^*'''' ''''' *««^''--All round Sedan nothing but devasta-
around tbe sum-: *'°" '^^¦^•s visible. Melancholy processions of maimed and en-
mit of a conicftli feebled soldiers passed incessantly, from morning to night,

Oap. xxl. 1—5.]

JUDGES.

165

ttirough the ruined villages, seeking shelter and rest iu neutral
Belgium. Sedan itself was crowded with wounded ; so were the
houses and churches for miles in all directions. The red cross
waved over every place, and tbe medical and other attendants,
male and female, moved gravely about, discharging with admi
rable devotion their sad but noble duties. The unhappy villagers,
whose homes had been bumt or destroyed by shot and shell, were
compelled to live in the open fields, with no other covering than
what they could fashion out of wicker-work made from the
branches of trees. Cavalry horses ran -svild about the country, or
strayed into the towns and hamlets. A litter of torn uniforms,
broken accoutrements, and battered weapons, cumbered the sur
face of the land : and the dismal heaps of earth, betokening
where hundreda of mangled corpses had been buried, gathered
thickly in every open space, and by every roadside.'

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST.
1 — 5, (1) had sworn, a rash oath in the time of excitement,
ch. XX. 1, 8 — 1 1. Benj. waa to be treated as a heathen people. (2)
house of God, either Betlu-l, or Shiloh, v. 12. wept sore,"
their repentance as passionate and intense as their sin. (3)
lacking,' the conditions involved the extermination of Benj.
(4) built . . altar," as special aot of devotion, and bee. of great
number of the sacrifices. (5) not up with, responding to the
call against Gibeah. oath, another rash oath, taken at tiie same
time. Israel mourning a lest tribe (v. 3). — We observe — I. That here
was a greater regard for the integrity of the nation than for the
peace of a section. II. That the decimation of a tribe was
mourned only as affecting Israel's entirety. III. That we, too,
may be careful for the welfare of each section of the Churoh as
necessary to the harmony and completeness of the whole. IV.
That the sorrow of Israel on this occasion may well reprove un
holy sectarian rejoicing at the diminishing of neighbouring
churches. Effects qf schism. — ^The schisms in the Church of Christ are
deeply to be lamented, on many accounts, by those who have any
regard for all that is valuable and worth preserving amongst
men ; and although we are willing to hope and to believe with
Paley that the rent has not reached the foundation, yet are these
differences (though not in essentials) most particularly to be
lamented, because they prevent the full extension of the glorious
light of the Gospel throughout the world. These differences
among ourselves fumish those whom we would attempt to con- 1
vert with this plausible, and to them, I fear, unanswerable argu- 1
ment : — With what face can you Christians attempt to make us |
converts to your faith, when you have not yet decided amongst
yourselves what Christianity is ? Surely it will be time enough |
to make proselytes of others, when you yourselves are agreed, i
For Calvin damns the Pope, aud the Pope damns Calvin ; and
the only thing in whioh they agree is in damning Socinus ; while
Socinus, in his turn, laughs at both, and believes neither.*

B.C. 1406.
chalky bill, and
visible iu all dl-
reciious. Thero
can be bttle
doubt of its be
ing tbe identical
Tock Eimmon, to
wbich the rem
nant of the Ben
jamites fled after
the slaughter of
the tribe at Gi-
l.e&h..'-— Robinson,
Bib. Res. il 113,
120.
c CasselVs Hist, of
the War.

Israel's oatb
concerning
Benjamina Ezra iii. 12, Vi.
6 "The very
name of Israel
comprehends all
the twelve tribes;
with one ofthem
blotted out, tha
rest would not be
Israel," — Spk.
Com.
e 1 KL viii. 6t
See Bp. HaU,
Contemp.
TV. 2,3. Dr T. Le
land, Ss. lii. 187.
"Scbismliterally
signifles a rent,
clift, Assure; in
its general ac-
j ceptation it sig-
I nifies division or
I separation ; but
: is I hiefly used in
speaking of sepa
rations happen
ing from diver
sity of opinions
, among people of
tbe same re
ligion and faith
All separations,
however, must
not. properly
speaking, be
considered as
schisms." — C,
Buck.
d C. Colton.

166

JUDGES.

[Cap. xxi 6—18.

B.C. 1106.
Israel'ssorrowconcerningBenjamina 1 Sa. xi. 1—11,
xxxi. 11—13; S
Sa. il. 4—6.
6 Robinson.
Uf. 7— 13. T. Ste
phens, ZSers.
"Eepentance
unto life is a
faving graoe,
whereby a sin
ner, OUL of a true
Bense of his sin,
and au appre
hension of lhe
moroy of G-od
in Christ, doth,
with grief and
hatred of bis sin,
turn from it unto
(Jod, with full
purpose of and
endeavour after
new obedience." 1
-^ Assembly' sCate-
cliism,c F. Fuller.

punishment of Jabesh-
gllead
o Nu. xxv. 7 — 11,
xxxi. 6, 7.
The Athenian
lonians, accord
ing to Herodo
tus (i. 146), stole
Carian women
for themselves,
and killei their
fathers. Hence,
be says, the Mi
lesian custom,
whicb did not
permit women
to eat with their
husbands, or to
call them by
their names,
b Bailey.

consultationconcerning:
Benjamin
" Tbe fate of war
is to be exa ted
in the morning,
and low enough
atnight! There
ifl but one step

6—9. (6) repented, rather, felt remorse. (7) wives, for
restoration o. the tribe. Tliis indie, how wholesale and desperate
the slaughter had been. (8) what one, city, not tribe.
Jabesh-gilead, ¦ now Ed-Deir, on the southern brow of Wady-
Jabes-f 12 miles N. of ford Jabbok. (9) numbered, by tribes
and cities.
Repentimg for otiiers (v. 6). —See note above . bnt— I. The sin of
others may well lead us to repentance, because it shows us of
what we ourselves are capable. II. Because the consequences of
sin to others shows us of what we are exposed to by reason of our
own sin. III. Because fraternal feeling will find personal shame
in the sin of other members of the house. Leam — (1) A lesson
for others in a family ; (2) Or in a church. See the case of
Job i. 5.
The devil' s policy against repentance. — The great policy of the
devil is either to enlarge God's mercy above the bounds of the
law, or His justice above the bounds of the Gospel ; he either
presents God's mercy in a false glass, to make sinners presume,
or His justice to bring them to despair. Before sin is committed,
he tells them it is a trifle, and will easily be pardoned ; but when
committed, then it is great, too great for pardon : and though he ia
the fatherof lies, they give credit to him, aud conclude that their
sins, their many and great sins, will never be pardoned ¦ whereaa
mercy is revealed as the sanctuary of the distressed, the balm of
the wounded, the refuge of the burdened, the cordial of fainting,
the hope of living, the joy and reviving of dying sinners."
10 — 15. (10) twelve thousand, oue thousand from each
tribe, making it a representative act. They must, however, have
made up contingents to represent Benj. and Levi, smite, etc,
a fierce and wicked expedition, in the spirit of Phinehas." (11)
woman, etc., iff. married. (12) virgins, so suitable for wives.
Shiloh, to wh. ark seems to have returned. land of
Canaan, this put bee. Jabesh was E. of Jordan. (13) call
peaceably, proclaim peace. (14) came again, to their cities.
(15) breach, through their wilful and desperate effort to pimish
the sin of a few.
The fearful need of war. — War must be
While men are what the.y are : while they have bad
Passions to be roused up ; while ruled by men ;
While all the powers and treasures of a land
Are at the beok of the ambitious crowd ;
While injuries can be inflicted, or
Insults be offered ; yea, while rights are worth
Maintaining, freedom keeping, or life having,
So long the sword shall shine ; so long shall war
Continue, and the need for war remain.'
16—18. (16) The spoil from Jabesh left some two hundred
men unprovided for. (17) an inheritance, possibility of
inheritance. (18) sworn, bad oaths are better broken. They
schemed to accomp. their eod without appearing to break
o,ath. War and peace in a clmrch. — Also, being to preach at a town
called Eothbury, there was a deadly feud between the inha
bitants so that the men of both sides never met at chair«t

Oap.-sixl. 19—25.1

JUDGES.

167

from triumph to
ruin." — Napoleon
"It war haa Its
chivalry, and its
pageantry, it has

tbe
jaw, and rend the
cheek." — Abbott.
"Tbe measure of
civUisation in a
people is to be
found in ita
wrongfulnres of
wa.T."— Helps.
Sow the seeds of
comfoit in the
time of prospe
rity, and you
may reap a rich
harvest in ad
verse days.
a Life- of B. Gil
pin.

Without bloodshed ; and, therefore, when one party came, the
other used to stay away. But Mr. Gilpin being in the pulpit,
both parties came to church ; one party going into the chancel,
and the other into the body of the church, armed with swords
and javelins. Mr. Gilpin, though somewhat moved by this
uncouth spectacle, yet went on 'in his sermon ; but when their
weapons began to make a clashing sound, and the one side drew -
near to the other, he came down from the pulpit, and, stepping 1 S''° ^'^J'tfZ
to the ringleaders of either faction, laboured to establish a i*ace ; I moniac woe"
and when he could not prevail in that, yet he got a promise from I Bullets respect
them to continue the peace whilst he was in the church, and I f """^"f^^ '¦'''^y
afterwards, whilst he was in those quarters ; and so, going up an^d^ "statte? 7be
again, he spent the rest of the time in disgi-acing that barbarous ' - - •
and bloody custom. At another time, coming to a church in
those parts, before the people assembled, and, walking up and
down, he spied a g love hanging up in the church ; whereupon
he inquired of the sexton the meaning of it, who told him that
it was a glove of one of the parish, who had hung it up as a
challenge to his enemy, with whom he would fight hand to hand,
or with any that durst take it down. Mr. Gilpin requested the
sexton to take it down, who replied, that he durst not. " Then,"
said Mr. Gilpin, "bring me a staff, and I will take it down;"
which, accordingly, he did, and put it into his bosom ; and in his
sermon he to.ok occasion to reprove these inhuman challenges,
and reproved him in particular that had hung up the glove ;
showing him that he had taken it down, and that such practices
were unbecoming Christians."
19 — 25. (19) feast, one of the three festivals, either pass-
over," feast of tabernacles,' or partie. feast peculiar to Shiloh."
The minute description of the place was sent to the Benj. that
they might arrange stealthy approach. Lebonah, el-Lubban,
4 m. S. of Nablous. (20) in wait, hiding till opportunity comes.
(21) dances,"* usual accompaniment of festivals, etc. (22)
brethren, who took leading part in marriage negotiations.
(23) repaired, the damages of the war. (24) departed, no
further need of assembling. (25) right, etc., so wilful, and
often wrong.
'The Benjamite' s w'lckedness (v. 25). — I. The obligations we owe
to civil govemment. AVhere there is no government all manner
of iniquities will prevail. But a vigilant and energetic magis
tracy stems the torrent of iniquity. II. The obligations we owe
to the Gospel of Christ. The restraints of civil government are
extemal only : they cannot reach to the thoughts or dispositions
of the heart. 5ut the Gospel — 1. Establishes a king in Israel ;
2. Rectifies the views of all that receive it ; 3. Regulates the
conduct. Conclusion — We recommend to you — (1) A self-diffi
dent spirit ; (2) A cautious judgment ; (3) An unreserved submis
sion to the King of Israel.'
Tlie iviirk of sin. — Sin wastes and wears out the vigour of
soul and body ; feeds upon all our time and strength, and exhausts
it into the services of lust. Sickness is a, chargeable thing ; a
consumption at once to the person and to the estate. The poor
woman in tho Gospel which had an issue of blood, " spent all
that she had on physicians and was never the better ;" — so poor
smners empty all the powers of soul, of body, of time, of
estate, everything within their icach, upou then' lusts ; and are

the law of
the lawless
a Hengstenberg,
Keil.b Wordsworth,
Jamieson.
c Lange, Spk.Com
d2 Sa. vi. 14
Ex. XV. 20; 1 Sa,
xviii. 6.
V. 25. Z. Mudae,
Ss. 59; J. M.
Neale, Lect 227.
"We never so
truly hate sin, as
when we hate it
for its own ugli
ness and defor
mity; as we
never love God
eot, uly, as wben
we love Him for
Bis own beauty
and excellency.
If we calculate
aright, as we
shall find no
thing better tban
Cxod Himself, for
whicb we should
love Hirn ; so
neither shall we
find anything
worse than sia
itself, for whicli

168

[Cap. xxl. 19—25.

we sbould hate
It." — John Smith.
e C. Simeon, M.A,
V, 19. "'On tbe
east side.* The
Hebrew has, ' to
wards tbe sun-
rising.' D'les a
person ask tbe
way to a place
whicb lias to
wards tbe east,
he will be told to
go to tbe rising
place, to the ris
ing sky. If to tbe
WbSt, walk for
the departed
place, the gone
down place." —
Roberts. f Bp Reynolde,
None have better
reason to rejoice
than tbose wbo
have been
brought to weep
sincerely and
penitently over
their sins. ' Their
sorrow is like a
cloud fringed
with golden
light, very soon
all tbe cloud
will give way to
brightness. t Bp. J. Taylor.

as unsatisfied at last as at the first (Boo. i. 8). Like a silkworm,
whioh works out his own bowels into such a mass wherein him
self is buried, it weareth them out. and suoketh away the radical
strength in the service of it, and yet never giveth them over ;
but as Pharaoh's taskmasters exacted the brick when they had
taken away the straw, so lust doth consume and weaken natural
strength, in the obedience of it ; and yet when nature is ex
hausted, the strength of lust is as great, and the commands as
tyrannous as ever before (Is. Ivii. 10 ; Je. ii. 25). We are to dis
tinguish between the vital force of the faculties, and the activity
of lust which sets them on work, that decays and hastens td
death ; but sin retains its strength and vigour still ; nothing
kills that but the blood of Christ, and the decay of nature arises
out of the strength of sin. The more any man, ifl any lust
whatsoever, makes himself a servant of sin, and the more busy
and active he is in that service, the more will it eat into him and
consume him ; as the hotter the fever is, the sooner is the body
wasted and dried up by it./
Tlie power of sympathy. — Every man rejoices twice when he
has a partner of his joy ; a friend shares my sorrow and makes it
but a moiety ; but he swells my joy and makes it double. For so
two channels divide the river and lessen it into rivulets, and
make it fordable, and apt to be drunk up by the first revels of
the Sirian star ; but two torches do not divide but increase the
flame ; and, though my tears are the sooner dried up, when they
run on my friend's cheeks in the furrows of compassion, yet
when my flame hath kindled his lamp, we unite the glories and
make them radiant, like the golden candlesticks that burn before
the throne of God, because they shine by numbers, by unions,
and confederations of light and joy,*'

The Period of the Jitdges. — The inoral character of the Israelites, as described
iu this book, seems to have undergone a sad change. The generation who were
contemporaries with Joshua were both courageous and faithful, and free in a
great measure from the weakness and obstinacy which had dishonom-ed their
fathers. Their first ardour, however, had somewhat cooled, and more than once
they fell into a state of indifference which Joshua found it needful to rebuke.
Perhaps the whole territory of Palestine was more than they needed or could
usefully occupy. All found it more convenient to make slaves of their subju
gated nations than to expel them. This policy was unwise. It was also sinful.
The results were soon seen. Another generation arose. Living in the neigh
bourhood of idolaters, and with idolaters even in their country, the Israelites
copied their example, intermarried with them, and became contaminated with
their abominations. The grand moral lesson of the whole narrative is given in
the latter half of the second chapter. It is just, however, to add that the
whole period must not be regarded as an uninten-upted series of idolatries.
Some of the disorders mentioned affected only parts of the country, while the
rest was in a better state. In addition to the many who, doubtless, remained
faithful amidst all these corraptions, St. Paul reminds us of several illustrious
examples of courageous fidelity, Heb. xi, 32 (Dr. Angtis),

THE BOOK OF RUTH.

fnlrobuttion:.

I. Title, EtTTH, so called fr. name of that Moabitess whom Boaa married ;
and who became one of the ancestors of the Messiah (iv. 18—22, i. 4—6). II.
Author. Uncertain ; usually believed by the Jews to have been vmtten by
Samuel. It could not have been written before his time as the genealogy, in
iv. 17—22, shows. Some critics ascribe it to Hezekiah, and some also to Ezra,
" The author's name (probably Samuel) is concealed, neither is it needful it
should be known ; for, even as a man that hath a piece of gold that he knows
to be weight, and sees it stamped with the king's image, careth not to know
the name of that man who minted or coined it ; so Ve, seeing this book to
have the snperscription of C»sar, the stamp of the Holy Spirit, need not to be
curioustoknowwhowasthepenmanthereof "(r/w;«as.P'«Ker). III. Date. It
records certain events that happened in the time of the Judges ; but at what
particular time is unknown. Some say the time of Eli (Josephus), of Ehud
(Moldeiihawer), of Shamgar ( Usher) ; by others (Bp. Patrick) the famine
(i. 1) is supposed to have been that of the time of Gideon (Ju. vi. 3— 6) ;
while others (R. Kimchi) think that Boaz was the same person as Ibzan, the
judge. IV. Scope. A sequel to the Book of Judges, and an Intro, to the Bks,
of Samuel ; its object is, plainly to estab. the fact of the descent of David, the
progenitor of the Messiah ; and, " perhaps, by the adoption of Ruth into the
Jewish Church, to intimate the future ingathering of the Gentiles " (Litton).
" It had been foretold to the Jews that the Messiah should be of the tribe of
Judah, and it was afterwards further revealed that he should be of the fam. of
David ; and, therefore, it was necessary, for the full understanding of these
prophecies, that the hist, of the fam., in that tribe, should be written before
these prophecies were revealed, to prevent the least suspicion of fraud or'
design, and thus this bk., these prophecies, and their accomplishment, serve to
illus. ea. other" (Home). V. Characteristics. This little bk. "consists of
only 85 vers. ; but these enclose a garden of roses, as fragrant and full of
mystic calyxes, as those wh. the mod. traveller still finds blooming and twining
ab. the solitary ruins of Israel and Moab, this side the Jordan and beyond.
The significance and beauty of the brief narrative cannot be highly enough
estimated, whether regard be had to the thought wh. fills it, the historical
value wh. marks it, or the pure and charming form in wh. it is set forth " (Dr.
Cassell).

Ssnopsb.

{According to Ayre.)
Sec. I. Naomi's sojourn in Moab  1,
Sec. II> Transactions at Betlilehem ii.— iv. 17
See. III. The pedigree -^.-^....iT. 18—22

The arraugemeirt of the contents by other
writers {at Home, Angus^ tte.) is so similar
that there is no need to ii^ert them here.

Cap. i. 1—10.]

171

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

B.C. 1322.

the family of
Elimelech

1 — 5. (1) judges ruled, during time of crnfugion ; precise
flate cannot 'be known, famine, caused by inroads of enemies
as Midianites." Eethlehem-judah, Ju, x'vii. 7, 8, Moab,
Ge. xix. 37 ; De. ii. 9, 10. (2) Elimelech, my God is king.
THaorai, OI JVoomi, pleasant. Mahlon, iit/i:. Chilion, jwiw/rt^.-
names reflecting the distress of time of their birth. Ephr'a-
thites, see old name of Bethlehem.' (3) left, widowed. (4)
women of Moab, against the law.» Orpah, wane, or prob.
fawn. Euth, vision, beauty,"! or prob. friendship. (5) left,
bereft. Marriages and bereavements (vv. 3 — 5). — I. The marriage of
the two sons. Were these two young men right in marrying V^'^i "lys that
heathen women ? We think not. From this part we remark— "¦'" '''""'"" ""'
1. That mixed marriages are eminently inexpedient and very
dangerous ; 2. That many wed hoping to produce a change ; 3.
That no wise person should marry without the advice or consent
of parents. II. Their death ; " and Mahlon and Chilion died
also both of them."* — Family trials, — I. Ilravy sorrows. Tell
Naomi's tale. Nearly heartbroken. Ilui-band gone. Sons gone.
In a foreign land. No grandchildren to protect her, or urge her
rights of inheritance. Sometimes still one sorrow comes aftc.

a .(n. vi. 1—6.
"Tbe Targum
Junatban, and
many of the
Rabbis, assert
lhat it was in
tbe days of Ib
zan, of Belble-
bcm (Ju. xiL S),
whom they sup
pose to be same
as Buaz. Jose-

tbis famine was
in tbo days of
EIV— Words
worth. b Ge. xxxv. 16—
19.
c De. vii. 3, xxiiL
3; Ne. xiii. 1-3.
d Gesenius.
Bp. Hall, Con-
t..iiip. ; J. Saurin,
Disc. Hist.

134; J. Hughes,
Ruth and her
Kindred.
vv. 1, 2. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Cha. ii. 24.
"Elimelech
seems to bave
beon blamable.

another. Comp. Job i., and show children .how tender ancl
loving they should be toward those who have passed through
many deep sorrows. II. Heavy sorrows lightened by love and
devotion. These just the things Naomi needed. Something to
break the sad sense of loneliness and desolation. Comp. Jesus
forsaken at Gethsemane. Show greatness of Euth's love, andj
how much that we hold dear she gave up for Naomi's sake.
Pastoral poetry, — Dr. Franklin, it is said, was once in thel'i removing
company of several ladies of the English nobility, when the^''°^„*° f^^
conversation tumed npon pastoral poetry, in which the ladies j pc-ople of God.
took a conspicuous part. After hearing their criticism on various ' Tbe famine was
authors, he proposed to read the ti-anslation of a pastoral forjJJ"' ^S ';^''''''™?
their amusement. He read, with a few verbal alterations, the | en j^re it; and
book of Ruth. They were enraptured with the pastoral, and pro- ,' be eviiientiy was
nounced it the finest tbey had ever seen in any language. The ?: person not
doctor then gravely told them that he had read it from the ,^^

likely to want
necessaries

of me.-'—SfOtt.
e W. Braden.
the retum
of Naomi
o Lu. i. 68.

Bible I
6—10. (G) visited," Ge. xxi, 1. (7) These daughters would
hardly have proposed to retum with her if they had not become
proselytes to ^misasm. (8) go, return, Naomi feels how much j
they must sacrifice in following her fortunes. (9) find rest, ;
obtaining husbands among their own people. (10) they, both i " Jhere are good
together. , among infidels,
Kaomi leaving Moab (v. 7). — Note — I. That there is natmally ] and such as, in
a love in every one for their own country. See it in Jethro, 'P"™' °^ civility
Ex. xviii. 27, Nu. x. 29, 30 ; and in Barzillai, 2 Sam. xix. 27. II. poStira? cannot
That corporal means cannot keep the truly religious from theke exceeded by
place where God is worshipped, if they may enjoy the means of I the bc-^t profcs-
life in a poor measure. Naomi -s^'ould not stay in Moab, though I ^°^'^-^^^j^'?°'^^™j
ehe in Judah had nothing to maintain her.' to rest in those
Importance of religion to tlie yonng. — A friend was press- ijuaUties, which

¦¦'l*i.«.-»*

172

RUTB.

reap. 1. 11-18.

>.0. 1322.

ing on a young lady of fifteen the importance of thinking
tuiu,uvu ,„ °^ religion , she replied, she would think of it when she was
theni^" that"" are older, and added, ¦' L will enjoy the world while I am young."
without God."— In vain did her friend remind her of the uncertainty of life ; she
appeared displeased, and regretted her resolution. But mark
the result. In about three weeks afterwards, that- friend
attended her funeral. " Boast not thyself oi to-morrow, for thoii
knowest not what a day may bring forth."
11 — 14. (11) your husbands, according to Le'vit. law." (12)
too old, not perhaps in age, but broken down with many sor
rows, past such interests. (13) Lit. Tiiere is more b'lttemess to
me than to yon, since the hand of the Lord is gone forth against
me ; i.e. you may have husbands and children, I may not.' (14)
kissed with a parting kiss, clave," clung to her.
But Ruth clave imto lier (v. 14). — I. Eutti's caU : her call to be
a chUd of God. She vas bom a heathen. But God had His eye
upon her to bring her to Him. II. Ruth's choice : it was unex
pected, had to be decided speedily. III. Ruth's crown. Read
her history and see how she was blest.'' — Orpah and Ruth (v. 14),
— I. See in Orpahi the portrait of. a mere professor. As Orpah
behaved to Naomi, even so do many professing Christians behave
to Christ anc't His brethren. 1, She wept; 2. She kissed Naomi ;
3. She journeyed part of the way; 4. But she did not leave
Moab ; 5. She went back alone. II. See in Ruth the portrait of
a> genuine professor, 1. She was resolute in her decision ; 2. Sha
entirely left aU.""
A widow's inquiry in the East. — So said Naomi to the widows
of her sons who were follo'wing her. 'When a mother has lost
her son, should his widow only come occasionally to see her, the
mother will be displeased, aud affect to be greatly surprised when
ahe doea come. " Do I again see you ? " " Is it possible ? " "Are
there any more sons in my womb 1 " But the mother-in-law also
uses this form of expression when she does not wish to see the
widow. 15 — 18. (15) her gods, her retum involved giving np the
Judaism she seems to have embraced. Chief god of Moab was
Chemosh.' (16) intreat,'' or force me not ; be not against me
in this. (17) do so to me, freq. form of imprecation. (18)
stedfastly-minded, had really set her heart ou it.
Ruth's choice (vv. 16, 17). — The choice is — I. Full and un
limited : the God of Israel is her choice, and Hig people. II.
AfEectionate. See in Ruth's language all the eagemess and fer
vour of holy love. III. Determined. IV. Final. It is made for
Ufe. V. Made in spite of many discouragements." — Tlie influence
of true affection (v. 16). — In Ruth behold— I. A beautiful illus
tration of the influence of true affection. 1. She abandons
every prospect among her own people; 2. In accompanying
Naomi she throws herself upou entire strangers. II. An illus
tration of the character and feelings of a true oouvei-t — of a truly
pious person. 1. Her abandonment of former objects of trust
and devotion ; 2. Her choice of the true God as her portion ; 3.
Her choosing the people of God as her people; 4. The irrevocable
nature of her purpose. III. One of the richest sources of parental
joy. IV. An encouragement to pious example and effort./— .4.
sermon from Ruth (vv. 16, 17), — Gaze on the picture before us.

are common to

Bp. Hall.
b R. Bernard,
MA.

Orpah
retums to
her people
a Deut. xxxv. &.
b Wordsworth.
e Perf. of cleave,
A. S., elifaw,
eliJSan.T. 14. C. E. Ken-
naway, Ss. to
Toung 288; Dr.
H. Hughes, Fem.
Cha. ii. 46; R.
W. Dibdin, Ss. 1.
d J. Bolton.
t B. A. Griffin.
"None ever
thirst after God
and righteous
ness but those
wbo in some
measure already
enjoj' the one
and possess tbe
other." — Thtmias
d Kempi*.

Bnth cleaves
to Naomi
a Nu. xxi. 29.
b Gomp. 2 Ei. U.
2—6.
tm. 14—17. /.
Jowett, Lect. 102.
». IS. Dr, T. Ful
ler, How Far Ex
amples may be
Followed, ---Jo-
tepKs Parti
coloured Coat."
e Dr. H. Belfrage.
m, 15—17. Bp,
Wilson, Ss. 272.
V. 16. /. Jenkins,
Disc. iL 121; /.
Edwards, Wks. i.
664; B. W. Sul
livan, Ss. 1. 114,
fDr.J.Ftrrit.

Cap. U. 1-3.]

RUTH.

173

See Ruth's strong', tender, generous heart crying, " Entreat me bo. 1322.
not to leave thee." This picture says to us — I. Such constancy
is inculcated by the religion of Jesus. II. If a human heart
could be thus constant, oan we doubt the constancy of God t
III. Behold, what stronger constancy is due from us to God.
Think of— 1. The charms of His person; 2, The value and
necessity of His work to us.»
Wliere thou diest I will d'le. — The dreadful practice of widows
buming themselves on the funeral pile with the dead bodies of
their husbands, has made the declaration of the text familiar to
tile native mind. Henoe a wife, when her husband is sick, should
he be in danger, will say, " Ah 1 if he die, I also will die ; I will
go with him; yes, my body, thou also shalt be a corpse." A
slave, also, to a good master, makes use of the same language.
Husbands sometimes boast of the ' affection of their wives, and
compare them to the eastem stork, which if it lose its mate in
the night is said immediately to shriek and die.*
19 — 22, (19) moved, her retum all alone excited greatest
sjTnpathy with her, (20) Mara, bitter." (21) full, with hus
band and two sons. ¦ empty, all three gone, only a relative by
marriage her companion, testified against me, the sight of
her old home renews the bittemess of her grief ; these the ex- [ <» Ek. xr. 23.
pressions of an overwhelmed heart (22) barley harvest,
beginning of harvesting operations.
Pile scliool of adversity (vv. 19 — 21). — Consider the benefit ofi
nn afflictive dispensation. I. This is God's mode of carrying on I "^- <*<*• ^••*-
a heavenly education. II. It produces a moral sensibility. III. j..<j<,j ^l^j^g ^
It produces a light ia a dark plaoe. IV. It prepares the mind for structeth how to
prosperity.* — Naomi's return (». 19). — " Is this Naomi 1 " Take j moum. He doth
this question as indicating — I. A joyful recognition. The return l h'^her'teson'to
of the wanderer should always — 1. Excite joy ; 2. Produce the voice or hand
utterance of joy; not enough to feel kindly; we must express, subordinate. Be
it. II. A wondering inqniiy. Tantamount to, "Can it bei^°^^,%'""^^''^
Naomi?" See how changed. 'What sorrow on her once beaming' jiTaoipie-^bow
face. Have we not seen suoh changes ? The fairest flower faded f thyself to leam
But the greatest subject for wonder and regret is the altered ""> alphabet of
appearance of the returned spiritual wanderer. Moab ever leaves goiowp' ~
its marks. God heals the wounds of backsliding, but leaves the
Bears, that they may admonish us and others. III. A thankful " Who has not
surprise. " We have heard of all she has gone through : we ^o*™ '•' '<>'-
,¦,, ,, . 1.1 i^T-i tune never knew
never expected she would survive, much less return. Is it, himself, or his
Naomi!" Leam frotn this— 1. That G,od knows best our capacity own virtue."—.
find strength for affliction. 'What others expect would undo us,
He knows we can bear ; 2. That He sustains in them all, and
brings us back to joy and rest ; 3. That He exalts Himself by
making us to be the monuments of His sustaining goodness and
continued forbearance."

DO. 16, 17. D. Gib
son, Ss 55.
oc. 16, 18. J. MO-
rm-, Ss. iii. 342,
g R. A. Griffin.
-* Death opens
tbe gate of fame,
and shuts the
gate of envy
after it; It un
looses the chain
of the captive,
and pats the
bondsman's task
into another
man's hand," ^
/. Sterne.
h Robert*.
ITaomi aud Buth
arrive at
Bethlehem

». 19. C Simeon,
Wis. iii. 95.

Hallet.

CHAPTER TBE second.
1 — 3, (1) kinsman," lit. acquaintance, but meaning a rela- ?"?J ^®?i?*
tion, not necessarily a very near one. Boaz,^ = strength is in ^ ^az *
liim. The phrase describing him appears to indicate energy and I „_
vigour of character, rather then merely wealth. (2) glean, Le. | ^^j „, very'n'ear
xix, 10, Moses commanded that the dropped ears, etc., should be i relative, but one

c B. A. Oriffia.

m

RUTH.

[Cap tl 4—7.

B.O. 1312,

•known' to the
family, as be
longing to it. It
was an acquaint
ance valid within
the familylines."
— Lange.
bl Ki.vii. 21; «
Cbron. iii. 27.
e Le. xix. -9, 10,
xxiii. 22; De.
xxiv. 19.
Bo. Ball, Con
temp. ; J. Saurin,
Disc. Hist. Iv.li2,
tv. 2, 3. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Cha. ii. 68.
eDr.CJ.Taughan.See Tfiomson's
Seasons, " Au
tumn," line 177 j?.
*¦ As adversity
Jeads us to think
properly of our
state, it is most
benefl<'.ial to us."
~-Johnson. d R. A. Griffin.
"He tbat is
taught to live
upou little, owes
ZQore to his
father's wisdom,
tban he tbat has
a great deal left
him, does to liis
father's care." —
fenn.
f Burder.

Boaz visits
his harvest
mena Fr., demoiselle;
It., damigella.
6 "Bather, 'as
to her stay in the
house, tbat is
little.' " — Words-
worth.e Lange, Spk. Com.
d Wordsworth.
V. 4. Dr. J. Boys,
Wks. 26; Dr. H
Mole, On the Li
turgy, i. 2. '8; T.
Rogers. Lect. i.
317 ; C. Simeon,
Wks. iii. 100.
e B. Dale, M.A.
'While Benevo-

left for the poor, stranger, and widow." Obs. india of Naomi's
great need, grace, permission to glean. (3) hap, or chance -.
Sie did not know of Boaz, or seek his iield intentionally.
Ruth going to glean (v. 2).— T. Trae affection shows itself in
deeds as well as words. 1. Many make a good profession, but
neglect to labour ; 2. Many will work for Christ if they be very
eamestiy exhorted. Ruth requested to go; 3. Others, when de
siring to engage in any particular work, are not careful to inquire
of the Lord if it be His will. Ruth would not ^o however with
out permission. II. True aff'ection disregards all pride. There
was great humility in — 1. Her proposition. She would work for
their bread, rather than keep up appearances by a proud endur
ance of poverty; 2. Her expectations. She hc^es to gain the
recognition and help of Boar. III. True affection never
makes excuses. Ruth might have said— 1. "Why should I glean I
Your kinsman ia rich ; 2. I have never done so before ; 3. Naomi
is no real relation of mine ; 4. Surely I have sacrificed enough
for her already ; 5. I would go if she went!'' — Fa'ith working (v.
2).^Work is universally God's ordinance for His creatures. I.
Nature works. Sometimes in the mere consciousness of health
and vitality. 1. Wealth; 2. "Want; 3. Covetousness, 4. Ambi
tion; b. Knowledge; 6. Duty- all work. II. Faith works. And
the work of faith looks — 1, "Within; 2, Upward; 3, Around, 4.
Onward.«, Gleaning.— The word glean comes from the French planer, to
gather ears or grains of eom. This was formerly a general
custom in England and Ireland : the poor went into the fields,
and collected the straggling ears of corn after the reapers ; and
it ¦was long supposed that this was their right, and that the law
recognised it : but although it has been an old custom, it is now
settled by a solemn judgment of the Court of Common Pleas,
that a right to glean m the harvest-field caunot be claimed -y
i any person at common law. Any person may permit or prevent
it in his own grounds. By certain Acts of Henry "VIII., gleaalng
and leasing are so restricted, as to be, in fact, prohibited in that
part of the United Kingdom./
4 — 7. (4) A visit of inspection. For salutatiesn comp. Ps.
cxxix. 7, 8. (5) servant, lit. yonng man. damsel," younj
unmarried woman. So Boaz thought. (6) Man's ans. indie, bnb
imperfect knowledge^ (7) let me glean, as a Moabitess she
had asked special permission, tarried a little,* indic. she
wasted no time, so eager did she seem to get food, house, shed
or booth ; ' or poss. Naomi's hou.se.*
Boax and the reapers {y. i). — I. The presence and blessing of
God. 1 . The Lord is present in ymir fields , 2. His power, faith
fulness, and gooduess are still displayed ; 3. His providential care
is over the affairs of individual men. II. The relation between
master and servant. "Where this relation is as it should be, they
will — 1. Think well of each other : 2. Act well towards each
other; 3. Speak courteously to each other; 4. Pray for one
another. III. Religion ainong companions in labour. 1. Every
oue should watoh against the influeuoe of ungodly companions ;
2. No one should be asharaed of his religion ; 3. All should be
careful how they speak ou religious things.'
Gleaning barley. — Travelling on the plains of Bethlehem, I
was struck by and equally delighted with the sight of tha reapera

Oap, li, 8-12,1

RUTB.

175

in the iields cutting barley, and after every company were women
and children gleaning, just as Buth did when Boaz came to look
after his labourers. In the evening may be seen some poor
¦woman or maiden, that has been permitted to glean on her own
account, sitting by the roadside, and beating out with a stick or
a stone what she has gathered, just as Ruth did. I have often
watched this process in various parts of the country. The entire
scene might be enacted at the present day by the dwellers in
Bethlehem, with but trifling omissions and variations. The
salutations that passed between the proprietor and the labourers
are no exaggeration of modern politeness. " The Lord be with
you," is merely the " Allah m'akum," of ordinary parlance ; and
so, 'too, the response, " The Lord bless thee." Again, it is implied
that there was a considerable number of reapers, and that the
reaping season was prolonged for a considerable time ; for it is
added in i;. 23, that Ruth continued until the end of barley
harvest, and of wheat harvest, which are quite distinct, occur in
the order here stated, and are protracted through several weeks.
It is further intimated that the reapers were apt to be rude in
their deportment toward defenceless females, and hence the
command of Boaz in the 9th verse. Such precautions are not
out of place at this day. The reapers are gathered from all parts
of the country, and largely from the ruder class, and, living far
from home, throw off aU restraint, and give free license to their
tongues, if nothing more. The meals, too, are quite in keeping,
the dipping her morsel in the vinegar, and the parched corn./
8—12. (8) hearest, or hast thou not heard. Boaz intends
to fix the permission aheady given, another field, as there
were no hedges, Ruth might easily miss the land marks.
maidens, cut the com ; young men bound the sheaves." Close
foUowing the reapers, Ruth would glean more. (9) touch
thee, interfere with, or be rude to thee. (10) fell, etc.,*' Eastem
attitude of reverence. (11) Boaz made fuller inquiries than we
have narr&d. (12) under -whose wings,' De. xxxii. 11.
Tlw wings of tive Almighty (v. 12).— I. They were swift wings
imder whioh Ruth had come to trust. II. They were very broad
¦wings. They covered up all her wants, aU her sorrows, all her
Bufferings. There is room under those wings for the whole race.
III. They were strong wings : mighty to save, mighty to destroy.
rv. They were gentle -wings. Here stay then ; for under these
-wings is the only safe nest.*
The value of kindness. —
Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our misery from our foibles springs :
Since life's best joys consist in peace and ease.
And few can save or serve, but all may please j
Oh ! let th' ungentle spirit learn from hence,
A small unkindness is a great offence.
Large bounties to restore, we wish iu vain.
But all may shun the guilt of giving pain.
To bless mankind with tides of flowing wealth.
With power to grace them, or to crown with health.
Our little lot denies, but heaven decrees
To all the gift of ininist'ring ease ;
The mUd forbearance at another's fault ;
The taunting word, suppress'd as soon as thought;

B.O. 1312.
lence has a
tender heart,
compasionateeye, and hands
as soft as the
down of in
nocence, she is
shod with brass,
to spurn at
dangers, and
trample difficul
ties under foot.
Men become as
strongly attach
ed to others by
the benefits they
render as by the
favours tbey re
ceive.
fDr. Thomson.
" He is rich who
saves a penny a
year ; and he
poor wbo runs
behind a penny
in a year.'' —
Skaton.

Boaz speafa)
kindly to
Eutha Some think the
women bound
sheaves. Others,
aa RoHnson, say
tbe women were
only gleaners.
They wonld
hardly then be
called by Boaz,
my maidens.
b Ge. xxxiii. 3.
cPs. xvii. 8,
xxxvi. 7; Matt.
xxiii. 37.
w. 11, 12. C. Si
meon, Wks. UL
102.
V. 12. Dr. R.
I Sordon, ii. 418.
d Dr. Talmage.
"Ask the man
of adversity how
otber menace to
wards bim ; ask
tbose others how
he acts towards
them. Adversity
is the true touch
stone of merit in
both; happy ifit
does not produce
the dishonesty of
mcaness in one,
and tbat of inso
lence and pride
in tbe other."—
Oreville.

176

EUTB.

[Oap, 11, 13-^23.

1312.
« ff. More.
Boaz pro
tects Buth
a " A quantity of
the best ears, not
too ripe, are
plucked with tbe
stalks attached.
Tbese are tied
into small par
cels, a blazing
fire is kindled
with dry grass
«,nd thora
bushes, and tbe
corn-heads are
tield in it until
the chaff is
mostly burned
off. The grain is
(bus sufBcieutly
roasted to be
eaten." — Thorn
ton,b Conder, la BU)
Educator.
cSpk. Com.
d C. B. Spwgetm.
elbid.
V. 14. Dr. Porter
describes a siml-
larscene: "Each
£roup squatted
fn a circle round
fl huge bowi
cf burghni —
masters and ser
vants, with equal
freedom, tearing
otf little bits of
thin soft bread,
iind nsing tbem
as spoons to lift
the savoory steir
^-thUB dipping
their ' morsels '
or 'sops 'into the
dish."
Suth con
fides in, and
Is advised
by Naomi
« " The goel had
the right of re
deeming the in
heritance of tbe
person ; of mar
rying the widow;
»nd of avenging
tbe deatb. (See
Le. xxv. 26—31,
47—65 ; De. xxv.
«— 10. xix. 1-13)."
JSptc. Com.
i R. Bernard,

On these Heaven bade the bliss of life depend,
And crush'd iU fortune when it made a friend,"
13 — 17. (13) friendly, to tJie heart, in what he had said of
her casting iu her lot with Naomi not like, etc., being a
foreigner. (14) vinegar, sour wine mingled with oil. parched
com,* commou food of oountry. left, had some over, see v. 18.
(15) aniong the sheaves, close up to reapers, reproach,
Heb. shame her not. (16) of purpose, on purpose. (17) beat
out, with a stick, or a stone, ephah, six and a quarter gaUona
nearly.' About a bushel," comp. omer, Ex. xvi. 16, 18, 22, 36.
And slie did eat, and mas sufficed (v. 14). — When Jesus is the
host, none go empty away. He satisfies our head, our heart, our
hope, and our desire ; He fills our conscience, our judgment, our
memory, and our imagination.'' — Ruth gleaning (v. 17). — I. The
gleaner gathers her i>ortion ear by ear : her gains are little by
little. Every ear helps to make a bundle, and every gospel lesson
assists in making us wise unto salvation. II. The gleaner keeps
her eye open. We must be watchful in religious exercises. III.
The gleaner stoops for all she finds : and so must we. A humble
heart is a great help towards profiting by the Gospel, A stiff back
makes a bad gleaner, IV, What the gleaner gathers she holds:
she is as careful to retain as to obtain, and so at last her gains
are great.*
Treatment of females in the East (v. 14). — It is proverbial that
the customs of the East have, in most particulars, scarcely
changed since patriarchal times; in relation, however, to the
practice indicated by the text, a change for the worse seems to
have taken place. Lane, in his Modern Mgyptians, says, " The
wives, as well as the female slaves, are not only often debarred
from the privilege of eating with the master of the family, but
also required to w4it upon him when he dines or sups, or even
takes his pipe and coffee in the harem. They frequently serve
him as menials ; fill and light his pipe, make coffee f 9r him, and
prepare his food." Mr. Came mentions, in his Recollections of
the East, that having been hospitably received in the house of a
Syrian family, living in a large town in Syria, and the repast
being uow ready, " We would fain have shared it with the fair
preparers, who had so well received the houseless stranger ; but
they declined, and stood calmly and silently gazing at the good
will with which their viands Were devoured."
18 — 23. (18) reserved, of her share of the bread and parched
com. (19) -where, etc., Naomi was surprised at her success.
(20) near Of kia, Naomi may not yet have learned that Boaz
was alive ; as soon as she heard his name, hope sprung up in her.
He was one who had a "right to redeem." next kinsman,
\goel, or redeemer.'^ (21) all my harvest, gleanings of wh.
would supply the two women for a long time. (22) meet thee
not, her being found in another field would show slight of Boaz's
kindly treatment, and grieve him. (23) -wheat, a month later,
Naomi's prayer for Boaz (v. 20). — Fi-ora this note — I. That
prayer in and by every true member of the Church hath been
only made unto God. II. That it is the Lord that doth bless and
make happy. III. That the Lord will bless the merciful. IV,
That the poor's reward unto the rich for their works of charity
is only their prayer to God for them,'

Cap, 111, 1-4,1

RUTB.

177

The Duke of Northumberland. — The Abbe de Percie, on the
commencement of the revolution in Prance, was obliged to flee
from his living in Normandy to this country. Soon after his
arrival in London, he was surrounded, in New-street, Covent-
garden, and robbed of twenty guineas, which he had received
but a few minutes before at Sir Robert Herrie's. With the re
mainder of his little property he went to Bath, where it was soon
expended. In this dilemma, his countrymen there reminded him
that he was related to the noble EngUsh family of the Percys ;
and, as the Duke of Northumberland was at that time at Bath,
they advised him to apply to his Grace for relief. The sWo6 imme
diately wrote to the duke, who retumed a polite answer, request
ing a few days for investigation. In the meantime, his Grace
-wrote to Lord Harcourt, at whose houee the Due d'Harcourt re
sided, and inquired whether the Abbe de Percie was of the
family of the de Percies of Noi-mandy ; and. finding the state
ment correct, he transmitted to his newly-discovered cousin a
gold box, with a bank note enclosed in it for one thousand
pounds, and a general invitation tp his table, whioh was from
that daj- open to him.

CHAPTER THE THIRD.
1 — 4. (1) rest," resting-place, ch. i. 9. This suggestion came
-to Naomi on hearing of Boaz, her kinsman, and the family goel, as
she supposed. (2) he ¦winnoweth,' obs. how in those simple
times the master shared in the work. The straw was not so much
valued as now, the grain threshed out, etc., on the field for con
venience of storing. ' to-night, for sake of evening breeze.
threshing-floor, piece of hard, trodden ground, near the fields.
(3) raiment, her best. (4) uncover his feet," lie do-wn at his
feet, and claim a kinsman's right to share his coverlet.
Marriage a state of rest (v. 1). — I. In respect of the mind of
all snch as desire marriage, and have not the gift of continency.
II. For the contentment and delight which one ought to have in
the other, and in the blessing of posterity. Leam — Let married
parties labour to make it an estate of rest and peaoe. (1) To love
one anotiier entirely ; (2) To perform duties of love cheerfully ;
(3) To bear one another's infirmities patiently ; (4) To take
¦their outward estate of God thankfully and contentedly; (5)
Pray for one another daily; (6) Eaoh to take his own faults,
and not charge the other.''*
Winnom'ing at night. — In these regions much of the agricul
tural labour is performed in the night. The sun is so hot, and so
pemicious, that the farmers endeavour, as much as possible, to
avoid its power. Hence numbers plough and irrigate their fields
and gardens long after the sun has gone down, or before it rises
in the moruing. The wind is also generally stronger in the night,
which might induce Boaz to prefer that season. From the next
two verses we leam that he took his supper there, and slept
among the barley. Corn, in the East, is not kept in stacks, but,
after being reaped, is in a few days threshed on the spot. The
threshing-floor is a circle of about forty feet in diameter, and
consists generally of olay and cow-dung, without wall or fence.
Under these circumstances, it is necessary for some of the people
VOL. III. O.T. M

V. 20. H. Melvia,
Uct. 331 ; B.
Caddell, Ss. 172.
" If ever you
bave look'd on
better days ; if
ever been where
brllHhaveknoirdto church; ilever
sat at any good
man*s feast ; if
ever from your
eyelids wiped a
tear, and know
wbat 'tis to pity
and be pitied ;
let gentleness my
strong enforce-
ni e n t b e." —
Sluikespeare.

ITaomi counselsButha - Marriage was
regnrded as the
natural fulfll-
ment of woman's
calling, without
wb. her life was
helpless, and
defon('ele.=s, as
that of a people
without a God."
— Lange.
b " Tbe grain
after threshing
^»aB thrown up
against the wind
with a shovel, or
fork." — Robinson.
c"Boaz prob.
slept upon a mat
or skin; Buth
lay crosswise at
his feet — a posi
tion in wb. East
ern servants fre
quently sleep in
tbe same cham
ber or teut. with
their master;
and if they want
a covering, cus
tom a'lowR them
that benefit from
part of tbe cover-
ing on their
master's bed."
Jamwsiin. d R. Bernard.

178

RUTB.

[Cap. iii. 5—13.

B.C. 1312.
J. Saurin, Disc.
Hiet. iv. 147.
e Roberts.
Bnth's obedience
to Naomi
a Ja. xvi. 29,
" took hold of."
b Wordsworth.
tSpk. Com.
d Eze. xvi. 8.
" A t all the mar- i
riages of tbe }
modem Jewel
and Hindoos, I
one part of the ;
ceremony is for j
tbe bridegroom 1
to put a silken |
or cotton cloak '
around bis
bride." — Jamie
son. "It is remarked
tbat the modest
deportment of
real -wise mon, \
when contrasted!
to tbe assuming'
air of tbe young
and ignorant,
may be com
pared to tbe
differences of
wheat, which
while its ear is
empty holds up
its head proudly,
bnt as Boon as it
is fllled -with
grain bends mo
destly tiown, and
withdraws from
observation."—/. Beaumont.
e Roberts.

the part of
a kinsman
a Comp. law in
De. XXT. 6—10.
O wives and
mothers! be wise
before it is too
latei Live so as
to enjoy every!
clay of ynur life, j
Ten years hence, |
or even to-moi--!

to sleep near the com till all shall have been threshed and taken
home." 5 — 9. (5) -will do, though prob. strange customs whose pur
port she did not fuUy understand. (6) floor, v. 2. (7) merry,
¦with joy of harvest; but not drunken, end . . corn, the
reapers slept in the field for convenience of neamess, and to
protect the grain. (8) turned himself, <» lit. bent overf bent for
ward," to see what was touching his feet. (9) spread, etc.,* the
Eastem symbol of taking one under protection, near kins
man, ch. ii. 1, 20.
Tlu! near kinsman (v. 9). — I. Christ is our near kinsman— 1. By
birth : He took our nature ; 2. By condescending love : He came
to His own ; did not diso-wn them ; 3. By self-sacrificing grace :
loved ns to the end ; 4. By present thoughtful care : He is the
Lord of providence. II. Let the poorest, and most friendless —
Hke the widowed Rnth — leam to trust Him. He will cast the
robe of His righteousness over them ; as the father, the best
robe over the retuming prodigal.
Spread'ing the skirt (v. 9). — The prophet Ezekiel, in describing
the Jewish Church as an exposed infant, mentions the care of
God in bringing her up with great tendemess, and then, at the
proper time, marrying her ; whioh is expressed in the same way
as the request of Ruth : " I spread my skirt over thee," ..." and
thou becamest mine." Dr. A. Clarke says, " Even to the present
day, when a Jew marries a woman, he throws the skirt, or end of
his talith, over her, to signify that he has taken her under his
protection." I have been delighted at the marriage ceremonies
of the Hindoos, to see among them the same interesting custom.
The bride is seated on a throne, siurounded by matrons, having
on her veil, her gayest robes, and most valuable jewels. After
the thaii has been tied round her neck, the bridegroom approaches
her with a silken skirt (purchased by himself), and folds it round
her several times over the rest of her clothes. A common way
of saying he has married her is, " he has given her the koori,"
has spread the skirt over her. There are, however, those who
throw a long robe over the shoulders of the bride, instead of put
ting on the skirt. An angry husband sometimes says to his wife,
" Give me back my skirt," meaning, he wishes to have the
marriage compact dissolved. So the mother-in-law, should the
daughter not treat her respectfully, says, "My son gave this
woman the koori (skirt) and has made her respectable, but she
neglects me." The request of Buth, therefore, amounted to
nothing more than that Boaz should marry her."
10—13. (10) latter end, referring to her -willingness to-
accept him as husband," though he was old, and comparing this
¦with her goodness to Naomi. (11) city, gate, virtuous, if
not, he might be released fr. the obligation. (12) nearer than
I, on whom duty of marrying her rested. (13) until the
morning', when she might retum safely to Naomi.
Ruth the virtuous (v, 11). — Observe — I. Ruth's industry. She
accompanies Naomi to the land of Israel, but not to live on pub
lio charity, or become the humble pensioner of affluent relatives.
It is work, not charity, she asks. II. Her humility : wiUing to
engage in any honest work, however humble, she bends like a

Oap. 111. 14—18.]

RUTH.

179

reed to the blast. III. Her affection to Naomi : she stays when
her sister leaves.'
A fortunate suppliant. — In the inclement part of the winter
of 1782, a poor girl stood curtseying at the kitchen window of
an elderly gentleman, in the environs of the Metropolis, who
observing the distressed object, and the severe weather to whioh
she was exposed, ordered her to be taken into the kitchen, to be
well warmed and fed. When she was going away, the weather
was so stormy, that the gentleman ordered a bed to be made up for
her. Next moming, by the master's directions, the servants put
her into decent clothing, and she was sent into the parlour, to
thank and take leave of her kind benefactor. The gentleman
made some inquiries respeoting her, and found that she was of a
respectable family, with whioh, in early life, he had some ac
quaintance ; and finding her willing to go to servioe, agreed to
take her into his house. Here, by industry and good behaviour,
in a few years, she rose from the office of kitchenmaid to that of
housekeeper, when the old gentleman was taken dangerously ill.
Her gratitude then redoubled her attentions towards him, and he
became so attached to her, that he -would not suffer any other
person to nurse him. Finding himself grow worse, he made his
will ; and, with the exception of a few trifling legacies, left hor
the whole of his property, amounting to several thousand pounds,
plate, fumiture, etc. She afterwards married a gentleman of
fortune.' 14 — 18, (14) one , . another, meaning in the first appear
ance of dawn, before others were about, he said, not aloud,
but to himself. Sending her away thus early, and with a bundle
cf grain, to avoid scandal." (15) also, with the same intent.
vail, prob. mantle, or loose cloak ; the vail, however, was large,
like " a sheet, and it was wrapped round the faoe and head, con
cealing all but one eye." six, etc., twice as much as her gleaning.
(16) who . . thou, showing Ruth reached Naomi before daylight ;
or inquiring what had happened. (17) empty, without a gift.
(18) sit still, wait for further tidings.
A name famous in Israel (c, 14). — Boaz — I. An upright man
(iv. 1 — 12). II. A good master (ii. 4). III. A thoughtful bene
factor (ii. 5—17). IV. An ancestor of the Messiah.— j1?j old
moman's advice to tlw yo-iing (v. 18). — " Sit still," etc. .This good
advice to all in like circumstances —I. Such are apt to be impa
tient : woman's love moves faster than man's. II. Sueh impa
tience is apt to hurry one into obtrusiveness. III. Suoh obtru-
siveness is apt to repel the thoughtful suitor. IV. Such thought
fulness can appreciate modest worth.
Female influence. — A remarkable instance of the influence of
the female sex over minds little likely to be swayed by it, occurred
in the case of John Banier, an eleve of the great Gustavus Adol
phus, and one of the greatest generals Europe ever produced.
This brave man owed much of his glory to his first wife, and
tarnished it by his second. While the wife whom he brought
from Sweden lived, he was successful in every undertaking ; she
accompanied him in every campaign, and was always found to
console and cheer him in every danger and difliculty, and to urge
him onward wherever glory was to be gained. After her death,
Banier became smitten with a lovely young Gennan princess,
whom he married ; this circumstance proved the grave of all his
m2

B.C. 1812.
row, ynu may
die. Live so that
your pre.seuco
i will gladden the
¦lives ofj'uur dear
ones, more tban
anything your
hwnds can win
for them.
"Tbou Shalt
stand a deity,
sweet woman I
and be wor
shipped." — Ford.
b Percy Anec.
" Amaidennever
bold, of spirit so
stili and quiet,
tbjit her motion
blushed at it
self." — Shake
speare.

Naomiadvises
patience
a " A good heart
is no ii^t^s afraid
of a scandal than
of a sin." — Bp.
HaU.
A good woman
never grows old.
Years may paas
over ber bead,
but, if benevo
lence and virtue
dwell in ber
heart, she is
as ctieei'tul as
when the spring
of life fir.-t open
ed to ber view.
Wbo does not
respect and love
the woman wlio
has passed her
davs in acts of
kindness and
raercy — wbo bas
heen tbe friend
of man antl G-, d
whtise wholo
life bas been a
scene of kind
ness and love,
and a devotion
to truti'? -Wo
repeat, sucb a
woman cannot
grow old. iSbo
will ahvays be
fresh aud : uoy-

180

RUTB.

[Cap. IV. 1—8.

s.o. 1312.
ant in spirits,
and active in
humble deeds of
mercy and bene-!
volence.

military fame, for she soon rendered him as eff^ininate as her
self ; and six weeks after his marriage he died of grief at having
tarnished his fame as a general by a gross neglect of his military
duties.

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.

1—5. (1) gate, De. xxv. 7. such an one, his name pur
posely not given. (2) ten men,* necess. to make a lawful
assembly. (3) selleth, etc., prob. should be has soU. Land
might be sold, on lease, terminating with next jubilee ; but the
qoel or redeemer of a family, could, by purchase, at any time free
the land again.' (4) thought^ resolved, redeem it, so fulfil
his duty. (5) buy it, by marrying Ruth, according to Levirate
Ho ! such an one I turn aside (v, 1).— I. Here is a noticeable
blank in history. Curiosity would like to know some names that
doubtless for -svise reasons the Bible withholds. II. It may be
sometimes necessary to re.cord events that are discreditable to the
chief actors ; and in such cases it may be well to conceal names.
III. Too great care about one's worldly interests may occasion loss
of that which most concems one. IV. The faithful, though
costly discharge of duty, may lead to true and abiding fame.
v,,..,,. v^.„„. To advertise (v. 4).— To advertise, is commonly used, especially
his work mast by the historians of and previous to the EUza'bethan penod, in
first sharpen his ^y^^ sense of " inform," " advise." Thus in the original letters
^im'" ~ ""''"''''' (Sir H. EUis), Letter xxxi. (Lord Surrey to King James IV. of
Scotland) :— " Right highe and mightie Prince, so itt is that
latelie I sent unto you. Rouge Crosse, pursevant at Armes, and by
him advertised your Grace that I and other, my Sovereigne
Lord's subjects, were come to represse and resist your Invasions,"
eto. Latimer's 5th Serm. — " I advertise thee, therefore, my fellow-
subjects, use thy tongue better."i=
g_8. (6) mar, by investing money in what would belong
not to himself, but to any son Ruth might have :¦¦ or he might
objeot to her Moabitish origin." (7) changing, transfer of
rights fr. one to another, conflrm, make irrevocable, plucked"
. . neighbour, comp. De. xxv. 9, mitigated in this case. (8)
he drew, i.e. Boaz.
Old ciistcnns (v. 7). — I. They are often quaint and, to us
modems, meaningless ; yet may be important relics of the past.
II. They should not be contemptuously cast aside, unless they
serve to perpetuate the memory of ancient feuds and follies.
III. Many old customs are more honoured in the breach than in
the observance. IV. Good old customs should be observed both
as old— out of respect to ancestors; and good — as useful to
ourselves. Taking off the shoe.-^'Fhe simple object in taking off the shoe,
was to confirm the bargain : it was the testimony or memorial of
the compact. In Deuteronomy it is mentioned that the brother
of a deceased husband shall marry the widow, but should ho
refuse, ther, the widow is to "go up to the gate unto the elders
lowed." — i/Mte- j and say. My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his
fr"^; fl brother a name iu Israel ; he will not perform the dnty of my
often reason! husband's brother." Then the elders were to oaU the man, and

Boaz challeng-es the near
kinsm.aa a 0 o m p. G e.
xviii. 32; Ju. vi.
27; 1 Sa. i. 8;
Eccles. vii. 19.
Among mod.
Jews ten men
are necess. to
conetitnte ft
Bynagogue.c Woolrych.
'* Tbe expeetft-
tions ot life de
pend upon dili
gence; and tbe
mechanic that
¦would perfect

*' -Who makes
quick use of tbe
moment, is a
genius ot pru-
^Daa."—Lavater-

the kinsman
declines
to redeem
his right
a Wordsworth.
b Lange.
c *' In acknow
ledgment that be,
to whom tbe shoe
¦was given, might
tread on the pro
perty as bis own,
by thesame right
as he, wbo gave
the shoe, had
formerly trod
den upon it."—
Wordsworth.
" New customs,
though they
be never so ridi
culous, nay, let
them be unman^
ly, yet are fol

Oap. lv. 9—12.]

RUTB.

181

if he persisted in his refusal, the woman was to oome forward
" and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face ; was I
to answer and say. So shall it be done unto that man that will i
not build up his brother's house." From that time the man was ;
disgraced, and whenever his person or establishment was spoken i
of, it was contemptuously called " the house of him that hath
his shoe loosed." To be spit at in the face is the most degrading
ceremony a man can submit to. This was done by the widow to
her husband's brother, and she confirmed his ignominy by taking
off his shoe. But this taking off the shoe (as we shall hereafter
see) may also allude to the death of her husband, whose shoes
were taken offi and of no further use to him. Aud as he said,
when she had taken off the shoe from her husband's brother's
foot " thus shall it be done unto, that man that wiU not build up
his brother's house," may mean, he also shall soon follow his
brother, and have his shoes taken offi his feet in death. When
Ramar had to go to reside in the desert for fourteen years, his
brother Parathan was very unwilling for him to go ; and tried
in every possible way, to dissuade him from his purpose. But
Ramar persisted in his resolution, having fully made up his
mind to take his departure. When the brother, seeing that his
entreaties were in vain, said, " Since you are determined to go,
promise me faithfully to retum." Then Ramar, having made
the promise, gave his shoes to Parathan as a confirmation of his
vow. Does a priest, a, father, or a respectable friend, resolve to
go on a pilgrimage to some distant country ; some one will
perhaps say, "Ah, he will never return, he intends to remain in
those holy places." Should he deny it, then they say, "Give us
your shoes as a witness of your promise," and having done so,
never wiU he break it. An affectionate widow never parts with
her late husband's shoes : they are placed near her when she
Bleeps, she kisses and puts her head upon them, and nearly
every time after bathing she goes to look at them. These,
therefore, are the " testimony," the melancholy confirmation of
her husband's death."*
9—12. (9) elders, v. 2. people, no doubt a crowd gathered.
Chilion's, his wife, tho' living, by remaining in Moab, had
renounced her rights. (10) my wife, so this virtually a mamage
ceremony. (11) Lord make, etc., the marriage blessing, wh.
t-wo,» regarded as the mothers of Israel, 'worthily, virtuously.
(12) Pharez,* comp. Ge. xxxviii.
A public benedirtion (vv. 11, 12).— I. Upon whom it was pro
nounced. Boaz an upright man. Note the difference between
him. and those who are sometimes the objects of public praise.
II. What it included. Domestic and material prosperity are
desired for him. III. The admonition with which it was accom
panied. " Do thou worthily," eto.
Ancient Eastern marriage ceremony. — The marriage ceremony
was commonly performed in a garden, or in the open air ; the
bride was placed under a canopy, supported by four youths, and
adorned with jewels according to the rank of the man-ied
persons : all the company crying out with joyful acclamations,
Blessed be he that cometh. It was anciently the custom, at the
conclusion of the ceremony, for the father and mother, and
kindredof the woman, to pray for a blessing upon the parties.
Bethuel and Laban, and the other members of thoir family, pro-

B.0. 1312.
overrule, a n ti
only serves for
reatson to the
fool." — Rochester.
" The custom
and fashion of
to-day will be
tbe awkward
ness and out
rage of to-mor
row. So arbi
trary are these
transient laws."
—Dumas. " Long and curi
ous speeches are
as flt for dis
patch as a robe
f r mantle with a,
long train is for
a race. Pre
faces, and pas-
sajjes. and excu-
jsations, and
' other f=peeches of
referenre to the
person, are great
wastes of tine;
and tbough they
seem to prOL-eed
of modebty, Ihey
are btavery." —
Bacon.
" He that gives
for gain, proflt,
or any by-end,
tlestroy.s tbe very
intent of bounty;
tor it falls only
upon tbose that
do not want"-
Seneca. d Roberts.
Boaz marries
Hutha Ge. xvi. 2, xxx.
3, marg.
6 "His house was
far more nuu,e-
rous and illus
trious than tbat
of his twin
brother, Zerah."
—.ipk. Com.
V. 11. Bar. Par
sons, Wed. Ser.
250.ur. 11,12. S.Hie-
vm. Wks. i. 104.
" Were a man
not to marry a
second time, it
might le con
cluded that his
first wife bad
given bim a (iis-
gu.st to marriage;
liut by taking a
second wife, ho

182

RU1B.

(Cap. lv. 13-23,

B.C. 1312.
pays tbe highest
compliment to
tbe first, by
showing tbat she
made him so
happy as a mar
ried man, tbat be
wishes to be so
a second time."
— Johnson.
"If yon -would
have the nuptial
nnion last, let
virtue be the
bond that ties it
fast." — Rowe.
e Paxton.
Obeda M. Benry-
The most pro
minent feature
in the Sundav-
Bchool teacher's
character sbould
be bis individual
possession of Di
vine grace, and
hie growing ad
vancement in
tbe Divine life.
A high standard
of personal piety
must be his con
stant aim, and
habitual com
munion witb
heaven bis high
est delight. " We
are tbe nurses
of Christ's little
ones: if we for
bear taking food
ourselves. w e
Bball famisti
tbem. It we let
our love decline,
we are not likely
to raise theirs.
genealogy of Boaz
a Mat. i. 3, 4 ; Lu.
Iii. 33.
b Serarius, Bon-
ferius, Patrick,
Spanheim, etc.
c Lyra nus, A.
Lapide, Dr. W. B.
MtU.

nounced a solemn benediction upon Rebecca before her depar
ture : " And they blessed Rebecca, and said unto her, thou art
our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions ; and let
thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them." And in
times long posterior to the age of Isaac, when Ruth the Moabitess
was espoused to Boaz, " All the people that were in the gate, and
the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman
that is oome into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which
two did build the house of Israel ; and do thou worthily in
Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem." After the benedictions,
the bride is conducted, with great pomp to the house of her
husband ; this is usually done in the evening ; and as the pro
cession moved along, money, sweatmeats, flowers, and other
articles, were thrown among the populace, which they caught
in cloths made for such occasions, stretched ia a particular
manner upon frames."
13 — 17, (13) a son, so were the sorrows of the past -wiped
out. (14) kinsman, goel, not merely an heir. (15) loveth
thee, indic. Ruth's continued kindness to Naomi. (16) nurse,
repaying Ruth's goodness to her child. (17) born to ITaomi,
as living head of the family.
Ruth's happiness. — I. Ruth, a wife. Boaz took her and sho
became his wife. II. Ruth, a mother : " the Lord gave her con
ception." III. Ruth still a daughter-in-law, and the same that
she always was to Naomi. IV. Ruth hereby brought in among
the ancestors of David and Christ, whioh was the greatest
honour." 18—23. (18) generations, descendants. This list is imper
fect ; comp. lists in 1 Chr. ii. 9 — 12 ; Mat. i. 3 — 5. Hezron, Ge.
xlvi. 12 ; Nu. xxvi. 21. (19) Bam, Aram.". 1 Chr. ii. 9, 25,
Aminadab, Ex. vi. 23. (20) Salmon, Salina, 1 Chr. ii 11,
51, 54. (21) Boaz, whose mother was Rahab of Jericho.
Matt. i. 6.
Reconcilement of this genealogy with chronology. — ^Two ways. I.
Fr. Exod. to 4th yr. of Solomon = 480 yrs. (1 K. vi. 1, 2). But
the wandering = 40 yrs., hence fr. entrance into Canaan 440 yrs.
David lived 70 yrs. hence fr. entrance into Canaan to his birth
366 years. It has been supposed ' that Boaz was born 42 yrs.
aft. entrance into Canaan and lived 102 yrs. bef. he begat Obed ;
that Obed lived 111 yrs. bef. he begat Jesse : 9,nd Jesse 111 yrs.
bef he begat David. Thus are made out the 366 yrs. II. Or acc.
to others," some links are omitted in this genealogy — e.g. that
Boaz was not the son, but great grandson of Salmon and Rahab.
All lhe persons here mentioned in the genealogy are distinguished
men ; it is not unlikely that some of lesser note may have been
omitted. This is done in the geneal. of Saul (1 Sa. ix. 1).

THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
ttlwrmise called
THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.

fatrobttflmtt.

I. Title, Samuel, so called bee. the greater part of the 1st Bk. was -written
by that prophet, called in the LXX. the 1st and 2nd Bks. of Kings, or of the
Kingdoms ; called in the Vulg. 1st and 2nd Bks. of Kings; called by Jerome,
the Bks. of the Kingdoms. In the Heb. MSS. the Bks. of Sanj. are represented
as one Bk., entitled " The Bk. of Samuel," or " Samuel." An appropriate
heading, " since this title not only originated in the fact that the flrst half (i.e.
our first Bk.) contains an acc. of the acts of the prophet Sam., but was also
intended to indicate that the spirit of Sam. formed the soul of the true Kingdom
in Israel, or that the earthly throne of the Israelitish Kingdom of God derived
its strength and perpetuity fr. the spirit of the Lord wh- lived inthe prophet"
(DeUtzsch). II. Author, " The question of authorship is attended with difB
culty : but the more prevalent opinion is, that the first 24 caps, were written
by Sam., and the rest by the prophets Nath an and Gad, the contemporaries of
David." 1 Ch. xxix. 29 (Litton). " Sam. could not have been the author
of the whole of the two Bks. called aft. his name, bee. his death occurs
in cap. xxv. of the 1st Bk. ; and the remaining caps, of the 1st and
the whole of the 2nd Bk. descr. events wh. oocmred aft. Sam.'s death"
(Pinnoek). It is certain that the 1st Bk. of Sam. was written bef. the 1st Bk.
of Kings ; a eircumstance related in the former Bk. being ref. to in the latter,
of. 1 S. ii. 31 ; 1 K. ii. 27 (Home). III. Contents. " The 1st Bk. of Sam,
contains the hist, of the Jewish ohurch and polity, fr. the birth of Sam.,
dmring the judicature of Eli, to the death of Saul, the first K. of Israel : a
period of nearly 80 yrs., fr. A.M. 2869 to 2949. IV. Soope. Twofold. 1st. To
continue the hist, of the Israelites under the two last Judges, Eli and Sam.,
and their first monarch Saul, and the reason why their form of govemment
was changed fr. an aristocracy to a monarchy ; thus affording a strong con
firmation of the authenticity of the Pentateuch, in wh. we find that this change
had been foretold by Moses, iu his prophetio declaration to the assembled
nation, a short time bef. his death, and upwards of 400 yrs. bef. the actual
institution of the regal govemment. 2nd. To exhibit the preservation of the
Church of God amiiist all the vicissitudes of the Israelitish polity ; together
with signal instances of the Divine mercy towards those who feared Jehovah,
and of judgments inflicted upon His enemies" (Home). " The Bks. of Samuel
bear distinct evidence of being, to a certain extent, a compilation from earlier
sources, though the unity of style shows that they must have been works of
the same age, or that the compiler adapted them to the style of the age in
which he was -writing. The only source actually named is ' The Bk. of
Jasher,' i.e. ' The Bk. of the Upright,' from which David's lamentation over
Saul and Jonathan, entitled ' The Song of the Bow,' is quoted. If the conjec
ture that that book was a collection of historical poems be well grounded, it
is possible that the other poetical compositions contained in the Bks. of
Samuel may have been borrowed from it. But notwithstanding the leaming
and ingenuity which have been devoted to this book, our knowledge
of its contents and character is still too indefinite to allow us to say
whether these ancient odes are derived from that, or from other sources.
These poems consist of — (I) Hannah's Song of Thanksgiving (1 Sa. xi. 1 — 10) ;
(2) David's Lament (2 Sa. i. xix. 27) ; (3) David's Dirge (2 Sa. iii. 33, 34) }
(4) David's Song of Thanksgiving (2 Sa. xxii.) ; (B) The Last Words of
David (2 Sa. xxiii. 1 — 7). There is no reasonable doubt that the whole of
these are genuine poetical utterances of the persons whose names they bear,
and that the occasions of their composition are correctly assigned " (Canon
Venables,, 31.A.').

Sanopis.

lAceording to Bome.)
PAET I.— Judicature of Eli.
Sect i. Birth of Samuel, etc  1., !L
Seel. ii. Call of Samuel  Iii.
Sect. iii. Death of Kli  It.
PAET II.— Judicature of Samuel.
Sect. i. The Ark  v., yl.
Sect, ii. Eeformation of worship  vii.
Sect. iii. Saul anointed, etc  viii.^ — xi.
Sect. iv. Samuel's resignation of supreme
judicial power, eto  xiL
PAET III.-The History of SauL
Sect. i. Prosperity  xiii., xlv.
Sect. ii. Bejejtion of Saul  XT.
Sect. iii. David to death of Saul. ..xvi. — xxviii.
(a) David anointed king  xvi.
Victory over Goliath  xvii.
(&) Persecutions by Saul  xviii.
David's flight  xix.
Jonathan's friendship  xx.
David in Kob and Moab xxi. — xxii. 1—4
Priests of Nob — ^Abiathar xxii. 5 — 23
(c) KeUab liberated  xxiii. 1 — 6
David in Ziph an d Maon. ..xxiii. 7 — 29
Engedi. D. spares Saul  xxiy.
Nabal  xxt
Sau] spared again  xxri.
David at Gath  xxvil.

Sect. It. Last acts of Sanl.
(o) -Witch of Endor  xxriii
(6) Fhilistines and David  xxix.
(c) David and Amalekites  xxx.
((f) Suicide of Saul  xxxi,
(According to Keil and Delitzsch.)
SECT. L— Judicial Office of Samuel,
(o) The times and doom of Eli  i., 11,
(6) Tho caU of Samuel  ill.
(c) Fulfilment of doom of Eli  It,
(d) Chastisementof Philistines. ..v,—Til.l4
SEOT. II.-Blectiou to reject, of Saul,
(a) Sanl elected  viii.— xli.
(6) His reign and rejection  .xlii. — ^xv,
SECT. IIL-Deoline of the King-dom.
Tbe anointing of David, and his conflicts
with Saul, etc..  ...,.,...,,XTi.'^-xxzl,
(According to Ayre.)
PAET I.— The hist, and administration of
Samuel.,...  ,...,  ,„„,  t. — vii.
PAET II.— The estab. of monarchy and hist.
of Saul's reign  viii— xxxi.
Including i. Saul's adyancement and administra
tion till his rejection  Till. — ^xv.
il. His downward conrse till his death
xvi. — xttI,

The Theocracy. — Up to the appointment of Saul, the Hebrew nation had
existed as a people under the immediate government of God upwards of 800
years. From the call of Abram, in 1921 B.C., to the Exodus, in 1491 B.C., are
430 years ; and from the Exodus to the anointing of Saul, in 1095 B.C., are
nearly 400 years more. The last judge was Samuel, who govemed the people
much to their advantage ; till the evil courses of his sons, whom he had
taken to assist him, on account of his infimi age, led the people to desire a
Eing (1100 B.C.). Samuel, under the guidance of God, complied with their
wishes, and, after waming them of the consequences, appointed Saul to be
their king (1095 B.C.), thus establishing the Hebrew Monarchy, after having
been under the government of fourteen Judges for a period of 348 years
^Tomline says 331 years) (Dr, Pinnoch),

186

SAMUEL,

[Cap. i. 1—8.

B.O. 1171.
lEikanali and
his 'Wives
a "Ramah inthe
laud of Zupb,
among the
niDuntains of
Eph raim." —
Etrald. b Cop. AD, Qese-
ni'us.c 1 Ohr. xxiv. 3.
6 Lloyd.
T. Rubinson^Scrip*
Cna. Eli.; Bp.
Nail, Contemp.;
Dr. H. Hunter,
Sue. Biog. iv. 309.
" There is no
better heritage
than a guod
name that a
father can be
queath to his
children, and
there are few
influences on
Bociety more
¦wholesome than
tbe fame of its
worthies. The
names of Luther,
and Knox, of
Hampden and
¦Washington, of
Schwartz and
Eliot, are still
doing good in
tbe world. Nor
is tbere
fam ily any richer
heirloom than
the memory of a
noble ancestor."
— Xfr. /. BamiltoR.
d Burder.

the grief
ofthe childlessHannah a Ge. xliii. 34.
b *' Observe
eyil effects of
polygamy." —
Wordsicorlli.
"Nothing is so
glorious in the
eyes of mankind,
and ornamental
to human nature,
Betting aside the

CHAPTER THE FIRST.
1_3. (1) Ramathaim, dual form of Ramah," meaning
either the two hills, or the upper and lower city. There were five
cities with this name. Elkanah, acquired by God. Jersham,
etc., 1 Chr. vi. 26, 27. Ephrathite, refers to Elkanah. (2)
Hannah, grace, favour. Peninnah, pearl." (3) yearly, lit.
from year to year. Shiloh, Jos. xviii. 1. Eli, of family of
Itliamar." Beaut'ies qf cluldren. —
In a child's voice is there not melody 1
In a child's eye is there not rapture seen 1
And rapture not of passion's revelry ;
Calm, Uiough impassioned ; durable, though keen I
It is all fresh, like the young spring's first green 1
Children seem spirits from above descended,
To whom still cleaves heaven's atmosphere serene ;
Their very wildnesses with truth are blended ;
Fresh from their skyey mould, they cannot be amended.
Warm and uncalculating, they're more wise —
More sense that ecstasy of theirs denotes —
More of the stuff they have of Paradise,
And more the music of the warbling throats
Of choirs whose anthem round the Etemal floats,
Than all that bards e'er feign'd, or tuneful skill
Has e'er f uck forth from artificial notes :
Theirs is that language, ignorant of ill,
Bom from a perfect harmony of power and will.*
The nam^s of women and slaves (v, 2), — ^The names the Eastem
people give to women and slaves appear to us to be oftentimes
not a little odd ; something of the same kind may, however, be
remarked in the Scriptures, though they are there more frequently
of the devout kind. The author of the History cf Ali Bey
mentions a female, whose name, Laal, signified ruby. One of
the wives of Elkanah, the father of the prophet Samuel, seems
to have been named in the same way, for such was the meaning
of the word Peninnah. The plural word, peninim, signifies
rubies, or precious stones that are red (Lam. iv. 7). If both these
ladies were called by names that in their respective languages
signified a ruby, probably both one and the other were so denomi
nated, either from the floridness of their complexion, or, on the
contrary, to a ruby tint, for it may be understood either way.*
4 — 8. (4) portions, the offerer received back part of his
peace-offerings, these he and his friends ate at a social feast. (5)
worthy, or double portion ; Eastern way of showing special
favour." (6) adversary," rival. (7) Read, and so slie did year
the by year. (8) better, etc., reminding her of his special tender

ness and goodness.
Absence from, week-night services. — " Prayer-meeting and lec
ture as usual on Wednesday evening, in the lecture-room. Dear
brethren, I urge you all to attend the weekly meetings. ' '^ai-
sake not the assembling of yourselves together,'" Some of the
" dear brethren " deported themselves in this way : Brother A.
thought it looked lilsg i^'^^t and concluded that his family, in-

1

Cap. 1. 9—11.

BAMUEL.

187

eluding himself of course, had better remain at home. On
Thursday evening it was raining very hard, and the same brother
hired a carriage, and took his whole family to the Academy of
Music, to hear M. Agassiz lecture on the " Intelligence of the
Lobster." Brother B. thought he was too tired to go, so he
stayed at home and worked at the sledge he had promised to
make for Billy. Sister C. thought the pavements were too slip
pery. It would be very dangerous for her to venture out. I saw
her next moming, going down street to get her old bonnet
" done up." She had an old pair of stockings drawn over her
shoes. Three-fourths of the members stayed at home. God was
at the prayer-meeting. The pastor was there, and God blessed
them. The persons who stayed at home were each represented
by a vacant seat. God don't bless empty seats."
9 — 11, (9) had eaten, comp. -u. 7. Evidently Hannah sat
down to the feast, but had no heart to eat much, by a post,
his seat was put at entrance of the inner court, temple, taber
nacle. (10) bitterness, Ht. bitter of soul. (11) vowed a vow,"
seeking to urge her prayer, by devoting her child wholly to God.
razor, Nu. vi 5.
A praying mother (a S. S. address). — I. A burdened heart :
Explain, sfe far as necessary, what Hannah's trouble was. Having
a family was regarded by Jewish women as a sign of God's
favour and blessing, so it was a, cause of reproaoh to have no
family. In this case the reproach was kept up by the seeond
wife. II. The burden rolled on God: We read about " Casting
care on God;" "Casting burden on the Lord." How shall we
do it ? As Hannah did ; by fervent, earnest, believing, heart
prayer. III. A time of waiting for God: Who may not always
answer at once. In what spirit should we wait and watch unto
prayer? Hannah's spirit of strong and cheerful faith. Quite
sure that the Lord does hear prayer, and will be sure to give ns
the blessing, if it is best ; and we do not want to have it if it is
not best. IV. Waiting-time ending at last in a precious gift :
A son ; wiping away Hannah's reproaoh ; a better gift than she
thought ; what Samuel became.
N'azai-iti.fm. — Among these views of abstinence may be classed
those of Nazaritism. A Nazarite, during the continuance of his
vow, durst drink no wine nor strong drink ; nor eat of the fruit
of the vine, either grapes or raisins ; nor come near any dead
body ; or otherwise wittingly defile himself. He was also obliged
to let his hair grow. At the termination of the period of his
vow, he had to make certain offerings prescribed by Moses, and
what other oiferings he had vowed besides ; as also to cut off his
hair, and bum it on the altar, and then first drink wine again
at the offering-feast. These ordinances, however, rather belong
to the ceremonial law, than to the Mosaic jurisprudence, of which
I here treat. It is only necessary to attend to this further cir
cumstance, that vows of Nazaritism were not an original institu
tion of Moses, but of more anoient, and probably of Egyptian
origin ; and that, iu his laws, he only gives certain injunctions
concerning them, partly to establish the ceremonies and laws of
such vows," and partly to prevent people from making them to,
or letting their hair grow in honour of, any other than the true
God. AVhat typical views he may have had in the ceremonies he
prescribed, it forms no part of my present subjeot, in which I

B.C. 1171.
infinite advan
tages whif.h arise
from it, as a
stronfr. steady,
masculine piety;
but enthusiasm
and superstition
are the wenk-
nesses of human
reason, that ex
pose us to the
scorn and deri
sion of infideis,
and sink us even
below the beasts
that perish." —
/i ddison.
c United Presbyte
rian.Hannah's
prayerfor a son
o For length of
service required
of the Levites,
see Nu. viiL 24,
25. Fop vows of
women, see Nu,
xxx. 6— 16.
V. 10. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Cha. li. 89.
" It frequently
happens after
the birth of a
son, that if the
parent be in dis
tress, or the child
sick, or that thero
be any other
cause of grief,
the mother
makes a vow,
that no razor
shal] come upon
the child's head
fora certain por
tion of time, and
sometimes forall
his life (1 Sa. i.
11). If the child
recovers, and the
cause of grief he
removed, and if
the vow be hut
for atime.sothat
the mother's vow
be fulfilled, then
she shaves his
head at the end
of the time pre
scribed, makes a
small entertain
ment, foUecta
money and other
things from her
relations and
friends, which

188

SAMUEL.

tCap. 1.12-14.

B.O, 1171.
are sent aa neters
(offerings) to the
xnosque at Ker-
belah, and are
there conse
crated."-- J/omr.
" Against dis
eases here the
strongest fence
is the defensive
virtue absti
nence." — Her
rick."IntemperanceIs a dangerous
companion. It
throws people o£f
their guard; be
trays them to a
great many in
decencies, to
ruinous pas
sions, to disad
vantages in for
tune; makes
them discover
secreta, drive
foolish bargains,
engage in play,
and often to
stagger from the
tavern to the
Btews." — Jeremy
CoUier.
b Michaelis.
Bii reproves
Hannah Oooa Parents.—
Abraham (Gen.
xviii. 19); Jacob
(Qen. xriii. 32,
etc.); Joseph
(Gon. xlviii 10—
20); mother of
Moses {Ex. ii. 2,
3); Manoah (Jud
xiii. 8); Hannah
(1 Sam. i
David (2 Saiii!
xviii. «, 33); Shu
namite (2 Kmgs
lv. 19, 20); Job
(i. 5) ; mother of
Lemuel (Prov.
xxxi. 1) ; noble
man (John iv.49);
Lois and Eunice
(2 Tim, i. S).
"Destruetion
lurks within t&e
poisonous dose,
a fatal fever, or a
purpled nose."—

merely consider the Mosaic laws on the principles Of jurispru
dence, but rather belongs to theology, to ascertain. But that
before the Mosaic law was given there had been Nazarites among
the Israelites, is manifest from the following circumstance ; tha
ordinance of Moses conoeming the Nazarites, which stands in
ohap. vi. of Numbers, was given in the second year after thd
departure from Egypt ;. but in an earlier law concerning the sab
batical year, which was made in the first year, Moses adopts a
figurative expression from Nazaritism, calling the vines, which
in that year were not to be pruned, " Nazarites " (La. xxv. 5).
The thing itself must, therefore, have been already in use, and
that for a long period j because suoh figurative expressions, par
ticularly in agriculture, gardening and rural economy, do not
succeed to the proper signification even of the most familiar and
best-known terms, till after a lapse of many years. The vow of
Nazaritism was not necessarily, nor usually, of perpetual endu
rance ; and henoe Moses ordained what offeringa ahould be made
at its termination or discontinuance. In latter timea, it is true,
we have, ia the case of Samson, an example of a, person devoted
by hia parents to be a Nazarite for life ; but even here. Naza
ritism was not understood in its whole extent, as prescribed in
the Mosaic law; for Samson plainly deviated frotn it when he
attacked and defeated the Philistines, from whose dead bodies a
strict Nazarite must have fled, to avoid defilement. Of such
perpetual Nazaritism, however, Moses does not at all treat in his
laws; and, of course, does not say whether, like other vows, it
oould have been redeemed, had it proved a hardship to a son to
abstain from wine all his life. According to the analogy of the
other laws of Mosea on this subject, it should have beeu redeem-
able. 12—14. (12) marked, noticed, watched. (13) lips moved,
involuntarily, as if framing the prayer she offered. (14)
drunken., this expresaion hints at one of the evils of that
age. A praying mother.— UhiMren who are blessed with parents
that pray for them should be very thaukful, as they are delivered
from many evils into which othera fall. Augustine, who lived
mauy hundred years ago, and was a very eminent preacher and
writer, had a mother who was eminent for piety, and endea
voured to instil into his infant miud the doctrines of Divine
truth, recommending what she taught by a holy life. But he
was sinful, aud was led away by evil companions into great
transgressions. His mother continued to pray constantly and
eamestiy for him. She applied to a good Christian minister to
talk with him, who, after much conversation, assured her that
her prayers and tears could not be lost Those prayera were
indeed at length heard ; the preaching of another minister
brought him to a state of seriousness and prayer, and he becama
V,^17 °/ ^'°^ ^^^^ ^OD,.— Hannah's rww.— Hannah the wife
ot Mlkanah, was stenle, but she had an intense desire to be thS
mother of a " man-child," and she went to the " temple of the
Lord to ¦^ow, if He would give her one, that she would "ffive
him unto the Lord all the days of his life ; there shall no razor
come upon his head." How often do we witness a similar seene.
See the aifiioted wife prostrate iu the dust before the temple of
her god : she earnestly entreats the deity to give unto ber a

Cap. 1. 15—23,]

SAMUEL.

189

" male child." " Ah ! then will my husband love me— then will
my neighbours cease to reproach me. Ah 1 my God, a male
child, a male child— he shall be called by thy name— and sacred
shall be his hair.""
15 — 18. (16) drunk neither, in such away as to cause what
you have noticed, poured out, in passionate entreaties. (16)
Belial, De. xiii. 13. (17) thy petition, whatever it may be,
V. 27. (18) find graoe, think of me more worthily.
Mt to judge by appearances. —
Judge not ; the workings of his brain
And of his heart thou canst not see ;
What looks to thy dim eyes a stain.
In God's pure light may only be
A soar, brought from some well- won field,
Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.
The look, the air, that frets thy sight,
May be a token, that below
The soul has closed in deadly fight
With some infernal fiery foe.
Whose glance would scorch thy smiling grace.
And cast thee shuddering on thy face 1"
19-23. (19) -worshipped, with a parting act of devotion,
C20) Samuel, heard of Ood." (21) yearly sacrifice, v. 3.
vow, vows,' not prob. a special one. Or he might intend to
fulfil that made by Hannah. (22) not up, until she could
fulfil her vow as she contemplated. ¦nreaned,» that so he might
be left, for ever, for his whole life. (23) established his
¦word, anxious for keeping of the vow.
Saving tlw cMldren.— A few years ago, a steamer was coming
from California. The cry of " Fire, fire I " suddenly thrilled
everj' heart. Bvery effort was made to stay the fiames ; but in
vain. It soon became evident that the ship must be lost. The
onl,y thought now was self-preservation. The burning mass was
headed for the shore, which was not far off. A passenger was
seen buckling his belt of gold around his waist, ready to plunge
into the waves. Just then, a pleading voice arrested him, |
" Please, sir, can you swim ?" A child's blue eyes were piercing:
into his deepest soul as he looked down upon her. •' Yes, child, !
I can swim." " Well, sir, won't you please to save me ?" " I
cannot do both," he thought, " I must save the child aud lose the
gold. But a, moment ago, I was anxious for this whole ship's
company : now I am doubting whether I shall exchange a
human life for paltry gold." Unbuckling the belt he cast it
from him, aud said, " Yes, little girl, I will try to save you."
Stooping down, he bade her clasp her arms around his neck.
" Thus, child ; not so tight as to choke me. There, hang on
now, aud I mil try to make to the land," The child bowed her-
pelf on his broad shoulders, and clung to her deliverer. With a
heart thrice strengthened, and an arm thrice nerved, he struck
out for the shore. Wave after wave washed over them ; but
still the brave man held out, and the dear child held on, until a
niighty mountain billow swept the sweet treasure from his
embrace, a nd cast him senseless on the bleak rocks. Kind hands
ministered to him. Reoovei'ing his consciousness, the form of
th'i deivr child met his earliest gaze, bending over him with

E.O. 117X,
a Roberts.

Hannah's pious reply
D. 15. /. JV. Pear
son, Ss, iv. 457.
" Beware, so long
as you live, of
judging men by
their outward ap
pearance." — La
Fontaine.
" How little do
they see what is,
who frame their
ba^ty judgments
upon that which
BeemB."-Southey, " ji man may
smile, and smile,
and be a villain."
— SliaAespeare.
a Proctor.
the birth of
Samuel
a Fr., shama, to
hear, and El,
God.6 LXX.
c Heb. mothers,
as elsewhere in
the E., Ubually
suckled their
children till the
age of two yeara
complete, some
times tid the age
ot three. The
Persians suckle
boys two years
and two months,
and girls two
ysars." — Spk.
Com.
V. 20. T. Sa-urin,
Disc. Hist. iv.
166; /. Williams,
0. T. Cha. 172;
T- S. M. Ander
son, Cloud of Wit.
a 238.
"They who
provide mnch
wealth for their
children, but
neglect to im
prove them in
virtue, do like
those who feed
theirhorseshigh, but neyer train
them to tha
manage." — *S>
crates.

190

SAMUEL.

[Cap. i. 24-28.

B.C. 1171.
Samuel is
brousrlit to
Shiloh

6 Nu. xxviii. Il
ls.vv. 25—28. T. B.
Hankinson, Ss.
882.to. 26, 27. B.
Cecil, Wks. ii.
473.vo. 27, 28. Bp.
Andrews, Post.
Lect. 565.
c Dr. J. Edmond.
d T. H. Hughes.
e S. S. Address.
A yosng mini
ster, when about
to be ordained,
stated that at
one period of
his life he was
nearly an infl
del. " But," said
he, "there was
one argument in
favour of Chris
tiaiiity which I
could never re
fute, — the con
sistent conduct
of my father."
"Begin the edu-
catiou of tbe
heart not with
the cultivation
of noble pro
pensities, but
with the cutting
away of those
that are evil.
When once the
noxious herbs
are withered
and rooted out,
tben the mjre
noble plants.
strong in them
selves, will shoot
upwards. The
virtuous heart,
like the body,
becomes strong
and healthy
more by labour
than nourish
ment. — RiciUer.''
" 'Tis education
forms the com
mon mini ; just
as the twig is
bent, the tree's
iuQiiiiBd."-~Pope.

more than angel ministrations, and blessing him with mute but
eloquent benedictions.
24—28, (24) three bullocks, prob. one bullock of three
years old." The proportion of flour however better agrees with
three bullocks.* -wine, Nu. xxviii. 14. (25) bullock, for bumt-
offering. (26) thy soul liveth, form of oath peculiar to this
book, smiE'mgs. (27) petition, v. 11. (28) lent, or returned
him. he 'worshipped, refer, prob. is to Hannah, slw wor
shipped. The gift and the loan (v. 27).— The child Samuel— L Was
asked of the Lord. From the story, observe — 1. It must be quite
lawful to ask from God things which He has not expressly pro
mised in His Word ; 2. Children are gifts of God, and very sweet
blessings ; 3. Let children learn lessons from their names. II.
Was lent to the Lord. Remark — 1. That we can give to God
only what we first receive from Him ; 2. We ought to give to
God again all we receive from Him ; 3. When we ask earthly
good, it should be with the view of serving ; 4. When God
borrows, it is for our advantage." — Hannah. — Note — I. The vows
which she made in sorrow were conscientiously performed. This
indicates — 1. The sincerity ; 2. The warmth ; 3. The self-deny
ing character of her devotions. II. The answer which God
vouchsafed to her prayer was retumed to Him as an offering.
This act — 1. Expresses the liveliest sense of her obligation ; 2.
Requires the exercise of the strongest faith ; 3. Indicates light
views of God's service. III. The pious aspirations of her
heart met with the most gratifying response.'' — A mother's
prayer. —A few words abouj; the advantage of possessing a
praying mother. Such a mother, with her deep affection and
wide knowledge of the ills of life, knowa that only God cau
take care of her child. The time ¦will come when she will die,
or her child will be removed from her oversight. See this pious
love illustrated by the case of Hannah and Samuel. I. The
need of her prayer. 1 . The best child has folly in his heart ; 2,
The times were troublous. II. The subject of her prayer. 1. An
only son ; 2. A sou who had been given in answer to prayer ; 3,
A son leaving home. III. The scope of her prayer. 1. It was a
prayer of dedication : 2. She would have him serve the Lord as
long as he lived. IV. The answer of her prayer. " He wor-
shippett the Lord there." Learn— 1. Think often of the mother
who prays for you and who taught you to pray ; 2. You may be
more indebted to a mother's prayers thau to all other helps to
success in life ; 3. Try to fulfil your mother's prayers.'
A mother an instrument in tlw liand of God. — Let every mother
consider herself as an instrument in the hand of Providence — let
her reflect on the immense importance the proper education of
one single family may eventually prove ; and that, while the
fruit of her labours may descend to generations yet unborn, she
¦will herself reap a glorious reward ; — let her behold her children
rich in intellectual and moral worth, their desires regulated by
virtue and religion, , their passions under the control of reason,
and their hearts in the possession of that " peace which passes
understanding,"— let her see them ennobled by that species of
superiority which alone commands the reverence of the heart,
and enjoying that true dignity which confers the only real dis-
tiuction ; — let her imagine her children bedewing her tomb with

Cap. u. 1-7.1

SAMUEL.

191

tears of filial affection and gratitude, and even in the latest hour
blessing her memoi'y as the cause of that happiness which has
marked their path on earth, and as the conductor to that hope
whiuh sweetens the hour of dissolution.^

CHAPTER THE SECOND.
1 — 3. (1) prayed, her words are both a prophecy and a song."
mine horn, this fig. is first used here -f see 2 Sa. xxii. 3. mouth
is enlarged, for triumph and joy. thy salvation, Hannah
gloried in her son chiefiy as the answer and gift of God. (2)
rock," applied to God first De. xxxii. 4, etc., "conveys ideas of
strength, permanence, immutability, and withal of protection
and shelter."" (3) talk, etc., as in ch. i. 6, 7. arrogancy
undue assumption of importance.*
The rijo'icing of Hannah (v. 1). — It may be inferred from the
history before us— I. That our allotted trials and troubles are
not intended to detain us from the ordinances of the Lord's
house. II. That nothing less than the favour of God can truly
satisfy the soul./ — Knowledge qf God (v. 3). — I. That a perfect
knowledge belongs unto God. 1. He hath created all things
2. Consider His universal providence ; 3. He is a being infinitely
perfect; 4. He is everywhere present. II. What God's know
ledge is, and in what sense knowledge is atti-ibuted to' Him,
III. The objects of God's knowledge. 1. He hath an exact and
perfect, knowledge of Himself ; 2. He knows all things. IV.
The manner of it. 1. Essential and necessary ; 2. Infinite; 3. In
tuitive ; 4. Easy ; 5. Independent ; 6. Clear and perfect ; 7. In
fallible ; 8. Imrnutable ; 9. Etemal.f
The horn. — Besideg the ring, chains, and bracelets which load
tlie'ears, neck, and arms of the Syrian latlies, they wear on the
head a hollow horn, made either of silver, or of copper silvered
over, according to the wealth of the wearer ; it rises obliquely
from their forehead, and is similar in shape to that worn by the
other sex. This hom, or tantoui:, is from fifteen to twenty
inches long ; its thickness gradually diminishes, the diameter of
the larger extremity being about four inches, and that of the
smaller extremity two inches. It is fastened to the forehead
by means of straps, one passing under the chin, and another
behind the head. The inclination of the hom forms an angle
of from twenty to thirty degrees, and over it hangs a drapery
of white muslin, ¦with which the wearer may conceal her fea
tures at pleasvu'e. Mr. Bruce found the chiefs of Abyssinia
wearing this distinction. The homs were about four inches
long, made of silver, and in shape somewhat like an extin
guisher. Mr. Buckingham, also, travelling in Palestine and
Syria, a few years ago, saw females adorned with this remark
able head-dress.
4—7. (4) bo'ws, etc.,". Hannah reaches beyond her own cir
cumstances to use highly poetio and figur. language. (5) hired,
etc., as V. 36, and Eze. xiii. 19. ceased, i.e. to hunger more.
seven,' not exactly seven, but many. (6) to the grave, fig.
for tbe lowest conditions of degradation and misefy."! (7)
maketh rich, De. viii. 18.

B.C. 1171.

f Miss Hamilton.

B.O. 1165.
Hannah's Bon^ of
praiseshe extols
the know-
ledg-e of God
a Oomp. songs of
women in £x.
XV. 20, 21; Jn. v.;
and Lu. L 46—55,
^tra/(f thinks itis
not the song' of
Hannah, but
composed on
some occasion of
national deliver
ance, such as
the overthrow of
Goliath.b " Allusion is to
wearing of a tin
or silver horn on
the forehead, on
wh. the veil ia
suspended. Wives wilh child
ren raise it a little
higher, and more
towards the per-
pen dicular."—
Jamieson. c Ps. xviii.
31, 46, xix.
xxviii. I.
d Spk. Com.
e Fr. Lat. ad =»
to rogare, to ask,
so to demand too
much. .idn. Deal try.
Song of Han-
iiaii, Sers. 208.
V. 2. W. Wishart,
Theologia, i. 227.
V. S. Alip. TUlot-
non, ,Ss. viii. 63.
//. Gilpin.
Dr. Whichcot.

2,
14,

she notes
tbe changres
in human
lifert Comp. Ps.
xx.ivii. 2-i, cxlv.
14; Mi. vii. 8,

192

SAUUEL.

[Cap, 11. 8-11.

Ulu. iv. 16; Ps,
cxiii. 9; Je. IV. 9.
« De. xxxii. 39,
w. 1 — 10. Bp.
Horsley, Bibl.
Crit. ii. 430; W.
Richardson. Ex
pos. Disc. 1 ; Dr.
R. Oordon, ii. 431.
v.l- H.B. Wilson,
Ss. 348 ; T. Drew,
Irish Pulpit, iii.
251; Dr. J. Drys
dale, Ss. i. 271;
A. McCaul, Plain
Ss.\.d Amot.

Samuel left
in the care
of Zli
o " The will ot
God is the base
or column on wh.
the earth rests."
— Wordsworth.

2Co.

b Oesenins.
c Zee. lv, 6
xii. 9.

V. 9. T. Horton,
100 Ss. 64; /.
Jowett. Ss. 2^7.
d A. Cameron.
The reason why
answers to
prayer are not
oftener imme
diate is because
our faith does
not call for an
immediate an
swer. True faith
is not surprised
at instant an
swers, nor dis
mayed if they
be delayed. Dan.
ix.20— 23, X. 12;
Ps. cxlv. 18, 19;
Actsiv. 31; Luke
xviii. 1 — 7, xxi.
36; Eph. vi. 18,
'* All of us, who
are worth any
thing, spend our
manhood hi un
learning the fol
lies, or expiating
tbe mistakes, of
our youth," —
Bheney.

Human Hfe and events under tlw control of God.— I. This ^-
sage may be considered as admonitory to the worldly man. We
have— 1. The might of the powerful broken; 2. The nohes ot
the wealthy dispersed ; 3. The health of the strong broken. II,
It may be also considered as consolatory to the pious. Leam—
1. Not to despise the poor; 2. Not to envy the rich ; 3. WTiether
rich or poor, to trust in and obey the Lord.
The accuracy cf Divine judgment (seev. 3).— There is a machine
in the Bfank of England which receives sovereigns, as a mill
receives grain, for the purpose of determining wholesale whether
they are of fuU weight. As Ihey pass through, the machinery,
by unerring laws, throws all that are light to one side, -and all
that are of full weight to another. That process is a silent but
solemn parable for me. Founded, as it is, upon the laws of
nature, it affords the most vivid similitude of the certainty
wliich characterises the judgment of the great day. There are
no mistakes or partialities to which the light may trust; tha
only hope lies in being of standard weight before they go in.""
8 — 11. (8) Comp. Ps. oxiii. 7, 8. piUars, etc," fig. taken fr,
a palace or temple. Foundations.' (9) by strength, of self-
reliance, and *e^-effort, as opposed to trust in God." (10) thun
der, ch. vii. 10, his king^, prophetic of time when there
would be a king, or refer, to Messiah, exalt the horn, as v. 1.
(11) minister, in way indic. in v, 18, sharing in the usual ser
vices of the Levites, who waited on the priests.
Strength by the way (v. 9).— The way is — I. Rugged: no
smooth, level highway, but rough and hiUy. II. In&icate : it
winds and tums in directions apparently the opposite -of that
which leads to the heavenly oity. III. Dark : were it not for
the pillar-cloud the travellers would despair. IV. Dangerous :
a land of deserts and of enemies. V. Lonely: the crowds of
earth walk in other paths. VI. Sad : through much tribulation
they are to enter the kingdom.'' — The saints' keeper (v. 9). — I,
The Christian as a traveller: three dangers. 1. Wantiering; 2,
Stumbling ; 3. Failing through weakness. II. What God will do
for His saints : "keep," etc. 1. Guidance ; 2. Preservation from
sin ; 3. Protection. How He wiU do this. By— 1. Constant
watchfulness ; 2. Infusion of grace and strength ; 3. Sometimes
removing the hindrances ; 4, Strengthening principles of grace.
IV. Why He will do so. Because — 1. He has set His love upon
them ; 2. Their holiness is of great value in His sight ; 3. They
are very costly objects of affection ; 4. He has solenmly engaged
to do so.
Maternal pride.— rChe first day the late Dr. Balmer went with
his mother to attend public worship at Jedburgh, having for
merly gone 'With his father, during his lifetime, to Morebattle,
was one on which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dis
pensed. The action sermon, as it is called, was preached from a
tent erected on a green adjoining the church. Robert sat before
his mother on the grass. She, having never seen his demeanour
in the public assembly before, was surprised and somewhat
grieved by his apparent restlessness, but took no notice. How
ever, when the services were concluded, aud the little band which
came from Eokford-moss were retuming, and talking by the way
of what they had heard, and ' endeavouring to recall the particu-
ara of the sermons deUvered, he was found able to supply muoh

Cap. 11. 12—21,1

/. SAMUEL.

193

of what the older people hai forgotten. He had several times
thus assisted them to the recollection, both of the heads of the
discourses and of remarks made in illustration, when an elder
who was among them, looking to his mother, said, " Margaret,
do you know wha's laddie that is?" She might, no doubt,
feel something of matemal pride, as she rephed, "The boy is
mine." 12—17. (12) sons of Belial, De. xiii. 13. (13) fleshhook, to
take the portion belonging to the offerer, as well as that due to
the priest.'' (14) all, not confining themselves to the part
appointed for the priest. (15) burnt the fat, Le. vii. 23 — 25,
31, the fat was burnt by the priest, not by the offerer. (16)
presently, immediately, at least on same day. The priests
acted violently, refusing to make any conditions. (17) men
abhorred, it being connected with such violence, and dis
honoured by such attendants.
Indulgent Iwmc-life, and its awful d.estruction (read to end of
chap. ii.). — I. The sin it induces. Hophni and Phinehas : 1.
Their conduct and character. (1) Audacious (v 12); (2) Covet
ous (tfl!. 13, 14) ; (3) Despotic (v. 16) ; (4) Adulterous (v. 22) ;
(5) 'They bi-ought contempt upon religion (v. 17). 2. The con
duct and character of Eli. (1) The method of Eli's reproof :
collectively, "ye," — by interrogation (v, 23) — by assertion (r. 24)
— by argument (v. 25) ; (2) 'The effect of his reproof. II. The
sorrows it entails. 1. God revokes the mandate of Eli's election,
and asserts the universal principle of his aotion (v. 30) ; 2. The
punishment predicted. This was — (1) Humiliating (v. 31) ; (2)
Irreparable (;;. 32) ; (3) Eternal. Lessons : — (1) Parental disci
pline should be firm as kind ; (2) The welfare of the natiou aud
Church depend upon family training ; (3) A respect of God the
truest way to promotion ; (4) The sorrowful termination of even
a good man's life ; (5). The awful doom of an impious priest
hood.' 'The way to h^>nour (see v. 30).— God is the fountain of all honom-.
It is the height of honour to be honoured by God ; all those —
and only those — who honour God, God will honour. And God is
not only graciously forward, but under engagements to honour
them tiiat honour Him. He says, " I will." If God be the
fountain of all honour, and if the height of honour be to be
honoured by God. and if all those — and only those — who honour
God, God will honour, then it must needs follow of itself that
it is the shortest way to true honour to honour God."
18 — 21. (18) ministered, prob. doing such things as light
the lamps, clean the furniture, play the cymbals, and especially
wait ou the aged Eli. linen ephod, usual d'ess of priests."
(19) little coat, Heb. meii,'- Ex. xxviii. 31. yearly sacrifice,
as o"" i. 3, 7, 21. (20) lent, ch. i. 27. 28. (21) grew, comp.
Lu 40, 52.
'lue child-jirij'st (v. 18). — I. Samuel grew before the Lord. In
—1. The Lord's sight ; 2. The Lord's emile ; 3. The Lord's
strength. II. Samuel ministered before the Lord. It was not
mere outward service he gave. Ilia young heart was right with
God. III. Samuel grew in favour with God and men. God
loved this child ; and showed His love in many ways. Good
men. also, loved Samuel, Conclusion; — For all children let me
VOL. Ill, 0,T. N

B.O. 1166.
"A drunkard is
not profitable for
any kind of good
service." — Plato.

the g'odless
sons of £ii

a Corap. Le. 'vii.
31—36; De. xviii

D.12. W.Richard
son, Ss, i. 13.
t>. 17. J. Wesley,
Wks. vii. 174.
Pl-ato, seeing a
child do mis
chief, went and
corrected the
father for it;
and a recent
writer truly re-
murks: Child-
h od is like tbe
mirror, catching
and refiecting
images all
arouD'l it. Evil
or idle words
uttered by
parents may
operate upon A
youjag heart lika
a caiele.«s spray
of water thrown
upon polished
steel, staining it

with rust which
no after scouring
can efface.
b J. S. Exelt.
cZ>.£oaKce(1669>,

Samnelministers
[to the liOrd
a Ex. xxviii. 4— ,
;35; Ju. viii. 27,
I xvii. 5, xviii. 14 — '
120.! b " 'Wom under
i tbe ephod, atid
. appears to hava
I reached the feet.
It had a hole for
the head, and
i slits- m the sidea
' for the arms to

194

.0. 1165, througli,

comeTaut no
Tho meit
also ¦worn

wish three things- .,^^^™,^g„„„„,j'« motJwr (a S. S. Address).-^
1(2') Work; C?) ^^?^na ix> her other acts of kindness. Picture
,,„. "Moreover, in ^aitio ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^ watching for the
was Samuel, as ttie 1/11"'=. " „ —

raa j oLi,iu,^=-, "¦- -- jnother. Her arrival. Happy meeting. The
kings"""incer,?°^Sf opened. Trying on the new coat. Text reminds us
and nobles." — \°J'_i A mother's thoughtfulness. Hannah thought not only
Spk. Com. I ^^ e^^ication and training, but clothesf or her boy. In preparing
c Dr. J. Edmond. Ujiig coat she would have to calculate his year's growth Had to
... , l^eave it : would select the softest wool : would seek to please
Comp.Le.T"- -^g^g^^^^ XI. A mother's self-denial. Perhaps saving for her
r.20. w.*f«^^.^4son what she needed for herself. Occupying her time thus.
D^Afa ^braai, Was not compelled by the law to go up to the feast ; this bind
ing on men only. Took this long joumey for the sake of her
boy. Went afoot. Leam — 1. To retum a mother's love and
thoughtful care by obedience and duty ; 2. To be careful of
clothes that have been provided at so much cost ; 3. These clothes
wear out ; but there is a dress— the robe of salvation — that gets
better the longer it is wom. Kind mothers cannot weave it j
but they may encourage us to wear it, and show how to put it
on ; 4. A white robe in heaven for good children.
Maternal heroism. — llany heroic deeds have been done by
men, and are worthily recorded in the world's .annals ; but the
heroism of mother's lives— where is the memorial of it? In
heaven alone. Tes, doubtless it lives and breathes on earth ia
many noble lives and deeds, yet, for the most part, unrecognised
and unhonoured There is Luther in the Diet of Worms; but
do we thihk of Luther's mother — of her patient watchings and
strivings, prayers and self-denials t Which seems more admi
rable—the sturdy and strong nature braving earth and hell
under the world's gaze, or the weak and gentle nature, in secret
denying and subjecting itself, enduring all things, out of weak
ness becoming strong, wrestling and striving, for love and duty?
They say that Luther had a woman's heart becanse he loved
music, flowers, and children ; but we know that these things
consist with strengh, and Luther's words and aets best bespeak
the man.
22—26. (22) assembled at the door, not the casual wor-
I shippers, but women in some way engagetj in service of taber-
nacle." (23) Too mild a way of treating such scandalous sin.
(24) transg'ress, or cry out for the wrong done thera. (25)
judg'e him, and enforcing the appropriate penalty the man
may at last get free, sin . . Lord, such sin of sacrilege as this
of the young priests, no judge among men can settle a penalty
tor that, because, better read, thei-efore. (2fi) Words apphed
Dy l^uJfe to Christ.' Samuel is contrasted with young priests.
prayer, or in ^^J'^.^fi, "f^'^ ("¦ 25).— See how the text beai'S on— I. The
T.?^'"'l Tf?' ^pS fJS'^l^"'"?'. Here were two men notorious in wicked-
— - t:^a ',f3„T±"l°"i^ ^??5^.^°^:J_ *" their father's reproofs

&. U. 191.
Hooker naed to
Bay, "If I had no
other TeasoQ and
motive for being
religious, I
ahould earnestly
strive to be bo
for the sake of
my aged mother,
that I might re
quite her care of
xne, and eauso
the widow's
heart to sing for
joy.'" "Children gene
rally hate to be
idle : alt the care
then is, thattheir
busy humour
should be con
Btantly employed
in Bomething of
use to them."—

Samuel
frrows in
avour with
God and
.man fl " Womeu dedi
cated to service
of the sauc-
tuaiy."— . Wm^ds-
worih, followiog
Mengsten berg.
•'Engaged either
fasting and

such aa Ftpin-
ning, knitting,"
oto. — SpA. Com.
" An institution
of boly women
of a strictly as
cetic order." —
Jamieson. b IiU. ii. 52.

remonstrances, they despised. They both defi^^ aererential or
contemned His mercy Was noT «<!? w ,?°'^ ^ J"^*'?^ ?°"^
them?" •' "^ ^'^ 3 "St then m slaying
Monom-ina God (see also v. 30).^There wo= = >.„
^j. j.nere waa a boy once working

Oap. ii. 27-30.]

/. SAMUEL.

195

in a factory. His name was WiUie. He received only five
shillings a week ; but that was the principal dependence of his
poor mother. He was a good boy, and always went with his
mother to church on Sunday. His employer was not a Christian
man. He had a short memory. He forgot God. On one occasion
he was in a hurry to get some work done, and he gave notice to
his hands on Saturday that he wanted them to work all the next
day. Willie was very much tried to know what to do. He could
not bear to think of breaking the Sabbath. Yet, if he did not
go to work, he was afraid he should lose his place, and theu what
would his poor mother do 1 At last he resolved to do right, and
leave the rest to God. So he went to churoh, and kept the
Sabbath, as God has commanded. The next morning,, as he was
going iuto the factory to begin his work, his master met him
"Whero were you yesterday, sir?" "I went to ohurch, sir,'
said Willie. " Then you may go to churoh again to-(iay, for I
don't want you here," was his reply. Poor Willie felt very
miserable. 'When he thought of his mother he could not help
crying. But he thought that would do no good : so he wiped
away his tears, and set out to seek for a new situation. He
called at several places, but the only answer he received was,
" We don't want any boys." At last he called on a gentleman,
who asked him why he had left his last place. His ready reply
was, '" Because I wouldn't work on Sunday, sir." The gentleman
was pleased with this ; so he engaged him to work, and promised
¦to give him ten shillings a week. So WUlie found that God
blessed him for keeping the Sabbath.''
27—30. (27) man of God, Ju. xiii. 6, 8, ii. 1, a prophet.
(28) all the offerings, etc., a bountiful provision, wh. plainly
showed the covetousness of Eli's sons. (29) kick ye," fig.
taken fr. the overfed beast, wh. becomes unmanageable, and
refuses to draw. (30) for ever,' God designs His priesthood to
run in Aaron's family permanently. Ex. xix. 9. be it far fr.
me, lit. an abomination unto me.
Man's primlege a7id God's prerogative (v. .SO). — Introduction r
What is implied in honouring another 1 (1) We give him testi
mony of our own high estimation by word or deed : (2) By so
doing we endeavour to render him more illustrious in the eyes
of others. Consider — I. Our privilege. We may honour God I
1. Our facilities for honouring God : all have them. 2. Our
obligations. Whom do men deUght to honour ? Warriors 1 His
holy arm hath gotten ns the victoiy. Philanthropists ! He
loved us, and gave His Son to redeem us. Legislators 1 Listen
at Sinai. Kings ! " Lift up your heads, ye gates," etc. 3. Our
encouragements. Angels' voices call to us. The voioe of history
encourages. The voioe of God's own precepts call on us to
" honour the Lord." II. God's prerogative. ' GoA confers the
highest honour, for He is the highest Himself. He honours His
faithfid servants — 1. Abundantly; 2. Constantly; 3. Lastingly;
i. For Christ's sake alone. Throngh Jesus, honour God ; and
through Jesus, God will honour you I" — The way to the h'ighest
honour (v. 30). — I. What it is to honour God. We honour God
when — 1. Thoughts of Him are sweet to us ; 2. His hononr is pre
cious in our eyes, and His glory the continual object of desire ;
3. We think ourselves honoured by His servioe ; 4. We engage
ourselves to the utmost for Him, and yet acknowledge our un-
h2

tJD. 22—24. O. W.
Le Bas, Ss. ili.
293.
vv. 23—25. /.
Brailsford, Ss. 57.
V. 26. Bp. Maot,
Ss. ili. 366; W.
Cleaver, Ss. 281;
T. Arnold, Ss. iii.
329 J S. R. Mait
land. Pract. Ser.
ill. 161.
"It is the order
of Qod to govem
the world with
two hands, which
are justice and
mercy. If you
talse away one
of them, you
maim Bim. Xt
is the condition
of human and
Divine things,
where contra
ries are ever
c ounterbalanced
by contraries."—
Caussen.
d Dr. R, Nenoton.
Eli reproved
by a man
OfGod
a De. xxxii. IB.
Sept. renders thia
paspage:— ""Why
have ye loolced
upon my offering
with a shameless
eje?"
b The for ever ia
limited by the
continuance of
the anointed kings
of Israel.
c R. A. Griffin.
». 30. Dr. Stough
ton, Seven Sers.;
Bp. Hackett, Ss.
711; D. Eoance,
Ss. by Celeb. Di
vines, 827 ; Bp.
Stillingfleet, Wks.
1.732; Dr. J.Bar
row, Wks. i. 81;
l^p. Beveridge,
Wks. vii. 207 ; T.
Emlyn, Wks. iii.
3S1 ; Di: J. Hunt,
Ss, iii. 352 ; Dr. J.
Jostin, Ss. ii. 107j
£p. Hoi-ne, Ss. T.

196

7. S.iMUEL.

[Cap. ii. 31— 33i

B.C. lies.
155; A, W. Hare,
Ss. ii. 35; H. Al
ford, Ss. iii. 357.
"As the lips
burning with
thirst drinlc of
the fresh pure
water flowitog
from the rocii,
BO should the
BOul thirst after,
and drinlc of, -
the ilowing cry
stal streams,
which proceed
from the Inflnite
Fountain of
JAfe." —Jolm B-ile,
d Wm. Strong.
" when I was yet
a child, no child
ish play to me
was pleasing ; all
my mind was set
Beri HIS tn learn
and know, and
thence tod » wbat
what might be
publicgood: my
self I thou,.ht
born to that end
. — born to pro
mote all truth
and ritihteous
thinga."— Milton.

doom, of
hcuseof Eli
foretoldo Ex. vi. 6 ; Zee.
xi. 17; Lu. ii. 51.
b Marg. reading
is, " Thou shalt
see the afiliction
of the taber
nacle." Refer.
to loss of ark,
eto.c 1 Ki. ii. 27.
V. 35. Dr. Ooj'don,
ii.442.
v. 86. F. F. Clark,
Ss. 19.
Alexander Seve
rus, tbe Boman
emperor, would
never suffer any
office or trust or
power to be sold
remarking that
lie wbo bought
would also sell.

profitableness ; 5. We ascribe our successes to Him ; 6. We seek
only the honour that comes from Him as our reward. II. How
God honours them that honour Ilhn. He — 1. Gives them honour
able employment ; 2. Keep.? them unblemished in adversity and
prosperity ; 3. Gives them high esteem in the hearts of the
faithful ; 4. Honours them when others dishonour them ;
5. Gives them a, sweet and precious name after death ;
6. Honours them in their posterity. III. How men dis
honour God. Wheu they— 1. Slight Christ's offers ; 2. Are con
tent to li-ve without God ; 3. Do not fear His displeasure ; i. Exalt
their own will or wisdom against Hirn ; 5. Are unaflfected by
things whioh dishonour Him. IV. How God dishonours meu.
1. He will not use them in high employments ; 2. He will give
them up to base lusts ; 3. He will cast them out of the hearts
and prayers of His people ; 4. After this life their names shall
rot : .5. He will dishonour their children."*
Honouring God. — A few years ago, a, publican in one of the
midland counties of England became concerned for the welfare
of his soul. Having placed his dependence on Jesus Christ, and
become His servant, he appeared as a new man before his fellow-
creatures. He resolved to take into his house no known -wicked
men, nor to draw for any one of his customers more than one
pint of ale. His peculiarities soon became known, and his prin
ciples put to the test. The squire of the parish, and a large
company of hunters, went to the house, determined to have more
ale than his regulation allowed. The struggle was powerful ;
the publican was firm, even though the squire threatened not to
renew his license, and all declared that they would withdraw
their favours. Subsequent reflection, however, convinced them
of the propriety of the publican's resolution ; they -visited his
house for refreshment oftener than before, and the good man
had another proof of the truth of the Divine promise, " Them
that honour Me, I will honour."
31—36. (31) thine arm. fig. for strength." an old man,
a great punishment, as length of days was regarded as a great
sign of honour. (32) see an enemy,'' prob. tin/ rii-al, reference
being to the elder branch of Aaron's house. (.S3) not cut off,
¦ ¦:. in early life, shall be so wicked as to bring further disgrace
on you. (34) a sisrn, and a beginning of the fulfilment,
ch. IV. 11. (35) faithful priest, in substitution ofthe house of
Zadok." mine anointed, refer, to the Kinr/.^ of Is. or to Messiah.
(36) crouch to him, Zadok and his descendants in ofHce.
The decadence of the priestly office (v. 36).— It is here clearly
iniphed— I. That the ofBce of priest should not be sought for the
sake of matenal emolument II. That those who seek it for "a
piece of silver and a morsel of bread " must have a low view of
the nature and dignity of the office. III. That this low view of
the office will be associated with great servility : " crouch " LV
Apply this to modem times and Christian Churches.
A faithf III priest.— Sovae years ago, the Eev. Dr. Henry Peek-
well stepped mto a dissecting room and touched one of the dead
bodies, fo-rgetting that he had just before accidentaUy cut his
linger. He became diseased, and the doctors who were called in
pronounced the accident fatal. At that time worship was held
at the Tabemticle, Moorfields, on a Friday evening. Conscioua
ot his approachmg death, the good maa ascended the pulpit,

Oap. 111. 1-4.1

I. SAMUEL.

197

and preached in so powerful a strain as to make many of his j
audience weep. At the conclusion, he told his hearers that it
was his farewell seimon— "not like the ordinary farewell
sermons of the world, but more impressive, from the circum
stances, than any preached before. My hearers shall long bear
it in mind, when this frail earth is mouldering in its kindred
dust 1" The congregation could not conjecture his meaning,
but on the following Sabbath, an unknown preacher ascended the
pulpit, and informed them that their pious minister had breathed
his last on the preceding evening.

CHAPTEB THE THIRD.
1 — 4. (1) child, Josephus says, then twelve years old. He
served God through attending on BU. precious, special com
munications fr. God were infrequent, no opeu vision," God
had -withdrawn Himself back fr. sight bee. of national and
priestly sins. (2) wax dim, not with sleep, but with old age.'
So EU needed an attendant like Sam. near him. (3) lamp,
''the seven-branched candlek., fed with oil every evening."'
temple, word used in this book for the tabemacle, ch. i. 9. (4)
here am I, usual response to a call.
'lhe child Samuel (v. 1). — Samuel was — I. The child of much
prayer. She who prayed for him to be, did not fail to pray for
htm to be holy. II. A consecrated child. Given, not only to
God, but also to the temple servioe. III. A converted child :
"the Lord was with him." IV. A tempted child. He had
contact with Eli's sons. V. An honoured child. Honoured by
a vision from God."* — Youth the repository of Divine judgment
(on the whole chapter). — I. Night visions. Night selected for
this vision because — 1. It was calm and silent ; 2. It would lend
impressiveness to the call ; 3. It was consistent with the
event announced ; 4. God wished to show that He works
at the most unlikely times, independent of extemal and
natural aid. Consider conceming the vision — (1 ) In what it con
sisted (vv. 4 — 14). The communications made were astounding,
and of wide-spread interest ; the doom was inevitable, rendered
so by Divine oath, and by a strict refusal of compromise. (2) To
whom entrusted : Samuel. Childhood vocal on the lips of God.
Devoted childhood honoured by God. (3) How honestly mistaken :
" ran unto BU." This action was prompt, responsive, deferential.
Mistaken childhood instructed (v, 7). (4) Obediently received
(v. 10). II. Moming disclosures. The vision was — 1. Timidly
retained (vv. 16. 17) ; 2. Faithfully disclosed (v. 18) ; 3. Keve
rently acknowledged (v. 18). Lessons :— (1) Childhood taken to
the temple as Ukely to be called by God ; (2) The temple the
. place for the instruction of youth ; (3) The punishment of
' parental indulgence is both certain and fearful ; (4) The secrets
of Di'vine providence are ever entrusted to faithful souls ; (5)
Moral rectitude honoured by God and respected by man
(vv. 19—21).'
God's Wm-d precious.— A'boat three hundred years ago, when
Bibles were not cheap, and when persons were not allowed to
read them fi-eely as thoy may now, one evening a little peasant
child came tripping dowa tlie mountain with her father's goats,

EO. 1166.
It WAS one ofthe
maxims of thia
monarch that
the majesty of
the empire was
to be supported
by virtue, and
not by the osten
tatious display of
wealth or power.

the call of
Samuel
the first call
o " Prophetic vi
sion not open,
extended but
^ utracted on
account of sin."
— Wordsworth.
b Ge. xxvii. 1.
cBx. xxvil. 20,
XXX. 8; Le. xxiv.

"There was no
vision promul
gated or pub
lished." — Spk.
Com.
d R. A. Origin.
"None that were
publicly known
to have visions.'*
Mat. Henry.
V. 1. Dr. R.
Hawker, Wks. v.
117; J. Slade. Ss.
1. 276 ; C. E. Ken-
naway, Ss. to
Young, 82.
e J- S. Exell.
" I havo care
fully and regu
larly perused
these Holy
ScriptureB, and
am of opinion
that the volume,
independently of
its Divine origin,
contains more
sublimity, purer
morality, more
important his
tory, and flner

198

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. 111. 5-10.

B.O. 1165. _
Strains of elo
quence, tban ean
be collected from
all otber books,
in whatever lan
guage they may
have been writ
ten." — Sir Wil
liam Jones.

"Little body with
a mighty heart.''

the second
callGod's "Word is
like God's world
— varied, very
rich, very beauti-'
ful. You never
know when you
have exliausted
all its secrets.
The Bible, Jike
nature,ha8 some
thing for every
class of mind.
Look at the
Bible in a new
light, and
straightway you
Bee some new
charms. " I will hazard
the assertion,
that uo man ever
did or ever wili
become trulyelo-
quent, without
being a constant
reader of the
Bible, and an
admirer of the
purity and sub
limity of its lan
guage." — Fisher

the third
call a "The glory ot
the Lord was
revealed nnto
him." — Targum.
b R. Cecil, M.A.
V. 10. W. Oilpin,
Ss. ii. 125; J.
Plumptre, Pop.
Corn. 408; Divine

and she saw a stranger, who spoke to her. .and said. " I like the
hymn you were singing just now, Uttle child."' Then he told
her he had heard it many hundreds of miles away. Following
her to the hut in whioh she Uved he went in, and was welcomed
as a stranger ; but when he made known to the family that he
was a pastor, their joy knew no bounds. It was quickly arranged
that a meeting should be held that evening ; and the father and
son, and even little Lois, the peasant child, hastened from cottage
to cottage by the light of torches to beg their neighbours to
come. A crowd of old men, rough men, women, and children
too, met in the cottage home. And when the good pastor took
out his clasped Bible to read, " The Book, the Book 1" they
murmured, and bowed their heads in reverence to hear the words
of Ufe.
5—7. (5) ran, he was prob. sleeping near and within sound
of a caU. (6) thou didst, no idea of his prophetio ofiSoe seems
yet to have dawned on Sam. (7) knoiJir the Lord, by special
and personal revelations. Expression does not deny that he had
relig. instruction, or personal piety.
Personal hno^cledge of God (r. 7).— I. There may be great reli
gious pri-vileges and much religious instruction without a per
sonal knowledge of God. II. Those who are the subjects of
those privileges, etc., are favourably placed for securing this
personal knowledge of God. III. In order to persoual knowledge
the Divine call must be yielded to. IV. Of this call, to know
and serve God, we are all the subjects.
How obedience saved.— On one of the railroads of Prussia a
pointsman was just taking his plaoe in order to tum a coming
train, then in sight, on to a different track, to prevent a collision
with a train approaching by a loop line in a contrary direction,
when he suddenly discerned his little son playing directly in
front of the rapidly advancing engine. "What coiild he do ? He
might spring to his child and rescue him, but he could not do
this and turn the points in time, and for want of that, hundreds
of lives might be lost. Although in sore trouble, he could not
neglect his greater duty ; but crying to his son, " Lie down I" he
went to his post. The child, accustomed to obey, did as com
manded, and the heavy train thundered over him. Little did the
passengers dream, as they found themselves quietly resting on
the siding, what terrible anguish their approach had carried to
one noble heart. The father rjished forward to where his boy
lay, fearful lest he should find only a mangled corpse, but to hia
joy he found the child alive and unharmed. His prompt obe
dience had saved him.
8 — 10. (8) perceived, etc., at first he thought the boy was
dreaming. No doubt in better days. Divine communic. had come
to Eli. How sad to be passed by for a child ! (9) Obs. how
wisely Eli left the whole matter to God, and attempted no expla
nations of what he thought the voice was. (10) and stood,
this appears to indicate some bodily presence as well as a voice.
Some vision of God was vouchsafed."
Im.portance of improving .ipiritnal opportunities (vv. 8, 9). —
Consider — I. The importance of spiritual opportunities. II.
That attention and prayer is our duty, when such opportunities
occur. III. The benefit of religious instructions.'' — Divine calls

Cap. iii. 11-14.

/. SAMUEL.

199

(v. 10). — Consider the ways in which Divine calls come to us.
I. Perhaps it may be the loss of some dear friend through whioh
the call comes. II. Sojnething occurs to force us to take a part for
God or against Him. III. We get acquainted with some one
whom God employs to bring before us truths which were closed
on us before. IV. We may be in the practice of reading the
Scripture carefully, and tiying to serve God ; and its sense may,
as if suddenly, break upon us, in a way it never did before. "V.
It may happen that we find ourselves, how or why we cannot
tell, much more able to obey God in certain respects than before."
— God speak'ing to Samuel (v. 10). — God speaks to us — I. In His
¦works. By these He tells us that He is — 1. Very powerful:
therefore we should fear Him; 2. Very wise: therefore we should
obey Him ; 3. Very good : therefore we should love Him. II.
By His pro-vidence ; by the various events which He causes to
happen. He speaks to you by — 1. Sickness ; 2. Death. III. In
His Word : in the Holy Bible.'' — The child-seer (v. 10). — I propose
to speak to you about — I. A rare visit : the Lord came. In
these times, the Bible gives us so much knowledge to guide
our 'ways, that angel 'visits and Divine dreama are not needed.
II. A strange voice. Samuel did not know God's voice when
called." Tlw listening sonl (v. 10). — The self -resigning soul is still and
silent before the Lord : lust and corrupt interests, which 'make
a continual noise and clamour in the unregenerate and unre- 1
signed by their importunate solicitations, and fill them with din
. and tumult, are here quieted and sUenced ; and therefore such
a soul is better prepared to hear God coming to it inthe "still
small voice "(1 Kings xix. 12), as once He did to Elias. Those
soft and gentle whispers of the Spirit, those inward manifesta
tions of Himself, are best discerned and attended to in this solemn
silence. When the wind is high, and beats upon the windows
and doors of the house, it is hard to hear what is said within.
All tumultuous and boisterous passions must be cabned, and the
soul be in a state of due stillness and tranquillity, to hear what
God speaks to it/
11—14. (11) tingle," as if smitten with a sharp blow. (12)
¦will perform, ^ee ch. ii. 27—36. when I begin, «<e., pro
verbial way of saying, I will do it thoroughly.* (13) vile, or
accursed ; brought curses on themselves. (14) sacrifice nor
o£fering, bloody nor unbloody sacrifices.
A strange coincident (v. 13 ; also ch. 'viii. 1, 3). — Samuel
declared to Eli God's judgments against him and his sons.
Samuel in his old age had the bitter grief of seeing his own sons
tum aside from the right way. See these two families, and
leam — I. That children are often a source of bitterest distress
to the best and holiest parents. II. That parents are not
punished by God for their children's sins, unless they have neg
lected their duty towards them. III. That whatever the conduct
of the parents, if the children sin they must suffer the penalty
themselves. IV. That men may be placed amidst the most
desirable influences, may have the brightest examples, r-ay be
eurrounded by the most likely eiicumstances, amd after all oe far
from the kingdom of heaven.«
'The doom of El'i's house. — It was night in the sanctuary. The
high priest slept in one of the adjacent chambers, and the

E.o. 11G6.
Calls, Pl, Ss. V.
177; J. Summer-
field, Ss. 297.
c Dr. J. H. A'ea-
man.
d J. A. Fenton,
B.A."Opportunity la
like a favouring
breeze springing
up around a sail
ing vessel. If the
siiils be all set,
theship is waftel
onward to its
port; if the sail
ors are asleep
or ashore, the
breeze may dio
again, and when
they would go
on they cannots
their vessel
stands as idle as
a painted ship
upon B, painted
ocean." — U. Mag.
e Dr. J. Edmond.
Jean Paul paysi
' The Bmalle=t
are nearest God,
as the smallest
planets are near
est the Bun."
/ Worlhmgtan.

God's
messageto Samuel
a 2 Ki. xxt 12;
Jer. xix. 3.
6 1 will go
through with
the performance
from flrst to last.
m>. 11—13. E.
Bather,Ss.m.i7S.
OT.12, IS. J.Sau-
rm. Ss, V. 26 ; W.
Reading, Ss. iii.
366 ; Bp. Ball,
Contem.
e R. A. Griffin.
V. 13, B. Ct»-
m«j(,&. 139; M.
Benson, Ss. 2S3;

200

/. SAMUEL.

tCap. ill. 15-21.

Dr. J.

B.o.lie5. attendant ministers in another. In the centre, on the left of
¦JT „ the entrance, stood the seven-branched candlestick, now men-
106; 'or E i tioned for the la^t time, superseded in the' reign of Solomon by

Payson,, Wks, iii'. I the ten separate candlesticks, but revived after the captivity by
362; J, Marriott the copy of the one candlestick with seven branches, as itis
BlomHeld, Ss. 36.
II. 11. F. D. Mau
rice, Old Test. 3-16.

4, Dr. Stanley.

Samuel tells
the Lord's
-words to Eli
a Ex. xxvi. 36,
xxxvi. 37.
6 A. Sn vriht, a
creature, thing.
The smallest
particle imagi
nable.
'¦V.1&. A. Faring-
' don, i. 446 ; Dr, R,
Warren, iii. 333 ;
Dr. T. Coney, ii.
2!J7; J. Penn, i.
95; Dr. A. Ge
rard, ii. 165; D
.Dickson, 200; E.
Berens, 226.
c C.Simeon, M.A.
"But peace! I
must not quarrel
.with tbe will of
highest dispen
sation, which
herein haply had
ends above my
reach to know."
--MUton. "The question is,
not whether t^od
18 on our Bide,
but whether we
are on the side
of God, for He is
always in the
.right." And, we
may add, always
on the winning
side as well.
It is one thine; to
be childlike and
an otber to be
childish.
d Dr. Haven.

Samuel
recogrnised as a prophet
'a "Ever and

still seen on the arch of Titus. It was the only light of the
tabemacle during the night, was solemnly lighted every evening
as in the devotions of the Bastei-n world, both Mussulman and
Christian, and extinguished just before moming, when the doors
were opened. In the deep silence of that early moming, before
the snn had risen, when the sacred light was still buming, came
through the mouth of the innocent child the doom of the house
of Ithamar.''
15 — 18. (1.5) opened the doors, evidently one of Sam.'s
ministries. The door was prob. the hanging curtain covering the
entrance." Gradually signs of a more perirutnent building would
be seen upon the tabernacle, and hangings would give place to
doors. (16) Eli called, no doubt observing how the boy seemed
to shrink from him. (17) God do so to thee, Ru. i. 17. (18)
every ¦whit,'' the whole communication, let . . good, comp.
Job i. 21, ii. 10.
Eli's sub-mission to the Divine rebukes (r. 18). — Consider— I. The
fidelity of Samuel. II. The resignation of BU. Leam — (1)
The importance of exerting our influence for God ; (2) The
comfort of being interested in the Gospel of Christ."
A happy child. — Befurchte, gardener to Elizabeth, consort of
Frederick II., had one little daughter, with whose reUgious
instruction he had taken great pains. When this child was five
years of age, the queen saw her one day while -visiting the royal
gardens at Shonhausen, and was so much pleased witih her, that
a week afterwards she expressed a wish to see the little girl
again. The father accordingly brought his artless child to the
palace, and a page conducted her into the royal presence. She
approached the queen with untaught courtesy, kissed her robe,
and modestly took the seat which had been placed for her, by
the queen's order, near her own person. From this position she
could overlook the table at which the queen was dining with the
ladies of her court, and they watched with interest to see the
effect of so much splendour on the simple child. She looked
carelessly on the costly dresses of the guests, the gold and
porcelain on the table, and the pomp with whioh all was con
ducted ; and then, folding her hands, she sang, with a clear,
childlike voice, these words : —
" Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.
Are all my omament and dress ;
Fearless, -with these pure garments on,
I'U view the splendours of Thy throne 1"
All the assembly were struck with surprise at seeing so much
feeling, penetration, and piety in one so youug. Tears filled the
eyes of the ladies, and the queen exclaimed, " Ah, happy child I
how far are we below you l"<*
19— Sl. (19) gre-w-, obs. the repetition of this expression."
his -words, prophetic words. (20) Dan to Beersheba, Ju. xx. 1.
(21) appeared again, drawing near again, now there was a
faithful one through whom he might speak.

Cap. iv. 1—4.]

1. SAMUEL.

201

liarly piety (v. 19). — I. The way by which you may endeavour
to win the hearts of your children to G cd. 1 . The first lesson
to be taught the child is — to obey ; 2. Establish and maintain a
constant intercourse between your little one's heart and God ;
3. Teach your child its dcper dence on its Creator lor life and
all enjoyment ; i. Teach it that God is holy, and, consequently,
displeased with ein. II. Some dangers which will lie in the path.
1. Do not neglect to cultivate amiable and honourable feelings
in your child ; 2. Be not too eager for your children to say that
they hope they have commenced a Ufe of piety ; 3. Be not too
ready to believe that their hearts are changed ; 4. When you
have once cherished hope of their piety be very slow to abandon
it ; 5. Take care lest the influence of your example, or of some
of your measures of govemment, should encourage evil prin
ciples in their hearts ; 6. Above all things, be honest and sincere
in your efforts to promote their piety. III. Motives to fidelity
in the discharge of these duties. 1. God has placed in your
hands an influence over your children which is almost boundless ;
2. The influence which you now exert upon them will react,
after many years, with prodigious power upon yourselves ; 3.
Eemember that you will soon be separated from them.''
Revealed (v. 21). — This is perhaps with one exception, the
earliest use of the word which has since become the name for
aU Divine communication. On one or two occasions the idea is
conveyed in a more precise form, " The Lord uncovered the ear ''
(chap. ix. 15), a touching and significant figure, taken from the
manner in which the possessor of a secret moves back the long
hair of his friend, and whispers into the ear thus laid bare the
word that no one else may hear. The term " revelation." thence
appropriated in the theological language both of the East and
West, when thus seen in its primitive form, well expresses the
truly philosophical and universal idea which ought to be con
veyed by it.'

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
1 — 4. (1) and . . Israel, this clause should be added to ch. iii.
came, marg. came to pass. Narrative of this ch. gives the
fulfilment of Satn.'a Jirst prophecy, ch. iii. 11—14. Philistines,
who appear just now to have matle a new incursion. Ebentzer,
this name subseq. given to the place." Aphek,' as Jos. xv. 53,
not as 1 Sa. xxix. 1. (2) in array, fit posture to fight, army,
Heb. array, word applied to the soldiers. (3) elders, a council
was held, but neither Eli, nor Sam., were consulted, fetch the
ark, either as compelling God's help, not praying for it ; or
thinking power lay in the syml/ol." (4) d'welleth,'* allusion to
Shekinah appearing over mercy-seat.
Tlw ark and the judge.— The practical thoughts suggested by
this passage may be associated with two principal objects. 1.
The ark of the covenant. 1. The ark at Shiloh : (a) Its godless
guardians, holding office for the sake of power and emolument ;
(b) Not led by their sacred duties to cultivaLe holiness of heart
and life ; (c) Considering, when commanded to convey the ark
to the camp, the will of man rather than of God ; 2. The ark in
the camp— (o) Regarded by the IsraeUtes with vain confideuce :

B 0.1166.
1 anon amidst the
1 crimes and ter-
I rors of Ibe nar
rative of that
j troubled time, . .
: . . the scpne of
Ithe Sacred
¦ Story reveals to
us, in successive
I gl mpses, the one
peaceful, consol-
ii g, hopeful im
age, and we hoar
the same gentle
undersong of
childlike, de
voted, continu
ous goodness."—"
Stanley.
V. 19. C. E. Een-
naway, i)5.
V. 21. J. S. M.
Anderson, Cloud
of Witnesses, ii.
268.
6 /. Abbott.
"The childhood
shovfs the tnan,
as morning
hhowB the day,'
— Milton.
c Br. Stanley.

B.O. 1141,
Israel
defeated
by Philistia
a 1 Sa. vii. 12.
6 "Situate to
waid tbe went ern
frontier of Ju
dah, not very far
from Mizpeh, of
Benjamin."- Spk.
Com.
c Cortip. Nu. I.
35; Jos. iii. 11 —
13.
d Ex. xxv. 22.
" Such an appli
cation of the ark
was not wiihout
U'xii mille hefore
Jor alter; but it
is evidently
described aa

f502

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. lv. 5—13.

B.O. 1141.
against the
higher spirit of
the religioa
which it was in
tended to sup
port." — Stanley.
V. 3. Bp. Fulford,
il 23.
e a. S. World.
"Fear is the last
of ills : In tiuxB
we hate that
which we often
fear." — Shake-
speare.
fJ. Smith.

the ark
brought into
the camp
of Israel
a -Word used by
Phil, is Elohim,
th>^ general name
for Q-od, not Je
hovah, the cove
nant name.
b Ex. XV. 14.
e Lat., quietare,
to dismiss., fr.
quietus quiet, so
to meet the
claims upon, or
expectations en
tertained ot. See
1 Cor. xvi. 13.
Quit, in the sense
of acquit, to dis
charge a duty,
and so to free
oneself fr. the
obligation of it,
"seem to defend
yourself; no«r
quit you well." —
Shakespeare, "Lear,"' ii. 1.
"Fear is the tax
tbat conscien e
pays to guilt.'' —
Seujetl.
d Hive.

the ark
captured

they thought more of the form than of the spirit of religion ; (b)
Regarded by the Philistines with superstitious dread. II. The
aged judge. 1. A father disappointed in his children ; 2. A
priest overruled in his authority by his sons and the elders ; 3.
A civil ruler trembling "for the fate of his country ; 4. An old
man— father, priest, judge— awaiting in fear news of the battle ;
5. Au aged man suddenly struck down by bad news too suddenly
told. Leam — (1) Filial disobedience is followed by neglect of
religious duty and reverence ; (2) Be cautious in the telling of
important news, whether good or bad ; (3) We maymaintain the
form, and neglect the spirit, of true religion ; (4) The form
without the spirit will not avail us (iii. 14). We may have the
ark of God, but is our heart right with God ?«
Cause of superstition. — The true cause and rise of superstition
is indeed nothing else but a false opinion of the Deity, that
renders Him dreadful and terrible, as being vigoro'js and impe
rious ; that which represents Him as austere, and apt to be
angry, but yet impotent, and easy to be appeased again by some
flattering devotions, especially if performed with sanctimonious
shows, and a solemn sadness of mind./
5 — 9. (5) earth rang', as vibrating with the noise. "The
appearanoe of the ark roused, as with a spasmotlic effort, the
sinking spirit of the army." Obs. the indic. of wide-spread
belief in -national and local deities. (6) Eebre'ws, the name by
which Israel was known to foreigners. (7) God is eome, the
Israelites' God." (8) that smote, remembrance of the great
deliv. fr. Egypt stiU Ungered among the nations.'' (9) quit,"
behave yourselves.
N'lght and morning. — 1. A moming scene. Describe the two
armies assembled for battle. Help the description by 1 Sam. xvn.
1 — 3. As usual, near enough to taunt oue another. Then
getting the battle in order, and some hours of hand-to-hand
fighting. AU this is man's skill and bravery, wiihout God. 2.
A night scene. Triumph and feasting in Philist'jae camp,
wailing and alarm in camp of Im-ael. Eamest consultation
what was to be done. Plans suggested, but no penitent seektag
of God. 3. Next morning's scene. Plan resolved on put in
operation. Ark brought out. Sons of Eli in charge. Eli very
aoxious. Israel shouting, as if they already had victory. They
had with them only God's symbol, not God. 4. Next night's
scene. _ Defeat. Lost ark. Dead priests. Dreadful accident to
old EU. Sad fruits of wrong-doing.«
Napoleon and h's soldiers.— As Napoleon's soldiers were standing
on au eminence, gazing upon the pyramids of Ecypt, just before
^e made his descent upon the Mamelukes. he cried out," Soldiers,
from the summits of yonder pyramids, forty ages survey your
conduct ; act Uke heroes." Te Christians I fighting for truth
and heaven, under the command of Jesus, from the summits of
the everlasting htUs in heaven, and from the blazing thrones of
etemity. ten thousand angels and saints, with the Almighty
Sovereign for -whom you are fighting, are surveying your conduct.
Be strong. Quit you like men. Be valiant for the truth. " Aot
like heroes.
10-13. (10) they fled, the defeat of previous day was dis
heartening, but temporary, this was overwhelming and final.

Cap. iv. 14-18.1

/. SAMUEL.

203

(11) slain," let 'us hope, defending the ark to the last. (12)
there ran, information was in those days conveyed by
Bwift runners.* clothes . . head, "the two Oriental signs of
grief and dismay."" (13) seat,'' in usual place, at entrance of
city, or beside gateway of sanctuary, cried out, the usual
Eastem n-ail, in time of calamity.
Eli's anx'wty fm- the ark of God (v. 13). — Consider — I. The
grounds of his anxiety. He did not doubt whether God was able
to protect His ark .; but he had just grounds to doubt whether
Ee would protect it. II. The issue of it. Leam from this
liistory — (1) The inefBcacy of ordinances-; (2) The danger of
presumption ; (3) The necessity of waUdng im liie fear of
<Jod.« Eli's seat— Eastem cliairt {see also v, 18).— Eli therefore sat
on an elevated seat. Seats from which even a man old and
heavy could fall and injure himself, are not now employed in
the East, and do not appear to have been in use among the
Hebrews. Eli's seat would appear to have been a sort of throne-
seat, peculiar to him as a mark of his dignity. Indeed the
Heb. word is never used but to denote the seat of some dignified
person, as of a king, high-priest, judge, or prophet, as may be
seen by comparing the followiug passages in which it occurs —
2 Sam. vii. 13 ; 1 Ki. X. 19; 2 Ki iv. 10; 1 Ch. xxii. 10 ; Job
xxvi. 9 ; Ps. cxxu. 5 ; Ne. iii. 7. It includes therefore the
throne, and all liaised scats of authority. From the absence of
any mention of other than such seats, as well as fi'om many
direct intimations, it appears sufBciently probable that the
Israelites sat, as the Orientals now do, on mats, rugs, etc., laid
upon the ground, or indeed seated themselves on the bare
ground. 14 — 18. (14) came in, to the place where Eli was, to give
message direct to him. (15) ninety and eight," an age
involving great helplessness, and prob. heavy weight of body.
'Were dim, Heb. ^tood, were fixed, so that he could not see the
rent garments of the man. (16) to-day, showing the battle
had been fought not very far off. (17) In the man's eagerness
he does not attempt to break the tidings graduaUy. (18) fell
oflf, in sudden stroke of anguish : heart-broken at the news
conceming the ark.
A ti-oubled minuet (r, 18). — ^This touching stttry contains — I. A
Bpeoial lesson to parents. What a heritage of sorrow and suffer
ing might not Eli have warded off by fidelity 'to that immortal
trust confided to him. II. A general lesson to all. l.To sinners.
Learn from Eli's death that God will not wink at sin. Even in
His own people He '«'ill punish it. Take heed, then, sinner.
2. To saints — to believers — and to the Church. A lesson of
imitation. " The ark of God taken." Eli listened to the other
crushing tidings with calm magnanimity. But he cannot
survive the last blow.*
An agid Christian's trouble. — An aged Christian, in great
distress of mind, was once complaining to a friend of his mise
rable condition ; and, among other things, said, " That which
troubles me most is that God will be dishonoured by my fall."
His friend hastily caught at this, and used it for the purpose of
comforting him. " Art thou careful of the honour of God? and
dost thou think tliat God hath no care of thee, and of thy salva-

by the
Philistinea
a 1 Sa. iL 34.
e> 2 So. xviU. 19—
31.
« 2 So. L 3 ; Job
il. 12.

<f"An offieial
chair, similar to
those of the
ancient Egyp.
judges, richly
carved, supsrbly
o rname n ted,
high, and without
a back.'-' — Jamie-
sat. V. 11. Dr. B. Cor
don, ii. 463.
V. 13. E. Calamy,
FareweU Ss. 332;
Jf. Hill, 121; O.
Bradley, ii. 88;
Bp. Dchon, ii. 442.
e C. Simeon, M.A.

the death
of £li
a Sept. has 90
years, the Syriae
and Arabic, 78."
—Spk, Com.
'¦Tt e career of
Elias highpriest
and judge is sup
posed to bave be
gun during the
Philistine op
pression, and 20
years before tho
deatb of Jair.
Jair ruled on tha
east of Jordan,
and Eli in the
Bouthera part of
Canaan. Samson
is supposed to
have begun his
activecareer two
years before the
death of EH. and
^0 have died 21
years later. Two
years after Sam-
son began his
career, judging
west of Canaan,
Samuel began
his as judge, suo*

204

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. V. 1-5.

B.O. 1141.
ceeding EU; heis
supposed tohave
outlived Samson
21 years." — He
roes and Judges.
b Dr. Macduff.
birth of
Ichabod

bMat. Henry,
after LXX.
f Spk. Com.
d"The ark, heing
the visible centre
of tbe theocratic
Bystem of Israel,
Its capture was
the departure of
IsraeTs glory,
and is spokeo of
as the ' captivity
of tbe land,' see
Ps. Ixxviii. 60,
61."- Words.
v/orth.
V. 21. H. Hughes,
Fem. Cha, ii. 108.
e J- Parsons.
** If parents were
really faithful to
their children,
there would he
very few uncon
verted adultB.'' —
Baxter. Importance of
Children. — "-Fra.-
gile beginnings
of a mighty eod."
—Hon. Mrs. Sor-
fon.
/J. Bate.

tiou ? A soul forsaken of God cares not what becomes of the
honour of God. Therefore be of good cheer : if God's heart
were not towards thee, thine would not be towards God, or
towards the remembrance of His name."
19—22. (10) bo-wed herself, sank ou her knees. (20) fear
not, endeavouring to cheer her, and divert her thought to the
joy of her sou. answered not, as a mother might be expected
to. (21) Ichabod, -no glory ;" alas, for tlw glory ;^ there is no
glory, or whei-e is the glory ?' (22) departed, " properly is
gone into captivity."''
The concern of the pious for religion in peril (v. 22). — We pro
pose to notice — I. The properties of true religion, as indicated by
the symbol under which it is represented. The ark was— 1.
Aisociated with immediate and visible displays of the Divine
presence ; 2. Identified -with the Divinely-appointed mediation
for the pardon of human sin ; 3. The instrument of Divine
protection, iu behalf of the people, who possessed and who
rightly applied to it. II. The danger in which the interests of
religion, Uke the anoient symbol, may appear tu be involved.
That which arises from — 1. The efforts of open and avowed
adversaries to its olaims; 2. The evils which exist and are
cherished within its own intemal sphere — (1) Errors in doctrine ;
(2) Discords ; (3) Worldly conformities. III. The emotions
which this apparent danger must properly produce. 1. Their
natmre ; 2. The manner in whioh they may be soothed ; 3. The
deportment to which they should prompt : care, holy zeal for
souls, importunity in prayer.«
Care of the young. — A gentleman was once walking over the
farm of his friend, and observing the very superior sheep which
he had, he asked him how it was he came to have them so fine ?
His reply was, " I take care of my lambs, sir," What an impor
tant lesson this teaches fathers, mothers, teachers, and ministers !
If we want the future generation to be sober, wise, religious,
let us take care of them while they are children. The florist and
gardener take care of the buds and blossoms,' in order that the
fruit may be good. So let all those who have in any way the
charge of the young pay particular attention to their physical,
moral, social, mental, and religions training, so that their subse-
q^uent years may bear good fruit to the world and to God./

Satron falls
before the
ark(s Ewald.
b Jos. xiii. 3.
e " Dagon in his
own temple fell
down like a pt-i-
soner before Lis
conqueror, or
like a suppliant
before his god. '
^-Wordsioorth. 4 Scc^ep L 1—9.

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.
1—5. (1) Ebenezer, see ch. vii. 12. Ashdod, "then per
haps reckoned the capital of their .5 lil'LIe kingdoms."" Azotus
in Sept., and Acts viii. 40. now Esdud,'- (21 Dagon, Ju. xvi. 23.
set it by, as a trophy of victory. (?,) fallen, as if bowing to
the symbol of Jehovah." (4) the heod, etc, the parts of Dagon
that were like a mnn were broken off. only the ignoblest part,
the stump, or fishy part, was left, lit. only Dagon was left : Dagon
fr. dag, a fish. (5) tread on, etc., a custom prob. continued
to reign of Josiah at least.''
Dagon and the ark (vv. 3— 5).— This remarkable and mysterioua
event may be looked npon— I. As prophetic of the future down
fall of idoLntry. II. As instructing ns how Ihis will be accom
pUshed— not by the sword, but by making knowu the will of

Cap. V. 3— lai

/. SAMUEL.

205

God. III. Ouce overthrown, uo attempt to establish idolatry
shall succeed.
Dagon. — Dagon, the principal deity of the Philistines, was
represented by an image having the head, arms, and bust of a
man, sometimes of a female, and the tail of a fish. The name
is derived from the Heb. dag, " a fi^h." It was in Dagon's
temple at Gaza that Samson was exposed to the mockery of the
crowd ; and there he sacrificed his own life in executing a last
signal act of vengeance on the enemies of his country.
It was in Dagon's temple at Ashdod that the captured ai-k
was placed ; and the sacred narrative is illustrated by the
knowledge we have of the hybrid form of the idol. It is related
that the image fell to th* earth before the ark, that his head
aud the palms of his hands were broken off, " and only Dagon
was left to him." The human part was broken, and " the fish,"
dagon, alone remained perfeot.
6 — 9. (6) emerods, hemorrhoids, as De. xxviii. 27 ; " bleeding
piles, a disease said to be common in Syria at the present time.""
(7) hand is sore, diseases of this kind usually regarded as
direct punishment of gods for sins of sacrilege. (8) Gath, they
sent it to this place, supposing some bad luck attached to its
presence in Ashdod. Gath was prob. between Ashdod and
Ekron.' (9) small and great, as we say, rich and poor, a
general outbreak of painful and shameful disease.
So let Dagon fall (see also v. 3).- Soon after the commence
ment of the ministerial labours of the Rev. S. Kilpin, of Exeter,
several trivial circumstances gave an entire change to his style
of preaching. He was in the habit of studying closely, and
writing nearly the whole of his sermons, to which he made refe
rence during the time of their delivery. Thus fumished, he
visited some part of Wales. Immense congregations assembled.
He was told that they did not like any but extempoianeous
preaching. For this he was not prepared ; but by condensing
his subjeot he lessened the appearance of his notes. With a
trembling hand, he placed his remarks in the Bible, so neatly
that his fears vanished. This, however, was followed by a hard
cough, which, to his dismay, released the concealed paper, and
sent it into a current of air, where it floated as a kite over the
heads of the people. He breathed a momentary pr^'yer for aid,
when with good humour he said, " So let Dagon fall ; we will
endeavour to seek higher assistance." This pleased the con
gregation ; he was enabled calmly to coUect his thoughts, and
the sermon was made a blessing.
10-12. (10) Ekron, now Akir, the most N.W. city of
Philistia, where Beelzebub was worshipped." (11) send away,
fr. the country, back again to its home. The same two visita
tions'' followed the ark to Ekron. (12) died not, this expres
sion appears to indic. some additional form of plague, the cry,
wail of grief and despair. Ge. xviii. 20.
ReHgion a trouble to the ungodly (v. 10). — I. A^Tiat the ark of
God really was intended to be, and for whom. II. Wliat it was
to the Philistines, and why. III. What was needful in order
that the ark might be a blessing and not a curse. TV. Are there
not some to whom the Bib!e is as the ark tn these Philistines I
A Soc'inian's fair. — A physician, who had imbibed Socinian

B.C. 1141.
On cap. v., /.
Saurin, Disc.
Hist. iv. 1P9; Ep.
Hall, Cmtem.
V. 4. W, Fenn, Ss.
(1830), 203.
We need not fear
for God'i' honour
though His ark
may be in the
hsudsof His ene
mies. He knows
how to make the
wrath of men to
ptai^e Him, and
to make defeat
His best victory.
Gen. 1. 20; Ex.
ix. Ifi, xviii. 11;
Ps. Ixxvi. 10;
Dan. iii. 19, 20,
28; Acts ii. 36.
Fhillstia is
troubled
because of
the ark
a Ayre , S. Cox.
b Jos. xiii. 3.
'¦ Site of Gath
not certainly
kuowu, it was
prob. in interior
of Phil., 10 miles
E. of Ashdod, at
a place now
called Tell-es-
SafUh, and about
the same dis
tance S.E. of
Ekron." — Porter.
" Fear is the
white-lipped sire
of subterfuge and
treachery ," — Mrt.
Sigouraey.

the ark
sent to
Skron.

a 2 Ki. i. 2.

6 Their . bodies
plagued with
li.iathsorae d i a-
ea^e, and their
fleliis wasted by
a fearfully ia-

206

/. SAMUEL.

tCap. -vL 1— S.

creasing multi
tude of all-
devouring mice.
*'In politics,
what begins in
fear usually ends
in folly."— CoJe-
ridge.

B.O. 1140.
what shall
we do to
the ark of
the Iiord P
a Gomp. Ex. vii.
11; Da. ii. 2.
b "Three modes
of divination are
deacribed, by
arrows, by tera
phim, and by tbe
entrails of beasts''
.—Spk. Com.
V. 1. H. Lindsay,
Lect. i. 1.
V. 3. /. C. Die-
teric, Antiq. 343.
'Pear is often
concealed by a
show of daring."
Lucan. the test of
providence or chance
a It was custo-
mary among
Easterns and
even among
early Cns. to
dedicate images
or pictures of
diseased mem
bers as votive
offerings to the
gods. 6 " The jerboa, or
jumping mouse
of Syria and
Egypt."- Bochart.
c Jos. xxi. 16.
d Jos. XV. 10.
•' Such repre-
Bentations may
he seen still on
the Pny X at
Athens." - Words
worth. "More prob. the
Bhort-tailed field-

principles, made it his chief concern, in matters of religion, to
degrade the character and dignity of Christ. Such was his con
tempt for Him that he seldom spoke of Him in conversation
under any other name than the carpenter's sou. At length he
was seized with affliotion, which terminated in his death. Awhile
before his departure, the servant who attended hirn, on entering
his room, found him in great agitation. On intjuiriug tha
cause, he answered, " I am a dying man, and that which most of
aU affects me is that I must be judged by the carpenter's Son 1"

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.
1 — 3. (1) sevenmonths, during wh. time no effort was mads
by Is. to recover it : frora October till May. (2) diviners," the
word is always used of idolatrous and superstitious divining.'
(3) em.pty, without a, gift, trespass-offering, wh. would
involve acknowledgment of sin. Obs. that now they speak of
the ark of Jehovah, acknowl. Him as God of Israel.
Wliat sliall we do w'ith the ark? (v. 2). — I. The ungodly ask tha
question in perplexity, wishing they could destroy it. II. The
superstitious ask the question in regard to imposing ritual, etc.
They would defy it. III. The godly ask it with lowly reverence
and humble faith, as anxious to do as God would have them.
fj'ill my case be called to-day ? — So asked a client of his la-wyer,
with the greatest eagerness, having heard that the Lord Chan
ceUor's decision was expected. " Are you sure," was his anxious
inquiry, " that nothing is left undone ? If judgment is pro
nounced against me, I am a ruined man." The lav^yer was a
Christian man, and the question suggested to him the solemn
inquiry, " What if my case come on to-day, before the etemal
Judge whose sentence there is no reversing 1 Am I prepared ?"
Let every reader put the important question to himself — " Is
nothing left undone for me ?"
4—9 (4) golden emerods, gold mounted to represent the
diseased parts of the body." mice,'' wh. breed under some- con
ditions so rapidly as to destroy almost an entire crop of wheat.
(5) mar, damage, spoil. (6) -wonderfully, in ways of judg
ment. (7) new cart, so not polluted by previous use. milch
kine, who would naturally be unwilling to leave their calves ;
so if they went towards Is. it would show Divine guidance. (8)
jewels, or omaments, gifts, as v. 4. by the side, the Phil.
neither looked into the ark, nor ventured to put their presents
in it. (9) Bethshemesh, now A'ln Slums, a city of the priests,'
on the borders of Judah and Dan."*
Prm'idence and cliance (v. 9).— I. There is a superstitious calling
of all mysteries acts of Providence. II. There is a godless imputing
of aU trial and affliction to chance. III. There is a wise desire
to be informed of God. And here we have an instance of Divine
condescension in that He overruled animal instincts ("see note
on V. 7) for the instruction of these people.
Instances of superstition.— Superstition is au opinion of the
works of God's providence, the reasou whereof can neither be
drawn out of the Word of God. nor the whole course of nature :
for example, that it is unlucky for one in the moming to put on
his shoe awry ; or to put on the left shoe on the right foot ; to

Oap.vl. 10—18.]

/. SAMUEL.

207

sneeze in drawing on his shoes ; to have salt fall towards him ;
to bleed some few drops of blood. Again, that it is good luck to
find old iron ; to have diink spilled on him ; to pare our nails on
some certain day of the week ; to dream of some certain things.'
10—13. (10) did so, as v. 7. (11) laid the ark, stood it up
safely on the cart. (12) lowing as they w.ent, in yearning
for their calves, but Divinely constrained and guided, lords,
satraps. (13) wheat harvest, about Pentecost.
Obse-rvation in the hareest-iield (v. 13). — What should men
observe in the harvest- field? I. Signs from God. Every harvest
scene a new Di-vine revelation. There is — 1. His goodness ; 2.
His power ; 3. His faithfulness ; 4. His etemity. II. Life from
death. All this life iu the harvest-field has come out of death.
This fact serves — 1. To symbolise spiritual labour ; 2. To indicate
the possibility of a resurreotion. III. Like from Uke. Bach
seed has come forth in its own kind, 1. It is thus in spiritual
things ; 2. It will be somewhat thus in the resurrection of the
dead. IV. Muoh from little. Each seed is multiplied. T.
Blessings from labour. VI. Maturity from progress. All things
tend to ripeness. 1. All nature ; 2. AU society ; 3. All classes of
character ; 4. The human world itself."
Rejoicing at tlw com'mg of tlw Word of God. — 'When the arrival
of the cart which carried the first sacred load of the Scriptures to
Wales in 1816, sent by the British and Foreign Bible Society, was
announced, the Welsh peasants went out in crowds to meet it ;
welcomed it as the IsraeUtes did the ark of old ; drew it into the
town ; and eagerly bore off every copy as rapidly as they could
be dispersed. The young people were to be seen spending the
whole night in reading it. Labourers carried it with them to the
field, that they might enjoy it din-ing the intervals of their labour,
and lose no opportunity of becoming acquainted with its sacred
truths. Let those consider this who despise or negleot the Bible ;
who have it, but seldom open it ; or wheu they do, slumber over
it as a record in which tbey have Uttle or no interest, and soon
lay it aside in weariness or disgust.
14 — 18. (14) stood there, the oxen standing still of their
own accord, great stone, wh. at once suggested the idea of
an altar and a sacrifice, kine, plural of cow. (15) Levites,
some of whom were dwelUng in this priestly city. (16) seen,
the result of their diviner's scheme. (17) emerods, one to
represent each of the 5 cities of their countiy. (18) mice, repre
senting the smaller towns and villages." great Abel, word
stone is not in the original. The stone in Joshua's field may weU
have been called Abel mourning.
Providence. — There is a power
Unseen, that rules th' illimitable world, —
That guides its motions, from the brightest star
To the least dust of this sin-tainted mould ;
While man, who madly deems himself the lord
Of all, is nought but weakness and dependence.
This sacred truth, by sure experience taught.
Thou mu.st have learnt, when wandering- all alone,
Each bird, each insect, flitting through the sky.
Was more suflScient for itself than thou.'

E.o. 1140.
mouse, achbar."-~
Oesenius.
V. 6. /. Gregorio,
Wks. i. 36.
e W. Perkins.
the ark is
conveyed to
Bethshe
mesh
a Dr. Thomas.
"He who cannot
flnd time to con
sult his Bible,
will flnd one day
that he has time
to be sick; he
who bas no time
to pray, must
flnd time to die ;
ho who cau find
no time to reflect,
is most likely to
flnd time to sin ;
he who cannot
Bnd time for re
pentance, will
flnd an eternity,
in which repent
ance will be of
no avail." — B.
More.
George, Prince
of Transylvania,
read over the
Bible twenty-
seven times.
the stone
of Abel
a "Lit. from
fenced city even
unto country vil
lage." — Words
worth. '-Look aboveyon,
and in the over
arching flrma-
meni read the
truth of an all-
pervading Provi
dence. YourBky
iB God's out
spread hand, and
the glittering
stars the jewels
on the fingers of
the Almighty.
Do you not see
that His hand
closes round on
all sides? and that
you cannot go
where universal
love shines not?"
—Rev. H. am.
b Thomson.

20S

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. 'vil. 1—4.

men of Beth
shemesh smitten
a *' It ia not im
probable that in
their festive re
joicing they had
fallen into in
temperance, an 1
BO were led to
pry into the
sacred ark." —
Spk. Com.
6 "Prob. it should
read, ' Fte smote
fifty owt of a
thoitsami, and the
full number waa
70.' " — Jamieson.
Syriac and Ara
bic versions give
tbe number as
5,070.
V. 19. B. Kenni
cott, Obs.
e C. Simeon, M-A.
While we can
come into God's
presence with
the trusting con
fldence ofa child,
we are not to
treat Qim or His
tanctuary with
irreverent fami
liarity. Lev. xix,
30 ; Ps. Ixxxix. 7,
cxi. 9; Heh. xli.
28, 29.
d Parnell.

19—21. (191 looked into, with irreverent curiosity.'"
lamented, prob. this scene fixed the name on the stone, Abel.
The number of persons slain is prob. incorrect. Josephus gives it
as threesoore and ten, without the fifty thousand.' (20) able to
stand, learmng a lesson of reverence by a great calamity. (21)
Kirjath-jearim, Jos. ix. 17.
'T/ie ark returned to Defhshenwsh (v, 20.) — Consider— T. Tha
grounds and occasions of the qaestion of our text. God had pre
vailed over the idolatrous Philistines. He had punished also His
owu presumptuous people. II. The answer iio be given to it.
Whatever reason for despondency there was in their appre
hension, there was none in reaUty. But doubtless the wicked
can never stand before God. Observe— (1) How great an enemy
to our welfare is slavish fear ; (2) What a comfort to the soul ia
the knowledge of Christ.' ¦
Proridence incomprelwnsible. — A hermit, having seen au inno
cent shepherd punished with death, began to distrust Providence.
Leaving his cave, and going forth into the world, an angel met
and journeyed with him. The first night they were entertained
by a knight, whose infant child the angel strangled. From their
next kind host, the angel stole a priceless golden cup, whioh ha
gave to their next host, a churlish man, who would only allow
I them to sleep iu a shed. Passing a poor man on a bridge, the
I angel pushed him into the stream, and he was drowned. The
hermit now thought his companion a devil instead of an angel.
The angel explained that, if the shepherd had not been slain,_he
would have committed great crimes ; that the man whose child
he strangled would have wasted his life in heaping up treasures
for the child ; that the golden cup would have led its possessor
to a drunkard's grave ; that the man whom he lirowned would
himself have oommitted murder had he gone a half-mile farther ;
that he gave the cup to the inhospitable rich man, who reoeived
his reward in this hfe.''

the ark
at Kirjath-
jearim o His descend
ants appear as
keepers of the
ark in Dav.'s
time, 2 Sa. vL 3.
b Vulgate.
c " To give ark to
the care of any
but Levites
would be gr 'ss
violation of the
law, and the
names Eleazar,
TTzzah. and Ahio,
are all names in
Lev. families." —
Spk. Com.
d 2 Sa. vt;
Chr xiit

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.
l-p4. (1) Abinadab," no doubt a Levite. in tho hill,
Kirjath-jearim was situate on a hill. Some translate, as a proper
name, Gibeahfi sanctified, set apart, or consecrated, to keep,
if not a Levife, this only means, to talce cha,rge of, or preserve.
If a Levite, it has usual meaning, attend upon." (2) twenty
years, before Is. began to repent and revive. Ark was prob.
some fifty years at this place,"* or at Nob." (3) Samuel, coming
forward at fit occasion. Ashtaroth, Ju. ii. 13. deliver . .
Phil.,/ who prob. occupied the country rounti ShUoh. (4)
Baalim, plur. form of Baal. Ju. ii. 11.
An ideal statesman (on the whole chapter). — We have here
before us a pattern statesman. I. He was a man of spiritual dis
position. This was shown by— 1. His expostulation with the
people (v- 3). This expostulation contains— (1) A supposition:
" if ye do return ; " (2) Instruction : " put away the strange
gods;" (3) An assurance: "and He will deliver you." It was
also timely and successful (v. 4). 2. His supplication to the
apostate nation. A convention of the people and their humiUa
tion by— (1) Prayer: "I wiU pray;" (2) Fasting (». 6) j (3)

Cap. vil. 5—8.1

/. SAMUEL.

209

Penitent joy ; (4) Sacrifice (v. 9). 3. His strict recognition of
God. This is observable in — (1) The ordinary life of the nation ;
(2) Important national crises. Note his action after the vic
tory over the Philistines. This victory led to retrospection —
"hitherto:" perpetuation —" took a stone:" ministration — "hath
helped us." II. Suoh character may hopefully anticipate the co
operation of heaven. Note in the narrative — 1. A religious
assembly mistaken for a national army (v, 7) ; 2. The worship
pers surprised : they were timorous, and yet victorious ; 3. In
the elevation of spiritual character, we have a guarantee for the
execution of justice ; 4. Home, the sanctuary of public life. (1)
Samuel's retum (v. 17); (2) His devotion. Learn:— (1) The
practical influence of one holy life upon a nation ; (2) National
humiUations are acceptable to God ; (3) God's mercy iUustrated
in the victories of life ; 4. PubUc life should have its altar of
devotion/ Kirjath-jear'im : tlw city of forests (v, 2). — This city, as its
name imports, was .situated in the vicinity of a wood, about
eight miles west of Jerusalem, near the common borders of
Judah, Dan and Benjamin. Dr. Robinson, in his Dibl'ical Re-
searclws, indulges iu an interesting argument to prove the iden
tity of Kuriet el'Aineb with Kirjath-jearim.
" If this was Kirjath-jearim, the ark must have had a rough
road from there to the city. The house of Abinadab appears not
to have been in Tarim itself, but on the hill north-west of it. In
1 Sam. vii. 1, our version has it " hill," but in 2 Sam. vi. 3, 4, the
Hebrew word, Gibeah, is retained, as if it were a separate vil
lage. It is not likely, however, that there was a town adjoining
Yarim, with the identical name of another place not far off to
tbe north, and I suppose that the house of Abinadab, where the
ark abode, was on the hill above, not at a village called Gibeah.
Such an arrangement would be the most convenient and satis
factory to the congregation which assembled from aU parts to
worship before the ark. The hill was probably called Gibeah by
way of eminence, after the ark had been brought there ; and
thus our translators may have indicated the exact truth by trans
lating it hiU, when it is first mentioned, and Gibeah, twenty
years afterwards, wheu David and all Israel went to remove the
ark to Jerusalem. There is no obvious reason at present why it
should be called Yar'im — rocky forests. There are waars, how
ever, on every side almost, and some very impracticable ones
north and south-west of it."«
5 — 8. (5) Mizpeh (match-tower), prob. Neby Samwil."
Assemblies of the Is. were often convened here.' Some identify
with Scopus," just close to Jerusalem. (6) dre'W 'water, etc.,
symbolioal act, testifying their need of purification, and their
pouring out their hearts to God in penitence and prayer. A day
of general humiliation;'' not the ceremony of feast of taber
nacles, judged, began to judge, Ex. xviii. 13 — 16. (17) the
lords, uniting their forces. (8) cease not, be not silent fr.
crying. Sam. known to have remarkable power in prayer.
Tliree notable places.— 1. Mizpeh.— (1) The summons of the
heaven-appointed prophet ; (2) The gathering of the oppressed,
fearful, and penitent people; (3) The offering of intercessory
prayer, and of the sacrifice ; (4) The muste'.-ing and approach of
the Phiiistian clans. II. Ebenezer.- (1) The conflict, the storm, |
VOL. TTL Q.T. O

B.O. 1140.
Josephus, Bp.
Patrick, Keil, and
others support
the idea that
Allin. waa a Le
vite.
e 1 Sa. xxi. 1.
/De. xxx. 1—3;
1 Ki. viii. 47—50 ;
Is. lv. 7 ; Hos. vi.
1 ; Joel ii. 12, 13.
V. 2. 0. Bey wood,
n't!, iii. 385; J.S.
M. Anderson, iL
282.*' With grave aa
pect be rose,
and in his rising
Ljem'd a pillar
uf state; deep on
his front en
graven, deliho-
rstion sat, and
public care; und
princely counsel
in his face shone
majestic." — Mil-
Ion."In a free
country there ia
much clamour
with, little suf
fering; in a de
spotic state, there
is little com
plaint, but much
suffering." — Car-
not-So long as you
abide in unbelief,
so long the wrath
of God .abideth
on yuu.
g Thomson.

Israelsummonedto Mizpeh
a Wordsworth,
Robinson.b Ju. XX. 1, 3, xxi.
1,5, 8; lSa.x.17.
c Grove, Bonar,
Stanley, "Tbe
broad ridge wh.
forms the con-
tinuat-on cf th«
Mr. of Olives to
tbe North and
East" — Smilh'$
Die.

210

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. 'rti. 9—12.

B.O. 1140.
(fComp. 2 Sam.
xiv. 14; 1 Ohr. xi.
18; Ps. vi. 6, xxii.
14; Jer. xiv. 17;
La. i. 16, u. 18,
19.v.e. Dr. T.Frank
lin, i. 307.
0 S. S. World.
"With every
exertion, the
best of men can
do hut a mode
rate %,mount of
good; but it
seems in the
power of the
most contempt
ible individual to
do incalculable
m 1 s c h i e f."
Washington Ir
ving.

Ebenezer
a Le. xxii. 27.
b Comp. Joa. x.
11; Ju. iv. 15, V.
20—22.
c Ayre.
e.lO. H. Lindsay,
Lect. L 15.
V. 12. T. Boston,
iv. 52; T. S-otl,
i V. 3 6 2; Bp.
Doane, 119.
d J. Boatson.
" (Juick ia the
succession of
human events ;
the cares of to
day are seldom
the cares of to
morrow; and
when we lie
down at night,
we may safely
Bay to most of
our troubles. Ye
have done your
worst, and we
shall meet no
more."— Cowper.
*' Providence has
given us hope
and sleep, as a
compensation

the attack by Israel, the rout of Philistia; (2) The stone of
help, old associations, new suggestions ; (3) Where -we have
been conquered we may prove victors. Try again— against sin,
habit, etc., but fiist seek the Lord. III. Ramah -its associa
tions.— (1) A prophet's birthplace ; (2) A judge's home; (3) The
plaoe of the altar. With what kind of conduct and feeling is
our native place and home associated ? This great and good old
mau the outgrowth of .a good child, who ministered before the
Lord in his youth."
Pouring water on the ground (v. 6.) — This was a symboUcal ac
tion, which, according to accompanying circumstances and rites,
might have different meanings. It was practised in after ages
among the Jews, at the feast of taberhaoles, ^s a sign of re
joicing, Is. xii. 3 ; Jo. ¦vii. 37, 38. As on this occasion it was
united with confession of sin, some regard it as representing
penitence and humiliation ; others think it was the symbol of a
solemn vow. In ancient times almost every solemn act was
accompanied by libations, or the outpouring of some fluid,
generally wine ; though sometimes water was used for the pur
pose. In India, pouring water on the ground is a, very ancient
way of confirming au oath. In this way they probably made a
vow to the Lord to follow the advice of Samuel, and put away
for ever '' strange gods " from them. As though they should
say, "Our words have gone forth, and cannot be recalled," — as
further illustr.ated by 2 Sa. xiv. 14.
9 — 12. (9) lamb," term here used is only found besides in Is.
lxv. 25. burnt-offering, Le. vi. 8 — 13. (10) thundered,
indic. of a tremendous storm.* (11) Beth-car, house of pastu/re,
west of Mizpeh, exact site unknown. (12) Shen, tooth, prob. a
rook or peak, shaped like a tooth.'^ Ebenezer, stone of help. ,
Ebenezer (v. 12).—" Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." See
in this monument of victory — I. A memorial of past favours
and assistance. As God had helped the Israelites of old, so He
has " hitherto helped us." Look at — 1. Our temporal benefits :
health, strength, eto. ; 2. Our spiritual advantages : birth in a
Ohristian land, possession of God's Word, the enjoyment of
miuisterial instruction, etc. II. A hint of future blessings. God
'will not dcs3rt us. For new trials, we shall receive new strength ;
over new enemies we shall obta.in new victories. And at last,
in a new abiding-place, we shall receive a new and glorioua
reward. III. An incentive to present labour. We should be
urged to work for God by— 1. Gratitude ; 2. A desire to obtain
the future reward."*
Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.— In the years 1821 and 1822,
the Hottentots could scarcely procure a morsel of bread, and the
garden vegetables almost entirely failed ; they were driven for
their chief support to the wild fruits of the fields and woods.
Those among them who had felt the power of the graoe of God,
displayed its influence in a very striking manner. A missionary
said, ''It is distressing to see what hunger they sometimea
endure, but also edifying to find them so firm in their faith and
confidence in God. I asked some, who had formerly enjoyed
plenty and oomfort. whether they had not rather return, as they
found living so hard." One said, " No. indeed : iu that plaoe I
had food fot: my body, but not for my .soul ; the Gospel, that I
hoar in this place, is more to mt than victuals and drink." "It

Cap. vlU. 1—5.]

/. SAMUEL.

211

is true," said another, " I often go to bed with an empty stomach,
but I pray to tho Saviour to make me satisfied, and feel no incli
nation to complain. It ¦will not be always so ; and though my
garden fruits are all bumt up, I will plant again and again, till
it shall please God to make it grow." Their hope in the provi-
dentje of God was not disappointed."
13 — 17. (13) coast, border, or district, days of Sam., i.e.
of his government. (14) restored, though not recorded, Sam.
evidently set up a vigorous govemment. Amorites, they prob.
assisted iu subduing the Phil." They were remnants of the
ancient people of the land. (15) judged, etc., as prophet-
judge. Military part subseq. given to Saul. (16) Bethel, Ge.
xii. 8. Gilgal, Jos. iv. 19, 20. (17) Bamah, 1 Sa. i. 1.
Samuel's judicial cliaracter (vv. 15 — 17).-^Consider— I. The ad
vantages of Israel under the government of Samuel. See how
eminent he was in — 1. The administration of justice ; 2. The
maintenance of true religiou. II. The superior advantages
which we enjoy under our govemment. We very far excel the
time of Samuel in — 1. Our legal proceedings ; 2. Our religious
privileges. Leam — (1) How to appreciate the blessings you
enjoy ; (2) How to improve the iniluence you possess.''
An hottest judge. — Louis the Fourteenth had granted a pardon
to a nobleman who had committed some very great crime. M.
Voisin, the chancellor, ran to him in his closet, and exclaimed,
" Sire, you oannot pardon a person iri the situation of M.  ."
" I have promised him." replied the king, who was ever impatient
of contradiction ; " go and feteh the great seal." " But, sire —
"Pray, sir, do as I oi-der you." The chancellor retums with
the seals ; Louis applies them himself to the instrument contain
ing the pardon, and gives them again to the chancellor. " They
are polluted now, sire," exclaims the intrepid and excellent
magistrate, pushing them from him on the table, " I cannot take
them again." "What an impracticable man I '' cries the monarch,
and throws the pardon into the fire. " I will now, sire, take
them, again," said the chancellor ; " the fire, you know, purifies
eveiything."

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
1 — 6. (1) old, prob. about sixty. (2) Joel, Jehovah is his God,
Abiah, whose Fatlwr is Jeliocah. Beersheba, Ge. xxi. 14, in
the south of Palestine. (3) lucre," money, advantage, generaUy
used in bad sense, bribes,' De. xvi. 19. (4) Bamah, place of
Sam.'s residence. (5) a king,"^ obs. how distinct fr. a judge :
permanent, systematic, hereditary, with established court, offices,
ete. Political transitions (v. 5). — PoUtical transitions. I. As
founded on the most frivolous pretext. This political change
was founded on— 1. The old age of Samuel ; 2. The conduct of
his sons. (1) This plea was unjust to Samuel ; (2) The grievance
might have been remedied. II. As pursued in antagonism to
the Divine will. Consider — 1. The Divine permission; 2. The
Divine protestation. III. As involving the most alarming cir
cumstances. 1. The despotic character of their future ruler :
he would— (1) Disregard lif e's dearest relationships ; (2) Impose
O 2

for the many
cares of life." —
Voltaire.
e Whitea-oss.

Samuelas judgre
a " Finding the
Phil, worse
masters than the
Isiaelites, tho
Amor, made
common cause
with Samuel,
and assiBted tho
Israelites."—,^*. Com.
vv. 16, 16. Dr. A.
Littleton, 31.
i> C. Sinuon, M.A.
" It is necessary,
in order to do
well, to join
Biretigth with
justice ; but with
this difference,
tbat strength
obeys justice as
feudal dane and
mistress, and
doen nothing ia
the spite of her
authority, wish,
or command."—
Michd VHospitoJ,.

B.O. cin 1112.
the ungodly
sons cf
Samuel
a Fr. Lat. In-
crum, gain.
6 Ex. xviii. 21,
22; Je. xxii. 16 —
17; ITi. iii. 3, vl.
10.
c " Their sin did
not consist sim
ply In wishing to
have a king, but
in not waiting
patiently until
God was pleased
to give them a
king." — Wordf
worth.

212

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. ¦vlU. 6—9.

B.C. dr. 1112.
"So far it was
well, that they
did uot rise up
in rebellion, and
set up a king for
themselves.":— Mat. Henry.

several burdens of service ; (3) Distribute property arbitrarily ;
2. The withdrawal of Di'vine sympathy in this extremity.''
The desire for a Idng. — The Eastem mind is so essentially and
pervadingly regal, that to be without a monarch is scarcely au
inteUigible state of things to au Oriental. . . . The want of a
royal head must often have been cast in the teeth of the Israelites
by their neighbours as a kind of stigma ; eveu as we remember
to have read in Harris's Collection of 'Travels, that when the
200 ¦"''"'' ^"** I English _and Duteh were competing for power and influence

iw 4 7 F D \^ *^® Bast, the English, in order to damage their rivals,
J/aMrfce'pro.onii! industriously circulated the dangerous secret that the Duteh

Ki. I
V, 5. /. Saurin,
iv. 208.
d J. S. Exell.
e Kitto.

Israel
deinands a king:
o"Sam. told
them what a
king might do,
dejure; and also
to what they
must submit, if
he did it,defacto."
— Bp. Sanderson.
vv. 6, 7. B. Lind
say, Lect. L 33.
V. 9. Bp. Hoadley,
li. 109.
"King-becoming
graces are jus-.
tice, verity, tem
perance, stable
ness, bounty,
perseverance,mercy, lowliness,
devotion, pati
ence, courage,
fortitude." —
Shakespeare.
"That king shall
best govern' his
realm that
reigneth over
his people as a
father doth over
his children." —
Agesilatts bS.S World.
'*Id care they
. live, and muat
for many care ;
and such t.he tiost
and greatest
ever are.'" — l,ord
Brooke.

Ihad no king. The Oriental mind was astonished and per
plexed by the indication of a condition so utterly beyond the
scope of its experience and comprehension, and the Dutch,
alarmed for the effect of this slur upou their respectability, stoutly
repelled the charge as an infamous calumny, aiBrming that they
had a very great king, thus exalting for the nonce their stadt
holder to that high rank.'
6 — 9. (6) displeased, marg. was eidl in the sight cf. (7) re
jected me, as the king under the theocracy, reign, directly
over them. (8) repeated declensions proved the people unfit for
so high an idea as that of the immediate governnwnt qf God.
So He graciously condescended to meet their ability by a lower
provisioQ. (9) manner," law, or chief features.
Israel's k'mg. — I. The king possessed. (1) They already had
a king, the great God ; (2) He ruled in mercy and justice ; (3)
He governed Israel by means of His servants, the judges (Samuel,
ete.), priests, ete. ; (4) He led them to victory and deliverance and
prosperity ; (5) He was rejected by them. II. The king de
manded. (1) It is curious that they should demand a king of
Samuel. Although they had resolved to have oue, they (a) could
not agree as to the mode of his election : (J) as to the person to
be elected ; (c) nor to have one 'without the Divine sanction ;
(2) The king they wished to have was a creation of their own
fancy : a being possessed of heroic qualities of person and mind ;
at auy rate, a visible representation of royalty ; (3) The reason
why they demanded a king was that they were tired of the
righteous rule of God ; (4) The excuse they ofEered was that they
might be as other nations. III. The king granted. (1) One
after their own heart ; (2) One whose character and policy
were previously described ; (3) Such a king was granted that
the people might leam the folly of which they were guilty in
rejecting the mle of God. Learn— (1) The folly of envying
other people: what might even be suitable for them might be
a positive injury to us ; (2) No greater harm could happen to ua
than the fulfilment of some of our own desires ; (3) Let us pray
that God's will may be ours.'
Jnstabi,lity of kings. —
The love of kings is like the blowing of
Winds, which whistle sometimes gently among
The leaves, and straightway turn the trees up by
The roots ; or fire, which warmeth afar off.
And burneth near at hand ; or the sea. which makea
Men hoist their sails in a flattering calm,
And to cut their masts in a rough storm. They
Place affection by times, by policy,

Cap.viil. 10—18.]

/. SAMUEL.

213

By appointment ; if they frown, who dares call
Them inconstant : if bewray secrets, who
Will tei-m them untrue ? if they fall to other
Loves, who trembles not, if he calls them unfaithful 1"

10—14. (10) people, who had sent the elders, .we v. 7. (11) Samuel's
for himself, ch. xiv. 52. chariots, used on state occasions TtS-gpgrequest

B.C. cir. 1112.
c Johnson.

a ** It waa prob.
tbe cook's oflice
originally to
slaughter the
animal, and cut
it up into joints,
as well aa to cook
it, whence he
was called the
slaughterer''-^ Spk. Com.
"The faults of
kings do shine fiery

and for war. run hefore, outriders. Comp. Elijah, 1 Ki. xviii.
46. (12) captains, etc., appointing a regular military and
civil organisation, wh. the people will have to maintain by taxes,
given in money or in Idnd. ear, old Eng. word for to plough.
(13) confectionaries, to prepare delicacies for his table.
cooks, lit. slaughterers." (14) fields, illus. by 1 Ki. xxi. 7. to
his servants, rewards for special service.
Running footmen (v. 11). — Chariots are not now used, but in
Persia it is to this day a piece of state for the king and other
great personages to have several men run on foot before and
beside them, as they ride on horseback. This they do even
when the rider puts his horse to a gallop. The men are trained j ^^^
to their business from boyhood ; and the feats they are able to j "^"e''' the
perform would scarcely be considered credible in this country. | beacons
They are called «/(«(;; rs. Chardin mentions a candidate forthe'j^"l> '°^ "''^ w
place of sliatirto the king, who accomplished about 120 miles j trp^bS at.°*You
by fourteen hours' unremitted running, and who was rather i give your sub-
censured for net having done it in twelve hours. Chardin him- J jiscts license to
self foUowed him on horseback in his seventh course, when the ,' ^o "ealh "them
heat of the day had obliged him somewhat to relax his pace, | h o w." — JS e m-
and the traveUer could only follow him by keeping his horse on ;im'ny.
the gallop. No instance equal to this came to om- own know- 1 "'We own thy
ledge in the same country; but what we did see and leam, virtues; but we
rendered the statement of Chardin far from incredible. It is ^j^^'^U^ fns^
astonishing to observe the extreme ease with which the men - ~
appear to attend their master's horse, in ali its paces, even the
most rapid ; and, as a general rule, it is understood that an
accomplished footman ought to remain untired aa long, or longer,
than the horse ridden by his master.*

leu ce and pride."
— Juvenal.
b Kitto.

15—18. (16) the tenth, this tax would be extra to all eccle
siastical olaims. One penalty of monarchy is increase of taxation.
ofacers, lit. eunuchs, poss. indio. chamberlains, or lords of the
bedchamber. (16) young men, Sept. has oxen, prob. correctly,
as young men are referred to «. 11. (17) sheep, for daily tood
ofhis court. (18) cry out," with alarm at his exactions.'
Despotism of Eastern kings,— The foUowing anecdote, related
by Mr. Fraser, will put this in a strUsing point of -view :— " -A-i
native of Fars, sometime ago. made a considerable improvement |
in the manufacture of porcelain. His fame quickly spread, until ;
it reached the court, when the king immediately dispatched an |
order, commanding him to repair to Teheran, to make ehma for |
the Shah. Now the poor f eUow knew that, once there, he should ;
have to raake china, not only for the Shah, but for aU his officers
and courtiers- -and that, too, without the hope of any paymen^
unlcs'^ it might be an occasional good beating. Seized with
consternation, he collected as large a sum as possible, and pre
senting it by wav of bribe to the minister, besought him to
report that he was not the man that made the china, but that
the real potter had run away. The business was managed accord-

a 1 Ki. xii. 4, U,
15. b " Sam. enume
rated three evila
incident to mo*
narchical rule-
impaired sim
plicity of lite, di
minished liberty
of tbe indvidual
subject, and in
creased taxo-
ion." — Groser.
" O diadem, thou
j centre of ambi
tion, where all
its different lines
are reconciled,
I as if thon wert
the burning"
I glass of glory."—
\ Dryden.

214

/. SAMUEL

[Cap. ix. 1—3.

E.O. cir. 1112.

Israel's
reg.uestis granted
oFr. the Norm.
Fr. relierser, to
harrow over
again.vv. 19—22. J. S.
M. Anderson, ii.
300; J.A. MUler,
Saul i. 18.
b Bioe.
"All precepts
concerning kiogs
are in effect com-
prehended in
those two re
membrances, * Remember that
thou arc a man ;'
aud ' Remember
that thou arc the
representative of
God ;' the one
hridleth their
pnwdr, an 1 the
other their will."
~-Lord Bacon.
" The Lord, like
a most bountiful
king, will be
angry it any
man will ask a
small thing at
Eis hanils ; be
cause Be hid
rather give
things of great
worth thau of
small value. His
goodness is in-
Eaite." — Powell.
c T. Jefferson in
Marper's Monthly.

E.O. cir. 1095.
the story
of Saul
the search
for the asses
a Gomp. 1 Chr.

ing to his 'wish, and he retumed penniless to his own country,
vowing never again to make a bit of china, nor to attempt an
improvement of any sort as long ashe lived."
19— S2. (19) 'we -will, they failed to apprehend the conse
quences : and followeti out their own determinations. Self-will
is ever a dangerous road. (20) They persisted in seeing only one
.nde of a king's conduct. (21) rehearsed," to go over again a
second time. (22) Comp. vv. 7 — 9. go, etc., not intimating
further his intentions.
Israel's request for a king. — 1. The request. For a king. To
be like other nations. They were better off than other nations,
if they had but known it. No one way of governing is best for
every nation. Comp. America, Turkey, England. 'Ihe way God
designed for Israel would have worked weU, if they had been
true-hearted. 2. The request taken to a man ; an honoured,
aged, praying man, who had been judge. It seemed like putting
a slight on him. The request brought by a deputation of elders.
3. The request carried to God, who was the One really affected by
it. Carried by the mau of prayer and the prophet. 4. The
answer sent as a waming : illus. vv. 11 — 18. 5. The answer sent
in a permission. This comes out in full next lesson. Leam —
What mistakes we shall make aU through life, if we set our wUla
up against God's wiU.*
^1 ba,d lot of Idngs. — While in Europe I often amused myself
with contemplating the characters of the then reigning sove
reigns of Europe. Louis XVI. was a fool, of my own knowledge,
and despite of the answers made for him at his trial. The King
of Spain was a fool, and of Naples the same. They passed their
lives in hunting, and despatched two couriers a week one thou
sand miles, to let each know what game they had killed the
preceding days. The King of Sardinia was a fool. AU these
were Bourbons. The Queen of Portugal, a Braganza, was aa
idiot, by nature ; and so was the King of Denmark. Their sons,
xs regents, exercised the powers of govemment. The King of
Prussia, successor to the great Frederick, was a mere hog in body
as well as in mind. Gustavus of Sweden and Joseph of Austria
were really crazy ; and George of England, you know, was in a
strait waisteoat. There remained then none but old Catherine,
who had been too lately picked up to have lost her common sense.
In this state Bonaparte found Europe, and it was this state of
its rulers which lost it with scarce a struggle. These animals
had become without mind and powerless. Alexander, the
grandson of Catherine, is as yet an exception. He is able to hold
his own. But he is only of the third generation. His race is not
yet wom out. And so endeth the book of kings, from aU of
whom the Lord deliver us." i

CHAPTER THE NINTH.
1 — 3. (1) Kish, a bow. Abiel, strong, father of Kish and
Ner, and grandfather of Saul and Abner." Zeror, a bundle, or
pur.se.- also £ur.^ Bechorafh, fir.it birth. A^'hiah, refreshed.
povver, rather of weaUh.« (2) Saul, Heb. Shaul, i.e. asked for
choice, etc., young and handsome, higher, physical strengtii

Cap. ix. 4—6.1

/. SAMUEL.

215

and lofty stature are in aU primitive nations important quaUf .
for leadership. (3) asses . . lost, had strayed away.
A trivial incident the herald of a momentous future.— (1) Saul
is introduced in connection with hic ancestry ; (2) In connection
with the meaner duties of life ; (3) Tho Ught whioh this inoident
throws upon Saul's domestic character — (a) he was an obedient
son, V, 3, (b) persevering and patient, v, 4, (c) considerate, v. 5 ; (4)
Saul was somewhat indebted to the social condition of the times
for his elevation.''
21w call of tlw times. — " The times call forth I Alas, we have
kno'wn times caU loudly enough for their great man, but not
find him when they called 1 He was not there ; Providence had
not sent him ; the time, calling its loudest, had to go down to
confusion and -wreck because he would not come when called.
.... But I liken common languid times with their embarrassed
circumstances, impotently crumbling down into ever worse
distress towards final ruin — all this I Uken to dry dead fuel,
waiting for the lightning out of heaven that shall kindle it.
The great man, with his free force direct out of God's o'wn hand,
is the lightning. AU blazes around him now, when he has once
struck on it, into fire Uke his own. The dry mouldering sticks
are thought to have called him forth. They did want him
greatly ; but, as to calling him forth — I These are the critics
of smaUer vision, I think, who cry, ' See, is it not the sticks that
made the fire V "'
4—6. (4) mount Ephraim, north of Benjamin. Sha-
lisha," land of Shalim., a district bordering on Mt. Ephraim.
(5) Zuph, the district round Ramathaim Zophim, 1 Sa. i 1.
(6) this city, Eama was in sight probably.' honourable
man, title of ra nk. Obs. the general confidence felt in Samuel.
Tlw providence oflife. — I. The mysterious powers which guide
our Uves. These forces are twofold, i. Minor. 1. Evente ; 2.
Persons (». 6), who may be of inferior rank— a servant ; and who
may act unconsciously, ii. Supreme: God. 1 . Their influence on
prophetic life — God indicated the person (v. 15) ; the time (v. 15) ;
the purpose (v. 16) ; 2. Their influence on unfolding life. A mar
vellous coincidence (vv. 18, 19) ; a mysterious assurance (v. 20) ;
a consoling statement (v. 20). II. The important issues to -which
they tend. 1. Spiritual in their nature ; 2. Social in their bear
ing ; 3. Samuel's communications to Saul."
Tallness essential to a chieftain (see also vv. 2 and 7). — The pre
valence of this feeling of regard for personal bulk and stature
is seen in the sculptures of ancient Egypt, Assyria and Persia,
and even in the modem paintings of the last-named nation, in
which the sovereign is invested with gigantic proportions in
comparison with the persons around him. ... It appears to have
been usual with the ancient Orientals, as well as with the Greeks
and Romans, to choose persons to the highest ofiSce of the magis
tracy whose personal appearance was superior to that of others ;
and this is what ancient writers often take notice of, as a recom
mendation of them in princes. Herodotus, after recounting the
numbers of men in the army of Xerxes, makes the remark
that among this vast host there was not one who appeared by his
comeliness and stature more worthy than he to fill the throne.
The same writer also informs us that the Ethiopians deemed
the man who 'Was strongest and tallest of stature fittest to be

B.C. dr. 1006.
viii. S3, ix. 39,
where JVer is
spoken of as
father of Kish.
b Cump. I Chr.
viii. 30, ix. 36.
c " It is uncer
tain in what pre
cise spot of the
territory of that
flerce tiibe (of
Benj.) the ori
giual seat of the
family lay. It
may have been
the conical emi
nence amongst
jits central hilla,
known as Gibeah
pf Saul. It waa
more proh. the
village of Zelah,
on its extreme
southern fron
tier, in wh. waa
tho ancestral
burial place." —
Stanley.On cap. iv. Bp.
Ball, Contemp.;
J. Saurin, Disc
Hist. iv. 251.
d J. S. Exell.
e T. Carlyle.
he fails in
; the Bearch
a " The situa-
i tion is wrapt in
j the same geo-
! graphical obscu-
j rity that tracks
Ithe whole
j journey of Saul."
I — Stanley.
b "It is not to
he inferred that
the city was
Samuel's resi
dence, Bama."—
Wordsworth.
c J, S, Exell.
'* These limbs—
whence had we
them; this
stormy force;
this life-blood,
with its burning
passion ? They
are dust and
shadow— a sha-
dow-system
gathered round
our me ; wherein,
through some
mo ments or
years, tbe Divine
esseoce is to he
revealed in the
aesb."— Carlile.
"We cannot

216

I. SAMUEL.

tCap. Ix. 7-10,

B.O. cir. 1095.
keep our bodies
long here : they
are corruptible
bodies, aud will
tumbleintodust;we must part
with them for a
while; and if
ever we expect
and desire a
happy meeting
again, we must
use them with
modesty and re
verence now." —
Blterlock. "There are some
that use humi
lity to serve their
pride, aud seem
humble upon
their way, to be
prouder at their
wish'd journey's
end." — Denham,
d Kitto.

he Intiuires
of the seer
a ' According to
E. notions, it
would be con-
¦Bidered a want of
respect for auy
person to go into
tbe presence of a
Superior man of
rank, orof official
Btalion, withouta
present of aome
kind in his band,
however trifiing
in value." —
Jamieson. b "Probably tbe
Bhekel. like our
early Eng. silver
coins, was di
vided into four
quarters by a
cross, and ac
tually Bubdivid ed
wheu required,
iL-to half and
quarter shekels."
.—Spk. Com.
c Wordsworth. ,
a J. S. Exell.
•'However de"
fomcd, afflicted,
mangled, tor-
lured, impri
soned, enslaved,
the boig may be.

their king. In VirgU, Tumus is another Saul, in the superiority
of his person to others, whom he, by a whole head, overtops. It is
not smrprising that, as Quintus Ctu'tius remarks, barbarians made
part of the royal majesty consist in the outward form and goodly
figure of their princes : but it does excite some surprise to hear
a man so cultivated and refined as Pliny the younger naming
qualities of this sort among those which entitled his hero, Trajan,
to the supreme rank to which he had been elevated. There is
a curious passage in Homer, where, in order to secure greater
respect for TJlysses from the Phseacians, upon whose island he
was cast, —
" Pallas o'er his head and shoulders broad,
Diffusing grace celestial, his whole form
Dilated, and to statelier height advanced,
That worthier of aU reverence he might seem
To the Phasacians." — Odyssey, viu. 20, 24.
He had been before announced as —
" A wanderer o'er the deep.
But in his form majestic as a god."
This latter intimation lets us into the secret of the extraordinary
estimation of stature in ancient times, among at least the Gen-
tiles. They had a notion that suoh persons came nearer to the
deities, and looked more like them. So Diana is described iu
Ovid as superior in stature to the nymphs and inferior goddesses
by whom die is surrounded.''
7 — 10. (7) bring tho man, as a present," not as a bribe.
bread is spent, in such cases shepherds usually put up enough
food for thirty days. (8) fourth. . silver,* rather more than
sixpence. (9) seer, Heb. i-oHh, receivers of a special revelation.
prophet, Heb. nab'i, ofiicial name of those established to be the
declarers and expounders of God's -will.": (10) 'well said, Heb.
thy word is good.
Le.ison.s from tlw life of Sa'd. — I. If God wants a king. He
knows where to get him. II. That obedient sons are likely to be
Divinely honoured. III. The mysterious power of human asso
ciation. IV. The Divine casuistry of every-day life. V. The
harmonious working of Divine providence. VI. The relation
ship of human govemments to the Divine.''
Presents in tlw East. — Of the familiar fact that no one iu the
Bast ventures to approach a superior, especially if he have any
request to make, without some present, more or less, according to
his degree, the following, recorded by Plutarch of the Persian
king Artaxerxes Mnemon, is an interesting illustration : — "On
one occasion a poor husbandman, seeing every one give the king
a present of some sort or other, as he passed by them, but having
nothing at hand that seemed proper to be given, ran to a stream
that was near, and filling both his hands -with water, came and
offered it to the king, who was so gratified with the inventive
spontaneity of this act of homage, that he ordered to be gi-ven
to the man a thousand daries and a cup of massive gold. This
same "king of kincfs" always received wilh satisfaction the
smallest and most trifiing gifts whioh evinced the zeal and atten
tion of the oif erers ; and in a coimtry whore we have ourselves
bought one of the finest possible pomegranates for a penny, he
evinced the utmost pleasure in receiving, from a man named
Bomises, the finest pomegranate his garden yielded,"

Cap. Ix. 11-24.1

r, SAMUBL.

217

The offering of money, and so smaU a sum as sixpence, which
-was aU that Saul gave to Samuel, would be a great affront
among us. All this is different in the East, where a small sum
is not less acceptable as a mark of respectful attention than its
value in any other shape. ... It is often more acceptable ; and
it is not uncommon for a stranger to be desired to retain his
preseut, and give the value of it in money. This was the general
practice of no less a personage than Putteh Ali Shah — ^not many
years ago king of Persia — who wheu the customary presente
were offered to him, would often, in his later years, ask, " What
may these things be worth 1 " and, on being told, would answer,
'¦ Keep them, and give me the money."'
11 — 14. (11) found, better, met. g-oing out, or coming
out. draw water, the weUs were usually outside the cities ;
here at the foot of thehUl. (12) came to-day, retuming from
his circuit for the proposed sacrifice, high place," a sacred
eminence. (13) straightway, immediately, to eat, a festival
would follow the sacrifice, at wh. the prophet's blessing was ex
pected. (14) into the city, midst of the city, came out, of
his house, not of the city gates.
Providetice. — God is the pilot as well as the constructor ; He
holds every second cause, atid every instrument, in positive sub
ordination to His intelligent will. — An infidel was tailing upon a
river ; a storm arose, the man was drifted out to sea, clinging to
the oars ; finaUy he was picked up by a vessel, itself swept from
its moorings, with broken cable, and in danger of wreck : thus
was Vanderkemp converted. — ^A minister made an open-air ap
pointment for a preaching service ; some young men and boys
undertook to distiu'b the meeting ; one of the most nimble and
dexterous broke his ankle in trying to kick a football into the
good man's face : that laid him on his bed, and brought the
preacher to see him : thus Morgan Howell was converted. —
President Edwards turned from church one Lord's Day, intending
to spend the time in sleep and seclusion ; taking from the library
at random an old book, without any name on the back, it proved
to be a Bible, and he opened it to find in 1 Ti. i. 17 the instru
ment of his conversicjn.
15 — 18. (15) in his ear," Heb. had uncovered the ear of
Samuel. (16) anoint, with the oil of consecration, as in ap
pointment of priest, save, deliver, and keep free. (17") This r.
follows on the account fr. v, 14. (18) in the gate, in the midst
of the gate, indic. that Saul had not entered far into the city.
Unconsciously guided. — It is recorded of Mr. John Dod, that
one night, at a very late hour, he felt strongly moved to visit a
gentleman of his acquaintance, who lived at some distance. Not
knowing what might be the design of Providence in this, he
went. Having come to the house, and knocked at the door, the
gentleman himself opened it ; to whom Mr. Dod said, " I am couie
to you, I know not why myself, but I was restless in my spirit
tiU'l had done it." The gentleman replied, " You know not why
you camn : but God knew why He sent you.'' On which he pulled
out the halter with which he intended to take away his own life,
which, by this means, was happily prevented.
19— S4. (19) eat with me, at the festival. (20) three
days ago, Heb. to-day three days, desire, or " wliose sliall be

B.C. Cir. 1096.
it does not affect
the form, nature,
arid duration of
tbe soul. That
, maintainB ita
j identity in the
condition in
which nature or
I grace may find
it." — John Bute.
\eKUto.

. Samnelmeets him
! a Heb. word 6a-
I mah is applied
1 both to idolatrous
j places of wor-
I ship, and to those
in wbich tbe true
God was honour
ed (1 K. iii. 3).
V, 13. Bp. Dehon,
i. 46.
" Tou may say,
' I wish to Bciid
tbis ball so as to
kill the lion
crouching yon
der, ready to
spring upon me.
My wishes are
all right, and I
hope Providence
I will direct the
j ball.' Providence
I won't. You must
: do it ; and if >ou
! do uot, you are
, a dead man."—
, B eclur.

Sa muel had
bten fore-
instructed '¦We are not to
lead events, hut
10 follow them."
— Epictitus.
a 1 Sa. XV. 1 ; Ac.
xiii. 21.
'-Happy is the
mao who t^n en
dure the highest
and tho lowest
f.irlune. He wbo
bas eudured such
vicissitudes with
equanimity has
deprived misfor-
tuno of ita
power." — Seneca.
Saul is the
gruest of
Samuel

218

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. X. 1—4.

B.O. dr. 1095.
a "They ascend
ed to the hill, or
high place, and
in the inn, or
caravanserai, at
the top, found
thirty gnests
aBsem bled,
amongst whom
they took the
chief seats." —
Stanley. " My endeavonrB
have ever come
too short of my
desires." — Shake
speare.

Samuelshows Sanl
the word of
God
tf'*During a
, large part of
the year tho
roof is the most
agreeable place
about the esta
hlishment, espe-
cially in the
moming and
evening. There
multitudes sleep
during the sum
mer, in all places
where malaria
does not render
it dangerous.
Saul, young,
vigorous, but
weary with his
long search,
would desire no
better place to
Bleep in than on
the roof."— TAotn-
son.
" He that is with
out fear ia with
out hope." —
Webster.
b Harmer.

the delectable things of Israel? (21) The language of unaffected
modesty and humiUty. (22) parlour," or haU. (23) the por
tion, 3 boiled shoulder, fr. wh. Saul, as chief guest, was to tear
off the first morsel. (24) left, set aside.
HumiUty. — Dr. Hatton, Bishop of Durham, was onoe traveUing
near Wensleydale, a mountainous district in the north of Eng
land, when he suddenly dismounted, and retired to a particular
spot at so'TT! distance from the highway. He knelt there in
prayer for some time, and then retumed to his attendants. They
were anxious to know the reason for the singular aot they had just
witnessed, and the bishop told them he had been presenting his
thanksgiving to God for mercies reoeived since his early days. He
stated that his reason for selecting that particular spot on which to
kneel was, that he had once been at that place when he was a
poor barefooted boy, and had disturbed a cow that wa-s lying
there, so that he might warm his feet and legs on the plaoe where
she had lain.
25 — 37. (25) top of the house, flat, often used for private
intercourse. (26) spring, etc., as the moming arose, Gre. xix. 15.
to the top, or poss. on tlw, top. Saul's bed beiug made on the
house-top, under an awning." (27) piss on, to give Sam. op
portunity of imparting a private communication.
Eastern house-tops (v. 25). — -Dr. Shaw has cited this passage
concerning Samuel and Saul, when mentiouing the various uses
to which the people of the East put the flat roofs of their houses,
though without explaining it ; but he has not mentioned, among
the other Scriptures, that relating to Nebuchadnezzar, who is
described by the prophet as walking on the roof of his palace,
and taking a view of Babylon, when he fell, upou surveying that
I mighty city, into that haughty soliloquy whioh brought after ib
a dreadful humiliation. This is the more to be regretted, because
though many have, all have not, considered the passage in this
Ught. Our o-wn translation, in particular, has not, but renders
the words, " He walked in the palace of the kingdom of Baby
lon " (Da. iv. 29), and has thrown the other reading, " upon the
palace," into the margin, as less preferable. But tt) those that
are acquainted with Eastern customs, who recolleot the passage,
which Dr. Shaw, it seems, did not, there cannot be any doubt
how it is to be understood " Sur le terrasse," says Sir John
Cardin, in his MS. note on this place, " pour le plaisir de la vue,
pour de la considerer la vUle, et pour prendre la frais, et c'est oe
que prouve, le verset suivant." That is, he -walked upon the
terrace, for the pleasure of the prospect, to take a view of the
city, and to enjoy the fresh air, which the foUowing verse proves.
Nothing can be more natural than this interpretation.''

B.O. dr. 1095.
Sanxuel
anoints Saul
a From F. viole.
Or. phicde, a amall
bottle, a phial
b Ge. XXIT. 19, 20.
c "Ita meaning is
rather, aocordiog

CHAPTER THE TENTH.
1 — 4. (1) vial" of oil, for anointing .as king, kissed him,
token of homage, aud act of congratulation, captain, raler,
deliverer, and king. No doubt, sharing iu the feeling of the
people, Saul at once understood the act. (2) 'The first of three
signs given as tokens that Sam. acted by Divine commission.
Bachel's sepulchre,' position is diflioult to locate. If situate
on the road fr. Bethel to Bethlehem, it was not iu Saul's way

Cap. X. 5—13.]

/. SAMUEL.

219

home. Zel2ah, ' not known, if name of a place. (3) plain,
or oak, Ge. xxxv. 8. meet thee,'' etc., or thou shalt light upon,
come up with. (4) salute thee, Heb. ask thee of peace.
Kish's losses. — Subject : The loss of a child occasions greater
sorrow than the loss of worldly substance. I. A great loss.
The asses, valuable property in the East; the loss occasioned
"care," anxiety, son'ow. II. A greater loss. A son, Saul. In
this great loss the other was forgotten. Leam — 1. The depth of
parental love ; 2. The duty of filial obedience./
Ki.ising as an act of houiage (v. 1). — This mode of expressing
homage was soon transferred to kings and men in authority.
Thus Samuel saluted Saul after he had anointed him. Priam and
Ulysses are represented by Homer as offering this act of adora^
tion. In the East it was very common, especially in Persia.
Xenophon, in his oration on Agesilaus, tells us that the Persians
were accustomed to kiss those whom they held in honour. It was
also practised towards the Eoman emperor. This custom obtains
now in India, and also in our own couutry. Both these shades
of meaning may, with propriety, be considered as couched in the
language of the Psalmist, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry."
Drusius translates the passage, " Receive Him for your Lord and
King," The meaning evidently is, " Render to Him that homage
which He, as the Son of God, the anointed King on Zion, re
quires." 5—8. (5) hill of God, a proper name, Gibeah-elohim. : poss.
same as Goia." garrison, or military post, psaltery ,'' mcJfZ .• ]
first mentioned here, tabret, toph, kinti of tambourine or drum.
pipe, clialib, a bored or pierced instrument ; kind of flute.
harp, c'innor, stringed instrument, more like lyre, with fewer
strings than the psaltery, prophesy, sing hymns of praise,
-with rapturous and extatic feeling, ((i) Spirit, etc.f Ju. iii. 10.
(7) as occasion, etc., i.e. act independentiy ; with loyal
authority. (8) Gilgal, Jos. iv. 19.
Saul's changes. — Subject : '• The transforming power of the
Holy Spirit." Saul tumed into another man in respect to —
I. His circumstances. II. His prospects. III. His character.
Leam : — 1 . Seek to possess the Spirit of the Lord : if He does not
make you great. He will make you good ; 2. Test His presence by
the change produced.''
Proridence ov'- men and nations. — It is well known that in the
year U)86 the Duke of Savoy was prevailed on by Louis XIV. to
expel the Wj-ldensian Christians from their native vaUeys. In
1689, eight or nine hundred of these persons, through great
difBculties, retumed. Dr. Calamy, in his Life and Times, relates
that Mr. Arnauld, their minister and leader, told him that when
they had nearly reached their homes, pursued by a number of
enemies, they were in great danger of dying from want of pro-
'visions. Such, however, was the kindness of God to them, that a
sudden thaw removed in one night a mass of snow from the fields.
where they discovered a considerable quantity of wheat standing
_ in the earth ready for the sickle, that had been suddenly covered
" with snow, and which now as unexpectedly left it. On this com
they lived till other sources supplied them with food.
9—13. (9) another heart," see r. 6. came to pass, for ' Saul among:
his encouragement. (10) to the hill, better, to Oiieah. (11) ltho prophets

B.C. cir. 1095.
to the Sept.,
something lika
'hast ening,'
'le apin g.' " —
Ewald. d" The kids were
for sacrifipe, the
loaves for the
offering, and tho
wine for the liba
tions."— /atni'estwi.
e Ft. -Lat. salutare,
formed from
salus, health,
safety.t>. 1. Bp. Hall,
^Contemp.; H.
] Lindsay, Led. L
148.I<f Hive.
1 " He who cau
j pay homage to
tbe truly despic-
I able is truly con-
temptible."^
Lavater.

Samuel sends Sanl
to Gilgal
a 1 Sa. xiii. 3.
" Jeba, very near
Michmash, and
north - east of
Gibeah.'' — Lieut.
Conder.
6 " A stringed in
strument, prob.
in shape triangu
lar, liko a cone
with the vertex
downward, with
10 or 12 Btrings."
— Ayre.
c "He caught the
inspiration from
the ' chain ' of
prophets, as the
sigu of a grander,
lijftier life, than
he bad ever be
fore conceived."
Stanley. V. 6 — 10. S. Dey
ling, Observ. 3.

d Hivt.

220

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. X. 14— ai.

B.C. cir. 1095.
a "The heart in
the Heb. accepta
tion points more
to intellect aud
courage, than to
the affections
and cons'iience."
— Spk. Com.
b " Who is the
father of the
prophets? Not
man, but God.
(This not so
likely as reading
from Sept.)." —
Wordsworth.
cOomp. Mat.
xiii. 54, 55.
d C. Simeon, M.A.
e Dr. Guthrie.
"In many looks
the false heart's
history is writ,
in moods, and
frowns, and
wrinkles strango."— SAaie-
speare.

Saul's inter
view- -with
his uncle
a J. S. Exell.
*' No one can
take leas paina
than to hold his
tongue. Hear
much, and speak
little; for the
tongue is the in
strument of tbe
greatest good
and the greatest
evil that is done
in the world." —
Sir W. Raleigh.

b S. Coley.

Israelsummonedto Mizpeh
electionof king
Saul chosen
a Comp. Jo.^ vii.
14, 10—18; 1 Sa.
xiv. 41.
i fTordsworth.

beforetime, prev. to his anointing. (12) who is their
father?' prob. more correct in Sept., Who is his father t Is he
not the son of Kish ?" (13) an end, for the time.
Conversion a ground of joy (v. 12). — The proverb of O'ur text we
may consider as containing— I. A subject for grateful admira
tion. Many are converted to God when no such change could
have been hoped for, from — 1. Their age ; 2. Their occupations ;
3. Their habits ; 4. Their conneotions. II. A matter for pru
dential inquiry. How shall we know whether we are " among
the prophets " ? We must see whether we have — ^1. The mind ;
2. The spirit, of the prophete.''
InstantarwoiLf conversion. — -When graoe subdues a rebel man, if
I may so speak, the citadel first is takeu, afterwards the city. It
is not as iu those great sieges which we have lately watehed with
such anxious interest, liere, approaching with his brigades,
and cavalry, and artillery, man sits down outside the city. He
begins the attack from a distance, creeping like a lion to the
spring, with trench, and parallel, and battery, nearer and nearer
to the walls. These at length are breached ; the gates are blown
opeu ; through the deadly gap the red, living tide rolls iu.
Fighting from bastion to bastion, from street to street; they pass
onward to the citadel ; and there, giving no quarter and recerviug
none, beneath a defiant flag, the rebels, perhaps, stand by their
guns, prolonging a desperate resistance. But, when the ap-
pointeii hour of conversion comes, Christ descends by His Spirit
into the heart, — at once into the heart. The heart won, she
fights her way outward from a new heart on to new habits.
A change without succeeds the change within.' '
14 — 16. (14) no where, -within our reach. (15) Sam.
said, uncle had observed the change in Saul, and wanted it
accounted for. (16) the kingdom, now set up iu himself.
'The discipline of a promoted life. — This promoted life was — I.
Unostentatious in ite commencement. II. Confirmatory in its
progress. Saul's future confirmed by — 1. The restoration of lost
property (v. 3) ; 2. The manifestation of hospitality (v. 4). The
sympathetic power of prophecy (v. 6). III. Preparatory in its
issue. Saul is prepared by — 1 . The importation of a new nature
(v. 9) ; 2. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (i: 10).»
Effects of boasting (v. 16). — Lord Bacon told Sir Edward Cooke
when he boasted, " The less you speak of your greatness, the more
I shall think of it.'' Mirrors are the accompanimente of dandies,
not heroes. The men of history were not perpetually looking in
the glass to make sure of their own size. Absorbed in their work,
they did it, and did it so well, that the wondering world saw
them to be great, and labelled them accordingly.'
17—21. (17) Mizpeh, ch. vii. 5. (18) Throughout Scrip.
constant reference is made to the Exodus, as the first great
national event. (19) before the Lord, in solemn assembly, in
presence of His altar. (20) to come near, that the Lord's
choice might be indicated : poss. by lot the selection wais made."
(21) Slatri, rain of Jelwvah. not be fouud, indic. of his
youthful modesty.'
Tlie first king of Israel. — I. The election of a king. A strange
thing, because this nation had a King. One very near, very
strong, very gracious, but One they could not see, One who kept

Cap. X. 22—27.]

/. SAMUEL.

221

no earthly court. Election conducted in a strange way. This no
hereditary monarchy ; nor was the election by vote or show
of hands, but by lot, which meant leaving the choice to the great
unseen King, whose reign did not satisfy them. II. The king
elected. Already found by the prophet and anointed. Now
modestly hiding, now fetched out, a grand-looking man ; but he
proved a failure. He was a man quite after the people's heart ;
not like David — a man after God's own heart."
A king. —
Show wond'ring nations what a monarch should be ;
Heaven's true vicegerent, whose superior soul.
Raised high above the tyrant's selfish poorness,
Pants but for power of doing good, rejects
All power of doing ill'; who makes no war
But to revenge his people's wrongs ; no peace
But what secures their safety ; courts no fame
But from their happiness : a parent he.
The public parent ; they not slaves, but sons.''
22 — 25. (22) stuff," the baggage of the people who had
come to Mizpeh. (23) shoulders higher, ch. ix. 2. (24) God
save, lit. let the Idng live. (25) the manner, law or principles.
laid up, etc., placed beside the ark of the covenant wilh the copy
of the law.
'Tlw duty of prayer for the sovereign (v. 24). — I. The prayer,
" God save the king." This implies that we supplicate God —
1. That our sovereign may maintain God's laws and seek His
honour ; 2. That she may be strong and courageous ; 3. To take
her under His protection ; 4. To bless and keep her always.
II. The motives we have to animate us to perform this sacred
duty. 1. Consider in what a deplorable condition, as a nation,
we should be if we had no sovereign to reign over us ; 2. This
duty is sanctioned and enforced by the practice of all ci'vilised
nations ; 3. Since the moral responsibility of rulers is so great,
what powerful claims has our sovereign to our generous sympathy
and to our prayers I Conclusion : — (1) Adore God for all His
goodness to us as a nation ; (2) Let us not forget our obligations
to oiu- heavenly Sovereign.'
Tlie flattery of kings. —
The vulgar caU us gods, and fondly think
That kings are cast in more than mortal moulds.
Alas ! they little know that when the mind
Is cloy'd with pomp, our taste is pall'd to joy.
But grows more sensible of grief or pain.
The stupid peasant, with as quick a sense.
Enjoys the fragrance of the rose as I ;
And his hard hand is proof against the thom
'Which, rankling in my tender skin, would seem
A viper's tooth. O blissful poverty !
Nature, too partial to thy lot, assigns
Health, freedom, innocence, and downy peaoe —
Her real goods — and only mocks the great
With empty pageantries."
26, 27. (26) home to Gibeah, irv. 5, 10. band of men,
tlie vaHant company. (27) children of Belial, De. xiii. 13.

c Hive.
" A king that
would not feel
his crown too
heavy for him,
must wear it
every day : hut
if he think it too
light, he knoweth
notof whatmetal
it is made." — Bar
con. " My heart being
virtuous, let my
facebewpn, Iam
to God, I only
seem to man."—.
Quaries.
d Mallet.

Saul found;
and the
people cry
G-od save
the king
a "TheaBaembly
was like a (samp,
and the baggage
(impedimenta-j of
tbe whole con
gregation was
prob. collected ia
one place, where
the waggons
were arranged
for protection."—
Spk. Com.
V. 24. A. Bumdby,
80.3; /. A, Miller,
Saul, 40.
b T. B. Home,
B.D. ''Kings are like
stars — they rise
and set — they
have the worship
of the world, but
no repose." —
Shelley. "A king ruleth
as he ought, a
tyrant as he lists;
aking to the pro
flt of all, a tyrant
to please a few."
— AHstotle.
c Fenton,

Sanl and
tbe band of
good men

222

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. 31. 1—7.

B.C. a'r. 1095.
a " Another sign
of his modesty,
pa'ience and
prudene^ at this
time." — Words
worth. vv. '26, 27. H.
Lindsay, Lect. i.
62.b Hive.
"Wise kings
have generally
wise councillorB,
as he must be
a wise man him
self who is ca
pable of distin
guishing one."—
Diogenes.
There are many
who would
so oner meet
their bitterest
enemy in the
fleld than their
own hearta in
the closet

held

19'ahash besiegesJabesh-
Gilead a " The AmmO'
nites ha i long
claimed the
Tight of original
possession in Gi-
}ea. A."— Jamieson.
Ju. xi. 4, 12, 28.
4" The left eye
would be
vered by tbe
shield in battle .
the right eye was
needed for aim
ing the spear.
they would
therefore be no
better than blind
if they lost their
right eye." —
Wordsworth.
"Uruelty and
fear shake hands
toge- her." — Bal
zac.men from
Jabesh come
to Saul
a " He was a truo
Benjamite from

presents, minchah, token of homage and allegiance.
his peaoe, lit. was as deaf."
A young man's be.H companions (v. 26). — A young man's best
companions are men whose heart God has touched. When God
touches the heart He makes it — I. Loving : hence they are united,
" a band." II. Faithful : they were true when others despised
him (v. 27). III. Kind : they went home with him for company
and safety. Leam :— Seek for friends those whose hearts God has
touched.'' Companions. — The following beautiful allegory is translated
from the German : — Sophronius, a wise teacher, would not suffer
even his grown-up sons and daughters to associate with thoae
whose conduct was not pure and upright. " Dear father," said the
gentle Eulalia to him oue day, when he forbade her, in company
¦with her brother, to visit the volatile Lucinda, " dear father, you
must think us very childish, if you imagine that we should be
exposed to danger by it." The father took in silence a dead coal
from the hearth, and reached it to his daughter. " It wiU not burn
you, my child, take it." BulaUa did so, and behold her beautiful
white hand was soiled and blackened, and, as it chanced, her
white dress also. " We cannot be too careful in handUng coals,"
said Eulalia, in vexation. "Yes, truly," said the father; "you
see, iny child, that coals, even if they do not burn, blacken ; so
it is with the company of the vicious."

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.
1 — 3. (1) Nahash, serpent, a name frequently fonnd.
Jabesh-gilead," the metropolis of Gilead, Ju. xxi. 8—14.
(2) thrust out,' dig out. Nahash supposed they were wholly
in his ijower. (3) all the coasts, etc., not directly to Saul, but
to the various tribes. Saul's kingdom not yet fully recognised.
'Tito tender inercies of the- m'lclied. — I. The world's covenant
v/ith ite aUies is one-sided. II. The world would deprive of sight
those who serve it. It would pluck out the eye of intelligence,
and conscience, and faith. III. One cannot serve the world with
his eyes open. IV. The world's demands prove it cannot endure
inspection. V. Those who fight for the world are meu who have
lost theii- sight. VI. Since tiiere is One who -wiU save us — and
not only spare our eyes, but perfect their vision — there is no need
that we should serve the world.
Putting out tlw right eyes (v. 2).— The object of Nahash was,
doubtless, to make the men of Jabesh useless for war, by putting
out the right eyes ; the reason of this will appear, when we re
member that the soldier of those days held his shield before him
with his left hand while he fought with his right. The shield,
consequently, hid the left eye, so that the right one only was
available in war. Had he only a left eye, the shield would be
useless, and the means of defence would be lost.
4—7. (4) told the tidings, to the people, not to SauL
(5) after the herd, or oxen, with which, though a king he had
been ploughing. (6) spirit . . him, comp. ch. x. 6, io, as a
spirit of zeal, energy, and power, auger, fervour of indigna
tion. (7) Comp. Ju. xix. 23,«

Cap. xi. 8-15.]

/. SAMUEL.

223

Be angry and tin not. — I. This anger of Saul was Divinely
kindled. II. It was occasioned by the cause of humanity and
patriotism. HI- It did not vapour itself away in idle words.
IV. The cause of the oppressed may well stir onr righteous in
dignation. V. Oppressed nationalities, slaves, ete., may be
reckoned as those whose eyes are threatened.
Anger wiihout sin. — One of the late Dr. Spencer's parishioners
in Brooklyn, New York, met him hurriedly uiging his way down
the street one day; his lip was set, and there was something
strange in that grey eye. " How are you to-day, doctor ? " he said,
pleasantly. He waked as from a dream, and replied soberly, "I
am mad I " It was a new word for a mild, true-hearted Christian
but he waited, and, with a deep, eamest voice, went on : " ]
fouud a widow, standing by her goods thrown in the street ; she
could not pay the montii's rent ; the landlord tumed her out
and one of her children is going to die ; and that man is a mem
ber of the church 1 I told her to take her things back again. I
am on my way to see him 1 "
8—11. (8) Bezek, Ju. i. 4, 5, nearly opposite the ford for
crossing to Jabesh-Gilead. Obs. in this v. the distinction of
Israel and Judah. (9) sun he hot, before mid-day. The dis
tance to t-avel was some 20 miles. (10) said, to Nahash. (11)
the moiro-w, prob. the last of the seven days' respite, r. 3.
three companies, as Gideon, Ju. vii. 16 — 19. midst of the
host, which had gone forth to meet the sally of the men of
Jabedi. and so quite closed round.
Ye shall have Jwlp. — I. This promise of help was prompt. II.
It infused joy in ihe hearts of threatened and endangered men.
III. It was fully kept. IV. For us, also, help is laid on One who
is mighty to save.
Protestations of Idngs. —
" Tis tme I am a king,
Honour and glory, too, have been my aim ;
But though I dare face death and all the dangers
Which furious war wears in its bloody front,
Yet could I choose to fix my name by peace.
By justioe, and by mercy, and to raise
My trophies on the blessings of mankind :
Nor would I buy the empire of the world
With ruin of the people whom I sway,
Or forfeit of my honour. >»
12—15. (12) that said, ch. x. 27. Saul's authority was
now estabUshed. (13) not . . death, instance of restraint, and
moderation, showing good judgment. (14) Gilgal, difBcult to
decide always wh. Gilgal is meant." (15) made Saul king,
by general acknowledgment, by making him assume royal state
and authority, and poss. by a second anointing.*
'The renewal (v. 14). — Let us see— I. Wliat should be renewed.
1. Our personal consecration to God ; 2. A devotion of our means
and powers in God's sei-vice : 3. An arrangement of our timeand
opportunities to the best things ; 4. An awakening to our re
sponsibiUties. II. The spirit in which it should be done. 1. Re-
-^erential acknowledgment to God ; 2. Joyful gratitude for the
past; 3. Humble reliance on the Divine blessing. III. The
reasons for doiug it. 1. We need this renewing in body and miud

B.C. 1095.
flisttolost. Tbe
Spirit of God
cane uj on h m
as upon SuiusoD.
His sh> ri tiiiT'g
Ell ture von shed.
Hisangei- tiamed
out." — Stanli-y.
V. 4. J. Saurin,
Disc. nii.t, iv.'.;69.
""Wten anger
ru.'^hes unre
strained to ac
tion, like a hot
steed it stumbles
in its way; the
man of th'iu^ht
strikes deepest^
and strikes
faateat."— iJ. Sa-
vage-
Saul defeats
Kahasb " If I b. ast ot
au^tit. t'6 it to
have 1 et'ti Lea
ven's lui i ijy ia-
strunicni, the
mi^anscf good to
all U'y fellow-
creaturi^p: ih's is
king's best
praise."— Rmj:e.
" In geiiernl, in-
dulgence for
those we knowia
rai*er thin pity
for those wa
know not." —
Rivar.l.
a Young,
"Trust him with
little wtiu, with
out proofs, trusia
you wilh every
thing, 01, whin he
has proved you,
with nothing." —
Lavctter.
Sa-ul ie made
kin^ at
Gilg-al

snys
Jeri-

.itanley
Gilgal liy
cbti. so Words-
wtrih; Kill SH.\y
Jilj.l'a. as t'l^iri^
near tbe road tr.
Jabf ll lo GibtaJi
and Ramah.
b Spk. Com.
VV.12.\!I.IJ. Lind
say, Lect. i. Iir.
-* A sovereign's

224

I. SAMUEL.

[Oap.2U.l-R

B.C. 1095.
great example
forms a penple;
the put-'lic breast
is noble, or is
vile, as he in
spires it." — Mal
let. e Dr. J. Bums.
"-Whatiaaking?
a man c 0 n-
demn'd to bear
the public bur
then of the na
tion's care." —
Prior. Our fallen nature
is not wbat we
thiuk ifc to be,
but what Scrip
ture reveals it to
be.

B.C. 1095.
Samuel'saddress to
Israel
he vindicates
hiraself «"They are
private persons
and subjects i.t
tlie king, as you
ari^." — Words-
woi th,
b Pa. Ixxxiv. 9.
e Nii.xvi.16; Ac.
XX. 33 ; 1 Ki. ii. 5.
d " Gopher, ran
som or satisfac
tion; fr. caphar,
to cover, to par
don. ' — Oesenius.
e " Applied to the
bribe paid to an
unjust judge to
induce him to
acquit the
guilt y." — Sp k.
Com. .
/Ac. xxiv. 16, 20;
1 Ki. ii. 10.
r. 3. Bp. Sander
son Ss. G35; /.
Gilbert, Ss. 77;
Dr. T. Coney. Ss.
ii. 371 ; Dr R.
Burn, Ss. iv. .372 ;
Dr. a. D'Oyly, ii.
SOQ.

even daily ; 2. We shaU be the better for it ; 3. We shaU be more
efficient in the spheres of life ; 4. God -wiU be more glorified ;
5. We shall be more conformed to Christ."
Henry the Fourth cf France.— 'When Henry IV. of France waa
advised to attempt taking Paris by assault, before the king of
Spain's troops arrived to succour the leaguers, he absolutely pro
tested against the measure, on the principle of humanity. " I
will not," said he, " expose the capital to the miseries ajid horrors
which must follow suoh au event. I am the father of my people,
and will follow the example of the true mother who presented
herself before Solomon. I had much rather not have Paris thaa
obtain it at the expense of humanity, and by the blood and death
of so many innocent persons." Henry reduced the city to
obedience without the loss of blood, except two or three bur
gesses who were killed. "If it was in my power," said this
humane monarch, " I would give fifty thousand crowns to redeem
those citizens, to have the satisfaction of informing posterity
that I had subdued Paris -without spUling a drop of blood."

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
1 — 5. (1) Samuel said, at close of the convention at Gilgal,
ch. xi 14, 15. ye said, ch. vui. 4 — 6. (2) sons are -with you,
their age proved his great age. Poss. intended to intimate that
he had not tried to estabUsh his family in the government." See
ch. viii. 1 — 3. (3) His anointed,* Saul, who had beeu pri
vately anointed by Sam., and perhaps aiso pubUcly at Gilgal.
-whose ox, etc.," demand for careful review of his publio life.
bribe, Heb. ransom ;'' the fiue paid by a criminal in Ueu of bonds
or death.* restore, Lu. xix. 8. (4) takeu ought, improperly.
(5) -witness,/ that Sam, had given no cause for casting ofE the
order of judges.
Here I am. (v. 3). — ^I. Let us consider a few of the things of
which this " Here I am " may remind us. 1 . Honesty an important
element iu the strength and beauty of old age ; 2. Moral courage
inspired by conscious integrity ; 3. It is sometimes needful to
be self-assertive. This not to be confounded -with vain boasting.
II. Let us inquire how it was that in his old age Samuel could
so fearlessly look the world in the faoe and say, " Here I am."
It was because, in his youth, he had responded to the Divine
call with '¦ Here I am." The boy was father to the man.
Vindication of character. — ^A Christian is called to refrain
from some things which, though actually right, yet will uot bear
a good appearance to aU men. I once judged it my duty ttJ
refuse a considerable sum of money, which I might lawfully and
fairly have received, because I considered that my acconnt of the
matter could not be stated to some, to whom a different repre
sentation would be made. A man who intends to stand imma
culate, and. like Samuel, to come forward and gay. Whose ox or
whose ass have I taken '? must count the cost. I knew that my
character was worth more to me than this sum of money. By
probity a man honours himself. It is the part of a -wise man to
waive the present good for the future increase. A merchant
suffers a large quantity of goods to go out of the kingdom to a
foreign land, but he has his object in doing so j he knows, by

Oap. xii. 6—15.1

1. SAMUEL.

225

calculation, that he shall make so much more advantage by
them. A Christian is made a -wise man by counting the cost.
The best picture I know of the exercise of this virtue drawn by
the hand of man is that by John Bunyan, in the characters of
Passion and Patience.9
6—11. (6) it is the Lord," lifting their thoughts fr. the
instramente to the real Author, advanced, appointed. (7)
stand still, or stand up. as in a court of justice, righteous
aets, \vith idea of benejifis. (8) Ge. xlvi. 5, 6 ; Ex. iv. 16, ete.
(9) Sisera, Ju. iv. 2. Philistines, Ju. xiii. 1. king: of
Moab, Ju. in. 12. (10) Baalim and Ashtaroth, Ju. ii 13, x.
10. (11) Jerubbaal, Ju. vii. 1. Bedan, either Barak'' or
Abdon.' Jephthah, Ju. xi. 1. Samuel,'' prob. Samson, see
Heb. xi. 32.
Tlw people's attitude and tlw preaclwr's duty (v. 7). — I. The
people's attitude : " Stand still." In other words — 1. Be attentive ;
2. Be considerate ; 3. Be reverential. II. The preachers duty to
reason, eto. 1. His method — to reason : i,e. to discourse, to
relate in order, to apply to the conscience ; 2. His subject : " the
righteous acts of the Lord." People apt to forget them : rightly
considered they should lead to repentance. They show God's
goodness, and willingness to impart still greater mercy.
A IdTig reproved. — It is said that Henry the Great of France
took much pleasure in conversing with an honest and religious
man of low station in life, who used great freedom with his
majesty. One day he said to the king, " Sire, I always take your
part when I hear any man speaking evil of you. I know that
you excel in justice and generosity, and that many worthy things
have beeu done by you. But you have one vice for which God
will condemn you, if you do not repent. I mean the unlawful
love of women." The kiug, it is said, was too magnanimous to
resent this reproof, but he long felt it like an arrow in his bosom ;
and sometimes said that the most eloquent discourses of the
doctors of the Sorbonne had never made such an impression on
his soul as this honest reproof from his humble friend.
12—15. (12) Nahash, ch. xi. 1. (13) behold the king,
Saul being present at the convention, ye have chosen, etc.,
Sam. throws the whole burden of responsibility on them, set a
king," in response to your wish. (14) continue following-,
Heb. be after, belong to tlw party of Jelwvah. (15) hand of the
Iiord, Bx. ix. 3.
Tlw two courses (w. 14, 15).— Samuel here places before the
people two courses. I. One of which they were bound to follow.
There was no middle course. Man canuot be neutral. II. We
have the resulte of obedience and of disobedience set clearly
forth. III. Such a presenting of the truth should bring us to
immediate decision.
Devotion to tlw service of Go-f.-Thexe was an age of chivalry,
when no craven courted knighthood, for it involved the hard
blows, the dangerous wounds, the rough unhorsings, and the
ungentle perils of the tournament ; nay, these v/ere but child's
play : there were distent Eastern fields, where Paynim waixiors
must be slain by valiant hands, and blood must flow in rivers
from the Red-cross knighte. Then men who lacked valour pre
ferred their hawks and their jesters, aud left heroes to court
VOL. III. O. T. P

g R. CecU.

he rehearses
the -ways
of Q-od
a Mic. vi. 4.
b Keil; Spk. Com.
c Ewald.
d Wordsworth
prefers retain
ing the name
Samuel, and ex
plains that he is
here not recount
ing what he
did in his own
strength, hut
w hat God did by
him.V. 7. /. Strype. A
Ser. 16S9; also
Bp. Peploe, Dr. J.
Burton, W. Har
per. W. F. Hook,
A Ser. each.
" The memory of
past favours is
like a rainbow,
bright, vivid, and
beautiful ; but it
soon fades away.
The memory of
injuries is en
graved on the
heart, and re
mains for ever,"
— Haliburton.
he calls to
obedience a Hos. xiii. 11;
Ps Ixxviii. 29.
vv, 14, 15. J.
Plumptre, Pop.
Com,, i. 418.
Truth to be im-
pr{^s^ed;— If any
person, or any
nation, ia to be
prosperous and
happy, he must
maintain ullegi-
aiice to God, and
tlevote bim, elf
wholly to Hia
service. This il-
luotrate from the
previous history
and experience of
Isra'-l ; from the
life and integrity
of Samuel ; from
the future liistory

226

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xii. 16—25.

B.C. 1095.
of the nation of
Israel under the
kings. Comp.
such reigns as
those of Ahab
ftnd Hezekiah;
from recent cases
met with iu
teacher's own
experience ; or
in Christian bio
graphies.
b Spurgeon,
he confirms
hia -words
by a miracle
« " This spason
in Pales, occurs I
at the eud of
June or begin- 1
ning of July, j
when it aeldom |
or never rains,
and tbe sky ia
serene aad
cloutiless." — Ja
mieson.iThunder is
called the voice
of the Lord. See
Ex. ix. 28, marg. ;
Pe. xxix. 8-9.
c C, Simeon, M,A.
vv, 16, 17. /. Sau
rin, Disc. Hist. iv.
480 ; W. Reading,
A.M., i. 830.
V. 17. Bp. Heber,
li 07.
llll. 17-19. Dr.M.
Hole, On. Lit. ii. 7.
d Sliakespeare.

he asserts
God's faith
fulness
a Jer. xv. 1,
b Jos. xxiv. 20.
V. 20. Bp. Hall,
Contemp.; Dr, J.
Prestun, 125.
vv. 20—55 J. AU
ing, Opera ii. pt.
2, 11.
V. 21. T. Bolton,
Ix. 600.
V. 23. J. Keble,
127.t C. Vince.
vv 23, 24. Abp.
Sandys. 34; Dr.
H. Stebbing, ii.
344.
tm. 2t, 25. Bp.
Hall, Wks. V. 79;

death and glory on the battle-field. This genial time of peace
breeds carpet knighte, who fiourish their untried weapons, and
bear the insignia of valour, without incurring ite inconvenient
toils. Many are crowding to the seats of the heroes, since prowess
and patience are no more required. It is not otherwise to-day.
Into the triumphs of martyrs and confessorj few are unwilling
to enter ; in a national respect to religion, which is the result of
their holiness, even ungodly men are willing to share. They have
gone before us with true hearts valiant for truth, aud falsa
traitors are willing to divide their spoils.*
16—19. (16) stand anisee, notice, attend to. great thing,
sign Sam. was about to give. (17) -wheat harvest, usually a
time of drought." thunder' and rain, people greatly terrified
by the thunder, and distressed by the rain, aud so made to feel
what power to punish rebellion was in the handa of God. (18)
Comp. Ex. xiv. 31. (19) pray for, one of Sam.'s characteristics
was power in prayer. Obs. how readily the people were afEected
to penitence, but it seldom lasted long, or f ruitened in stedfast
goodness. The Israelites' ri jection of Samuel reproved (vv. 1 6 — 23). — Notice,
from the words of our text — I. The sin committed. The Israelites
desired to have a king. II. The reproof administered. 1. Samuel
desired a judgment from God, with a view to their humiliation ;
2. He proclaimed meroy from God with a -view to their encourage
ment.'' Appalling aspect of a storm. —
I have seen tempeste, when the scolding 'winds
Have rived the knotty oaks ; and I have seen
The ambitious ocean swell, and rage, and foam,
To be exalted with the threat'ning clouds :
But never till to-night, never tiU now,
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire.
Either there is a civil strife in heaven,
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods.
Incenses them to send destruction.''

20— S5. (20) ye have done, Sam. deepens the sense of ein,
but shows how graciously God was overruling their error. All
depended on their faithfulness to God under the new constitu
tion. (21) vain things, Ht. emptiness. In Bib. language
all sin is also foolishness and vanity. (22) not forsake, even
in this their wilfiUness. (23) ceasing to pray," if (Jod does
not forsake, good men need not. (24) how great things,
marg. what a great thing, referring to the gift of king. (25)
consumed,!' as illus. by the thunder and rain.
The farewell counsel of Samnel (vv. 20, 24, 25).— In his fareweU
address, Samuel adapted bis counsels and encouragement to the
special position and need of his audience. There were words of
—I. Wise caution to people who had matie great changes in their
circumstances. Note the perfect soundness of the principle em
bodied in Samuel's words. II. Gracious hope to people who had
erred and sinned in relation to their circumstances.'' — Tender and
faithful rebuke (vv. 20— 25).— From this passage of Scripture we
1 may learn— I. To wateh the sinner's disposition to retum from
; his evil way. II. To bear a faithful testimony against idolatry
a:id vanity of every kind. While Samuel gives every possible

Cap. XiU. 1-4.1

I. SAMUEL.

227

encouragement to retuming sinners, he bears a faithful testimony
against sin. III. While reproving sinners, we must hold out
encouragement to them ; we must learn to indulge a gracious
hope of their retuming to a gracious God. IT. To wam the
impenitent. V. To give weight to our counsel by our character.''
Enry one can pray. — Several children of a family were once
playing in a garden, when one of them feU into a tank. Imme
diately there was great excitement, as eaoh one hurried here and
there to obtain means to extricate this brother. When the father
afterwards heard of it, he called them together, and asked what
means they thought of to rescue their brother from his perilous
situation. The eldest said, " I fetehcd a rope, father, to throw to
him;" tlie second said, "I brought a ladder to throw into the
'water in case the rope should not do." After inquiring of the
others till he came to the youngest, he said, "And, John, what
did you do to rescue your brother ? " John answered, " Father,
what could I do ? I am eo young I could not do anything. I
stood on the bank of the tenk. and cried as loud as I could."
Kow, if each cannot bring a ladder or rope, all can cry, all can
plead with God to pity poor idolaters and those who know Him
not. Long ago a missionai— to the Indians said, " Pains and
prayer, by faith m Jesus Christ, can do anything."

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH.
1 — 4. (1) reigned one year, lit. as marg., tlw son of oiw
•year in his reigning. The Heb. Rabbis explain this to mean, he
¦was quite a child iu simplicity when he began to reign. Others
suppose that a letter signifying 20 years has fallen out of the
text, wh. is intended to give the whole length of Saul's reign."
(2) chose, etc., to form a private body-guard. Michmash,
now a desolate village. Miikhmas, near a steep ravine, called
Wady-es-Siiwe'mit, 9 m. N. of Jerus.' Mount Bethel, Beitin:
6 m. N.W. of Michmash. Gibeah, now Tuleil-el-Phlil. (3)
Geba, now Jeba, on S. side of Wady-Suweiuit." (4) Gilgal,
Jos. iv. 19, 20.
'The trumpet blown in Israel (v. 3). — I. The occasion of the
sounding of this trumpet. II. The purpose for which it was
blown. 1. To inspire courage; 2. To spread good tidings; 3
To lead Israel to the attack. III. The effect of the sounding of
the trumpet (v. 4). IV. The Gospel trumpet now calls.
Armaments. — I am disposed to dissent from that maxim
which has been so generaUy received, that " If you wish* for
peace, you must be prepared for war." It may have applied to
the nations of antiquity, and to society in a comparatively bar
barous and uncivilised stete, when warlike preparations cost but
little ; but in the stete of society in which we live now, and
when the warlike preparations of great Powers are made at an
enormous expense, I say that, so far from their being any security
for peace, they are directly the contrary, and tend at once to
war ; for it is natural that men, having adopted means they
think efBcient to any end, should desire to put their eflfioienoy to
the test, and to have some direct result from their labour and
expense."* p 2

B.O. 109S
Dr. T. Taylor,
Wks. b-.Z; Bp.
Stillingfleet, ii,
1<4; Dr. Munk-
houie. iii. 231 ; W.
Jay, ii. 270 ; Dr.
W. Lupton, 327;
,^ir A. Gol don, ii.
271; J.S. M. An
derson, Cloud of
Mil. ii. 323.
d B. Cecil, M.A.
"Let tbe day
have a blessed
baptism by giv
ing your flrst
waking thoughts
into tbe hosom
of God. Th»
flrst hour of the
morning is tha
rudder of the
day." — Beecher.

the reigii
of Saul

Israel sum
moned to
Qilgal
a Keil; S, k. Com.
"The true mean
ing seema to be,
that Saul had
heen publicly
made king, and
had reigned ono
year, wheu tho
eventJi recorded
in the former
chap, had taken
place." — WortU-
worth.b Robinson.
c Smilh, Diet, of
Bib. On the whole cap.
Bee Bp. Halt,
Cont. ; J. Saurin,
Disc.Hist.iv.2S7;
J. A. Miller, SauL
62.d Ld. Aberdeem.

228

1. SAMUEL.

[Cap. Xiii. 5-16.

B.O. 1095.
the people
fear— Samuel
is sent for
a Sheloshim,
thirty, has crept
into the text, in
atead of Shelosh,
three.6 Ex. xiv. 7 ; Jii.
iv3; 2Sa. X. IS;
1 Ki. X. 20 ; 2 Oh.
xii. 3, xiv. 9 ; Ps.
^viii. 17.
e 1 Sa. X. 8.
d Tbe idea that
he usurped the
priest's ofSne is
taken hyj,jsephm.
Bp. Andrewes.
Kitto, etc. .Htan
fet/claioasfor bim
the right to sacri
flce as king.
e Keil, Words

worth, Spk, Com., .
etc, II
T. 9. The Trial of
Saul, Pl. Ss. V.
188. / /. B. Newman,
B.D. *'Eeal glory
springs from the
silent conquest
of onrselvcH ; and
without that the
conqueror is
nought bnt the
first slave." —
Thomson.
g Benj. D^Israeli.

Samuelreproves Saul, and
predicts his
rejectiona Ge. iil. 13.
b 1 Sa. XV. 28.
V. 13. T. Gisbome,
ii 299.

W.

rv. 13, 14.
Reading, iii. 330 ;
H.Lindsay.llOS;Ld. A. Hervey, ii.
96.
c C. Simeon, M-A.
V. 14. Bp. Cleaver,
375; I^. Porteus,
iii. 99; Dr. G.
D'Oyly, 1.291; Bp.
Shutltewortti, i.

5—10. (5) thirty thousand, prob. a mistake in number."
Comp. other numbers of chariots inentioned in Scrip., and pro
portion to horsemen.* This comparison suggests that the numb.
should be 300. Bethavea, Josh. -vii. 2. (6) in a strait, not
having force to resist such a foe. hide themselves, as ia
Ju. vi. 2. (7) the Hebrews, better read as Sept. tha^e that
crossed, trembling, having little confidence. No great signs
of (jod's blessing- had yet attended Saul, except that recorded iu
ch. xi. (8) set time," to try his patience and obedience. (9)
he offered, not cfertain whether he did it himself,'' or ordered
the proper priest to do it.' (10) salute him, word as in Ge. xiv.
19, meaning simply courteous salutation.
JVe« ti-'ial of Saul (v. 9). — Consider how many there are who —
I. When in distress of any kind, in want of means or of neces
saries, forget, like Saul, that their distress, whatever it is comes
from God ; aud that He will remove it in His own way, if they
trust in Him : bat who, instead of waiting for His time, take
their own bad way, and impatiently hasten the time, and thus
bring on themselves judgment. II. When in unpleasant situa
tions, are tempted to do what is -wrong in order to get out of
them, instead of patiently waiting God's time. III. Though
their hearts are not right before God, yet have some sort of relir
giousness, and by it deceive themselves into an idea that they
are religious. IV. Who bear half the trial God puts on them,
but not the whole of it ; who go on well for a time and then fall
away. V. Who, in a narrow, grudging, cold-hearted way, go by
the letter of God's commandments while they neglect the spirit/
M'll'itary gloi-y. — ^I hear superficial remarks made about mili
tary surprises, the capture of capitals, and the brilliancy and
celerity with which resulte which are not expected or contem
plated, may be hrought about. In the last century suoh melo-
dramio catastrophes were frequent and effective : we live in an
age aniraated by a very different spirit. I think a great country
like France, and a great country like Prussia, cannot be ulti
mately affected by such results ; and the sovereign who trusts to
them will find at the moment of action that he has to encounter,
wherever he may be placed, a greater and more powerful force
than any miUtary array, and that is the outraged opinion of an
enlightened world.?
11 — 16. (11) what, etc.," calling Saul to serious consideration
of his act. (12) I forced myself, went against my judgment,
pressed by the emergency. (13) foolishly, showed himaelf
unable to 7Vait, trusting in God. Wilfulness was Saul's great
sin. (14) First hint of Saul's rejection.' (15) up, Gibeah being
in fhe hill country. (16) Jonathan, v. 3.
Saul's impatience (vv. 11 — 13). — To understand exactly wherein
Saul's conduct was exceptionable, we will show— I. How far it
waa good and commendable. He did well in that — 1. He dared
not to encounter his adversaries till he had implored help from
God ; 2. He sought after God in the ordinances of God's o\vn
appointment. II. In what respects it was foolish and blame
worthy. His crime consisted in— 1 . His unbelieving precipitancy,
in curtailing the appointed time : 2. His unwarranted dependence
on a merely ritual observance. Learn — ( 1 ) Not to account any
sin light ; (2) Wherein true wisdom consists."
Tlw man after God's own heart. — " Those persons who gather

Cap. xlil. 17-23.]

/. SAMUEL.

229

up the great faulte and sins of David's private life — his craft
and falsehood, his anger and revenge, his adultery and murder —
in order to ask with derision and contempt, ' Is this the man
after God's own heart ? ' are quite beside the mark, missing alto
gether the spirit and intention of the passage they are so ready
to pervert. When the prophet Samuel uttered that much-abused
sentence (1 Sa. xiii. 14), it was in immediate connection with
one that condemned the disobedience of Saul, and it therefore
predicted a successor whose policy aud administration should be
in (Urect opposition to those of this king. It had, therefore, little
to do with the private character of David, and only commended
that course of public policy which maintained inviolate aU the
great maxims of the theocratic government."''
17 — 23. (17) spoilers, same word used of destroying angel,
Ex. xii. 23. Ophrah, in a northerly direction, 5 m. E. of
Bethel." Shual, foxland : prob. Shalim.' (18) Bethhoron,"
westward, Zeboim, eastward : a town of Benjamin gave name
to this valley, wilderness, valley of Jordan. (19) no smith,
to make or to sharpen weapons.'' (20) These were agricultural
implements, not weapons, coulter, kind of ploughshare.
mattock, kind of spade." (21 ) a file,.' poss. something answer
ing to our scytlw-stone. (22) day of battle, recorded in next
chap. (23) garrison, etc., " sallied forth to the steep, pre
cipitous valley now called Wady Suweinit."
Arms for war (v. 20). — We are engaged in a great war with the
Philistines of evil. I. Every weapon within our reach must be
used. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving, all must be brought
into action. Rough tools may deal hard blows ; kiUing need be
done not elegantly, but eifeetually, II. Most of our tools want
sharpening : we need quickness of perception, tact, energy,
promptness ; in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord's work.
Practical common sense is a very scarce thing among the con
ductors of Christian enterprises. III. We might learn from our
enemies if we would, and so make the Philistines sharpen our
weapons.5 Making of war-weapons forbidden, — The policy of the Philis
tines has been imiteted in modern times. " Mulei Ismael weut
farther towards a total reduction of these parts of Africa than
his predecessors had done. Indeed, the vigorous Mulei Eashid,
his brother and predecessor, laid the foundation of that absolute
ness ; but was cut off in the height of his vigour, his. horse
running away with him in so violent a manner that he dashed
out his brains against a tree. But this sheriff brought multi
tudes of sturdy Arabs and Afrieans, who used to be courted
by the kings of Morocco, Fez, eto., to such a pass, that it was as
much as all their lives were worth to have any weapon in a
whole dowar (movable village or small community) more than
one knife, and that without a point, wherewith to cut the throat
of any sheep or other creature when in danger of dying, lest
it should jif, as they call it, i.e. die with the blood in it, and
becoine unlawful lor food.'* — Declining quarrels. — I coramend
his discretion and valour who, walking in London streets, met a
gallant, who cried to him a pretty distance beforehand, " I will
have the wall ! " " Yea," answered he, " and take the house too,
if JOU can but agree with the landlord." '

833; A. Gatty, t
106; H. Goodwin,
iii. ] 86.
A gentle heart is
like tiuit, which
bends so low that
it is at the mercy
ot evety one who
ch OSes to pluck
it, while the
harder fruit
keeps out of
reach. d J. Blackburn.
the Hebrewa
-without

a " Prob. now
Tax yi beh," -^
Robinson.b 1 Sa. ix. 4.
c Jos. X. 10.
d Policy of the
Phil, had been to
disarm the in
habitants.e "In Is. vii. 25
the word trans
lated mottock is
proh. a weeding
hook, or hoe."—
Ayj-e.
f " "Word comea
fr m patsar, to
make blunt ; so
per. sbould be
rendered, 'so
tbat bluntness of
edge came to
those instru
men tswb. should
have been
sharp.' '- — Words-
woith.
g C. H. Spurgeon.
"Our greatest
glory consitts
not in never fall
ing, but iu riting
every lime we
tfiW."— Goldsmith.
" In peace, there's
noihing so be
comes a man as
modest stillness
and humility." —
Shakespeare. h Morgan, Hist, of
A Igitrs.
i T. Fuller.

230

i. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xiv, 1— 10*

B.O. nV. 1087.
the two
rocks, Bozez and.
Seneh
a "The perfect
type of a warrior,
according to the
require menta of
his age: he is
everywhere the
first in courage,
in activity, and
speed ; slender
also, and of well-
made flgure." —
Ewald. h Punica grana-
tum, belonging to
the naturfil
family of Myr-
taceae.
c Is. X. 28.
d Ahiah means
friend of Jehovah,
and Akimilech,
jritnd of the king,
names very
nearly identical.
e Oesenius.
/ 'In the valley
are two hills ot a
conical, or rather
a spherical foi'm,
liaving steep,
rocky sides," —
Robinson, g Evan. P-reacher.
h W. Perkins.
Jonathanand his
ariaour-hearer
a Ju. xiv. 3, XV.
18; lSa.xvii.26,
.etc. ft "Jonathan's
action, viewed in
itself, was rash
and contrary to
all established
rules of military
discipline."—
Jamiexm.c C. Siimon, M.A.
*' As thirsty men
hasten to the
fountain, but
ha vin g quenched
their thirst and
fllled their ves
sels, tum their
hacks upon it;
BO those who are
beset with perils
and danger.", fly
to the fouutaia

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
1 — 5, (1) Jonathan, associated with Saul in all his wars."
He was called 'The Gazelle (see orig. of 2 Sa. i. 19). (2) under a
pomegranate,'' Ju. iv. 5 ; 1 Sa. xxii. 6. Migron, render a
precipice, as the town Migron was N. of Michmash." (3) Ahiah,
either the same as Ahimelech'' (ch. xxi. 1, xx. 9), or au elder
brother of Ahimelech's. Ichabod, ch. iv. 21. Lord's priest,
referring to Eli. ephod, Ex. xxviii. 4—35 ; 1 Sa. ii. 18. (4)
Bozez, shining. Seneh, a tooth, poss. from sanah, to sharpen.'
Two sharp jutting rocks, Seneh running S. and Bozez N/ (6)
forefront, Heb. tooth.
D'lfficult extremes (v. 4).-=-The diflScult elctremes of the present
crisis are —I. A sceptical spirit oij one hand, and a superstitious
spirit on the other. Infidelity and superstition are like two
rocks. II. The urgent claims of ousiness, and the temptations of
leisure. III. The danger of presuraption on the one haud, and
the equal danger of despondency on the other.»
Temptation to extremes. — If Satan cannot l)ring'men to one
extreme, he ^yill essay to bring them to another, ' If he canuot
bring a mau to covetousness and keep his heart to the love of
money, then let him beware of riot and prodigality. Is a man
given to pleasure and delight, and at length is deprived of them 1
then let him beware the devil swallow hinj jiot up with over
much grief, as he sought to do with the incestuous person of
Corinth. Doth a man come to love religion that formerly was
given to looseness of life ? then, if it be possible, the devU will
carry him to schism and heresy. The devil cannot abide that a
man should keep the mean according to God's Word (Is. xxx. 21).
He would have our first parents to be gods or nobody (Ge. iii. 5).
And so still he laboureth to bring a man to some extreme.''
6 — 10. (6) uncircumcised, term almost co-nfmed to the
Phil." it may be, not intended to express doubt, ouly depen
dence on the Div. will. (7) I am with thee, wiUing to follow
thee anywhere. (8) discover ourselves, let them see us
climbing the cliff. (9) Comp. Gideon's sign of fleece. (10)
Jonathan had doubtless sought God in prayer, and asked Him to
permit this sign.''
Jonathan's victory onier the Philistines (v. 6). — "We will show—
I. The state to which the Israelites were reduced. The con
sequences of their choice of a king began now to appear. II.
The means by which their deliverance was effected. From this
wo see that — 1. God can work by the weakest means ; 2. A hope
of His aid should encourage our exertions ; 3. Faith in Him will
insure to us the victory.'
Sense of danger the way qf safety. — At the recent great flood at
Albany, where those warehouses were undermined and thrown
'down, one man was at the base and the other in the attio. The
man at the base, being right where the danger was, saw the
pressure and the wearing, and heard the. grinding. He saw brick
after brick, and :stone after stone ground out by the sawing
ice. And seeing and knowing these things, as the danger came
on he could fleo. But the man in his office in the attio neither

Oap. xlv. 11-18.]

1. SAMUEL.

231

saw the danger nor believed that there was any danger, and went
on summing up his profits and laying out his plans. Which
of these men had the best chance of escape ; the man at the
bottom, who saw the danger, or the man at the top, who saw
nothing and heard nothing ?¦'
11- — 13. (11) out of the holes, indic. how the Phil, despised
Israel, as in a military sense defenceless. (12) come . . thing,
the language of scorn." (13) sle'w after him, puts to death
those Jonathan stuns.*
'Tlw overthrow of tlw boastful. — I. The Philistines were
cowardl.y. They saw but two men, and said, " Come up to us."
II. They were scornful : " We will show you a thing." III. The
deep in&ight of Jonathan. That word, "Come," showed they
were afraid. Had they said, " Stop till we come down,'' he had
been more wary. IV. What can be expected of the boastful but
defeat t
'The influence of danger. — Two young men, one a Christian and
the other a sceptic, travelling through Switzerland, walked along
the brow of a steep cliff, conversing of the providence of God.
"I should not be willing to live another day," said the Christian
eamestiy, "if I could uot believe that the Almighty directed my
steps. I have no anxiety, for I trust His unerring guidance. No
cu-cumstance is too trifling for His control." The other replied,
" I can control myself. See here 1 " And he paused to roll
a stone down the precipice. " Did the Lord direct that pebble ?
See this lonely tree standing so near the edge ! Do you suppose
God ordained it should grow just in that spot ? Some traveller
threw the seed. Did the Almighty declare just where it should
fall and take root 1 " He threw one arm around a limb of
the tree, and leaned against the trunk for his companion to
reply. The soil began to crumble ; and, before he could move,
that part of the bank had fallen upon the rocks below. Only his
arm around the tree, and one foot upon the stone, where it partly
rested, saved his life. For an instant both travellers stood
motionless. Then the Christian fell on his knees in prayer. The
sceptic came and reverently knelt beside him. Silently they
arose and resumed their joumey. God Himself had spoken to
the soul of the sceptic. He became a humble Christian and
a minister of the Gospel.'
14—18. (14) aore, or furrow." yoke, Heb. tsemed, signif.
a pair or couple. (1.5) trembling, sudden panio, sure fore
runner of defeat. It rapidly spread through the Phil. host.
very great, marg. trembling of, or from, God. (16) watch
men, etc., who were full in sight of Phil, camp, and could prob.
even hear the tumult, beating, etc., comp. Ju. vii. 21, 22.
(17) Saul, who knew nothing of the adventure, see w. 1, 3.
(18) ark, prob. should be ephod.'' There is no evidenoe that the
ark had been brought from Kirjath-jearim.'
Saul's perplexity (v. 18).— I. How his perplexity was excited.
1. News from the outposts brought in by scouts; 2. Koise of
retreating panic-stricken foe ; 3. The two heroes missing. II.
How he sought to obtain relief. Sent for the ark. to inquire
through the priest. Learn— 1. In our perplexity inquire of God ;
2. What perplexes us raay be for our good.
Prim'Uit-e war.— Tho first conflict between man and man was

B.C. cir, 1087.
of grace; bnt,
beiug relieved,
t^ey despise ibo
]i,i'ig water." —
Cawdray,
d n. W. Beecher.
their exploit
a Comp. 1 Sa.

xvu.

, 44.

b " No sooner is
he within reach
of them than he
strikes them
down, while hl3
companion be
hind him de
spatched those
whom he bad
d isabled." .—
Ewald. " Sallustrelatesa
similar occur
rence in conneo
tion with scaling
a castle in the
Numidian war."
— BeU. Jugurth, c
89, 20.
" As full of peril
and adventurous
spirit, as to o'er-
wallc a current,
roaring loud, on
the unsteadfast
footing of a
spear." — Shake
speare. " Our dangers
and delights are
near allies ; from
the same stem
the rose and
prickle rise." —
Daniel. c Tewksbury.
Saul per
plexed bythe
panic of
Philistines
a Sept. renders
' with darts and
stones and flmts
of tile field."
6 As LXX., and
argued by Staun
ley.
c Comp. 2 Sa. vl
2,3. "The Heb. is ob
scme. Ameasure
oftime would not
1 e out of place,
if the words
could mean, 'in
about half the

232

J. SAMUEL.

tOap. xiv. 19—23.

B.C. cir. 1087.
time that a yoke
of oxen draw a
furrow in the
field.'"— Spi.;
Com. I
" As if a yoke of '
land were in
course uf being
ploughed, whicii
must beware of
offering oppo
sition to the
sharp plough-
ehare in the
midile of its
work." — Ewald.
d Washinglen
Irving. *'Ab to be per
fectly just is an
attribute of the
Divine nature.
to be so to the
utmost of our
abilities is the
glory of man." —
Addison.

the battle of
Bethaven
a Nu. xxvii. 21.
* Ju. vii. 22; 2
Ch. XX. 23.
« Ex. xiv. 30; Ps.
xliv. 6, 7: Hos.
17. A Christian sol
dier, whose term
of enlistment
had nearly ex
pired, was anti
cipating much
pleasure from
rejoining his
family and
friends. Being
reminded that
he might fall
first, be replied,
*' I know it ; bnt,
if I fall, the
battle-fleld will
only be a shorter
cut to glory." In
the battle of the
"Wilderness, he
went home by
the shorter way.

the mere exertion of physical foroe, unaided by auxiliary
weapons — ^his arm was his buckler, his fist was his mace, and a
broken head the catastrophe of his encounters. The battle of
unassisted strength was succeeded by the more rugged one of
stones and clubs, and war assumed a sanguinary aspect. As
man advanced in refinement, as his faculties expanded, aud hia
sensibilities became more exquisite, he grew rapidly more inge
nious and experienced in the art of destroying his fellow-beings.
He invented a thousand devices to defend and to assault ;— the
helmet, the cuirass, and the buckler, the sword, the dart, and the
javelin, prepared him to elude the wound, as well as to lanuch
the blow. Still urging on iu the brilliant and philauthropio
career of invention, he enlarges and heightens his powers of
I defence and injury. The aries, the soorpia, the balista, and the
catapulta, give a horror and sublimity to war, and magnify its
glory by increasing its desolation. Still insatiable, though armed
with machinery that seemed to reach the limits of destructive
invention, and to yield a power of injury commensurate even with
the desire of revenge — still deeper researches mnst be made iu
the diabolical arcana. With furious zeal he dives into the bowels
of the earth ; he toils midst poisonous minerals and deadly salts;
the sublime discovery of gunpowder blazes upou the world ; and,
finally, the dreadful art of fighting by proclamation seems to
endow the demon of War with ubiquity and omnipotence. This,
indeed, is grand I this, indeed, marks the powers of mind, and
bespeaks that endowment of reason which distinguishes us from
the animals, our inferiors.''
19 — 23. (19) talked," etc., inquiring of him what the tumult
was. ¦withdra'w thy hand, cease what thou art doing. In
his impatience, Saul could not wait for answer or guidance
fr. God. (20) assembled, lit. shouted, called to each other to
haste to the battle.' (21) Heb. . . time, forced into ser-vioe of
Phil, as militia, or camp attendants. (22) hid themselves,
ch. xiii. 6, 7. (23) Bethaven,'' this the direction of the flight
and pursuit, ch. xiii. 5.
Notldng succeeds I'llie snccess (v. 21). — I. There are always
some who are more influenced by policy than by principle. II.
Such will usually be found on the side of the winning party-
like these Hebrews, who are first ¦with Philistia. but now with
Israel. III. Many of these would rather be on the right side, if
I it only were safe. Said one to a friend who asked him to help in
; founding a Christian institution, " I will wait awhile, and if you
i succeed I will help."
I Every man's sword against his fellow.— k. soldier informed his
I minister, that he had lately met with a comrade of his who had
; been in the Peninsular War, and who had related to him the
following anecdote : — A soldier, whom I knew when we were in
Spain, a German by birth, was, with his company of the rifle
I corps, engaged in skirmishing with the enemy's outposts. From
a sheltered position, he had an opportunity of taking aim at
a detached individual, belonging to the continental auxiliaries
of the French army. He fired — the enemy fell. He ran up to
him, and seized his knapsack for a prey. On openin,g it a letter
dropped out ; he had the curiosity to take it up and open it. He
glanced at the close of the letter, and found it was subscribed by
a person of the same name as his own father. His interest was

Cap. xlv. 24—32.1

I.SAMUEL.

233

increased ; he read the whole letter, and found that he had shot |
his own brother I i
24—27. (24) distressed, ch. xiii. 6, a conseq. of Saul's
rashness, cursed, etc., the people were made by Saul to take
this vow." (25) Ewald suggests should read, "the -vyhole land
was excavated by wild honey," or full of holes of wild honey.
(20) into the wood, poss. place of rendezvous, diopped,''
from the trees, or rocky ground, very enticingly. (27) rod, poss.
his spear ; he -nould not stop to gather it. enlightened, simply
meaning, he was refreshed.
Itifreshment for the faint (vv. 26, 27).— We have here— I. A
victorious army distressed by their efforts to overthrow the
enemy. II. Suitable refreshment within reach, which thirist
for vengeance had caused the king they fought for to forbid
them. III. The suitability of the food learned from the case of
one who, ignorant of the prohibition, had eaten the honey.
Learn :— God's Word and means of grace are as sources of honey
to men in the battle of life. There have been times when kings
have thought more of their personal power and fame than of
their people's need, and have denied to their people their just
right. Honey.— 'Rssselqmst. in the progress of his joumey from Aera
to Nazareth, tells us that he found " great numbers of bees bred
thereabouts to the great advantage of the inhabitants." He adds,
" They make their beehives, with little trouble, of olay, four feet
long, and half a foot in diameter, as in Egypt ; then lay ten or
twelve of them, one on another, on the bare ground, and build
over every ten a little roof." Mr. Maundrell, speaking of the
great salt plain near Jericho, says that " in many places there
was a smell of honey and wax, as strong as if he had been in an
apiary." The abundance of bees that swarmed in the East may
be inferred from the honey deposited in the dried remains of the
lion killed by Samson. The bony cavity of the skeleton would
afford them a retreat equally pleasant with the rocks and trees.
It is very possible that in that hot country the bee, when not
properly cared for, would seek out any hollow space, either in
rocks or trees, in which to construct its comb and deposit its
treasure. But we may readily imagine that the honey, thus pro
duced in the cavities of rocks and other inaccessible places
would be to a large extent entirely lost. The inhabitants of the
Cape pay but little attention to the hiving of bees, as the rock
honey is usually preferred to that produced in the hive.
28—82. (28) straitly, strictly. (29) troubled, comp. Jos.
vii. 25. (30) much more, Saul's injunction was unreasonable
and mischievous, and prevented the reaping of the full results of
Jon.'s enterprise. (31) Aijalon, 15 to 20 miles fr. Michmash,
mod. Talo." (32) Further conseq. of Saul's foolish injunction :
desperate hunger led to ravenous feeding in sinful ways.'
'J'oo much governed (v. 32). — We have here related the conse
quences of injudicious restraints. I. Why they were imposed
(v, 24). An arbitrary law framed by the whim or pride of one.
II. Effect of the imposition. People's natural appetite so roused
by a long fast that they took food at length regardless of the law
ofGod. Leam— 1. People, children, servants may be too much
govemed ; 2. Rigid human rules may lead to violation of moral
law, etc.

Jonathan unknowingly breaks
his lather's
commanda "A specimen
of Saul's hot,
hasty, and head
strong wilfulness
and imperious-
ness, joined to a
show of zeal for
lhe ovticard,tormt
of religion." —
Woidsworth.
b " In the Foh.
retreat from
Moscow, "the
soldiera observed
some combs of
honey un tbe top
of a high tree,
and climbed up
to get it. 'I'hey
threw ('own the
comb by mor
sels, and their
comradespounced upon
it rike BO many
famishedhound s." —
Quoted in Spk.
Com," Bees in the E.
are not, as in
j England, kept in
hives ; they are
all in a wild
state. The
foresta literally
flow with honey;
large combs may
be seen hanging
onthetreesasyoupass along, full
of honey." — Ro
berts,
V. 21. J. A. Mil
ler, Saul 85.

the people
transgress
a Robinson.
b Le. vii. 26, 27.
" The surest way
to prevent sedi
tions (if tbe
tiines do bear it)
is 10 take away
the matter of
them; for if
there be fuel
prepared, it is
hard to tell
whence the

234

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. Xiv. 33-35.

spark shall co n?
that shill set it
on flre."- Socore.
"Of all the diffl
culties in a state,
the temper of a
true government
most felicifles
and perpetuates
it; too sudden
alterations dis
temper it. Had
Nero tuned his
kingdom as he
did his harp, his
harmony had
been more ho
nourable, and his
reign more pros-
perous."-Qiwir/es.
e Combe.
"Intellectually
as politically, the
direction of all
true progress ia
towards greater
freedom and a
long and endless
suocession of
ideas." — Bovee.

Saul builds
an altar
a Oomp. 1 Chr.
xxvii. 24.
"Government
began in tyranny
and force, begnn
in the feudalism
of the soldier
and bigotry of
the priest; and
the ideas of jus
tice and huma
nity have boen
flgiitiug their
way, like a
thunder - storm,
against rhe orga
nised selflshness
of human na
ture." — Wendell
Phillips.
" The power is
do'ested, and
miserable is the
life of him who
wishes rather to
be feared than
loved." — Come-
lius Nepos.
*¦ Society is well
governed when
the people obey i
the magistrates '
And the magis-

Tlw ignorant nse of compulsion.— Yores is the agent whioh
'ignorance uses for making his followers do the actions to which
they are disinclined by nature ; and, like an attempt to make
water asoead above its level, the moment the agent ceases to act,
the same instant does the operation cease. Persuasion, on the
other haud, is like a cut made for the stream, which has only to
be introduced, and it then continues to run of its own accord,
without further attention. There are only two ways of directing
the operations of humau nature : the one to secure the inch-
nation by convincing the judgment; and the other, to force
or drive the individual against his judgment or inclinations. The
one method is recommended by experience, aud followed by
success ; the other is recommended by ignorance, and attended
by disappointment. When a child cries for a rattle, it is with a
view of obtaining it by foroe. When parents beat their children,
it is to make them behave well by. force. When a, drunken
hnsband strikes his wife, it is with the 'view of improving her
by foroe. When a criminal is punished, it is with -a view of
improving the world by foroe. 'When an individual sues another
at law, it is with the view of making him do justice by foroe.
When a minister of religion dwells upou the horrors of the
infernal regions, it is with the view of sending his hearers to
heaven by force. Whea one natiou goes to war with auother, it
is with a view of gaining some favourite point by force. Though
every human being wishes for success, yet ignorance has been
oompletely successful hitherto in leading the world to follow tha
course which leads to disappointment.'^
33 — 35. (33) sin, comp. Ge. ix. 4. transgressed, marg.
dealt treacherously, roll a great stone, for slaughtering on.
this di-y, immediately. (34) slay them here, under my
supervision. (35) built an altar, this stone forming a part cf
it. The mtim. is that he began to build it, but did -not Jinish it."
Unjust reproaclws (v. 33). — " Ye have transgressed." I. So,
doubtless, we have, but it was the rebound consequent on unjust
legislation. II. So, doubtless, we have ; but on thy part it is
most ungenerous to remind us of our sin ; we incurred the
penalty fighting for thee. III. So, doubtless, we have : but it is
a question whether your sin is not greater.
Unconscious influence.— 'Ro-vr solemn is the thought of the
influence whioh consciously or unconsciously we are continually
e.xeroising upon others! We cannot rid ourselves from thia
responsibility. It follows us, in proportion to the weight of our
characters, into all our actings ; nor does it oease when we
refrain to aot, for who will say that the example of indolence or
idleness has no influence 1 Our words pass from us, but how
often are they, in the ears of those that hear them, hving seeda
that spring up either as wheat or as noxious weeds I And if we
think to take refuge in silence from this responsibility, there
may be those around us who, from our knowu characters, were
expecting a word from us, aud have gone away disappointed,
feeling that the " salt hath lost its savour ! " On the other hand,
there lies for 'us the danger of acting or speaking too muoh, witb
a view to external results, " as the hypocrites do in the syna
gogues and in the streets, to be seen of men." How shall we be
safe ? The answer is, by being true — true to Christ, therefore
true to ourselves. If we abide in Him, and His words abide ia

Cap. xlv. 36-46.]

1. SAMUEL.

235

us, we shall not fail ¦ v.'o shall "have salt in ourselves." It is in
departing from Him that the salt loses its savour ; but if the salt
is good, its salutary influence cannot fail sooner or later to
produce good results.
36—40. (3fi) let us go down, Saul does not inquire of God,
BO is reproved by the priest. (37) asked counsel, inquired of
God by Urim. and 'Thummim, (38) this sin, suspecting some
reason for delayed response. Oomp. Achan's case. (39) as the
liOrd liveth, needlessly talcing a new oath ; another sign of
rashness. (40) people said, in evident tone of discontent.
'Tlw assent of indifference. — The words, "Do whatsoever seemeth
good unto thee," twice repeated v. 36, 40, and the silence of the
people when questioned, v. 89, point to the beginning of resent
ment. I. Saul receives in this indifference and silence a check
from the people. II. He also receives a check from God, v. 37.
III. Proudly self-confident, he 'will cast lots between the people
and himself. I'V. The result proved that he had erred.
The folly cf indifference. — It appears that Themistocles, when
a boy, was full of spirit and fire, quick of apprehension, naturally
inclined to bold attempts, and likely to make a great statesman.
His hours of leisure and vacation he spent not like other boys,
in idleness and play, but he was always inventing and composing
declamations, the subjects of which were either impeachments
or defences of some of his schoolfellows ; so that his master
would often say, " Boy, you will be nothing common or indifferent,
you will either be a blessing or a curse to the community." So
remember, you who profess to be the followers of the Lord Jesus,
that to you indifference is impossible ; you must bless the Church
and the world by your holiness, or you will curse them both by
your hypocrisy and inconsistency. In the visible Church it is
most true " no man liveth uuto himself, and no man dieth unto
himself." 41 — 46. (41)give aperfect lot, either, " show the innocent,""
or " O Lord, grant us integrity. Give the tiuth."' (42) taken,
or fixed on as the guilty one. (43) v. 27. die, according to his
father's foolish vow. (44) God do so, Eu. i. 17." (45) " Deter
mined opposition of 'the people, who see God's -will with more
impartial vision."'' (46) went up, abandoning intention, see
«. 36.
Inipm-tance of little things («. 43).— I. Little things become
important as a part of a series — that is, by aggregation. II.
They also become important because ihey have critical relations
to mind and temperament to times and seasons. III. A little
thing, or that which men call little, may be very trifling indeed
for one purpose, and in one direction ; and yet, for another pur
pose, and in another direction, it may be extremely potent.'
'The honey coml). —
Now first appears the rongh proportioned frame,
Eough in the draught, but perfect in the scheme ;
When, lo ! each little Archimedes high,
Metes every angle with judicious eye ;
Adjusts the centering cones with skill profound.
And forms the curious hexagon around.
The cells indorsed with double range adhere,
Knit on the sides, aud guarded on the rear j

B.O.ci'r 1087.
Irfltes the laws."
— Solon.
popular discontent TO. .%— as. H,
Lindsay, Lect. i.
123. " Rut endloFS is
thclii*t of human
ills, and sighs
might sooner
fail than cause to
sigh." — Young.
"Indifference
never wrote
great works, nor
thoughtoutsirik- ing inventions,
nor reared tho
solemn architec
ture that awed
the soul, nor
breathed s u b-
lime music, nor
painted gloiioua
pictures, nor
undertook heroic
philan thi-opies.
11 these grand
eurs are born of
enthusiasm, are
done heartily." —
Anxm.

they rescue
Jonathana Spk, Com.
b Oesenius, Words
worth.
c Comp. case of
Jephthah'B daughter.d Ewald.
" There was now
a freer and more
understandingspirit in tbe na
tion at large than
in the times of
Jephthah ; the
people recog-
nised the relig.
aspect of Jl n.s
exploit, and ral
lied round him
wi'h a zeal that
overbore even
the royal vow."
— Stanliy.
e H, W, Beecher.
" Trivial ciri'um--
stances, which
show the man
ners of the age,
are often mors

236

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XV. 1—5.

B.C. cir. 1087.
Instructive, as
well as enter
taining, than the
great transac
tions of wars and
negotiation a,
which are nearly
similar in all
perioda and in
all countries of
the world." —
Hume.
f Brooke.

the ^ars and
family of
Saul
a "He was "vic
torious." — Ge
senius. " He was pre
served." — LXX.
b Stanley.
" Our life is a
warfare : and we
ought not, while
passing through
it, 1 1 sleep with
out a sentinel, or
n.arch without a
Bcout. He wbo
neglects eitherof
these precau
tions exposes
himself to sur.
prise, and to be
come a prey to
the diligence and
perseverance of
his adversary."
—Feltham.Gilime.x, when
he was led in
triumph by Beli
sarius, cried out,
"Vanity of vani
ties, all is va
nity."

B.O. cir. 1079.

Samuel chHrg-es Saul
to smite
Amalek
a Jos. vi. 17—19.
6 1 Sa, xiv. 48.
¦''ee Bp. Ball,
Cont.; J. Saurin,
Disc. Hist. iv. 294.
IV. 1, S. ,r. A.
MiUer, Saul, 133.
"ft is neceasary
10 look forward

Nought of Itself with circling chambers bound.
Each cell is formed, to form the cells around ;
¦While each still gives what eaoh alike demands.
And but supported by supporting stands ;
Jointly transferring and transferred exists ;
And, as by magic union, subsists.
Amazing elegance 1 transcendent art I
Contrived at once to borrow and impart ;
In action notable, as council great,
Their fabrics rise, just emblems of their state/
47—51. (47) took the kingdom, defeat of Phil, brought
the country into subjection to him. Zobah, one of the smaller
kingdoms of Aram. Situate bet. Damascus and the Euphrates.
vexed," Heb. means to condemn. Comp. 2 Sa. viii. 14. (48)
host, army. (49) "Names of his children indic. how Saul'a
mind swayed bet. old heathen superstitions, and the pure relig.
of Jehovah."" (50, .51) Comp. 1 Sa. ix. 1. (52) sore war,
continuous and desperate, tookhim, as threatened, ch. viii. 11.
Said's body guard (v. 52).— This taking to himself of the strong
and valiant was— I. A predicted measure, viii. 11. II. An arbi
trary measure — people not consulted. III. A politic measure.
IV. An expensive measure. So many less to tUl the land; bo
many more to be supported by the toilers.
'War amd peace. — Franklin was a staunch opposer of the war
system. " If statesmen," says he, " were more accustomed to
calculation, wars would be much less frequent. Canada might
have beeu purchased from France for a tenth part of the money
England spent in the conquest of it ; and if, instead of fighting
us for the power to tax us, she had kept us in good humour by
allowing us to dispose of our own money, and giving us now and
then a httle of her own by way of donation to colleges or hospi
tals, for cutting canals, or fortifying ports, she might easily have
drawn from us mnch more by occasional voluntary grants and
contributions, than ever she could by taxes. Sensible people
will give a bucket or two of water to a dry pump, in order to get
from it afterwards all they want. After much occasion to con
sider the folly and mischiefs of a state of warfare, and the little
or no advantage obtained even by those nations which have con
ducted it with the most success, I have been apt to think there
has never been, nor ever 'will be, any such thing as a good war or
a bad peace."
CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) also said, some years after, during wh. Saul had
been left very much to himself. Now his faithfulness to God
must be again tested, hearken thou, by an exact and entire
obedience. (2) Lord of hosts, 1 Sa. i. 11. Amalek, Ex. xvii.
8 — 16 ; Nu. xxiv. 20. (3) utterly destroy, as a sacred war all
the spoil was devoted, put under the ban." Provocation seems to
have been given by the Amalekites.* (4) Telaim, prob. 'Telem
of Jos. XV. 24. Comp. numb, of army with ch. xiii. 15. (5)
laid wait, marg. fought.
Providential inercies a reason for obedience (v. 1). — I. God
sometimes promotes men for a specifio purpoae (Est, iv. 14). IL

Cap. XV. 6—15.]

/. SAMUEL,

237

Instead of regarding promotion as an evidence of favour to our
selves only, we should ask what God may design for others
through us. III. The honour set upon us by God should induce
us to gratefully obey Him : even when obedience may be
difficult. A sinner advised. — If you feel that you are not a believer,
write down this word, " condemned ; " and if you are a believer
in Jesus, and put your trust in Him alone, write down " for
given." Do it, even though you have to write the dreary word
" condemned." We lately received into church-fellowship a young
man, who said, " Sir, I wrote down the word ' condemned,' and I
looked at it : there it was ; I had written it myself, condemned."
As he looked, the tears began to flow, and his heart began to
break ; and ere long he fled to Christ, put the paper in the fire,
and wrote down " forgiven." This young man was about the
sixth who had been brought to the Lord in the same way ; and
there have been several since."
6—9. (6) Kenites," Ge. xv. 19. (7) Havilah, Ge. xxv. 18.
Shur, Ge. xvi. 7. (8) Agag, flre, .flaming, prob. the official
title of kings of Amalek.' (9) spared Ag'ag', etc., "to make a
splendid show at the sacrificial thanksgiving."" In this Saul
acted on his own will, uot in simple obedience to God. fatlings,
Heb. m'lslien'im, " those brought forth at the second birth and
considered best." ''
Tlw wisdom, ofthe Kenites (v. 6).— I. The events of life often
bring men into the society of the ungodly. II. It is a proof of
wisdom, and an evidence of faith, to come out and be separate
txomthe-an.god.lj.'— Past hiiulncssrequited(v,&).— 'Le3,xn— I, 'S.o-vr
greatly God loves His own people. He will avenge their -wrongs
and reward their helpers. II. Deeds of kindness remembered by
a God of mercy. III. Do good to all men as you have oppor.
tunity. Bread cast on the waters found after many days. IV.
Note how our present conduct raay affect our remote posterity. _
Aindness to an enemy.— A slave, who had by the force of his
sterling worth risen high in the confidence of his raaster, ,=aw
one day, trembling in the slave market, a negro, whose grey head
and bent form showed him to be in the last weakness of old age.
He implored his master to purchase him. He expressed his sur
prise, but gave his consent. The old mau was bought and con
veyed to the estate. When there, he who had pleaded for lum
took him to his own cabin— placed him on his own bed— fed hun
at his own board— gave him water from his own cup ; when he
shivered carried him into the sunshine ; when he drooped in the
hut, bore him softly to the shade. " 'What is the meanmg of all
this 1 " asked a witness. " Is he your father 1 " " No." " Is he
your brother ? " " No." " Is he, then your friend ? " " No ! he
is my enemy. Years ago he stole me from my native village,
and sold me for a slave : and the good Lord has said, ' If thme
enemy hunger, feed him : if he thirst, give him^ drink : for in so
doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.' "
10-15 (10) unto Sam., as prophet. (11) repenteth me,
" ascribed to God, when bad men give him cause to alter his
course"" grieved,* Heb. displeased, angry, he cried, m
prayer (12) Carmel," not Mount Cannel, but a oity in the hill
country of Judah, now Kurmtd. a place, monument or trophy.''

B.C. cir. 1079.
as well as back-
wa.d. as some
hink it always
necessary to
egulute their
conduct ''yihings
ttiat bave been
doneof old times;
but that past
wbich is so pre
sumptuously brought forward
as a precedent
for the present,
was itself found
ed on an altera
tion of som- past
lhat went beiore
it." — Madame de
Stael.c C. B. Spurgeon.
the Kenites
are spared
a Their principal
seat seems to
have I cen tho
rocky tracts on
lhe S. and S.W.
ot Pales- tine, near
lhe Amalekitea
(Nu.xxiv.21, 2^.
— A yre.
" "Whatever was
the general con
dition of the
Midian'tes, tho
tribe ul iho Ke-
nitei possessed a
knowledge of the
true God m the
time 01 Jethro."
—Kitto. b Nu. xxiv.
Es. iii 1.

7;

c Stanley.
"Agag was saved
for his siature
and beauty/' —
Josephus.d Wordsworth.
e C. Stanford.
"Let them o>'ey
that know not
how to rule." —
Shakei^eare,

Saul tries
to deceive
Samuel
a Jamieson.
"Whon God

238

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XV. 16-21.

B.C. cir. 1079. I
changes His'
doings by His
unchangeable |
counsel, hen by
reason of the
change of His
doing, and no^ of
His dc'igo. He
is said to re oent."
— Wordsworth,
6 Jo. ly. 1 .
c Jos. XV. 55; 1
Sa. xxvii. 3.
d •' According to
Jewish tradition,
a triumphal arch
ofoliveSjtnyrtles,and palms."—
Stanli.y.e Explained by
2 Sa. xviii. 18.
"Absalom's pil
lar was called
Tad -Absalom." —
Spk. Com.
V. 11. Dr. J. B.
Newman, Univ. S.
146.V. 13. C. Bullen,
139; H. Blunt, ii.
127.V. 13, 14. R. P.
Buddicom, 1 ; B.
Linisai/, i. 139;
J. A. Miller, 110.
fDr. Parker.
ff Waison Smith.
Tou cannot walk
in the ways of
Christ, if you are
not alive to God
in Ohrist.

Samuel's
reproof aud
Saul's
duplicity oGe. xiii. 13.
6 'I Saul says that
Sam. blames him
for what was
done in honour
of Sam.'s God."
—Spk. Com.
leW.C. Ramsden.
"The most diffl
cult provmce in

Heb. yad, a hand.s (]3) Obs. the self-complacent tone. (14)
Obs. Sam.'s self-restraint. (1.5) to sacrifice, Saul supposed in
tended worship of God would excuse or cover disobedience.
Tlw rigour of Divine lam (v. li). — Introduction: — Note— (1)
That mau cannot evade Divine retribution (v. 2.) ; (2) That
kindness to the good insures Divine compensation (v. 6). Con
sider — I. The transcendent importance of rendering literal
obedience to Divine requirements. Divine language never ex
ceeds Divine meaning. II. The fearful possibilty of resting
satisfied with partial obedience. III. The utter impossibilily
of rendering disobedienoe well-pleasing to God. 1. Divine re
quirements are absolute ; 2. God will not allow one duty to be
performed on the ruins of another. IV. The danger of bemg
seduced into disobedience by social clamour. 1. There is a higher
law than the verdict of society; 2. There is a crisis in which
social force can yield us no assistance. Conclusion; — (1) Let the
guilty sue for pardon; (2) Let the disobedient be assured of
detection ; (3) Let no man tamper with the Word of God/—
Self-deception (v. 14). — Consider -I. The master-evil: want of
whole-hearted surrender and obedience to the will and command
ments of God. II. In this history we see lamentable weakness
of faith and purpose. III. The deceiving love of self, self-
interest, covetous desires, vain ambitions, render us insensible to
the sovereign claims of God and truth. IV. There is here also
a melancholy example of sparing sins and evils that should be
slain, sheltering and harbouring them under false pretences by
unworthy pleas and excuses. V. How short and easy is the stage
between this evil partiality and a blinding hypocrisy throughout
the man. VI. It is a vain thing to throw the blame on others,
wheu we are disobeying the plainly expressed will of God. VII.
We cut ourselves off, ih this way, from all true kingship.?
Result of disobedience. — A young man was chained to a fellow-
convict, and was about to leave his native conntry and heart
broken mother, probably for ever. When a child, he was allowed
to have his own way. When his mother ought to have firmly,
but kindly, enforced obedience, she foolishly yielded to hia
whims. 'The efEect of this unwise home-training became yearly
more apparent. When sent to school, he was idle and would not
leam. He soon began to play truant. His mother scolded the
master for punishing her headstrong boy. With bad companiona
he was soon found robbing orchards and cruelly treating dumb
animals. His career was from bad to worse. At last, for a high
way robbery, he was convicted, and sentenced to fourteen years'
penal servitude.
16 — 21. (16) this night, Gilgal only some 15 miles fr. Ea
mah. (17) little, ch. ix. 21. the Lord anointed, thou art
only a servant to obey. (18) the sinners," Saul only executor
of deserved punishment. (19) fly upon, ch. xiv. 32, dealing with
them in his own wilfulness. (20) Saul's was obedience ¦with a
but. It should have had no such limitation. (21) the people,
he meanly tries to put the blame on others, should have been,
he evidently knew well what his duty had been, thy (iod,
censure for Sam.*
Said's disobedience and excnses^ (vv, 20, 21). — Leam, from the
history before us — I. The nature of the obedience required by
God. It must be total and entire. Partial fulfilment ot Divine

Oap. XV. 22, 23.]

/. SAMUEL.

239

commands is but little better than total disregard of them. II.
The growing nature of sin. One sin makes many. Saul's dis
obedience leads to his making mean excuses. III. The firmness
'with which the ¦wrong desires of the multitude should be met.'
Punishment ef disobedience. — The Eev. Herbert Palmer, B.D.,
Master of Queen's College, Cambridge, who died in 1647, and
who was " a burning and shining light" in his day, was remark
able for his dutiful afEection to his parents, not only when he was
a child, but during his whole life. He was peculiarly attentive
to his pious, aged mother ; promoting, to the utmost of his power,
both her temporal and spir itual comfort, even to the day of her
death, which happened not long before his own. He used fre
quently to enforce this duty in his ministry, observing the em
phasis which God puts upon it through the whole of the Scrip
tures. He used to say that he had noticed the effects of disobe
dience to parents, so that he scarcely ever knew undutiful children
escape some visiljle judgment of God in the present life ; he also
thought that the mischiefs which occur in society frequently
take their rise in contempt of parental authority.
22, S3. (22) "There is a poetical rhythm in the original, wh.
gives it the tone of a Div. oracle uttered by fhe Spirit of God."»
than sacrifice, wh. is only offering what a man has, obedience
is offering himself. (23) 'witchcraft, divination, stubborn
ness, self-willed opposition to God. idolatry, Heb. teraphim.''
Tlw true and the false in God's worship (v. 22). — Obedience is
the truest sign of love to God, Worship consists not chiefly in
sacrifice ; a willing ear is the best index to a rightly- feeling
heart. 'Without obedience — I. Good deeds, or -Bhat the world
deems good deeds, are of no avail. Beneficence may not always
oome from a converted soul. Sometimes the most impure motives
may lie at the roots of the deed. II. Conformity to the world's
standard of morality 'wiU be useless. Honesty in business is not
religion. III. Cererftonies and forms will be but so much hypo
crisy and pretence. Ritualism is but seldom a token of righteous
ness. Often it proves it to be a whited sepulchre, beautiful out
side; but inside full of bones and impurity. Learn: — Give to
God (1) Literal, (2) Prompt, (3) Willing, ohe&ieiace.'-Ti-ne
obedience better than verbal profrslatimis. — Why the Lord prefers
obedience to sacrifice, ete. I. It is a greater proof of sincerity.
To sacrifice easy, obedience difficult ; sacrifice momentaiy, obe
dience continual ; sacrifice formal, obedience a matter of heart
and conscience. II. Its effect on others more deep, continuous,
and permanent. Leam : — Not what you do or give, but what
you are, that needs most thought. — The losses of godlessness. — I.
¦What Saul did— rejected Word of God. Disobeyed command
ments. II. What God did — rejected Saul. He can east down as
well as set up. Illustrate this point by many examples. Leam :
— God honours those who honour Him.
Legal obedience. — Sincere obedience bids the pilgrim wash him
self first, and Jesus Christ shall rinse him afterwards : bids him
plant a fig-leaf here and there, and make a patched frock of
duty ; and if it prove too scanty, Jesus Christ shall eke it out
with His fine linen. This expedient pleases him for a season, and
to work he goes, hoping to make himself so fair and tight thatl
Jesus Christ shall fall in love with him. and give him rare com
mendation instead of free, pardon. But " though he wash him- '

B.C. cir, 1079.
friendf-hip is the
letting a man see
his faults ai.d
errors; which
should, if pos
sible, be so con
trived, that be
may pe i iei ve
our advice is
given him, i ot
so much to plea f^e
ourselves as for
his own advun-
tage. The re-
pronches, there
fore, of a triend
shonld always be
strictly just, and
not too ire-
quent." — Bud-

Samueldeclares Saul rejected
a Wordsuorth.
' Thus clearly is
one of lhe high
est prop he ic
ideas aiiiicijjated
here.' — Ewald,
b Ge. xxxi. 19;
comp. Is. i. !!•
16, 17. Ixvi 3;
Je vii. 22, 'JS ¦
Mi. vi C-8; Ho.
vi. 6; Mar. xii.
83.
I V. 22. T. Boston,
iii. 51; W. Reud-
' ing, ii. 345 ; /.
I Penn, ii. ] ; Dr. J.
, Witlitrspoon, ii.
:'/93; J. Slade, v.
235; E. O.Muish,
' Bawpt Lect, 1 1 « ;
\H.AIfmd.m.i',n.,' H. Goodwin, i.
195.
vv. 22, 23. Bp. Tay
lor, vi. 343; Bp.
Mant, i. 255; G.
\B. Blomfield, 66;
'Dr. S. Clarke, x.
266; H.Alford.u.
44.
c J. Hoatson.
d J. Berridge.

240

t SAMUEL.

[Cap. XV. 24-31.

B.C. cir. 1079.
Saul's
fruitless
remorsea Oomp. V. 80.
b " The struggle
bet., Sam. and
Saul in their
flnal parting is
indic. by the rent
of Sam.'s robe of
state, as he tears
himself away
fr. Sam.'s grasp."
— Stanley,
V. 24. Plain Ss.
iv. T24.
" "When a man
sinneth, he
thinketh with
himself, I will do
this no more;
after, another sin
promiseth as
much profit as
that, and ho saith
again, I will do
tbis no more;
presently ano
ther sin pro
mi- eth as much
profit as that- and
he saith a^ain, I
will do this and
jio mo e. This
is the property of
sin to i-pur a man
forward, until
he commit that
which he con
demneth h i m-
self, lhat he may
be tormented of
his own consci
ence." — Henry
Smith.c Dr. J. Owen.

Samuel declares the
kingdomrent from
Saul a Oesenius.
b Stanley.
c Wordsworth.
d'lt Saul hed
been really peni
tent, he would
have prayed to
be humbled,
rather than to be
honoured." — St.
Qregoi-y, thro'
Woi'dsworth.
DD. 28— 30. W.H.
Mill, Lent 8s.
136.

self in snow-water, and make his hands exceeding clean, he ia
plunged in the diteh again, and his own clothes abhor him,"
(Job is. 30, 31)."'
24 — 27. (24) sinned, the language of repentance, not the
full spirit of it." Saul oalj AieaAei punishment, feared the
people, comp. ch. xiii. 45. As king it was his duty to lead, and
if need be restrain, the people. (25) turn . . Lord, continuing
his own wilful way, and persuading Sam. to sanction it. (26)
not return, public disapproval of Saul's act must be shown.
(27) mantle,' characteristic dress of the prophet. Prob. he re
tained the shape of the little coat, ch. ii. 19.
A lost kingdom (v. 26). — I. The highest personal qualities aud
widest material resources not sufBcient to hold a kingdom against
the will of God. Saul's strength, courage, eto. II. The rejection
of the word of the Lord leads ever to most disastrous conse
quences. Loss of personal influence, happiness, eto. III. Eejeot-
ing the word of graoe brings one under ijie word of condemnation,
and leads to forfeitm'e of kingdom of heaven. IV. We have now
before us the picture of a man whom God has rejected.
Forgiveness of sin. — The forgiveness thatis with God is such as
becomes Him, such as is suitable to His greatness, goodness, and
other excellences of His nature, such as that therein He 'wiU be
known to be God. It is not like that narrow, difficult, halving
and manacled forgiveness that is found amongst men, when any
such thing is found amongst them ; but it is full, free, bound
less, bottomless, absolute— such as becomes His nature and excel
lences. It is, in a word, forgiven ess that is with God, and by the
exercise whereof He will be known so to be. If there be any
pardon with God, it is suoh as becomes Him to give : when He
pardons He will abundantly pardon. Go with your half -forgive'
ness, limited, conditional pardons with reserves and limitations,
unto the sons of men ; it may be it may become them — it is like
themselves : that of God is absolute and pferfect, before which
our sins are as a cloud before the east wind and the rising sun.
Hence he is said to do this work with His whole heart and His
whole soul, freely, bountifully, largely, to indulge and forgive
unto us our sins, and to cast them unto the bottom of the sea —
unto a bottomless ocean, an emblem of infinite mercy.<^
28 — 31. (28) this day, actual deprivation did not oome at
onoe, but this was the beginning of his downfall. (29) strength,
Heb. netsah, what is bright and shines continually, and so may
be relied on." The victory of Israel.'' The glory of Israel.' (30)
honour . . people, Saul feared d'lsgrace much more thau, sin.'*
(31) Sam. kindly fosters the little good to be found in Saul.
Human p'lty and Divine integrity. — ^We have here— I. An in
stance of a too late repentance. II. Of an insufficient repent
ance. Saul moumed because of loss of power, ete. III. Of
human pity excited by the spectacle of human sorrow. IV. A
man vainly seeking by attention to the outward forms of reli
gion to recover the Divine favour of Him who desires truth in
the inward parts.
Sin u, master. — 'When the moming sun is bright, and the sum
mer breezes gently blowing from the shore, the little river-boat ia
enticed from the harbour to start on her trip of pleasure on the
clear, calm sea. All Nature seems to enlist in her servioe. The
fair wind fiUs her sails, fche favourable tide roUs onward in her

Cap. x'vi. 1—5.]

I. SAMUEL.

241

course, the parted sea makes way for her to glide s-wiftly and
merrily on her happy voyage ; but having thus been her servants,
and carried her whither she would these soon become her masters,
and carry her whither she would not. The breeze that swelled
her sails has become a stoim, and rends them ; the waves that
quietly rippled for her pleasure now rise in fury, and dash over
her for her destruction ; and the vessel which rode in the moming
as a queen upon the waters sinks before night comes on, the
slave of those very winds and waves which had beguiled her to
use them as her servants. So it is with sin.'
82 — 35. (32) delicately, "/o^wKy, or perhaps fawningly, to
appease Samuel, ox anxiously, in terror of his fate. (33) so, or
still more.' he'wed, etc., by his own hand, some thiuk by
executioner. Thus fulfilling the ban, or devotement, wh. Saul
had neglected. (34) Saul prob. offended at Agag's execution.
(35) mourned for, ch. xvi. 1. repented, see v. 11.
Agag's last ¦words (v. 33). — I. In what respect the bittemess of
death was passed to Agag. To him, a proud heathen, there was
nothing worse than defeat and capture by foes he had despised.
To worldly meu, who have no thought of the future, there
are things worse than death, as poveity, disgrace, disease, etc.
II. The higher sense in which the bittemess of death may
be past. When by faith in Christ the favour of God and the
hope of immortality are realised. The sting of death extracted.
The Christian a victor in Chiist.
Dying without mcrcij. — It was in the crmmencement of my
ministry, writes one, that I was requested by a Christiau father
to vi.sit his eldest son, prostrated by sickness. I was assured that
the feelings of the son were very susceptible to religious truth,
and his mind much exercised concerning his condition as a
anner. I called to see him. He convei'sed quite freely and
unreservedly, and requested prayer to be offered for him. His
sickness terminate 1 favourably, and the young man recovered,
without giving I is heart to Christ. He lived more indifferent to
religious truth thau he had ever done, and plunged more deeply
into pleasure. In a few months he ¦was again laid low by a now
mortal disease. Slowly but fatally and irresistibly it progressed,
producing at times delirium. This time it was impossible to
interest him in the Gospel. His mother was in tears for him.
She pressed home npon his conscience the claims of duty, but
without avail. At last, a few hours before his death, he broke
the silence which he had kept, saying, " Mother, my hour is past."
" Not so, my son," she replied ; " remember that God is merciful."
"I know it, I know it : but, mother, God is also just." These
were his last words. And so he closed his eyes in death, without
hope in God's meroy. Reader, if ever your thoughts and feelings
become interested in the great question of your salvation, let not
that favoured moment pass away and leave you unblessed by the
meroy of God.

' CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) rejected him," bee. he had proved unfaithful by
his wilfulness, horn, comp. v'lal of ch. x. 1, the word is not the
eame. Jesse, Ku. iv. 17 — 22. (2) -witih. thee, in thine hand.
'VOL. HL O.T. <J

E.o. dr. 1079.
D. 29. /. B. Pott,
ii. 144.
V. 30. J. MUler, 1.
238; IF. Short,
298; J.A.Miller,
Saul, 156.
e Morse.

death of
Ag-ag Samuelmoums
for Saul
a " H e b. ma.
adannoth, from
adan, to live
softly, voluptu
ously."— Cfsgnt'iM.
b " Bee. iu losing
hereon, she loses
also the king of
her people, and
her loss is thua
greatei' than that
of any other be
reaved mother
in the nation." —
^wald. cv. 34, -35. W.
Dealtry, 219; J.
S. At. Anderson,
ii. 342.
" 'What disarrays
like death? It
defaces the fasci-
uation of the
beautiful. It
breal<8 tbe lamp
of the wise. It
withers the
strength of tha
mighty. It
snatches the
store of the rich.
Kiogs are strip
ped of trapping,
trophy, treasure;
' their glory s'ball
not descend after
them.'"— Z)r. S.
W. Hamilton.

B.C. dr. 1063.
life of David
Samuel
charged

242

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xvi ©-1(J,

B.O. cir. 1063.

come to sacrifice, Sam. was to conceal his true object by
setting forth prominently a secondary object.'' (3) to the
sacriflce," to the social feast that followed the sacrifice. (4)
trembled, as Beth, was not oue of the circuit towns, the elders cd.
not account for this special visit. (5) sanctify, Bx. xix. 14, 15.
Our grief to be moderated by tlw D'voiiw w'lll (v. 1). — I. The
cause of Samuel's grief. The decline of a great man in the
favour of God. Disappointment in one's offi oial work. II. The
corrective of this sorrow. The will of God. To grieve may be
natural : to continue to grieve may be a sin. — Unrecognised
royalty (v. 1, last clause). — I. God had been regarding the family
of Jesse. II. One of them the future king. Which? IIL
Happy the father among whose sons there stands a king. — The
possible mlchedness ofa bachsUder (v. 2). — I. The first step down
ward — departure from God. II. The second step ^ rejection by
God. III. 'The possible sin of suoh — -murder of a prophet ia
discharge of official functions. — 'Tlw anxious inqidi-y (v. 4), —
I. God's messengers — ^prophets, eto. : last of all His Son. II.
Natural fears — guilty conscience, ete. III. Gracious reassurance
— Jesus came not to condemn but to save.
Inardi-nate grief. — All things that are pernicious in their
progress must be evil in their birth. Now grief, and every other
passion, if carried to an immoderate lieight, have undoubtedly
very mischievous consequences ;' aud therefore, from tiieir very
rise, must be tainted with a great part of the lurking mischief.
For no sooner is the govemment of reasou thro^vn off than they
rush forward of their owu accord ; weakness takes a pleasure to
indulge itself ; and having, if the expression may be allowed,
imperceptibly launched out* into the maia ocean, can find no
place where to stop."*
6 — 10. (6) said, not aloud but he had this thought in hia
heart. (7) God spake in the soul of the prophet, guiding hia
judgment and actions, outward appearance, this had been
fche ground of people's satisfaction in Saul." Heb. word used
means eyes. (8) pass before, Sam.'s feeling on sight of eaoh
son decided the choice. (9) Shammah, also written Sliimeah,
and Shiimna.'' (10) seven, altogether : or perhaps without
David ; oomp. 1 Chr. ii. 13 — 15.
Man's heart under God's eye (v. 7).— Consider — I. God's know
ledge of human nature. It is — 1. Immediate and direct ; 2.
Perfect; 3. Surpa'sing men's knowledge of eaoh other, and of
themselves. II. The lessons fcliis subject yields. 1. The folly of
permitted self-delusion ; 2. The utter uselessness of all hypocrisy ;
3. The exposed position of aU our sins ; 4. The thorough com
petency of God to save us ; 5. The duty of being passive under
Divine discipline ; 6. The reasonableness of our acting on God's
judgment of men. Conclusion : — See here — (1) An antidote for
disquiet under misconception and misrepresentation ; (2) A
motive to diligence in keeping the heart ; (3) The advantageous
position of Him who is now our Lord and Master, and who will
come to be our Judge ; (4) Our ignorance even of our oivn
"The sea works,' nature.« — The pure Iwart (v. 7). — I. The highest favt)urs for the
the heavens' pure heart. The Lord looketh on the heart and gives His grace
move, the earth accordingly. II. The noblest work done by the pure heart. The
ThM^the heart iio^est work done, not by gifts, but graces, in the kingdom of
ol mau never i God.'' — Forming opinions, — '^e are often deceived by appearances

tKrith the
anoiutiniT
a 1 Sa. XV. 10, 11.
b "Secrecy and
concealment are
not the same as
duplicity and
falseliood. Gon-
cealment of a
good purpose,
for a good pur
pose, is eleariy
justifiable, e.g. in
war, in medical
treatment, in
state policy, and
ta the ordinary
affairs of life.
There is nothing
in the least in
consistent with
truth in the oc
currence here
related." —,. Spk.
Com.
c " Samuel, being
the offerer, had a
right to invite
any guest he
pleased."— /amee-
See Bp. Bait!
Cont.
d Cicero.

the three
sons of Jesse
al Sa. X. 23,24;
Ps. cxlvii. 10, llj
Lu. xvi. 15.
b 1 Sa. xvii. IS:
i Sa. xiii. 3; 1
Ch. ii. 13, XX. 7.
TV. 6, 7. Dr.
Wordsworth, Occa.
S. iii. 137.
V. 7. Dr. T. Coney,
i, 442; T-Bunter,
ii. 201; D. Dick
son, 223 ; Dr. J.
B. Newman, S.for
the Day, -ll-, S.
Summers, 527 ;
W. Fenn, 226.
eS. Martin. Y. Pryce,

d R.
M.A.

Cap. XVl. 11-13.1

/. SAMUEL.

243

Thus, the sun appears to rise and set ; when riding, the houses and
trees appear to move; marshy or boggy ground appears firm for the
walker ; poison berries (as deadly nightshade) appear lo be fit for]
food. To escape deception one has to be careful, to examine, to
test by experiment, We are more liable to be deceived by human
beings than by other creatures. "Why ? They can put on appear
ances to suit occasions. But though one may deceive man he
cannot deceive God. This we shall see if we consider— I. What
man judges by — " outward appearance." 1. This is all he can
see. A few words about faces (handsome, open, intelligent, and
the opposite) and other things (tall, well-knit forms, feeble,
infirm, deformed figures) ; 2. This often deceives. A fine, hand
some lad, was the other day imprisoned for a grave offence, and
punished. No one judging by looks would have thought him
guilty. Many of the best, not good-looking — (A. Fuller ; Dr.
Chalmers ; Christmas Evans, etc.). II. What God judges
by: "the heart." 1. Explain what is here meant by heart.
Affections, principles, thoughts, purposes ; 2. God sees hearts
more thoroughly than we see faces. We can only see the
face in the light : He sees the heart by night and day. Under
stands our thoughts, etc. ; 3. He forms His judgment by what
He sees within. Out of the heart are the issues of life. As a man
thinketh in his heart, so is he ; 4. Whatever man may think, we
must sUnd or fall by the judgment of God. Learn : (1) We
cannot deceive God ; (2) Pray for a clean heart.^
Judging from ajjjx^arancen. — Whatever truth there may be in
phrenology, or in Lavater's kindred science of physiognomy, we
shall do well scrupulously to avoid forming an opinion against a
man from his personal appearance. If we so judge we shall
often commit the greatest injustice, which may, if we should
ever live to be disfigured by sickness or marred by age, be returned
into our own bosom to our bitter sorrow. Plato compared
Socrates to the gallipots of the Athenian apothecaries, on the
outside of which were painted grotesque fibres of apes and owls,
but they contained within precious balsams. All the beauty of
a Cleopatra cannot save her name from being infamous ; personal
attractions have adorned some of the grossest monsters that ever
cursed humanity. Judge then no man or woman after their out
ward fashion, but with purified eye behold the hidden beauty of
the heart and life/
XI — 13, (11) sit down, Heb. turn ronnd, to sit at table, till
hecome, David prob. 18 yrs. of age at this time." (12) ruddy,
etc., golden-haired.^ (13) horn, " long horn filled with the con
secrated oil preserved in the Tabemacle at Nob."
TJic forgotten son (v, 11).— I. He was the youngest son. We
often find the youngest son becoming the greatest. II. He was
engaged in peaceful pursuits. They did nob seem to be any
preparation for future eminence. III. The child of whom we
may think least may be greatest. None of the family appear to
have thought much of David ^xvii. 28). — Proniotion.—l. God can
elevate men from the most humble to the most distinguished
places— Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai. II. The path of duty is the
way to prosperity and honour. III. God seeks out tiiose to
accomplish His ends who have the moral and spiritual qualities
required.— Clmvacter and circumstances.— I. The inferior value
of circumBtances. II. The superior value of character, j
Q2

B.O. cir. 1063.
rests, sleeping or
waking: it fan
cies more in a
moment tban it
can compass in
many years.
Lust entices it,
vanity possesseB
it, anger dis-
quietsit, pleasure
Feduces it, envy
torments it, sor
row and sadness
vex and molest
it. It finds no
rest until it re
turns to Christ.'*
— Spencer.
e S. S. Addresgf
\from the Hive,
IThe heart of a
I wise man should
I resemble a mir-
I ror wbich re-
I fleets every ob-
jject without
being su.lied by
any.To adopt popu
lar op inione
without the
slightest hesita
tion, is to run the
risk of introduo-
irg into science,
to its great in
jury, a muliitude
of conlused no
tions founded oa
phenomena im
pel fectly seen
and inaccurately
examined; but
to reject such
opiuions without
examination, ia
often to lose an
oppr-rtunity of
important d is-
covery.
/Spurgeon. David is sent
for and
anointed
a Wordsworth.
b " "We are en
abled to flx bia
appearance at
once in our
minds. He waa
of short staturs.
He had red or
auburn hair. His
bright eyes are
especially men
tioned, and gene
rally he was re
markable for the
grace of hia
^ure and coun-

244

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. rvl. 14-23.

B.C. dr. 1063.

tenan ce, well
made, and of im
mense strengtii
and agility." —
Stanley.V. 13. H. Lindsay,
Lect i 156.
c T. Adams.

Saul
troubled
witii an evil
spirit
a *'HiB own
gloomy reflec
tions, the loaa of
his throne, and
the ex iQCtion of
his royal house,
made him jea.-
l®us, irritable,
vin-iictive, aod
pubject to flts of
morbid melan
choly." — Jamie
son. " The first ex
ample of what,
in after times,
has been called
religious mad
ness." — Stanley.
b " Bochart haa
collected many
passages fr. pro
fane writers,
which speak of
the mediciuali
efTccts of music !
on the mind and !
body, especially j
as appeasing an
ger, and sooth
ing andpacifyiiig I
a troubled I
Bpir t."-S/ik. Com. I
V. 14. Granville'.
Sharp, The Case of.
Saul, etc.; C.'.
Bearlley, ii. 8S ; :
J. Williams. Char.
ofO. T. 184.
V. 18. Dr. J. H.
Newman, iit 470.

Bavid is sent
for to comfort
Saul
a 1 Sa. -viii. 10,
11 6 Pr. xviii. 16.
». 23. H. Short-
A(M«,136.

Appearances.— The-y that seem best to the world, are often the
worst to God ; they that are hest to God seem worst to the world.
When the moon is highest to the earth, she is darkest to heaven,
when she is highest to heaven, she is darkest to the eartli.
So, often men most glorious to the world, are obscured to the
Divine approbation ; others, obscure to the world's acknowledg
ment, are principally respected in God's favour. Man would
have cleared the Pharisee and condemned the pubUcan when
they both appeared in the temple together — the one, as it were,
in the choir, the other in the belfry ; but Christ's judgment is,
that the publican departed rather justified."
14—18. (14) evil spirit, rfc, a melancholy spirit." from the
Iiord, sent as judgment. Comp. hardening Phar.'s heart.
troubled him, choked, terrified. (15, 16) cunning, or skilful.'
with his hand, some harps played thus, and some with an in
strument, called a plectrum, be well,' music the best remedy
for such melancholy. (17) play well, everything depeuded ou
the man's having a soul for music, and so able to meet Saul's
moods. (18) Saul had no hint of David's anointing, matters,
marg. speech. Possibly a good singer as well as harpist.
'nw, world's remedy for a troubled spirit (v. 16). — I. The world's
remedy here was music. It is often change of scene, etc. II.
The world's remedy, as in this case, sometimes overruled for good
by Divine mercy. III. Compare this with God's remedy. Is any
afflicted, let him pray. Eemoval of cause better than temporary
change of thoughts.
Siibjugat'ion (tfa Mng's wrath. — Sultan Amurath, a prince noto
rious for his cruelty, laid siege to Bagdad; and, on taking it,
gave orders for putting thirty thousand Persians to death, not
withstanding they had submitted and laid down their arms,
Among the number of the victims was a musician, who entreated
the ofl&cer to whom the execution of the sultan's order was in
trusted to spare him for a moment, that he might speak to the
author of the dreadful decree. The ofScer consented, and he
was brought before Amurath, who permitted him to exhibit a
specimen of his art. Like the musician in Homer, Ke took up a
kind of psaltery which resembles a lyre, and has six strings on
each side, and accompanied it~with his voice. He sung the cap
ture of Bagdad, and the trinmph of Amurath. The pathetio
tones and exulting sounds which he drew from the instrument,
joined to the alternative plaintiveness and boldness of his strains,
rendered the prince unable to restrain the softer emotions of his
soul. He even suffered him to proceed, until, overpowered with
harraony, he melted into tears of pity, and repented of hia
cruelty. In consideration of the musician's abilities, he not only
directed his people to spare those among the prisoners who yet
remained alive, but also to give them instant liberty.
19 — 23. (19) send me, exercising his right of appropriating
whom he pleased." (20) ass, etc., as a bahshcesh, or present'
(21) stood before him, daily waiting on him. armour-
bearer, comp. squire attending on the modern knight, (22)
let . . me, i.e. permanently. (23) when, etc., this was the
regular custom.
Tlw healing power cf music (v. 23). — From this healing power
of music we infer — "L The kindness, of the Creator in endowing

Cap. xvll. 1—3.]

/. SAMUEL.

245

some men iu every circle with the musical genius and voice. II.
The obligation of those who are endowed with this gift to em
ploy it for the common good. III. The mercy of God in ordain
ing tte nse of music in public worship. IV. The duty of those
who have the conduct of Divine worship to promote good
psalraody.' Farinelli. — Remarkable, as well as truly parallel, is the case of
Philip the Fifth of Spain, aud the musician Farinelli, in the last
century. The king was seized with a total dejection of spirits,
which made him refuse to be shaved, and incapable of appearing
in council, or of attending to any affairs. The queen, after all
other methods had beeu essayed, thought of trying what might
be effected by the influence of music, to whioh the king was
known to be highly susceptible. The celebrated musician, Fari
nelli, was invited to Spain ; and on his arrival, it was contrived
that there should b", a Gjnoert in a room adjoining the king's
apartment, in which the artist should perform one of his most
captivating songs. The kiug appeared surprised at first, then
greatly moved ; and at the end of the second air he summoned
the musician, to his apartment, and, loading him with compli
ments and caresses, asked him how he could reward such talents,
assuring him that he oould refuse him nothing. Farinelli, pre
viously tutored, answered that he desired nothing but that his
majesty would permit his attendant to shave and dress him, and
that he would endeavour to make his appearance in the council
as usual. The king yielded, and from this time his disease gave
way, and the musician had all the honour of the cure."*

c Dr. Ihomas.
" When griping
grief the heart
doth wound, and
doleful dreams
the mind op-
press.then music,
with its silver
sound, with
speedy help doth
lend redress." —
Shakespeare. *• Musio, whicii
gentlier on the
spirit lies than
tired eyelids
upon tired eyes."
— Tennyson.
" Music is tho
only sensual
gratiflcation wh.
mankind may in
dulge in to excess
without injury to
their moral or
religious feel
mgs." — Addison.
d Dr. Kitto.

CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
1 — 3. (1) Shochoh, 11 miles S.W. of Jerus. and Bethlehem,
now Shnwe'ilteh." Azekah, Jos. xv. 35. Ephes-dammim,'
Pas-dammim; or the coast of D., now Damiim, situated bet. the
two. (2) Elah, formerly identified with Wady Beit Hanina,
now witii Wady-es-Sumpt." The name is taken fr. terebinth
tree. (3) valley, another word differing fr. that in v. 2, and
meaning a ravine^
'Tlw two eliampions. — The meaning of this scene. I. For Saul.
1. He was proud and disobedient; 2. God would welcome his
return in penitence. II. For David. 1. Preparation for future ;
2. Encouragement of faith ; .S. God's help is real. III. For us.
1. Life a conflict : victories in youth prepare for conflicts of
manhood ; 2. Faith helps us when sight alarms us ; 3. Evil always
looks bigger than it is ; 4. The young have giants to conquer —
passion, temper, temptation, etc.
Tlw sceneof the combat. — We have been all night in the saddle,
coming up from Joppa to Jerusalem. The city is yet two hqurs
distant from us. The moming sun is just crowning the moun
tains of Judea with its golden light. Before us lies a deep valley,
watered by a brook, running from the south-east to the north
west. The hUls on both sides rise almost to the dignity of moun
tains. This scene is associated with an event of thrilling interest
in Bible history; it is that of David's first triumph over the
Philistines. As I here read the seventeenth of 2nd Samuel, how
real it aU appears I Over on that hill-side the hosts of Israel

the Philis
tines offer
battle at
Shochoh
a Beit Netif is on
a hill some 3 ms.
nearly north of
this, and between
tbem is the deep
Wady-es- Sumpt,
wh. passes down
the plain, by
Timnath, to tho
great Wady Su
rar. SauI en
camped prob. on
the N*. side ; and
it was into thia
wady that the
ohampiou of the
' uniircumcised '
descended every
day to defy Is-
Y&&\." -Thomson.
b 1 Ch. xl. 13.
c Robinson.
d "In one part
the valley of Elah
cODtracts into a
gen (!). S2) " —
Stanley.

246

I SAMUEL.

reap. xvH. 4—7,

B.O. dr. 1063.
BeeBp.Hall.Cont.*' Nought is m ire
honou-able to a
knight, nor better
doth beseem
brave chivalry,
than to defend
tbe feeble in
their right, and
wrong redress in
such as wend
awry." — Spenser.
e A. a. Thomas.

the story of
Ooliath. his stature
aud vreapous
o Fr. Lat. campio,
fr. campus, a fleld.
* 2 Sa. xxi. 15—
22; 1 Ohr. XX. 4
—8.
c"The cubit, the
length fr. the
elbow to the tip
of the middle
flnger, is believed
to be about 1^
feet, and the
span, the dis
tance fr. the
thumb to the
middle or little
finger, when
stretched apart
to the full length,
Is half a cubit.'
— Spk. Com.
d"The Heb.
word implies
faeight, and
roundness;
whence we may
infer the shape."
— Ayre.
e Oesenius.
/"Comp. 1 Ohr.
jti. 23, XX. 5.
g S. S. Address
from the Hive.
"It is not thou
-who takest life:
it is Q-od, whose
I shall be ! And
His, wilh God,
whom bere my
heart deifles. 1
glory in His
Jiower as in His
ove." — Haiiey.
k Blunt's Unde
signed Cfiinci-
daxa.

' were dra-wn up in battle aiTay ; on this side the Philistines came
up to bid them defiance. Down there, a little distant, Goliath of
Gath — his helmet of brass, and his spear like a weaver's beam-
advanced to challenge Israel. The two hills are so near, that in
the clear atmosphere of such a morning as this those on opposite
sides could easily converse with each other, and witness every
movement of their antagonists. Twelve miles away, to the
south-east, are the mountains of B ethlehem, where waa the home
of the young shepherd who came that bright moming into the
camp of Saul, little dreaming of the honour that awaited him.
Yonder sparkles the little brook as brightly as when he picked
the smooth stones -with which to smite the enemy. In the bed
of the brook I also gathered five smooth stones, to take home
with me to use in a lecture to my Sunday-school on " Giaut-
kiUing."' 4 — 7. (4) champion," Heb. a inan bet. two; "one who
determines a national quarrel by offering single combat."
{Joliath,' great, or an ex'ile. Gath, Jos. xi. 22. six cubits,
etc., prob. nine feet nine inches." (5) helmet, defence of head.!*
coat of mail, corslet, quilted with leather or plates of metal.
5,000 shekels, prob. 157 lbs. avoirdupois. (6) greaves, kind
of metal covering rounded to the leg. target, a, javelin a dart.'
(7) 600 shekels,/ 17 or 18 lbs. a shield, lit. tlw shield.
The battle of life.— la fightiug the battle of life we have giants
to meet and overcome (intemperance, indolence, etc.). By uotio-
ing how David overcame Goliath, we may leam how to defeat
our enemies. Let us look at the history before us and notice— I.
The combatants. 1. Goliath. A giant : mail-clad : representa
tive of enemies of God, and His truth. He may also be regarded
as representing some monster evil (see intro.), armed with
prestige, custom, eto. His victims are ruined, and his allies are
doomed ; 2. David. A stripling : a shepherd unversed in war :
brave, honest, pioua ; the representative of the people and truth
of God. May also be taken to represent those who honestly
desire to do the right and fight for it. Armed with truth, coM-
scieuce. Word of God, eto. II. The conflict. 1. The approach.
Goliath boastful ; regards his opponent with curses and contempt ;
looks upou victory as certain before a blow is struck. David,
eager, runs to meet the enemy ; armed with such weapons as he
knows how to use : selects the best stone for his purpose ; 2,
The encounter. Picture the scene. Goliath couches his spear.
David calls upon God and hurls the stone. Death of the giant.
III. The victory ; marked by three thinga. 1. The dismay of the
Philistinea ; who thought the victory sure. Astonishment at
seeing their champion fall. They retreat and are cut off by
Israel ; 2. The joy of the Israelites at their great deliverance.
Their courage inflamed. One brave man will inspire many with
courage ; 3. David hailed as a nation's deliverer. Learn: — (1) Be
not afraid if you are on the right side ; (2) Rely on God who fights
for you ; (3) Use the best means to make the victory sure.f
Ooliath of Gath. — Mark the value of this casual designation of
the formidable Philistine—" of Gath." The report of tlie spies
whom Moses sent into Canaan is given m Nu. xiii. 32, 33 ; in
this Moses is a testimony unto us that these Anakites were a race
of extraordinary stature. This fact borne m mmd, turn to the
Book of Joshua i» a witness that, when he put the Anakites to

Oap. x-vil. 8—21.

/. BAMUEL.

247

the sword he left some remaining in. three citiesand in no others,
and one of these cities was Gath.*
8—11. (8) a 1" hilistine, the Phil., the fan-.o«s clianipion,
whose exploits you know about well, for you, to repi'esent you.
Saul's days of prowess were past, or he would have responded ;
and where was the brave and trustful Jonathan 1 i<^) your
servants, tributaiy to you. (10) give . . fight, foim of
challenge." (11) dismayed, at his formidable appearance, a-nd
boastful language.''
The bMstful clMllengc. — I. It sounded hi-ave, hut was really
cowardly. He challenged all Israel to send a man, etc. ; but he
knew that the tallest would be as a dwarf by his side. II. It
produced fear of man when it should have led to trast in God.
III. It resulted in the humiliation of the challenger by the God
of Israel sending a youth.
A sensible duellixt. — Cobbett, when challenged to fight, recom
mended the challenger to draw a Cobbett in chalk upon the,
floor, and if he suceeeded in hitting it, to send him instant word,;
In order that he might have an opportamity of acknowledging
that, had fhe time Cobbett been there, he in all probability
would have been hit too. But hit or not hit, the bullets conld
have no effect whatever, he jnaintaincd, on the original causes of
the quarrel,
12 — 16. (12) old man," this excuses his personal absence fr.
the battle. <13) folio-wed Saul, representing their father, and
his houee. (14) youngest, aiui evidently was treated as a
child. (15) went, had gone. This was prob. before he became
armour-bearer. (16) presented himfelf, see v. 11 and note. >
Varieties in one family (t. 12). — I. The family— Jesse and his
eight sons. II. Of these eight, four naimed and four unnamed
(in this place). Often in families some oome to the front while
others make no name. TII. Of ihe eight we have, afterwards,
the names of seven (1 ch. ii. 13 — 15), of whom three have a com
plimentary mention — for the sake of David who was then king.
The unnamed one had probably died. IV. Of the eight, the
youngest and most despised became the most famous.
Duties ef paivnts. —
The voice of parents is the voice of gods.
For to their children they are heaven's lieutenants ;
Made fathers not for common uses merely
Of procreation (beasts and birds woaild he
As noble then as we are) ; but to steer
The wanton freight of youth through storms and dangers
Which with full sails they bear upon, and straighten
The mortal line of life they bend so often.
For these are we made falliers, and for these
May challenge duty on onr children's part
Obedience is the sacrifice of angels,
Whose form yon carry.'
17—21. (17) ephah, in liquids, 7 galls, i pints: for dry
goods, 3 pecks and 3 pints." parched corn, Eu. ii 14. (18)
cheeses, curdled milk.* take their pledge, bring back
their assurance of health and safety. (19) fighting, the 2
armies seem to have fought daily, though no champion wasi
foimd. The v. may, hewever, be a part of Jesse's speech toj

B.C. dr. 1068.

bis challenge
to Isrsiel
« "Tbe flrst cbai-
leEf;c io a duel
thax we ever find,
canwj out of tha
moulh of an un-
«i reum cised
Pluiistioe.-^ — Up.
Hall.
I b "If, in ancient
times, nach a,
challenge was
refused, the
champion would
parade himself
within lieaiiiig
of tfce enemy's
lines, defying
them in s. loud^
boaet ful, bravado
style. And pour
ing out torrents
of abuse and in
solence to pra-
voke their re
sentment." ^
Janiiesoa,
Jesse's family¦a " Lit., ' And tha
man in the days
of Ssflil was old,
ooming among
tJie feeble,' i.e.
deciining to a
place among the
aged and feeble."
— Wordsworth.
" It is a curious
fact, tbat child
ren are Ihe best
judgee of cha
racter at flrst
sight in the
world. There is
un old Scotch
proverb, ' They
are never cannie;,
thaA doge and
halms dinna
like;' and there
is not a more
true one in tho
whole c 0 1 1 e c-
tion." — Hogg.
b Shakespeare.

Jesse sends
David ^ith
presents to
the camp
a Ayre. See also
Diet, of BSk,
Smitli,

248

1. SAMUEL.

[Oap. xvll. 22—31.

B.O. cir. 1063.
b "Oriental
-Cheeses are very
8ma]!,reaembling
in shape and size
our penny
loaves." — Jamie-
ton.e " Waggon ram
part, constructed
of the baggage of
the army." — Oe
senius.Home is home,
be it ever so
homely. An
Englishman'shouse is his
castle. — EngHsh.
— To every bird
its nest is fair. —
French. — East
and west, at
home the best. —
German.-

Savid bears
of G-oliath
" Love is the
puriflcation of
the heart frora
self; it strength
ens and ennobles
the character,
gives a higher
motive and a
nobler aim to
every action of
¦life, and makes
both man and
woman strong,
noble aod coura
geous; and the
power to love
truly and devo
tedly is the no
blest gift with
which a humau
being can be en
dowed; but it is a
sacred firo that
must not be
burnt to idols."—
Miss Jewsbury.
a Goodrich.

EUab
reproves

David. (20) trench, place of the carriage." (21) in array,
ready for fighting.
Out of sight but not out of mind (v. 17, 18). — I. We have a
father thinking of and making provision for absent members of
his family. 1. Reminds us of presents from home sent to us at
school; 2. Young man in city situation receiving home gifts;
3. Such g-ifts fragrant -with country odours and home affection.
II. Young men from home should seek to be worthy of all this
oare. III. The gifts of our heavenly Father to us who are fight
ing the battle of life. 1. Suoh gifts are to strengthen us ; 2.
Such a home worth fighting for.
A message cf love from, honw. — A father in good circumstances,
in one of the Eastern States, had a reckless son, who disgraced
himself, and brought shame upon his faraily, by his misconduct
From home the prodigal went to California to become even more
reckless. For years the father heard nothing from him. A
chance offering, he sent this message to him : ¦' Your father still
loves you." The bearer sought him long, in vain. At last he
visited a brothel, on his search, and there recognised the erring
son. He called him ont, and. at the hour of midnight, delivered
his message. The gambler's heart was touched. The thought of
a father ttiat loved him still, aud wanted to forgive him, broke
the spell of Satan. He abandoned the game, his companions,
and his cups, to retnrn to his father. The heavenly Father sends
a like message to every prodigal.
22—27. (22) carriage, baggage, as to. 17, 18. ran, excited
by the stir in the camp. (23) came up, to his daily parade of
defiance. (24) fled, retreating back. (25) give . . daughter^
comp. Jos. XV. 16. free, prob. fr. liability to special taxation in
support of the monarchy. (26, 27^ Intimates that Dav. con
versed with first one and then another, living God, De. v. 26 ;
Jos. iii. 10.
Tlw reward offered (v. 25). — ^I. By King Saul to the champion
of Israel. 1. Riches ; 2. Influence, by a royal marriage; 3. CivU
freedom. II. By the King of kings to the good soldier of Jesus
Christ. 1. Durable riches; 2. A more bless^ union; 3. Amore
lasting and glorious freedom.
Universality cf patriotism. — A French -writer informs us, that
a native of one of the Asiatic Isles, amid the splendours of Paris,
beholding a banana-tree in the Garden of Plants, bathed it yrith
tears, and seemed for a moment to be transported to his owu
laud. The Ethiopian imagines that God made his sands and
deserts, while angels only were employed in forming the rest of
the world. The Maltese, insulated on a rock, distinguish their
island by the appeUation of " The Flower of the World." _ The
Javanese have such an affection for the place of their nati-yity,
that no advantages can induce them, particularly the agricul
tural tribes, to quit the tombs of their fathers. The Korw^ians,
proud of their barren summits, inscribe upon their rix-dollars,
"Spirit, loyalty, valour, and whatever *is honourable, let the
world leam among the rocks of Norway." The Esquimaux are
no less attached to their frigid zone, esteeming the luxuries of
blubber-oil for food, and an ice-cabin for habitation, above all
the refinements of other countries."
28—31. (28) An instance of the position too often assume,d

Cap. xvn. k!8-3i.j I. SAMUEL, 249

by elder brothers. (29) a cause,'' he had come at his father's! b.o. cic. 1063.
bidding, and with food for his brothers. (30) David spoke t<3 j, ,^ -^
one after another, hoping the matter would get to ears of Sam. ,yords'^e °
(31) rehearsed, repeated. 'reported to
Mistalien appiarances of pride (vv. 28, 29). — It is not pride — I. ' Saul
¦When a man in power and govemment has a spirit suitable to his « " It is only a
place and work : this is virtue. II. When natural sti-ength and ""'^ e*"'!^ Jj^^a
vigour of spirits expel pusillanimity, and when faith expels all not done any act
inordinate respect and fear of men. III. When a wise man of wrong.' —
knows in what measure he is wise, and in what measure other ^^ordsworth.
men are ignorant or erroneous. IV. When a wise man desires v. 29. R. Cecil,
that others were of his mind, for their own good and the propa- 1 "*''• "• ^'"•
gating of the truth. V. When a holy person is conscious of his , * B. Baxter.
holiness and assured of his state of grace, and rejoices in it. Man is a reasoTi-
VI. When we value our good name, and the honour which is *?"'. f""^ > hould
indeed our due, as we do our other outward common mercies, not reasim"Me crea^
for their own sake, but as means of glorifying God.' [ ture. He should
Is tlwre not a cause ? — We assert — I. That there is good cause be aWe to give
for meetings of this kind. 1. They facilitate an interchange of , °°* r°o"r^,he")''ope
ideas on our work, and familiarise us with various methods that is m him:"
of teaching ; 2. A free interchange of thoughts helps to enlarge but also for ihe
and correct our views, to rtmove prejudices, etc. ; 3. Discussions | Pj^'^'^beoccuines
and criticisms upon pesent plans may lead to the discovery hg employed op-
of better ; 4. They not only provoke to love and to good works, | on. David was
hut tend to mutual encouragement. II. Tbat there is good cause "ady with a
why we should give ourselves to the work of teaching on the ge^'tedit bVtho
Lord's Day. 1. Because none better than their neighbours can question he pro-
talk so familiarly with the young on the subject of religion. It posed. He had
is an advantage to the cause of truth when others speak of ^"n'^Pnis^^secSr
the Bible than those alone, -wliose profession leads them to do so ; j^r occupat-on,
2. Because the young could not be so effectually searched by the aLdwlientwitied
formal preaching of the Word as they may be by the simple con- .'or doing so,
versation of a class; 3. Because our young people would be: ..j^^'^gre noi a
necessarily neglected, in great measure, if our S.Ss. did not [cause?" Should
gather and instruct them. III. That there is a good cause for any ask us «hy
supplementary work of this kind outside our secular work on the "^o"?' Why we
week-day. 1. Because the visiting of the sick and absent on the ' surrender our
Lord's-day exclusively would absorb the time needed for our work ease and plea-
as teachers, and for our public worfhip as private Christians; ^aih "and'hefatS
2. Because meeting our scholars in their homes, at their studies ourselves to la-
or pastimes, may fumish us with an opportunity to obtain insight hours outside our
into character, as well as to speak a word in season ;^ 3. Because ^^™%™^^'^»0^'
the impression on a scholar's mind that his teacher thinks of him „^y'i, j^ ,]j^, ^jj
at other times than on the Lord's-day alone cannot but strengthen much is being
the ties that bind the teacher and scholar together. IV. That gmn^ni done in
there is good cause why so much should be given and done in the ^^^^^°,j ourTe'ply
S.S. enterprise. 1. Because, since the machinery of secular shall be, "Is
teaching is now being perfected, an institution designed to there_ not a
impart accurate Biblical knowledge should be as perfect in all its "''-j;^^ ^ ' i^i^j,, „,
appliances as possible ; 2. Because there is likely to be the youth are fre-
greatest measure of true success where teachers diligently use the quently lalsoand
best material, and zealously strive to make themselves acquainted '''"''"'i'";*' '„"
with the best methods. In conclusion, we may point to the good^'B^'vere and
multiplication of attractions that tend to draw the minds of carefully u- tered;
youth away from religion, to the too great deficiency of parental of old age. merci-
training of tbe young in the ways of God, to the noticeable, "i^oaj^s'-

250

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xvii. 32-42.

B.C. dr. 1063.

e Outline of Speech
for S. 3. Teacliers
Convention.

David offers
to fight
Goliath
o "Itwas the habit
of the wild ani
mals to make
incursions into
the pastures of
Judea. Fr. the
Lebanon at limes
descended the
bears. Fr. the
Jordan ascended
the lion, at that
time Infesting
the whole of
western Asia
these creatures,
though f'->rmid-
ableto the flocks, 1
could a. ways be
kept at bay by
the determina- 1
tion of the shep- 1
herds." — Stanley.
vv. 34—37. T.
Cole, Mom. Ea:,
iii: 471.
V. 37. Dr. D. Wil
liams, i. 127; O,
B. Blomfield, 74.
b Topics for
Teacliers.

absence of direct appeals to the very young in the house of God,
to the wr.nt of adaptation betvveen the publio services of the
sanctuary and the youthful heart and mind, and then ask, in
reference to the S.S. enterprise, " Is there not a cause 1 "'
32—37. (32) heart fail, vo. 11, 24. (33) youth, Dav.
about 20 yrs. old, and fair. (34) lion and bear," prob. on 2
diffi. occasions, a lamb, or kid. (3.3) beard, or throat. (36)
living God, this expression indic. Dav.'s faith. (37) Obs. the
poetic form of expression.
An old friend iit a rww trouble (v. 32). — I. Thia not the first
time that David had been a comfort to Saul. II. David no
carpet-knight. He had a warrior's heart as well as the taste of a
musician. III. David makes good his offer by recounting his
past deeds. IV. David a true comforter since he shows that only
God can save Israel. — 'Tlw endangered flock (ov. 34 — 36). - I. The
flock at rest, night, the attack, etc. II. The flock in danger.
III. The flook defended and saved at the risk of the shepherd's
Ufe. IV. Israel the flock of Jehovah : and the Good Shepherd
laid down His life for the sheep.
Tlw bear of Soripture, and its lessons. — I. Before the march of
civilisation the bear disappears (hardly found in Palestine now) ;
so the bear of Rev. xiii. 2 may be robbed of his power b.y know-
[ ledge, etc. ; and so bear-like natures will be subdued by the Gospel.
I II. We should pray for good and wise rulers. " Teach our senators
; wisdom." (See the promise. Is. Ix. 17.) III. The comparison
between the bear and unrenewed man (Is. xi. 7) should teaoh the
need of a change of heart (Ps. 1. 10 ; John iii. 3). IV. David
interposing on behalf of his flock may remind us of the Good
Sheplierd (John x. 11), and of the dilty of befriending the weak;
and David's protection in his perilous encounter (1 Sa. xvii. 34—
37) may remind us of the promise (1 Pe. iii. 13).'

Davidrefuses Saul's
armouraud takes
his slin?
a " He carried a,
Bwitch or wand
in his hand, such
as would be used
for his dogs, and
a scrip or wallet
round his neck,
to carry any
thing that was
needed for his
ehepherd's life,
and a sling to
ward off beasta
or birds of prey."
.—Stanley. b Dr. Thomas.
Tou know when
you shoot your
arrow, if you
wish to aim high
you must send it
with force from
your bow; and
BO, if yoa wish

38—42. (38) armed Dav., in anxiety for his safety, his
armour, prob. the loose corslet, or coat of mail, was the chief
thing, as this would fit a smaller man. (39) assayed, attempted,
started to go. proved, tried, not it, bnt them, both the armour
and weapons. (40) brook, wady. bag," scrip for carrying
daily food. (41) man . . shield, his armour-bearer. (42)
disdained, despised.
David and Goliath (vv. 41, 42). — These two men give us a
picture of — I. The forms of good and eviL Evil : gigantic,
immense energy, imposing. Good : apparently small, weak, in
significant. II. The spirit of good and evil. Evil : proud, con
temptuous, malignant. Good : humble trust on God. III. The
weapons of good and evil. IV. The ultimate destinies of good
and evil. Goliath, notwithstanding his great strength, proud
vauntings, and mighty weapons, was slain. So it will be with
evil.' The sling. — The sling was much used by shepherds in repelling
the assailants of their flocks, and in the use of which they often,
like David, possessed extraordinary expertr es i. The sling of the
ancient Egyptians, whicb was probably of the same sort as that
of David, was a thong of leather or plaited string, broad at the
middle, and having a loop at one end by which it was fixed upon
and held firmly by the hand ; the other extremity terminated in
la leash, which escaped from the fingera when the stone was

Cap. xvii. 43-51.3

/ S.iMUEL.

251

thrown : and when used, the slinger whirled it two or three
tames round his head, to steady it, and to increase the impetus.
Besides stones and arrows, the Greeks threw heavy laden plum
mets from the sling. Some had a single or winged thunderbolt
represented upon them ; and others bore the name of the person
to whom they belonged, or a word, as (to translate it into Eaglish)
" Take this ;" but simple pebbles, lound on the seashore, or in the
brooks, were usually employed ; the Egyptians used round stones
for this purpose, which they carried in <¦, smaU bag or scrip
hanging from a belt over ttie shoulders.'
43-47. (43) a dog, "this kind of abusive dialogue is
common among Arab combatants still." (44) oome to me,
the language of taunting. (45) Gtoliath was strong in himself,
but Dav. strong in God. whom . . defied, not Is., but Is.'s
God. (46) Dav. sends back his. taunt but in altogether nobler
form. (47) this assembly, the two armies, sword and
epear, human weapons."
A true spirit tlw pledge of -victory in the battle cf life (v. 45).
— Introduction. — David aud Goliath as ills, of good and evil (see
outline above on rv. 41, 42). From the passage, we infer that
a true spirit is superior. I. To the greatest material strength of
our foes. II. To the greatest social prestige of our foes. Ill,
To the completest accoutrements of our foes. IV. To the
proudest vauntings of our foes. Conclusion — This spirit ensures
victory because it — (1) Enables man to employ the best means ;
(2) Enables man to use the best means in ttie best way : un
daunted courage, invincible determination ; (3) Ensures God's
aid in the best use of the best means.'
Goliath cursing David. — Men of high caste will not strike those
that are of low caste with the hand, because the touch would
defile them ; they therefore beat them with a stick or some other
weapon. To offer to strike any person with a stick, then, is very
provoking, and the person so struck will ask "Am I a dog?"
When a man wishes to make another angry, he pretends to be
looking for a stick, which will produce a similar question and
feeling. Sometimes, however, they only repeat the proverb,
'•Take up a stick, and the dog will run off." As did the Philis
tine, so do these people curse each other by their gods."
48 — 51. (48) to meet, come against for the purpose of fight
ing. Indic. how swiftly all this took place. (49) hand . . bag,
as he ran, slang it, practice had made him very dexterous, and
God guided the stone, forehead," so stunned him. (50) slew
him, began to slay. (51) slew him, completed his work ere
the giant could recover f r. his blow.
A sling and a stone (v.50). — I. The spirit in which David went
to the encounter. 1. He went as a consecrated mau ; 2. Tie was
strengthened by the memory of past mercies ; 3. He went im
plicitly trusting God, but diligently using means. II. Some
general truth suggested by the history — 1. The wondrous dis-
propo' tion between means and results in all God's works ; 2. The
amazing importance of little things ; 3. Means employed in God's
service must have God's approval. III. The allegorical improve
ment of the story. David, a type of Christ in his name — his
birthpl.ace — his early troubles — the reproaches of his brethren
— hia euemljs— his giant foe — the tarrying of his success — his

B.O dr. 1063.
the arrow of
prayer to reach
ito heaven, you
I njust send it out
in the earnest
ness of your
spirit.
e Dr. Kitto.

Ooliathcurses David
-who avers
his trast
iu God
aEx.xiv. 13— 18;
1 Ju. vii. 2, 4, 7; 1
Sa. xiv. 6 ; Pa.
I xliv. 6.
1 vv. 44 — 50. Dr.
I T. Laurie, Lect.
I 56.
I y. 45. /. Plumptre,
I Pop. I om. i. 434;
//. Lindsay, Lect.
i. 170.
6 Dr. Thomas.
" The 1 odomon-
tade of Goliath is
still the favourite
way of terrifying
an enemy. ' Be-
gOQo, or I will
give thy flesh to
the jackals!' 'The
crows shall soon
have ihycarcase.'
¦ Yes, the teeth of
the dogs shall
B( on have ho'd
of thee.' ' The
eagles are
ready.' "—Roberts.
c Roberts.

David slays
G-oliath
a "All pride
comes forth with
boldness of fore
head ; and there
fore the wound
was on the fore
head, the seat of
impious effron
tery." — Words-
woi th.
.50. W.Reading,
iii. 395 ; E. Blen
eowe, i. 306.
6 Preacher's Port-

"It ia an un
happy division
that haa beea

252

I.SAMUEL.

[Cap. xvii. 52—53;

B.C. rir. 1063.
made bei ween
faith and works.
Though in my
intellect I may
divide them, just
as in the candle
I kuow there is
both light and
heat; hut yet put
out the candle
and they are
both gone, one
remains not|
without the
other, so it is
with faith and
works." — J. Sel
den.
e Dr. J. B. New
man."I/ive as long as
you may, the iirst
twenty years a'-e
the longest half
of your life." —
Southey.

David bringrs
the head of
Goliath to
Jerusalem a Foss. identif.
with Tell-el-
Safiyek. b Spk. Com.
*' I am convinced
the world will
get tired, at least
1 hi/pe so, of this
eternal guffaw
about all things.
After all, life has
something se
rious in it. It
cannot be all
comic history of
humanity." —
Douglas .Jerrold.

Saul asks
David of
his lineag'e
V. 5S. See Class
and Desk, N. T.,
97; also Dr.
Parker, Pulpit
Notes ISO.
Cicero was one
day sneered at
by one of his

final, complete, everlasting glory.''— Tlw call qf David (v. 50). —
Observe — I. David was I'le son of a Bethlehemite, one among
the families of Israel, -with nothing apparently to recommend
him to God ; the youngest of his brethren, and despised by them,
II. Goa chose him, whose occupation was that of a shepherd ;
for He chooses not -the great men of the world. III. God chose
David by means of the Prophet Samuel. He did not think it
enough to choose him silently, but He called him by a voice. IV.'
What foUowed when Samuel had anointed David : " the Spirit
of the Lord came upon David." V. Though he received the gift
of God's Holy Spirit, yet nothing came of it all at once. Hg
weut back to his sheep. VI. Who is our Goliath ? who is it we
have to contend with ? VII. What we ought to do when assailed
by Satan."
A dificulty solved, — A gay young man, travelling in a stage
coach to London, forced his deistical sentiments ou the company,
by attempting to ridicule the Scriptures; and, among other topics,
made himself merry with the story of David and Goliath, strongly
urging the impossibility of a youth like David being able to
throw a stone with .'sufficient force to sink iuto the giant's fore
head. On this he appealed to the company, and particula'ly to
a grave quaker gentleman, who sat silent in one comer of the
carriage. " Indeed, friend," repUed he, " I do uot think it at all
improbable, if the Philistine's head was as soft as thme." This
grave rebuke reduced the young man to silence.
52 — 54. (52) shouted, in excitement of so sudden and
glorious a triumph, valley, see v. 3. Ekron, Jos. xiii. 3.
Shaaraim, Jos. xv. 36. Gath," v. i. (53) chasing, pursuing
hotly. (54) Jerusalem, perhaps this done later. There is
reason to think that Jerus, was at this time in the hands of the
Jebusites. tent, prob. the tabernacle of God.»
'The v'wtoo-y of one leads to the success of many (v. 52). — I. This
is true of modern successes. They were heralded by the victory
of one. Many succeed now through the victories of Columbus —
Arkwright, Watt, etc. II. Especially true of Christ and His
church. We succeed because He conquered.
We are infliienf.ed ¦unconsciously. — Every little act we perform,
every little word we speak, has an influence sooner or later upon
ourselves or our associates. And yet how little we realise the
importance of being watchful even in trifles ! It is related in an
old fable that the thistle once said to the thom, '• Ho, friend, are
yon a bud, for thus your fragrance bespeaks you?" "No," was
the reply, "I am only a htmible, scentless thom; but I have
d-welt some time with the rose." How vividly and beautifully
this fable illustrates the mystery of unconscious influence 1 Let
us apply it to our own hearts.
55—58. (55) Abner, ch. xiv. 50, 51. whose son, Saul
had not recognised him. He may have only had the services of
Dav. as a minstrel occasionally. (56) stripling, diminitive of
strjp, aij if a small strip fr. the main stock, or stem. (57) took
him, called him aside. (58) son, a young man is more spoken
of in E. countries by his fatner's name than by his own.
"Whose son art thou ? (v. 58).— I. The scope of the question.
You are a sou of— 1. Old England; 2. Of pious parents; 3.
Of poor or rich ancestors, eto. ; 4. Of God, or of the evil one.

Cap. xvlli. 1—4.]

7. SAMUEL.

25a

III.

II. What should be the accompaniments of the answer ?
Seek to be a son of God, and like the Divine Father.
Honourable descent. — A newly-arrived English tourist requested
a gentleman of Philadelphia to introduce him to some distin
guished foreigners with whom he might associate wi thout com
promising his dignity — some who had '• descended from gi'e.tt ¦
houses." The gentleman promised to do so, and the next day I
formally introduced him to three hod-oaxriers, who were just in j
the act of descending from a great liouse in process of erection. !
The Irish were better pleased than the aristocratic snob from
England."— i?o<rrf of ancestry.—
Were honour to be scann'd by long descent
From ancestors illustrious, I could vaunt
A lineage of the greatest, and recount
Among my fathers, names of ancient story,
Heroes and god-like patriots, who subdued
The world by arms and virtue ;
But that be their own praise :
Nor will I borrow merit from the dead.
Myself an undeserver.'

B.C. dr. 1063:
opponents, a
nipao nian of
noble lineage, on
account of his
low parentage,
"You are ihe
first of your
Hoe," said the
railer; "and
you," rejoined
Cicero, " aj e tho
last of yotu-s."
a American.
"The man who
has not anytlnng
to boapt of out
his illu.'-trious
ancestors, is like
a potato — the
only good be
longing to him i^
under ground,"—
Sir T. Overbui-y.
b Rowe.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
1 — 4. (1) knit," bound to, in affection and friendship. (2)
took him, to attend upon him. Comp. ch. xvi. 19 — 23. (3)
covenant, mutual understanding, and engagement. (4) " To
receive any part of the dress wh. had been worn by a sovereign,
or his eldest son and heir, was esteemed the highest honour."
Saul's envy of Darid (v. 9). — Consider -I. Its grounds. It is
the grudging to another the possession of some good, which we
ourselves affect. II. Its operation. It produces in all a perma
nent aversion to the person envied. III. Its cure. We may all
impede its influence over our o^vn hearts by — 1 . Contemplating
the vanity of earthly distinctions ; 2. Cultivating the knowledge
of our o-wn hearts ; 3. Seeking a thorough conversion unto God.
Address— (1) Those who indulge this malignant spirit ; (2) Those
who are the objects of it.' j
Past remembrances. — In Tavemier's Travels there is a striking i
history of a lad whom the great Shah Abbas, when out hunting |
in the mountains, found playing on a pipe as he tended a flock of
goats. Struck by the intelligence of his answers, the king took
him under his protection, and, after employing him in various
capacities, ultimately made him nazar, or lord steward of the
household. When the king died, the ear of his successor was
poisoned with insinuations against the integrity of the nazar, as
if he had enriched himself atthe expense of the treasures entrusted
to him. But, on opening the room in which the nazar's dis
honest wealth was supposed to be deposited, nothing was found
but his shepherd's weeds and sheep-hook, his pipe, his water-
bottle, and the scrip iu which he used to put his victuals— all
hung up against the wall. The nazar. observing the king's
astonishment, said, " AVhen the great Shah Abbas found me in
the mountains, keeping goats, these were all my possessions ; and
he took nothing from me. All else, called mine, I Owe to his and
your bounty, and you may justly reclaim it; but allow me to re-

the friend
ship of
David and
Jonathan
a Ge. xliv. 30.
SeeBp.fJall.Cont. V. 1. H. Steibtng,
111.365; W.Slioit,
311; A". W. Oib-
din, 44.
1'. 3. P. Holland,
ii. 177.
b C .Simeon, M.A.
" Ancieut p els
represent their
h' ri es as ex-
changirigarmourin token of
friendship ; and
in Eastern coun
tries a prince can
scarcely bestow
a greater mark of
his favour than
by the gift of
pome article of
hia dre-s, espe
cially if he haa
already worn it."
Some years
since, a vene
rable man, up
wards of ( ne
hundred years
old, was lhe
subject of con
vening grace in
America. The
cause of his con-

254

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xvill. 5-16.

B.C. eir. 1063.
version was
hearing a text -)f
Scripture which
his pious mother
had taught him
in England ono
hundred years
before.
David's pru
dence and
popularity,and Saul's
jealousyo Geaenius.
vv. "C- 10. W. B.
Col I yer. Scrip.
Facts, 392.
V. 8. /. Saurin,
Disc ffis(. iv.305
b Dr. Parker.
Inthe mountains
of Tyrol, it is the
custom of the
-women and the
children to come
out, when it is
bedtime, and
Bing their nation
al songs until
they hear their
husbands, fa.
thers, or brothers
answer them
from the hills.
on their return
home. "Glory, the
casual gift of
thoughtlesscrowds! Glory,
the bribe of ava
ricious? virtue!'
.-Johnson.

Saul attempts
the life
of David
« T h i s explan,
is supported by
Gesenins, Ii e i I.
Worilsico th, bnt
said to ht^ impos
sible by .S'/iA. Com
Comp. 1 Ki. xviii.
29 1 Jer. xxix. '26.
*'This remark
able instance of

tain that which belong-s to my original condition, to which I
shall now cheerfully return, since I no longer enjoy your oonfi
dence." The king, touched with admiration and remorse, instantly
caused himself to be disarrayed of his outer robes, and gave therq.
to the nazar; "which," as Ta vernier remarks, "is the greatest
honour that a king of Persia can bestow upon a subject." This
little anecdote illustrates several points in the early history of
David. 5 — 9. (5) behaved, conducted himself, accepted, bee. of
his triumph over Goliath, and bee. of his wise conduct. (6)
women, comp. Ex. xv. 20; Ju. v. 1, xi. 34. tabrets, timbrels,
Ge. xxxi. 27. instruments, etc., lit. triangular instrjinjBnts,"
(7) answered, they sang in strophe and antistrophe. Conjp,
Miriam's song. (8) have more, if thus he has the love and
praise of the people. (9) eyed David, invidiously, but making
no present signs of his feeling.
'Tlw 'd'lscipl'ine of an anointed man (v. 9). — Four things are
shown by this history. I. That great honours are often followed
by great trials. II. That great trials generally bring unexpected
alleviations. III. That no outward trials can compare in severity
with the self -torment of wioked men. IV. That great trials,
though caUing for self -scrutiny, may not caU for self -accusa
tion.'' Welcom'ing tlw v'wtors. — This is quite characteristic of the man
ners of the East. Everywhere in that part of the world the
people are accustomed in this manner to hail the arrival of those
who have been any time absent from them. More especially do
they do so on the return of a victorious army. Multitudes then
issue from the towns and villages through whioh they are ex
pected to march, in order to form a triumphal procession to cele
brate their valour ; the principal part being composed of women
and children, who band together, and as they go along gratify
the heroes with dancing, music, and songs in honour of their
martial deeds, particularly of such of the chiefs as have greatly
distinguished themselves. We find this custom in Persia, Turkey,
eto. Mr. Campbell, the missionary, witnessed it even in Africa.
Wheu he was leaving the city of Lattakoo, he fell in with a,
party of meu who were returning from a distant expedition,
after an absence of several months. The news of their approach
had reached the town, and the women were hastening to meet
them. On joining the party, the females marched at their head,
clapping their hands and singing with all their might, till they
arrived at their homes in the town.
10 — 16. (10) the morrow, not lit. the next day. evil
spirit, his melancholy mania, prophesied, prob. he raved."
(11) cast, prob. brandished it, in a dangerous way. (12) afraid
of, jealous of. He does not seem to have yet known of his
anointing; but Dav. was evidently the rising man. (13) from
him, i.e. fr. personal attendance. Poss. set him to active ser
vioe. in the hope that he would be slain. (14, 15) wisely, pru
dently and successfully. (16) loved Dav., Saul's plan only
brought him before the people, who made him their hero.
Influence of mnsic. — In the Memo'ires of the French Eoyal
Academy of Sciences for 1707 are recorded many accounts of the
oases whioh, having obstinately resisted the remedies prescribed

Cap. sviit 17-27.]

7. SAtt'UEL.

255

by the most able of the faculty, at length yielded to the power
ful impression of harmony. One of these is the case of a per.son
who was seized with fever, which soon threw him into a very
violent delirium, almost without any interval, accompanied by
bitter cries, by tears, by terrors, and by an almo.it constant wake
fulness. On the third day. a hint that fell from himself suggested
the idea of trying the effect of music. Gradually, as the strains
proceeded, (he troubled visage relaxed into a most serene expres
sion, his restless eyes became tranquil, his convulsions ceased,
and the lever abfolutely left him. Itis true that when the music
was discontinued its symptoms retui'ned ; but by frequent repeti
tions of the experiment, during which the delirium always
ceased, the power ol the disease was broken, and the habits of a
sound mind re-established. Six days sufficed to accomplish the
cure. 17—21. (17) Comp. xvii. 25. The fulfilment had been de
layed, see v. 13. (18) The lang. of modesty and humility. (19)
Meholathite," for Meholah. see Ju. vii. 22 ; this an intentional
insult to Dav. (20) pleased him, as giving him another
chance of getting rid of his rival (v. 25). (21) that she may
be, lit. and she shall be. the twain, should be, as Heb., this
second time.' Neh. xiii. 20 ; Job xxxiii. 14.
Fight the lord's battles (v, 17). — I. It is our duty to fight for
God. 1. God Himself demands it of us ; 2. His goodness to us
demands it ; 3. The justice of His cause demands it. II. The
manner in which we should make the attack. 1. With prayer
2. With confidence in God. III. The reward of our winning the
battle. 1. Eternal peace ; 2. Etemal life with God. Leam — (1)
" Put on the whole armour of God ; " (2) Trust not in your own
strength : God is the ruler of battles."
It is come to tlw 'Triarii.—'W'hen the Eomans marshalled their
infantry in order of battle, they placed the Hastati in the front,
the Principes behind them, and the Triarii in the rear ! If
the first body (the Hastati) were overpowered, they fell back into
the intervals of the second (the Principes) and renewed the fight
with their assistance ; but if the enemy was still too strong for
these combined forces, their last resource was to fall back
amongst the Triarii ; and then altogether they made a last and
more impetuous effort for success ; but if the Triarii were
defeated, a retreat was sounded and the day was lost. Hence
it became a saying, " It is come to the Triarii." meaning, " It is
come to the last push." But Ca;sar's plan was to make his van
strong, and to place but little dependence on his rear. Now, the
Christian, when attacked by temptations, must fight in Czesar's
style. The ancient order of battle will not do for him. He must
not yield an inch. If his van give way, all is lost. His rear will
be always too weak to fall back upou ; so, reversing the old
Eoman order of battle, he must strengthen and depend on his
Tan (his Hastati), and never let it come to the Triarii.
22—27. (22) be the king's, etc., indic. that Dav. had
strongly resisted. (23) poor man, and so have no worthy
dowry to give. (24, 25) foreskins," these would prove that the
persons killed were unc'ircumcised Philistines. (26) not expired,
reference is prob. to some time fixed by Saul. (27) full tale,'
the complete number.

B.C. dr. 1063.
the power of
rausic over the
mind, especially
in sootliing its
p ertu rbations
and allaying its
disorders, is in
conformity with
lhe exi-ciienceof
physicians, aud
wilh various inti
mations whieh
may be found in
ancient authura.

Saul gives
David his
daughter
Michala 2 Ea. xxi. ».
6 Oesenius.
vv. 20, 21. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Char. ii. 129.
c Wm. Maitland.
" Faith is like
the magnetio
needle — often
trembling, yet
ever true;
swayed, amidst
tbe tempest's
wildest testings,
by the invisible
mysterious spell,
which never fails
I to direct it right.
j It is computed
' there are about
fifty thousand
voyagers always
up-n the ocean.
Who ean de-
pcribethe obliga
tion tbese are
all under to this
constant, uner
ring guide ?" —
Bowes.

Saul craftily
sets David
upon a
Qifficult
en terprise
a 2 Sa. iii. 14.
b Tb. xliii. 1, 4.

256 ..s.MUML. cCap.xvUi. 28-30.

B.O. c-r. 1063. I zessons from past mercies. -Co^sAer the great «}™f ^o^ has
c S. 's~A,Mress\^°^'^ f"'^ ^s-I In nature. 1. Given us a ^eauteful world to
from tM ilT" I live in. Fonn, colour, fragrance, light. Frmt---all things good
I'Faith mav live; and useful ; 2. Fitted us for this wonderful home, mmas to
WlU uor«iff!^r'.^|i"^'^estigate, senses to enjoy, hearts to love, the wonderful and
S^™?oi!«tai?.lgood thingL all about us. ^11. In Providence. 1. Pnt us m a
As faith rises, so i Christian and free oountry ; 2. Given to us happy homes , .i. rro-
the blustering! Tided us with food, clothes, health, eto. ; 4. Raised up triends,
SV trouble"-! schools, teachers, eto. III. In redemption. 1. This stamps all
some thoughts | the rest with a higher value ; 2. A Sa-viour to die for us ; 3. A
goes down. In ths 'Holy Spirit to renew us; 4. A Bible to guide and teach us; 5.
tT!ft^\C"°ta'-^*^h"^t^'^^^h'"°h*°'^«°eive and watch over us; 6. A glorious
faith in thel^ieaven to live in for ever. Leam— (1) We are bound to be
heart, there is ' grateful to Him who has done these great things for us ; (2) It is
peace also: they jour duty to show our gratitude bypract'ioal service and devotion;
gether!'"''' In re- ' C^) "We should remind others of what God has done for them, and
turning aud rest ' of their duty to Him ; (4) Is our heart right with Grod ?"
shall ye be saved; I Wedd'ing portions.— MsmA. objected to the proposal of being
'°, '"'^'"^^^ISaul's son-in-law on the ground of poverty. A Samoan would
and conflaeDce I . .. , . ..... ^ ¦ T.. • ,
shall be your I raise the same objection m the case ot inequality m rank, owmg
strength.'"— /I jto the difficulty he might have in getting up a dowry equal to
Divine ofthe Uth (jji^t gf the womaUj The husband has to provide a dowry as well
as the wife, and the dowry of each must be preity nearly of
equal value."*
28 — 30. (28) saw and knew, by such proofs of the Div,
blessing as this recorded v. 27. (29) continually, not as before,
?opu!arfty ji" his jealous melancholy moods alone. (30) went forth," to
I war.
"'To avengej Cliaracter tlie best security. — "I owe my success in business
and p-^rhaps sup- ¦ c'liefly to you," said a stationer to a paper-maker, as they were
posing (as the I settling a large account ; " but let me ask how a man of your
Eabiiis suggest) | caution came to give credit so freely to a beginner with my
to''Vhe*Hebra°wi®^^'^'^^'^ means?" "Because," replied the paper-maker, "at
law he would | whatever hour iu the morning I passed t(5 my business. I always
claim exemption \ observed you without your coat at yours." I knew both parties.
yea7"art'er ^°his [ ^'¦^^'^^^^ ™en will have different degrees of success, and every
marriage. De. ! ™3,n must expect to experience ebbs and flows ; but I fully
XXIV. 5."— iconfe-j believe that no one in this country, of whatever condition, who
"O'th. I is really attentive, and, what is of great importance, who lets it
». 29. Dr. O. ! ^PP^S'i^ that he is so, ban fail in the long rtm. Pretence is ever
D'Oyly, ii. 313; bad; but there are many who obscure their good qualities by a
H. Lindsay, Lect. ' ' ' " ' ' '¦'
LlSG. The pinnacle of
a man's great
ness is the height
of his owu cha
racter.
6 Walker.
*' There can be
no liemel in this
light nut; tbe
Boul of tbis man

century. d Tamer, Poly-

Davld's
continued

certain carelessness, or even an affected indifference, whioh
deprives them of the advantages they would otherwise infallibly
reap, and then they complain of the injustice of the world. The
man who conceals or disguises his merit, and yet expects to have
credit for it, might as well expect to be thought clean in his
person, if he chose to go covered with filthy rags. The world
will not, and cannot, in great measure, judge but by appearances,
and worth must stamp itself, if it hopes to pass current even
against baser metal." The equanimity which a few persons pre
serve through the diversities of prosperous and adverse life re-
'l/^-««mti°''"~ S J?^ of certain aquatic plants which spread their tops on
ShoLespeare. t^e surface of the water, and with wonderful elasticity keep the
«/. Foster. surface still if the water swells or if it falls."

Cap. xix. 1—7.:

/. SAMUEL.

257

CHAPTER TIIE NINETEENTH.
1 — 3. (1) kill David, this had previously beeij his secret pur
pose, now it was ojienly avowed to the members of his court.
(2) delighted much, see ch. xviii. 1. morning, by wh. time
Saul's excited temper would probably be cooled, and Jonathan
would be able to influence him. (3) in the field, place conve
nient for Dav. to hide in, yet overhear the conversation."
'The confidences of friendship (v, 3). — Leam — I. That the sins
of parents may justly limit filial obedience. II. That there may
be times and occasions -\\ hen filial disobedience may be better for
parents than obedience. III. That righteousness may distinguish
the children of unworthy parents. IV. That friends should
guard the interests of the absent.
Savl's tliriat to hill David (comp. v. 2 with xx. 2). — Now it
must be confessed that at fiist sight there seems some incohe
rence between these paspages. Let it be considered, however.
that a danger often appears more imminent at first than it does
after it has been repeatedly experienced and more narrowly
scrutinised. Saul's first outburst of fury against David no doubt
startled Jonathan, and alarmed him for his friend's safety ; and
under the impulse of this, he counselled David to hide himself
lest his father should destroy him. But further experience
showed him that Saul had no settled purpose at that time to
destroy David; what he had done was the effect of a mere
paroxysm of disease, and Jonathan might well hope that this
might pass away, so as to leave David free from the risk to
which at first he seemed exposed. Two things are mentioned
whioh tended doubtless to encourage Jonathan to hold out this
prospect to his friend. The one is that Saul had so readily
yielded to his son's expostulations, and received Da'vid again
into favour, after the earUer outbursts of his insane fury against
him (xix. 4 — 6) ; the other is that Saul, who was in the habit of
communicating all his purposes to his son, had never intimated
that he had any purpose of destioying David (xx. 2, " my father
does nothing," not "will do nothing"). These things con
sidered, it -will not appear incredible that Jonathan, who at first
feared for his friend's life, aud counselled him to hide himself
until he should see what was in Saul's mind regarding him,
should afterwards, under the conviction that Saul had no settled
intention of destroying David, have endeavoured to dissuade the
latter from permanently dissevering himself from the court by
going into exile.'
4 — 7. (4) spake good," both praised Dav., and dealt very
faithfully with his father. (5) life . . hand, Ju. xii. 3; 1 Sa.
xxviii. 21 ; "what is put into the hand may easily fall out."'
Philistine, ch. xvii. the Lord -wrought, therefore to treat
in evil manner God's servant was insult to God." (6) sware,
readiness to make rash oath was one of Saul's wealcaesses. (7)
called David, after his interview with Saul. AU went well
while there was peace in the land
Jonathan intercedes for David. — From which leam— I. The
strength r.nd duty of disinterested friendship. II. The obliga-
VOL. III. O.T. B

E.O. Cir. 1063.
Saul resolves
to kill David
a " He arranged
tbirt, prob., that
in case the king
broke forth into
violence, or
proved inexo
rable, David
might be aware
of it, and escape
without incur
ring the danger
of (urther per
sonal communi
cations." — Kitto.
Ps. xxxi. 8, 9.
"What is a
friend but one
whom I can
trust; one who,
in so rrow's
t » J ?, will
mingle his tears
with mine; one
on whose sup
port I can reckon
when my back ia
at the wail?" —
Dr. Gulhrie.
" True happiness
cousists not in a
multitude of
friends, but in
their worth and
I choice." — Ben
Jonson."Nothing is
more dangerous
than a friend
without discre
tion ; even a pru
dent enemy is
preferable." — La
Ftmtaine.
b Dr. W. L. Aleay
ander.

Jonathanintercedesfor David
rtPs. cix. 5; Pr.
xvii. 13; Je. xviiL
20; Jo. I. 32.
b Wordswf/rth.
rv. 4—6. W.
Snowden, Ss. i.
1-J3.
c Jo. XV. 25; Ps.
xxxv. 19, cxix.
161, Ma. xxvii. 4

258

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xix. 8-41,

B.O. dr. 1063.
V. 6. B. Lindsay,
Lect. i. 200.
Kindred passions
and pursuits are
the natural
groundwork of
friendship. Eeal
friendship is of
slow growth,
and never
thrives unless
ingrafted upon a
stock of known
and reciprocal
merit. — Chester
field.— -V\sa youth
of friendship is
better than its
old age. — Bazlitt.
.—Make not thy
friends too cheap
to thee, nor thy
self to thy friend.
— FuUer. — Pur
chase not friends
"by gifts : wheu
thou ceasest to
give, such will
cease to love. —
yfttrf.— Before you
make a friend,
eat a peck of salt
with him. He is
nay friend who
grinds at my
mill. — Englisli.
Saulattempts the Ufe
ot David
a 1 Sa. XTiiL 10,
11.b Ps. lix,, title.
" Insanity is, in a,
person awake, a
false or mistaken
judgment of
things which, as
occurring most
frequently in
life, are those
about which the
generality of men
form the same
judgment, and
particularly is
the malad y
evidenced when
the jodgment of
the individual is
very different
frotn what he
bad himself
before usually
formed of the
pame object." —
Dr. Cwten.

tions of gratitude. Eveu the heart of Saul under its influence.
III. The power of a reasonable and dispassionate appeal to the
best feelings of the heart. IV. The joy of reconciliation.
The grateful soldier. — The Rev. John Craig, a distinguished
niinister, and colleague of Knox, having gone to reside in Bologna,
in a convent of Dominicans, found a copy of Calvin's Institutes,
which God made the means of his conversion to the reformed
faith. He was seized as a heretic soon after, and carried to Rome,
where he was condemned to be burnt ; but, on the evening pre
ceding the day of execution, the reigning pontiff died, and, ac
cording to custom, the doors of all the prisons were thrown open.
All others were released ; but heretics, after being permitted to
go outside the walls, were reconducted to their cells. That night,
however, a tumult was excited, and Craig and his companions
escaped. They had entered a small inn at some distance from
Rome, when they were overtaken by a party of soldiers, sent to
apprehend them. On entering the house, the captain looked
Craig steadfastly iu the faoe, and asked him if he remembered
having once relieved a poor wounded soldier, in the neighbour
hood of Bologna; Craig had forgotten it. "But," said the cap
tain, " I am the man ; I shall requite your kindness ; you are at
liberty; your coapanions I must take with me; but, for your
sake, I shall treat them with all possible lenity." He gave him
all the money he had, and Craig escaped. But his money soon
failed him ; yet God, who feeds the ravens did not. Lying at
the side of a wood, full of gloomy apprehensions, a dog oame
running up to him -with a purse in its teeth. Sus;- 'nUng some
evil, he attempted to drive -the animal away, but in vain He at
length took the parse, and found in it a sum of monej which
carried him to Vienna.
8 — 11. (8) war again, in wh. Dav., as a chief ofloer, must
take part. His successes again aroused Saul's jealousy. (9)
evil spirit, see ch. xvi. \i.' played, on his harp ; this time
music did not avail to soothe the kiug. (10) even to the wall,
pinning him to the wall. The force of the thrust was ehown by
the javelin sticking into the wall. (11) slay . . morning,*
Saul did not think of Dav.'s running away. Prob. the Eastern
idea of the Sanctity of the women's apartments prevented Saul
entering the house at night.
'The dangers of success. — I. That envious souls cannot endure
the successes of another, even when they derive personal benefits
from them. II. That envious thoughts being nourished give
birth to murderous intentions. — Saul's true fr'iend. — David, wh^
— I. Discomfited Saul's enemy in the field. II. Soothed his
troubled mind in the palace. — Saul's enemies. — I. Of his throne ;
the Philistines. II. Of his peaoe ; envy. Note : — A man's greatest
foes are the evil thoughts of his 'Wesir'i,.— Darid's friends. — I. God
who watched over him. II. His oavu alertness. III. The son
and daughter of his bitter foe.
Miis'ic (v. 9). — " Music is one of the fairest and most glorious
gifts of God, to which Satan is a bitter enemy ; for it removes
from the heart the weight of sorrows and the fascination of evil
thoughts. Music is a kind and gentle sort of discipline ; it re
fines the passions and improves the understanding. Even the
dissonance of unskilful fiddlers serves t set off the charms of
true melody, as white is made more conspicuous by the opposition

Cap. xix. 12—24.]

/. SAMUBL,

259

of black. Those who love music are gentle and honest in their
tempers. I always loved musio, and would not, for a greater
matter, be without the little skill whioh I possess in the art." "
Jnfiiiin^c qf musicians. —
Suoh was the bard, whose heavenly strains of old
Appeased the fiend of melancholy Saul.
Such was, if old and heathen fame say true.
The man who bade the Theban domes ascend.
And tamed the savage nations -with his song ;
And such the Thraeian, whose hai-monious lyre
Tuned to soft woe, made all the mountains weep.
Soothed even th' inexorable powers of hell,
And half redeem'd his lost Emydice.
Music exalts each joy, allays each grief,
Expels diseases, softens every pain ;
Subdues the rage of poison and the plague ;
And hence the wise of ancient days adored
One power of physic, melody, and song.'
12 — ^17. (12) through a window," so avoiding the ofBcers
who were patrolling the street, and the court of the house. (13)
image, Heb. tci-aph'im, household god.' in the bed, or divan.
This was done to secure time for Dav.'s flight, for its bolster,
or for its head, to give the appearance of hair, covered it, so
producing appearance of person lying sick. (14, 15) to see
jDav., Saul evidently suspected some trick. (IC) come in, near
enough to examine. (17) I kill thee, pretending that Dav,
had threatened her hfe.
Doing evil tliat good inay come. — Note — I. Michal's love for her
husband greater than her hatred of sin. II. Michal's fear of her
father greater than her love of truth. III. Michal needs a
stronger faith in God.
Formalism (v. 13). — If this hypocrisy, this resting in outward
performances, were so odious to God under the law, a religion
full of shadows and ceremonies, certainly it will be much more
odious to do so uuder the Gospel, a religion of much more
simplicity, and exacting so much the greater sincerity of the
heart, even because it disburdens the outward man ot the per
formance of legal rites and observances. And therefore, if we
now under the Gospel shall think to delude God Almighty, as
Miofial did Saul, with an idol handsomely dressed instead of the
true David, ... we shall one day find that we have not mocked
God, but ourselves ; and that our portion among the hypocrites
shall be greater than theirs."
18 -24. (18) Bamah, ch. i. 1. Naioth, distinct fr. Ramah,
but near to it. " A suburb of Ramah, or perhaps the school
buildings of the prophets there."" (19) in Eamah, indicating
close proximity of the school to the town. (20) prophesying,
a term including songs and religious ecstasies, spirit . . pro
phesied, they were seized with enthusiasm, and joined in the
praises. (21) In thus sharing the excitement these messengers
could not take Da'vid. (22) Sechu, great cistern, B'lr Ki-ballah.
bet. Tuleil-el-FuU and Neby Samwil.' (23) In state of high
excitement. (24) clothes, weapons, and outer garment, naked,
except for his shirt, wh. he did not remove.' See oh. x. 11.
Saul among tlw prophets. — I. A bad man in the company of
B 2

B.C. dr. 1063.

a Luther.
" I was all ear,
and took in
strains that
might create a
soul under the
ribs of death." —
Milton." Pm never
merry when I
hear swo e t
music; iho rea
son is your
spirits are atten
tive." — Shake
speare.

6 Armstrong.

David escapesby the aid
of Michal
a Comp. spies at
Jericho, Jos. ii.
10—21; and Paul
at Damascus, 9
Cor. xi. 33.
b "Ge. xxxi. 19;
Jn. xvii. 5; 2 Ki.
xxiii. 24. Theso
toraphim may be
compared to the
tutelat-yorhouse-hold gods of the
Bomans, the
Penates, and
Lares. Or to tha
pictures of St.
Nicbolas, or of
tbe Virgin, wh.
f.nc sees in every
Eussian shop."^
Kitlo.
V. 13. Bp. Hall,
Contemp.V. 14. Dr. N.
Brady. A Ser. ; E.
M. Goulburn, Ser.
to Sons of Clergy.
c Chillingworth.
David
pursued by Saul to
Naiotha Winer.
" In its corrected
form the narae
signifies 'habita
tions.' and from
an early r ate bas
been ime'preted
tu mean the huts
or dwellings of a
school or Collega

260

I. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XX. 1—4,.

B.O. dr. 1068.
of prophets over
which Sam. pre
sided. This in
terpretation is
now generally
accepted by tbe
lexicographers and commenta
tor-?." — Smith's
Bib. Die.
b Wordsworth.
e Kitto; Spk.Com.,
etc. Is. XX. 2;
Mi. i. 8.
«. 24. T. Morer,
Ss. 199; F. D.
Maurice, Pro. and
"Kings 17.
Pa. xxxv. 27, Iii.
6,7,111.16,17.

B.O. dr. 1062.
David'sfligrht to
Kamah
to Jonathan
a 1 Sa. ziz.<6.
e. 8. J. Malham,
Ss. 187; A. Ro
berts, S.!. i. 19; C.
Simeon, ii. 569.
e. 4. A. L. C. Co-
querel, Ss. 165.
&Fs. IxxxvUi. 3, 4,
cxliii. 7.
c Dr. Parker.
d J. Dunlop.
" Death reigns in
all the portions
of our time. The
autumn with its
fruits provides
disorders for us,
and the winter's
cold turns them
into sharp dis
ea'^es, and the
spring brings
fiowers to strew
our hearse, and
the summer
gives green turf
and brambles to
bind upon our
graves. CaJen-
tur^-fl and surfeit,
cold and agues,
are the tour

the good. II. A bad man in good company with an evil inten
tion. Ill, A bad man's evil intention supernaturaUy oven-uled.
An evil purpose thrvarted. — The Rev. Hugh Clark, who was
minister at Oundle, in Northamptonshire, in the latter part of
the sixteenth century, having on one Lord's Day been faithfully
denouncing the awful judgments of God against the dreadful
sins of which many of his hearers were guilty, was visited on the
following morning by a profane youug mau of his parish, who
expressed a great wish to see him. Mr. C. in vited him into his
chamber, and, knowing his vicious character, very sharply re
proved him for his sins, and wamed him of the danger to which
he was exposed. God so applied this faithful dealing to the
heart of the young man, that, faihng down on his knees, and
entreating his pardon, he pulled out a dagger -with which he
had determined to murder him. " I came hittier," said the man,
" with a fuU resolution to stab you, but God has prevented me.
This was occasioned by your terrifying sermon yesterday. But,
if you please to forgive me, I shall, by the grace of God, never
attempt any such thing again." Mr. Clark freely pardoned the
offence ; and, after giving him suitable advice, dismissed him.
CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH.
1 — 4. (1) fled, while Saul was in his ecstasy : to Gibeah, for
an interview with his friend. Jon. seems not to have known of
this reoent attempt of Saul's, and to have put undue confidence
in the oath Saul had taken." (2) shew it me, lit. nncover mine
ear. Jon. was unwilling to believe so evil of his father. (3)
Dav. had quicker discernment than Jon.* (4) Say what is in thy
m'lnd. Jou. yields to admit the poss. peril of his friend.
Tlw nearness of deatii (v. 3).-—" There is but a step," eto. This
is true — (1) Physically : the point of a, needle may destroy life ;
(2) Morally : one sin broke up human history into ruin and
sorrow ; (3) Socially : character being ruined, society is closed
against a man ; (4) Infiuentially : by one false step infiuence
may be impaired or destroyed. The fact contained in the text
should — I. Give high significance and value to time. Brief day
— solemn destiny ! II. Awaken the most anxious vigilance.
Only one step, and it may be the next. III. Stimulate to prepared
ness for the future. IV. Impart a tenderer interest to ajl the
relationships of life. We hold our blessings but for a moment. V.
Lead to the right use of temporal possessions.'' — Tlw -mystic step
(v. 3). — I. A certain step : all must take it. II. An uncertain step ;
when we must take it we cannot tell. III. A final step : it puts
an end to human distinctions. IV. A parting step : it parts us
from this world. V. A solitary step : death a lonely thing— taken
alone without friends, by some without God. VI. Altogether a
solemn step. It conducts either to hell or heaven.''
Peace in death. — The ship has set sail, and kept on her course
many days and nights, with no other incidents than those that
are common to all. Suddenly land appears ; but what the cha
racter of the coast may be the voyagers cannot discern through
the tumult. The first efEect of a near approach to land is a very
great commotion in the waters. It is one of the coral islands of
the South Pacific, encircled by a ring of fearful breakers at some
little distance from the shore. -Forward the ship must go : the

Cap. XX. 5—15.

I. SAMUEL.

261-

waves are higher and angrier than any they have seen in the
open sea. Presently through them, partly over them, they are
bome at a bound ; strained, giddy ,_ and almost senseless, they
find themselves within that sentinel ridge of crested -waves that
guards the shore ; and the portion of sea that still lies before them
is calm and clear like glass. It seems a lake of paradise, and
not an earthly thing at all. It is inexpressibly sweet to lie on its
bosom after the long voyage and the barren ridge. All the
heavens are mirrored in the water ; and along its edge lies a
flowery land. Across the belt of sea the ship glides gently, and
gently touches soon that lovely shore. So many a Christian has
been thrown into a greal tumult when the shore of etemity sud
denly appeared before him. A great fear tossed and sickened him
for some days ; but when that barrier was passed he experienced
a peace deeper, stiller, sweeter, than any he ever knew before.
A little space of life's voyage remained after the fear of death
had sunk into a cahn, and before the immortal felt the solid of
etemal rest.«
5 — 10. (5) new moon, when special sacrifices were offered,"
succeeded by feasting. All the courtiers were expected that day
to dine at the royal table. The feast lasted two, poss. even three
days, the fleld, prob. the one in wh. he had hidden before
(ch. xix. 3). (6) It does not appear lhat Dav. went to Beth. ; he
hid in the field, and the excube made was a deception.^ (7)
peace, it will evidence kindly intentions.' (8) Ch. xviii. S."*
(9) from thee, to think I would either betray or kill thee. (10)
who shall tell me ? how shall we communicate 1 Interviews
might become dangerous to both.
The first la.m of life, aud the law of society (v. 6). — I. Etiquette
demanded the presence of David at the king's table. The
exactions of society. II. Self-preservation required David to
absent himself. The preservation of om' higher life may require
ns to decline the honours of society.
The trials of life.— Ute is not entirely made np of great evils
or heavy trials : but the perpetual recurrence of petty evils and
small trials in the ordinary and appointed exercise of the Chris
tian graces. To bear with the failings of those about us — with
their infirmities, their bad judgment, their Ul-breeding, their
perverse tempers ; to eudure neglect when we feel we deserved
attention, and ingratitude wheu we expected thanks; to bear
with the company of disagreeable people whom Providence has
placed in our way, and whom He has perhaps provided or purposed
for the trial of our virtue : these are best exercises of patience
and self-denial, and the better because not chosen by ourselves.
To bear with vexation in bu-iiness, -nrith disappointment m our
expectations, with interruptions of our retirement, with folly,
intrusion, disturbance— in short, with whatever opposes our will,
contradicts our humour— this habitual acquiescence appears to
be more of the essence of self-denial than any little rigours
or inflictions of our own imposing. These constant, inevitable,
but inferior evils, properly improved, .furnish a good moral
discipline, and might, in the days of ignorance, have superseded
pilgrimage and penance.'
ll_15, (H) into the field, so that privately they might
decide on some plan of meeting. (12) Not a prayer to God, but
caUing on God to witness his faithfuhiess. sounded, tried to

B.C. dr. 1062.
quarters of the
yeai-, and all
minister to
death ; aud j on
can go no
whither but you
tread upon a
dead man's
bones." — Jeremy
Taylor.They are rich
who hava
friends. Thera
is no living with
out friends. —
Portuguese.
e Amot.

Jonathanpromisesto inf02-m
David of
dangeraNu.x.lO, xxvii!.
11—15.b Comp. tl. 19.
Some comment.,
as Kitto, think
Dav. went to
Bethlehem.cl Sa. xxv. 17;
Est vii. 7.
<f Jos. ii. 14.
" Must I con
sume my life —
this little lifa,
in guarding
agaiust all may
make it less ? It
is not worth so
much!— it were
to die before my
hour, to live in
dread of death."
— Lord Byron.
" False friend
ship, like tho
ivy, decays and
ruins the walls it
erabraces; but
true friendship
gives new life
and animation
to the object it
supports." — Bur-

I e H. More.

the covenant
of David and
Jonathan

262

/ SAMUEL.

CCap. XX. 16—23.

B.C. dr. 1062.
a Spk. Com.
b 2 Sa. ix. 1, 3, 7,
xxi. 7.
"The literal
rendering of the
passage is, ' And
not if as yet I
live, and thiu
shalt n it do to
wards me the
kmdness of the
Lord, and I shall
not die. And
thou shalt not
cut off thy kind
ness from my
house for ever,
aod not when
God cuts off the
enemies of Da
vid, every one
from the face of
the ground.' '' —
Alexander.
c Dr. W. L. Alex
ander.

friendship of
David and
Jonathan a 2 Sa. iv. 7, xxi.
S ; Je. li. 66.
b Song ii. 14.
" A man who
loves only him
self, without re
gard to friend
ship and desert,
merit.-! the seve
rest blame ; and
a man who is
only susceptible
o f frientiship,
without public
spirit, or a re
gard to the com
munity, is defi
cient in the most
material part of
virtue." — Hume,

c Dryden,

Jonathan'ssecret plan
for informing
David of
tlangrera 0 o m p. G- a.
xxxi. 49, 63.
'* Sweet is the
memory of dis
tant friendsl

find out my father's intentions. (13) send thee away, finally
from the court of Saul. (14) " Jon. had a presentiment, doubtless
from God, that Dav. would be established on the throne."" (15)
my house," or family.
The prudence of Jonatlian (vv. 14, 15). — I. To what end was
it here directed ? The safety of himself and posterity. II. By
what was it prompted? By faith in David's future, and,
probably, faith in God. III. What resulted from it f Note
future history of his family — Mephibosheth. IV. The highest
prudence requires us to be at peace with Jesus Christ.
Jonathan's covenant w'ith David (w. 14, 15). — It is impossible to
read this without feeling something is wrong with the text. In the
Syriac and Arabic versions the passage is rendered thus : " Would
that this might be whilst I am still alive. But .show me the kind
ness of the Lord before I die. And let not your kindness fail to my
house," eto. This, in the opinion of recent critics, suggests the
true reading, which is effected simply by the alteration of a
point, viz., v'lu for v'lo. This makes the difference between
" not " and " O that." And with this slight alteration all becomes
clear. We may then render thus : " And oh that, if I stiU Uve,
oh that thou mayest do to me the kindness of the Lord, so that I
shaU not die : and that thou mayest not cut off from my house
for ever thy kindness, not even wheu the Lord shall cut ofE
the enemies of David eveiry one from the face of the ground.""
16 — 17. (16) made, marg. cut. require it, etc.," that is,
may Dav.' s enemies punish any unfaithfulness to this covenant ou
the part of Dav. (17) Jon. made Dav. swear bee. he felt sure
that in the future power and authority would be in his hands.'
Jonathan's love for Dav'id (v. 17). — He loved him as his o-wn
soul. Henoe— I. He made provision for his present safety. II.
Promoted his future prosperity. III. Sacrificed his own prospects
for the advancement of his friend. IV. Compare this great love
with yours for Jesus.
Friendship (v. 17). —
I had a friend that loved me ;
I was his soul : he lived not but in me.
We were so closed within each other's breasts.
The rivets were not found that joined us first.
That do uot reach us yet : we were so mixed.
As meeting streams ; but to ourselves were lost.
We were one mass : we could not give or take
But from the same ; for he was I, I he.
Retum my better half, and give me aU myself,
For thou art all.
If I have any joy when thou art absent,
I grudge it to myself ; methinks I rob
Thee of thy part."
18—23. (18) missed, from the king's table. (19) stayed
three days, at some convenient place, or at Bethlehem.
quickly, diUgently. when the business was, prob. refer, to
ch. xix. 2—6. Ezel, Heb. the stone of the Way, a sort of milestone.
Dav. was to hide in a cavern or ruiu near this stone. (20—22)
ITiis contrivance was made that the danger of another interview
might be avoided. (23) the matter, of the covenant;" thia
was Jon.'s last word.

Cap. XX. 24— 34.J

/. SAMUEL.

263

'Tlw empty teat (v. 18).— I. MTio once filled the seat? David-
champion of Israel, son-in-law of Saul, harpist, etc. II. Why
Was it empty? Malevolent envy of the king.- III. The empty
chairs in our homes, and who once occupied them. How they
are missed. IV. Learn to double our kindness to those who
¦would be missed if their places were vacant.
Tlw empty scat (v. 18).— "Thy place has long been empty
ainong thy friends," or simply, " thy place been empty," or " has
long been empty," are common expressions of compliment among
the Persians, addressed to one who is again seen after either
a long absence, or after such short absences as occur in the
common cours* of life. The late King of Persia, for instance,
used the expression as a gracious compliment to Sir John
Malcolm at his first audience on his second embas.sy. One who
returns from a journey, or who joins a chole of acquaintance
whom he has not seen within the usual number of weeks or days,
is greeted with the same phrase of compUment.
24—27. (24) to eat meat, at the special feast. (25) bythe
wall, place of honour." Obs. that each of the chief officers had
his appointed place at the table. Jon. arose, better read, went
first, entered firet to sit on Saul's right. (26) not clean, cere
monially.* (27) son of Jesse, custom in E. to caU men by
their father's name.
Unconscious tribute to chai'acter of the good (v. 26). — I. Saul
did not suppose David would be absent through fear : recognition
of courage. II. Nor did he attribute the absence to intention,
b'at to some unavoidable circumstance. III. Or he supposed
cei'emonial uncleanness might be in the way : tribute to his
piety. IV. Worldly men often unwittingly pay similar tribute to
the good.
'The new moan (v. 24). — No Persian would willingly commence
a journe.y or any other business until the new moon had been
perceived. Early on the nineteenth it was publicly and joyfully
proclaimed that this event had occurred : the day was therefore
considered as an important eid, or festival, and devoted by the
true believers to gluttony, the delights of tobacco, and sensual
gratifications of every kind. Presents were reciprocally given by
relations, friend, and equals ; and offered by servants to their
masters with the usual compliment and wish. May this holiday
be auspicious to you ! On these occasions the gifts are not
always of much intrinsic value ; but a fruit, a flower, or a bit of
sweetmeat, serves as a token of esteem or of respect."
28—34. (28) earnestly asked, Jon. makes as good a repres.
as possible. (29) my brother, eldest sons had great authority
in the family. Jesse, too, was now very old. get away, release
me for this Uttle visit. (30) son, etc.," Saul was put in a despe
rate passion on thus finding his secret plan defeated. No reason
to think Jon.'s mother deserved the reproach. (31) baul thought
Jon. defeated his own interests by his friendship. (32) Ti'ying
to reason with a man in passion, cast a javelin,'' answering
with a blow. (34) fierce anger, at Saul's attempt on his own
Ufe. Thepas,iifinateman.—l. Has no regard for those nearest akm
to him. Saul's wife, as well as son, reproached. II. Has no
power of self-oonti'ol. Saul passes from words to blows. III.

B.C. dr. 10G2.
Like the mellow
rays of the do-
pai ting sun, it
falls tenderly,
3 et sadly, on the
heart." — Wash
ington Irving.
" Friendship i s
seldom truly
tried but in ex-
t'enies. To flnl
friends when we
have no need of
them, and to
want them whea
we have, are
both alike easy
and common."—
Feltham. Saul inquires
concerningthe abseuce
of David
a "The left-hand
corner, at tbe
upper end of a
room was. and
still is, iu the E.,
tho UJObt honour
able place." —
Jamieson. 6 "The new
moon, being a
religious ft-ast,
no one could
asf-ist at it who
had auy cere
monial uncVan-
uess upon him."
—Spk. Com.
Le. vii.21, xv. 5—
10; Nu. xix. 11,
14, IG, ix. 6.
" Th" amity that
wisdorn knits
not, fully may
easily untie." —
,Shakcspeare,c Sir W. Ouseley.
Jonathan, defendinirDavid, is
attacked
by Saul
a " To au Ori-
.ental, nothiug is
so grievously in
sulting as a re
proach cast upon
his mother; so
Saul, to sting hia
son to the utter
most, spoke con-
tf-mptnnusly ot
his m-)tl(rr, re
gardless of the

264

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XX. 35—43.

B.C. c^r. 1062.
fact that Jon.'s
mother was hiu
own wife." —
Kitto.

his right haud at
full liberty." —
Jamieson. c Harmer.
" Smitten friehde
are angels sent
OQ errands full
of love; for us
they languish,
and for us they
die." — Toung.

Men who cast off Divine control often subject themselves to the
t-vranny of passion or self. , -,- . -, ^.r.
Eastern rcsentnwnt (v. 30).-" In the Bast, when they are
an<rry with a person, they abuse and vihfy his parents. Saul
 thouo-ht of nothing but venting his anger against Jonathan,
b " The person 1 -^^g^ design to reproach his wife personally ; the mention
Saul walhrd^hisiof her was only a vehicle by whioh, according to Oriental modes,
1^ arm conaned he was to convey his resentment against Jonathan mto the mmds
by the wall, butl^f ^.jjggg about him."''— An instance of the prevalence ot the
same principle in Africa occurs in the travels of Mungo Park:—
Maternal afEection is everywhere conspicuous among the Afri
cans, and creates a correspondent return of tenderness in the
chilli. 'Strike me,' said my attendant, 'but do not curse my
mother.' The same sentiment I found universally to prevail,
and observed in all parts of Africa that the greatest afiront
jvhich could be ofEered to a negro was to refiect on her who gave
him birth."
35—40. (35) field, etc., v. 19. Jon. went, as if meaning
to practise with his bow. (36) beyond him, to pass over him ;
this gave Jon. opportunity for shouting out the appointed signal
for Dav. to hear. (38) make speed, etc., this also intended for
Dav., to indic. that the peril was urgent. (39) anything, of
the secret sign they had. made. (40) artiUery, bow and arrows,
with quiver.
Tlw sound and the sense (v. 39).— I. This boy one of the lay
figures of history. II. This boy unconscious of the service he
was rendering. III. AVords spoken to one are sometimes meant
for another. IV. .Words, by law of association, may be most
significant to us, while not impressing those to whom they were
addressed. Tlw mutrung lute — One evening, oue of a company of frienda
despatched a servant to his house for a lute, and on its being
brought to the apartment it had lost tune, as usually happens to
these instruments when exposed to the changes of weather or
atraosphere. While the owner was tightening the strings, Gott-
hold, who was present, thought within himself. What is sweeter
than a well-tuned lute ? and what more delightful than a faith
ful friend, who can cheer us in sorrow with wise and affectionate
discourse ? Nothing, however, is sooner untuned than a lute,
and nothing is more fickle than a human friend. The tone of
the one changes with the weather, thatof tbeother with fortune.
With a clear sky, and a bright sun, and a gentle breeze, you will
have friends in plenty ; but let fortune frown, and the firmament
be overcast, and then your friends will prove like the strings of
the lute, of which you will tighten ten before you will find one
which will bear the tension or keep the piteh." "¦
41, 4S. (41) Dav. arose, though very perilous, and beyond
their intentions, the two friends could uot eridure to part without
a last interview, toward the south, of the stone Ezel, v. 19.
bowed himself, as to king's son, until, drawing nearer, all was
forgotten in warmth of friendship. This they thought their
final parting. The only other time they met was briefly, iu the
wilderness of Ziph." (42) go in peace,' i.e. fear no evil from

David is
•warned by-
Jonathan "We still have
slept together,
rose at an in
stant, learn'd
play'd, eat to
ge ther; and
whereso'or w e
went, like Juno's
Bwans, still we
went coupled
and inseparable."
SltakespeMre- *'Ff iendship,
mysterious ce
ment, of tho soul,
sweetener of life,
and solder of so
ciety, I owe thee
much: thou hast
deserved of me
far, far beyond
what I can ever
pay." — Blair-
*' I'he friendships
of the world are
oft confederacies
in vice, or leagues
of pleasure: ours
has severest vir
tue for ita basis,
and such a
friendship ends
not but; with
life." — Addison.
a. Ootthold.
David's flig-ht
from Saul
a\ Sa. xxiii. 16.
V. 42. n. Lindsay,
Lect. i. 215,
b Ps. vi. 6, 7,
xxxix, 12, h-i. 8;
Ge. xxxi. 49; 2
Sa. xxiii. 18.
" Is aught so fan

In all lhe dewy I Loyalty and friendship. — I. We learn that no excitements or

Cap. xxl. 1-7.]

/. SAMUEL.

265

circumstances should make us forget the courtesies of life. |
David bowed before he embraced. II. We learn that formal |
courtesies yield to the feelings of the heart. David embraced as i
well as bowed. III. We learn that the homage of the heart to ',
friendship yields us more pleasure than homage to title andj
office. I
Friendsliip with Clirist, — Among the cherished stories of oldi
English friendship, is that of Fulke Greville, Loi-d Brooke, who
wished to transmit his memory to after ages by the inscription
on his tomb, " Friend to Sir Philip Sidney." The circumstance
is not worth mentioning iu comparison with that record of
friendship which is supplied in the words, " That disciple whom
Jesus loved," except as it may serve to bring out the Divine 1
instance into bright and beautiful relief, through the manifest
inferiority of the human example. The friendship of a mortal,
however -wise aud good, fades away beside the thought of His
friendship, who is the fountain of wisdom, and the mirror of
goodness.^
CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST.
1 — 7. (1) Nob, the tabernacle was at this place, but not the
ark. Ifc was a town a little N. of Jems., bet. it and .Aji ath oth.''
AMmelech, comp. ch. xir. 3. (2) Tliis scheme of Dav. may
be treated as a stratagem, a device necess. to secure his safety.
servants, some were with him.^ (3) present, %.e. whatever
you have. (4) haUowed bread, the shewbread ]ust replaced
by the new loaves." Le. xxiv. 6—9. (5) nianner conimon,
seeing it was removed fr. the table. (6) hot, newly baked, (l)
Doeg,'* tarrying for rehg. purification at the tabemacle ; to per
form a vow ; or poss. bee. it was the Sab.
TJte solitariness of being {v. 1).— I. David, a future king, alone:
a fugitive, hungry. II. David's Lord knew what loneliness was.
** Of the people there were none with Him." III. There is a sense
in which our life is a lonely life. It is apart from and unlike all
other lives. — Necessity has no law (r. 6). — I. Necessity may re
lease one from ceremonial law (Ma. xii. 3, 4 ; Mk. ii. 25, 26). II.
Necessity does not release one from moral obligations. Better die
than sin. — Doeg tlie Edomite (v, 7). — I. Scrupulous in the per
formance of his religious vows. II. Neglecting that mercy
which is better than sacrifice. III. Revolving evil thoughts in a
holy place.
True life. — The mere lapse of years is not life. To eat, and
dnnk, aud sleep — to bo exposed to darkness and the light — to
pace round in the mill of habit, and turn thought into an imple
ment of trade — this is not life. In all this but a poor fraction
of the consciousness of humanity is awakened ; and the sancti
ties Avill slumber which make it worth while to be. Knowledge,
truth, love, beauty, goodness, faith, alone can give vitality to tiie
mechanism of existence. The laugh of mirth that vibrates
through the heart ; the tears that freshen the dry wastes within ;
the music that brings childhood back ; the prayer that calls the
future near ; the doubt which makes us meditate ; the death
which startles us with mystery ; the hardship which forces us to
struggle ; the anxiety that ends in trust ; are the true nourish
ment oi our natural being.*

n.c.cir. 1062.
landscape of the
spring? In the
bright eje of
Hesper in the
mom, in nature's
fairest furms, is
aught £0 fair as
virtuous friend
ship?"— .^Jen^ide.
"You'll flnd the
friendship of the
¦wftrld a show 1
Mere outward
fhowl 'Tis like
the harlot's tears,
the statesman's
promise, or false
patriot's zeal, —
full of fair seem
ing, but deljasiou
all." — Sacoge.
b Dr. Stovghtoa,

David
obtains the
hallowed breada "Long before
the conquest of
Jehus by Dav.,
the nortbern
summit of Oli
vet had, it woxild
eerin, mider tbe
name or' Nob,
been selected as
i the seat of the
I ta'iemacle after
the destruction of
Philoh and tbe
losR of the ai'k,'*
— intuTUey.
b Mk. iL 25, 2S.
c " This was the
Sab day; on any
otber day bread
might have been
baked to meet
any want that
aro'=?e, ^ut this
could not be dono
on the Sab., and
there was bence
no bread to be
had but tbe
Bhe^v-bread, wb.
would bave suf-
flced for the
priests." — Kitlo,
d De. xsiii. 7, 8.
See Bp. Rail,
Contemp.; J. Sau
rin, IV. 353.
e J. Martmeau.

266

/. SAMUEL.

Cap. xxl 8—10.

B.O. dr. 1062.
Davidobtains the
sword of
Q-oliath
o 1 Sa. XX. 42.
(¦"Tha ephod
was that partie.
part of th9 high
priest's dress wh.
was ueoess. to be
wom when he
inquired of God
by Urita and
Thummim." —
Spk. Com.
e Superscrip. of
Ps. xxxiv.
d " Dav. was hard
pressed, and had
only a choice of
dangers. Sath
was near his na
tive mountains,
and prob. had
more friendly
relationslffith Is,
than tho more
distant cities of
the l^hil."— Dr.
Tlwmson.
V. 10. H. Lindsay,
Led. 230.
V. 8. Dr. Talmage,
Ss.ii.2l2.V. 9. Dr. Talmage'
Ss. li 251.
e J. Lee.
/^n. viii. 1,183.
" Justice is in
general only a
lively apprehen
sion of being de
prived of what
belongs to us ;
henee arise our
great considera
tion and respect
for all the in-
tere>»ts of our
neighbour, and
our BciTipulous
care to avoid
doing bloQ an
injury." — Boch^
foucanli.

8—10. (8) ueither . . me, the real reason was that he had
uot dared to return to Gibeah after the last interview with Jon."
(9) of Q-oliath, ch. xvii. 51, 54. Elah, ch. xvii. 2. cloth, or
in the cloak, i.e. Gol.'s milit. cloak, ephod,' part of high
priest's dress, put on when he was conaulted as oracle, Bx. xxviii.
6 — 30. (10) Aohish, called alao Abimelech." Gath, the Phil.
town neareat to Judah."*
The Christian minister entering on his duties (v. 8). — I. The
work for whioh the Christian minister is begirding- himself is
one for which the utmost human resources, natural and acquired,
are wholly inadequate. This appears from — 1. Tbe magnitude
of his undertaking ; 2. The dispatch with whioh it must be
executed. II. Though human resources be of themaelves insuffi
cient and unavailing for auoh a work, we have yet ample grounds
of encouragement in the Word and graoe of God.' — The king's
biis'mess (v. 8). — I. Jesus Christ — ^the Prince of Peaoe and Life —
is the great King. 11. His business is the redemption of men.
III. The publishing of this redemption is a business committed
to us. IV. This business requires haste, zeal, promptitude, dis
patch. (1) Life is short ; (2) Souls are perishing ; (3) Chrisi)
is waiting till His souls be made His footstool ; (i) The judgment-
day approaches.
Tlw consecration of mar trophies (v. 9). — To the jewels of silver
and gold, which the Hebrew soldier was accustomed to bring as
a free-will ofEering into the treasury of his God, must be added
the armour of some illustrious foe, which, in gratitude for his
preservation, he suspended in the sanctuary. The sword of
Goliath was wrapped up in a, cloth, and deposited behind the
ephod ; and in a succeeding war, the Philistines, proving vic
torious, took their revenge by depositing the armour of Saul in
the temple of Ashtaroth. The custom of dedicating to the gods
the spoils of a conquered enemy, and placing them in their
temples as trophies of victory and testimonies of gratitude, is
very ancient, and universally reoeived in Asia and Greece. Hector
promiaea to dedicate his enemy's armour in the temple of Apollo,
if he would grant him the victory : " But if I shall prove vic
torious, and Apollo vouchsafe me the glory to strip offi his armour,
and carry ib to sacred Troy, then will I suspend it in the temple
of the far-darting Apollo." "Virgil alludes to thia custom in his
deacription of the temple, where Latinus gives audience to the
ambassadors of jEneaa. — (^ii. lib. vii. 1* 183). "Besides, on the
sacred doorposts, many arma, captive chariots, aud crooked
cimetars are suspended, helmets, crested plumes, and massy bars
of gatea, and darts, and shields, and beaks tom from ships."/ Nor
was it the custom only to dedicate to heaven the weapons taken
from an enemy ; when the soldier retired from the tumults of
war into the bosom of his family, he frequently hung up his
own arms in the temple, as a grateful acknowledgment of the
I protection he had received, and the victories he had won. In
Ithis custom, the Greeks and Romans imitated the Asiatic nations,
and particularly the Hebrews ; for when David resigned the
command of his armies to his generals, he laid up his arma in the
tabernacle, where they continued for several ages ; and there is
reason to believe his condnot in this respect was followed by
many of his companions in arms. When Joash, one of his
[descendants, was crowned, Jehoiada, the high-prieet, under whoae

Cap.xxH. 1— 5.]

/. SAMUEL.

267

care he had been educated, delivered to the captains of hundreds,
spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been King David's,
whioh were in the house of God.s
11 — 15. (11) king^ of the land," not actually king, nor did
they know of Sam.'s anointing ; but the most kingly, tho
greatest captain, sing, etc., see ch. xviii. 7. (12) laid up, etc.,
thought them over, and felt they indicated that he was not safe.
(13) behaviour, lit. changed his sense or reason,!! acted as if
mad. scrabbled, scrawled, made marks, doors, etc., of Achish's
palace, spittle, etc.," this in the E. is regarded as an intolerable
insult, (li, 15) Dav.'s conduct produced disgust, and he was
Bent away fr. the palace.
Assumed inadness. —
I have bethought myself.
To take the basest and the poorest shape.
That ever penury, in contempt of man,
Brought near to beast : my face I'll grime with filth ;
Blanket my loins : put all my hair in knots j
And with presented nakedness outface
The winds, and persecutions of the sky.
The country givea me proof and precedent
Of Bedlam beggara, who, with roaring voioe,
Strike into their nrnnb'd and mortified bare arms,
Pins, wooden pega, nails, sprigs of rosemary ;
And with this horrible aspect from low farms,
Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes and mills.
Sometimes with lunatic bans, sometimes with prayers,
Enforce their charity ."i

CHAPTEB THE TWENTY-SECOND,
1—5. (1) AduUam, about 6 m. S.W. of Bethlehem. The
limestone cliffs of Lckleh and Deir Diib'ban on the edge of the
plain are pierced with caves.* father's house, etc.^ now in
peril through Saul's enmity. (2) This t'. indicates that Saul's
temper and tyranny were producing discontent among the people.
(3) Mizpeh, watch-tower, referring to some fort ; the site is
not identified. He had' family connection with Moab through
Rutk.^ (4) hold, prob. the Mizpeh of v. 3. (5) Gad/ first
mentioned here. Poss. sent by Sam. Hareth, site unknown.
Davidand the cave of Adullam {v. 2). — Observe— I. The descrip
tion given of those who came to David. 1. The distressed : those
in trouble ; 2. Those in debt : afraid of creditors ; 3, The dis
contented : "bitter of soul." It is a good thing when men
become discontented with their Satanic master, with their
bad work, their fearful wages. II. What these persons did :
*' gathered themselves unto " David. It isobvious — 1. That they
knew about David ; 2. That they had decision or they might
have deferred ; 3. That they subjected themselves to his will
and pleasure. III. What David became to them : captain and
leader. Sinners coming to Christ— 1. Are saved from distress ;
2. Are delivered from debt ; 3. Obtain the spiritof joy from their
anguish of heart (Is. bd. 3) ; 4. Axe the loyal soldiers of the
Baviour/

B.C. dr. 1063.
g Paxton,
David fiees
to Achish
and assuznea
madness
a " Dav. prob.
was recognised
thro' having Go-
liatli's sword."—
Jam,ieson. b Gesenius,
c " This last was
convjncmg-. Con
sidering the re
gard in wh. tbe
beard is held, the
care taken of it,
and the solici
tude of the owner
to protect it fr.
insult and pollu
tion, who could
pORS. doubt the
abject and a'jso-
lute madness of
the man who
thus dc61cd hia
o^vn beard ?" —
Kitto.d Sliakespeare,

David
escapes to
AduUazn It Stanle'y.
b Ku. i. 2, 4, iv.
•21,22.
c " Brought up,
pro^., in School
of Proph., tmder
Sam. ; informed
that Dav, had
been anointed ;
afterwards called
Dav.'s seer (2 Sa.
xxiv. 1 1 ), and the
chronicler of hia
acts (I Cbr. xxix.
29)." —Wordi-
woi'th.d Dr. Bums.
" An outlaw ia
one deprived of
the benniit of tbe
law, and out ot
the king's pro
tection ; a pun-
iahment for
sucb as being
called in law d >
c o n temptuously
I refuse to appear.

268

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxil. 6—11,

B.O. dr. 1062.
In the reign of i
Edward III., all ;
the judgea being
agreed that none
but the sheriff
only, ha ving law
ful warrant there
for, should put to
death any man
outlawed." —
CiJtcel.
One of the most
noted of English
outlaws was
Eobin Hood, who,
with hia band,
infested the
forest of Sher-
¦wood. Some
writera assert
that this was
only a name as-
E'umed by the
Karl uf Hunting
don, who was
d'sgraced -and
banished by the
court of Rchard
I., at his acces
sion. He and
his friend Little
John, continued
hi-4 depredations
from about 1189
to 1217, when he
died.
e Dr. Bonar.
Saul receives
the report
of Doegr
a " ' Under the
terebinth on the
hill,' or high
place, of nHheah,
Saul's own city."
— Wiirdswjrth.
"'Under the
tamarisk tree
on the high
place,' where he
always held such
meetings. It was
a kind of parlia-
msnt in the open
air " — Spk. Com.
b Ps. lii. 2—4.
V. 9. " Here the
baciibiter con-
cealeth theneces-
aarv circum-
stancfts, wherehy
Ahimelech might
hava been ex-
cuaed, as that
David asked
broad being
hungry, and that
he told not Ahi-

Tlw cave qf Adullam (v. 1).— We had conceived of the oave as
an immense recess in the rook, like Fingal's cave in Staifa ; but
here we saw nothiug of thia. It ia an innumerable succession
of arched chambers, like the crypts of a cathedral. These are
the " sides of the cave " iu which David and hia men concealed
themselves (1 Sam. xxiv. 3), uor cau anythiug be imagined moro
suitable for couoeahneut. Hundreds of men could be in thesa
" sides," aud yet a person entering the cave would not be aware
of their presence. Eaoh chamber is a stately hall, ou all sidsa
of which the rocka drop down like Gothic pillars, leaving ouly
here and there gateways by which you pass into the adj oiuing
chambers. You might spend daya iu exploring thsse vast apart
ments, for the whole mountain seems exoavated, or rather honey
combed. The quantity of air or gaseous substance generated
aud imprisoned here, wheu the mass waa fluid, must have been
enormona, indicating, perhaps, the presence of some peculiar
matter in the composition of the limestone, whioh a geologist, or
at least a chemist might detect. We did not penetrate into the
interior very far ; still we groped our way through the passages
into a good mauy of these apartments, and found them all much
alike. Sticking some wax lights whioh we had, here and there,
on some little projection, wa kept up communication with tha
outer chamber, so as to have no difficulty in findinif our way
out. In aome places, we observed stalactite? ; though these
were uot numerous, owing probably to the great dryness of the
rook. The air was intensely hot, but quite fresh and dry. Tha
stoue is very muoh like the usual limestone of Syria, of a white
or cream colour, which uot only makes the oave more easily
lighted, but gives a cheery brightness to the cliamb3r.«
6 — 11. (6) disoo'T'ered, it was found out to what district
he had escaped, tree," or under a grove on a, hill, fixing his
court under some shady canopy, spear, the sceptre, or sign of
his royalty. (7) ye Baajamites, showing it was a meeting of
the tribe. (8) Jealous of Dav. and of his own son, Saul now
becomes suspicious of his people, thinks all are set against him.
(9) Djeg,* ch. xxi. 7. (10) inquired, etc., denied (v. 1.5). (U)
seat to call, evideatly iu a heat of passion ; glad to get some
one to vent his rage on.
The informer (vo. 9 — 11). — Doeg — I. Was moved by sycophancy.
II. Was ready to tell the worst he kuew. III. Was criminally
reticent on extenuating circumstances. IV. Was himself ready
to perform deeds of cruelty.
Saul's camp (v. 6). — Yet strange as thia may appear to us, it is
natural enough according to the present customs of the Bast, whera
we know the solemnity and awfulness of superiority is kept up
as high as ever. Thua, when Dr. Pococke was travelling in the
company of the governor of Faiume, who was treated with great
respect as he passed along, they passed one night, he tells
us, in a grove of palm-trees; The goveAior might, no doubt,
had he pleased, have lodged in some village ; but he rather chose
a place which we think very odd for a person of figure. The
position of Saul, which wag on a high place, according to the
margin, reminds me of another passage of this author, where he
gives us an account of the going out of the oaya, or lieutenant of
the governor of Meloui, on a sort of Arab expedition, towards a
place where there waa an aucient temple, attended by many

Cap. xxii. 12—23.1

/. SAMUEL.

269

people with kettledrums and other music : the doctor visited that
temple, and upon his return frem it went to tbe caya, he eays,
" whose carpets and cufhions were laid on a height, on ¦which he
Bat with the standard by him, which is carried before him when
he goes out in this manner. I fat down with him, and coffee
¦was brought : the sadar himself.came after, as incognito." Saul
seems, by the description given, as well as by the following part
of the history, to have heen pursuing after David, and stopping,
to have placed himself, according to the present Oriental mode, in
the posture of chief. Whether the spear in his hand, or at
his hand, as it might he translated according to Noldius, and
as appears by the use of that prefix in Ezek. x. 15, was the same
thing to Saul's people that the standard was to those of the caya,
1 know not : if it was, there is a third thing in this text illnetrated
hy the doctor's accounts — the stopping under a tree cr grove ; the
stopping ou a high place ; and the sacred historian's remark, that
he had his spear hy him. It is certain that, when a long pike is
carried before a company of Arabs, it is a mark that an Arab
sheik, or prince, is there, which pike is carried before him ; and
¦when he alights, and the hoi ses are fastened, the pike is fixed,
as appears by a story iu Norden."
12 — 16. (12) hear new, spoken in great excitement. (13)
rise against me, Saul regarded Dav.'s ccmpany of warriors as
proof of his rebellion. (14) The priest answers simply, accoiding
to his knowledge, ard tries to soothe Saul, thy bidding, so
Dav. told him." (15) It appears that, lawfully, inquiries could
only be made by the chief rulers. The priest denies having thus
helped David. (16) die, a most tyrannous and wicked decision.
The trial of Aliimthch.—l. His accuser— Saul II. The
cffence with which he ^^as chaiged — conspii acy, rebellious em
ployment of ofKcial functions. III. Ahimelech's defence. 1. A
denial of any conspiracy ; 2. Explanation of his treatment of
David on the ground that he was the king's son-in-law ; 3.
Denial of misuse of ofEcial functions ; i. Assertion of ignorance
of David's relations with the king. IV. The sentence : unjust —
1. Because that of the accuser, who becomes at once judge and
jury ; 2. Because based on the evidence of one, while the law
required at least two witnesses ; 3. Because it included a punish
ment— death — not allowed for such an offence ; 4. Because it
determined the death of innocent persons ; 5. Because it was an
act of private revenge. Learn : — (1) The evils asssociated with
despotic monarchies; (2) The great advantage of free and
impartial justice.
The policy of Darins. — 'When Darins, the first of that name, was
on his death-bed, his son Artaxerxes inquired of him by what
policy he had govemed the kingdom for nineteen years, as he
wished to follow his example. " My son," eaid Darius, "be assured
that, if my reign has been blessed with greater success and peace
than those of my predecessors, it is because, m all things, I have
honoured the gods and done justice to every man."''
17 — 23. (17) footmen, Heb. runners." Saul's bodyguard.
¦would not, etc.,'' deterred not only by the wickedness of the
act, but also by its sacrilege. This resistance of his authority
only exasperated Saul the more. (18) thou, a foreigner, fell
upon/ they made no resistance. (19) Such indiscriminate

B.C. cir. 1062.
melech that ho
was out of Saul's
favour: but he
tumeth all h^'s
speech to thia
end, to bring the
priest into bus-
picion with
Banl." — Perkins.
" An inward sin
cerity Tiill of
course infiuence
the outward de
portment ; but
where the one is
wanting, thereis
great reason to
suspect the ab
sence of the
other."— iSttrne.
e Barmer.

Saul charg-es
Ahimelechwith conspiracya 1 Sa. zzi. 2.
" Justice is never
so slender to us
as when we first
practite it. It
grows in the
imagination. It
is enlarged by
e^rperienfe. It
includes more
e 1 ement E, it
touches things
with a finer
stroke, and it
demands more
exquisite duties,
every single day
and year that a
man lives, who
lives at all right."
— Beecher.
b Percy Anee.

-Doeg charged
with execu
tion of
Ahimelecha 1 Sa. viiL 11.

270

7. SAMUEL.

[Cap. jtxIH. 1—0.

B.O. cir. 1062. [slaughter showed blind infatuation.* (20) Abiathar,' comp.
6 " An"d~t h n R i <^'^- ^^"i- 6- (21) shewed, told. (22) knew it, suspected and
tbey were more ' feared it. (23) in safeguard, so long aa Dav. had safety to
faithful to Saul, 1 offer. A refuge to tlw oppressed (v. 23). — These words may well re
mind lis — I. Of the danger to which our sins have exposed us.
II. Of the only place of safety for the guilty and lost. III. Of
- - the deliverance from fear for those who trust in Jesua. IV. Of
Msistantf under i tlie assurance of protection which He gives.
his command, j Ancient exeeiitioiwrs (v. 18). — In ancieut times, per.'iona of the
foreigners like ! highest rank and station were employed to execute the sentence
Mmself." — Spk. I (jf j.]jg jg^.,^ They had not theu, as we have at present, pnbiic execu-
d " ¦These barba- ! tioners ; but the prince laid his commanda ou any of his courtiers
rous atrocities j whom he chose, and probably selected the person for whom he had
were intended to , the greatest favour. Gideon commanded Jether, his eldest son, to

than if they had
obeyed his
order." — Words-
worth.c"Doeg prob.
had

subjects °of SaiU ' e^e""^** ^i^ sentence on'the kings of Midian; the king of Israel
fr. affordingDav. j ordered the footmen who stood around him, and were probably a
an asylum." — '"
Jamieson. e 1 Kl. i. 7, 19, 42,
ii. 26, 27 ; Mk. ii.

t). 18. H. Lindsay,
Lect. i. 24S.
"Justice and
truth are two
points of
exquisite deli
cacy, that our
coarse and
blunted instru
ments will not
touch them ac
curately. If they
do find out the
poim, so as to
rest upon it, they
bruise" and injure
It, and lean at
least more on
the error that
surrounds it
than on the truth
itself." — Pascal.
f Paxton.

Abiathar escapes from
Saul aud flies
to David
a Neh. iii. 17, 18.
6*'Themurderofthe priests had
deprived Saul of
access to God iiy
Urim and Thum
mim, and had
opened it to
David."— JTorcfa-
uorth. v.b. W. Whitaker,
234; J. Shepherd,
102

chosen body of soldiers for the defence of his person, to put to
death the priests of the Lord ; and when they refused, Doeg, au
Edomite, oue of hia principal officers. Long after the days of
Saul, the reigning monarch commanded Beniah, the chief cap
taiu of his armies, to perform that duty. Sometimes the chief
magistrate <?> ecuted the sentence of the law with his owu hands;
for wheu Jether shrunk from the duty whioh his father required,
such Gideon, at that time the supreme magistrate iu Israel, did not
hesitate to do it himself. In these times such a command would
be reckoned equally barbarous and unbecoming ; but the ideas
whioh were entertained in those primitive ages of honour and
propriety, were in many respects extremely different from ours.
In Homer, the exasperated TJlysses commanded his sou, Telema
chus, to put to death the suitors of Penelope, which was imme
diately done. The custom of employing persons of high rank
to execute the sentence of the law is still retained in the princi
pality of Senaar, where the publio executioner is one of the
principal nobility; and, by virtue of his office, resides in the
royal palace./

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD.
1—6. (1) Keilah," city of the Shefalah, or lowland district
of Judah ; Jos. xv. 44. (2) inquired, etc.,'' if Abiathar had not
yet joined him (v. 6), this was done through prophet Gad. (ch.
xxii. 5). (3) It seemed as if they would be hemmed iu bet. two
foes. (4) again, for further assurance. (5) saved, etc., obs.
their return for his work (v. 12). (6) to Eeilah, some think he
came first to Dav. when at this town ; others, that he followed
Dav.'s fortunes by going with him to it. ephod, rescued fr. the
ruin at Nob.
Banger in dnt-y (v. 3). — We learn— I. That while danger
threatens, duty may summon us to greater perils. II. That the
greater danger, with God as our helper, involves less of real risk
than the lesser danger without Divine aid. III. That we should
at all times look less to the peril than to the sources of help and
strength. IV. The great danger encountered at God's bidding

Cap. xxiii. 7-18.]

/. SAMUEL.

271

will find us ¦with the help required.
Keilah.

There was the ephod in I b.o. cir. 1062,

7 — 12. (7) delivered, lit. hath made him stranger ; %.e. re
pudiated or rejected him.<» (8) all the people, fr. adjoining
districts, not all the nation. (9) secretly . . him, poss. plotted
¦with men of Keilah to give him up, as well as raised the expedi
tion to seize hira.* (10, 11) The prayer by wh. the oracle was
consulted. (12) deliver , marg. as Heb. js/iwi «j!?.
Inquiring of God. — I. "^e have here the servant of God in a
great strait. In a walled city, surrounded hy traitors, ignorant
of their designs. II. We have the servant of God inquiring of
the Lord concerning the course he should pnrsue. III. We have
David's Master revealing the purpose of men to His servant.
Prayer for protection. — The missionaries to the Fiji Islands
were threatened with destruction by the enraged natives, and
had no means of defence, except prayer. Their enemies heard
them praying, and became fearful, and fled. The reason was given
by one of themselves ; "They found you were praying to your
God, and they know your God isa strongGod; and theyare gone."
Need of faith in prayer. — Is it not a sad thing that we diould
think it wonderful for God to hear prayer ? Much better faith
•was that of a little boy in one of the schools in Edinburgh
who had attended a prayer-meeting, and at last said to his
teacher who conducted it : " Teacher, I wish my sister could be
got to read the Bible; she never reads it." "Why, Johnny,
should your sister read the Bible ? " " Because, if she should
once read it, I am sure it would do her good, and ehe wou]d
be converted and be saved." "Do you think so, Johnny." "Yes,
I do, sir ; and I wish the next time there is a prayer-meeting you
¦would ask the people to pray for my sister, that die may b^in to
read the Bible." "WeU, well, it shall be done, John." So the
teacher gave out that a httle boy was very anxious that prayer
should be offered that his sister might begin to read the Biible.
Johu ¦was observed to get up and go out. The teacher thought it
very rude of the hoy to disturb the people in a crowded room, and
so the next day, ¦when the lad came, he said : "John, I thought it
was very rude of you to get up in the prayer-meeting and go ar±.
You onght not to have done so." " Oh, sir," said the boy, " I did
not mean to be rude : but I thought I should just like to go home
aud see my sister reading her Bible for the first time." Thus we
ought to believe, and wateh with expectation for answers to our
prayer. Do not say, "Lord, turn my darknesa into light," and
then go out with your candle as though you expected to find
it dark. After asking the Lord to appear for you, expect Him to
do so, for according to your faith so be it unto you.
13—18. (13) six hundred, comp. ch. xxii. 2. ¦went . . go,
scattering themselves for a time. (14) ¦wilderness, het. hiU
country of Judah and the Dead Sea. Ziph, now Tell-Zif, a, hiU j
about 4 miles S.E. of Hebron;' Jos. xv. 54 — 62. (15) a wood, |
a thick wood. (16) strengthened, etc., encouraged him to
tru,st on. Jon.'s strong confidence would cheer his friend. (17) .-
Either Jon. knew of Dav.'s being anomted, or he saw that Saulj
was going to ruin. (18) made, renewed. |
The true in hfe (v. 16). — Two lessons in this chapter: — (1)
llmt tbe most heroic heart may sometimes be overcome by fear;

David at
Keilah
a tept. and Vulg.
read to sdl, de
liver,b Ps. x. 9, xxxvii.
12,13. "Alas! there are
fmes when fore
shadowings of
evil, vaporous
and undei ned,
rise up over the
fioul, like the
night mists over
the meadow-
land, ol Bcuring
notonlytheland-maiks of earth,
but dimming
even the star-
guides of heaven.
At such periods
we fnd ( urcnly
safety in solitude
and prayer."—^
B. Eduards.
"Fear shoVff
itself by pale-
ness of tbe
cheeks, sinking
of (he spirits,
treniM'np of lhe
iiml 1-, buir\ and
fonfnsiOD of
ihe mind aud
thoughts, ago
nies of nature
and fainting.
Many a peri^on
has died witb
fear. Sometimes
it rouses all na
ture to exert
iiself in speedy
fiight, or other
methods to avoid
the approacbing
evil; sudden ter
ror has per
formed some
almost inert di-
bles of this
kin d." — i>r.
WaUs.

' David in the
¦wilderness
of Ziph
a Robinson
m. 16, 16. B.
Lindsay, i. 261.
" The web of our
life is of a
mingled yarn,
good and ill

272

/. SAMUEL.

[Oap. xxill. 10-24w

B.C. dr. 1062.
together; onr
virtues ivould be
proud, if our
faults whipped
them not ; and
our crimes would
despair, if they
were not che
rished by our
virtues." — Shake
speare. b Dr. Thomas.
" ¦We ought to
love life ; we
ought to desire
to live here so
long as Qod or
dains it; but let
us not so encase
ourselves in
time, that we
vnrmot break the
crust, and begin
to throw out
shoots for the
other life." —
JBeocher. "One of the
neatest misfor-
¦ tunes of our life
. is, that we never
sufBciently know I
our own good till ^
we lose it. We i
fly Trom that we |
should Feek ; we 1
seek that we j
should avoid; j
and never begin
to bewail o u r 1
losses but when
they are not to
be recovered." —
H. Caussin.
"A. Christiau
should not dis
cover that he
has enemies by
any other way
tban by doing
more good to
them than to
others. * If thine
enemy hunger,
feed him ; if he
thirst, give him
drink.' "— fip. T.
}Vits''n.
e Barmer.

the Ziphites
make a
compact
with Sanl
«"Fr. thoTellof

(2) That the crimes of a father may alienate the hearts of his
children. The text givea us three facts. I. The deep depression
of a true soul. Sever'al things tend to depress the true spirit in
this world. 1. Seemingly adverse circumstances ; 2. Providential
discrepancies ; 3. Non-success iu religious service ; 4. Conscious
ness of moral unworthiness; 5. Physical infirmities. II. The
distinguishing power of a tme man : to strengthen a brother's
heart in God I This he can do by — 1. A tmthful exposition of
God'a method of governing the fallen in this world ; 2. A practical
expression of genuine sympathy ; 3. A devout intercession with
heaven. III. The highest function of a true friend. It is one
thing to have the power to strengthen, and another thing to use
it when and where required. He who uses it is the truest friend.
Perhaps Jonathan reminded David— 1. Of the great providence
of God ; 2. Of the trials of the good men who had passed away ;
3. Of God's past kindness to him as an individual.'
An illustrat'ion of v. 16 from Eastern travel. — A passage in
the 'Travels of Pietro della Valle, which bears a strong resem
blance to this part of Da-vid's history, considerably illustrates it.
Speaking of his passing through a forest or wood in Mazanderan,
a province of Persia, into whioh they entered on the llth of
February, and complaining of the moisture and heaviness of the
roads there, he tells ua, " We did at length master them, but with
80 much difficulty that we could not get forward above two
leagues that day, and night overtook us before we got throngh
the forest. We endeavoured to find some place of retreat in dif
ferent parts, to which the barking of dogs, or noise made by
other animals, seemed to guide us. But at last, finding no in
habited place near us, we passed the night iu the same forest,
among the trees, under which we made a kind of entrenchment
with our baggage, in a place where we fonnd many leaves that
had fallen from the trees. These served us for a carpet and for
bedding both, without any other tent than the branches of the
great trees there, through which the moonshine reached us, and
made a kind of pavilion of cloth of silver. There was no want
of wood for the making a great fire, any more than of provisions
for supper, which we sent for from the nearest 'village in the
forest, seated by the highwAy-side, where, after some contest
with the people, of a savage and suspicious temper, who were
ready to come to blows with my messengers, -without knowing
any reasou why they should ; they, after coming to a right un
derstanding with us, became very civil, would have lodged us,
and made us presenta : but on onr refusal, on account of the dis
tance of the way, the dhief person of the town, vrith other prin
cipal inhabitants, came of ttieir own accord to our camp, laden
with good meat, and other provisions, and spent the night with
us with great gaiety. They even brought us a country musician,
who regaled us during supper, and all night long, with oer
tain forest songs, in the langnage of the country, that ia, of
Mazanderan, where a ooarse kind of Persian is spoken,
sung to the sound of a miserable violin, whioh was sufficienfy
tiresome."" 19 — 84. (19) came . . Saul," so currying favour. Haohilah,
S. side of Tell-Zif. Jeshimon, the waste, or wildemess. (20"t
our part, as knowing the district. (21) Saul changes fr. despe
rate passiou to maudlin sentiment. (22) his haunt is, lit. his

Cap. xxiv. 1—4.]

/. SAMUEL.

278

foot shall be; find his habits, etc. subtilly, Ge. ii. 1. (24)
Maon,'' Jos. xv. 55 ; bet. Hebron and Engedi.
The points of the compass (v. 19). — The margin has for south,
"on the right hand." "The Hebrews express the east, west,
north, and south, by words whioh signify before, behind, left,
and right, according to the situation of a man with his face
tumed towards the south." In the same way do the Hindoos
speak on this subject ; the north is shown by the left, the south
by the right hand, the face being considered to be towards the
east. Wheu the situation of anything is spoken of, it is always
mentioned in connection with the cardinal points. Often, when
people wish to give intelligence respecting anything, they begin
by asking a question which conveys the information required.
^Dius the situation of poor David was described by asking a
question. " Have not the elephants been ravaging the fields of
Tamban last night?" is a question asked when such a circum
stance has taken place.'
25 — 29. (25) into a rock, or to the cliff. (26) mountain,
not single hill, but range of rocky cliffs. (27) invaded, made
a raid to carry off booty of com or cattle. (28) Sela-hammah
lekoth," the rock of slipping away, or escaping. Some think
meaning is to div'ide,'' bee. Saul was divided bet. two enemies.
(29) Engedi,' fountain of the hid. Anciently called Mazezon-
Tamar (Ge. xiv. 7), the feUing of palm trees ; now Ain-Jidy,
200 yards W. of Dead Sea.
Engedi (v. 29).- — The village of Engedi, situated in the neigh
bourhood of Jericho, derives its name from the Hebrew word
Ain, a, fountain, and a kid. It is suggested by the situation
among lofty rocks, which, overhanging the valleys, seem to
threaten the traveller with immediate destruction. A fountain
of pure water rises near the summit, which the inhabitants call
Engedi, the fountain of the goat, because it is hardly accessible
to any other creature.''
CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH.
1—4. (1) following, Heb. after. (2) rocks . . goats, "the
high rocks and precipices, in wh. these animals delight." (3)
sheepcotes," caves used for shelter of flocks fr. the heat.
cover his feet, Ju. iii. 24. sides, the deeper recesses ; they
would be hidden by the darkness, but would clearly see any one
entering." (4) skirt, lit. the w'rnif, either he approached softly
fr. behind, or took advantage of Saul's sleeping."
David's forbearance towards Saul (vv. 4— 6).— Consider David
in a threefold relation. I. As a subject towards his prince. II.
As a saint towards his oppressor. III. As a believer towards his
God." The caves of Palestine (v. 3). — This was, no doubt, such a cave
as shepherds were accustomed to resort to. Such caves are
numerons, and some of them very extensive, in Palestine, Arabia
Petrsea, and other mountainous parts of Western Asia. The
cave of Adullam, in which David remained with four hundred
men beside his family, and this of Engedi, in the sides or further
parts of which six hundred men stood, without being observed
by Saul when also in the cave, must have been large, but by no ,
TOL. III. O.T. B

B.C. cir. 1062.
Ziph a panorama
of the wbole sur
rounding district
is to be seen. So
the Ziphites
could easily tell
Uav.'s lurking
p'aces." — Jamie
son, ir. Van de
\elde.
6'-Tho name
still exists in
Main, a lofty hill
seven miles S. of
Hebron." — Diet.
Bib.c Roberts.

Da^vid finds
refuse at
Engedia " Fr. chalak, fo
be smooth, and in
one form of the
verb, to slip
away, to escape '
— Oesenius.
b LXX., Vulg.,
Syr., Arabic.
c " On all sides
the country is
full of caverns,
wh. serve aa
lurking-ptacesfor outlaw3 at
the present day."
—Robinson.d Paxton.

B.O. cir. 1061.
Saul and
David in
the cave
of Engedi
a '-Among wan
dering tribes,
grots and ca
verns are usually
preferred for
sheepcotes, bee.
they offer both
shelter and secu
rity."— DeSauie
b See Ps. Ivii.
c"Saul had
composed him
self to the usual
short rest during
tho afternoon
heat." — Kitlo.
d C. Simeon, M.A.
"The Heb. indio.
that Saul entered
the cave for the

274

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxiv. 5—15.

B.O. eir. 1061.
relief of nature ;
in such cases the
robe would lie
spread out on
the ground, or
be laid aside : in
either ease with
in Dav.'s reach."
^See Josephus,
and Stanley.
For Eugedi see
Preadier's Larir
tern, iii. 605 ;
Villages of tlie
Billie, by Paxt.m
Bood; also Thom
son, Land and
Book, 602 Jf. ;
Poi-ter. Ud. Bk.
for Syria, 231.
e Kitto.
David
revealshimselfto Saul
a 1 Sa. X. 1.
V. 5. J. Shepherd,
102.
vv. 5, 6. Ser. by
W. Rea ding
(1714), another
by /. Paradise
(1661).
m. 5— S. Bp. An
drewes, iv. 153.
6 /. Bales.
•.7. David stayed
his servants, or,
literally, it reads,
he " divided " or
"cut them off."
The ^ord de
notes both the
eagerness and
violence of Da
vid's men in at
tempting to carry
out their design,
and his resolute
ness in opposing
them, as it were,
by force.
cMorier. David proves
that he has
spared Saul
o 2 Ki. v. la
V. 13. A Ser. by
L. Milbourne
(1711).

"Calumny would
soon starve and
die of itself, if
nobody took it in
and gave it lodg
ing."— Leighton.

means remarkably large, as the anoient ¦writers, as well aa
modem travellers, give us accounts of caves fully extensive
enough for this purpose, and some that would have contained a
much greater number of men. Some of them consist, not of
one compartment, but of two or more ; that is, the exterior
entrance leads to a sort of antechamber, within whioh thero is
another or several others, whioh, collectively or separately, are
muoh larger than the first. Perhaps the cave of Engedi was
such as this ; and the description that David and his men " re
mained in the sides of the cave," appears to sanction this conclu
sion. Some of the caves are, however, single, and being very
large, with a narrow entrance, are so dark in the remoter parts,
that persons near the entrance cannot by any possibility perceive
others who remain in the interior, while their own operations
can. of course, be most distinctly observed by the latter. This,
perhaps, was the relative position of David's party and tha
king.' 5—8. (5) smote him, what he had done was an insult. (6)
my master, refusing to admit auy rebellion against him.
Lord's anointed," therefore all respect was due to him. (7)
stayed, checked, lit. cut off the purpose. (8) stooped . . earth,
in attitude of worship.
David's heart smote him (v. 5). — In these words consider — ^I.
The person : David. His greatness : he was a king in expectation,
and already anointed. II. His solicitousness, his care and
jealousy : his heart smote him. As the person is great, so is the
care and remorse conceived upon the consideration of his action
exceediug great. HI. The cause of his remorse.'
Solving to tlw earth (v. 8). — " Some time after this, the ambas
sador had his public audience, when he saw the king iu great
splendour ; he was decked in all his jewels, with his croivn on
his head, his bazubends or armlets on his arms, seated ou his
throne. We approached him, bowing after our own manner ;
but the Persians bowed as David did to Sanl, who ' stooped with
his face to the earth and bowed himself.' That is, not touching
the earth with the face, but bo^wing with their bodies at right
angles, the hands placed on the knees, and the legs soniewhat
asunder. It is only on remarkable occasions that the prostration
of the Rouee Zemeen, the face of the earth, is made, which must
be the falling upon the faoe to the earth, and worshipping, aa
Joshua did."
9 — 15. (9) men's 'words, flatterers at court, who were Dav.'a
slanderers. (10) some . . thee, the Heh. is more correctly
rendered by Vulg.," I thought to hill thee." (11) my father,"
term indicating his obedience and respect, evil, etc., that evil
oi rebelliousness wh. Saul persisted in recognising, my soul,
or life. (12) airenge, Ro. xii. 19. (13) Dav. affirms his inte
grity. (14) And pleads his insignificance. He neither deserved,
nor was worth the trouble of such enmity as Saul's. (15) the
Lord, etc., Ps. xxxv. i.
Expressions of respect (v. 12). — The attitudes and expression of
respect, which the rules of good-breeding require from the
Oriental, are far more diversified and servile than cure ; yet he
uses a freedom with his equals, and even with persons of superior
condition, which we are unifonnly taught to regard as improper.

Cap. xxiv. 16—22.1

/. SAMUEL.

275

It is reckoned among us a sure mark of vulgarity, in any person j
to mention his own name before that of his equal ; and an
instance of great arrogance to name himself before his superior ;
but iu the East it is quite customary for the speaker to name
himself first. This was also the habitual practice in Israel, and
quite consistent with their notions of good-breeding : for David,
who had been long at the court of Saul, and could be no stranger
to the rules of good manners, addressed his sovereign in these
words : " The Lord judge between me and thee ;" and this at a
time too when he treated that prince with great reverence ; for
"he stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself,"
immediately before. In ^he same manner, Ephron the Hittite
replied to the patriarch Abraham, who was at least his equal,
more probably his superior : "My lord, hearken unto me; the
land is worth four hundred shekels of silver ; what is that
between me and thee ?" Hence David ¦was guilty of no rudeness
to Saul in naming himself first ; his conduct was quite agree
able to the modern ceremonial of Eastern courts, at least to that
of Persia, whioh seems to have been establithed soon after the
flood.' — Terms of reproach (c. 14). — It is highly contemptible and
provoking to compare a man to a dead dog. Has a servant
offended his master, he will say, " Stand tJiere, and be like a dead
dog to me." Does a creditor press much for his money, the
debtor will say, " Bring your bond, and then be as a dead dog
to me." " I oare as much for that fellow as for a dead dog." "I
will tell you what that fellow is worth : a dead dog I""
16 — 22. (16) ¦wept, in compunction. He really loved David
and was for a time melted by tiie sparing of his life in the cave.
(17) more righteous, right-minded. (18) ¦well, mercifully.
(19) find his enemy, gethim at advantage, as you have done,
(20) Saul lets out the secret conviction wh. impelled him to try
and kiU Dav. (21) seed after me," Saul's trouble was that he
might not fonnd a dynasty. (22) into the hold, fearing Saul's
better feeling would prove hut temporary.
Tlw reconciliation of Saul (v. 16).— I. While the goodman sees
his own perils, let him also see the restraints which are put upon
the wicked. II. Let the bad man pnt to himfelf some serious
questions respecting the restraints -which limit his power. III.
Though mediation may fail in caonying out its pm-poses, yet let
no wise mediator suppose that his work is in vain. IV. Observe
the infinite superiority of power that is moral, as compared with
power that is physical. 1. In the worst men there is sometiiing
that may be touched ; 2. Inevery Ufe there is at least one oppor
tunity of showing the real qualify of the heart."
Kiclierer and the assassin (vv. 17—19). — This name will remind
the reader of the first missionary to the African Hottentots.
During his early residence among them, he was visited by a man
who had been sentenced at the Cape of Good Hope to death, but
had effected his escape ; and who, making great pretensions to
religion, imposed on Mr. K. and induced him to receive him into
his house. He slept in a room immediately adjoining that of
the missionary, and rose during the night with the design of
murdering him, and of making his escape, -with the property
on the premises, to a distant plaoe. At the moment he was pro
ceeding to the bedside of this good man, Mr. K. was suddenly
awoke in a fit of terror, and unoonsciously cried out as though
62

B.O.Ctr. 1061.
V. 12. In appeal
ing to G-od to
avenge bim upon
Saul, we must
not understand
David to pra> to
God to punith
the king for tbe
injuries he bad
done him, but
only to deliver
and vindicate
him, in which
sense the word
is nsed iu old
English, as in
tbe larable of
the unjust judge.
Bi-oUen fi-itnd-
phip may be sol
dered, but never
mtide sound. A
reconciledfriend is a double
tae.— Spanish.
b Paxlon,
c Roberts.

Saul and
David are
reconciled
a 1 Sa. XX. 16
V. 16. D. Lamont,
iii. 417.
vo. 17, 18. B.
Lindsay, i. 275.
¦' "When a man in
great sorrow is
spoken oi, it is
said. *Ah, bow
he did lirr, up his
voice and weep I'
' Alas, bow great
is iheir trouble,
they are all lift-
ing up the
voice.' "—Roberts.
b Dr. Parker.
" Kneel not to
me: the power
hat I have on
you is to spare
you; the malce
towards you. to
forgive you; live,
and deal with
olhers better." —
Shakespeare.

276

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxv. 1—9.

B.O. n>. 1060.
the death
of Samuel
ITabal and
Abigail o " In the East
still every re-
Fpectable family
has its own house
of the dead ;
often this is in a
little detached
garden, consisl^
ing of a small
stone buildiug,
where there is
no rock, resem
bling aho«se,wh.
is called the se
pulclire of the
family — it has
neither door nor
window.''-/amie-ton. h Nu. 1. 12.
c Knkinos, cur
like; LXX.;
Josephus. d Dr. Macduff .

David seeks
hospitalityof Nabal
tt " Now, on snch
A festive occa-
Mon as a sheep-
shearing, near a
a townorvillage,
en Arab sheik
of the neighbour
ing desert wou'd
hardly fail to put
in a word, oither
in person or by
letter, and his
message would
be a transcript
of that of David.'
Bobinson, " Since the in-
habitants of
these southern
regions received
little or no pro
tection in person
or property from

aware of tho design of this wicked man, who, in consequence,
became alarmed, and fled.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH.
1 — 3. (I)Samuel died, closing a noble and usefnltife of stead.
fast integrity, in his house, within its precincts." ¦wilder
ness of Paran,' name prob. applied to the district S. of Judah,
beyond its limits. (2) IVEaon, ch. xxiii. 25. Carmel, 1 Sa.
. 12. (3) Nabal, foolish, churlish. Abigail, father's joy.
house of Caleb, a Calebite."
Sunset on Bamah (v. 1). — Here we have a mighty nation congre
gated around the bier of Samuel at Ramah. Let us inquire whafe
it was that made his name so revered — what the secret of his
greatness in life, and of the umversal lamentation at his death
aud burial. Notice — I. His kindness of heart : this was accom
panied with the kindred virtues of generosity, unselfishness, and
delicate consideration for the f eelingsof others. II. His finnness.
III. His integrity : he was a true patriot. IV. His piety : he
was emphatically a man of prayer.''
Marlborough and Ms servant (v. 3). — TheDuke of Marlborough
possessed great command of temper, and never permitted it to be
ruffled by little things, in which even the greatest men have been
occasionally found unguarded. As he was one day riding with
Commissary Harriot, it began to rain, and he called to his servant
for his cloak. The servant not bringing it immediately, he called
for it again. The servant being embarrassed with the straps and
buckles, did not come up to him. At last, it raining very hard,
the duke called to him again, and asked him what he was about,
that he did not bring his cloak. " Tou may stay, sir," grumbled
the fellow, "' if it rains cats and dogs, till I oan get at it." The
duke turned round to Marriot, and said, very coolly, " Now I
wonld not be of that fellow's temper for all the world."
4 — 9. (i) shear his sheep, usually time of free-handed hospi
tality." (5) greet him, salute him. Heb. a.^h him in m.y name
of peace. (6) that liveth, or about his life : they were to go
politely and kindly. (7) hurt them not, a wandering tribe
like Dav.'s might have used the strong hand, and talcen what
they wanted. (8) good day, a feasting joyous day. (9)
ceased, rested : perhaps beo. no ans. 'was given at once : they
waited for it.
Sheep-shearing (v. i). — Sheep-shearing is an operation to
which allusion is frequently made in the sacred volume. The
wool in very remote times was not shorn with an iron instru
ment, but plucked off with the hand. From the cononrrent
testimony of several ¦writers, the time when it is performed in
Palestine, falls in the month of March. If this be admitted, it
fixes the time of the year when Jacob dep.artcd from Laban on
his retum to his fathers honse, for he left him at the time he
went to shear his sheep. In like manner, the sheep of Nabal
were shorn in the spring ; for among the presents whioh Abigail
made to David, five measures of parched com are mentioned.
But we know from other passages of Scripture, that they were
accustomed to use parched com when it was full-grown, bnt
not ripe ; for the people of Israel were commanded in the law

Oap. xxv. 10—17.]

I. SAMUEL.

277

not to eat parched com or green ears, until the selfsame day
thoy had made an offering to the Lord. This time seems to have
heen spent by the Eastem swains in more than usual hilarity.
And it may be inferred from several hints in the Scriptures, that
the wealthier proprietors invited their friends and dependents to
sumptuous entertainments. Nabal, on that joyous occasion
which the servants of David called a good or festive day, although
a churlish and niggardly man, " held a feast in his house like the
feast of a king ;" and on a similar occasion Absalom treated his
friends and relations in the same magnificent style. The modern
Arabs are more frugal and parsimonious ; yet their hearts, so
little accustomed to expand with joyous feelings, acknowledge
¦the powerful influence of increasing wealth, and dispose them
to indulge in greater jollii^y than usual. On these occasions they
perhaps kill a lamb, or a goat, and treat their relations and
fi'iends ; and at once to testify their respect for their guests, and
add to the luxury of the feast, crown the festive board 'with new
cheese and milk, dates and honey.'
10 — 13. (10) servants . . master," implying that Dav. was
a runaway slave. (11) bread, "water, here used for meat and
drink, know not "whence. Nab. had so mnch right on his
side, that Dav. was not one of the known Arab chiefs. (12)
'Went, away, back again. (13) gird, etc., the insolent ans.
roused Dav. ; he did not explain his intention, but it was very
manifest, stuff,' baggage of the people, imped'mienta.
The message of the Church to men of wealth (vv. 10, 11). —
Wherever classes are held apart by rivalry and selfishness instead
of drawu together by the law of love— wherever there has not
heen established a kingdom of heaven, but only a kingdom of
the world — there exist the' forces of inevitable collision. I. The
causes of this false social state. 1. False basis on which social
superiority was held to rest ; 2. A false conception respecting
rights ; 3. Circumstances. II. The message of the Church to
the man of wealth. 1. The spiritual dignity of man as man ; 2.
The law of sacrifice ; 3. Rightful influence."
The influence of civ'ility. — When Zachariah Fox, the great mer
chant of Liverpool, was asked by what means he contrived to
realise so large a fortune as he possessed, his reply was, " Friend,
hy one article alone, in which thou mayest deal too, if thou
pleasest — civility." — Trve civility. — One of the early govemors
of Virginia was conversing with a merchant in the street, when
a negro slave saluted him. He politely retumed the salutation,
¦when the merchant asked, " How I does your excellency con
descend to bow to a slave?" "To be sure!" answered the
govemor ; "I should be very sorry that a, slave should show
himself more civil than I."
14—17. (14) railed on," 'Heh.flem v^on. (15) conversant
¦with, while the flocks were pasturing in their neighbourhood.
(16) a 'wall, admitting their good services. (17) evil is deter
mined, the man knew the custom of these tribes.* son of
Eelial, De. xjii. 13, speak to him, therefore he came to
Abigail. An Uastern illnstration of v. 16. — This was said of David and
his men, who had been kind unto the servants of Nabal, and had
probably been a defence to them while they had beon in the

B.O. dr. 1060.
Saul, they would
have been cout
s'antly exposed
to the rapacity of
the tribes of the
desert, had not
Dav. and his
flying troop pro
tected them. It
was not there
fere unreason
able of Dav. to
Qsk a share of
the feast for his
people." — Eviald.
0. 6. B. Grove,
Posth. Wks. 853.
b Paxton.

Nabal's churlishanswer
a"Inaccorda nee
with his cha
racter he turns
away the deputa
tion, and adds
some insulting
expressions
about Dav., the
low-bom traitor
who rebelled
apa'nst his right
ful lord."— Ewald.
b 1 Sa. xxx. 24.
vv. 10,11. Dr.R.
Lucas, i. 321.
c F. W. Eobel tson.
" Courtesy, which
oft is sooner
found in lowly
sheds, with
pmoky rafters,
than in tap'stry
halls, and courts
of princea, where
it flrst was
named,"— Jft/fon.

Abigailinformed Da^vid'sanger
a From Fr. rail-
Ifr, to swagger,
bluster, scold.
b " "When sueh
tribute is denied
to the Arab
chiefs, they are
wont to en/orce it

278

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxv. 18—31.

B.O. dr. 1060.
OJ a right" — Ja
mieson.
c Roberts.
Abigail
takesprovisions
to David
a " These of va
rious sizes, the

he-goa-t, still
larger of ox skin.
The Arahs inva
riably carry their
milk, water, etc.,
in such leathern
vesse's. The pro-
visions wer

wilderness tending their sheep. And the same figure is also used
among us, in reference to those who have been a defence to
others. " Ah 1 my friend ; you have been a mathil, i.e. a wall,
unto me," " Alas I my wall is fallen," means the friend is dead,
or becoine weak. " What care I for that jackal ? I have a good
wall before me."=
18—22. (18) bottles, skins of goats." (19) before me, to
appease Dav. with the present.' (20) covert of the hill, lit.
secret place : prob. defile or glen." (21) had said, to some of
smaller ot skin ' his leading men. in vain,* to no profit ; only to meet with
of kid, larger of refusal and insult, lit. /or a falsehood, or false expectation. (22)
A rash oath. For form comp. Eu. i. 17.
The control of anger, — Socrates, finding himself in great emo
tion against a slave, said, " I would beat you if I were not angry."
Having received a box on the ear, he contented himself by only
saying, with a smile, " It is a pity we do not know when to pnt
, on a helmet." Socrates meeting a gentleman of rank in the
r«^^y^*o**'8''^'^^ i streets, saluted him; but the gentleman took no notice of it.
pfred' for ''the. His friends in company, observing what passed, told the philo-
tea,st:' -Spk.Com. ¦ sopher " they were so exasperated at the man's incivility that
6 0 0 mp. Q e. j j^jjgy j^^d a good mind to resent it." But he very cahnly made
"^.\ deep dip ' answer : '' If you meet any person in the road in a worse habit of
into the hill, into , body thau yourself, would you think you had reason to be enraged
which she eame ' at him on that account 1 Pray, then, what greater reason can
wh"n Dav ^oarao ' 7°^ ^^^ ^°^ being incensed at a man for a worse habit of mind
down to it fr. s." 1 than any of yourselves ? "
23 — 88. (23) lighted off, dismounting in presence of a
superior in token of respect. By her action, as well as worda,
seeking to make amends for her husband's insult. (24) fell at
his feet, coming near, in eamestness of her supplication. (2.5)
regard, pay heed to ; lay to his heart the foolish answer.
folly," silliness, he is a weak creature. (26) Dav. was acting on
self-will, and may well be reminded to ask himself if God was
of her husband's ', with him in this expedition.
dl aws°'wich ' that I Oriental tokens of respect (v. 23). — A rider was expected to dis-
nuio 1 of p aylul- '• mount when he met a person of more elevated rank. Under the
ness aud serious- j influence of this ancient custom, the Egyptians dismount from
ness wh., n,bove i ^jjgir asses when they approach the tombs of their departed
all t lings, turns __._.. -^ . *^r _ _ — _ .,-...
awav wrath." —
Stanley.

. — Wordsicorth.
d l^s. cix. 5 -, Pr. j
xvii. 13.' I
Abig-ailmeets David
a*' The main
argu 'nent rests
fte descrip.

25. S, Cough,

saints ; and both Christians and Jews are obliged to submit to
the same ceremony. Christians in that country must also dis
mount when they happen to meet with oificers of the army. In
Palestine, the Jews, who are not permitted to ride on horseback,
" Sincerity is an ' are compelled to dismount from their asses and pass by a Moham-
opennnss nf medan on foot. This explains the reason that Achsah, the daus:h-
Slf'i.' ' vi^J°f"w ^"^ °^ O&leb, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal, alighted from their
BW ^gggg . Jj. .^^^ ^ mark of respect which the former owed to her
father, and the latter to Da'vid, a person of high rank and grow
ing renown. It was undoubtedly for the same reason that
Rebecca alighted from the camel on which she rode, when the
servant informed her that the stranger whom she descried at a
distance, in the field, was his master ; and that Naaman, the
Syrian grandee, alighted from his chariot, at the approach of
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha.''
27—31. (27) blessingp, present. (28) forgive the tres
pass, -t). 24 ; taking on herself the wrong of at first refusing

very few
people; and that
which we see
commonly is not
it, but a subtle
dissimuUtion, to
ga n the conti-
dence of others."
— Charron.
b Paxton.
she appeaseth
the anger
of David

Cap. xxv. 32— 40.]

/. SAMUBL.

279

Dav.'s request, certainly . . house, therefore he need not
avenge himself, and therefore should not stain his hands with
blood. (29) Such sympathy was sure to touch Dav.'s heart.
bundle, bag, in wh. precious things put, it was then tied np."
sling out, delicate allusion to feat with Goliath.* (30, 31)
no grief, lit. staggering, or stumbling. She is sure he will, by-
and-by, be glad if he broke his rash vow, vv. 21, 22.
The bundle qf life (v. 29).— Anything which is important or
valuable is called a kattii, i.e. " a bundle, a pack, a bale." A
young man, who is enamoured of a female, is said to bo "bound
up in the liattii, bundle, of love." Of a just judge, the people
pay, " He is bound up in the bundle of justice." When a man is
very strict in reference to Jiis caste, "he is bound up in the bundle
of high caste." When a person is spoken to respecting the vani
ties or impurities of his system, he often rephes, " Talk not to
me, I am bound up in the bundle of my religion." " Why do
those people act so ? Becanse they are bound up in the bundle of
desire." David, therefore, was to be bound up in the bundle of
life — nothing was to harm him."
32 — 35. (32) 'which sent thee, admitting that God was re
straining his hand. (33) advice, taste, wisdom, or discemment.
(34) Only such persuasion could have tumed him f r. his intention.
(35) received, this reception was the seal of peace bet. them.
Easterns will not injure those f r.whom they consent to receive food.
David hept from acenging himsolf on Nabal (vv. 32, 33).— See
— I. What evils men would commit if left to themselves. We
are amazed at David's crtiel resentment. It shows, however, what
corruption there is in the human heart. II. How much we owe
to God for His providential restraints. Learn— (1) What a dread
ful evil is revenge ; (2) What a blessing is a faithful monitor ;
(3) What need all have to pray against temptation."
An Eastern iUustration of v. 35. — Does a person ask a favour
of his superior ; it will not be, in general, said in reply, " I grant
your request;" or, "You shall have your desire:" but. Nan nn
muggatti parttain, " I have seen thy face." Has a man greatly
offended another, and does he plead for mercy ; the person to
whom offence has been given will say, " I have seen thy face,"
which means that he is pardoned. Should a friend inquire.
" Well, what punishment do you intend to inflict on that fellow? "
he will reply, " I have seen his face.", In applying for help,
should there be a denial, the applicant will ask, " In whose face
shall I now look 1 " Wlien a man has nearly lost all hope, he
says, " For the sake of the face of God, grant me my request."'
36 — 40. (36) like . . king, for abundance and liberality.
drunken, no doubt of intoxic. charac. of this wine. (37)
gone out of, and he would feel very weak and exhausted.
died 'Within him,« became stiff and senseless, and never re-
recovered. (38) His death came to be regarded as Div. judgment.
(39) communed ¦with, negotiating a marriage. E. customs
permitted a king to do so at once.' (40) Oarmel, as v. 2.
Death from fright (rv. 37, 38).— About fifty years ago the
hridge over the TJsk, near Caerleon, Monmouthshire, was washed
away, and a new one had to be constructed. Whilst the buttresses
were being built, a commercial traveller, who had been absent
some time from the place, di-ove up one night in his gig to the

1.0. eir 106a
a Ge. xlii. 36.
61 Sa. xvii. 40;
Jer. X. 18.
V. 29. Bp. Smith,
253.
" The sun should
not set upon our
auger, neither
should he rise
upon our confl-
dence. "W a
should freely
forgive, but for
get rarely. I will
not be revenged,
and this lowe to
my enemy; but!
will remember,
and this I owe to
myself. ' — Cotton.
c Roberts.
David's
reply to
Abigail V. 3-2. B. Bughes,
Fem. Cha. ii. 150.
I'l'. 32, 33. Dr.
Sovtli,u.3SS; Dr.
V. Knox, vi. 102.
a C. Simeon, M.A.
" Anger and the
thirst of revenge
arj a kind of
fever ; flght'ng
and lawsuits,
bleeding. — at
least, an C' acua-
tiOD. The latter
occasion" a dissi-
patiorrof mnuey ;
lhe former, of
those Den Fpirits
wh'ch cause a
pretcrnaturnalfermentation."—
Shenstone. b Roberts.

Nabal'ssuddendeath a " The affair,
now dou bl y
vexatious tohim.
drives him intfy
such a brutal
rage that he
falls into a flt on
the ^ pot, Hnd dies
10 days after fr.
n stroke of apop
lexy."— A'lcoiii

280

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxv. 41- -44

k.O. eir. 1060.
S" After the
customary
mourning of 7
days, she wouM
prob. feel herself
at liberty." — Spk.
Cam.
r. 31. W.Richard-
ton, ii. 220.
" The thing m
the world 1 am
most afraid ot
IS fear, and with
good reason, tnat
passion alone in
the trouble ot it
exceeding all
other accidents."
— Montaigne.
" 1 teel my sm-
e w B slacken a
with the tright,
and a cold sweat
trills down all
o'er my limbs,
as if 1 were dis-
Bolving into
water." — Dryden.
Abigail
¦becomes the wife
ot David
a Not the Jezreel
in Issachar.
b 2 Sa. iii. 14, 16.
e Is. X. 30.
"Sincerity is to
Bpeak as we
think, to do as
we pretend and
profess, to per
forra and make
good what we
promise, and
really to be what
we would seem
and appear to be.
It creates cjnft-
dence in those
we have to deil
with, and saves
the labour of
many inquiries."
— Tillot..on.
d Barmer.
"The man who
hears an honour
able mind, will
scorn to treat a
woman lawless
ly." — Shakespeare
p Justus Uossr.

river side, where the bridge used to be. It was a very dark night,
and he gave the reins to his horse, who, he knew, was well accus
tomed to the road. They crossed safely over what he took to be
the bridge, and came to an inn near the river. The landlady
asked him, being an old acquaintance, what part of the country
he had come iu from. "From Newport," he answered. "Then
you must have crossed the river?" said the woman, in astonish
ment. " Yes, of course. How else could I have come ? " "But how
did you manage it, and in the dark too?" "The same as usual :
there is no difliculty in driving over the bridge, even though it be
dark." " Bless the mau 1 " said the landlady, " there is no hridge
to drive over. 3fou must have come along the planks left by the
men." " Impossible," was the answer ; and nothing oould per
suade the traveller that night that there was no bridge. But
early in the morning he went to the river side, and found, as he
was told, that the bridge was gone. His horse had taken him
safely over three planks, left by the workmen, where one false
step, to the right or to the left, would instantly have plunged him
mto the swollen nver beneath. So terrified was he at the dread
ful danger he had gone through, and so marvellously escaped,
that the unhappy man went back to his inn, took to his bed, and
actually died within the week of the efEects of the impression
the discovery made on him.
41 — 44. (41) be a servant, ¦with E. extravagance of fig.,
expressing her sense of the honour done her in the request. (42)
flve damsels, being rich, she had these for waiting-maids ; Ge.
xxiv. 61. (43) took, had taken. Jezreel," a town of Judah,
near Carmel, Jos. xv. 56. (44) Fhalti, or Phaltiel.' Gallim,
bet. Gibeah and Jerusalem."
'Washing the feet (v. 41). — The necessity for washing the feet
in the East has been attributed to their wearing sandals ; but it
is vety requisite, according to Sir John Chardin. let the covering
of the feet be of what kind it wiU. " Those that travel in the
hot countries of the Bast," he tells us, " such as Arabia is, begin,
at their arriving atthe end of their journey, ¦with pulling off the
coverings of their feet. The sweat and the dust which penetra»' n
all sorts of coverings for the feet produce a filth there, which
excites a very trouble.some itehing. And though the Eastern
people are extremely caref 'al to preserve the body neat, it ia more
for refreshment than cleanliness that they wash their feet at the
close of their journey. According to D'Arvieux, the little yellow
morocco boots, worn by the Arabs, whioh are made very light, so
as that they may walk in them afoot, and even run in them, are
yet so tight as not to be penetrated by water ; but none of the
Eastern coverings for the foot, it seems, can guard against the
dust ; consequently this custom of washing the feet is not merely
ascribed to their use of sandals ; a circumstance that has not,
I think, been attended to, and which, therefore, claims our notice.''
— A cheerful rvife. — The tear of a loving girl, says an old book, is
like a dewdrop on the rose ; but that on the cheek of a wife is a
drop of poison to her husband. Try to appear cheerful 'and con
tented, and your husband will be so ; and, when you have made
him happy, you will become so, not in appearance, but in reality.
The skill required is not so great. Nothing flatters a man so much
as the happiness of his wife : he is always proud of himself aa
the source of it.<

Cap.xxvl. 1—8.1

SAMUEL.

281

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH.
1—4. (1) Ziphites, ch. xxiii. 19.» (2) do-wn, from Gibeah.
(3) by the way, comp. ch. xxiv. 3. (4) spies, this necess. to
secure information of Saul's movements.
Arab mcampnu-nts. — I noticed at all the encampments which
we passed that the sheik's was distinguished from the rest by a
tall spear stuck upright in the ground in front of it ; and it
is the custom, when a i arty is out on an excursion for robbery or
for war, that, when they halt to rest, the spot where the cliief
reclines or sleeps is thus designated. So Sanl, when he lay
sleeping, had his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster, and
Abner and the people lay ronnd about him. The whole of that
scene is extremely Oriental and perfectly natural, even to the
deep sleep into which all had fallen, so that David and Abishai
could walk among them in safety. The Arabs sleep heavily,
especially when fatigued. Often, when travelling, my muleteers
and servants have resolved to watch by turns in places thought
to be dangerous ; but in every instance I soon found them fast
asleep, and generally were their slumbers so profound, that I
could not only walk among them without their waking, but
might have taken the very 'aba with which they were covered.
Then the cruse of water at Saul's head is in exact accordance
with the customs of the people at this day. No one ventures to
travel over these deserts without his cruse of water, and it is very
common to place one at the "holster," so that the owner can
reach it during the night. The Arabs eat their dinner in the
evening,, and it is generally of such a nature as to create thirst,
and the quantity which they drink is enormous. The cruse
is, therefore, in perpetual demand. Saul and his party lay in a
shady valley, steeped in hea'vy sleep, after the fatigue of a hot
day. The camp ground of Sheik Fareij in Wady Sheikaiyif is
adapted, in all respects, to be the scene of the adventure. . . .
Inhere are numbers of ravines where the whole could be enacted,
every word be heard, and yet the speaker be quite beyond the
reach of his enemies.'
5 — 8. (5) Abner, ch. xiv. 50. trench, wagons. Camp
was formed in a circle, the baggage and animals on the outside,
the chief's tent in centre. (6) Hittite," indic. that some of the
Canaanites had joined Dav. Abishai,' the brother of Joab.
(7) by night, comp. Gideon's adventure." spear, etc., this the
sign of royalty. (8) the seoond time, it shall be instant and
painles." death. Comp. request of Dav.'s men at Engedi.'
Tlie spear and the bolster (v. 7). — Saul, as a king, and as sleep
ing apparently in the open tir, may have had a bolster ; but the
present text does not say that he had ; and we think it more than
doubtful that b(-lsters had yet come into use for other than sick
persons and women. Such things were probably, at this period of
simple manners, considered marks of effeminacy, to be avoided by
men who wish to maintain a character for hardihood. Sir Walter
Scott, in note 16 to the second canto of the Lady ofthe ZaAe, has
an anecdote that will illustrate this view ; "Hardihood was jn

B.C. cir. 1060.
the Ziphites
tell Saul
whereSavid is
a " Prob. this is
another account
of the circum.
narrated chapter
xxiii. This view
is taken in Spk.
Com. The view
that distinct in
cidents are dealt
with is taken by
Keil, Wordsworth,
etc. See /. Saurin,
Disc. Bist.iv. •til.
'David was a
second time be
trayed by the
Ziphites, for it is
clear that this is
not a repetition
of the narrative
in chap, xxiii.
The 3,000 men
appear to have
formed a perma
nent body of sol
diers raised by
Saul for the pur
pose of carrying
on his smaller
wars.
b Dr. Thomson.

David visits
Saul's, camp
a Comp. 2 Sa. xia
3.
J 2 Sa. xxiii. 18
e Ju. vii. 9—11.
d 1 Sa. xxiv. 4.
vv. 8, 9. Bp. An
drewes, iv. 24.
v.h. Saul lay "in
tbe midst of the
carriages," or
jgage, as it
reads literally ;
the LS.X. trans
late It, '*m his

282

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxvi S^iat

B.O. dr. 1060.
• 
chariot." Others
think that a sort
of entrenchment
had been thrown
up. Dr. Boothr
royd renders this
passage, "Saul
lay among the
baggage, and the
people were en
camped round
about him."
e Kitto.

David spares Saul the
second time
a " No one ven
tures to travel
over these de
serts without his
cru'se of water,
and it is very
common to place
one at the bol
ster, so that the
owner can reach
it during the
night." -Thomson.
6 Dr. T. Binney.
V. 9. A Ser. by
Dr. M. Orifith
(1665); by flr. W.
Payne (ISUI) ; by
Bp. Smallbrook
(1723).
e Roberts.
David taunts
Abner a " Dav.'s banter
ing tone ia re.
gard to Abner
(coupled, with v.
19) makes it
prob. that Dav.
attributed Saul's
per-ecution of
him in some de
gree to Ahner,
who would be
likely to dread
a rival in the
young conqueror
of Judah." — Spk.
Com.
David evidently
had now less
trust in Saul.
Before he fol
lowed the king
without hesita
tion iuto (be

every respect so essential to the character of a Highlander, ti;at
the reproach of efEeminacy was the most bitter that oould be
thro-wn upon them. Tet it was sometimes hazarded on what we
may presume to think slight grounds. It is reported of Sir Ewen
Cameron, of Lochiel, when upwards of seventy, that he was '
surprised by night on a hunting or military expedition. He
wrapped himself in his plaid, and lay contentedly down on the
snow. Among his attendants, who were preparing _to take their
rest in the same manner, he observed that one of his grandsons,
for his better accommodation, had rolled a large snowball and
placed it under his head. The -wrath of the ancient chief waa
awakened by a symptom of what he considered to be degenerate
luxury. ' Out upon thee ! ' said he, kicking the frozen bolster
from the head which it supported ; ' art thou so effeminate as to
need a pillow ? '""
9 — 12. (9) stretch . . guiltless, it would be ¦wrong as wilful
forcing of God, as murder, and as sacrilege. (10) the Lord
shall smite, I ¦will leave it all to God. descend, etc., as
happened ch. xxxi. 3 — 6. (11) cruse of ¦water," so as to
refresh, if necess., in the nigrht. (12) sleep fr. the Lord,
expression showing that a special Div. protection was recognised.
David's forbearance (w. 8, 9).— I. We have here an example of
searching temptation. II. As the temptation was great, the
victory was proportionably illustrious. It was a great victory,
inasmuch as it was gained alone. III. Instead of claiming the
¦victory as his o^wn, he piously traces it to its right source, and
makes a grateful acknowledgment of the Divine kindness.*
Sleep (v, 11). — ^Thus did Saul sleep, with his head on the
bolster and a vessel of water by his side ; and in this way do all
Eastem travellers sleep at this day. The bolster is round, and
about eight inches in diameter and twenty in length. In travel
Ung, it is carried rolled up in the mat on which the owner sleeps.
In a hot climate a draught of water is very refreshing in the
night ; hence a vessel filled with water is always kept near where
the person sleeps."
13—16. (13) other side, of the ravine, great space,
securing Dav.'s safety ; yet not out of hearing in the clear air,
(14) people, etc., not this time does he make direct appeal
to Saul. (1.5) Such taunting is characteristic of the East ;" oomp.
ch. xvii. 43, 44. (16) see ¦where, plainly proving in what
imminent peril Saul had been placed.
Tlw cruse of -water (v. 16). — Some children were looking at
Bible pictures, when they came to one of Saul, the king of
Israel, who, according to the Soripture narrative, is represented aa
lying " sleeping within the trench," or (as rendered in the
margin of our Bibles) " in the midst of his carriages," " his spear
stuck in the ground, and a cruse of water at his bolster." While
one child read the account from the Scriptures, the others
examined minutely the different portions of the picture, when
they quiokly discovered that the artist had made a great mistake.
" Here," said one, " is Saul asleep, with Abner and the people
round him." " And here," said another, " is the spear stuck iu
the ground at his bolster." " Now, where is the cruse of water?
It is not there." " Yes, it is,'' said another, " but the painter haa
put it at Saul's feet, aud not at his head, where it dionld have

Cap. xxvi. 17—25.1

/. SAMUEL.

283

been ! " " That is not a good picture," they all exclaimed : " the
Bible must be true ; and the Bible says the cruse of water was at
Saul's bolster." True to the life indeed is every word of the book
of truth, and nothing can possibly be taken from it or added to
it without marring ite truthfulness, beauty, and simplicity. Pass
an Eastern encampment at the present day, and what do you see 1
The persons of distinction sleeping inside a circle of their friends
and dependente. the bullocks and beaste of burden forming a
larger circle outeide them, and again an outside circle, forraed by
the carts, or bandies as they are called. It is, however, with
regard to the cruse of water at the head that this subject has
been chiefiy selected. As you pass the sleeping forms, whether
in their encampmente in the wide plains, or in the open verandahs
of the village streets, the cruse of water is invariably to he met
with at the head of the sleepers, who, in that dry and thirsty
land, frequently awake to take a long and refreshing draught.
17—20. (17) Ch. xxiv. 16. (18) what evil, Saul knew he
¦was not punishing rebellion, but trying to put a rival out of the
way. (19) Lord have stirred, "let me know my offence, and
I am ready to make an offering for it to the Lord."" offering,
mincliah, gift, Le. ii. 1. abiding, continuing, cleaving. Yir-
tually banishing him'fr. Jehovah.' (20) before . . Lord, very
plainly intimating that God would avenge his death, partridge,
lit. tlw caller, fr. its well-known call or cry.«
Partridge-hunting (v. 20). — This verse refers to a sport still
practised by the Arabs, aud even indulged in by children.
A traveller says, " About four in the aftemoon we entered the
valley in which Mahaimah's camp was placed. As we approached
we beheld a very animated and busy scene : the girls were sing
ing, and the children busied in running down the young par
tridges with dogs, as they were as yet only able to fly a short
distance at a time."
21 — Z5. (21) have sinned, ch. xv. 30. soul, life, played
the fool, Saul's repentance is as gushing and impetuous as his
sin. (22) over and fetch it, Dav. gives no indio. of trusting
Saul's sudden impulse. (23) Comp. ch. xxiv. 17 — 19. (24)
tribulation, De. iv. 30. (25) Ch. xxiv. 21, 22.
Saul's second reconciliation (v. 25). — I. It is proved that the
deepest and sincerest emotion may he transient in ite moral
effects. Two things are often mistaken for Christian feeling.
1. Selfish gratitude for unexpected preservation; 2. Admiration
of moral nobleness in others. II. It is shown that self-control
is in proportion to the estimate formed of the Divine element
that is in man. We shall thus be enabled — 1. To hope something
even of the worst ; 2. To do something in the negative work of
sparing, even when we cannot do anything in the positive work
of reclaiming. III. It is sho-wn how muoh better it is to trust
our interests to the working out of Divine laws than to care for
them with narrowness of spirit. IV. It is clearly shown that
flight from danger is perfectly compatible -with the highest
courage. There is a time to fight (Goliath) ; there is a time to
fly (Saul). There are differences of conquest. David conquered
Saul as surely as he conquered Goliath."
Doctrine of forgiveness. — The venerable Dr. Duff once read the
Sermon on the Mount to a number of Hindu youths j and when

B.c ra'r.lOCO.
cave, and called
after him. Now
lie feared lest
Saul should en
deavour to get
hira ' into his
power wben he
awoke. As the
day was only just
breaking, he
could not see
David, but at
once recogdised
the voice.
Friendship can
na stand aye on
one side. — Scotch.

David expostulates
^ith Saul
a Wordsworth.
Others suppose
that Dav. sug
gests to Saul
that he sbould
vtier a sacriUce
t") God, in order
that he may be
relieved of his
unworthy sus
picions. b Ps. xlii. 1—5.
c Heb , kore, fr.
kara, to cry. See
also Jer. xvii. 11.
Saul and
Davidare ag-ain
reconciled r.21. J. A. Milter,
Playing the Fool,
Saul, King of
Israel, 178.
a Dr. Parker
"Nothing Is
more moving to
man than the
spectacle of re
conciliation ; our
weaknesses are
thusiuflemnified, and are not too
costly, being tbe
price wo pay fur
tbe hour of for
giveness ; and
the archangel,
who has never
felt anger, has
reason to envy
the man who
subdues it.
"When tbou for-
givest, the raan

284

B,0. dr. 10(10.
who has pierced
tby heart stands
to thee in the
relation of the
Bea worm, that
perforates the
shell of the
mussel, which
straightwaycloses the wound
¦with a pearL"
••^Richter.

I. SAMUEL. [Cap. xxvil. 1-12.
he came to tlie passage, " I say unto you, love your enemies, blesa
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray f or
them who despitefuUy use you and persecute you," so deep and
intense was the impression produced on one of them, that he ex
claimed in ecstasy, " Oh ! how beautiful, how Divine 1 this is the
truth, this Is the truth 1 " And for days and weeks, he could not
help repeating, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,"
etc.; constantly exclaiming, ''How beautiful! surely this isthe
truth 1 " Nor could he rest until he had renounced his false goda
and 'ixeir senseless worship, and accepted the truth aa it is in
Jesus.

B.O. «v. 1058.
David flees
to the kin 17
of Gath.
o "T his wa b
wrong as acting
apart fr. the Div.
OT&'ile; and aa
rushlag into the
evil associations
of an id ilatrous
land." — yamiMon.
b " It is not de
termined whe
ther Auhish was
a personal name
or an offieial
title." — Words-
toorth. « Oomp. Josh. XV.
81, xix. 5; 2 Sa.
i 1, It. 10.
See Bp, Hall,
Contemp.
V. ^. W.
Short Disc.
321 ; H. Lindsai/t
Lect. i. 306; R.P.
Buddicom, ii. 132.
d C. Simeon, M.A,
e Roberts.

Jay,

David
invades
the G-eshu-
riteSi etc.
a I Sa. XV. 2.
b Nu. xxiv. 21,
22; 1 Sa. XV. 6.
•'When any
word, or s e n-
tence, admits of
more signifl(!tt-
tions than one,
whether from
common use, or

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.
1—7. (1) in his heart, falling into despondency ; hopeless of
ever really appeasing Saul. This Dav.'s time of darkness; ex
plains his seeking refuge in Gath.° (2) Achish,'' as ch. xxi. 11,
or a son. Maoch, 1 Ki. ii. 39. Gath, ch. xxi. 10. (3) with
his household, explaining request for a town to dwell in, v. 5.
(4) no more, as Dav. expected, v. 1. (5) why . . city,_ so occa
sioning expense, and perhaps national trouble. (6) Ziklag, a
Simeonite town, wh. iad been taken by the Phil." In the south
country, or Negeb. (j) time, lit. number of days.
'llw unbelieving fears of David (v. 1). — Consider— I. In what
light we should regard these fears of David. 1. There was great
ocoa,sion for fear. The malignity of Saul against him was deeply
rooted ; bent on David's destruction, he had recourse to every ex
pedient he could devise ; besides his own immediate servants,
Saul had traitors in confederacy with him ; moreover, he per
severed, notwithstanding checks from God and his own con
science ; 2. Still, in entertaining desponding fear, David sinned.
II. "What similar apprehensions we have to guard against.
We have God's promises of future glory; but we have many
enemies.* Tlw lieeper of the head (v. 2). — The head is always spoken of
as the principal part of tie body, and when a man places great
confidence in another, he says, " I will make him the keeper of
my life or head." An injured man expostulating with another,
to whom he has been kind, asks, "Why is this? have I not been
the keeper of your life 2 " A good brother is called, " the life-
keeping brother." But anything valuable also is spoken of as
being ou the head.*
8—12. (8) Geshurites, Jos. xiii. 2. Gezrites, prob. should
be Gerzites. Amalekites, some branches left fe. destruction
of Saul." Shur, Ge. xvi. 7. (9) left . . alive, lest his intended
deception of Achish should be discovered, i'. 11. came to
Achish, to give him his royal portion of the booty. (10)
south of Judah, producing the impression that he had utterly
given up his own country, and was helping the Phil, do it mis
chief. Jerahmeelites, 1 Chr. ii. 5—9. Kenites,' Ge. xv. 19,
(11) See V. 9. (12) utterly to abhor, as a publio enemy.
David's an,swer explained (v. 10). — After the expedition waa
over, David retums to Aohish, and upon being asked where he
had made his incursion, David answers : Against the souith of

Cap. xxvllt 1—6.]

/. SAMUEL.

285

Judf,h, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the
south of the Kenites. Mr. Bayle, not with extreme good manners,
calls this u, lie. But, with his leave, the answer was literally
true, but ambiguous ; for all those people dwelt on the south of
Judah, ete. Achish, through self-partiality, understood the an
swer to meau that the incursion was made on the southem bor
ders of Judah, the Jerahmeelites and Kenites themselves, though
David asserted no such thing. David, therefore, was not guilty
of any falsity ; and if he was in anything to' blame, it was for
giving an ambiguous answer to a question to which he was not
obliged to give any direct reply. Mr. Bayle says, " This conduct
was very unjustifiable, in that he deceived a king to whom he had
obligations." But David's answer was not such as necessarily to
impose on Achish, and therefore it may be as truly said that
Achish put a deceit upon himself, as that David deceived him.
I allow he intended to conceal from Achish who the people were
that he invaded, and this he did not by a lie but by an answer
true in faot. The precise determined tmth was, that he had
made an incursion on the south of Judah and the Kenites. The
Amalekites dwelt on the south of Judah, and the Kenites lived
intermingled with them, till they removed by Saul's order, when
he was sent to destroy the Amalekites, and probably retumed to
their former dwellings, after that expedition was over. It is cer
tain, at least, that they were much in the same situation as be
fore, viz., on the south of Judah, and at no great distance from
the country of the Amalekites; and therefore Achish might as
reasonably have understood David's answer to mean, that he in
vaded the Amalekites and neighbouring hordes, who dwelt be
yond the south parts of Judah, as that he invaded the southern
parts of the very country of Judah. For the original words will
equally bear this double version: against the countiy south of
Judah, etc., and against the south country of Judah. If Achish
took David in a wrong sense, I do not see that David, m his cn--
cumstanoes, was obliged to undeceive him. For as he had done
Aohish no injury in the expedition against the Amalekites, etc.,
so. neither did he in permitting him quietly to impose on him
self. A^Tiereas, had he convinced Achish of his mistake, he
would have endangered his own Ufe, and the destruction of aU
his people. The greatest and best casuists have allowed that
ambiguous answers are not always criminal, but sometimes justi
fiable, and particularly in the critical situation in which David

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-EIGHTH.
l_e. (1) those days, end of period, ch. xxvii. 7. thou
shalt go, etc., Achish made sure of his willingness." (2)
surely . . do, an equivocal answer, wh. sounded like acceptance.
keeper of mine head, captain of my bodyguard. (3) Comp.
xxv 1 ; introduced to show why Saul sought Witch of Endor.
He had prob. put away the wizards, ete., in early part of his
reign, familiar spirit, etc.. Ex. xxii. 18; Le. xix. 31, xx. -7,
ete (4) Shunem, present SOtam, B. side of plain of Jezreel,
8 m. S.W. of Mt. Tabor. Gilboa, now Jebel Fultuah." (0, 6)
enquired, as usual before a battle.

B.C. cir. 1058.
the custom of
art, or by any
inte lligible
flgure ; and if the
sense of one's
OTvn mind agi ees
to any one of
thepe iuterpreta-
tione, it is no lie,
though <»e should
have reason to
thitik, that he
who hears us
should take it in
the other. Such
a manner of
speaking should
not be used
rashly ; but it
may be justified
by antecedent
causes ; as when
it is for the in
struction of him
who is commit
ted to our care,
or when it is to
avofO an unjust
interrogation, i.e.
a s Gronovius
explains it, such
! an JnteiTogation,
wbich, if we gave
a simple plam
' answer to, would
, hazard our own
^ safety, or that of
I other innocent
I persons." — Gro
tius.Little presenta
beep up friend
ship. — Frencli.

c Chandler.

B.O. «>. 1056.
Saulperplexed
by the
Philistinesa '• Dav.'s decep
tions secured tlie
favour of the
king, liut very
seriouslv injured
himself '--Ewald.
b " The po.-*ition
occupied by Is
raelitea under

286

7. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxviii. 7—10.

B.C. cir. 1056.
G-ideon." — Stan
ley. See Origen, Op.
ii. 490 ; Gregory,
¦ Uys Op. ii. 35 ;
Bp. HaU, Con
temp. ; Miclutel
Rothardus, Crit.
Sac. ii. ; ffoel
Alexander, Bist.
Eccles. iii. 124;
J. Penn Tracts
(1756), 119.
ro. 6, 7. P.
Stubbs, A Ser.
(1786), T. Daw
son. Dissert.
*'Fear naturally
represses inven
tion, b e n e V o-
lence, ambition;
fur, in a nation of
slaves, as in the
despotic govern
ments of the
Ea -t, to labour
after fama is to
bo a candidate
f'jr danger." —
Gnldsiiit'i
"Foarso-n ''times
al'l* wiags to
ths heels, and
somet mes nails
them to the
grnuirl, and flut
ters th^m from
m-'Mng." — Mon
taigne." F^ar U far
m ira painful to
cowardice, than
deatLi t ) true
courage." — Si,-
P .Hip Si'lney.
c Ch'iml'er.
Saul repairs
to a witcli
at Endor
a Spk. Com.
h " Phil, lay en
camped betweeu
Sauls camp at
Gilboa a-id En
dor, Saul prob.
kept to the E.
of Jezreel.
crossed the val
ley below Am
Jalud. an 1 th^-nce
overthsshifuderof Hormon to
Endor." — Thom
son. c 1 Chr. X. 13, 14.
r. 7. C. W. Le
Ba% iii. 245; //.
Bughes, Pem.
Ohar.ii.m.

A difflculty explained (vv. 1, 2).— Soon after these transactions,
while David yet remained in the territories of the PhUistines,
they formed their army to invade the Hebrews, when Achish said
to David ; Know thou assuredly that thou and thy men shall go
with me to the camp ; his troops being now increased by a party
from the tribe of Manasseh. David answered him ; 'Therefore
thou shalt know what thy servant will do ; i.e. as some interpret
the words : Aohish met with a cheerful compliance from David ;
and Mr. Bayle aflElrms, that it was not owing to David that he
did not fight under the standard of this Philistine prince against
the Israelites, in the unhappy war wherein Saul perished ; or, as
he further says, that wheu the Philistines had assembled their
forces, David and his brave adventurers joined the army of
Achish, and would have fought like lions against their brethren,
if the suspicious Philistines had not forced Achish to dismiss
them. I am extremely glad, however, that the princes of the
Philistines, who may reasonably be supposed to know as much of
David's dispositions and views as any modem writers can do,
were of a quite diiferent opinion from Mr. Bayle and his fol
lowers; who, instead of believing with Achish and Mr. Bayle,
that David would have been so very fierce against his own
people, made no doubt but he would have fought like a lion, or a
tiger, against Aohish and the Philistines. And, indeed, David's
answer to Achish implies nothing like a cheerful compliance
with him, to engage with his forces against his own people.
AohisK did not directly ask this, and therefore David had no
occasio J. to make the promise. 'i?he demand was only that he
would go. to the camp. And the answer was, that he would
there make Achish witness to his conduct. But this was so far
from promising that he would employ his men, as Achish pro
mised himself, as that it seems rather to imply a kind of denial ;
and would appear, I believe, very unsatisfactory to most persons
in like circumstances : " Tou shall see what I will do. I mako
no promise, but I will go with you to the camp, where you your
self will b3 judge of my conduct." An evidently cold and
evasive answer."
7 — 10. (7) womau, etc., lit. one who is mistress of an ob,
or skin-bottle, so prob. meaning "the distended belly of tha
ventriloquist."" Endor,'' village ou N. side of Little Hermon.
(8) disgpuised, 1 Ki. xx. 38, xxii, 30. divine," Ge. xliv. 15 ;
De. xviii. 14. bring up, fr. Sheol, this the supposed art of
necromancy. (9) (v. 3) snare, by inducing her to do what
would subject her to law. (10) by the Iiord, a wicked oath,
seeing he was not serving the Lord,
Endor (v. 7), — As we approached Endor we could fancy the
very walk which Saul took over the eastern shoulder of the hill
to reach the witch's abode, skirting Little Hermon, on the front
slopes of which the Philistines were encamped, in order to reach
the village behind them ; a long and weary distance from his own
army by the fountain of Jezreel, on the side of Gilboa, It might
be fancy, but the place has a strange, weird-like aspect; a
miserable village on the north side of the hill, without a tree or
a shrub to relieve the squalor of its decaying heaps. It is full of
caves, and the mud-built hovels are stuck on to the sides of
the rooks in clusters, and are, for the most part, a mere continua
tion or enlargement of the cavern behind, which forms the larger

Cap. xxviii. 11—20.]

/. SAMUEL.

387

B.O, dr. 1056.
vv. 7, 8. D. S.
Deyling, ii, 253,
TO. 8— 11, Dr. J.
Edwards, Exercit.
71.
d Dr. Tristram.

portion of the human den. The inhabitants -w^re the most filthy
and ragged we had seen ; and as the old crones, startled at
the rare apparition of strangers strolling near their holes, came
forth and cursed us, a Holman Hunt might have immortalised on
canvas the very features of the necromancer of Israel. Endor has
shrunk from its formei' extent ; and there are many caves around,
with crumbling heaps at their mouths, the remains, probably, of
what once were other habitations.'*
11. — 14; (11) bring . . Samuel, in his extremity, Saul turns
to the fiiend of his earlier days." (12) she cried, evidently
amazed at her own success. It is clearly intended to declare that
this was a real appearanoe of Samuel, thou art Saul, being
sure Sam. would come for no one less than the king, and recog,
him by stature, ete, (13) gods, elohim, put generally to
express a supematural appearance. Not intended to be plural.
(14) mantle, the me'il, or coat, as ch. ii. 19, characteristic
garment of Sam,*
Saul at Endor (v. 11). — "Bring me up Samuel." This is the
cry of a soul — I. Consciously deserted of God. 1. God does some
times desert the sinner even in this world ; 2. The consciousness
of this desertion is the greatest misery, II, Profoundly convinced
of the value of a once neglected ministry. III. That had become
the victim of delusions. IV. Plunging into the depths of
despair," Description of a witch. —
At length in murmurs hoarse her voice was heard ;
Her voice beyond all plants, all magic, fear'd.
And by the lowest Stygian gods revered.
Her gabbling tongue a muttering tone confounds,
Discordant, and unlike to human sounds ;
It seem'd of dogs the bark, of wolves the howl ;
The doleful screechings of the midnight owl j
The hiss of snakes, the hungry lion's roar ;
The sound'of billows beating on the shore ;
The groan of winds among the leafy wood,
And burst of thunder from the rending cloud ;—
'Twas these, all these in one.*
15—20. (1.5) Sam. said, he being the first to speak. The Samuel
ans. of Saul reveals his pettish, passionate spirit ; he is evidently g^^
not heart-humbled, only vexed." (16) of me, seeing I am the
Lord's servant. (17) to him, or for himself, rent, as ch, xv,
27, 28. Obs. the refer, to Saul's violent death and that of his
sons in this term. (18) on Amalek, ch. xv, 1 — 3. (19) Israel
¦with thee, Saul's disobedience involving the people in defeat
and ruin. (20) all along, h'ls full length: fainting at the
dreadful tidings.
Saul; or humanity consciously deserted of God (vv. 15, 16). —
Two stages in the history of human depravity. (1) Man deserts
God ; (2) God deserts man. The second and final stage Saul had
readied. Consider that humanity, under a consciousness of God's
desertion — I. Will ever be impressed with the need of the for
feited means of Divine communion. II, Becomes the subject of
fearful delusions, Saul believes the witch. His imagination —
1, Presents a vivid vision of the Teacher whose counsel had been I
neglected ; 2. Proclaims the sin and pronounces the doom. Ill

Saul desires
the witoh
to raise up
Samuel
a" Sometbingua-
utterahly pathe
tic in that yearn
ing of the disap
pointed kiog.now
in his utter doso-
iation, to change
words once more
with the friend
and counsellor of
his .vouth, and if
he musr hear his
doom, to heaf it
fr. no other lips
but his."-7'cencA.
b 1 Sa. XV. 27.
n 11. J. A. MUler,
'201. m>. 11, 12. Cat-
met, Comment. iL
£31.
c Dr. Thomas.
dRotce.

a " "Wlay does not
Saul name the
Urim. Hesbrank
from naming to
Sam, that whic^
must bring Vt
mind his slaugh
ter of the priests
at Nob," — Kitlo.
p, 1 5, C. Simeon,
iii, 2.30,

110,15,16, Dr. D.
Waterland,
411; //, L'ndsay,
i, 321,

IX.

, )9
• iJire, ¦¦

Dr. J. Du-
307.

288

7. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxix. 1—5,

B.O. cjr. 1050.

5 Dr. Thomas.
< Roberts.

the veitch
providesfooii for
Saula Ge. xviii. 7, 8.
""What see you
there that hath
BO cowarded and
chased your
blood out of ap
pearance?" —
Sliakespeare. *'0h! that fear,
when the heart
longs to know
what it is death
to hear." — Ci'oly.
b Roberts.

B.O. dr. 1056,
Savidmarohing:'With the
Fhilistines
a '-Not neces,
near Shunem (v.
11), but on the
road thither fr.
the Phil, dis
trict." — Bib. Diet.
" It is unlikely
that the Phil.
lords would suf-
fer David to
march with them
a Lhe'way toJez-
leel; it is much
more prob. that
tbe.v rtius'ered at
Aphek in Mt.
E hfaim." — Spk.
Com.
6.Tu. vii. 1; well
of Harod.

Must sink into unmitigated despair. The guilty mind, in despair,
' ses — 1. Hope ; 2. Purpose ; 3. Sympathy.*
Effects of sorrow and fear (v. 20). — "When people are under the
influence of great sorrow or fear, they always do the same thing,
and roU themselves along, making bitter lamentations. And
when men have escaped great danger, they roll themselves on the
earth to the distance of a quarter of a mile, after the oar of the
temple, in performanoe of theh vow."
21—25. (21) sore troubled, more mentally than bodily.
Prob. Saul only received Sam.'s message, life in my hand,
running great risk to serve you. (22) She entreats him muoh aa
one would a spoilt child. (23) compelled hitn, urged him
until they sucoeeded. bed, bench, which iu E. runs along the
wall. (24) killed it, by broihug shoes it would soon be ready.a
(25) that night, the night before Saul's doom (v. 19).
CooUng food in the East (m. 24, 25). — This calf was killed,
dressed, cooked, and eaten in as short a time as possible ; which
might be called for from the necessity of the guest. But it is
evident from other passages that it was a custom to kill, cook,
and eat an animal in a very short time. The heat of the clunate
certainly prevents flesh from being kept many hours, but there is
no need to put the animal on the fire while its flesh is still warm.
The people affect to bs disgusted with us for keeping fowls six or
eight hours before they are cooked, and say we are fond of eating
chettareyclw, i.e. dead fiesh. There are some Englishmen who
become so accustomed to these things, that they have the chicken
grilled and on their table, which a quarter of an hour before was
playing in their yard.'

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-NINTH.
1—5. (1) Aphek," comp. 1 Sa. iv. 1, name is given to several
places m Oanaan. fountain, etc., flne spring A'ln Jahid.'> (2)
lords, Ju. ui. 3. rereward, forming a part of the rearguard
(ch. xxvm. 2). (3) princes, as distinct fr. lords, the chiefs of
the smaller cities, fell, deserted his master, and came to me.
(4) -wroth, they feared Dav.'s going over to Saul's side in the
battle, his place, Z'lklag. (5) Comp, ch. xviii. 7, xxi. 11.
A renegade sreivard.—l. "VVe have David in a new and strange
character : the friend and ally of the foes of his king and country.
II. Notwithstanding his declarations of prowess (xxviii. 2) he
is sent into the rear ; the place of honour reserved for others.
III. Even there he is an objeot of suspicion.
Historical fountains (v. 1).— The Archbishop of Tyre tells us
( Qesta dei), that the Christian kings of Jerusalem used to as
semble their forces at a fountain between Nazareth and Sepphoris,
which was greatly celebrated on that account. This being looked
upon to be nearly the centre of their kingdom, they could from
thence, consequently, march most commodiously to any plaoe
where their presence was wanted. He mentions also anothor
fountain near a town called Little Gerinum. which, he says, was
the ancient Jezreel ; n(=ar this Saladin pitched his camp, for the
benefit of its waters, while Baldwin, King of Jesusalem, had, as
usual, assembled his army at the first-mentioned place. Of the foun
tain Ain-el-Scanderoui, Buckingham remai-ks, " This is a modem

Cap. xxix. 6-11.1

/. SAMUEL.

289

work ; the charitable gift, perhaps, cS some pious Mussulman,
being well built, with a cistern beneath an arch, whence issue
two streams, and over which is an Arabic inscription of several
lines. It has, besides, a square platfoi'm, walled in for prayers,
shelter or refreshment, and a flight of steps ascending to it, with
a dome of a sepulchre, now partly buried by the falling in of
adjacent ruins.""
Fountain in tlw desert. —
This sycamore, oft musical with bees-
Such tents the patriarchs loved 1 O long unharm
May all its aged boughs o'er canopy
The small round basin, whioh this jutting stoue
Keeps pure from falling leaves 1 Long may the spring,
Quietly as a sleeping, infant's breath.
Send up cold waters to tho traveller,
With soft and even pulse I Nor ever cease
Yon tiny cone of sand its soundless dance,
"Which at the bottom, like a fairy's page,
As merry and no taller, dances still,
Nor wrinkles the smooth surfax3e of the fount)
Here twilight is and coolness : here is moss,
A soft seat, and a deep and ample shade.
Thou may'st toil far and find no second tree.
6—11. (6) in the host, or aimy, (7) displease not,
Achish might fear his own rupture with the other lords. (8)
This ans. must be regarded as keeping up the part wh. Dav. was
now acting. He did not really want to fight Saul. (9) as an
angel, faithful, true and pure as one, : a fig. of Eastem extra
vagance. (10) master's servants," 1 Chi:, xii. 19—21. (11)
early, -with the first hght, as v. 10.
David's atheistic reasomng (v. 6).— Beview the afllictions laid
on David by the Philistines. I. The secret of David's ill-fortunes
amongst the Philistines, found in xxvii. 1. He took the case
into his own hands. Three things in Ufe which must lead to
disappointraent, shame a,nd ruin : (1) Atheistic self -ti'ust ; (2)
immoral and unnatural associations ; and (3) Duplicity and equi
vocation. II, The question was how to get oiat of those diffi
culties and resume the old relations ? "Way of error never easy.
He is delivered through the wrath of his enemies : (1) God does
not easily or willingly cast off His erring children; (2) Social
injustice or cruelty may have a meaning never intended by its per
petrators ; (3) The destruction of present securities may prepare
the way for complete and enduring rest. III. Though David had
experienced severe trials manifestly sent by the hand of Goti,
he was to be saved from ruinous conclusions by seeing what it
was to fall into the hands of men, IV. A better spirit came
unto David. For a time David had taken his life into his own
hand, nom he retumed unto God and made his peace with
heaven.* A Persian fable (influence of association).—
" One day
A wanderer found a lump of clay,
So redolent of rich perfume.
Its odour scented all his room.
' "What art thou V was his quick demand
' Art thou some gum from Samarcand J
VOL. III. O.T. X

B.C. dr, 1056.
c Burder.
'Unperisting
youth! thou
Icftpest from
forth the cell ot
tby hidden nati
vity ; never mor
tal saw thecradle
of thestrongone;
never mortal
heard the gather
ing of his voices;
the deep-mur-
mur'd chartn of
the sou of the
rock, that ifl
lisp d evermore
at his slumber-
less fountain,".^
Coleridge.

Achish dismisses
David a '• Tbe clue to
this difficult ex
pression may be
fiuad in the fact
that abom this
time a consider
able number of
Manassites
joined Dav., and
went back with
him t') Ziklag."
— Spk. Com.
b Dr. Parker.
" If a spring ba
fouled on its way
down the brae, it
it will soon
brighten up
again, for the
clear water be
hind will wash
away all impuri
ties ; but when
the fountain-
he&d has the foul
stain in it, there
is naething ean
purify that away,
— naething else
but mixing it
with the ocean
of eternity, and
then rising again
to the heavens,
purifled to dOW."
—Bogg.

/. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XXX. 1— la

B.C. dr. 1056.
"On what
strange grounds
wo build our
hopes and fears :
man's life is all a
mist, and in the
dark onr for
tunes meet us.
"Whether wo
drive, or whe
ther we are
driven, if ill, 'tis
ours; if good,
the act of
heaven." — Dry-

Zikla? taken
by the
Amalekitesa 1 Sa. xxvii. 8, 9
See Bp. Ball,
Contemp., Ziklag
spoiled; also
Saw-ilia Disc.
Bist. T. 1.
"My grief lies
all within; and
these extemal
manners of la^
ment are merely
Shadows to the
unseen grief,
that swells with
silence in the
tortured soul ;
there lies the
Bubstance." —
Shakespeare.h Marlow.
David inquires of the liOrd
a Comp. Ps. iii.
6, vi., xiii., xvi.,
xvii.t. 6. Dr. R. Bar
rie, Wks. 55; /.
miner, M.A., Ss.
i.253. b Wm. Stevens.
God looks not
at the pomp of
words and va
riety of expres
sion, but at the
sincerity and de
votion of tbe
heart. The key
opens the door,
not because it is
gilt, bat he-
cause it fits the
lock.

Or spikenard in a rude disguise.
Or other costly merchandise 1'
' Nay, I am but a lump of clay.'
' Then whence this wondrous sweetness, say T
' Friend, if the secret I disclose,
I have been dwelling with the rose.'
Meet parable 1 and will not those
"Who love to dwell with Sharon's Rose,
Distil sweet scents o'er all around,
Tho' poor and mean themselves be found I
Good Lord, abide with us, that we
May cateh these odours fresh from Thee 1"

CHAPTER THE THIRTIETH.
1 — 6. (1) Amalekites, Ge. xiv. 7, not all the tribes destroyed
by Saul. Dav. had attacked them." the south, Negeb. Jos.
XV. 21. (2) slew not any, bee. no warriors were left to fight
them, so all was carried offi as booty. (3) burned, prob, still
bmning. (.4) wept, in desperation of grief. (5) two wives,
1 Sa. xxv. 42, 43.
A great grief (v. 4). — I. Note the occasion of this grief. II.
Note the greatness of it. III. Note the lessons suggested by it.
(1) Tlie strength of hnman affection ; (2) Departures from inte
grity involve men in misery ; (3) How much more should men
grieve over their sins and their loss of the Divine favour.
The different effects of grief. —
The griefs of private men are soon allay'd,
But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck,
Runs to an herb that closeth up the wounds ;
But when the imperial lion's fiesh is gored,
He rends and tears it with his ¦wrathful paw.
And highly scorning that the lowly eartii
Should drink his blood, mounts up to the air.'
6 — 10- (6) grieved, Heb. bitter, desperate, encotiraged
himself, leaming in his extremify of trouble to take hold of
the help of God.« (7) Abiathar, ch. xxiii. 6. (8) he
answered, God through the high priest. (9) brook Besor, a
torrent flowing into the Mediter. near Gaza. 'The Wady Sheriah.
(10) so faint, with the joumey fr. Aphek, the grief of the loss,
and the hurried pursuit. Leaving them witii the baggage
enabled the rest to get on more quiokly.
David encouraging himself (v. 6). — I. Enumerate the particulars
in which we may reasonably conclude David encouraged him
self with a reflection on-— (1) God's past dealings and deliverances ;
(2) God's love to His children ; (3) His inflnite compassion ;
(4) His faithfulness ; (5) His power ; (6) His omnipresence ;
(7) His omniscience. II. The advantage of encouragement on
these grounds— (1) The promise of God, v. 8 ; (2) The leading
of Providence, v. 11 — 15 ; (3) The restoration of property, v. 18,
19. Application — (1) To bewildered seekers ; (2) To thirsting
believers ; (3) To convicted backsliders,'
Inquiring of the Lord (v. 8). — The chosen people of Jehovah,
not less eager than others to know the iasue of their military

Oap. XXX. 11—20.]

1. SAMUEL.

291

expeditions, or if heaven regarded their undertakings 'with a
favourable eye, had frequent recourse to the holy oracle ; they
consulted the prophet of the Lord ; they offered sacrifices, and
consulted with the high-priest who bore the Urim and Thummim
in his breastplate, by means of whioh he discovered the will of
the Deity ; or, presenting himself at the altar of incense, received
the desired response by an audible voice from the most holy
place. The son of Jesse, in a time of great distress and per
plexity, consulted the oiacle by means of an ephod, a part of
sacerdotal vestments : " And David said to Abiathar the priest,
Abimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod ; and
Abiathar brought hither the ephod to David. And David in
quired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop ? shall
I overtake them ? And He answered him, Pursue ; for thou
shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all." Here
was no brightening of arrows, after the custom of superstitious
heathens ; no consulting with images, nor inspecting of intes
tines, from which nothing but vague conjecture can result ; but
a devout and humble application to the throne of the true God :
and the answer was iu every respect worthy of His character ; it
was clear and precise, at once authorising the pursuit, and pro
mising complete success ; or forbidding them in plain terms, to
prosecute their designs."
n— 15. (ll)inthefield, one who had fallen sick, I). 13. (12)
spirit came, he had fainted for want of food. (13) servant,
slave, left me, " an incidental trait of cruelty in the character
of the Amalekites, they had camels, but left the poor' slave to
die in the desert."" (14) Cherethites,' another name for the
Philistines, prob. the southern part of their country, v. 16. (15)
swear, etc., anxious to secure his own safety.
To nhom belongest tliou? (v. 13).— No neutrahties in religion.
I. Have you been " born agaiu 1" "Without the new hirth, you
cannot be Christ's. II. In whom do you trust ? Those who
believe in Jesus are the sons of God, III. "Whose work are you
doing ? He whom you serve is thereby owned»to be yonr Lord.
IV. AVhat company do you keep J " Birds of a feather," etc.
"V". "What is your conversation ? heavenly or earthly 1 VI. "What
have you learned of your Master 1 If you are Christ's, let me
advise you to do four things. You belong to— I. Jesus : obey
Him. II. The Beloved ; then love Him. III. The Son of God :
trust Him. IV. The King of kings : then be decided for Him."
Honseliss and starving (^vv. 11, 12). — Thevenot says, "At abont
five o'clock in the morning, when passing by the side of a hush,
we heard a voice that called to us, and being come to the place,
we found a poor languishing Arab, who told ns that he hadnot
eaten a bit for five days : we gave him some victuals and drink,
with a provision of bread for two days more." This was on the
joumey from Suez to Tor.'
16—20. (IG) spread abroad, not suspecting danger, so
taking no precautions against surprise. (17) twilight," e-ven-
ing time, pursuing them in their flight during the next day.
young men, the servants who had charge of the camels (r. 13).
(18) all, except what was consumed in the feasting, (19) It
was much indeed to recover all uninjured. (20) David's spoil,
the Amaleklte herds ; for Dav.'s men spoiled theh camp.
T 2

E.O. dr. 1056.
" Many favours
which God
giveth us ravel
ut for want of
h' mming ; for
though prayer
purchasethbless-ings, giving
praiso doth keep
the quiet posses
sion of them."—
Fuller. " Pray always.**
You will never
want a motive to
prayer, if you
never forget tho
promises made
to beUeving
prayer. c Paxton.

the EgT-ptian
euide
a Wordsworth,
b Some connect
this word with
the island, Crete.
Oomp. Eze. xxv.
16; Zeph. ii. 5;
Jer. xlvii.4; Am.
ix. 7.
See also 2 Sa.
viii. 18, XV. 18,
XX. 2-3,
c C. II. Spurgeon.
Agone, v. 13, Tho
a in sucb forms
seems to be
simply intensive,
botii in verbs and
other parts of
speech. Thus,
" a - g 0 n e, * or
" gone," in this
passage would
signify merely
"three days
pas t," The
Anglo-Saxon a-
gangen became
"asan, ""agoin,"
"agoo" (" agoo"
being still com
mon in Kent),
"ago," "agone,"
this last form
prevailiug mthe
Tudor period.
d Burder.
Davidspoils the
Amalekitesa " If the twl-
light is the
morning twi
light, as ^e coxk-

292

7. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XXX. 21—31.

B,o, dr. 1066.
trast bet. twi
light and evening
rather suggests,
the natuial ex
planation would
be that David
arrived at night,
and found them
drinking and
dancing, but put
off his attack till
the twilight,
when thev were
BtiU sleeping se
curely after their
revelry." — Spk.
Com..
.•'Far danger
-levels man and
brute, and all are
fellows in their
need." — Byron,
" Fear, though
blinl, is switt
and strong." —
Dr. Mackay.
b Chandler.

the spoil
divided
a See marg. Jn.
xviii. 15.
!> Ju. xix. 23.
e Nu. xxxi. 27;
Jos. xxii. 8.
*' The character
of covetousness
is what a man
generally ac
quires more
thiiough some
niggardliness or
illrgrace in little
and inconsider
able things, than
in expenses of
anyconeequence.A very few
pounds a year
would ease that
man of tbe scan
dal of avarice.".^
Pope. "A willing heart
fkdds feather to
the heel, and
makes the clown
a winged Mer
cury," — Joanna
Baillie.d Roberts.

David sends
presents ta

Tlw slaughter of tlw Amaleldtes (u. 17). — There were two
reasons, exclusive of all religious considerations, that fully justi
fied David in this attack upon the Amalekites. He now resided
among the Philistines, in whose country these Amalekites had
made great depredations, while the Philistines themselves were
engaged iu war with the Hebrews, and incapable of defending
their own frontiers. He was their ally, obliged to act in their
favour, and behaved like a soldier of honour in avenging the
injuries that had been done them. This insult of David there
fore upon the Amalekites was not unprovoked, if we consider
his connection with the Philistines ; much less, if we add to this,
the loss he himself and, his men sustained. For surely the bum
ing of the city where he dwelt, the leading captive into slavery
his own wives, and the wives and children of above six huudred
persons, and the making a booty of all their substance, must have
been the highest provocation to meu that had any feeUng of
natural affection. David and his soldiers thought it so ; and if
it be lawful to put to death incendiaries, women and children
stealers, thieves, robbers, and vagabonds, David's executing this
vengeance on the Amalekites for tiieir treachery in making this
invasion, and committing these unprovoked violences, while
neither the Philistines nor Hebrews could defend their territories,
was a deserved and necessary severity.'
21 — 25. (21) forth to meet, being now rested and refreshed.
saluted," kindly. (22) wioked . . Belial,' De. xiii. 13. Theh:
arguinent was that these men had fainted from the work, so had
no right to share its results. (23) Indication of Dav.'s fhmness,
fairness, and power to mle. Lord hath given us, Dav. has
recovered his high religious tone. (24) stuff," baggage. AU
sharing the work were to share the spoil. (25) statute, etc., a
recognised war regulation.
Tlw reward of the milling but nieah (v. 24). — I. In the great
conflict between the forces of truth and error, there will always
be some (aged, sipk, ete,,) unable to engage iu the battle, II. In
sueh a case, the harsh judgment of the uncharitable phall not
decide their relation to the victory. III. The truly willing shaU
not be impoverished by their inability. IV. The moral eifect of
this rule upou those who fight and those who stay at home.
Salutations (v. 21). — " Saluted them." Hebrew, " asked them
how they did." It is in the East, as in England, a common mode
of salutation to inquire after the health. They do not, however,
answer in the same unhesitating way. "When a man has per
fectly recovered from a fit of sickness, he will not say, " I am
quite well," because he would think that like boasting, and be
afraid of a relapse ; he would, therefore, say, "I am a little
better — not quite so iU as I was." Sometimes, when the ques
tion is asked, he will reply, " Can you not see for yourself ? what
answer can I give ? " To say you look well, or have become
stout, is very annoying. A short time after my arrival in Ceylon,
a very stout Brahmin paid me a visit, and on my saying he
looked remarkably well, he fell into a great rage, and left the
room. I explained to him afterwards that I did not mean any
offence, and he said it was very unfortunate to be addressed in
suoh language."*
26—31, (26) elders of Judah, this was Dav.'a first oppor-

Oap. xxxi. 1— B.l

/. sAmrsz.

293

tunity of acknowledging the kindness and protection accorded
to him during his persecutions. It was also a piece of good
policy in making them favourable to his claim of kingship."
(27) Bethel, Ge. xii. 8. Bamoth, Bamath,'' Jos. xix. 8.
Jattir, Jos. xv. 48. (28) Aroer, unkno'wn town in Judah.'
Not Aroer on the Arnon. Siphmoth, site -unknown. Esh-
temoa, Jos. xv. 50. (29) Rachal, '' unkno-wn. Jerahmeel
ites, ch. xxvii. 10. Kenites, ch. xv. 6. (30) Hormah, Jos.
xii. 14. Chor-ashan, comp, Jos. xv. 42. Athach., poss, Etlwr,
of Jos. xix. 7. (31) Hebron, Jos, xiv. 14, 15. wont to
haunt, during persecution.
Gratitude (the ruined merchant). — Some years ago, a poor boy
came to town in search of a situation as errand-boy. He made
many unsuccessful applications, and was on the eve of retuming
to his parents, when a gentleman, prejiossessed by his appearance,
took him into his employment, and, after a few months, bound
him apprentice. He so conducted himself during his apprentice
ship as to gain the love and esteem of every one who knew him,
and after he had served his time his master advanced a capital
for him to commence busiuess with. He retired to his closet
with a heart glowing with gratitude to God for His goodness,
and solemnly vowed that he would devote a tenth part of his
annual income to the cause of God. The first year his donation
amounted to £10, which he gave cheerfully, and continued to do
so till it amounted to £500 ; he then thought that was a great
deal of money to give, and that he need not be so particular as
to the exact amount. That year he lost a ship and cargo, to the
value of £15,000, by a storm 1 This caused him to repent, and
he again commenced his contributions, with a resolution never to
retract. He was more successful every year, and at length re
tired. He still devoted a tenth part of his annual income for
some years, till he became acquainted with men of the world,
who hy degrees drew him aside from God. He discontinued his
donations, made large speculations, lost everything, and became
ahnost as poor as when he come to to'wn a, poor errand-boy.

CHAPTER THE THIRTY-FIRST.
1 — 8. (1) slain, or wounded, espeo. by Phil, orro'ws. in
STount G-ilhoa, either the battle took place in plain of Jezreel,
and Is. sought refuge in the mount, or battle was fought on sides
of Gilboa, which the Phil, stormed. (2) upon Saul, completion
of -victory was capturing the king, his sons, ch. xiv. 49 ;
1 Chr. viii. 33, x. 2. (3) archers, lit. shooters, men re'ith the bom.
wounded, or afraid,", in anguish. (4) uncircumcised, usual
descrip, of Phil, oh. xiv. 6. abuse me, as a captive king,''
(5) This act indic. attachment bet. an armour-bearer and his lord.
(6) all his men, or his house.'
Slain Jonatlian (v. 2). — I. A perplexing fact : Jonathan cut
off in the full strength of manhood, after a life of self-sacrifice
and piety. II. A too frequent occurrence : a Jonathan slain
by Philistines. III. A mournful remembrance : a Jonathan dead
on a "oattle field. IV. A strengthening hope : the Philistines
slew him ; that was all they could do ; tiie affectionate, valorous
nature suffered no contamination, and was exalted to a preaence

!.0. dr. 1086.
his old
friends Itwas the dlo-
tate of an amiable
and grateful
heart — and the
effect of thia
wel'l-timed libe
rality was to
bring a large ao-
oessian of num
bers to hlB
camp." — Jami^
son. b Proh. same as
Baalath-Beer.
c Huins found In
Wady ^ Ar'-arak,
about 11 milea
W,S.W. fr. Beer
sheba."- R o^nson.
d LXX. ^ves it
Carmel."Which makes
each generous
Impulse of my
nature warm into
ecstasy ,"-/oan«a
Baillie. " The truly gene
rous is the truly
wise; and ho
who loves not
others, hves on-
blest." — Bonn

the death of
Saul and
his sona
a Oesenius.
LXX. trans.
" And he waa
wounded in the
hypochondries," the soft part ot
the body hetween
the. breastbone
and the naveL
6 Jos. Tiii. 29, X,
24; Ju. Tiii. 21.
e 1 Ohr. X. 6.
See Bp. BaU, Con^
temp. Death of
Saul.

294

1. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxxi. 7—10.

B.O. dr. 1056.

».4. Sydney Smith,
Ss. ii. 127 ; F.
Wraiigham, Ss. iii.
419; J. A. Miller,
The Suicide SauL
230.
V. 6. B. Lindsay,
Le. t. i. 336.
d R. A. Griffin.
*' There is no
enemy can hurt
US but by our
own hands. Sa
tan could not
hurt ns, if our
own corruption
betrayed us not;
affiictions cannot
hurt us witiiout
our own impa
tience; tempta
tions cannot hurt
ns, without our
own yieldance ;
death could not
hurt us, without
the sting of our
own sins ; sins
could not hurt
us without our
¦own impeni
tence."— fip. Ball.
t S. A. Griffin.
disposal of
Saul's body
and armour
a WordsworiK
h Spk. Com.
e " Doubtless tho
famous temple of
Venus in Aske
lon mentioned by
Herodotus as the I Jj^ "23^
most ancient of
all her temples."
— Spk. Com.
"This was the
great retribution
for the fall of
their champion
ofQa.t'ii.''-Stanley. "Three Baahti-
arees had been
condemned to
death by the
prince for rob- 1 inbuman.
bery ; one
beheaded.

more congenial than even that of Da-vid. V. A soul-stirring
analogy : Gilboa, with the corpse of Jonathan, speaks of Calvary
and our slain Lord,''
The Phil'isti-nes slew Jonathan. — A Jonathan slain by Philis
tines. They knew nothing of him, except that he was a king's
son, and their enemy. They knew not of the disinterested love
which lived in his breast— whioh could forego a crown rather
than prejudice the future of a friend. They knew not of the
marvellous wisdoin by which he remained a filial son, albeit he
was the friend of one to whom his father was an adversary.
They knew not of the wealth of -virtue, piety, and valour of
which they deprived the world in slaying Jonathan ; nor did
they care to know. I have seen a noble and ingenuous youth,
night by night, reverently saluting his mother ; day by day filially
obeying his father ; year by year brightening his parents' hearta
with j oy and gratitude. In an evil hour, a wild, worldly companion
gains his ear — laughs at his tenderness and gentleness — weans
him from home aud childlikeness. And I said, " The Philistinea
have slain Jonathan, and knew not the moral beauty of which
they deprived a house." 1 have seen a husband — the strong and
gentle companion of a trusting wife — gradually led away by
vicious men to a gay and wicked course, and I have said, " The
Philistines have slain Jonathan, and knew not what a wealth of
love has perished from society." Alas, other swords -than those
of steel, and other men than soldiers, repeat the catastrophe of
Gilboa 1 Go anywhere in society, and you see men who. are no
more like their former selves than the corpse was like living
Jonathan." 7 — 10. (7) other . . valley, either west of Jezreel," or north,
and so including the cities of Naphtali and Zabulon.' other
side Jordan, or Jordan- wards ; not here distinctly referring to
country E. of the river, forsook the cities, expecting Phil.
would plunder and destroy, dwelt in them, so at Saul's death
one part of the land was virtuaUy in the hands of his rival, and
the other part in the hands of his foes. (8) morrow, after a
day of fighting. (9) house, or temple. (10) Ashtaroth,' Ju.
"i. 13. Beth-shan, Jos. xvii. 11.
' A mean revenge (vv. 9, 10). — I. These Philistines never forgot
or forgave the fall of their champion, Goliath. II. They gave
vent to their feeUngs by heaping insults on the dead body of
their foe. This has been done in modem times ; the dead ex
humed and gibbeted. III. The same spirit of mean revenge is
manifested by those who will sometimes insult the weak who
may bear the name of 'the strong.
Mutilating the dead (w. 8, 9). — The ancient Greeks treated the
dead bodies of their enemies in a manner equally indecent and
They mangled, dismembered, dragged them about the
™| I field of battle, and suffered them to lie unburied for a long time,
the'second blown ' and even to hecome the prey of savage beasts and ravenous
np; thethirdwas fowls. No instance of this kind is more remarkable than that
the two'"''^'t°'°'f '°^ *^® brave, the generous, but unfortunate Hector, whose dead
hisbodyhungonlbody suffered every indignity whioh the infuriated rage of
two of the most Achilles, or the ferocious brutality of his myrmidons, could in-
frequented gates vent. Nay, the whole army joined in the brutish and barbaroua
warnkigfcf other ¦ iiisult ; which shows that it was their constant practice, and re-
thieves. Thej garded as quite consistent with virtue and honour. I^deus is not

Oap. xxxi. 11— 13J

/. SAMUEL.

295

treated with more respect in Statius ; and in Virgil, the body of ! b.o. dr. 1056.
Mezentius is cruelly lacerated, for though he only received two ' iiorrid~8oectacIe
wounds from JEneas, we find his breastplate afterwards jSerced | was displayed for
through in twelve places. These instances, to which many others j three days." —
might be added, prove that it was the common practice of an- ¥",^'"1-
cient warnors."
ll— 13. (11) Jabesh-gilead, comp. ch. xi. 1 — 11. (12)
burnt them, this was not the Heb. custom, but sufficient rea
sons can be assigned for its being done in this case. The bodies
were dismembered and disfigured. They would also be corrupted
and offensive ; and buming would secure the royal remains fr.
possibility of further insult. (13) bones, indic. that the bui-n-
ing was imperfectly done, under a tree, or tlw tamarish.u ,
Dav, afterwards removed them to Zelah,'
Tlw vaUant men of Jabesh-gilead (v. 12). — I. These brave men
were grateful, note xi. 1 — 11. They did not forget the old kind
ness of SauL II. Their gratitude prompted them to attempt the
perilous rescue of the bodies of the slain, and provide for them
an honourable burial. Ill, Good deeds are not always forgotten
or unrequited in the present life.
Gratitude. — "When Prince Blucher visited this country, in the
year 1814, and was giving audience at his apartments at St,
James's, three females made their way into his presence, appa
rently much affected. They were the mother and two sisters of
a, seaman belonging to an English brig of war, who, with others,
had been cast on shore on the coast of Pomerania, during the
short war between England and Prussia ; and who, being
obliged to surrender themselves, fell into the hands of the field-
marshal, who not only treated them with all possible kindness,
but maintained them at his own expense for several weeks,
clothed and supplied them with money, and finally sent them
home to their own country. This grateful seaman was with his
ship at Portsmouth, and not being at liberty to come to to'ivn to
thank the gallant veteran himself, had charged his mother and
sisters to wait upon him for that purpose. Blucher was highly
pleased with this instance of a British sailor's gratitude, and
declared that it more than compensated him for every act of
humanity in his whole lif e.<

the burial
of Saul
a Gesenius.
i 2 Sa. xxL 12—
14.•>.12. "The Chal
dee and other
versions render
the words, 'and
they bumt or
kiadled a light
or lamp over
them there, as
they are accus
tomed to burn
over kings.*
Upon which a
rabbi observes,
that .this has
reference to a
custom, deliver
ed down from
their ancestors,
of burning the
beia and other
utensils of the
dead upon their
f raves, or to the
uming of spicea
over them (sea
Jer. xxxiv. 5).".—
Burder.
c Percy Anee.

Tlw fall qf Sa-ul. — If Samnel is the great example of an anoient saint
growing up from chUdhood to old age without a sudden conversion, Saul is
the first direct example of the mixed character often produced by such a
conversion, s, call coming in the midway of life to rouse the man to higher
thoughts than the lost asses of his father's household, or than the tumults of
war and victory. He became "jinother man," yet not entirely. He was, as is
often the case, half -converted, half -roused. His mind moved unequally and
disproportionately in its new sphere. Backwards and forwards in the names
of his children, we see alternately the signs of the old heathen superstition,
and of the new purified religion of Jehovah. Jonathan, his firstborn, is the
" gift of Jehovah ;" Melchi-shua ia " the help of Moloch ;" his grandson Merib-
baal is " the soldier of Baal ;" and his fourth son, Ish-baal, " the man of Baal ;"

296 /. SAMUEL.

and here, again, " Baal " is swept out, and appears only as " Bosheth," the
" shame or reproach, " — Mephi-bosheth, Ish-bosheth. He caught the prophetio
inspiration not continuously but only in fitful gusts. Passionately he would
enter iuto it for a time, as he came 'within the range of his better associations,
tear off his clothes, and lie stretehed on the ground under its influence for a
night and day together. But then he would be again the slave of his commou
pursuits. His religion was never blended with his moral nature. It broke out
in wild, ungovernable acts of zeal and superstition, and then left him more a
prey than ever to his own savage disposition. "With the prospects and position
of a David, he remained to the end a Jephtha, or a Samson, with this difie
rence, that, having outlived the age of Jephtha and of Samson, he could not be
as they ; and the struggle, therefore, between what he was and what he might
have been grew fiercer as years went on ; and the knowledge of Samuel, and
the companionship of Da-vid, became to him a curse instead of a blessing. Of
all the checks on the dangers inoident to the gro-wth of an Oriental monarchy
in the Jewish nation, the most prominent was that which Providence supplied
in the contemporaneous growth of the prophetic office, Bnt it was jnst this
far-reaching vision of the past and the future which Saul was unable to
understand. At the very outset of his career, Samnel, the great representative
of the prophetical order, had wamed him not to enter on his kingly duties till
he should appear to inaugurate them and to instruct him in them. It would
seem to be almost immediately after his first caU that the occasion aro.se. The
war with the Philistines was impending. He could not resti-ain the vehemence
of his religious emotions. As king he had the right to sacrifice. "Without a
sacrifice it seemed to him impossible to advance to battle. He sacrificed, and
by that ritual zeal defied the waming of the prophetic monitor. It was the
crisis of his trial. He had "shown that he could not understand the distinction
hetween moral and ceremonial duty, on which the greatness of his people
depended. It was not because he sacrificed, but because he thought sacrifice
greater than obedience that the curse descended upon him. — Dr. SanUy.

THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL
otherwise called
THE SECOND BOOK OP THE KINGS.

Sgno^fSts.

(According to Hor-ne,)
Thb Seoond Book of Samuel contains the histoid of David, the second king of
Israel, during the period of nearly forty years— i.e. from A.M. 2948—2988 : aud
by recording the translation of the kingdom from the tribe of Benjamin to
that of Judah, it relates the partial accomplishment of the prediction delivered
in Gen. xlix.' 10. The victories of David, his wise administration of civil
government, his efforts to promote true religion, his grievous sins, and deep
repentance, together with the various troubles and judgments inflicted upon
him and his people by God, are all fully described. This book consists of three
principal divisions, relating the triumphs and troubles of David, and his
transactions subsequent to his recovery of the throne, whence he was driven
for a short time by the rebellion of his son Absalom.

PABT I.— The triumphs of David I— I.
Sect. i. Hiselegy over Saul and Jonathan,..!.
Sect. ii. His triumph over the house of Saul
ii.— iv.
jSferf. iii. His victories over the Jebusites and
Fhilistines  v.
Bringing the ark to Jerusalem ...vi.
His prayer on that occasion  viL
Sed. iv. His other victories  viii. — x.
PAET II.— The troubles of David, and
their cause, with his repent
ance, and recovery to Divine
favour....  ^*' — ^^
Sect, i. The cause of David's troubles,- hia
flrst great sin,— Hie sin in the
matter of Uriah, etc  xl— xiL

Sect, it His punishments, — domestic tron
bles  xiii-
Public tronbles  liv.— xvii.
The death of Absalom  xviii.
David's mourning on his account xix.
PAET m.— David's reatoration to his
throne, and subsequent trans
actions  jtx.— xxiv.
Sect. 1 David'a return to Jemsalem, and
Seba'3 insurrection quelled ...xx.
Sect. ii. Punishment ot the sins of Saul...xxt.
fecMli. His Fsalm of praise  xxii.
Sect. iv. Last words of David, etc  xxiii.
SeU. V. David's second great offence against
Qod, etc  xxiv.

Cap, 1 1— IO,]

IL SAMXTEh.

299

B.C. 1056.
ne'ws of
Saul's deatli
broug-ht to
Da Vid
a Comp. 1 Sa. iv,
12.Seo Saurin, Disc.
Hist. V. 10; J{
Lindsay, Lect. iu
X.
vv. 2 — 4. J. A.
Miller,, Saul, 261.
" TrembUng lips,
tuned to Bu<-h
grief that they
eay bright words
eadly.""— Z)o6eW.
" Her big swola
grief surpassed
the power of ut
terance." — Ovid,
b Britce.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.
_ 1 — 4. (1) Ziklag, 1 Sa. xxvii. 6. (2) clothes, etc.,' outward
signs of disaster and grief. The man was anxious to ingratiate
himself with David, so did everything he thought wonld please
him. (3) escaped, at once intimating the defeat. (4) Dav.'s
patriotism led him to feel the utmost interest and anxiety in the
result of a battle, in wh. he was nearly compelled to take part.
A suggi'stii-e contrast (v. 1). — I. Saul — defeated, slain, dis
honoured, II. David — victorious, triumphant. IIL The misery
of the God-abandoned; and the happiness of the God-assisted
man. — IlUncms in Iiappy inoments (t'r. 2 —4). — ^I. No happiness
in this world unalloyed. II. Sorrow treads closely on the heels
of joy.
Signs of mourning (v. 2). — ^In several passages of Scripture
mention is mado of dust strewed on the head as a, token of
mourning, or earth or ropes carried on the head as a token of
submission. The following instance is remarkably analogous to
these acts of humiliation : — " He then descended the mountain,
carrying, as -is the custom of the country for vanquished rebels,
a stone upoa his head, as confessing himself guilty of a capital
crime."' 5—10. (5) Icnowest thou, if he had fled for his own life, the false
how cotrld he be sure ahout the king and his sons 1 (6) This i account of
aoconnt may be inade up ; or it may be reconciled with that in ,' ^^"^^'^ death
1 Sa. xxxi,, by supposing the Amalekite came up to Saul before j « l Sa. xv.
he was quite dead, .and gave him the finishing stroke. (7, 8) j * The Heb. word
Amalekite, reminding Sanl in his death-hour of his sin," (9) | °™'"'° nowhere
anguish,* *e«marg. ; diza'incss, or eramp, oi- darkness. (10)| c ..snch aa may
crown, kind of diademed helmet bracelet, in E. a most; be teen in the
ancient symbol of royalty." i existing regalia
Judging otJwrs by our tmn standtard. — I. The nationality pf ] ohina^ and othOT
this messenger, Amalekite ; a nation just conquered by David j lands • and such
iv. \). II. His motive. Self-preservation. III. His method. I "¦' ''o recognise
He would curry favour with the conqueror. IV. His mistake. ' Sonumen'ts°"'of
He supposed that David would rejoice in the death of his enemy j Egypt, Persia,
by whatsoever means it might be accomplished. Had no under- 1 ami Assyria."—
standing of a man who, even for his O'wn grain, would not rejoice 1 '^'"''¦
in iniquity. i "The crown waa
Marginal reading of -v. 9.— "My coat of mail, or my em- i P'"^',,;^" ™^'^'
broidered coat." The marginal reading here probably conveys ; wreath, wh.'en-
the true meaning of the Hebrew. Saul, for his personal security, . circled the tem-
most likely wore a close coat, made of rings or oilets in the | P'°f' serving the
nature of a. coat of mail. Montfaucon (Supplement, Vol. HI- ¦ Sot^ with a\ery
p. 397) thns represents a combat hetween a person pn horseback | small hom pro-
and another on foot. " The horseman, represented on an Etruscan ^ j-ctiag in front,
vase, of Cardinal Gualtieri's, is armed in such a singular manner j power."— .^mfe-
that I thought it necessary to give the figure here. This horse- ; son.
¦man is mounted on a naked horse with only a bridle, though the i piutarch tells n»
horse seems tb have sonfbthing on his nedk, which passes between . that Artaxerxea
his two ears, but it is impossible to distinguish what it is. The' "ee^ai/g^'^to"^™
armour also of this horseman is as extraordinary as that of_ the thrust through
Sarmatian horseman on Trajan's pillar. His military habit is. the tongue of a

soo

//. SAMUEL,

[CaD. 1. 11-ia

B.O. 1056.
certain soldier
who lyingly said
that he had
killed two of the
enemy. "There is per
haps no time at
which we ar9
disposed to think
so highly of a
friend as when
we flnd him
standing higher
than we expected !
in the esteem of
others," — Sir
Walter Scott,
d Burder.

David}>unishes the
self-accused slayer of
Saul
a 1 Sa. xxiv. 6,
xxvi. 9, 10.
V. 1-2. Bp, Burnet,
TheRoyal Martyr.
V. 14. E. Miller,
Ss. ZS.
¦When Ceesar had
Pompey's head
presented to him,
he wept and said,
"I sought uot re
venge, but vic
tory."
». 15, "Ho that
betrayed Bhodes
to the Turk was
served in like
sort, ending his
life with shame
and torment. So
'was Earl Godwin
here, and Earl
Doring in Bohe
mia by Dnke
Beda." — Trapp.
b Thomas FuUer.

e Roberts.

David's
lamentationover Saul and
Jonathan " a Comp, titles
of somo Psalms,
f,ff, 'Bind of the
Morning;' 'Mute
Dove among

ve^ close, and fitted to his body, and covers him even to his
wrist and below his ankles, so that his feet remain naked, which
is very extraordinary. For, I think, both in the ancient and
modem cavalry, the feet were a principal part which they
guarded ; excepting only the Moorish horse, who have for their
whole dress only a short tunic, which reaches to the middle
of the thigh ; and the Numidians, who ride quite naked npon a
naked horse, except a short cloak which they have fasteuded
to their necks, and hanging loose behind them in warm weather,
and which they wrap about themselves in cold weather. Our
Etruscan horseman here hath his feet naked, but he hath his
head well covered, with a cap folded about it and large slips
of stuff hanging down from it. He wears a coUar of round
stones. The close-bodied coat he wears is wronght all over with
zigzags and large points do'wn to the ghdle, which is broad, and
tied round the middle of his body ; the same flourishing is con
tinued lower down his habit quite to his ankle, and aU over his
aims to his wrist." Something similar to this might be the
military dress of Saul."*
11 — ^16. (11) rent them, the impulsive aot of desperate
gi-ief. all . . him, in imitation of him. (12) and for Jona
than, the tone of this mouming is given by Dav.'s personal
feeling in the loss of his friend. (13) stranger, so not bound
by ties of allegiance to Saul : he might indeed fairly rejoice
at death of his people's great foe. (14) Iiord's anointed," so
Dav. regarded Saul, bnt too mnch to expect the Amal, to think of
him thus. (1.5) young men, his personal attendants. (16)
upon thy head, responsibility mnst be your own.
The reward of lying lips (v. 16). — I. Here is a lie told in the
hope of personal advantags. 'This Amalekite had not killed
Saul (1 Sa. xxxi, 4, 5). II. Here is a man taken at his own word
and judged by his omi mouth. III. How many brave words c£
boasting are words of shame. — The lying Amalehite. — Proceeding,
he told six lies successively. 1. That Saul called him ; 2. Tha't
he came at his call ; 3. That Saul demanded who he was ;
4. That he returned an answer ; 5. That Saul commanded him to
kill him ; 6. That he killed him accordingly. For a wilful
falsehold told is a cripple not able to stand by itself without
another to support it.'
Mourning for the dead (v. 12). — ^Thus did David, and those that
were with him, weep and fast until the evening because the
" mighty were fallen," and because " the weapons of war " had
perished. When a father or mother " falls on the ground," the
children have stated periods ¦when they weep and fast in memory
of their dead. On the day of the full moon, those who have lost
their mothers fast until the sun come to the meridian, and in the
evening they take milk and fruit. For a father, the sons fast on
the new moon in the same way as for the mother.'
17, 18. (17) this lamentation, a dirge or funeral song.
Dav.'s poetic soul expressed its joys and griefs in psahn and song.
(18) The words — tlw nse ()f— shonld be omitted, and the words-^
The Bon}° — be put in capitals, as being the title* heading this
dirge in the Book of Jasher.!"
Tlw Sang of tlw. Bow (v. 1 8).— The Bow of Jonathan reminds us
—I. Thatthe weapons of this world are sometimes employed in

Oap. 1. 13-20.]

//. SAMUEL.

301

the services of friendship (2 Sa. xx. 35 ff.). II. That they are
vain when employed without the blessing of God. III. That the
how of truth is the only invincible one whence arrows of convic
tion are sent to ttansfix the hearts of the king's enemies.
Ficneral customs (v. 18). — These words have been generally
nnderstood of Jonathan teaching the children of Judah the use
of the bow. But a better interpretation of the passage probably
is, that the bow is the name of the lamentation which David
uttered over Jonathan ; and that it is so denominated because he
met his death from the bow. The following extract, describing a
funeral procession of women, to commemorate the death of a
merchant named Mahomet, at Cosire, where he was murdered by
two Arabs, who attacked him with swords, will illustrate this
representation. Speaking of the murder of Mahomet, Mr. Irwin
says : " The tragedy which was lately acted near Cosire gave
birth to a mournful procession of females, which passed through
the difEerent streets of Ginnah, and uttered dismal cries for the
death of Mahomet. In the centre was a female of his family,
who carried a naked sword in her hand, to imitate the weapon by
which the deceased fell. At sundry places the processien stopped,
and danced round the sword to the music of timbrels and tabors.
They paused a long time before our house, and some of the
women made threatening signs to one of our servants, which
agrees with the caution we received to keep within doors. It
wonld be dangerous enough to face this frantic company, whose
constant clamour and extravagant gestures gave them all the
appearance of the female bacchanals of Thrace recorded of old."
Rom this custom of carrying in the funeral procession the
weapon by whioh the deceased met death, it seems likely thatthe
lamentation of David over Jonathan might have been called 'the
bow, and sung by the men of Judah in funeral proceEsion."
19 — 20. (19) the beauty," or more vigorously, thy glory, 0
Israel ! Th'e king and his son regarded as embodying the excel
lency of the nation, high places, Gilboa. Is. felt usually safe
fighting ou their own hills, fallen, this is the refrain or chorus.
(20) Gath (1 Sa. xxi. 10), the royal city. Askelon (1 Sa. xxxi,
10), the chief seat of worship.
The fall cf tlw mighty (v. 19). — I. All history illustrates this.
1. Nations ; 2. Men. II. The mighty fall variously, 1. By the
force of temptation ; 2. In human respect ; 3. By death. Ill
The fall of the mighty is suggestive — 1. Of caution to those who
are in high places ; 2. Of encouragement to the lowly. God will
raise them up.
Uncertainty cf human affairs (v. 19), — Csesar Borgia (base son to
Pope Alexander VI,) used to boast to his friend Macbiavel that he
had contrived his afEairs and greatness into suoh a posture of firm
ness that, whether his holy father lived or died, they could nat but
be secure. If he lived there could be no doubt of them ; and if he
died, he had laid his interest so as to overrule the next election
as he pleased. Bnt all this while the politician never thought or
considered that he might in the meantime fall dangerously sick,
and that sickness necessitate his removal from the court, and
during that his absence his father die, and so his interest decay,
and hia mortal enemy be chosen to the papacy, as, indeed, it fell
ont. So that, for all his exact plot, down was he cast from all his
greatness, and forced to end his days in a mean condition : as it

B.O. 1056.
Strangers;' Lilies,' etc. So
this is called Ke-
seth, or. Tin tow."
—Kitlo b Jos. X. 13.
V. 17, J. Bullar,
Lay Lect. 297.
vv. 17—26, Bp.
Horsley, Bib. Crit.
ii, 431.
V. 1 8, J. Gregory,
Wks.\. 1.
Dr. Good ob
serves tbat the
only other pas-
page where the
Book of Jasher is
named is in the
poetical form
(Josh. X, 18). and
tbe root of the
word moans a
" song;" whence
he concludes
that this was a
C'lllection of odes
or Facred hymns
composed on dif
ferent occasions,
which, Veing un
inspired, have
not been pre^
served.c Burder

the SoTag of
the Bow
the mighty
fallena " Lit. ' the ga
zelle, or ante' ope
oflsrael.' In E.
this animal isthe
chosen type of
beauty and sym-
metrical ele
gance of form."
— Jamieson.
"The wild roe."
— Stanley.
V. 19, S, Dories,
Ss. lii. '24; J. C.
ir. Bellew, Ss. 129.
VT. 20, 21, J.A.
Miller, Saul. 286.
¦When Addison
was told tbat a
soldier wept at a
moving scene in
his Cato, he re
plied, "Be will
flght never the
worse for that;
it is a sign he is
a brave man."

302

H. SAMUEL.

[Oap. 1. 21, 2a.

B.C. 1056.
It Is customary
among the
Arabs, after a
victory, to mate
Bongs and sing
them to celebrate
the warlike deeas
of their chiefs.
ll South.

the.shield of
the mighty
a " On the green
strip wh, breaks
the slope of the
mountainnplandas it lises fr. the
fertile plain, the
final enconnter
took placo. Filled
as it seemed with
the pledge of fu
ture harvests and
offerings, hence
forth a curse
might well be
called to rest on
it, and the bare
ness of the bald
mountain, wiih
out dew or rain
to spread itself
over the fertile
BOil." — Stanley.
b Wordsworth.
e Is. xxl 5.
V. 21. J. Weemse,
Expos, i. 147.
Niebuhr tells us
that an Arab
tribe so tho
roughly defeated
a Pasha of Bag
dad, that tbe
Arab poets made
a song upon the
victory ; which
became so com
mon as to be
heard in Bagdad
itself."Death Is the
liberator of him
whom freedom
cannot release,
the physician of
him whom medi
cine cannot cure,
and the com
forter of him
whom time can
not console," —
CoUon.

is pity but all snch politic opinionators shonld. Upon muoh the
Uke acconnt, we find it once said of an eminent cardinal, hy
reason of his great and apparent likelihood to step into St. Peter's
chair, that in two conclaves he went in pope and oame out again
cardinal. . . For when men have busied liemselves, and beat tiieir
brains never so much, the whole result, both of iiieir counsels
and their fortunes, is still at the .mercy of an accident. And,
therefore, whosoever that man was that said that he had rather
have a grain of fortune than a pound of wisdom, as to the thinga
of this life, spoke nothing but the_ voice of wisdom and great
experience.' 21, 22. (21) no dew, etc.,<^ as if the very ground may well
be nnder a curse on wh. snch a calamity came, flelds of offer-
ings, that would afEord firstfruits, poetical fig, for land " fertile
and blessed of God."' not anointed 'with oil,« cast aside amid
the blood and dirt, " the polish of the consecrated oil was gone —
it was a defiled and polluted thing." (22) This verse indicates
that the battle had been eevere, and heroic actions done up to
the last.
The shield (v. 21). — The shield was more highly valued hy the
ancients than all their other armour. It was their delight to
adom it with aU kinds of figures, of birds and heasts, especially
those of generous natures, as eagles and Uons : they emblazoned
upon its capacious circle the effigies of their gods, the forms of
celestial hodies, and all the works of nature. Thoy preserved it
with the most jealous care ; and to lose it in the day of battle
was accounted one of the greatest calamities that could befall
them, worse than defeat, or even than death itself ; so great was
their passion for what is termed military glory, and the estimation
in which it was held, that they had a profound regard for aU
, sorts of arms the instruments by which they attained it ; and to
leave them in the hands of their enemies, to give them for a
pledge, or dispose of them in a dishonourable way, was an inde
lible disgrace hoth in Greece and at Eome, for which they could
hardly ever atone. But these sentiments were not confined to
Greece and Eome ; among no people were they carried higher
than among the Jews. To cast away the shield in the day of
battle, they cotmted a national disgrace, and a fit subjeot for
pnbiic mouming. This affecting circumstance was not omitted
in the beautiful elegy which David, a brave and experienced
soldier, composed on the death of Said and the loss of his army :
" Tho shield of the mighty was vilely cast away." On that fatal
day, when Sanl and the flower of Israel perished on the mountains
of Gilboa, many of the Jewish soldiers who had behaved with
great bravery in former battles, forgetful of their own reputation
and their country's honour, threw away their shields, and fled
from the field. 'The sweet singer of Israel adverts to that dis
honourable conduct, with admirable and touching pathos : " Te
mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there ba
rain upon you, nor fields of offerings ; for iiere the shield of the
mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, aa though he had
not been auointed with oil." The Apostle has availed himself of
this general feeling in his Epistle to the Hebrews, to encourage
them in the profession of the Gospel, and in a.cowrageous, firm,
and constant adherence to the truth : " Cast not away therefore
your confidence." Abide without wavering in the profession of

Gap 1. 23—27.

//. SAMUEL.

303

the faith, and in the firm belief of the truth ; and aim at the full
assurance of the grace of faith, which, as a spiritual shield,
should be sought with unwearied diligence, and retained with
jealous care.'
23, 24. (23) Prefer form of address, " Sanl and Jon. lovely |
and pleasant were ye I" Dav, throws some of the beauty of the
son over the father, eagles, lions, noblest of birds and beasts,
(24) in scarlet," from the spoils of his wars,
,'yniift-ness of foot (v. 23). — The military exercises of the
Hebrews resembled those of other nations aiound them. Swift
ness of foot was highly valued, as it gave the warrior a great
advantage over his slower and more unwieldy antagonist.
It is accordingly mentioned to the honour of Asahel, one of
David's captains, that he was swifter of foot than a wild roe ;
and the sweet singer of Israel, in his poetical lamentations over
those two great captains, Saul and Jonathan, takes particular
notice of this warlike quality : " They were swifter than eagles,
stronger than lions." Nor were the ancient Greeks less attentive
to a qualification which the state of the military art in those
days rendered so valuable. The foot-races in the Olympic games
were instituted by warlike chieftains, for the very pnrpose of
inuring their subjects to the fatigues of war, and particularly
of increasing their speed, which was regarded as an excellent
qualification in a warrior, both because it served for a sudden
attack and a nimble retreat. Homer, fully aware of its value
in ancient warfare, says that swiftness of foot is one of the most
excellent endowments with whioh a man can be favoured. To
invigorate the frame, on the strength and firmness of whioh the
¦victory almost entirely depended in primitive times, the Hebrew
captains are said to have exercised their soldiers in lifting
great weights. After the defeat of Saul, which seems to have
been chiefly efEected by the skill and valour of the enemy's
archers, David commanded his officers to instruct their troops in
the use of the bow, which, though employed by the Hebrew
warriors from the earliest times, appears to have been rather
neglected till that terrible catastrophe taught them the necessity
of forming a body of skilful archers, whioh might enable them
to meet their enemies in the field on equal terms. The Hebrew
youth were also taught to hurl the javelin, to handle the spear,
and to use the sling, in which many of them greatly excelled,'
25—27. (25) Jonathan, throughout the special subjeot of
the dirge, (26) very pleasant, in intercourse of near friend
ship. Jonathan is a truly lovely and lovable character. (27)
how . . fallen," the final refrain.
The love that is monderful (v. 26).— The love of Jonathan to
David was wonderfnl in— I. Its condescension. The heir to tbe
throne of Israel loved the shepherd-lad. II. Its depth and inten
sity. Jonathan loved David " as his own soul," III. Its un
selfishness. IV. Its practice. Note how the practicality ot
Jonathan's love was shown, V. Its constancy. No change m
David's circumstances altered the character of his friendship,*
Tlw lore ofimmen (v. 26),— The love of women or as the word
is freqnentlic rendered, wives. This figure hath been censured,
as not well chosen, and insinuations dropped highly to the dis
honour of the two noble friends. But the expression gives no

B.C. 1056.

Saol and
Jonathanin life
aud death
a "This pass, is
most exqiiisile
c omposi tion.
The wom, of Is.
M'e most happily
introduced, and
the snbject of the
enccmlum is ad
mirably adapted
to the female
characters."- .Sp.
Lowth.V. 23, Dr. B. Ken
net, Ss. 294; S.
Carr, Ss. i. 381.
r. 24. A. Mac
donald, Ss. 125.
V. 23. " Such fast
friends were the
sacra cohort
among the Ne-
Lans ; the sol-
durii among the
old French; the
sworn brethren
among the Irish,
etc." — Trapp.
" All com en tions
ceaso in the
grave. Death,
like ^ome able
ila\(-man, lays
bis haT.d on the
contending par
lies, and brings
all their differ
ences to an
amicable conclu-
tion," — Hervey.
b Paxton.
special
lament for
Jonathana " Thia recur-
reuee of the
same idea is
perfectly c o n-
genial to the
nature of elegy,
since grief is
tend of dwelling
upon the parti
cular objects of
the passioo, and
frequently r e-
peating them."
—Bp. Lowth.
b The Study.
" The soul of

304

//. 13 A MITEL,

[Cap. li. 1^11.

B.C. 1056.
¦woman IUes in
love." — Sigour-
ney. " There is in the
heart of woman
Buch a deep well
of love, that no
age cau freeze
it."— Lytton.
c Chand'er.
"Falsehood and
cowardice are
tlun^B women
lughly hold in
hat e.**— Skdke-

DavidanointedIkiner of
Judah
•a 1 Sa. xxiii. 9,
ixx. 7, 8, etc.
* "Sel ecte.d,
donbtleaa, as the
Ancient sacred
city of the tribe
of Judah, the
bnrial-piace of
the patriarchs,
«bud the inheri
tance of Caleb."
'^Stanley.
^The stronzest
And most im
portant place
withia the limits
of the tribe of Ju
dah." — Kitto.
e 1 Sa. xvi. 13.
See Saurin., Disc.
Hist. V. 45.
V. 4. H. Lindsay,
Lect. ii. 16.
d C. SL Flmry,
AM.
V. 3. " Thus doth
¦our heavenly
1 e a d e r, whom
Dav, preflgured,
take HS to r^gn
with Him, who
bave Buffered
with Him.** —
Trapp.
^ Soitth.
Abner sraakesXsh-bosheth

countenance to it. It appears to me, that there waa somewhat ia
the conduct of Michal, David's wife, in too hastily consenting to
be married to Phalti, .that gave occasion to this comparison. It
ia certain from her behaviour to him, at the bringing the ark to
Jerusalem, that she had not that high esi^eem and affection for
him that she ought to have had, aa she took this opportunity so
bitterly to reproach him. It is cfertain also, that her marriage to
Phalti must have been preceded by a divorce from David ; other
wise her second marriage would have been real adultery : and her
consenting to a divorce, though by her father's order, showed
great \vant of affection and fidelity to David. On this supposi
tion, no comparison could be better chosen, nor more tenderly
and delicately expressed. The brother's love to him, as a friend,
was more generous and constant than the sister^s, though a wife.
The compliment to Jonathan was very high, and just j aad tho
concealing the sister's name, was truly polite.*

CHAPTER THE SECOND.
1 — 4. (1) enquired, etc., characteristic of Dav. is this con
stant seeking of counsel and direction from God." The death of
the king and his son altered Dav.'s position, and made aotion
necessary. Hebron.,' Ue. xxiii. 2. (2) two wives, 1 Sa. xxv.
42, -iS. (3) cities, neighbouring villages and towns. (4) they
anointed, the will of the people thus acknowledging the call of
God.= Dav'id ano'mted king qf ,Tu.dah (». 4), — I. What a power is there
arrayed against every humble disciple of the Saviour, Ep. vi. 12.
II. David's deliverances and escapes were numerous, and none
of them effected in any mode which oould diminish the estimation
of danger. III. It was to Providence that David owed his
several deUverances from the animosity and power of Saul. IV.
At last the sorrows of the wanderer, the persecuted fugitive, are
over, and he is crowned — the ruler of the mightiest tribe in
Israel.'' 'Worldly preferments. — And then for the preferments of the
world, he that would reckon np all the accidents that they
depended upon, may as well undertake to count the sands or to
sum np infiuity ; so that greatness, as well as an estate, may, npon
this account, be properly called a man's fortune, forasmuch as no
man can state either the acquisition or preservation of it upon
any oertain rules— every man, as well as the merchant, being
here truly an adventurer. For the ways by which it is obtained
are various, and frequently contrary : one man, by sneaking and
flattering, comes to riohes and hononr (where it is in the power of
fools to bestow them), upon observation whereof, another pre
sently thinks to arrive to the same greatness by the very same
means, but striving like the ass, to court his master, just as the
spaniel had done before him, instead of being stroked and made
much of, he ia only rated off and cudgelled for aU his court
ship.'' 5—11. (5) David's first royal proclamation. The east of
Jordan favouring the house of Saul, Dav. tries to secure their
allegiance." (6) requite you, or show xuj confidence and

Cap. li. 12-17.]

//, SAMUEL.

805

thanks, by sending this message of peace to you. (7) valiant, '
sons of valour, vvith idea of virtue, right-thinking men. (8)
Abner, 1 Sa. xiv. 50. Ish-bosheth (or JUsh-baal),'' man of
shame, or bashful, A person of little energy of character.
Mahanaim, Ge, xxxii. 2. (9) Names here proh. indicate the
territory recovered by Abner fr. the Phil. Ashurites, or tribe
of Asher. (10) two years, comp. v. 11. (11) seven ..months,
either Dav. reigned 54 years before Abner put up Ishbosheth ;
or 5^ yrs, after Ishb.'s death.
Burial of strangers (v. 5), — The bodies of Saul and his sons
were bumt by the men of Jabesh-gUead. Two of the thirty -two
charities of the Hindoos are, to bum the bodies of those ¦whose
relations cannot do it, and to pay for the beating of the tom-toms
to the plaoe of burning. It is therefore considered a vi'ork of
great merit to perform the funeral rites for a respectable stranger,
or for those whose relations are not able to meet the expenses.
Hence may be seen the funerals of those vfho have lived in
poverty, or who have seen better days, conducted with great
pomp, because the reward is great to him who advances the
money, and because he receives great praise from the peoplci^
12 — 17. (12) went out," assuming the offensive against
Judah. Gibeon, now El-Jeb, 7 miles W, of Jerusalem ; close
upon the frontier of Judah. (13) Joab, introduced to us here.
pool of Gibeon,' Jer xli. 12. (14) play,« exhibit their skill
in fighting. A sort of champion fight before a general engage
ment. (15) A iixed arrangement to take twelve a side, (16)
The Benjamites tried to take advantage of their skill in using
the left hand; but the men of Judah proved quite a match
for them in quickness and dexterity. Helkath-hazzurim,
"the field of the maUgnauts"'' (17) battle, general engage-.
ment. Asahel &vertaken hJ death (vv. 18— 23).— I. Death often comes
npon us by ways that we least suspect. Who wonld fear the
hand of a flying enemy, or the hutt-'end of a spear ? II. How
often we are betrayed by the accomplishments we are proud of.
Asahel's swiftness, whicii he presumed so much upon, did him
no kindness, but- forwarded his fate ; and with it he ran npon
his death, instead of running from it.'
Seizing by the beard (v. 16). — They did this hy the hair of the
head, or beard (2 Sa. xx. 9). Plutarch tells us, in his Apoph
thegms, that all thiugs being prepared for a battle, Alexander's
captains asked him whether he had anything else to command
them. " Nothing," said he, " but that the Macedonians shave
their beards." Parmenion wondering what he meant, " Do not
you know," says he, " that there is no better hold iu fight than
the beard!" On arriving near the village , I stopped to copy an
inscription, sending my attendants forward to procure lodgings
and provisions. My attention, however, was soon attracted by ipoJed to^lea-^
the screams of women and children ; and, on entering the vil- -
lage, I found the peojde throwing sticks and stones at my ser
vants, while the papas was encouraging the assailants. At
length, Logotheti's man, on receiving a wound from a large
stone, took the priest by the beard, and drawing his sword,
would probably have endangered the lives of all our party by
some rash action, had I not arrived at that moment, and by
holding the hand of the Libadiote, put an end to the fray/
TOIi. m. o. T. U

king of
Israel a " Prob. Dav.'a
info rm ants
thought he
would resent the
act of lhe men of
Jabesh." — Spk.
Com.b 1 Chr. viii. 83,
1%. S9.
«. 7. Bp. Fleet
wood, Ss. SJQ.
c Roberts.
"Death Ib the
f oreBhadowing
of life. We die
that we may die
no mor e."««
Booker. Joab ^oes
out to confer
with Abner
a Comp. 1 Sa.
xviii. 30; 2 Sa.
jxi, 17; 1 Chr.
XX. 1.
6 "On the east o{
the hill IB a co
pious spring, wh.
iBsues in a cave
excavated in a
limestone rock,
so as to form a
large reservoir.
In the trees fur
ther down are
the remains of a
pool or tank of
considerablesize. This ia
doubtless the
poolofGibeon.".-Smilh's Diet. Bib.
e '* Some think
the proposal waa
only for an exhi
bition of a little
tilting match for
diversion. Othera
suppose that
both parties be
ing reinetant to
commence a civil

the contest to
the decision of
12 pirked men
on either side,"
— Jamieson.
d Ewald.
M. Benrtf.
fDodaell'a 2i)im

306

//, SAMUEL.

[Cap. 11. la-^.

B.O. lose.

18 — 24. (18) Asahel," remarkable for powers of runuinj.
"The darling of his brothers." (VJ) pursued . . Abner, beo.
the grandest trophy of a battle was the armour of the general.
(20) behind him, as he ran, (21) his armour,' "be content
with the spoil of some inferior soldier ; you are but a stripling,
beware of contending with so tried a warrior as I am," (22)
ag^ain, urging him a second time, to Joab, on whom would
fall the duty of blood revenge. (23) hinder end,!^ blunt end;
but the strength of Abner's hand, and the swiftne^ of Asahel's
running, made it a death-wound. (24) These names not iden
tified. Moe and antelope (v. 18). — In our version, the original term
 is translated roe and roebuck; but Dr, Shaw and others have
goodness a noble ' proved by several conclusive arguments that it is not the roe, but
anil » stately -tbe antelope, which the sacred writers intend. The former is
presfe'd on °it ^^*'^^™^^y '^^'^® ^"^ ^^* ^'¦^®'^*^'' regions, while the latter is oom-
that beauty and mon in every part of the Levant. . . The natives of Syria make
majesty which a distinction betweeu the antelopes of the mountain and those
"of the plain. Dr. Russel, who gives us this information, says,
" the former is the most beantif nlly formed ; its back and sides
are of a dark brown colour, and it bounds with surprising agility;
presently both a ' ^g latter is of a much lighter colour, its limbs are not so cleanly
awful respeS!^'^'^^"^' ^^^ i* ^^ neither so strong nor so active ; both, however,
into the minds of ' are so fleet that the greyhounds, though reckoned excellent, cau-
ail men. Power j not, without the aid of the falcon, come up with them, except iu
riches^ ma*'^ to i ^°^' "^®®P ground." This is probably the reason that the sacred
courted, wit and | writers frequently mention the " antelope upon the mountains,"
knowledge may i and not simply the antelope, when they allude to surpassing
be admired ; but beauty of form, or amazing rapidity of motion. The swiftness
of this beautiful creature has been celebrated by vraiters Of

defeat and
pursuit of Abner
a 1 Oh. ii. 16,
xii. 8; Pb. xviii.
33 ; Song a 17,
•viii. U.
i Ju. xiv. 19.
e iii. 27, iv. 6, xx.
10. " Godhath made ,

command
universal love
and veneration,
which strike

only goodness is
truly esteemed . 
and honoured." every age, m terms of high admiration. Its exquisite symmetry,
. — Barrow. " " " '" -.... - 

"Excess of grief
for the deceased
is madness; for
it is an injury to
the living, and

come:gives place to
nothing, for
there is not
another to suc
ceed." — Bunyan.

its active form, and the delicate tum of its limbs, clearly show
that it is intended by its Maker to hold a distinguished plaoe
among the fleetest animals that scour the desert. Sir John Mal
colm says it may be termed the fleetest of quadrupeds. It seems
rather to vanish than to mn from the pursuer ; and when closely
the deadTnowlt i pressed, bounds with so great agility, that it hardly seems to
not."— XenopAoB. Itouch the ground in its career. Oppian calls it the swiftest
" First must give ' speoies of goat ; aud, according to .SliUan, it equals tke whirl-
place to last, be- j wind in speed. He outruns the antelope, said the Arabians, when
cause last must , they wished to pay the highest compUment to the youthful warrior.
rom«.'''\it°las't : ^0 *^'^ *^^i* i'l i*» character the sacred \VTiters often aUude. The
surprising agility which Asahel, the brother of Joab, displayed
in his pnrsuit of Abner, drew this eulogium from the sacred his
torian : "And Asahel was hght of foot, as one of the antelopes
that are in the field." Another aUusion to the amazing speed of
that animal occurs in the description of the warlike qualifica
tions whioh distinguished a troop of Gadites in the service of
David : " They were men of might, men of war, fit for the battle,
that could handle shield aud buckler, whose faces were like the
faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes (the antelopes) upon
the mountains." ''
armistice 25—28. (25) children, etc, prob. a reinforcement enabled
between Abuer to make a stand. (26) ''Abner, who had made a jest of
JSme? shedding blood, now professes repugnance for bloodshed. "« (27)
a Wordsworth. A diff. expression • may mean either, If you had not made the

d Paxton.

Oap. II. 29-32.)

// SAMUEL.

307

challenge there would have beeu no war, or, Withont your speak- 1 b,o, 1056.
ing, I should have stopped the pursuit, in the morning, or ' j, ^g "ywhiie-
from the morning. (28) a trumpet, the caU for staying pur- \ju,id. 'b.a'., a Ser.
suit. (1763).
Bitterness (v. 26).— -Tlaese -words remind us of — I.A dreadful I " Advice is offon-
fnture state. In what wiU its bittemess consist? 1. The con- j sive, not because
Bciousness it waa our own doing. No man is ruined eternally but i j,'ie'xpecte'd"^°r'^
by reason of his own perversi^ ; 2. The memory of our doings, j gret, or convicts
Hell means the place where we are cloistered with self ; 3, The us of any fault
impossibility of doing aught to alleviate our condition, " For [which has
ever," is the refrain of the groans of the lost. II. The dreadful tfo'Jf^Qt because
present state, or how a fnture so terrible is ensured. The sinner | it shows us that
takes the opiates -of the devil. We will name a few: — 1. Busi- i we '"'e known to
ness of Ufe ; 2. Pleasures of Ufe; 3. Sophistries.' _ ' oirfdves ;"" a n I
Ambition. — It is said of Napoleon Bonaparte, that at that period j the ofDcio'us mo-
of his life when the consequences of his infatuated conduct had : nitor is perse-
f nlly developed themselves in unforeseen reverses, being driven to , °^'^*„oYbecause
the necessity of defending himself within his own kingdom, with j i,jg acoiisation is
the shattered remnant of his army, he had taken up a position ; false but because
at Brienne, the very spot where he had received the rudiments ; ^^ assumes the
of his education ; when, unexpectedly, and while he was anxi- which we are not
ously employed in a practical application of those military prin- willing to grant
ciples which ihst exercised the energies of his young mind in the bim, and has
college of Brienne, his attention was arrested by the sound of j^™ J° ^f^^
the church clock. The pomp of his imperial court, and even the to conceal,"
glories of Marengo and of Austerlitz, faded for a moment from
his regard, and almost from his recollection. Fixed for a while
to the spot on whioh he stood, in motionless attention to the well-
known sound, he at length gave utterance to his feelings, and
condemned the tenor of all his subsequent Ufe by confessing
that the hours then brought back to his recollection were hap
pier than any he had experienced throughout the whole course
of his tempestuous career.
29 — 32. (29) the plain, arable, or valley of the Jordan.
all Bithron," or the gorge, or ravine, bet. the Jabbok and Ma
hanaim.'' (29) gathered, etc., to count up his loss." (31) died,
so the wounded are not reckoned in. (32) father, his name un
known, went all night, as Heb. was some 22 mUes fr. the
field of battle, this was a very heavy night's work ; but we should
remem. soldiers are accustomed to forced marches.
Retreat from Moscow.— "The French soldiers," says an eye
witness, "on their retreat from Moscow, would, on halting at
night, throng into the houses, throw themselves down on the
first dirty straw they conld find, and there perish in large num
bers, witii hunger and fatigue. From such sufferings, and from
the infection of the air, in the warmer season, by putrefied car
cases of men and horses that strewed the road, there sprang two
dreadful diseases, the dysentery and typhus fever, before which
they melted away like dew before the sun. At times they were
so overwhelmed with whirlwinds of snow, that they conld not
distinguish the road from the ditehes, and often found their
grave in the latter. The roads, league after league, were check
ered with dead bodies covered with snow, and forming undula
tions, or hillocks, like those in a graveyard. Many of the survi
vors scarce retained the human form. Some had lost their hear
ing, others tiieir speech ; and many, by excessive cold and hunger,
u2

Johnson. b R. A. Griffin.
"Who over
comes by force,
hath overcome
but half his foe "
— Milton.

burial of Asahel
Joab retums
to Hebron
a " From Heb.
bathar, to cut."—
Gesenius.
bv.S.
clllus. Misa
Thompson's pic
ture, "The Eoll
CaU."" Oh, world ! oh,
men ! what are
ye, and cur bes-t
designs, that we
must work by
crime to punish
crime? And
sla'y, as if death
had but this one
gate, when a few
years would
make tbe sword
supRrfluoua.? " — .
Byron.

808

//. SAMUEL.

[Oap. 111. 1— II.

B.0. 1053.
David's increase and children
al Chr. iii. 1,
called Daniel.
6De.iiLll.See Bp. Ball,
Contemp.,*^ Abner
and Joab."
e C. M. Fleury,
AM. "Q^raoe and
glory are one
and the ^ same
thing, in a diffe
rent print, in a
smaller and
greater letter.
Glory lies coueh-
ed and com
pacted in grace,
aa the beauty of
a Qower lies
coached and
eclipsed in the
seed."— flopWTW.
d T. Brookes.

Ish-boshethqiuarrelswith Abner
a"Tii the K., the
wives and concu
bines of a king
are the property
of his successor
to this extent,
that tor a pri
vate person to
aspire to marry
one of them
would he con
sidered a virtual
advance of pre
tensions to the
crown." — Jamie
son. ft "It ia prob,
that Abner be '
fore thi4 had
begun to incline
towards David.'
<— SjJ*. Chm.
tw.9,10. B.Undr
taji, Lect. ii. 30.

were reduced to a state of such stupid frenzy that they roasted
the .dead bodies of their companions, and even gnawed their own
hands aud arms."

CHAPTER THE THIRD.
1 — 5. (1) war, civil war ; no doubt helping to prepare for
division of the kingdom in the time of Rehoboam. (2) Amnon,
ch.xiii. (3) Chileab," h'ls fatlwr' s picture. Geshur,' a region
in Syria, north of Israel. This marriage was a political one, to
strengthen Dav. by a northem alliance. (5) Eglah, supposed
to be another name for Miohal ; but see vv. 13— Iti.
Confl'ict and progress (v. 1). — I, David's regal state ; crowned,
and flrst aot — praises men of Jabesh-gilead (eh. U). II. David's
domestio life. III. David'a elevation not dependent on Abner's
treaty. IV. David's justice in executing the murderers of Ish
bosheth. This act closes the period comprehended in this dis
course. The text sets forth a sad history : — (1) There was war:
the Christian life a warfare; (2) There was a long war: the
Christian Ufe a war to its close; (3) Meanwhile David waxed
stronger and stronger : so should it be with us ; (4) The house
of Saul grew weaker : so will it be wifii our foes."
Confl'ict bePmeen natii/re amd graoe (v. 1). — A gracious heart that
is weary of sin will certainly and habituaUy faU a-striving
against it. Contraries are nataxally expulsive each of the other.
Such twins as a Jacob and an Esau, such a pair as Isaac and
Ishmael, cannot live quietly together in the same womb; no,
not live quietly together in the same honse ; but there will be a
mutual prosecuting and persecuting each of the other. Pire and
water may as weU agree in the same vessel as grace and sin in
the same heart. Blessed be God, in all Hia children, " the house
of David will wax stronger and strouger, whUe the house of
Saul wiU grow weaker and weaker."''
6—11. (6) made himself strong, adopted plans to secure
the objects of his personal ambition. There were Others more
nearly oonnected with David, so he could not hope to be prime
minister, and first general of Dav. (7) a concubine, secondary,
or inferior wife, see Ue. xvi^ xxii. 24, xxx. Aiah, is an Edom-
itish name ; as a foreigner, she could not prop, be a full wife.
wherefore, etc.,' we do not know whether the accusation was
true or false. (8) a dog's head, comp. 1 Sa. xvii. 43 ; 2 Ki,
viii. 13. (9) 30 do Ood, Ru. i. 17. (10) to translate, pasa
over. (11) feared him,' Ishbosheth not a strong-minded man.
Hon! to defeat calwmm.y. — I. Despise it : to seem disturbed at it
ia the way to make it believed ; and stabbing your defamer will
not prove you innocent. II. Live an exemplary life ; and then
your general good eharacter will overpower it. III. Speak ten
derly of every one, even of your defamer; and by so doing ^oi
will show the world that you are innocent.
Improvement of cahimmy. — " If any one speaks iU of ihee,"
said Epictetus, "consider whether he hath truth on his side ; and,
if so, reform thyself, that his censures may not afEect thee.
When Anaximander was told that the very boys laughed at his
singing, "Ahi" said he, "then I must learn to sing better."
Plato, heing told that he had many enemies who spoke iU tA

Cap. ill ia-2l.j

//. SAMUEL.

309

him, said, " It is no matter ; I shall live so that none will believe
them." Hearing, at another time, that an intimate friend of
his had spoken detractingly of him, he said, "I am sure he
would not do it if he had not some reason for it."
12—16. (12) on his behalf, to win Dav.'s favour toward
him. whose, etc., acknowledging that none had right superior
to Dav. (13) bring Michal, no doubt Dav. was attached to
her as his first wife, but he makes this demand now for political
reasons — to have Saul's daughter would incline adherents of that
house to join him. (14) espoused, etc. (1 Sa. xvui. 2.5, 27).
(15) Phaltiel, or Plialti (1 Sa. xxv. 44). (16) Bahurim"
(2 Sa, xvi. 5).
Davwfs demand for Miohal (v. 13). — I think David was most
certainly in the right to demand her ; for whatever may be said
as to his other wives, he had certainly the strongest claim to this,
for he had purchased her t*t a hundred foreskins of the Philis
tines. And supposing there was nothing of a sensual disposition
that influenced David in this instance, there might be other very
substantial reasons to induce him to insist upon her being sent to
him. He purchased her at the hazard of his life, and she was a
living proof of his military valour and abUity. She was his pre
decessor's daughter, and he did not probably choose to lose the
honour and advantage of the aUiance, It might conciUate some
of Saul's family and tribe ro his interest, when they saw one of
his daughters owned and treated as David's wife, and that he did
not pursue his resentment to Saul, to the injury or disgrace
of any of the branches of his family. There was also a real
generosity in the thing, both to her and Sanl, in that he received
her alter she had been another man's ; remembering probably how
once he owed his Ufe to her affection, and knowing that she was
partly separated from him by her father's authority : whereas
many princes, for much less provocations of a wife's father,
would have tumed off their consorts in revenge of them, and
even put them to death'for having been man-ied to another. In
consequence of thie demand made to Abner and Ishbosheth, she
was immediately put into Abner's hands ; who, to prepare things
for an accommodation with David, went and assembled all the
elders of Israel, and said to them : '• You have formerly often
times expressed your desire that David might be king over you.
You have now an opportunity to gratify your own inclinations in
this respect : and what should engage you to advance him to the
throne is, that God Himself hath pointed ont to yon the man, as
He hath declared, ' By the hand of My servant David I will save
My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines and out of the
hand of all their enemies,' " Intimating hereby the incapacity
of Ishbosheth. and that it was both their interest and duty
to transfer the kingdom and govemment to David ; would be
happy for themselves, and an instance of obedience to their
God. He went also and applied himself particularly to the
tribe of Benjamin, to which Saul's family belonged, and per
suaded them, by the same kind of arguments, to fall in with the
general sense of all the other tribes, and concur with them in
advancing David to the throne.''
17 — 21. (17) had. previous to his application to Dav." ye
sought for, only Abner's influence had prevented the union

B.O. 1063.

Abner makes
a league
with David
a " A village ap-
1 arentlv belong
ing to Peni,, not
far from Jcius,,
on one of the
roads leading to
the Jordan." —
Ayre.See 2 Sa, ivii.
17— 21, xxiii. 31j
1 Chr. xi. 33.
"As for my wife,
I would you had
her spirit in such
another; the
third of tVi.e
world is yours;
which with a
snafQe you may
pace easy, but
not such a wife."
— Sl.akenpeare.
" Women aro
f ' irmed for at
tach meat Their
Rratitmie is un
impeachable.Their I'^ve is an
unceiising foun
tain of delight to
the man wbo haa
onco attained it,
and knows h- w
to deserve it.
But that very
I kecimesB of sen-
1 fiiljility which,
jif well culti-
I vated, would
prove the source
I of your highest
I enjoj ment, may
j grow to bitter
ness and worm-
' wood if you fail
to att- nd to it, or
abuse it," — Bogg.
" She's outward
ly all that be
witches senile,
all that entices ;
Dor is it in our
virtue to un-
charm it."~Beatt
mont.
b Chandler.

Abner seeks
to brine

810

//. SAMUEL.

[Cap. HI. 22-30.

Israel over
to David
a " Thenarrative
here is par.i.ie'.
not subsequeat
to, the preced-
iug, as is very
issual in He'\
hist jry," — Spk.
Com. b "¦ He was ho-
nourably re
ceived by Dav,,
and discu.ssed
with hmi the
cooditions under
which the uuion
of the whole
kingdom was to
be effected.
Though we are
not informed
what was to be
come of Ishbo
sheth, no doubt
his honourable
retirement was
stipula'ed for," —
Ewald.c Chandler.
Joab slays
Abner

6"Joabnughtnot to have acted as
goeX, seeing Asa
hel was killed in
open warfare. It
was convenient
to put out of the
way a rival such
as Abner wouM
hesureto prove,"
— Wordsworth.
" He has a heart
as false os. seas
in calms, smiles
first to tempt,
then ruins with
its storms." —
Behn.

David re
pudiates the
death of
Abuer a " We must re
mem, that under
tho 0, T. tempo
ral rewards, or
disabilities di
rectly attended
upon virtue and
vice. 1 Ki. ii. 32, 33.

of the nation under Dav. (18) the Lord, etc., the highest
argument poss. was that, in deciding for Dav., they would
be following the Divine lead, out , , enemies, who were still
afflicting the land. (19) Benjamin, as the tribe directly
interested in the dynasty of Saul. (20) twenty men,' as
official attendants : possibly escorting Michal. (21) in peaoe,
treated as a friend.
Dav'id and Abner. — In this whole affair David's conduct, to me,
seems perfectly honourable. He received a rebel general to hia
favour npon his submission, agreed with him that he should bring
in all the tribes to do what they desired to do, and were bound by
the order of God to do, even to make him king over them, that
hereby he might have the peaceable possession of the whola
kingdom. Abner had openly told Ishbosheth of his design.
Abner sent messengers to David, and not David to Abner, on the
affair. It was Abner who conf erret^ with the princes of Israel,
and came openly to David at Hebron to agree npon proper
measures. David carried on no secret intrigues to bring over
Abner and the eleven tribes to his party. He only consented to
a just proposal that was made him of recovering his own right,
without invading the real right of a single person ; and indeed it
was the only method he could take, and he would not have acted
like a saint or a wise and just prince had he not hereby put
an end to the civil war, secured his own rights, and restored and
established the peaoe and prosperity of his people."
22—27. (22) sent him away, to avoid Joab, who regarded
himself as the goel, or avenger of the blood of Asahel. (23) they
told, i.e. people about the court. (24) what . . done ? a
question indic, the authority Joah was assuming. (25) Abner's
I v/as a wily, crafty character, and the state.smanlike judgment of
Joab saw the danger of this interview. (26) well of Sirah, 20
furlongs fr. Hebron," (27) gate, the shadow of the gate, as if
for privacy,' flfth rib, the lowest, as ii, 23,
Tlw character and fate of Joab. — Joab was a murderer and
a vile traitor. He had heartlessly slain two men who were more
righteous and better than himself (2 Sa, iii. 27, xx. 9, 10), and
had entered into a conspiracy with Adonijah to set up a throne
against Solomon (1 Ki, 1—5). This last act convinced David
there would be no peace to the throne of Solomon while Joab
lived. Policy ou the one hand, and timidity on the other,
had prevented David from executing judgment upon him.
Thereby he had brought bloodguiltiness upon his family and
kingdom, which conld only be removed by the offender forfeiting
his own life. To this end Solomon caused Joab to be slain
(1 Ki. u. 28—34).
28 — 30. (28) guiltless, he refused altogether to accept the
responsibility of Joab's act. It must be regarded as wholly a
private feud. (29) not fail, etc., some kind of bodily infirmity
marring the famUy." on a staff, or cruteh. (30) and
Abishai, he prob. agreed and shared by subsequent approval of
Joab's act.
A noble revenge. — In the time of the Caliphs, when Abdallah,
the shedder of blood, had mm-dered every descendant of Ommich
within his reach, one of that family, named Ibrahim, the son of
Soliman, had the good fortune to escape and reach Eoufa, which

Cap. lii. 31-35.] 11. SAMUEL. 311

he entered in disguise. Knowing no person in whom he could j "-O- 1053.
confide, he seated himself under the portico of a large house. Soon ' „ -r, ' —
after the master of the house arriving, followed by several thir7iy''drops? of
servants, alighted from his horse, entered, and, seeing the our souls, makes
stranger, asked him who he was. "I am an unfortunate man," "S^i^^ V' "'°'*
answered Ibrahim, -'and request from thee an asylum." "God mo6t;'--"j^LiV
protect thee 1 " replied the host, " enter, and remain in peace," ger.
Ibrahim Uved several months in this house without being ques- '-Eevenge is
tioned by his host. But astonished to see him every day go out the inflioiing of
on horseback, and return at a oertain hour, he ventured one day P"'"! "P'^ ^^
to inquire the reason. "I have been mformed," said his host, S/ure'd^o? olf-
" that a person named Ibrahim, the son of Soliman, is concealed fended us, fur-
in this town : he slayed my father, and I am searching for him in ther than tte just
order to be revenged." "Then I know," said Ibrahim, "that ment o'r ?rpl?a'
God has purposely conducted me to this place : I adore His decree, tion require," —
and resign myself to deatl^ G od has determined to avenge the Paley.
offended man : thy victim is at thy feet." The host, astonished, We know many
replied, " 0 stranger, I see thy misfortunes have made thee weary times Christ
of Ufe : thou seekest to lose it, but my hand cannot commit such ^^^.g^pf 'a'crea
crimes." " I don't deceive thee," said Ibrahim ; and he pro- deal'^of cvii that
ceeded to explain the occasion on which the affair happened and was said against
all the circumstances attending it. A violent trembling then ^™' ^° ''"' "^^
seized the worthy host ; his teeth chattered as if from intense "'Ho\Vi3°itThat
bold ; his eyes alternately sparkled with fury and overflowed with they lay these
tears. At length, turning to Ibrahim, " To-morrow," said he, tbings to your
" destiny may join thee to my father, and God wUl have retaliated. ^ ^ g^^' g*°'* ^'J^
But as for me, how can I violate ^ile asylum of my house? thing?"
Wretched stranger i fly from my presence ! There, take these ' j p j^,^^
hundred sequins ; begone quiokly, and let me never behold theel
more I ''''
31 — 35. (31) to Joah, so make a public humiliation for his David
crime, Dav, ordered a pubUo funeral, and mouming, as if Abner , ^gner ^
had heen one of his own ofBcers, bier, partly resembling aj^^.j^^^^ ^^^ei
coffin, and partly a handban-ow ; a sort of wooden frame. (32) | ^ah; l Ch. ix, 36,
Hebron, not in his native place," but in Dav.'s own royal ' viii. 'iO, 33.
city. (33) lamented, or composed a funeral dirge. (34) not 6 2 Sa, i, 12, itt
bound, yet he could not defend himself, before wicked men,
i.e. by assassination. (35) Fasting was a customary part of
mourning.'' Tlw death of Abner (vv. 31— 34).— Observe-I. That there is no
crime so atrocious, but a person, under the influence of a vindio- \ *;? f'^!' i?^ ™vS!
tive spirit, wiU commit it. II, That the crimes of individuals i^j^^^^^ppg^gon^
will be imputed to ns as national, if they be not nationally repro- ' of quality used to
bated and deplored. III, That whatever obstructions arise, ' be . arried forth
God's pm-poses shaU surely be accomplished. IV. _ That however j J,° '^^^^''''peop"
men may escape punishment in this world, their sins shaU be re- were upon a Wer.
compensed in the world to come." 1 K. i n g s were
Sackcloth (v. 31).— Sacks are usually made of hair in the | sometimes ^cor^
East ; whence we may understand that where sackcloth is men- ' ^,^^g y^^y richly
tioned, haircloth is intended. Henoe the idea is different from adorned; as Jo-
that which we, whose sacks are not of the same material, would , sephus tel's us
affix to the term. That this is con-ect, seems to be confirmed by ^ "„ g^l ,iie bed
the fact that the use of haircloth, as a penitential dress, was re- , was all gilded,
tained by the early Oriental monks, hermits, and pilgrims, and set witn precious
was adopted by the Roman Churoh, which still retains it for the ^^1^1^ ^purple
same purposes. Haircloth was, moreover, oaUed " sackcloth by^

17; Ez, xxiv. 17.
c C. Simeon, M.A.
V. 13, "Theword
here translated
the bier is in the

812

//. SAMUEL.

[Cap. ili. 36-39.

cover curiously
wrought." —
Patrick." There is a tear
for all that die;
a mourner o'er
the humblest
grave:" — Byron.
d Riito.

a prince and
great man
fallen, iu
Israela See marg.
* See marg,
cxix, ,7, 13; 1 K.
ii. 5, 6, 83, .11;
Ps, xxviii, i, Ixii.
12 ; 2 TL iv. 14.
r.38, Bourd.jloue,
Ss. ii. 4'2-i; O. J.
B. Gluipe'riin, vi.
479; T. IVhit.iker,
139; ir. «(•«, 4-37;
B W. Sulioan,, ii.
20 1.
ro. 38. 39, Dr. H.
Harris, Wks. 231.
d R. W. Bush,
M.A., on the
death ot the Pr.
Consort,"He's a king a
true, riglit kia,j,
that dare do
aught 8 a v-e
wroug ; fears no
thing mort 1.1 but
to be uuj tst ;
who is not bl iwn
up wilh the nat
tering puff.^ of
spongy syco
phants; who
stands unmoved
despite ilie jost-
lioa- 0'' opinion,"
— Marston.
"Sorrow breaka
seasons and re-
posiug hours,
malces the night
morniug, and
the noontide
night." — Shake
speare. « Massinger.

the early Greek and L-atin fathers, and this seems conclusive. Per
haps, in a general sense, the word means any kind of very coarse
cloth, but, undoubtedly, more particularly cloth of hair than any
other. There is a reference on this practice of assuming a mor
tifying dress, as an expression of grief or repentance, in Ex.
xxxiii. 4, Tlie principle is so obvious, that there are few nations
among which, in mournings for the dead, some kind of mortify
ing habit has not been adopted. We do not know that sack
cloth is now much used for this pnrpose in the East ; but oma
ments are relinquished, the usual dress is neglected, or it is laid
aside and one coarse or old assumed in its place.'' '
36 — 39. (36) pleased them," such genuine expressions of
honour iind regret paid to a public enemy. And esp, bee. it
assured them that Dav. had not plotted Abner's death. (37) of
the king, of his counsel. (38) h^ servants, the close at
tendants of his throne. (39) weak,^av. felt he had not things
¦thoronghly under his o-wn control. Dav. never succeeded in
shaking off the influence of fihese sons of Zeruiah.'
Disparted greatness (v. 38). — I. Some of the lessons that may
be gleaned from the life just passed away. (1) How much good
can be aooomplished with duty as a guiding star ; (2) The benefit
of clothiug domestio Ufe with spotless sanctity ; (3) The patriot
ism that swayed his life and conduct; (4) The value of the
cultivation of the mind and of the higher faculties of our
nature. II, Practical and solemn lessons : — (1) The startUng in-
stabiUty of everything hujaan ; (2) We shonld be humble befora
Gol; (3) We should sit loose to aU human supports and stays j
(4) Are we prepared to die 2 •'
Obseguious flattery of kings. —
" Wherefore pay you
This adoration to a sinful creature ?
I'm flesh and blood, as you are ; sensible
Of heat and cold ; as much a slave unto
The tyranny of my passions, as the meanest
Of my poor subjects. The proud attributes
By oil'd-tongue flattery imposed upon us
As sacred, glorious, high, invincible,
The deputy of heaven, and in that
Omnipotent : with all false titles else,
Coin'd to abuse our fraUty, though compounded,
And by the breath of sycophants applied,
Cure not the least fit of an ague in us.
We may give poor men riches ; confer hononiS
On undeservers ; raise or ruin such
As are beneath us ; and with this pnffd-up
Ambition would persuade us to forget
That we are men : but He that sits above U8,
And to whom, at our utmost rate, we are
But pageant properties, derides our weakness!
In me, to whom you kneel, 'tis most apparent J
Can I call back yesterday, with all their aids
That bow unto my sceptre? or restore
My ra ind to tliat tranquiUity and peace
It then enjoy'd?"'

Cap. iv. 1—12.]

11. SAMUEL.

813

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
1—^4. (1) Saul's son, Ishbosheth. feeble, the one strong mau
who supported his trembUng kingdom was gone. (2) Beeroth,
now B'lreh, on the western frontier of tribeof Benj." (3) Beer-
othites, original Canaanite inhabitants. Gittaim, Ne. xi. 33 ;
poss. the same as Gath. (4) Mephibosheth,* extermination
of idols; called Merib-baal, 1 Chr. vui. 34. His lameness, ac
cording to E, notions, unfitted him for sovereignty.
Tlw regicides (v. 2) ; their names and pedigree. — This is added
to show us that these two regicides were not only officers in the
king's army, but of the same tribe with Saul, and therefore had
more ties thau one upon them to be honest and faithful to his
family. Por there is reason to believe that Saul, who lived in
the borders of Benjamin, conferred more favours upon that tribe
than any other, and might therefore justly expect, both to him
and his, a grealier esteem and fidelity from those of his own tribe
than from others. This patronymic is, therefore, very properly
prefixed to the names of Eechab and Baanah, to show what vile,
ungrateful villains they were, and how justly they deserved the
severe and exemplary punishment whioh David infUcted on
them." 5—8. (5) house, etc., at Mahanaim. lay . . noon, in B.,
quite usual to rest during heat of the day. (6) fetched wheat,"
the portions allotted to their soldiers, v. 2. (7) bed, or divan,
beheaded him, to take the proof of his death to David.
plain, vaUey of Jordan, ch. ii. 29. (8) which, refers to Saul.
These assassins expected praise and reward.
Soldiers' rations in the East (v. 6). — It is still a custom in the
East, according to Dr. Perry, to allow their soldiers a certain
quantity of corn, with other articles of provisions, together with
some pay : and as it was the custom also to carry their corn to
the mill at break of day, these two captains very naturally went
to the palace the day before to feteh wheat, in order to distribute
it to the soldiers, that it might be sent to the mill at the accus
tomed hour in the morning. The princes of the East, in those
days, as the history of David shows, lounged in their divan, or
reposed on their couch, tUl the cool of the evening began to ad
vance. Rechab and Baanah, therefore, came in the heat of the day,
when they knew that Ishbosheth, their master, would be resting
cn his Ijed ; and as it was necessary, for the reason just given, to
have the corn the day before it was needed, their coming at that
time, though it might be a Uttle earUer than usual, created no
suspicion, and attracted no notice.'
9—12. (9) redeemed,* delivered ; brought safely through.
(10) Saul is dead, ch. i. 15. (11) rig-hteous, i.e. one who was
under no sentence of execution, nor had wronged his murderers.
(12) hands, with wh. they had shed blood, feet, with wh,
they had escaped ivith their tidings,'
Mutilating tlw dead (v. 12), — In times of tumult and disorder
they frequently cut off the hands and feet of people, and after
wards expose them, as well as the head. Lady M, .W. Montagu,
speaking of the Turkish ministers of state, says; "If a minister

MepM-
boslietha Jos, ix. 17,
xviii, 25.
6 Comp. Oh, ix,,
xvi., xix, 25, etc,
"Fear guides
more to their
duty than grati
tude. For one
man who is vir
tuous from the
love of virtue,
from the obli
gation which he
thinks he I'es
under to the
Giver of all,
tbere are ten
thousand who
are good only
from their appre
hension of pun
ishment." — Gold
smith.
c Stackhouse.
assassination of
Ish-bosheth
a LXX. add,
"And behold the
(female) porter
of the house was
cleaning wheat.
and she fell
asleep, and (so)
the brothers
escaped (notice)
and entered into
Ihe house."
V, 8, B. Lindsay,
Lect. ii. 45.
"Ign orance,
poverty, and va
nity, make many
soldiers," — Zim-
merman.b Paxton.

the assassins
are put to
death a Ge. xlviii. 16;
1 Ki. 1. 29; Ps.
xxxi, 7,
6 " The exposure
of the mu'ilated
remains was in
tended as uot
only a punish-

814

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. V. l-IO.

B.O. Cir. 1048.
ment of their
crime bat also
the attestation of
David's abhor-
rence."-7am»ewn. e Harmer.

displease the people, in three hours' time he is dragged eveu
from his master's arms ; they cut off his hands, head and feet,
and throw them before the palace gate, with all the respect in
the world, while the sultan (to whom they all profess an un
limited adoration) sits trembling in his apartment." Thua were
the sons of Rimmon served for slaying Ishbosheth.^

David confers with
the elders
of Israel
at Hebron
o Comp 1 Ohr.
xii. 23—40.
6Ge. ii. 23; ei-
pression of near
and close affinity.
c Prom F. ligue,,
L. liQare, to bind.
d Ju. X'. 11.
el Sa. xvi, 13; 2
Sa.ii 4.
/"If Dav. was 20
yrs. old at the
time he slew
G-oliath, four
years iu Saul's
service, foar
years wander
ing fr. place to
place, oue year
and four months
in the country of
the Phil., a Sew
xijonths after
Saul's death,
would make up
the 10 yrs. neces-
Eary to complete
the 30." — &pk.
Com.
g Bp. Taylor.
the city
of David
a "Jerus. lay
close upon the
northern border
of the tribe of
Judah, but with
in the territories
of Benj. So
without really
removing from
Judah, Dav, con-
cili-ited the Ben
jamites." — Kitto.
fcGe.xv. 21; Ex.
iiL 8, 17; Nu.
xiii. 29; Joa. xi.
3; Ju. i. 8, 21,
xix.lO— 12;lKi.
ix.20. c " Thou canst
EOt come in
hither; but the
blind aud lame

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.
1 — 5. (1) all the tribes, » by deputations, thy bone and
thy flesh,' figm-ative offer of aUegiance. (2) leddest, etc.,
acknowledg. that Dav. had been the foremost man, and the
favourite of the people. (3) all the elders, comp.'w. 1, all tlie
tribes, league,' national contract or compact, before the
Lord,'' so accepting heartily the position of a tlwocratic, not an
' lendcnt, king, auointed Dav., prob. this the third time.'
(i) This V. helps us to fix time for Dav.'s wanderings./' (5) See
oh. u. 11.
The trials of prosperity. — Many are not able to suffer and
endure prosperity ; it is like the light of the sun to a weak eye ;
glorio¥is, indeed, in itself, but not proportioned to such an instru
ment ; Adam himself (as the Rabbins say) did not dweU one
night in paradise, bnt was poisoned with prosperity, with the
beauty of his fair wife, and a beauteous tree ; and Koah and Lot
were both righteous and exemplary, the one to Sodom, and the
other to the old world, so long as they lived in a plaoe in whioh
they were obnoxious to the common suffering ; hut as soon as the
one of them had escaped from drowning andthe other from burn
ing, and put into security, they fell into crimes which have dis
honoured their memories for above thirty generations together,
the crimes of drunkenness and incest. Wealth and a fuU fortune
make men licentiously vicious, tempting a man with power, to
act all that he can desire or desigu viciously .»
6 — 10. (6) to Jerusalem,'' to possess it, and make it the
capital of the new kingdom. Jebusites,'' Ge. x. 16. except
. . lame,' confident in the strength of their fortress they showed
how they despised their enemy by entrusting its defence to the
bUnd and lame. (7) Zion, the npper and fortified part ; the
S.W. hiU. (8) gutter j"" comp. Ps. xiu. 7, niaterspouts : some
part of the defence by wh. a skilful cUmber might get in.
wherefore, they say, meaning it has become a proverb, house,
not specifically the temple. (9) fort, or stronghold, v. 7. Millo,
Ju. ix. 6, 46, 49. (10) went on, lit. going and growing.
Going and gron-ing (v. 10). — The heginning of thia chapter
shows how David became at length king of all Israel. Having
given David a people, and the people a king, God uext gave them
both a capital city. What deep interest clusters round Jerusalem
for the last 3,000 years !— and here we have that noted place first
in the possession of the chosen people. David now commences
building, fortifying, and enlarging his new city, henceforth to
be known as " the city of David," also as the " city of the Great
King." His course was still onward, aud that under the Divine
blessing. The marginal reading of this text is remarkable : and
" David went going and g-owing." Some people go who do not
grow ; and some are growing who are not going on. Some have

Oap. V. 11-21.1

//. SAMUEL.

315

both these, with whom God is not. But all meet in David. In
him we see activity, increase, and heavenly benediction. Many
persons are always doing something, but they do not really
prosper ; and some seem to prosper without scarcely seeking it ;
while others lay out their energies discreetly, and have their
reward. In David we find aU these, and the blessing of God to
crown aU.
11 — 16. (11) T'yre, Jos._ xix. 29. masons,' lit markers in
efonefor malls. (12) perceived, realised by the favour of other
nations thus gained. (13) more, etc.,'' and precisely iu this his
dangers lay, and out of this his troubles came. (14 — 16) Comp.
1 Chr. iu. 5—9, xiv. 3—7.
The poor -man's estate. — An aged poor man, dependent, as we
may say, upon charity for his crust, though really dependent
only on God, at one of those periodical social meetings of
"Christians for in'ayer and praise and holy conversation, which are
found so profitable, was endeavouring to Ulustrate, in his humble
way, how " the meek shaU inherit the earth." " I went throngh
my lord's park," said he, " and the great house looked so grand.
Well, I said, ' Bless the Lord, it is a fine house.' I didn't envy it,
bless the Lord ! but I seemed so to enjoy the great house. I said,
' That's mine, surely ; I enjoy it, I do.' Then the sheep looked
so nice, and the cattle, and the horses ; and I said, ' Bless the
Lord 1 they are all my Father's, and they are all mine.' I didn't
want to have them, but I did enjoy them so. Aud the trees, and
ths grass, and the plantations, all looked so beautiful, I 'peared
to enjoy 'em so. I said, ' Lord, they are aU Lord  's ; but
they're all miue too.' " And so they were. Well, indeed, would
it have been for their proprietor, an unconverted man, had he
been capable of enjoying them in the same sanctified manner."
17 — 21. (17) down to the hold, to some place in lower
ground, where he could meet the Phil. army. Poss. the hold at
AduUam:* place suitable for concentrating Dav.'s army. (18)
Eephaim, Jos. xv. 8. (19) enquired, etc., this is carefully
noticed in aU Dav.'s undertakings. (20) Baal-perazim, master
or possessor of breaches. (21) images, lares, or household gods.
This indicates that the engagement was sudden, and unexpected
by the PhU.
David inquiring of tlw Lord (v. 19). — David's inquiry here is
twofold, concerning — I. His dnty : "shall I go up?" One would
think he needed not doubt this. What was he made king for,
but to fight the battles of the Lord and Israel ? But a good man
loves to see God going before him in every step he takes. II.
•His success : " wilt thou deliver," etc. His conscience asked the
foi-mer question, his prudence asked this.'
Ingtiiring of tlw Lord (v. 19). — I cannot here help observing, in
honour of the Hebrew oracle, that ite answers were such as
became the character of the true God, who hath all events at His
disposal, and cannot be mistaken as to those which He expressly
foretells. Let auy one compare it with the heathen oracles, and
he wiU be forced to acknowledge that they were shufiiing,
ambiguous and vague ; and the answers they gave of so uncer
tain a nature, so equivocal and deceitful, as that they might be
interpreted in two direct contrary senses, might be equaUy true
of two contraiy evente, and evidently demonstrated that they

B.C. dr. lOia.
will keep thea
otS.'—Kdl.d O T trans.,
" Whoao smiteth
the Jebusites let
him cast them
down into the
glitter, etc." —
Kdl, Wordsworth.
Hirambuilds David
a palace
a 1 Chr. ziv. 1.
6 See Law and
warning, D e.
xvii. 17.
V. 12. F. D. Mau
rice, Proph. and
Kings, 53.
Home, my own
home, tiny
though thon be,
to me thou
Beeme= t an ab-
bey. My home,
my mother'a
breast. Every
dog is a lion at
home. — Italian.
c Vanderkiste.

Baal-perazim
a Comp. 2 Sa*
ixiu. 13, 14.
b M. Benry.
" God's grace is
necessary to
quicken our en
deavours. "We
are not to sit
still, and do no
thing, however,
under pretence
of dependence
upon Divine as-
sistance, but
attend to the
motions of God's
providence, and
the influences of
His spirit. When
God goes before,
we should gird
up our loins aod
follow Him." — .
Orton.
" In the Kensing-
ton Museum,
t^ere is a pic
ture of Dr. Jobo-

316

//. SAMUEL.

[Cap. V. 22—25.

B.O. dr. 1048.
son, waiting out
side in the ante
room of nobility
to take his turn
for an audience.
The Lord our
God, the King of
kinga, will give
U4 an audience at
any moment of
the day, and,
meeting with ua,
will bless us
there."— Sep. W.
M. Stratlum.
If you always
wait till you are
disp ised to pray,
very likely you
will uot pray at
all.
c Chandler.

Kephaim a " Pr. bacah, to
weep. Some trea
that weeps with
gum like the bal-
sam, or that
haug^ down its
leaves Uke the
willow."— Wortfe-
viorth. b C. B. Spurgeon.
Compass, v. 23 —
The expression
to " fetch a com
pass " is uaed of
David going
round to the rear
of tho Philistines
(2 Sa. v. 2-3), and
of St. Paul's ves-
sel "going
round" from
Syracuse to Rhe-
gium. "A woman
shall compass a
man" (Je, xxxi.
22) as a protector.
{^Gevenius, who
compares the
Homeric phrase
of one warrior
striding round
another to keep
oft his foe.] To
•'compass' with
aongs of deliver
ance (Ps. xxxii.
7) ia to protect,
or preserve tri
umphantly.
a J. Grant.

who gave them out knew no more of those events on which they
were consulted than they who inquired about them, who were
ofteu deceived in the application of them to their own destruc
tion. Thns Crcesus was foretold by Apollo, that if he made war
with the Persians he should overturn a great empire ; which
Croesus, interpreting in his own favour, made war upon Cyrus,
and thereby put an end to his own empire ; after which, he
severely reproached ApoUo for deceiving him. And thns Pyrrhus,
king of Epirus, who is said, upon the credit of an ambiguous
oracle of the same Apollo, to have engaged in war with the
Romans, was entirely defeated by them, and forced at last to retire
with great disgraoe and loss into his owu dominions. Whereas,
the answers of the Hebrew oracle had one plain, obvious,
certain meaning, that needed no interpretation, that no one could
possibly mistake the meaning of, and that was never found in
one single instance to deceive or disappoint those who depended
on and directed themselves by the order of it. Do this, or Do
not this, was the peremptory form in whicn they who consulted
it were answered; which, in the judgment of Cicero, was the
manner in which the oracles of God ought to be deUvered'
22 — 25. (22) yet again, to avenge the prev. defeat. (23)
not go up, in the same way as before. God arranges for him
even the plan of attack, mulberry trees, pear trees, LXX.;
orig. word, baca," prob. balsam. (24) a going, as moved by
the wind. (25) Geba, prob. Gibeon; 1 Chr. xiv. 16. Gazer,
or Gezer, Jos. x. 33.
The sound in the mulberry trees (v. 24). — I. There are certain
special duties, which are not duties to everybody, but only to
some people. If we wish to know whether we ai;e to perform
these duties, we must seek signs concerning them, and not go
and rush into a duty to which we are not called, unless we get a
sign, eveu as David got the rustling among the mulberry leaves.
II. There are certain duties which are common to aU of ns. but
when we see some sigu of God's Holy Spirit being in motion, or
some other signs, these are seasons when we ought to be more
than ever active, and more than ever eamest, in the service of
our Master. The duties concern— 1. The Christiau Churoh at
large; 2. Any particular congregation; 3. .Every individual;
4. Our own children ; 5. Our-selves.*
_ Advance' of the Scots at Preston Pans.— At last the order was
given to advance. A brief and solemn pause ensued, during
which the clansmen, with one accord, took off their bonnets,
and, reverently raising their faces to the blue heaven above them,
uttered a short prayer, invoking God for victory. Then puUlng
their bonnets over their brows, they cast aside their plaids, and
began the charge. Slowly and silently they advanced at first;
but as they proceeded, their pace quickened, and they moved with
such rapidity that they had to halt once or twice to re-dress their
broken ranks, before closing in the death struggle. Their pipes
struck up in each clan the onset of its name, and shouts and
war-cries began to rend the air. The mist now roUed away be
fore the morning wind, and the spectators could see distinctly
the steady and glittering line of the regulars, and the dark
colurans of the clans closing in upon them with brandished
weapons,"

Cap.vLl-lX.]

//. SAMUEL.

317

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.
1 — 5. (1) again, as a national assembly, thirty thousand,"
comp. 1 Chr. xiii. 1 ; these were delegates fr. aU the tribes.
(2) Baale, Canaanitish name of Kirjath-jearim ; Jos. xv. 9, 60.
ark, 1 Sa. vii. 1, 2. whose name,, lit. vpion mhich is called tlw
name, etc. (3) new cart, copying the PhU.,' instead of obeying
the law." in Gibeah, better not as proper name, but the hill.
Obs. that in this Dav. appears to have made no special inquiry
of God. (4) accompanying, Ut. m'lth. (5) played, attended
the progress with musio and dancing, flr, or cypress.'^
Boyal piety. — King Alfred the Great encountered many diffi
culties in obtaining Scriptural knowledge, which we have never
experienced, and manifested an attachment to the sacred volume
not often seen now. In those dark ages leaming was considered
rather a reproach than an honour to a priuce. In addition to
which his kingdom, for many years, was the seat of incessant
war. Notwithstanding all this, Alfred found opportunity not
only to read the Word of God but actually to copy out all the
Psalms of David, which book he constantly carried in his bosom.
That he profited greatly from reading the Scriptures is no matter
of sm-prise when we learn that, after the example of David, he
earnestly sought Divine teaching, and prayed that the Lord
would opeu his eyes, that he might understand His law. He fre
quently entered the churches secretly in the night for prayer,
and there lamented, with sighs, the want of more acquaintance
¦with Divine wisdom. Having drunk into the spirit of the Bible.
and experienced the rich consolation it afi'ords, in setting before
the burdened sinner a free and fuU salvation in Jesns, he natu
rally felt anxious to communicate the blessing to others; he
therefore commenced a translation of the Psahns into Anglo-
Saxon, but did not Uve to finish it.
6—11. (e) ITachon, Cliidon," 1 Chr. xiii. 9. took hold,
according to Mosaic law, an unlawful act ; Nu. iv. 15.» shook,
stumbled ; the road was a very steep, rough, and difficult one.
(7) error, rashness ; and doubtless to check Dav. m the very be
ginning of wilfulness, and remind him that he must act and
rule, mithin the mritten law. (8) displeased, •with himself
partly ; more in grief than anger, breach, Ex. xix 22. (9)
afraid, with a new reverence for the hallowed symbol. (10)
Gittite,' of Gath, or Gath-rimmon. (11) blessed, with ex
temal signs of prosperity.
Christ in tlw house (v. 11).— Bible tells us of three arts
Noah's ; that in which Moses was preserved ; and the ark of the
covenant, here spoken of. Describe this ark. It was a figure of
Jesus. It was a blessing to Obed-edom : but there are three re
spects in which Christ is better than was the ark. (1) The ark
was but a sign, and we, instead of the sign, have the Saviour
Himself ; (2) The ark conld only be in one house at a time :
Christ can be in the homes of all ; (3) The ark was in Obed-
edom's house only for three months : Christ, where He is welcomed,
never leaves a house. Let us now show how Christ in the house
secures blessings for a faraily. I. Where Christ is, there is a
throne of grace. The mercy-seat, and the throne of grace,, are

B.O. 1042.

the ark
broughtfrom. Kirjatli-
jearim a Seventy
thousand.-! XX.
6 1 Sa. vi. 7, 8,
14.
c Nu. iv. 15, vii.
9. 1. 21.
d Gesenius.
U.S. J.C.Dieteric,
Antiq. 849.
" Tho way to be
gin a Christian
lifeisnottostudytheology. Piety
before theology.
Bight living will
produce xieht
thinking. 'Yet
mauy men, when
their consciences
are aroused, run
for catpchibms
and commen
taries and sys
tems. 'Ihey do
not mean to be
shallow Chris
tians. Tbey in
tend to be tho
rough, if they
enter upon the
Christian life at
all. Now, theolo
gies are well in
their place; but
repentance and
love must come
before all other
experiences." ^
Beecher.

the death of
TJzzah Obed-edom
a 'Neither of
these are proper
names ; nachon,
means smiling .-
chidon, the dart
stroke ; and
these names
were fixed on this
place after the
event."— Words-
worth.b " Now bee. he
was not a priest,
and yet touched
the ark, God
struck himdead,"
—^osephvt.

818

n. SAMUEL.

[Cap. vi. 6—11.

B.O. 1042.

XV. 18,

c 1 Chr.
21, 24.

m. 6, 7. Bp. Hdil,
Uzzali and tlie
Ark, Contemp.
m. 6—9. C. Si
meon's Wks. Ui.
242.

VV. 11, 12.
CubUt, Expoi.

G.

dUr.J. Edmond.
" Most of our
churches have
two doors. Su
perstition crept
in long since at
the one; and pro
faneness, in later
days, shouldered
In at the other."

Bobert Boyle
never mentioned
the name of God
without a visible
pause In his dis
course. "Eather let my
head stoop to the
block, than these
knees bow to aoy
Bave to the Ood
of heaven." —
Shakespeare. "Profaneness la
an awful vice.
Once more I ask.
whose name is it
It you so lightly
uso ? The name
of Glod I have
you ever pon
dered its mean
ing? Have you
ever thought
what It is tbat
you mingle thus
with your p9.s-
eion and your
wit? It la the
name of Him
whom the
heaven of
heavens cannot
contain." — Dr,
Chapin. t Stacthoute.

the same thing : throne is the King's seat, and grace is mercy.
Christ, as our mercy-seat, is our way to God— 1. To be forgiven ;
To have commnnion with Him : the throne of grace is the
place for prayer. II. Where Christ ia, there is a fumished table.
A pot of manna was laid up beside the ark : our pot of manna is
the Bible. III. Where Christ comes in, sin goes out. Dagon fell
down before the ark. So idols fall down in the heart and in the
house where Christ enters in. Conclusion :— (1) Have you Christ
in the heart? He does not stay iu a house where the hearts are
kept shut ; (2) Are you Christ in the house 1 Bvery true child
shows something of Christ.''
Ifizah and the ark (v. 6). — Happy were it for us if we could
account for the operations of God with the same facility that we
can for the actions of His saints ; but His counsels are a great
deep, and His judgments (just though they be) are sometimea
obscure and past finding out. For what shall we say to the fate
of Uzzah? or what tolerable cause can we assign for his sudden
and untimely end? It was now near seventy years since the
IsraeUtes had carried the ark from place to place, and so long a
disuse had made them forget the manner of doing it. In con
formity to what tiiey had heard of the Philistines, they put it
iuto a new cart, or wagon, but this was against the express direc
tion of the law, which ordered it to be borne upon men's
shoulders. It is commonly supposed that Uzzah was a Levite,
though there is no proof of it from Soripture ; but supposing he
was, he had no right to attend upon the ark ; that proviuce, by
the same law, was restrained to those Levites only who were
of the house of Kohath ; nay, put the case he had been a Ko
hathite by birth, yet he had -violated another command, which
prohibited even these Levites (though they carried it by staves
upon their shoulders), upon paiu of death, to touch it with their
hands ; so that here was a threefold transgression of the Divine
will in this method of proceeding. The ark (as some say), by
Uzzah's direction, was placed iu a cart; Uzzah, withont any
proper designation, adventures to attend it ; when he thought it
in danger of falling, officiously, he put forth his hand, and laid
hold on it (all violating of the Divine commands !) and this (as
is supposed) not so mnch out of reverence to the sacred symbol of
God's presence, as out of diffidence of His providence, as unable
to preserve it from overturning. The truth is, this ark had so
long continued in obscurity, that the people, in a manner, had
almost lost all sense of a Divine power residing iu it, and there
fore approached it with irreverence. This is implied in David's
exhortation to Zadok and Abiathar, after this misfortune to
Uzzah (1 Chr. xv. 12, 13). MTiat wonder, then, if God, 'being
minded to testify His immediate presence with the ark, to retrieve
the ancient honour of that sacred vessel, and to curb all Ucen
tious profanations of it for the future, should single ont one
that was the most culpable of many, one who, in three instances,
was then violating Hia commands, to be a raonuraent of His
displeasure, against either a wilful ignorance or a rude contempt
of His precepts, be they ever so seemingly small ; that by such
an example of terror He might inspire both priests and people
with a aacred dread of His majesty, and a profound veneration
for His mysteries,"

Cap. -Ti. 12-19.1

//. SAMUEL.

819

12 — 16. (12) gladness," music and song. In this removal
the law was carefully observed (13) bare the ark, on shoulders,
by help of staves, six paces, i.e. as soon as they had begun to
move : far enough to show they could bear it steadily. (14)
danced, rhythmical movements accompanying the music, linen
ephod, as the king, priest. (15) shouting, of the people. (16)
Prob. on reaching the city of Jerus. David's excitement and joy
were extreme.
David dancing before the arlt (v. 14). — Consider — I. The ex
pressions of David's joy. It was exceedingly heightened by — 1.
His reflections upon tiie past ; 2. His anticipations of the future.
II. AVhat occasion we have for joy. The whole matter is typical
of Christ's Ascension. 'We rejoice in this. In — 1. The dignity
of Chrisfs person ; 2. The richness of the benefits imparted by
Him. III. How far the expressions of our joy should correspond
with David's. In point of ardour we shonld equal him ; but our
frame of mind should be more spiritual and refined.'
Oriental dances (v. 14). — In the Orieutal dances, in which the
women engage by themaelves, the lady of highest rank in the
company takes the lead ; and is followed by her compauions, who
imitete her steps, and if she sings, make up the chorus. The
tunes are extremely gay and Uvely, yet with something in thera
wonderfully soft. The steps are varied according to the pleasure
of her who leads the dance, but always in exact time. This
statement may enable us to form -a, correct idea of the dance
which the women of Israel performed nnder the direction of
Miriam, on the banks of the Eed Sea. The prophetess, we are
told, " took a timbrel in her hand, and aU the women went out
after her, with timbrels and dances." She led the danoe, while
they imitated her steps, which were not conducted according to
a set, well-known form, as in this country, but extemporaneous.
The conjecture of Mr. Harmer is extremely probable, that Da'vid
did not dance alone before the Lord, when he brought up the
ark, but as being the highest in rank, and more skilful thau any
of the people, he led a reUgious danoe of the males."
17 — 19. (17) his place, within the Holy of Holies, pitched,
lit. stretehed : a new tent or tabemacle, epecially prepared by
Dav. peace-offerings, portions of wh. could be eaten by the
people. (18) blessed the people," comp. 1 Ki. viii. 14. (19)
flagon, lit. " oake of grapes or raisins :" or " cake made with
oU or mead."
Gnests dismissed mith presents (v. 19), — The entertainer at a
feast occasionally dismissed his gueste with costly presente.
Lysimachus of Babylon having entertained Hemerus the tyrant
of the Babyloniana and Seleucians, with three hundred other
gueste, gave every man a silver cup, of four pounds' weight,
When Alexander made his marriage feast at Susa in Persia, he
paid the debte of aU hia soldiers out of his own exchequer, and
presented every one of hia guests, who were not fewer than nine
thousand, with golden cups. The master of the house among the
Bomans, used also to give the guests certain presents at their
departure, or to send them, after they were gone, to their respec
tive habitations. It ia probable that this custom, like many
others which prevailed in Greece and Rome, was derived from
the nations of Asia ; for the sacred writers allude repeatedly to a
similar custom, which closed the religious festivals or publio

B.O. 1012.
Bavid dancesbefore the axk
a 1 Chr. XV.
II. 12. Bp. Brown
ing, Ss. i. 1; E.
Cooper, Ss. Vii.
294.1). 16. R. P. Bud-
diiom, Ss. iL 75.
b C. Simeon, M.A.
" Worldly hearts
can see nothing
iu actions of
zeal but folly
and madness.
Piety hath no
grateful relish
to their palate."
—Bp. Ball.
" True joy is a
serene and sober
motion; and
they are mise
rably out that
take laughing
for rejoicmg ;
tbe seat of it is
withit), and there
is no cheerful
ness like the re
solutions of a
brave mind, that
has fortune
under its feet.",^
JSeneca.c Paxton.

the ark
placed in
David'stabernaclea Gen. xxvii. 27
—29, xlviii. ; De.
xxxiii.V. 17. B. Lind
say, Lect. iL 71.
m. 17, 18. T. S.
Jones, Ss,
V. 18. Dr. U.
Hole, Liturgy, iii.
646.
6 Paxton.
" Like new U-
quor, which
worka over in
foam and froth
when thick and
troubled, tbe joy
of tho sinner
runs over in
empty laughter

320

11. SAMUEL.

CCap. Vl. 20-23i

B.O. 1042.
and effervescent
spirits when the
heart is brimful
of the wrath of
God."— .Bp. Bop-
kins. b Paxton.
David'sreply to
Michal's
taunt
r. 20. Dr. J. Or
ton, 'Wks. il. 42;
R. Walker, iii.
213 ; W. Jay, vi.
£4.
». 22. C. Simeon,
Wks. iii. 252.
II C. R. Muston,
M.A. I Dr. J. M. Mat
thews.
e W. Snell.
«. 20. This un
covering is al
ready satisfac
torily explained.
David took off
his robes, and
girt hie under
garments with a
linen ephod, for
a description of
which see !Elx.
xxxix. 5. Now
the great men of
the East will not
let even their
feet be seen
whilst they aro
Bitting with
their legs under
them. King
David had as-
Bumed the cos
tume of a work
ing man, having
only put the
priest's girdle
over it, but witb-
out the sacer
dotal coats. It
was this, and the
act of dancing,
that offended
Sauls daughter,
who had been
iTought up in all
the 1 egal pride
which prevailed
in the court of
her father.

entertainments among the chosen people of God. When David
brought up the ark from the house of Obed-edom, into the place
which he had prepared for it, he ofEered burnt-offerings and
peace-offerings before the Lord. And as soon as the solemnity
was finished, " he dealt among all the people, even among the
whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every
one a cake of bread and a flagon of wine."'
20 — 23. (20) ho'W glorious ! the tone taimting and scornful.
uncovered, not literally ; Dav. had only removed his outer robe.
(21) before the Lord, as an act of homage and devotion. (22)
vile, etc., self-abasement before God is true nobility. It may
take diff. forms of expression in diff. ages. (23) no child, after
this. If identical with Eglah (ch. iii. 5), she had a child
previously. Donwstic religion (v. 20). — I. Domestic religion teniJs evidently
to promote the temporal welfare of families. II. It is recom
mended by the substantial support and comfort it affords in
aU seasons of domestio trial and afBiction. IIL It is also power
fuUy recommended as ranking, under the Divine blessing,
amongst the most efficient means of promoting the cauae of truth
and godliness." — The duty of family worship (v. 20). — Let me
invite your attention to — I. The obligations enjoining this service.
There are certain duties of religion resulting so plainly from the
relations we bear to each other and onr Maker that they are
perhaps not made the subject of express commandment. Of theae
duties family worship is one. II, The benefite resulting from it.
1. Peace of mind to the head of the family ; 2. Religious instruc
tion ; 3. Domestic union and peaoe ; 4. Growth of reUgion in the
heart and in the Church at large. Conclusion : — Why is this duty
not performed? Some urge— (1) Want of ability suitably to
discharge the duty. We never know what we can do tiU we try ;
(2) Want of time. If you wish to find time you can ; (3) Oppo
sition in the family. And shonld opposition deter us from duty f*
— Blessing the household (v. 20). — You should bless your households
by — I. Tour prayers. II. Your instmctions. III. Tour discipline.
IV. Your example. Faith must be shown by works. Address —
1. The young of families ; 2. Parente and heads of famiUes ; 3,
The whole congregation."
Humility. — ^A nobleman, -who died some years ago, was iu the
habit of attending a prayer-meeting in the country village where
he lived, and where a few poor people were accustomed to
assemble to seek the presence of the Divine Majesty. It was
at first customary for these humble persons to make way for him
if he came in a little after the appointed time ; but he expressed
his unwillingness to receive tiis mark of respect, saying he
should be satisfied to occupy the lowest station. In other places
he thought he had a right to claim the distinctions of his rank ;
hut there he felt himself in the same situation as themselves.
Such conduct displayed the genuine feelings of piety, which,
rising superior to the artificial distinctions of society, rejoices in
the feUowship of the body of Christians.

Oap. vU. I—U.]

11. SAMUEL.

321

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.
1 — 3. (1) rest, etc., sorae years after his coming tothe throne.
The condition of the country had involved long and serious wars,
these delayed his purpose to build house for God. (2) Nathan,"
first mentioned here, curtains, Ex. xxvi. 2. (3) said, at
once, no doubt fuUy sympathising with Dav.'s wish.
David's pi-osperity ( v. 2). — I. The utteraiioe of grateful feeling.
II. The mode chosen for proving and recording this gratitude.
III. The prime duty of every man whom God haa bleased and
honoured with a horae and household is to order and regulate
his family as a living churoh to the service of the Creator.'
Secur'ity and prosperity, — 0 my God, vouchsafe to me Thy
grace, that I may leam to rejoice as though I rejoice not, and
as though I possessed not, and use this world as not abusing
it ; forthe fashion of thia world passeth away (1 Cor. vii. 30, 31).
In the midat of pleasui'es and enjoymente let rae atill feel, like
the Psalmist, that the best of aU ia to draw near unto Thee ; and
I never forget Thy fear. Break also the snares with which
Satan endeavours to make a prey of my soul, but whioh, in my
misery, I cannot see ; and for this I shaU laud and praise Thoe
in eternity."
4 — 7. (4) came, by dream, or vision. (5) thou, not a fit
work for thee, a fighting man." (6) tent, referring more esp.
to the curtains, tabernacle, to the boards, or framework. (7)
tribes, aa repres. by their rulers. Complaint had not corae fr.
God. " He dweUeth not in temples made with hands."
God, the Fatlwr of His people (v. 4). — It is this filial sentiment,
the peculiarity of Christian piety, which brightens the enjoy
mente of life, even the most common of them, with a senae that,
in our obscure horaes, we are sitting, frora day to day, at the
board which our heavenly Pather has apread. It is this feeling
which mitigates and sanctifies aifliction; wherein, even when
the sharpest, we discern a token of the truth that God is " deal
ing with us aa with sons," and is. in fact, preparing us for our
home. It is thia same affection, the diatinct filial sentiment,
which dispels the terrors of death ; while the Christian believes
that the Father of spirits is removing a member of His family
from a leas to a more desirable abode.'
8—11. (8) sheepcote, fold made for protection of flock by
night ; or may 'depasture. (9) all thine enemies, at this time
all were subdued (v. 1). (10) appoint, or continue to appoint.
(11) thee an house, of thy family, reaching on to Messiah.
Position no barrier to grace.— Gx&ce makes itself equally at
home in the palace aud the cottage. No condition necessitates its
absence, no position precludes ita flouriahing. One may compare
it in ite power to live and blossom in all places to the beautiful
blue-beU of Scotland, of which the poetess sings :
" No rock ia too high, no vale too low
For ite fragile and tremulous form to grow ;
TOL. in. O. T. X

B.O. 1042.
David tells
Nathan he
will build a
house for
God
a 1 Ki. i. 10, 22,
34; 1 Chr. xxix.
29; 2 0hr. ix. 29.
vv.\—Z. H.Lind
say, Lect. ii. h7 ;
Dr. R. Gordon, ii.
478. V. 2. Dr. D. Feat-
ley, Clavis Mys
tica, S70.
b C. M. Fleury,
A.M. e Gotthold

ITathan is
instructed of
the Lord
a I Chr. xxii. 8,
xxviii. 3.
" It must grieve
an ingenuous
mind, and be a
reproach to any
people, to have
their own houses
wainscoted with
cedar, and
painted with ver
milion, while
tbe teraple of
the Lord of hosts
is destitute of
every decent or
nament." — Her
vey. b Doae Taylor.
God's
mesaage to
David by
Nathan
V. 8. Dr. W. En
field, Biog. Ss 159.
"Beligion is a
hea V en - born
thing, the seed ot
God in the
spirits of men,
whereby they
are formed to a
similitude and

822

II. SAMUEL.

[Cap. vll. 12-20.

B.0. 1042.
likeness of Him
self."
a Spurgeon.

God'apromise to
David's sou
« 1 K. viiL 20;
Ps. cxxx. ii. 11. "
6 1 Ch. xxii. 10,
xxviii. 6.
cPs. Ixxxix. 26,
27; He. i.6.
d 1 Sa. XV. 28,
2S, xvi. 14; IKL
Ii. 13, 14.
m. 12—14. B.
Stebbing, L 29.
ru. 12— 16 J.At-
ting. Op 2, ii. 16 ;
E. B'.„kersteth,
Bloomsbury Lect.
Iv.l.B. 13. S. Mater,
Fig. and Types,
338 ; Dr. R. Gor
don, ii. 488.
ev. 16, 17. R.
Ball, Wks. vi.
227.
e C.B. Spurgeon.
David'sgratitudeto Qod
o For David's
feelings see Ps.
cxxxviii.ft "David ex-
presses his asto
nishment that
he, of such
hl^ble birth,
anil one so little
in his own eyes,
should not only
be raised to the
throne, but be
assured of the
perpetuity of the
Buccession in his
descendants, as
If he were a man
of high degree."
— Spk. Com.
e Ps, cxxxix. 1.
d O o m p. D e.
xxxiii. 29; Ps.
cxlvii. 20 ; Ne. i.
10.
e Harmer.

Davidimplores

It cro'wns the mountain
With azure bells,
Aud decks the fountain
In forest deUs.
It -wreathea the ruin with clusters ^'ey,
Bowing and smUing the livelong day.""
12—17. (12) thy seed," refer, to Solomon. (13) build a
house,'' 1 Ki. viii. 16—20. (14) chasten," for correction; not
as with Saul,'' remove him fr. his place. (15) Gracious aid and
favour. Is. lv. 3. (.16) established, aure; confirmed. (17)
•>rtsion, u. 4.
Constant mercy. — All the year round, every hour of every day,
God is richly blessing ua ; both when we sleep and when we
wake. His mercy waits upon ua. The sun may leave off shining,
but our God will never ceaae to cheer Hia children with Hia love.
Like a river. His loving-kindness is always flowing, with a ful
ness inexhaustible as His own natnre, which ia ita source. Like
the atmosphere which always surrounds the earth, and is always
ready to support the life of man, the benevolence of God surrounds
all His creatures ; in it, as in their element, they live, and move,
and have their being. Yet aa the sun, ou summer days, appears
to gladden us with beams more warm and bright thau at other
times ; and aa rivers are, at certain seasons, swollen with the
rain ; and aa the atmosphere itself, on occasions, is fraught with
raore fresh, more bracing, or more bahny influences than hereto
fore ; so it ia with the mercy of God. It hath ite golden hours,
its days of overflow, when the Lord magnifieth His grace and
lifteth high His love before the sons of men."
18 — 23. (18) sat, etc., he went into the tabemacle, and sat
before the curtains of the holy of holies, where the ark waa. No
doubt he aat for meditation, and stood or knelt for prayer." (19)
manner of man, corap. 1 Chr. xvii. 17 ; word manner should be
law. David is surprised that God should give to him the honour
of founding a dynasty.'' (20) knowest," with kind and gracioua
knowledge. (21) word's sake, etc., comp. Eze. xxxvi. 22. (22)
god, idol, false god ; one claiming to be God. (23) The involved
conatructiou of this o. indicates that it is partly a quotation fr.
De. iv. 7, 32—34.''
Tlw grateful monarch (m. 18— 20).— We shall notice— I. The
posture he assumed : " aat before the Lord." II. The fervent
gratitude he expressed. It was called forth by — 1. Looking at the
paat ; 2. Thinking of the future. III. The touching appeal he
presented : " Thou, Lord God, knowest Thy aervant." Knoweat—
1. His sinfulness; 2. His weakness; 3. His integrity; 4. His
desires ; 5, His obligations.
Sitting before the Lord (v. 18), — Pococke has given the figure
of a person half sitting and half kneeling, that is, kneeUng so as
to rest the most muscular part of hia body on hia heels. iSis, he
observes, is the manner in which inferior peraons sit at thia day
before great men, and is considered as a very humble posture. In
this manner, probably, Da-vid sat before the Lord when he went
into the sanctuary to blesa Him for Hia promiae respecting his
family." 24-29. (24) become their God, not merely didst promise
to be thsir God, but their history proves the promise fulfiUed,"

Cap.viil. 1,2.1

II. SAMUEL

823

(25) for ever, permanently ; make it sure. In O.T. the words
for eyer only mean for a long time. (26) magniUed, for the
graciousness and faithfulness of Thy doings. (27) revealed,''
fig. of opening, or uncovering the ear ; moving the hair aside in
order to whisper, found . . Thee, God's proraises are the foun
dations of men's prayers. (28, 29) That wh. God purposes con
ceming Dav., David desires and prays for." Fitting his wishes to
God's wUl.
Tlw promises an encouragement to prayer (v. 27.) — Show— I. The
connection which exists between the promises of God and our
prayers. God's promises are — 1. Our warrant for asking ; 2. Our
security for receiving. II. Onr duty in relation to them. We
must— 1. Embrace them as raade over to ns in Christ ; 2, Trea
sure them up in our minds ; 3. Wait with patience for their ful
filment.'' Strength for the Master's work found in prrayer. — A youthful
painter was once directed by his master to complete a picture on
whioh the master had beeu obUged to suspend his labours on
account of his growing infirmities "I commission thee, my son,"
said the aged artist, " to do thy best upon this work. Do thy
best." The young raan had such a reverence for his master's
skill that he felt incompetent to touch the canvas which bore the
work of that reno-wned hand. " Do thy best," was the old man's
calm reply ; and again, to repeated solicitations, he answered,
" Do thy best." The youth tremblingly seized the brush, and,
kneeUng before his appointed work, he prayed, " It is for the sake
of my beloved master that I implore skiU and power to do this
deed." Then, with suppressed emotion, he coramenced his work,
and he caught from it confidence and inspiration. His hand
grew steady as he painted. Slumbering genius awoke in his eye.
Enthusiasm took the place of fear. Forgetfulness of himself
supplanted his self -distrust, and with a calm joy he finished his
labour. The " beloved master " was bome on hia conch into the
studio, to pass judgment on the result. As his eye fell upon the
triumph of art before him, he burst into tears, and throwing his
enfeebled arms around the»young artist, he exclairaed, " My son,
I paint no more I " That youth subsequently became the painter
of '• The Last Supper," the ruins of which, after the lapse of
three hundred years, still attracte annually to the refectory of an
obscure convent in Milan hundreds of the worshippers of art.
So shaU it be with a youthful preacher or teacher who stands in
awe of the work to which his Master calls him. Let him give
himself away to it as hia Ufe's work, without reserve ; let him do
his best. Let him kneel reverently before his commiaaion, and
pray, " for the beloved Maater's sake," that power and skill raay
be given him to do this deed. And the spirit of that Master
shaU breathe in the very greatness of the work.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.

the Divine
blessing-a G-e. xvit 7, 8;
Ex. vL 7.
b Eu, Iv. 4 ; 1 S.
ix. 10.
c Jo. xvii. 17
d C. Simeon, M.A.
"The circum
stances of our
prayers ofteii
lead our miDdB
from God. We
have to think of
oursinsandiheircircumstanceswhen we confeFs
them, aud of our
frienda when we
intercede for
them, and of oar
wants when we
pray for what we
Deed, and of oar
mercies when wo
thank G-od for
them; but if our
minds were in a
spiritual state,
these things
would rather be
the means of
drawing our
hearts closer to
God, tban of
drawing them
from Him." ¦—
Bix^^'steth.
" As parents take
more pleasure ia
tbeir children's
stamme ring*
than in tbe elo
quence of others,
even so the Lord
takes pleasure in
the prayers of
His children,"—
Ca

B.C. air. 1040,

1, 3, (1) Metheg-ammah, comp. 1 Chr. xviii. 1 ; Gath and David
Tier towns. Perhaps we should read, " took the bridle of the |^ata^
mother out of the hands of the Phil. ;" referring to Gath, the i , ^
metropolis, or mother city." (2) casting . , ground, making ** ¦*¦** "'^® ™'
X 2

324

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. viii. 3-13.

B.C. dr. 1040.
Irridle of a mother
city out of the '
hand of itsi
rulerg, i8 to dis
possess them of
its government,
as a in»>n who
takos the reins
jnto his own
hands out of
those of the
driver of a cha
riot, or rider
of a horse, de
prives them of
control over it."
.^-Wordsworth. "If the reading
te genuine,
Metheg - ammah
must he the
name of some
Btrongholdwhichcommand e d
Gath, and the
taking' of which
made David
maater of 'Gath
and her towns.' "
— Spk. Com.
b Pa. Ix. ; 1 Ohr.
xviii. 2.
c Chandler.
DavidconcLuers
Hadadezer a Movers.
1 1 Sa. xiv. 47.
« Qe. XV. 18.
i2 Hough, to cut
the hamstrings
or bacli sinews of
cattle, so as to
disable them, fr.
A.S. Ao/i, the heel
e 1 K. xi. 23—25.
/v. 14. 1 S. vU. 9.
!; 1 K. X. 16.
h Analyst.

Toi sends
his son
to David
a C o m p. Is.
xxxvii. 13 ; Jer.
xlix. 23.
b " This is the
first instance of
a practice uni
formly foUowed

them lie down. Corap.' putting to death one in ten. The severity
of sparing only one-third is supposed to have been the cruel
treatraent, by the Moabites, of David's family. Another sugges
tion is, that they had taken treacherous advantage of a tempo
rary defeat in Dav.'s Syrian wars.' gifts, tribute.
Betr'ibiition(v. 2).— I. In the past, these Moabites were the bitter
foes of Israel (Ku. xxii. 3). II. Will not God avenge His own
elect? III. This retribution was wrought out through the natu
ral affection of David, who now avenged the death of his father
and mother; said by the Eabbins to have been treacherously
slain by them. IV. Men, by their sin, often entail disanter npon
succeeding generations.
David's treatment of tlw Moabites, — ^As this is certain, that the
Amalekites, Philistines, Moabites, and other nations, were per
petual and inveterate enemies to the Hebrews, and invaded them
whenever they were able, the Hebrews had a right to make re
prisals, to attack them on every occasion that ofEered, and to
treat them with that severity that was necessary to their own
peace and safety for the future. I may add what Bishop Patrick
and others observe, that the Jewish writers aflBrm that David ex
ercised this severity on the Moabites because they had slain his
parents and brethren, whom he committed to the custody of the
king of Moab, during his exile. But I lay no great stress on this
tradition, as it is wholly unsupix)rted by the Scripture history,
and because David's treatment of them is sufficiently justified by
the anoient law of nations ; as to whioh my reader will be abun
dantly satisfied by consulting Grotius."
3 — 8. (3) Hadadezer, Hadad (the sun-god of the Syrians) a
is our help. The narae is incorrectly spelt Iladarezer, 1 Chr.
xviii. 8. Zobah,* a chief among the petty kingdoms of Syria ;
between Daraascns and Euphrates, recover,'^ etc., or to renew
his attack. (4) chariots, not in the orig. Poss. the nura. of
horsemen was 1,700. Comp. the 7,000 of 1 Chr. xviii. i.
houghed,'' Jos. xi. 6, 9. (&) of Damascus,^ important city,
imperilled by Dav.'s succesa against Badadezer. (6) garrisons,/
to preserve his conquest, and collect tribute. (7) of gold,»
plated with gold. (8) Betah and Berothai, comp. Tibhath and
Chun of 1 Chr. xviii. 8 ; not identified.
God aver Tnan (v. 6). — I. The employment in which David was
engaged — in the service of God. 1. With a single eye to God's
^glory ; 2. With all his heart ; 3. Under the Divine direction. II.
'The care which David experienced. 1 . Special : as to Ms person,
circumstances, etc. ; 2. Coraplete : in going out, returning, eto. ;
3. Constant: by day and by night; in youth, manhood, age,
health, sickness, ete. Application :— " Who will this day con
secrate his services unto the Lord?" Those who do so will
find it— (1) Delightful; (2) Honourable; (3) Easy; (4) Profit
able.* 9—13. (9) Hamath," principal city of Upper Syria, in the
valley of the Orontes. David's victories relieved this king of a
dangeroua neighbour. (10) Joram, called Hadoram, 1 Chr.
xviii. 10. (11) which also,' iu addition to the treasures men
tioned as seized in to. 6, 7, 8. (12) Syria, shonld be Edom, as 1 Chr.
xviii. 11. (13) gat a name, poss. meaning he erected a monu
ment. The Syrians, in this v., should he Edmnites." valley of

Oap. Ix. 1—4.1

77. SAMUEL.

825

salt,'' south of Dead Sea, called El Ghor, separated the territories
of Edom and Judah.
Dedication of property (v, 11). — I. David's success in his wars
may illustrate human successes in the battle of life. II. David's
dedication of the spoil to sacred uses may remind men of the
duty of oflering to God the proflts of the success which He gives.
III. David's dedication of his portion of spoil and tribute raay
reraind us that we are not to be liberal at the expense of others.
IV. David's example may reraind us that our first duty is to give
ourselves to the Lord. David would erect a temple ; but the best
temple on earth, for the Lord, is the heart of the humble and
contrite. 14 — 18. (14) preserved, with further idea of prospered. (15)
judgment, may be regarded as decisions in civil cases ; justice,
as apportionment of guilt and punishment m criminal cases.
(16) recorder," remembrancer; historiographer; daily annalist.
(17) Should prob. be Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech ; we know
that Abiathar was priest thro' David's reign.!" scribe, secretary
of state; comp. Ju..v. 14. (18) Cherethites, etc., the king's
body-guard, chief rulers, cohanim, principal oflicers of the
court. David's Preserver (v. 14). — I. David's goings were often in the
midst of great perils. II. David's goings were govemed by re
spect to tlie will of God. III. David's goings were under the
constant care of God. Learn— 1. Obedience the way to honour
and safety; 2. God the best preserver of our life frora destruc
tion. •
Piety of George TTT.— It has been stated, by those who had
opportunities of acquiring correct inforraation, that of the few
booka which the king read, the Bible was constantly on the table
in his closet, and the coraraentary which he selected for his private
reading was Matthew Henry's Expofition. A pious female ser
vant, whose ofiice it was to arrange the library room, has been
often heard to say, " I love to follow my raaster in his reading of
the Scriptures, and to observe the passages he turns down. I wish
everybody made the Bible as much their daily study as my good
master does," CHAPTER THE NINTH.
I  4. (1) Leisure from war permitted Dav.'s attention to in
ternal organisation, and fulfilraent of promises to his friend.'
(2) Ziba, statue ; see 2 Sa. xvi. 1—4, xix. 17, 24—30. (3) kind
ness of God, any great or lasting thing waa called by the He
brews, athing of God; e.g. a tree of God; a mountain of God ;
a covenant of God. lame, ch. iv. 4. (4) Machir, etc.^ the
Ammiel or Eliam, here seems to have been father of Bathsheba.'-
Lo-debar, e^st of Jordan; not identified, but near Mahanaim."*
Life's channes and lessons (v. 3).— We have here an illustration
of— I. The mutability of worldly greatness: Saul'a house nearly
deatroved. II. The efficiency of the favour and blessing ot God
in the way of well-doing : David exalted. III. A truly magnani-
moua spirit exhibited by David towards the house oi Saul, his
bitterest enemy. IV. Genuine and disinterested friendship. V.
The remarkable interposition of Providence in behalt ot the

E.o. ciV.1040.
by David of re-
^'e^ving, after
defraying e x-
jienses, and be
stowing suitable
i-ewardia upou hia
soldiers, the re-
[X ainder of the
spoil taken iu
war to accumu
late for the grand
prnjectof hislife,
— tho erection of
a national temple
at Jerusalem." —
Jamieson. c Sept. has Idu
mea.d 2 Ki. xiv. 7,
David'aofB.cersa " A kind of
chancellor, cor
responding in
some degree to
t h e magister
memorix in the
court of tho Eo
man emperors,
and the 'Vaka
Nuviseh, in the
court of the an-
cientand modem
kings of Petfia.
The Cheta (or
Hittites) in the
time of Rameses
II. had also a
recorder." — ¦ Spk.
Com.
Est. vi. 1, 2; la.
xxxvi. 22; 2 Ohr.
xxxiv. 8.
b 1 Ki. ii. 26, 27.

David'skindnessto JVCephi-
boshetli al Sa. XX. 41,49,
xxiii. 18.
b 2 Sa. xvii. 27—
29.c 1 Ohr. iii. 5.
d Comp. Lodebir,
Jos. xiii. 26.
See Bp. Ball,
Contemp.
0. 1. Dr. B. Lind
say, Lect. a. 102.

326

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. ix. 6—18.

B.O. rir. 1040.
e Dr. T, S. Clarke.

"And what
thinkest thou,"
eaid Socrates to
Aristodemus,"ofthis continual
love of life, this
dread of disso
lution, which
takes possession
of us the moment
we are conscioua
of existence ? "
"I think of it,"
was the reply,
*' as the means
employed by the
same great and
wise Artist, de
liberately deter
mined to pre
serve what He
has made."
Youth and the
lark have their
BOng for the
moming, while
age and the
nightingale have
theirs for the
evening.
fCK. of Eng. Mag.
Slephi-boshethdoes homage
to David
o 1 Chr. viii. 34.
* 1 Sa. xxiv. 14.
B. 8. Dr. P. Dod
dridge, Ss. L 177.
c Dr. Thomas.
" Charity com
mands us, where
we know uo ill,
to think well of
all; but friend-
Bhip, tbat always
goes a step
higher, gives a
man a peculiar
right aud claim
to the good
opinion of his
t r 1 e n d."—D r.
South.

Hephl-
boshethdvrells in

fatherless and afflicted. 'VI. The advantage attending a pious
ancestry.' is a part of life. —
" Change is of life a part." Its power
As a ahadow marks each passing hour.
It silvers the wave with sparkling light,
With rainbow beauty, intensely bright.
In the clouds and tempests that roll on high
It reigns in gorgeous revelry.
" Change is of life a part." Ita spell
Has thrilled the hero's heart as a knell ;
Clouding his hopes in their hour of pride,
Tin the haughty spirit within him died :
It came where earthly triumph had been,
Shading with sadness the gorgeous scene.
" Change is of Ufe a part." E'en where
Soft music falls on the perfumed air,
In banquets brilliant as those of old,
'When lie red wine sparkled in sculptured gold,
'Twill come ; like a cloud o'er a summer sky,
Like a phantom whose presence we cannot fly.
" Change is of life a part." The flow
Of time reveals its power below ;
In memory's visions, as on they sweep.
Breathing a truth sacred and deep,
That in heaven alone change'cannot be,
¦Where the sunlight of bliss shines eternally./
6—8. (5) Mephibosheth," ch. iv. 4. (6) did reverence,
made obeisance; noticed, perhaps, bee. his physical infirmity
made it very painful work. Poss. also he was in fear of his life.
(7) all the land, the private estate, eat, etc., as a recognised
royal prince. So Dav. preserved both his wealth and his title.
(8) dead dog', throughout Scrip, the dog is the symbol of worth
lesaneaa, the objeot of conterapt and dialike.'
David and Mephiboslwth (on the whole chapter). — ^This frag
ment of hiatory may be looked upon — (1) Aa supplying a fine
illuatration of hnman friendahip ; 2. Aa a faint image of Divine
love to the world. Let ua consider the latter. I. The disinte
restedness of David's kindness is iUustrative of the Divine. This
kindness was — 1. Unmerited ; 2. Unsought. The world did not
seek the gift of Christ, becauae —(1) It did not feel the need of a
Saviour ; (2) Had it felt this, it could never have supposed that
such a gift waa poasible. II. The occasion on which this kind
neaa was diaplayed is illustrative of the Divine. This kindness
was shown — 1. Becauae of some one elae : "for Jonathan's sake ; "
2. Ou acconnt of aome one elae who was very near to the heart
of the king. III. The results which it realised illustrative of
the Divine. 1. It found ont Mephibosheth ; 2. It restored him
to his patrimonial inheritance ; 3. It exalted him to distinguished
honours; 4. It secured him the coramand of suitable atten
dants." 9—18. (9) servant, Josephus mjs freedman, (10) till the
land, so act as steward of the estate. He gave to Mephib. aU

Oap.x. 1— lai

77. SAMUEL.

327

ttiat was left after paying expenses of working the estate. (11)
Dor he shall eat, read Iw did eat ; an historical statement. (12)
young son, word means a little child.'' (13) lame, etc., see
how this affected hia future conduct.'
Mephibosheth a type of tlw Lm-d's people (v. 13).— I. The Lord'a
people are dear for another's sake : for Christ's sake, God raises
us from poverty and banishraent to courtly companionship, noble
rank, and royal provision. II. Their def oi-mity shall not rob them
of their privileges. Lameness is no bar to sonship. Our right
does not limp, though our might may. III. Yet grievous dis
ability may mar the persons of the best-loved saints. Here is
one feasted by David, and yet ao lame in both his feet that he
could not go up with the king when he fled from the city and
was therefore mahgned and injured by his servant, Ziba." '

CHAPTER THE TENTH.
1—5. (1) the king, named Nahash.' (2) comfort him, by
a friendly message of condolence and sympathy. (3) princes,
etc., prob. young advisers, such as misguided Rehoboam." Dav.'s
treatraent of neighbouring countiaes made their fears excusable,
but not their insults. (4) shaved, etc., a young man's practical
joking, intended to make the ambassadors ridiculous and con
temptible." buttocks, indicates design to make them exposed
and indecent. (5) Jericho, chosen as the first town after
crossing the Jordan.
David's gratitude (v. 2). — I. It is a characteristic of noble minds
that they are not unwilling to acknowledge past favours. II. If
the good done by a man is not repaid to him, the fruit may be
reaped by his children. Bread cast on the waters, etc. Those
who sow good deeds may die, but their posterity wiU reap the
harvest. Sliaving (v. 4). — ^To shave off a part of the beard was aa great
an inault as could be ofEered. Arabs and Turks are said by
eminent travellers to value their bearda alraost raore than life.
" One of the buffoons of the bashaw took it into his head one
day, for a frolic, to shave his beard, which is no-trifle araong the
Turks ; for some of them I really believe, would sooner have
their head cut oii than their beard. In thia state he went home
to his women, who aotually thrust him out of the door ; and
such was the disgrace of cutting off his beard, that even his
feUow buffoons would not eat with him until it waa grown
again."'' 6—10. (6) stank," fig. for the anger rouaed in Dav. against
them, hired, bee. they felt unable to cope with David by them
selves. Beth-rehob, Wu. xiii. 21 ; Ju. xviii. 28. Zoba, ch.
viii. 8. Maachah, De. iii. 14. Ish-tob, trans, men of Tob.
Ju. xi. 3, 5. (7) all . . men, indic. the serioua preparations
judged necessary. (8) gate, of Rabbah,'' chief city of Ammon.
(9) before and behind,'^ ao disposed that whichever he attacked,
the other would fall upon his rear. (10) Thia required a twofold
attack by him.
One evil leads to arwther (v. 10). — I. Review the previous course
of these children of Ammon (vv. 1 — 5X II. Notice the efEect of

B.C. nr. 1063.
the king-'s
palace
a Through this
son Saul's poste-
liry waa pre
served ; 1 Cbr.
viii. 86—40, ix.
40—44.
b 2 Sa. xvi. \—i,
xix. 24—30.
c C. B. Spurgeon.

David'smessengera
to Hanun
a 1 Sa. xi. 1.
b 1 Ki. xii. 10, 11,
12 ; 1 Chr. xix. 1.
c " To shave ofl
one side of the
beard only was
even more igno
minious than to
remove it alto
gether, although
(hat, among the
ancient and
modern Eastem
nations that cul
tivate the beaid,
was an offeuc>3
not to be named
without horror.
It is very difficult
for us to realise
the intense ap
preciation of,
and respect for,
beards, which is
entertainednmung the Per
sians, ' rabians,
and other beard
ed nations." —
Kitto.d Belzoni.
David sends
Joab to meet
Ammon or Qe.
Ex. v.

XXXIV. 21.

b De. iii. 11; Job.
xiii. 25.
" Now Am-mdu,
22 miles fr. the
Jordan. There
are now exten-

328

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. X. H— 19.

B.C. dr. 1062.
Bive ruins in an
elevated valley
on tho banks of
the stream RIoiet
Amm^u, after a
short course
flowing into the
Jabboli, or Zur-
ka, wh. divided
the Heb. terri
tory fr. that of
the Ammonites."
Ayre. e " The native
troops covered
the city, while
the Syrian mer
cenaries lay at
BOme distance,
encamped ii tbe
fields." — Jamie
son.d Paxton.
" "When Greeks
joined Greeks,
then was the tug
of war, the la
boured battle
sweat and con
quest bled." —
Lte.

Joab'sexhortationto the army
a " Eelief of Me
deba, an IsraeUte
town, was one of
the immediate
objects in view."
— Spk. Com.
r. 12. TT. Bridge,
t7. S3; Abp.Bram-
hall, V. 87; Bp.
Fleetwood, Ss. 28 ;
E. Hickeringill, ii.
612; J. Weedon,
Ss. 217; Abp.
Seeker, viii. 73;
S. Davies, iii. 41 ;
Dr. J. Nance, Ss.
' 173.* Rev. R. A. Grif-
ta.

David
defeatsthe Syrians
a Jamieson.
b Ewald, Grove.
c Spk. Com.

conduct that grew out of unjnat suspicions. Aramon raises an
army, hires foreign soldiers. David prepares an army. War
iraminent. III. Observe what small matters, comparatively,
affect the peace and prosperity of nations.
Military harangues before battle. — Iramediately before the
signal was given, and sometimea in the heat of battle, the general
of a Grecian army made an oration to his troopa, in which he
briefly stated the motives that ought to animate their bosoms ;
and exhorted them to uae their utmost force and vigour againat
the enemy. The success which sometimes attended these
harangues was wonderful ; the soldiers, animated with fresh life
and courage, returned to the charge, retrieved in an inatant their
affairs, which were in a declining and alraost desperate condition,
and repulsed those very enemies by whom they had been often
defeated. Several instances of this might be quoted from Roman
and Grecian history, but few are more remarkable than that of
Tyrtseus, the lame Athenian poet, to whom the command of the
Spartan army was given in one of the Meaaenian wars. The
Spartans had at that time sufEered great losses in many encounters ;
and all their stratagema proved ineffectual, ao that they began to
despair almost of success, when the poet, by his lectures on
honour and courage, delivered in moving verse to the army,
ravished them to such a degree with the thoughts of dying for
their country, that, rushing on with a furious transport to raeet
their eneraies, they gave them an entire overthrow, and by one
decisive battle brought the war to a happy conclusion. Such
military harangues, eapecially in very trying circumstances, are
perfectly natural, and may be found perhaps in the records of
every nation.''
11 — 14. (11, 12) play the men, the part of valiant men.
cities," which were imperilled. (13) fled, Joab's onslaught
was well-nigh irresistible ; and the mercen^iiiea would hot expect
this double attack. (14) into the city, within shelter of their
fortifie. Prob. not the time of year for commencing a siege, nor
was Joab prepared to undertake it.
Joab's exhortation (v. 12). — As we review Joab's hfe, we feel
he was a bad man with a few good qualities, rather thau a good
man with many failings. Despite his character let us give heed
to his counsels. There are three commendable things in the
; words he spake. I. Unfiinching bravery : " be of good courage,"
ete. We need courage to — 1. Be faithful ; 2. Do valiantly ; 3.
Suffer patiently. .This courage or manUness »iB opposed to
childish weakness, effeminacy, brutishness, lethargy, and obsti
nacy. It includes skill, prudence, stability, activity, hopefulness.
II. Strong patriotisra : " for our people," etc. The most potent
arguraent he could use. III. Detei-rained subraission : " the
Lord do," ete. Belief in the sovereignty of God is not incon
sistent with the greateat courage aud the most resolute activity.
The Christian labours because of God's decrees.'
15 — 19. (15) gathered, etc., wh. they could do when Joab
had left the district. (16) Hadarezer, ch. viii. 3. the river,
I Euphrates. Helam, poss. Kelam, a border town of Eastem
j Manasseh," or Almatha, on the W. of Euphrates,' or the word
I should be translated, the'ir host.' (17) Mention of Helam as
i the site of the battle, would be very suitable here. (18) Comp.

Cap. xi. 1-0.]

77. S.iMUEL.

329

1 Chr. xviii. 18 ; the horsemen are there more prob. called foot
men, servants, subjects, tributaries.
Tlw losing side (v. 19). — I. Theae Syriaua were willing to help
Ammon, for pay, against Israel. Are there not yet mercenary
souls who think antagonism profitable? II. Mere mercenary
helpers leave the losing side. ' Hirelings not to be relied upon.
III. Great disasters needful sometimes to iUl raen with a whole
sorae dread. IV. Behold the fate of those who fight against the
royal Son of David.

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.
1—5. (1) when kings go forth, only at certain times wonld
the state of the country permit the march of arraies ; and cam
paigns were not usually prolonged, destroyed, ravaged the
Ammonite territory. Kabbah, ch. x. 8. (2) eveningtide,
the tirae after hia midday aleep." Evening began at 3 o'ck. in
the aftemoon. washing,' or bathing in the fountain in her
courtyard. (3) sent, etc., no doubt Dav. hoped she was an un
married woman, such as he had a right to claira at his will.
Eliam, ch. xxiii. 34. (4) took her, in his pasaion disregard
ing the fact that she was a wife. (5) Men often are willing to
sin, but sorely tronbled at the consequences.
David's temptation (v. 2). — I. We are never out of the reach of
teraptation. II. Useful occupation a safeguard againat terapta
tion. David should have been fighting the Lord's battles. III.
It is possible the king mounted his housetop for devotional
purposes. Even onr closet cannot exclude Satan.
Persian baths (v. 2). — Describing a bath in the women's court,
an eminent traveller writes : — The royal master of this Hortus
Adonidis frequently takes his noonday repose in one of the npper
chambers which encircle the saloons of the bath ; and, if he be
inclined, he has only to turn his eyes to the scene below, to see
the lovelieat objects of his tendemess, sporting like Naiads amidat
the crystal streams, and glowing with all the bloom and bril
liancy which belonga to Aaiatic yonth. In such a bath court it is
probable that Bathsheba was seen by the enaraoured king of
Israel. As he was walking at evening-tide on the roof of his
palace, he might undesignedly have strolled far enough to over
look the andron of his women, where the beautiful wife of
Uriah, visiting the royal wives, might have joined them, as was
often the custom in those countries, in the delights of the
bath." 6—9. (6) Uriah, one ofthe "thirty," 2 Sa. xxiii. 39. (7)
To hide hia sin Dav. tried to deceive Uriah, so met him with
every conciliation. (8) go down, etc., Dav. wanted him to reat
at home, and " partake of the indulgences of family life." mess,"
present fr. the royal table to enjoy himself with at home. (9)
at the door, in the guard'a quarter at the gate of the palace.
Meats from the king's table (v. 8).— Any present imraediately
coramunicated from a royal peraonage was considered particularly
valuable. " Arrangements were now made for our introduction
to the monarch immediately on his retum, which he had fixed,
ea the viziers declared, for the thirteenth day of this month.

B.C. dr. 1063.
V. 19. " Feored,"
and "perhaps en
gaged to flght DO
more in haste
against Israel, as
the beaten Par
thians swore that
they would fight
no more against
the Eomans for
ever," — Trapp,

B.C. cir. 1035.
David's
adultery
withBathsheba a "The Heb., like
other Orientals,
rose at day break,
and always took
a nap during tbe
heat of the day,
and afterwards
they lounged in
the cool of the
evening on their
flat - roofed ter-
t&cep."- Jamieson.
b"Fr. the roof
of fais palace, the
king looked
down on the cis
terns whieh were
constructed on
the top of the
lower houses of
Jerusalem, and
theu conceived
for Bathsheba
the uncontrol
lable passion to
which she of
fered no resist
anc&" — Stanley.
V. 3. Dr. B.
Hughes, Fem.
Char. ii. 205.
c Sir B. K.Porter.

David sends
for Uriah
a Ge. xliii. 34.
"David cast
about how to
colour and cover
his sin with fair
pretences, as Al-
cibiades e m-
broidpred a cur
tain with lions
and eagles, to
cover his picture
pf owls aqd

830

II, SAMUEL,

[Cap. xl. ICMtlr.

B.C. dr. 1035.
asses, hut all
would not do,
G"d so disposing
that David's sin
should come to
light." — Trapp.
b Sir W. Ouseley.
TTriah the
Sliest of
David
a God did not
permit Dav.'s
base schemes to
succeed, that he
might realise all
the wickedness
of sin which he
could not cloak.
Sin nowhere ap
pears greater or
more terrible
than iu the
Bible; yet how
blessed to flnd
there, that even
if we have
broken the whole
Uw, and every
precept of it,
there is still, to
the true peni
tent, an offer
of pardoning
and coraplete,
mercy, so full
and immediate
that his sins are
blotted out and
forgotten.b Dr. Guthrie.

death of
TTriah
a " By indulging
David in this
secret sin, Joab
was persuaded
. that he would
acquire a com
plete ascendency
over him, which
he did." — Words
worth.vv. 14, 16. Bon.
O. C. Perceval,
Plain Ss. iii. 108.
If yoa would
form a true esti
mate of sin, do
not yreigb. it is

Meanwhile he sent to the ambassador a very flattering khii''h-
dinedy, or welcome, with some of the royal shihar, or game,
three antelopes, and fifty kdbks, or partridges, killed by his ovra.
hand ; a circumstance which considerably enhanced the value
of this preaent, and entitled the bearer to a recompense, not less
thau the wages of half a year."'
10—13. (10) from a journey, wheu every one is glad to get
rest at home. (11) "The austere, soldier-like conduct of the
sturdy Canaanite" thwarted David'a deceptive scheme. So
David sunk deeper into sin, and tried to excite Uriah's passion by
making him drunk. (12) to day, over another night. (13)
drunk, evidently with fermented wine : yet even then Uriah
kept his oath."
Uriah ihe patriot (v. 11). — I. That there are times in national
history when private individuals muat deny themselves the
pleasures of domestic Ufe for the public good. II. That the
patriotic sentiments of the self-denying man unintentionaUy
convey the sharpest reproof to the self-indulgent. III. That
men sometimes speak the plain truth in ignorance of facts ; who
would not dare so to speak if they knew more.
Watchi-ng against temptation.. — " Stand in awe and sin not,"
" Wateh and pray, that ye enter not into temptation," are warn
ings which no good man should disregard. Is this to be a
coward? Anything else were the height of rashness. Who
sleeps by a magazine of gunpowder, needs to take care even of
sparks ; who walks on slippery ice, let him not go atar-gazing,
but look to his feet and take care of falling. Whatever provokes
ain, thongh beautiful aa Bathsheba, what is iu its uature calcu
lated, and by the cunning fiend intended, to draw us into trans
gression, is a danger against which we cannot be too mnch upon
our guard. Though in themselves innocent, pleasures are sought
at too great hazard that grow on dizzy crag, or among the
grass where adders creep, or in the lofty crevice of some tottering
wall, or on the brink of a swollen flood ; and allthe more if, su(£
as our poet deacribes— " Pleaaurea are like poppies spread.
We nip the flower, the bloom is fled ;
Or like the snow-ilake on the river,
A moment white, then gone for ever."'
14 — 17. (14) a letter, a despateh : what a miserable night
Dav. must have spent beiore he made the resolve to mnrder the
man he had so deeply wronged. (15) retire ye, etc., leave him
exposed. If Joab had been' a noble man, he would have refused
obedience. He pandered to the king in order to get power over
him." (16) observed, Ju. i. 24. (17) This was a sham attempt
at carrying the city by assault.
Da-vid's wicked stratagem (v. 15). — I. The causes of it. 1. A
desire to shelter Bathsheba from her husband's anger on discover
ing her infidelity; 2. Perhapa some anger occasioned hy the
rebuke contained in Uriah's reply (t) 11). II. The plausibiUty of
it. 1. Uriah had spoken brave and patriotic words, should be
taken at his word ; 2. Should be awarded the post of danger, as
j that of honour— the leader of the forlorn hope. Note : No
plausibility of speech or conduct can effectually cover sin.
I A parallel case. — The foUowing history is, in some points, an

Cap. xl. 18—27.]

77. SAMUEL.

831

accurate counterpart to that of David. " Nour Jehan signifies
the Ught of the world ; she waa also caUed Nour Mahi, or the
light of the seraglio ; she was wife to one Sher Afkan Khan, of
a Turcoman faraily, who came from Persia to Hindostan in very
indifferent circumstances. As she was exquisitely beautiful, of
great wit, and an elegant poetess. Jehanguire, the sultan, was
resolved to take her to himself. He sent her husband, who was
esteemed the bravest man in his service, with some troops to
command in Bengal, and afterward eent another with a greater
force to cut him off. When he was killed, Nour Jehan was soon
prevailed upon to become an empress. The coin struck in Jehan-
guire's reign, with the- signa of the zodiac, w ere not, as is usuaUy
thought in Europe, done by his empress's order ;• nor did she
reign one day as the common opinion is, but she ruled the person
who reigned for above twelve years."'
18 — 21i (18) sent, etc., regular infoi-mation waa auppUed to
the king. (19) matters, a general sketch of its progresa. (20)
so nigh, Joab knew Dav. well, and felt sure of what he would say.
In the military science of the day it was considered wholly wrong
to expose troops under the waU of a besieged city without shelter.
The shelter was some form of continuous shield held over them.
(21) Abimelech, Ju. ix. 35." Jerubbesheth, Jerubbaal.
The death of Uriah (v. 21). — I. Compassed by the craft of
David, Joab being an accessory. II. Occurring while fighting
bravely against the enemies of Israel. III. Removing Uriah
frora the scene of his disgraoe. He probably never knew of his
diahonour. IV. Conaoling David with the hope that his other
sin would not be known. He had now murder as well as adultery
to answer for, besides iiie duplicity they both involved.
22— S7. (22, 23) canae out, making a sally ; then retreating,
so as to draw the Israelites after them under the walls, from wh.
stonea and arrows were cast on them. (24) The messenger did
not wait for what Joab expected the king would say. (25) This
message is full of sanctimonious hypocrisy, encourage thou,
lit. go on and take the city. (26) mourned, prob. only the cus
tomary seven days." (27) displeased, play on word nsed in v.
25. See figure : " evil in the eyea."
God displeased w'ith David (v. 27).— I. Let those consider these
words who tauntingly refer to David aa a man after God's own
heart. II. Let good men remember that Divine grace ie not a
royal licenae to sin. III. Let aU remeraber that sin is followed
by Divine displeasure; and if not by repentance, certainly by
punishment. An easy mode of obtaining a wife (v. 27).— The kings of Israel
appear to have taken their wives with very great ease. This is
quite consistent with the account given in general of the manner
in whioh Eastern princes form matriraonial alliances. _ "The
king, in his marriage, uses no other ceremony than this ; he
sends an azagi to the house where the lady lives, where the
officer announces to her it is the king's pleasure that she shonld
remove instantly to the palace. She then dreaaes heraelf in the
beat manner, and immediately obeys. Thenceforward he assigns
her an apartment in the palace, and givea her a house elsewhere
in any part she chooaea. Then when he raakes her iteghe, it
seems to be the nearest resemblance to maniage ; for whether in

the light balance
of public opinion.

Proneness to siu
is a heavy cross
to the believer;
but to him who
believes not. sin
is a light matter.
" FooJb make a
mock of sin."

b Fraser.

Davidinformedof Uriah's
deatha "The Bk. of
J u. was ev i-
dently known at
this time. Joab
quoted God's
Word, but was
not careful to
keep it."— Words
worth. w. 20, 21. Dr. J.
Scott, A Ser.
Cambridge, 1764.
David takes
Bathshebatotvife
a " If we feel
how bad Dav.'s
conduct waa, we
should not misa
observing how
readily Bath
sheba yielded to
him, and became
a full partner in
his Clime. She
was a woman of
superior talents
and address in
obtaining the ob
ject of her ambi
tion." — Partly fr.
Taylor's Calmet.
V. 27. H. Lindsay,
Lect. ii. 117 ; Dr.
C. J. Vaughan,
185, 454; H.
Thompson, Da-
vidica, 77.
Nothing in the
visible creation
of God has sunk
so low as a lost
siimer; and yet
nothing may.
through Inflaits

S32

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xll. I-IO.

B.O. dr. 1036.
mercy, be raised
so high.
ft Burder.

the court or the carap, he ordera one of the judges to pronounce
in his preaence, that he, the king, has chosen his handraaid, nam
ing her, for his queen; upon which the crown is put on her
head, bnt she is not anointed."'

B.O. dr. 1034.
Nathanreproves Davida 2 Sa. xii. U.
b Oomp. 2 Sa.
Iiv. 2—11 ; 1 Ki.
IX. 35—41.
c" This apologue
fastens on the ea-
Bcutial guilt of
David's sin, — not
its sensuality, or
its impurity, so
much as its
meanness and
eelflshness."— Stanley. See Bp. Ball's
Contemp. and Dr.
T. Fuller's Da
vid's Bainous
Sinne, Heartie Re
pentance, Heavie
Punishment : A
PoetlccU Tract ; J.
Saurm, Disc. Bist.
V. 97; Bp. New
ton, ii. 815.
d. J. Bolton.
V. I. B. Thomp
son, Davidica. 94;
B. W. Sullivan, ii.
116. vv. 1-7. C. Si
meon, iii. 265.
V. t>. Bp. Fleet
wood, G57.
BU. 5 — 7. B. Mar
riott, il. 413; B.
Lindsay, Lect. ii.
132; J.B.Oumey,
Ss on 0. T. 137.

thou art
the man
a 1 Sa. XV. 22, 23.
b Wordsworth.
e " Whatsoever a
man soweth that
«hall he also
leap."

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
1 — 6. (1) Nathan, ch. vii. 2. This occurred at leaat nine
months after." and said, prob. asking the judgraent of the
king on the point presented.* (2, 3) little ewe lamb, pastoral
people have pet lambs, brought up with the children, and ad
dressed in terms of endearment. (4) spared to, waa unwilling
to give of his own." (5) Dav. not seeing at first the application
of the parable, let out his righteous feeling. Not connecting it
with himself, he soon made a judgment. (6) no pity, this the
essence of hia sin.
Oree little ewe lamb (v. 3). — As we study this parable, it rerainds
us how tenderly-^I. We should treat durab animals. Life is a
sacred thing ; it is God's mark of ownership, and if we put iij
into harness for our gain, we undertake to nourish and cherish it.
God will look to us to do so. II. God deals with ua. We deserve
to perish ; but He directs that we shall be nuraed as if we were
princes. III. We should respect the happiness of others. God,
who givea the "poor man " his one little ewe lamb, will punish
those who would deprive him of it. IV. God loved Jesus. He
waa Hia Lamb — His " one " Lamb.''
A personal application. — A\TiUe Mr. Whitefield was one day
preaching at Plymouth, in America, Mr. Tanner, who was at
work as a shipbuilder, at a distance, heard his voice, and resolved,
with five or six of his companions, to go and drive him from the
place where he stood; and for this pnrpose they filled their
pockets with stones. When, however, Mr. T. drew near, and heard
Mr. Whitefield earnestly inviting sinners to Christ, he was filled
with astonishment ; hia resolution failed him, and he went home
with his raind deeply impressed. On the foUowing evening he
again attended, and heard Mr. Whitefield, on the sin of tiiose
who crucified the Redeemer. After he had expatiated on their
guilt, he appeared to look intently on Mr. Tanner, as he exclaimed
with energy, "Thou art the maul" These words powerfully
affected Mr. T. ; he felt his iniquities to be awfully great, and in
the agony of his soul, he cried, " God be merciful to me a sinner! "
The preacher then proceeded to proclaim the free and abundant
grace of Jesus, which He commanded to be preached among the
very people who had murdered Him ; on hearing whioh Mr. T.
was encouraged to hope for mercy, and he surrendered himself to
Christ. This serraon was made eminently useful to many other
persons. 7 — 10. (7) thou the man, note the fearlessness of the
prophet before the king." (8) master's wives, "no wife of
a king of the Heb. nation could ever be married to any one but
his successor; see 1 ICi. ii. 22."* (9) Without any equivocation,
Dav.'a sins are brought home to hira, and they were no less than
raurder and adultery. (10) from thy house, or faraily. His
sin had been a family sin; his punishment should come also

Oap. xll. 11-14.] 77. SAMUEL. 333
in the family." despised me, by not acting according to ' b.c. dr. 1034.
Divine lawa. ' — r
Tlwu art tlie man (v. 7).— Conaider— I. The fidelity of the pro- fora °out2°o''7ea^s
phet: zeal, prudent and circumspect, courageous and intrepid. Dav. hai no ro
ll. The directnesa of the accusation. 1. Conscience ia to be spiufr. domestic
aroused from its long repose ; 2. Promises are to be individually 'wordswlrth^' ~
applied, and warnings personal ; 3. We preaeh, in the midst of n j L
numbera, to individuala ; 4. Self-love, and besetting sina, seclude \ssize s. vssi-
men from the truth, till it comes with Divine power. III. The Dr. N. Marshall,
submission of the penitent. 1. His confession is open ; 2. It is ii-350; T.Xewiin,
contrite; 3. It has regard to God; 4. It terminates in practical, \^^''j,^'''Tummbe
sincere resolutiona. Conclusion : — We are all sinners, like David. 237 ; Dr. E. Cob-
We are all reproved, as he was, by Word of God ; ministers ot den, 3 1 1 ; L.
God; conscience. Are we penitent, like him ? //"«""''¦ ^py('''''
A bold preaclwr (v. 7). — M. Bourdaloue was called "the king of .<!^/ioo; j.jen-
preachera, and the preacher to kings ; " and Louis hiraaelf eaid kins, ii. ue ; w.
that he would rather hear the repetitiona of Bourdaloue than the Enji-id,^ ii. -200 ; 7.
.novelties of another. Witha collected air, Bourdaloue had little ^^^'j,.'' ;g?' J^'
action; he generally kept his eyes half closed, and penetrated ciipin' iv.' se
the hearts of the people by the sound of a voice uniforra and Bp. Afant, i. 279 ;
solemn. On one occasion, he turned the peculiarity of hia exter- fes'^^'^y's""* '}'
nal aspect to a very memorable advantage. After depicting, in 174; jj/; Bishop,
soul- awakening terms, a, sinner of the first magnitude, he sud- 99; Bp. Betiieii,
denly opened his eyes, and casting them full on the king, who ii- ^oi -, Bp. Arm,-
sat opposite to him, he added, in a voioe of thunder, "Thou art ' '""'''
the raan." The effect was confounding. When he had finished 1'''= golden light
or COD SCI BUCB
his discourse, he went and threw hiraself at the feet of his sove- shouM shine in
reign, and said, ''Sire, behold at your feet one who is the most every cfaamberof
devoted of your servants ; but puniah him not, that in the pulpit ""^ ^°"'-
he can own no master but the King of kinga."
11— I'l. (11) Part of this threatening was fulfilled in Absa
lom, ch. xvi. 22 ; prob. the fulfilment came on the very house-top
where Dav.'s paasion had been stirred. (12) secretly, such was
Dav.'s purppse, but they in the palace must have known about it.
(13) I have sinned, the language of a sincerely stricken and
humbled raan." (13) put away, etc., aa God promiaes to do for
the truly penitent, not die,!" according to his own judgment, c.
5. (14) the child, who was the fruit of his sin. I ,, _ _ .
Tlw fall and recovery of tlw believer (r. 13).— Consider-I. What'^;,^^^; ^^^g.'"/^'
kind of sin this was : not a case of common sin in an irreligioua sec'ker.ii. 289; A.
peraon, but of sin in a believer. This should — 1. Make believers [ T'otm.i'w, 7S; W.
cautious ; 2. Take away frora sinners any occasion of presuraing. I 239'!'"'*°"f/,„ ":
II. The causes that lead to the believer's falling into sin. Chiefly son.'Daddica.iiO;
these: — 1. Too great aecurity and confidence in his state ; 2. Idle- c. Simem,' iii.
ness and inactivity in the Lord'a servioe ; 3. Neglect of prayer 2(i9: c tuarriott,
and watching. III. The iraraediate effects of the believer's faU— f;^ "^^^ Bp/it
1. On himself ; 2. On those around him : the enemies of the Lord j^ri ii. '96 ; Hon.
rejoice. Christian brethren weep. IV. The good effects which it c. c. Percemi, iii.
is made the means of producing by the blessing of God. 1. As ifi, ^y."*^™;
leading to repentance it will show the world what true sorrow ; jgj'.^j ii.'no.'
for sin is ; 2. To the believer himaelf several good effects wUl ¦ ^ ,^ ^ Tliomp-
COrae." ^on, Dai'idica, 127.
David's repentance (v. 13).— Sir Jaheel Bcenton, of the Eoyal ,.j chandler.
Navy, brought frora the Cape of Good Hope a Hottentot boy, and : j^ ^ave great
stated to Dr. PhiUp that a change had taken place m the charac- ; corruptiou«with-
ter of the boy ; in proof of which, he adds : " A clergyman asked | in, you need

David's
repentance
a Ps. xxxii., 11.
6 " The death of
the soul is cer
tainly meant, as
in Eze. xviii." —
Spk. Com.

334

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xli. 15-23.

B.o.cjr. 1034. I him which person iu the Old Testament he would rather have
great care and ^^^^^ '^^^ it heen left to his choice. He replied, ' David.' _ ' Why
great grace to David, rather than Solomon whose reign was so glorious ? ' ' We
keep them under, have evidence of David's repeuuance,' aaid the lad; 'but I don't
find anything in the Bible that enables me to draw the same satis
factory conclusion conceming the repentance of Solomon.' "

death of
Bathsheba'schild
a Jamieson.

they are than
where they wero,
Though they be

b C.Berbert,M.A.
G Sir J. Chardin.

Sin,

15 — 18. (15) struck, with a fatal disease. (16) besought
God, not only bee. he was a man of warm family affections, but
also bee. the suffering child was actuaUy bearing the punishment
of his sin. elders, etc., the custom in the Eaat ia to leave a be-
" It will heln '' ^^^'^^^ peraon to hia grief for two or three days, then go and per-
bereaved pa- i suade him to eat, bathe, and change his garments." (18) vex
rents, however, ; himself, with atill greater grief.
to dry up their j The fear of bereavement a call to extraordina-ry prayer (v. 16). —
tears, to consider ' T m, ¦ .e j-u jj i • 4.1, i. ^ " -r. "• n
that their littie '¦¦ '-"^^ occasion of the sudden alarm in the case before us : David 3,
ones llo not cease sin, and God's sentence againat him. II. The feelinga proper to
to 6e, though they such a crisis of our Uves. 1. Search for sin ; 2. Humiliation before
Sy are token ' ^°^ ^^^^ sin's discovery ; 3. Prayer for deliverance. III. The
away, but God i manner in which we should draw nigh unto God. Note David's
took tbera. They \ soUtary prayer ; his fasting ; his prostration of person on the
are better where ground ; his long continuance m all these expressions of fear,
sorrow, and shame.'
David mourning (v, 20). — " The practice of the East is to leave
boBoni3°the''are I ^ i;sl3,tion of the deceased peraon to weep and moum, tUl, on the
in " Christ's.^' ^— '• third or fourth day at f artheat, the relations and friends go to see
Flavel. ' him, cause him to eat, lead him to a bath, and cause him to put
on new vestments, he having before thrown himself on the
ground, etc:"'' — The aurpriae of David's servants, then, who had
seen his bitter anguish while the chQd was siok, arose appa
rently from this ; that, when he fouud it was dead, he that so
fruitless- it bios- i?®®^'''^ lamented, aroae of himself from the earth, without stay-
poms fair, but ! ™o ^°^ ^^^ friends coming about him, and that presently ; imme-
always deceives, j diately bathed and anointed himself, instead of appearing as a
" What fruit had , mourner ; and, after worshipping God with solemnity, returned
vein r.nnsfttniTin'.j ; I . . . - , .,- ^.^ ° . , ... „ ..-^ ...
to his wonted repasts, without any interposition of others ; which
as now, so perhapa anciently, was made use of in the East. The
extremity of his aorrow for the child's illness, and his not obser
ving the comraon forras of grief afterwarda, waa what surprised
his servants. Every eye muat see the general ground of astonish
ment; but this passage of Chardin gives great distinctness to
our apprehensions of it."*

ye in chose things
whereof ye 'are
now ashamed?"
It is an attribute
of Deity to hate
sin, and love the
Binner.
d Barmer.
David's ^iefi

a " His expres
sion, V. 23, indi-
cates that
through all his
lapses into sa
vage cruelty,
and reckless self-
indulgence. Ihere
BtiU remained a
fountain of feel
ing witbin, as
fresh and pure aa
when he fed his
father's flocks,
and won the

19 — 23. (19) whispered, persuading one another to under
take to teU hhn. (20) arose, of his own accord ; wiihout need
ing persuasions. Now he would acknowledge the just judgment
of God. (21) David, by his act, showed how much more sad siii
is than death. (22, 23) While there was life, there was hope of
recovery ; when he was dead, there was the higher hope of re
union. Prayer was the duty while he Ungered : submission, the
duty when he was dead."
/ shall go to him (v. 23). — Here are four doctrines in five words.
I. Infant salvation : " I shall go to him." II. Personal recog
nition in the future state : " to him." III. Personal assurance ;
"I." IV. Final perseverance of aainta: " shall." ' — A fathei-'i
thought mer his ch'ild's grave (v. 23). — The context shows David's —
(1) Suffering as a. siuner; 2. Reasoning as a, saint. The text

Oap. xii. 24, 25.1

77. SAMUEL.

335

impUes his beUef in — I. The nnretumableness of the dead : " he
shaU not retum to me." There is no returning — I. To discharge
neglected duties : dutiea in relation to our children, our servants,
our neighbours, our country; 2. To recover lost opportunitiea :'
lost Sabbaths, lost sermons, loat means of grace. If there is no
retnm to the earth, then — (1) How foolish to set our hearts upon
it ; (2) How important to finish its work as we go on. II. The cer
tainty of his own disaolution : " I shaU go to hira." The cer
tainty of death is — 1. Universally admitted with the understand
ing : no room left for questioning it ; 2. Universally denied by
the life : aU raen Uve as if they were immortal. III. The re
union after death : " I ahall go .to him." The reunion he
believed in waa — 1. Spiritual : there would be no consola
tion in the thought of merely going to his grave, and the
mingling of their dust together ; 2. Conscious ; they would feel
themselves together ; doctrine of recognition in heaven may be
argued by the laws of mental association, the benevolence of
God, and the allusiona of Scripture ; 3. Happy : he believed that
his child was — (1) Happy ; (2) Safe."
Influence of the dead (v. 23). — In the deepening twilight of a
summer evening, a pastor called at the residence of one of his
parishioners, and found, seated in the doorway, a little boy with
both hands extended upwards, holding a line. " "What are you
doing here, my little friend 1 " inquired the minister. " Flying
my kite, sir," waa the prorapt reply. " Flying your kite 1" ex
claimed the pastor ; " I can see no kite : yon can see none ? " "I
know it, sir," responded the lad ; " I cannot see it, but I know it
is there, for I feel it pull." A few yeara back, the angela came
and bore far above us, out of our sight, one tliat was very dear
to ns. The attachment of our hearta was not broken— the con
necting ties were lengthened, not broken. We loved her while
here ; we love her stiU. She loved us while in the flesh ; we are
sure that she loves us none the less in her new condition. Eisiug
higher and still higher in the heaven of heavens, we feel her in
fluence. She is with Christ ; and, attracted by gentle influences,
we are tending towards her peaceful home, with the prospect of
the same glorious companionship.'*
24, 25. (24) Solomon, Heb. ^iLelomoii., peaceable;" a symbol
of peace bet. David and Jehovah, and of peace in Dav.'s own
conacience. (25) Jedidiah, beloved of the Lord. A name not in
tended to supersede that of Solomon, but aignifying that he
would be the object of special Divine favours.
Tlw child Solomon (v. 24).— The Lord loved Him. I. How ttiia
muat have humbled David ; that, being so great a ainner, God
should be so merciful. II. How thia must have rejoiced David a
heart;, that he had a son whom God loved. III. How this may
teach children that the chUd whom God loves is peaceable : and
snch is a true Jedidiah— the beloved of the Lord.
Description of a child. — „ , „ ^. . , t c^a
O thou bright thing, fresh from the hand ot God,
The motions of thy dancing limbs are swayed
By the unceasing musio of thy being !
Nearer 1 seem to God when looking on thee.
'Tis ages since He made Hia youngest star,
His hand was on thee as 'twere yesterday.

B.C. dr. 1034.
love of Jona
than."— £(are(cy.
vv. 21-23. Dr. S.
Carr, iv. 287 ; E.
Thompson, 59.
V. 23. Meilan, Ss.
for Chil. iii. 173;
Dr. S. Can; 2I>0 ;
W. Jay, Short
Disc. iii. 51 ; Bp.
Dehon, ii. 376; Dr.
6. I'ownsend, Ss.
19; J. Wesley, Tiii.
4C3; J. Gaskin,
^Si; A. Williams,
ii. 113; .;. Ca
wood, i. 103; W.
Nind, i. 200.
b J. Gray.
c Dr. Thomas.
"As fate is in
exorable, and not
to be moved
either wilh tears
or reproaches, an
excess of sorrow
is as foolish as
profuse laughter,
while, on the
other hand, not
to mourn at ail is
insensibility." ^
Seneca.Godly sorrow Ifl
better than
worldly joy.
d Evang. Mag

birth of
Solomona Oesenius. T.TT.
has Salomon.
"Look! how he
laughs and
stretches out his
arms, and opens
wide his blue
eyes upon thine,
to hailhis father;
while his little
form fluttirs as
¦wing'd with joy.
Talknot of paint
the childless che
rubs well might
envy thee the
pleasures of a
parent 1 "-Byron.

336

77. S.iUlUEL.

[Cap. xiii. 1-8.

B.C. rir. lost.
b Smith.

David takes
Babbaha Ewald.
b Spk. Com.
c " Crowns are
only used in the
E. on g' eat state
occasions, and
they are gene
rally of such
weight that they
ca'inot be b irne
without great
inconvenience. Sometimes tbese
po n derous
crowns were
suspended over
the head, or at
tached to the top
of the throne." —
Eitto.V. 31. De Davidis
Crudelitate Crit.
Sac. Thes. Nov. i.
664.
d Dr. Cumming.

B.O. dr. 1032.
Amnonand Tamar
a "He wasaman
of very violent
and insolent dis
position; a cba
racter which i^
often found iu
the flrst-born
sons of fami
lies such as Da
vid's. He was
still further cor
rupted by the
low cunning of
Jonadab, who
was ready to
truckle to the
eldest born." —
Ewald. See Bp. Hall,
Cmtemp ; R. W.
Evans, Scrip.
Biog i.
6 Robert!.

Thou later revelation I Silver stream.
Breaking with laughter from the lake Divine,
Whence all things flow I 0 bright and singing babe.
What wilt thou be hereafter I '
26 — 31. (26) This resumes the narrative from-ch. xi. The
siege may have taken two years ; but very possibly all waa over
before Bathsheba's child was born. (27) city of waters, the
lower oity, situate on a small river," the Moiet, or upper Jabbok.
(28) afcer my name, aa its conqueror. Another effort of Joab's
to secure influence over David, (29) all the people, a new
and unwearied force. (30) kings's crown, poss. the idol
Malcam is meant.* weight,'' as no person could wear such a
crown, it is suggested that this means value. (31) Thia ia nsuaUy
aupposed to mean to put to death by torture. The conduct of
the Ammonites, and the stubborn resistance they offered, may,
if that be the meauing, partly explain such cruelty.
Meaning of tlw JSebre-m word "beth" (v. 81). — The infidel
Paine has scornfully asked, " Is this the inspiration of God ?
Was David acting according to the suggestions of Him who is
supposed to be wise and merciful, when he thus tortured and
destroyed hundreds of human beinga 1" Now some wiU be sur
prised to leam that the Hebrew word beth, whioh is here trans
lated " under," does not mean " under " (that is, placed beneath),
but meana " to " (in the sense in which we aay in ordinary lan
guage, " I put him to the plough ") ; the literal meaning is, that
he put them to saws, and to harrows, and to axes, and to the
making of bricks — that he raade them perpetual working slavea.
There is no warrant whatever for the construction that he
destroyed them by saws, and haiTows. and axes, or inhumanly
forced them into the furnace of the brick-kUu. He simply set
them to a laborious drudgery.**

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) Absalom and Tamar were children of Dav.'s most
nobly born wife, Maachah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
Amnon," was Dav.'a eldest son by Ahinoam of Jezreel. (2) a
virgin, ao dwelt secluded in a aeparate house, or part of the
palace, to wh. Aranon had no raeans of access. (3) Shimeah, or
Shararaa. subtil, wiae, with idea of crafty, alraoat unscru
pulous. (4) lean, thin, pining, evidently fretting thyself iU.
(5) father cometh, wh. they knew he wonld do in hia paternal
affection. Feigning sickness (v. 5). — The Asiatics are certainly the most
expert creatures I have seen at feigning themselves sick. Thus
those who wish to get offi work, or any duty, complain they have
a pain here, and another there : they affect to pant for breath,
roll their eyea aa if in agony ; and, ahould you touch them, they
shriek out as if you were kiUing them. The sepoys, and thoae
who are servants in the govemment offices, give great trouble to
their superiors by ever and anon coraplaining they are sick ; and
it requires great discernment to find out whether they are so, or
merely affecting it. Their general object is either to attend a
marriage, or some religious festival.'

Cap. siii. 6—14.]

77 SAMUEL.

337

6 — 10. (6) made, shammed being sick, couple of cakes,"
for baking such Tamar was noted. The wretch made out that
he had no appetite, but thought he could eat some of his sister's
cakes. (7) meat, food. (8) bake, or boil, over kind of char
coal stove in the room. (9) refused to eat, prob. beo. brought
to him by a servant. (10) He wanted Tamar to bring them
herself. Fires aild cooking in the East. — In the most considerable houses
of Persia, they kindle their fires, not under a chimney, as is
usual with us in fireplaces, but in a kind of oven caUed tinner,
about two palms from the ground, formed of a vase of burnt
clay, in which they place buming coala, charcoal, or other com-
buatible matter. 'The smoke from the coals is conveyed by meana
of a pipe from the oven under ground ; and by means of another,
communicating with the grated bottom of the fire, it ia auppUed
with air. Here they cook their meat and can bake their cakea
on a flat sheet of iron laid over the tinnor, in little more than an
inatant of tirae. When the oven is not thus used, they place a
plank over it in the shape of a small table, which they cover
entirely, spreading over it a large cloth which extendi? on all
sides to the ground, over a part of the floor of the chamber. By
thia contrivance, the heat being prevented from diffusing itself
all at once, it ia coraraunicated insenaibly and so pleasantly
throughout the whole apartraent that it cannot be better cora
pared than to the effect of a stove. Peraons at their raeals, or in
conversation, and some even sleeping, lie on the carpets round
this table, supporting themselves against the waUa of the apart
ment on cushiona kept for the purpose, which likewiae serve
for seata in this country, the tinnor heing so placed as to
be equally distant from the sidea of the room. "Thus circura'
Btanced, those to whom the cold is not unpleasant, put their legs
under the cloth : others, who feel it more sensibly, their hands
and the reat of their body. By bringing their extremities thus
towards the central fire, they receive thence a mild and pene
trating warmth, which diffuses itself agreeably over their whole
body, without any injury to the head.'
11  14. (11, 12) force," or humble me. Her relationship
should have preserved her from his insults.' (13) speak unto
the king," urging this as a last plea. He might gain honour
ably what he tried to force. (14) In no way did she consent to
his wioked deed."'
Tlw plea of outraged innocence (v. 13).— I. The fate of the
seduced. No hiding-place for sharae : save perchance the dark-
flowing river. This still the fate of fallen woman. II. The fate
of the seducer. To be a fool in Israel. Incest stiU denounced aa
of all unnatural offences the most monatroua. But in ordmary
cases of seduction is society quite fair to the offending parties?
Is not the seducer too often countenanced while the seduced is
hounded out of existence ? How often the one flutters m the
brawing-room in the light of beauty's smile while the other lies
in the deep pool aomewhere, or betakea heraelf to the street 1
Let the seducer be evermore counted a fool in Israel.
A king's daughter preparing /oorf.— Let it not appear strange
Uiat a king's daughter in the reign of David was employed m
bhis menial service ; for Dr. Eussel aays the Eastem ladiea otten
prepare cakea and other things in their own apartments ; and
VOL. III. O.T, If

E.o. cir. 1032.
Tamar
makes cakes
for Amnon
a Ge. xviii. 6.
Amnon " waa
ctreus in vitium
Jlecti, easily
drawn to do evil.
He answered
Jonadab, upon
tbe matter, as
Tiberius did Jus-
tinus, ' I am only
thy clay and wax'
Oh that we could
flnd men so do
cile and ductile
to that which ia
good ! " — Trapp.
" Chaste as Ihe
icicle that's
curdled by the
fropt from pnrest
snow, and bangs
on Dian'B lem-
p 1 0."—S hake-
speare. " She's chaste as
the fanned snow
twice bolted o'er
by the black
northem blasts.''
— Lee.
" It is no sin not
lo understand a
ditrk text, but it
is a great ain not
to believe a clear
one." — Horseley.
b Burder.

the rape
of Tamar
a Qe. xxxix. 12.
6 Ge. xxxiv. 7;
Jud. xix. 23, and
XX. 6.
c Lev. xviiL 9—
11.
d De. xxii. 25 ; 1
S. xii. 11.
" Make my breast
trani^parent as
pure crystal, that
the world, jea
lous of me, may
see the foulest
thought my
heart does hold."
-Buckingham. Chaster tban

338

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xiii. IS-ia

B.O. dr. 1032.
the crystal of the
Scythian cliffs,
the more the
prond winds
court it, slill the
purer." — Beau-
mont. "The soul whose
bosom lust did
never touch, is
God's fair bride;
and maid ens' .
Bouls are such."
—Decker. "There is no
respect of per
sons with God ;"
for there is no
thing in nne fer
son more tban
another to form
a ground of re
spect. "Allhave
sinned and come
short of His
glory."
< Pttxtoa.

Tamar scorned
by Amnou
a " The rending
the robe.wh. was
tbe pai ticular
distinction of the
king'a virgin
daughters, had a
meaning beyond
the mere ordi
nary significance
of mourning." —
Kitto. b C. Simeon, M.A.
». 18. "The na
tive cloth in Sar-
moa, particularly
that which is
wom by young
women of rank,
is coloured after
a fashion In
spots, stripes,
circles, triangles,
andolherOgures,laid on with ihe
thumb, or some
other rude sub
stitute for a
brush. Red,
black, brown,
while, and yel
low, are the pre
vailing colours."
—burner.

some few particular dishes are cooked by them.selves, but not
in their apartraents ; on such occasions they go to some room
hear the kitchen. The Eastem bread is made in smaU, thin,
raoist cakes : it must be eaten new, and is unfit for nse when kept
longer than a day. Both Russel and Rauwolf, however, mention
several kinds of bread and cakes; some which are done with
yolks of eggs ; some which are mixed with coriander and other
seeds ; and some which are strewed with them ; and Pitts
describes a kind of biscuite, whioh the Mohammedan pilgrims
carry from Egypt to Mecca, and back again perfectly fresh and
good. The Holy Scriptures accord with file narratives ef modern
travellers, in representing the Oriental loaves as very small, three
of them being requireid for the repast of a single person ; "Whioh
of you shaU have a friend and shall go unto him at midnight,
and say unto him. Friend, lend rae three loaves : for a friend of
mine in his joumey is come to me, and I have nothing to set
before him ?" It appears also from the history of Abraham, and
particularly from his entertaining the three angels, that they were
generally eaten new and baked as they were needed. Sometimes,
however, they were made to keep several daya ; for the shew
bread might be eaten after it had stood a week before the Lord.
The pretence of the Gibeonites, that their bread had become
mouldy from the length of the road, although it was taken freah
from the oven when they left horae, proves that bread for a
joumey was made to keep a considerable time. In every one of
those minute circumstancea, the sacred volume perfectly corre
sponds with the statements of modern travellers.*
15 — 18. (15) hated her, prob. he had been led on hy his
guilty passion beyond his firat intention ; and now, fearing the
consequences, hated her who had so fascinated him. (16) The
least he could now do was to acknowledge his wrong, and protect
hia aister ; instead he refuses, and turns her out no cause, or
reason for this greater evil. (17) Amnon's must have been a
brutal nature. (18) garment, etc., or a tunio w'ith sleeves."
Amnim and Tamar (v. 15.) — I. The love of the nngodly. 1.
The criminality of that which is evil. Like Amnon's love, ex
ceedingly ardent ; but selfish, cmel and impious ; 2. The deficiency
of that which is good. If love spring merely from the natural
affections, it is defective in— (1) Its foundation ; (2) Itaexeroise;
(3) Its continuance. II. The hatred of the unjust. We hate
those whom we have injured, because — 1. We have lowered our
selvea in their eateem ; 2. We have enabled them to lower ua in
the eatimation of others. 3. We conceive them to be our enemies.
Leam : — See the importance of — (1) Cultivating a religioua
principle ; (2) Associating with pious friends ; (3) Setting a
good example. Amnon wonld think of David and Bathsheba.'
Eastei'n servants (v. 17). — Eastern masters do uot keep their
servants at the distance uaual in England. The affaire of the
family, the newa of the day, and the little incidents of life, are
mutually diacuaaed, as by equals. The difference between them,
in reference to property, is sometimes not great ; the master has
perhaps, his small family estate, or some business which pro-
dncea a little profit, and the servant is content with his rice, and
a scanty cloth for his loins. No native who can afford it is
without his servant, and many who can scarcely procure food for
themselves, talk very largely about their domestics. See my

Oap. xlii. 19-27.]

77. SAMUEL.

339

lprd seated in his verandah, chewing his betel, and cogitating
on his plans : hear him at every interval say to his attendant,
" 'What think you of that ?" " ShaU I succeed ?" " Yon must
assist me ; I know you have great sense : let this proaper, and
you shall have rings for your ears, and a turban for your head.
Good : pour water on me." They go to the weU, and tiie servant
bales about a hogshead of water on his master's head. They go
to the house, and then the coramand is, " Rub my joints and
limbs." " Ah I bring my rice and curry." That finished, " Bring
water to wash my mouth ; pour it on my hands : a shroot and
fire bring ; fetch ray sandals, my turban, umbreUa, and betel-
box. Let us depart." Then may be seen the master stepping
out with a lordly air, and the domestio at his heels, giving advice,
or listening to his master's tales."^
19—22. (19) on her head,» to hold on the ashes.' (20) hold
thy peaoe, from requiring to have Amnon punished. Absalora
intended to take the judginent into his own hands. (21) very
wroth, yet he did nothing. (22) good nor bad," seeraed to
take no notice of the affair, in order to lead hia brother into a
false security.
Tlw seducer's fate (vv. 21, 22). — Aranon incurred — I. His father's
anger. Did David's reraerabered guilt prevent him being more
than angry ? or did the affiection of the father lirait the authority
of the judge ? II. His brother's conterapt. The contempt of a
vain, heartless man. Capable of much evil hiraself, even he
resented this sin of his brother. Even the natm-al conscience of
bad men will sometimes cry out againat the sin of others. III.
How much more will the righteous God be wroth with, and pour
contempt upon the evil-doer !
Retribution. — One cannot help observing here, how David's
adultery with Bathsheba was punished by his son's incest with
his sister Taraar ; and as he now saw the threatenings of God by
Nathan beginning to take place, he had too rauch reason to fear
they would be all of them executed to the f uU. It was a circum
stance also that muat greatly affect him, that he had been,
though unwillingly, a sort of accessory to Amnon's crime, by
yielding ao readily to Amnon's desire of having his sister sent to
him ; the very proposal he raade of her dressing and receiving
his food frora her seeraing enough to create some suspioion in
David that he had some deaign upon Tamar, which he ought to
have been peculiarly careful to guard against. But probably
Amnon had never offended him, nor given any occasion to suspect
him capable of so heinous a crime as he was now meditating,
and therefore David more easily consented that his sister should
have the liberty of attending him.''
23—27. (23) sheep-shearers, always a time of feasting."
Baal-hazor, either Tell Asur,'' 5 m. N.B. of Bethel : or Hazor
in Benjamin .« (24) Invitation to the king was given to disarm
all auspicijn. (25) chargeable, put you to a needless expense.
(26) why should he, David expected some secret enmity, and
feared to let Aranon go. (27) Amnon is mentioned as eldest son,
and bee. of Absalom's intended revenge.
The trnii'hei-ous feast.— 1. Who gave it? Absalom : aprince
royal. Brother of' the invited. Suspicion of wrong disarmed.
11. To whom given l The royal family. No evil intended since
y2

B.C. dr. 1032.
To deny tbat you
are a lost sinner
is, in effect, to
reject God'a
mercy.

" To live long, it
is necessary to
live slowly." —
Cicero.

c Roberts.

Amnonhated by
Absalom
a Jos. vii. 6 ; Job
ii. 12.
b Jer. ii. 37.
c Ge. xxiv. 50,
xxxi. 24.
" Fro^vning they
I went ; his eyes
jlike meteors
jroll'd, then
darted down
their red and
angry beams;
as if his sight
would, like the
raging dog-star,
scorch the earth,
and kindle rivera
in its course." —
Congreve.
"Anger is a tran
sient hatred; or,
at least, very like
-It."— South.
Anger and hate
hinder good
counsel.
d Chandler.

Absalom'sfeasta 1 Sa. xxv. 2.
b Wordsworth,
Robinson.
c Ne. xi. 33.
" It IS the over-
curious ambition
of many to be
beat or to ba

340

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xlil. 28-31.

B.C. or. 1032.
none ; if they
may not do so
well aa they
would, they
will not do so
well as they may.
I will do my best
to do the best,
and what I want
in power, supply
In will. Thus,
while I pay in
part, I shall not
be a debtor for
all. He owes
most that pays
nothing." — A.
Warwick.
" Where ambi-
tiiin can be so
happy as to cover
its enterprises,
even to the
person himself,
under the ap
pearance of prin
ciple, it is tbe
most incurable
and Inflexible of
all human pas
sions." — Hume.
d Kitto.

deathAmnona " The Syrian
mules are in ac
tivity, strength.
and capabilities,
far superior to
ours." — Jamieson.
62S.i.ll,xii. 16.
v. 2S. B. Lindsay,
Lec. ii. 146.
Mule. This the
flri^t mention of
it in Scrip. The
meauing of Ge.
xxxvi. 24 is
doubtful. Breed
ing uf mules for
bidden to Jews :
but their use was
looked upon as
lawful. From
Deut. xvii. 6 it
appears lhat the
king would not
use the horae.
Human nature,
under the power
of corruption, is
like a swollen
river, whii-h ean
hardly be kept
Within its banks.

the king himself was invited. III. What was the occasion ? A
sheep-shearing. Time of great rejoicing : nothing would be per
mitted to mar the festivities. IV. Who went to it ? Tlie king's
sons— and Aranon. "7. 'Who stayed away? The king. 'Why?
did he suspect some dark design ? Learn : — Let those who accept
invitations to costly entertainments be sure the King goes with
them. Royal feasts in tlw olden time (v. 25). — David's declining to
attend Abaalom'a feast on account of the expense which woiild
thua be occaaioned to his son, is the first instance history offers
of the ruinous cost of royal viaits to those who are honoured with
them. A comparatively modern instance of this is given in
JVotes and Queries for October, 1850. It is stated that the decay
of the Hoghton family is locally ascribed to the visit of King
James I. to Hoghton Tower, near Blackburn, Lancashire ; the
following characteristic anecdote being cited in corroboration of
the current opinion : — '¦ During one of his hunting excursions,
the king is said to have left his attendants for a short time, iu
order to examine a numerous herd of horned cattle, then grazing
in what are uow termed bullock pastures, raost of which had pro
bably been provided for the occasion. A day or two afterwards,
being hunting in the same locality, he made inquiry respecting
the cattle, and was told in no good-humoured way, by a herds
man unacquainted with his person, that they were all gone
to feed the beastly king and his gluttonous company. The king
exclaimed, as he left the herdsman, ' Then 'tis e'en time for me
to gang too ;' and accordingly, on the following moming he set
out for Lathom House."''
28—31. (28) I say unto you, appointing some signal. They
would have Amnon at advantage. He would not be able to
def end himself . (29) upon his mule," usual beast for riding,
in that age. Each aon had a royal mule. (30) tidings oame,
faster than the galloping mules. Obs. usual exaggeration of
reporta. (31) Signs of wild and desperate grief .!"
Ill news flies fast (v. 30). — From this exaggerated statement
we learn — I. I'hat bad news flies fast — in this case it outstripped
j the living sons. II. That the thing reported is apt to be worse
than the truth. III. That when ill news reaches ua we had better
I wait for the next messenger. IV. It may be a comfort to us
! that when we have heard the first we have heard the worst V.
i No news is good newa ; for if there was ill news it would
! have reached us. VI. We deserved to hear only badness from
j heaven, butthe message is called the Gospel— good tidings.
j Tear'ing the garments (v. 31). — The custom of tearing the
' garments, and throwing dust upon the head, is very ancient, and
' is ofteu raentioned in the Scriptures. See Ezr. ix. 3 ; Job i. 20 ;
Nu. xiv. 6 ; Ecc. iii. 7; Joel ii. 13. Jacob, Joshua, David, and
; Hezekiah are mentioned as having done ao : Ge. xxxvii, 84 ;
I Jos. vii. 6 ; 2 Ki. xix. 1. Although the high priest was for-
j bidden to rend his clothes (Le. x. 16, xxi. 10), we find it was done
when blasphemy w^a imputed to our Lord (Ma. xxvi. 65) ; the
: Apostles also did the same when worship waa offered unto them,
I Ao. xiv, 14. The garraents of the high priest, referred to in the
i prohibition, were probably hia saCred or pontifical vestments ;
[ while those mentioned by Matthew were, doubtless, the ordinary
[ or judicial robes. This Jewish custom was ordinarily employed

Cap. xiv. 1—4.1

77. SAMUEL.

34'1

as a symbol of grief or penitence, though it soraetiraes denoted
indignation coupled with sorrow. Is. xxKvi. 22, xxxvii. 1 ; Ao.
xiv. 14. It was performed in the following raanner : — "They
take a, knife, and, holding the blade downwards, do give the
upper garment a cut on the right side, and then rend it a hand's
breadth. This is done for the five following relations, brother,
sister, son, daughter or wife ; but for father or mother, the renti
is on the left side, and in all the garments, as coat, waisteoat,
ete."" 32 — 36. (32) Jonadab was keen enough to understand what
had really happened ; we cannot think he was privy to Ab.'s in
tention, seeing he was friend of Amnon. (33) all the king's
sons," as David suspected. (34) kept the watch, the usual
sentry ; or some one set specially to watch and bring tidinga.
(35) Jonadab truly guessed who the people were. (36) wept
very sore, mostly in excitement of then- own perU.
Absalom fled (v, 34). — This fact thrice repeated. I. He fled
from his father's anger. II. He could not flee frora his own con
science. III. He could not flee from God..— Effect of joyful tid
ings (v. 36).— I. David's grief so profound, that at sight of it his
sons wept. How children would weep if they could only see their
parents' sorrow on their account. II. David'a joy at seeing thera
aUve so great that he burst into tears. A joy equalled only by
that of parents over the spiritual life of their children. (IU.,
the father, in the parable of the prodigal son.)
37-39. (37) Talmai, Absalom's grandfather; ch. xiii. 3.
(38) three years," waiting any changes that might work for
his restoration. (39) longed to go forth, lit. was conaumed in
going forth, with a senae of disappointed hope.!"
A fatlwr -mourning his absent son (v. 39).— I. The presence and
filial conduct of the reat could not comfort David, or compensate
for the absence of Absalom. II. The great sin of Absalom did
not exclude him from his father's love. III. Like as a father
pitieth his children, etc.
The word "longed," (v. 39).— The Hebrew has for longed, "was
consumed." A person labouring under an intense desire for the
possession of an object, says, "My soul is consumed for it,"
meaning that his spirit is wasting away by the intenaity of his
wishes. " My life is buming away through fear." " My spirit
pitieth is consuming for his safety.""
CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
1  4. (1) perceived, Joab was ever on the wateh to find out
how he could manage the king. " He ever appears wily, politic
and unscrupulous." (2) Tekoah, mod. Tehiia ; 6 miles b. ot
Bethlehem." The appearance of the mourner was mtended to
excite David'a interest. (3) put the words, dictated what she
should say.' (4) king, who peraonally acted as a judge, help,
marg. «ai'«; give a judgment ; render me aid.
Help 0 li'inq ! (v. 4, aee margin)-— Save- I. We aU need salva
tion. II- Salvation is provided for aU. III. Only the King can
save us. IV. Prayer is the way to secure aalvation.
Anointing with oil (v. 2).— It is a curious fact that the Hmdoos

B.O. dr. 1032.
Grief is a stone
that bears one
down, but two
bear it lightly."
— W. Banff.

c Levi.
David told
of tbe death
of Amnon
a 2 8. xbc. 19.
V. 33, W. Barris,
Fun. Dis. ii. 87.
" Be more afraid
of secret sma
than of open
shame ; lay this
foundation sure,
tbat there ia
mercy witb Jesus
Chriat." — Green-
ham.

flight of
Absalom
a 2 S. xiv. 23

b Pa. Ixxxiv. 2 ;
Ge. xxxviii. 12.
Thoae who in the
day of sorrow
have owned
God's presence
in the cloud, will
flnd Him also in
tbe pillar of flre,
brightening and
cheering tho
abode as night
comes on.
c Roberts.

E.o. 1027.
the wise
woman of Xekoah
a " The rough,
wild district waa
well suited for
the lawless pro
fession of the
wise woman; it
abounds iu caves.
as doea the
country near En
dor."— <S»i. Com.

342

a. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xlv. 5—12.

B.O.CT'r.1027.
& *'The object
was to make
David say that,
in some cases,
even a murder
er's life might be
spared." — Jamie
son.V. 4. Dr. B.
Bughes, Fem.
Cha. ii. 232.
c Roberts.
Davidpromises to
protect her
o 2 S. xii. 1.
b Nu. xxxv. 19;
De. xix. 12.
Joab "la the
peraoniflcation of worldly poli
cy, and secular
expediency, and
temporal ambi
tion eager for its
own personal
aggrandisement, and especially
for the mainte
nance of its own
political ascen
dency, and prac
tising on the
weaknesses of
princes for ita
own eelf-inte-
rests ; but, at
last, the victim
of its own ma-
ch i avellian
Bhrewdness." —
Wordsu^ortlt.
e Robert*.

ehe con
tinues
her address
a Qe. xxvii. 13;
1 S. xxv. 24;
Ma. xxvii. 25.
6 Nu. xxxv. 19.
"When sorrows
come, they como
not single spies,
but in batta
lions I" — Shake
speare. '* Every one can
master a grief
but be that baa
ib."Sliatespeare.

do not put on what is called mouming at the death of their
friends. The relations take off their ear-ringa and other orna
ments, and neglect the dreaaing of their hair. A woraan, on the
death of her husband, takes off the thaii (equivalent to the raar
riage ring) from her neck ; and formerly she uaed to shave her
head ; but in all other respects she dresaea as before. Thoae who
are sick, as they suppoae, under the influence of Saturn, generally
wear something black, or have marks of that colour on their
clothes, aa they believe the indisposition is iu thia way re
moved."^ 5—8. (5) Aa a widow, she immediately gained notice." (6)
strove together, in a quarrel. (7) whole family,'' the rela
tives ; intended here to indicate that all the king's aona were
bitter against Absalom, my coal, fig. of a fire which may be
brightened again, if oi-e coal is left alight. (8) give charge,
intimating that the response to her wish would be favourable,
but gaining time for fuller inquiry.
'The widow's one coal (v. 7). — I. Under this figure we have a pic
ture of utter desolation : a poor widow in the winter of adver
sity. The warmth and light of her dwelling dependent on
one coal : it might kindle more. II. A picture of the world's
heartlessness; which, under the narae of justioe, would extin
guish the last hope of the poor. III. An illustration of Divine
care of the poor and needy, see v. 8.
Quenching coal (v. 7). — So said the woman of Tekoah, who
went with a fictitious story to David, in order to induce him to
recall Absalom. She affected to be a widow, and said that one of
her sons had killed the other, and that now the family demanded
hia life as an atonement for that of his brother ; and she said, if
they succeeded they would " quench her coal." But the Ufe is
sometimes called the " light " (ch, xxi. 17), which in the raargin
' is translated "candle, or lamp." Both the compariaona include
the idea of fire. Children, iu Ceylon, are not called " coala," but
irks." It is said of a man who has a large family, " He has
plenty of porrekal " (sparks). Thoae who are favoured with fine
children are said to have " large sparks." Of thoae whoae chil
dren are all dead, " Alaa 1 their sparks are quenched." To a per
son who is inj uring an only chUd it is aaid, " Ah, leave him alone ;
he is the only spark."""
9 — 12. (9) be on me," the cunning woman intends to get a
more direct answer, ao seema aa if she could not bear that ou
David should rest the guilt of neglecting to punish bloodshed.
(10) A promise of direct royal protection. (11) This is another
point ; not only is she reUeved of the guilt of neglecting to
avenge her murdered son, but also secures for the murderer pub
lic protection from the goel, or family avenger.' (12) She has by
this tirae quite gained David's ear.
On obtaining promises (v. 11). — I. Professing to have had one
son who had murdered another : the family of the murdered
sought justioe. II. Out of pity for the widow, David sets jus
tice on one side, and so spares the murderer. III. But how, then,
can he punish the raurderer Absalom ? In laying down a rule
for others, we may be applying principles from which we our
selves would gladly eacape ; or, on the contrary, those from which
we ouraelves might be comforted.

Cap. xlv. 13—20.1

II. SAMUEL.

343

13—17. (13)" A practical application, Uke that of Nathan;
but without his prophetio force, ch. xii. 7. faulty, i.e. " your
decision in favour of ray eon conderans your own conduct towards
Absalom." (14)'' Her argument is, that as God has spared Absa
lom, the king may surely show restoring kindness to him.« (15)
people . . afraid, her relatives, as ». 7 ; she still keeps np her
deceptive story. (16) She is urging, by showing the confidence
she had in his kindness. (17) augel of God, praising Dav.'s
wisdom. Tlw ex'de's return (v. 14). — I. Our heavenly Father's banished
onea. 1. They are voluntary exUes — (a) none are driven from
God, (b) aU are invited to retum, (c) many refuse to do so ;
2. They are guilty exiles — (a) in sinning against the Lord,
(il) in departing from Him, (c) in refusing to retum ; 3. They
are unhappy exiles — (a) aUenated from their Father, (b) de
ceived by Satan. II, The means He hath devised for their re
turn. 1. To satisfy the deraands of justice — (a) that their
criraes may be atoned for, (}) that their lost aervice be made up ;
2. To overcome their own opposition — (a) their pride humbled
by conviction, (5) hearte broken by love, (c) affiections awakened
by viaions of home ; 3. To insure their safe retum. He prevents
their being — (a) enticed hack, (b) driven back, (c) falUng back.
He provides — (a) a sure guide— the Holy Spirit, (b) a safe con
voy — r the holy angels, (c) a certain supply — the covenant.
Leam : — 1. Admire our Father's goodness ; 2. Return to Him with
full purpose of heart.^
Oriental compliments (v. 17).- — ^Thus did the woman of Tekoah
corapliraent David, and thua did Mephibosheth address him when
he had been slandered by Ziba- Great men are often compared
to the mesaengers (the true meaning of angel) of the gods. Thua
men of great wisdom or eloquence are said to be like the angels
of the goda. " Ah 1 my lord, you know all things : you are one
of the angels of the gods." Sometimes the person wiU not ad
dress yon in a direct way, but speak as to a third person, loud
enough for you to hear. " Ah ! what wisdom he has ; there is
nothing concealed from him. 'Whence has he had his wiadom —
from the godsf Yes, yes ; all things are known to him." Then
tuming to you, they look humbly in your face and say : " My
lord, there are only two for me : God is the first; but you are the
second." '

18—20. (18) answered, he saw thro' the plot now. The
fawning, flattering style of Joab was revealed. (19) Obs. that
she cannot answer a straightforward yes or no. But she no
longer dissembles, she speaks truth. (20) fetch . . speech, to
win this judgment in favour of the fratricide, wise," thus
ehe praises David's wisdom, and so prevails over hira.
Extravagant flattery of Orientals. —The compliments which
they addressed to their princes, and the manner in which they
spoke of them, were not less hyperbolical. . The address of the
wise woman of Tekoah to David fumishes a memorable example
of the extravagant adulation in which they indulged, and which
seems to have been received with entire satisfaction by one of
the wisest and hoUest of raen. . . . Equally hyperbolical was the
reply of a Persian grandee to Chardin who objected to the price
which the ±ing had set upon a pretty rich trinket: "Know that
the kings of Persia haye a general and full knowledge of mat-

she applies
her case
to David
a Jn. XX. 2.
b Job xxxiv. 15;
He. ix. 27.
c Nu. xxxv 15,
26, 28.
v.U. "The Jews
throw out of tha
window all the
water that ia
found in the
house in which
a person haa
died, believing
tbat the aoul baa
cleansed itself
t h ere in." — J.
Oadsby.—'BiA If
the Jews do this
they havo pro
bably another
reason for it ; aa
<1) to typify a
life gone beyond
recall; or (2) in
reference to
some Levitical
precept, or old
custom. SeeNu.
ilx. 11—15.
d Tlie Study.
*'A good word is
an easy obliga
tion; but not to
speak ill.requires
only our silence.
whicG costs ua
nothing." — Sil-
lotson.e Robert*.

David
perceives she is
from Joab
a V. 17. Ch. xix.
27.
" Every loving
word that God
apeaks to us acts
back again, and
makes music ia
ills heart. He
never says with
a scowl, ' Here
comes that poor,
limping ainner
again.' The patli
of the sinner
back to God ia
brighter and

344

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xlv. 21—27.

E.o. 1027.
brighter all the
way up to the
smile of the face
and tbe touch of
the hand ; and
that is salva
tion." — Beecher.

"Whilst thou
Uvest, keep a
good tongue in
thy head." —
Shakespeare. b Paxton.

David sends
Joab for
Absaloma " Or Bathshe
ba's influence
may have beon
exerted to keep
Absalom in dis
grace for the sake
of Solomon." —
Spk. Com.
"How much
more compas
sionate is our
heavenly Father
than the most
tender - hearted
of earthly pa
rents ; and how
much the loving
kindness of God
la magnifled and
manifested in
thi.i history I" —
Ambrose. "Anger is like
the waves of a
troubled sea;|
when it is cor^
reeled with a
soft reply, aa
with a little
strand, it re
tires, and leaves
nothing behind
but froth and
shells — no per
manent mis
chief."— Zip. Tay
lor.b Roberts.
Absalom's
beautyV. 25. Bicharl,
De Absalom Ca-
pillls, Geog. Sac.
ii. 8S3.
a Poll, a- head.
(Du. bol, whence
bolster, (3r.polster,
Sc. poa.) The

ters, as sure as it is extensive ; and tliat equally in the greatest
and in the amallest things, there is nothing more just and sure
than what they pronounce." This incident admirably shows the
strong prepossession of these Asiatics in favour of their kings,
or rather of their own slavery ; and gives sorae plausibility to
the remark of Mr. Harmer, that there may be more of real per-
suasiou in such addresses than we are ready to apprehend. In the
estimation of the Persian courtier, the knowledge of his prince
waa like that of an angel of God. . . . The same remark applies,
with little variation, to the woman of Tekoah ; her design was
to soothe the mind of her sovereign, to mitigate, and, if possible,
to extinguish his just resentment of the atrocious raurder which
Absalom had coramitted, and procure the restoration of the
fratricide to his country and the presence of his father.'
21—23. (21) done this thing, given this judgment; and,
in consistency, must aot according to it. (22) Joab intended to
ingratiate himself wifh Absalom, who waa looked upo.a as heir
to the throne. (23) and brought, so ahowing his personal in
terest. (24) not see my face, perhaps Dav. could not trust
hiraself to see hia favourite sda." Thia was one of those half
measures, full of danger, and working badly.
Half reconciled (v. 24). — " Let him not see my face." — I. Absa
lom an exile from hia father for five years (three in Geshur, xiii.
38 ; and two in Jerusalem, v. 28). II. The tendemess of David
to Absalom exceeded by that of God to David ; for God (a) sent
a message to David ; (b) as-sured him pardon on his first sign of
repentance. III. God is more kind to us than we are to eaoh
other. Refusing to ie seen (v. 24). — Few things are more offensive, in
the East, than to refuse to show yom-self to those who come to
see you. Send your servant to say you are engaged, or that the
individual raay go, and he will be distressed, or enraged, and not
hesitate to express his feelings. Should there, however, be any
reason to hope, he will wait for hours at your door ; nay, he will
come day after day, till he shall have seen your face. They have
an opinion, that if they once gain admisaion into your presence
I a^ great point is attained, and so it is ; for what with their
eloquence, and tears, and abject submissions, they seldom fail to
tnake an impression. Even low people, who have no particular
business, often call upon you, that they may be able to say that
they have seen your face. When a person says he has not aeen
the face of the great man, it means that he has not gained his
suit. See the high caste native passing along the road ; an hum
ble suppliant is there to attract his attention ; and let him turn
his faoe another way, and it is a dagger through the poor man's
soul.' 25—27. (25) beauty, grace of form as weU as of face. All
David's children seem to have been remarkable for physical
beauty. (26) polled his head," pride of hia hair led to this
being done very seldom ; only when the excessive length and
weight becarae wearisome, two hundred shekels, ahout 3
lbs. 2 oza. If they had been shekels of sanctuary, the weight
would have been six pounds." (27) Tamar, after his sister.
.Handsome is that handsome does (v. 25). — I. The beauty of
Absalom. Bodily, evanescent, only skin-deep. II. The praiae

Cap. xlv. 28—83.1 11. SAMUEL. 345
his beauty won — 1. Shows how people are charmed by thinga b.c. dr. 1027.
of sraall value, appearances ; 2. Suggeste how Absalom raay i .,^^^ survives in
have been injured by adulation ; 3. The beautiful have need to po/nax, or head
guard their heaits against the effects of thoughtless adrairation : money, and the
as the ill-favoured against envy. III. Seek the praise of God V°''^ ^Ich ""tho
for beauty of heart and life. voters are
A fine head of hair (v. 26), — The weight of the hair, which counted by tbeir
seems to be enormously great, is the first thing that occurs to the P""" "I liead.
mind. Two hundred shekels, at two hvmdred and ninety gi ains th'e 'hak V the
each, make forty-three thousand and eight hundred grains, head.
This ia rather more than one hundred ounces avoirdupois, for four j /fea
hundred and thirty-seven grains and a half are equal to such „ j .^jj, ^^^ ^.^^
an ounce. It is a very good English head of hair, I am told, that vanity and of-
weighs five ounces ; if Absalom's then weighed one bundled , fectation twins,
ounces it was very extraordinary. Some very leamed men, I j p^^^™f' ,^°[f
think, have believed a royal shekel was but half the weight of.ij the mother,
the sacred shekel ; be it ao, yet fifty ounces, ten times the weight ! and affectation
of a good Britiah head of han-, aeeras to be too great an allowance. I ^ ^^^ darling
To suppose, aa some have done, that adventitious raatters, united ^ jjy^ js^Vhe s^inj
with the hair, are to be taken in to make up the weight, seeras and affectation
to me not a little idle : what proof would this have been of his ia the v^"^^-
possessing an extraordinary fine head of hair, since it would be "ay'' be callwl
possible to attach to the hair of a man half bald, substances that ' the root of self-
should weigh one hundred ounces ? Comraentators then should love, the oiher
by no means talk of the oil, the fragrant substances, the gold {^ ^^'^'j '^t°j'^
dust, with whioh they suppose the hair might be powdered, as fun growth, till
making up this weight ; they might as well have added orna- it spreadeth into
ments of gold, ribands or what anawered thtm, artificial tresses affectation; and
of hair, and all the matters that are now in different methods f]ete.'''—Savme^'
f aatened to the hajr ; but would not this have been ridiculoua ? , „ g^^utv with-
it is raore reasonable to eay, the present reading raay be faulty, out kindness'
as in other cases there have frequently been mistakes in num- dies unenjoyed
bers ; or that we were not sure what number of grains two hun- and undelight-
dred shekels, after the king's weight, was equal to ; than to ' ™^' ° """'"¦
attempt to remove the diiliculty by such an incompetent method. " ""-'¦"
It was an uncommonly fine head of hair, of very unusual weight,
which is all that we know with certainty about it."
28—33. (28) saw not, etc., a great restraint on Dav.'s p£,rt,
hut it seeras to indicate that Dav. at this tirae was not ranch in | ]?roonoiled"
public, and neglected hia kingly duties. (29) would not come, [ „ Ju. xv. 3—5.
perhaps Joab began to fear the raanifest wUfulness and arabition : ^_ 33 ^ ii„gsay,
of Absalom. (30) near mine, lit at my hand, on fire, comp. ¦ lec. ii. 159.
Samson's trick." (31) This raade Joab go to Absalora. (32) letl. .it is notable
. . faoe, he knew well what influence Joab had. (33) kissed,
in token of reconciliation.
^foffZow!.— David's faraily. Absalora's— 1. Personal appearance :
most beautiful person in Israel : tall, strong, agile — his hair ; 2.
His character— (1) "Vain ; (2) Crael— Amnon ; (3) Deceitful :
kissed his father and plotted against him— Judas ; (4) Revenge
ful : burned fields of corn ; (5) Crafty : stole the hearts of the
people ; (6) Unnatural : conspired against his father ; (7)
Cowardly : ran away ; 3. His end (xviii. 9) : caught in an oak-
Shot with arrows, cast into a pit. Learn — 1. Handsorae is that „i,e„ ^^gy are
handsorae does ; 2. Virtue is true beauty; 3. Seek adornment of well dressed."—
true piety.' ^ ^ «"*"¦
Jhe Moravian and German officer (v. 30).— In one of the warsj b The Bive.

Absalom and David

lhat nearly all
tbe poisonous
fungi are scarlet
or speckled, and
the wholesome
onea brown or
grey, as if to
show ua that
thinga rising out
of darkness a»d
decay are always
most deadly

S46

II. SASfUEL.

[Cap. XV. 1—6,

B.C. 1027.
Every one knows
tbat it would be
iar better to lose
onr feet tban our
head. Adam had
feet to stand
witb, but we have
lost tbem by Uis
disobedience; \ei glory be to
Goii, we have
found a Head, in
whom we abide
eternally secure,
a Head which we
Bhall never lose.
*' Hnw eoodness
heightens beauty!" — Han
nah More.

in Grermany, a captain of cavalry was ordered out on a foraging"
party. He put himself at the head of his troop, and marched to
the quarter assigned him. It was a solitaiy valley, in which
hardly anything but woods could be seen. In the midst of it
stood a little cottage : on perceiving it he went up and knocked
at the door ; an ancient Hernhutter, with a beard silvered with
age, came out. •' Father," said the officer, " show me a field
where I can set my troops a-foraging." " Presently," replied the
Hernhutter. The good old man walked before, and conducted
them out of the valley. After a'quarter of an hour's march they
found a fine field of barley. " This Is the very thing we want,"
said the captain. " Have patience for a few minutes," replied
the guide ; " you shall be satisfied." They went on, and at the
distance of about a quarter of a league further they arrived at
another field of barley. The troop immediately dismounted, cut
down the grain, trussed it up, and remounted. The ofiicer then
said to his conductor, " Father, you have given to yourself and
us unnecessary trouble ; the first field was much better than
this." " Very true, sir," replied the good old man, " but it was not
mine."

E.o. 1024.
Absalom Eiteals the
hearts of
the people
n I Sa. viii. 11 ;
1 Ki. i. 5, xviii.
4i De. xvii. IG, 20.
*' There is, at first
liigiit, a want of
adequate motive
for Absalom's
designof depriv
ing Dav. of his
crown, seeing
that he was now
the eldest son.
and 80 the heir.
But it Wis not
necessary that
the elde.^t son
iihoutd succeed.
God would indi
cate to the father
which of his sons
He had cho.-en,
—Kitt-t.e "Toflattereach
litigant, to ex
cite discontent
against existing
government, and
to su-igest. a re
medy by making
him king, was
Aiisalom's poli
cy."— 5 k. Com.
d Ps. X. 10 ; Eo
xvi. 18.
B^!e Bp. Hall,
Contemp.

CHAPTER TIIE FIFTEENTH.
1 — 6. (1) prepared, etc., assuming the state and equipage of
a prince, to run, a kind of guard ; avant-couriers ; we call
them outriders." horses, this was a new and striking luxury :'
a sign of pride and vainglory, intended to set Ab. in the thought
of the people. (2) way of the gate, road leading to the gate,
so as to talk to the people coming in for judgments, con
troversy, dispute over rights with a neighbour, ete. (3) good,
he took care always to give favourable decisions.'^ (4) judge,
he does not say king. (5) kissed him, in unusual condescen
sion. (6) stole, by deceptive arts.''
Absalom's treachery (irc. 1 — 12). — Absalom was — I. An nnfilial
son. And not only nnfilial, but ungrateful : David had but just
now pardoned him. II. A mean-spirited hypocrite (ri'. 4, 5, 7 — 9) ;
cringing to the people, lying to the king. III. A disloyal subject.
As a mere subject his crime was extremely great. IV. A cunning
traitor. Morning levees in tlw East (v. 2). — This shows that the judicial
and other public business of the kings was despatched very early
in the morning. The greatest sovereigns in the East rise at day
break, and after their moming devotions proceed imraediately to
the transaction of public business. Thus, in describing the
duties of the King of Persia, Sir John Malcolm says : '¦ At an
early hour in the morning the principal ministers and secretaries
attend the king, make reports upon what has occurred, and
receive his coraraands. After this audience he proceeds to his
public lev^e, which takes place almost every day, and continues
about an hour and a half. At this lev^e, which is attended by
the princes, ministers, and the officers of the court, all atlairs
which are wished to be made public are transacted ; rewards are
given, punishments commanded, and the king expresses aloud
those sentiments of displeasure or 'approbation whioh he wishes
to be promulgated." Such are the duties which, with Uttle

Cap. XV. 7—18.

11. SAMUEL.

847

vaiiation, an Oriental king has discharged in the early moming,
before in England persons of consideration usually leave their
beds. This explains why Absalom was obliged to rise early when
he wished to ingratiate himself with the persons who went
to the moming lev(5o to present then- petitions, or to submit theu-
cases to the king's determination."
7 — 12. (7) forty, should be four.' in Hebron,' where he
was born (ch.iii. 3). (8) serve tl\e liord, with a great sacri
fice. He took the 200 persons as gueste for the sacrificial feast.
(9) go in peace, the pious king suspected no evil in so simply
religious an act. (10) spies, lit. runners on foot, trumpet,
wh. would be sounded from place to place, at appointed stations."!
(11) simplicity, as to sacriiice ; poss. principal people of Jerus.
By this device Absalom secures them fr. opposing his schemes.
(12) Gilonite, of Giloh (Jos. xv. 51). Poss. he was alienated fr.
Dav. on account of Bathsheba.*
Guileless flrst, gu'ilty aftei-ivards (v. 11). — I. An illustration of
the arts of the demagogue. He makes, like Absalom, great pro
fessions of fidelity to his word, and to religion. II. An illustra
tion of the ease with which the unreflecting mob may be led.
Doubtless, these all thought they had sorae little right on their
side. They knew not anyfiiing — (a) Of Absalom's purpose ; ( J) Of
the disastrous consequences of rebellion.
Punishment of ingratitude (rv. 10—12). — ^A petted soldier of the
Macedonian array was shipwrecked, and cast upoh the shore
apparently lifeless. A hospitable Macedonian discovered him,
revived him, took him to his home, and treated him in a princely
manner, and, when he departed, gave him money for his joumey.
The rescued soldier expressed warm thanks and promised royal
bounty to his benefactor. Instead, when he came before Philip,
he related his own misfortunes, and asked to be rewarded by the
gift of the house and lands of his rescuer. His request was
granted ; and he retumed and drove out his former host. The
latter hastened to lay the true state of the case before the king -,
when he restored the lands, and caused the soldier to be branded
in the forehead, " The Ungrateful Guest," as the reward of his
baseness. 13—18. (13) liearts, as v. 6. (14) flee," Dav. knew the
quickness and energy of Absalora's action. Nothing but flight
would secure safety. He also would avoid the horrors of a siege.
David had no standing array, only his bodyguard. (16) house
hold, including wives, oonoubines, secondary wives. Often |
foreign persons who oould not be legal wives. (17) far off, lit.
tlw Far House, a place so naraed.' (18) Cherethites, etc., ch.
viii. 18. six hundred, including the Gittites," recruits from :
Gath. !
The place of safety (v, 17).— David, in his flight frora trouble, ,
may reraind ns of those who, in their perplexities, seek places of
refuge that seem safe ; but may yet be far off from God. The ;
surest refuge is the Lord, who is nigh to all that call upon Him. i
Cherethites and Pelethites (v. 18).— These Oherethites and!
Pelethites were the life-guards of King David (2 Sa. viii. 18, xx. ,
7, -ri ; 1 Ki. i. 38, 44 ; 1 Ch. xviii, 17), The titles are commonly!
said to signify " exeoutioRora and oouriers." It is plain that these i
royal guards were employed as executioners (2 Ki. xi. 4), and as

B.C. 1024.
"Ambition breaks the ties of
blood, and for
gets the obliga^
tions of grati-
tude."-S»rlV'a/to-
ScoU.
e Dr. Kilto.
Absalom .
feigns a vow
« Syr. and Arab
vers, and Jose
phus bave Junr
years. This time
may be reckoned
fr. hia return fr.
Getihur.*' Some thmk fhe
40 years is cor
rect, and gives
the time in Da
vid's reign, dat
ing fiom his unc
tion by Samuel."
— Wordsworth.
6 "That the in
surrection sprung into be
ing at Hebron,
the ancient capi
tal of Judah,
makes it certain
that some dis
content in Dav.'a
own tribe hero
came into play."
— Ewald.
I c Comp. pignal-
ling by beacon-
fires. d Blunt.

David
flees from
Jerusalem
a " Recog. in this
a punishmeut for
his perbonal sin,
according to
Nathan's words,
he felt he only,
not his people,
sbould bp th^
suffered".
?i"PrQb. lasf
house in the su
burbs; or a fort
guarding ^ha
passage of the
Kidron." — Spk,
Com,
cl Sa. xxiii. 1 3,
xxvii. 2.

348

//. SAMUEL.

[Cap. XV. 10—23.

B.C. 1024.
« Better to be
despised for too
anxious appre
hensions, than
ruined by to >
conQdent a se
curity." — Burke.

d Smith's Die. of
Bib.

Ittai the
Crittite
a Wordsworth,
'* Ittai declared
his resolution
with a fervour
wh. flhnoat ine
vitably recalls a
like profe...sion
made almost on
tho .samj spot to
the great de
scendant .f Dav,
centuries after
wards. Matt.
xxvi. 35." — Stan-

b " Kidron, dark :
prob, so-called fr.
Kadar, tobe dark;
perhaps fr. the
colour of its
water; or of its
bed in the rocky
gorge of the val
ley of Jehosha
phat." — Words
worth.c Spurgeon.
" Great lords, by
reason of their
fiatterei s, are tho
first to know
their own vir
tues, aud the last
to know their
own vices ; some
are made
ashamed by com
parison, because
their ancestors
were so great ;
and others are
ashamed of their
ancestors, be
cause they were
BO yiitlQ."— Selden.

couriers (1 Ki. xiv. 27). Similarly, Potiphar was captain of the
guard of Pharaoh, and also chief of the executioners (Ge.
xxxvii. 36), as was Arioch, Nebuchadnezzar's ofioer (Da. ii. 14).
In the latter part of David's reign the Cherethites and Pelethites
were commanded by Benaiah (2 Sa. viii. 18, xx. 23, xxiii. 28).
But it has been conjectured that the royal bodyguards may have
been foreign mercenaries, like the Pope's Swiss guards. They
are oonnected with the Gittites, a foreign tribe ; and the Che
rethites are mentioned as a nation (1 Sa. xxx. 14) dwelling
apparently on the coast, and therefore probably Philistines,
of which name Pelethites may be only another form.''
19 — 23. (19) Ittai, who had but recently joined him (v. 20).
Or nothing more may be meant than that, being a foreigner, he
should not share in these purely national troubles, exile, poss.
a banished man, so it was too bad for hira to leave trouble only
to fall into trouble. (20) whither I may, uncertain where to
find shelter. (21) " A noble answer of genuine loyalty."" (22)
pass over, the Kidron.' (23) the country, the people who
watehed the departure. Crossing the brook was the signal of the
king's intention to flee.
The brook K'ldron (v. 23).— I. David passed over the brook
when flying with his mom-ning company from his traitor son.
II. The King of kings Himself was not f avom-ed with a more
cheerful or royal road. III. Notwithstanding the abasement of
David, he yet returned in triumph to his city, and David's Lord
arose victorious out of the grave. Let us then be of good courage,
for we also shall win the day.»
David' s popularity . — The best part of the inhabitants of Jeru
salem were firmly attached to him, and followed him in his
retreat from the capital, and all the country through which he
went, showed their affection to him by loud acclamations. The
Cherethites and Pelethites, the Gittites, and the ablest of his
officers, continued steadfast in theh attachment to him, and fol
lowed his fortune. The tribes on the other side Jordan gladly
received him, and the richest persons of that country supplied
him and his forces with all necessary provisions, and he soon
collected among them an army sufficient to check the rebels, and
at one blow to crush the rebellion. And this was no sooner
known, than the tribes in general were all in motion to show
their loyalty to the king, and restore him to his throne and
government. The truth is, that David was surprised unawares
and unprovided, by a wicked and impious faction, who had, by
their emissaries, drawn together a large body of raen, wherever
they could pick them up, among all the tribes; gaining over,
probably, some well-minded persons, by lies and slanderous re
ports of the king's govemment, and such others as, in aU
nations, are always ready to enter into any raeasures of wicked
ness and violence, in hopes of making their advantage by the
public confusion and calamity, by those methods which are con
stantly practised by profligate consph-ators, in order to gratify
their pride, ambition, and revenge, though at the expense of the
religion, liberties, and prosperity of their country. And it is
therefore no wonder that this rebellion, which was evidently
contrary to the general sense and inclination of the people, was
so suddenly suppressed, and David's restoration to his throne and
I government was immediately resolved on by the unanimous con-

Cap. XV. 24—37.1

//. SAMUEL.

849

sent of all the tribes of Israel; whereby God was graciously
pleased to put au end to his troubles, bringing him in safety to
his capital and palace, and preserving his life, till he happily
settled the succession on Soloraon his son, the wisest of princes,
and the raost prosperous monarch in the world.''
24—29. (24) Zadok, 2 Sa. viii. 17 ; 1 Chr. xii. 28. Abiathar,
1 Sa. xxii. 11 — 19, 20—23." (25) carry back, Dav. was in the
mood of entire submission to Div. judgment, and wished to bear
it all alone. Moreover, he would not put the ark or the priests
in peril. (26) Comp. Job i. 21, ii. 10. (27) seer, with some
play on the word. " Tou can help me by watohing events for
me." (28) certify, inform rae, assure me safety to retum. (29)
It is singular that Zadok's name should be put first.
Tlw trial-bearing force of S2nr'itiial religion (vv. 2-5, 26). — I.
Spiritual religion engages the supreme attention of the soul
nnder trial. I. Whatever subjeot has the most power to draw
away the raind frora itself, will always be effective in supporting
it under trials ; 2. Of all subjects, religion has the most power
to draw away the mind from iteelf. II. Spiritual religion recog
nises God's superintendence under trial. David regarded the
superintendence of God, as being — 1. Personal ; 2. Sovereign ;
3. Adequate. III. Spiritual religion identifies man's will with
God's under trial.'
Old Betty (v. 26).— Old Betty was converted late in life, and
though very poor was very active. She visited the sick ; out of
her own poverty she gave to those who were still poorer ; col
lected a little money from others when she conld give none of
her own, and told many a one of the love of the Saviour. At last
she caught cold and rheumatism, and lay in bed month after
month, pain-worn and helpless. A good minister went to see
her, and asked if after her active habits she did not find the
change very hard to bear. " No, sir, not at all. When I was
well, I used to hear the Lord say day by day, ' Betty, go here ;
Betty, go there ; Betty, do this ; Betty, do that : ' and I used to
do it as well as I could : and now I hear Him say every day, ' Betty,
lie still and cough.' ""
30—37. (30) bead covered, drew his cloak over." bare
foot, unsandalled; these both were signs of great grief.' (31)
Ahithophel, his own trusted counsellor.i; (32) Archite, Jos.
xvi. 2. His official title was King's Friend.^ On him too were
signs of grief . He raeant to accompany David. (33) a burden,
bee. no warrior. (34) Dav. had the Heb. love of stratagem. The
cunning of Hushai he now set against the wisdora of Ahithophel.
(35) -with thee, you will not be alone in appearing to have
turned against the king. (36) t-wo sons, noted as swift runners.
(37) Absalora and the man who would ruin him entered the city
Iiearly together, ' . t on,
David's submission to his afflictions (v. 30).— Consider — I. The
circumstances in whioh he was placed; most afflictive. This
will be seen if we view him as a king, as a man of huraanity
and piety. Bat they derived tenfold poignancy from the source
whence they fiowed ; from his own subjects, his peculiar friend,
his own son. II. His conduct under them. 1. Confidence in
God's care ; 2. Subraission to His -will.*
Tlw trials of God's children.— Otttimes the Lord suffers Hisj

d Chandler.

Zadoktbe priest
a " There is a
difference in the
conduct of the
rival priests wh.
, seems to iudi-
I eate the different
I shades of their
\ loyalty. Zadok
remained by the
ark ; Abiathar
went apart on
the mountain
; side, apparently
wailing to watch
j the stream of
I followers as it
i flowed past." —
Stanley.vv. 26, 26, W. Jay,
Short Vis. i. 240 ;
Bimar {ot Cra
mond), i.
b Dr. Thomas.
" This barren
verbiage current
amongm«-n,ligtit coin, the tinsel
clink of compli
ment." — Tenny
son.
c Dr. J. Hamilton.
Husbai
the Archite
a Stanley.
b 2 Sa. xix, 4;
Est, vi, 12; Je.
xiv. 3, 4; Eze.
xxiv. 17.
c Foil. Ps. seem
to lefer to this
treachery, — lv.,
Ixix., cix.
d " Hushais con
duct is certainly
not the model
of Christian up
righ tne s s.' —
Stanley. V. 30. B. Lindsay,
Led. ii. 173.
g C. Simeon, M.A,

350

U, SAMUEL,

[Oap. 2vl 1-4',

B.O. 1024.
tJ. 31 . Dr T. Ful
ler, Joseph's Parti
coloured Coat.
"When men
take sinful
means to avoid
a calamicj', that
"way very ofifin
brings it." — Wall.
/Dr.Krummacher.

B.O. 1023.
Ziba^s fraud
a " Cakes made
of dates pressed
together are still
used aa provi
sions for cara
vans." — Words-
worth. See Bp. HaU,
Contemp.•'Hold! no adu
lation!— ^ tia the
deatli of viriue !
who flatter-, is of
all maokind the
lowest, save him
who courts the
fiattery." — Hcm
nah More.
" Falser than the
smiles of oW-
grown tyrants,
or tre sea when
with its smo)th-
est brow it
couns to deuth.'
— Play,, ¦' Constant
Nymph,''" He who tells a
lie is nof. sensible
how great a task
he unJertakes ;
for he must be
furced to invent
twenty more to
maintain one.'' —
Alexander Pope,

h Stackhouse.

children to be tempted and brought into straits, in order that the
hidden life within may be displayed, not so much to Himself a3
to their brethren and ourselves. So He fehows to us an Abraham's
faith, a Job's patience, a Moses' love, an Elijah's zeal, in order
that we may praise His power, which is so mig-hty in the weak
children of men. But are we desponding, and disposed to thiuk
that such saints raight all reach heaven, while with us it will be
otherwise ? Then He sets before our eyes, here a David, and
there a Simon Peter ; grapes which, in the press of trial, yielded
not wine merely, but also bitter drops of sin from their hearts.
Such a sight makes us pluck up courage, especially when we
leam that Simon was called "a rock," and David *'a man after
God's own heart."/

CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH.
1 — 4. (1) Ziba, ch. ix. He was currying' favour, bunches
of ralsius, masses of raisins pressed together like cheese.
I summer fruits, dried figs, or dates." bottle, or skin. (2)
king's household, not for the king. Ziba pnt his answer in
this form according to Oriental politeness. (3) thy master,
i.e. Saiil. son, evidently grandson, abideth, Ziba more than
hints that he was vmloyal. (i) A fool'ish gift made in heat of
teraper, unjust also.
Z'lba's falsehood (vv. 2 — 1). — I. An unscrupulous man lying for
his own advantage. II. An unsuspicious man deceived by a
plausible story. III. A liar obtaining a raoraentary advantage.
IV. Liars should bear in mind that at the end of all temporary
successes gained by falsehood they have to reckon with God.
David's conduct to Ziba explairwd. — Not the least material
exception that objectors make to David's conduct, in this period
of time, is his making a grant of Mephibosheth's estate to a per
fidious servant without ever giving the master a fair hearing.
But how could David have leisure to send for Mephibosheth
from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem, and inquire into the merits of
the cause depending between him and his servant, when he was
in so great a hurry, aud nnder flight from the arras of his rebel
son ? Or how could he suppose that Ziba could have dared to
have told him so notorious a lie, when it raight in a short tirae
be disproved? Bvery circumstance, in short, on Ziba's side,
looked well, but none on his raaster's. To his raaster, David had
been e.^treraely kind, in restoring him to the forfeited estate of
his grandfather Saul, and in allowing him to eat at his ovvn
table, as one of the king's sons; and now, at the general ren
dezvous of his friends, David might well have expected that the
person to whom he had extended so many favours, should not
have been so negligent of his duty as to absent himself, unless it
had been upon some extraordinary business ; and therefore, when
Ziba acquaints him with the occasion of his absence, though it
was a mere fiction, yet with David it might find a readier cre
dence because at this time he had reason to mistrust everybody ;
and seeing his own family disconcerted and broken, might think
the crown liable to fall to any new claimant that could pretend
to the same right of suocession that Mephibosheth might.'

'Cap. xvi. 5—19.)

//. SAMUEL.

351

5 — 8. (5) Bahurixn, ch. iii. 16. came forth, fr. his house."
(6) cast stones, as for adulterer's punishment. (7) come
out, to banishment. (8) all the blood, etc., Snimei laid to
Dav.'s charge the extinction of Saul's house. Perhaps events
narrated ch. xxi. had occurred before this.
Darid's patience and forbearance (rr. 5 — 12). To place David's
conduct in its true light, consider. I. His heavy trial, (a) His
condition independent of Shimei's conduct was exceedingly
afiliotive ; (b) but the conduct of Shiraei greatly aggravated his
misfortunes at this tirae. II. His raeek subraission to it. 1. He
saw the hand of God in this trial ; 2. He looked to God to over
rule it for his good. Leam — (1) What spirit yon are to manifest
under any injuries you sustain ; (2) How you are to obtain it.'
A modern Shimei. — " We met a boy driving a couple*of mules,
which were instantly seized by one of the followers of the camp.
without any pretext whatever, except the old border one of
having the strongest hand. The boy struggled stoutly against
the thief, and was not disposed to submit quietly to being
spoiled. At last, when overcome, and his raules were driven
away from him, he ran along the hillside above the path we
were taking, and wept aloud, calling down the curses of Heaven
upon the man who had robhed him. Like Shimei the poor lad
' went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he
went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.' The whole scene
was Biblical, and but for the French uniforms ahead one could
have fancied -a, vision to have risen up of ' the Benjamite of
Bahurim.'"" 9— 14. (9) dead clog',''ch. ix. 8. go over, the ravine. (10)
Another indication of the submissive raood David was in. (11)
my son, the heavier afiliction took away the trouble of the lesser
(12) afiliction, Heb. eye, raarg. tears. (LS) went along, the
ridge above them, cast dust, scattering it over the royal party
to annoy them. (14) weary, poss. this is the name of a place,
Aytphiim. refreshed themselves, with Ziba's present.
Tlw absorbing influence qf great troubles (v. 11). — I. This his
tory reminds us that mean men, like Shimei, take a cowardly
advantage of those they dislike. II. That great trials tend to make
us insensible to lesser ones. What were the curses of this raan
now to David while his heart was wrung by the rebeUion of
Absalora and the revolt of his subjects? III. One great trouble
which we raay bravely meet may raake us forget a raultitude of
petty caves.
Cursing in the Ea.st (v. 13.)— Who, in the East, has not often
witnessed a similar scene ? Listen to the maledictions : they are
of such a nature that evil spirits only could have suggested them.
Look at the enraged miscreant : he dai-es not come near for fear
of punishraent, but he stands at a distance, vociferates his irapre-
cations, violently throws about his hands; then stoops to the
ground, and takes up handfuls of dust, throws it in the air, and
exclaims, " Soon shalt thou be as that— thy mouth shall soon be
full of it— look, look, thou cursed one, as this dust, so shalt thou
be."' 15—19. (15) all, who formed his corapany. (16) Hushai
ch XV 32 (17) is this, etc.. Ab. suspected hira. (18) A very
equivocal though in Ab.'s conceited state an apparently loyal,

B.C. 1033.
Shimeia " It seems to
bave lain off iho
road, on a ridge
separated fr. it
hy a nan ow
ravine runuing
parallel to ihe
mad, so ihat
Shimei was out
of easy reach,
though witljin
hearing, and
wiihin a stone's
th row." — Spk.
Com.
" All the fury of
Iho rival dynas
ties, with all the
foul names that
long feuds had
engendered, burst forth as
the two parties
here came into
collision."— -Siarl-
ley.V. .5. R. Polwhele,
i. 211; B. Lind
say ii. isti.
IP. 5— 14. J. Mil
ner, iii. 35S.
b C. Simeon, M.A.
c The Tiines.
David'smagnani-
I mlty
a 1 S. xxiv. 14.
V. 11. Dr. J. Gar
diner, set.
VV. 11 — 13. C.
Bradley, ii. 25.
" There are none
more abusive to
others than they
tbat lie most
, open to them
selves ; but the
humour goes
round, and he
that laughs at
me to-day will
have somebody
to laugh at him
to -morrow." —
Seneca. i Eobei'ts.

Absalom
(withI Ahithophel
. aud Hushat

852

//. SAMUEL.

Cap. xvii. 1—4

t>. 15. Bp. Dehon,
il. 242.
V. 17. Dr. 3. C.
Butter, 295.

Ahithophel'scounsel
a Jamie .on.
b Blunt suggests
the desire of
Ahit. to make
Dav. taste the
bitterness of that
cup wliich he had
caused others
(i.e. Uriah and
all Bathsbeba's
family) to drink."
p. 20. Bp. Ball,
Contemp.
" Tho eagle of
one house is the
fool in another."
— Cresset.
The wives of the
conquered king
were always the
property of tho
conqueror; and,
in possessing
these, he ap
peared to pos
sess the right to
tbo kingdom.
Herodotus, b. iii.
cap. 6S informs
us, that Smerdis
having seized on
the Persian
throne, after the
deaih of Camby
ses, esp msed all
the wives of his
predecessor."Falser than
malice in the
mouth of envy."
—M. Pix.
c Burder.

Ahithophel
adds further
advicec. 1. /. C. Dieterie,
Antiq. 353.
** We must dia-

answer. (19) again, as a further reason. As if it was quito
certain that the son would succeed.
Is this thy kindness to thy friend? (v. 17). — I. Eeview the mer-
cies of our heavenly Friend II. Consider how raen, even pro
fessed friends, soraetiraes act towards Him. III. Apply the
question. 20—23. (20) give counsel, "the first cabinet council on
record."" (21) This advice supports the idea that Ahithophel
was grieved bee. of Dav.'s conduct to Bathsheba.* What he
advised would be a publio declaration by Ab. that he claimed his
father's throne. (22) top, etc., ch. xi. 2. (23) oracle, word,
response by Urim. Highest praise for Ahit.'s wisdom.
The counsel qf Ahithophel. — I. The counsel of Ahithophel was
designed to make the breach between the king and his son im
passable. II. This advice is imitated by the wicked and followed
by the foolish at this day. Men would have those who have gone
astray go so far that they cannot retnrn. III. But God can turn
suoh counsel in foolishness (xv. 31), and take the wise in their
own craftiness.
Wives of deceased or dethroned h'lngs. — The choosing or con
firming of a new king in Guinea seldom continues long in dis
pute ; for the eldest son no sooner hears of the king's death, than
he immediately makes his interest araong his friends, to take
possession of the late king's court and wives; and succeeding
happily in these particulars, he need not doubt the reraainder,
for the commonalty will not easily consent that after that he
shall be driven from the throne : this seems somewhat like Absa
lom's design on his father David. To accomplish this design, tlie
younger brother's party are always careful enough that he is
near at hand, in order to take possession of the court. (Bosman's
Guinea.) The name of Quiteva is common to the sovereign lord
of the country bordering on the river Sofala in Ethiopia. He
maintains a nuraber of wives, the chief of whom are his near
relations, and. are denominated hig queens; the residue are re
garded merely as concubines. As soon as the Quiteva ceases to
live, a successor is chosen, capable of governing with wisdom
and prudence ; and, indeed, should he be deficient in this respect,
it would be enough that a raajority of the king'a concubines
should join in his favour, as on these the possession of the throne
depends. He therefore repairs to the royal palace, where he
meets with sorae of the concubines of the late king, and with
their consent he seats himself on the throne prepared for hira in
the midst of a large hall ; when seated here, a curtain is drawn
before him and his wives : hence he issues orders for his procla
raation through the streets ; this is the signal for the people to
flock to render him horaage and swear obedience, a ceremony
which is performed amid great rejoicings."

CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
1 — 4. (1) this night, prompt action alone could secure
success. Delay was wholly to the advantage of David. A small
body of men would suffice for Ahit's scheme. (2) king only,
they felt no fear of uniting the people under Ab. if the king
were gone. Ahit. carefully judged the efEect of a sudden surprise.

Cap. xvU. 5—14.]

//. S.IMUEL.

353

(3) in peace, the revolution being managed without bloodshed. I
(4) pleased, seemed wise and eificient. 1
^1 parricide in purpose (v. i). — I. Consider the foulness of a
heart that could be pleased with such a suggestion. The sin all ] peVity' "tor pros-
the greater for the past kindness of David to this Absalom. II. iperiiykads often
Reflect that what men abhor in another they are often guilty of
themselves — (a) As when they wish there were no God, no
heavenly Pather ; (b) As when they desire to be liberated, even
by death, from pai-ental control. III. Pray that the heart may
be preserved from murderous desires and thoughts.
5 — 10. (5) call, etc., this would grieve Ahithophel ; bnt it
indicates the self-willed character of Absalom. (0) was come,
he does not appear to have been present at the council. (7) at
this time, may be good in itself, but does not dnly weigh the
circumstances. (8) He urges that special care would be given to
securing the person of the king, mighty men, well knowing
stratagem of vvar. (9) soma of them, of the attacking party."
(10) Even the valiant of Ab.'s army would be afraid.
A caution for the careless (v. 10). — I. Revolt against govern
ment may be plausible and seem to promise success, but con
sequences of possible failure have to be considered. II. The great
King against whom men rebel is "a Man of war," and His
followers are inspired with the coiu-age of their leader. III. All
Israel know this, and will calmly "await the issue of the conflict.
A bear robbed of her mhelps (v. 8). — The Hindoos are as much
afraid of the bear as of any other aniraal of the forest. There
fore, when letter-carriers and others have to travel through
districts infested by bears, they are always arraed with a crooked
knife, in the shape of a sickle ; and when the bear is preparing to
give thera a hug, one cut from this instrument will send them
scarapering offi. When the feraale is robbed of her whelps, she is
said to be more fierce than any other aniraal : hence many
sayings refer to her rage, and are applied to the fury of violent
men. " I wiE. tear thee to pieces as a bear which has cubbed."
" Begone, or I will jump upon thee as a bear." When a termagant
takes her chili-en with her to scold, it is said, " There goes the
she-bear with her whelps I "*
11 — 14. (11) battle . . person, Heb. tliat thy face go to the
battle,'' (12) as the dew, irresistibly.' (13) ropes, to which
hooks were fixed, and these were thrown to catch the walls of
besieged towns. Hushai evidently appeals to the self-conceit of
Absalom, and plea,ses hira by his boasting speech. (14) better,
not wiser, but better suited to the mood they were in. the
Xiord, in O. T. style the overruling of God is recognised.
Tlic counsel qf Ah'ithophel defeated (v. 14). — I. In what respect
was the counsel of Ahithophel " good?" (a) Not that it was
virtuous and right, (b) but that it was adapted to the occasion,
and most likely to succeed. II. How was it defeated? (»)
By the overruling of Providence ; (b) By the substituting of
advine that seeraed more plausible ; (c) The raob is apt to choose
not the best but what is liked the best. III. Practical lessons—
(a) Men may, as they think, be following their own plans, and
yet be working out Divine purposes ; (b) Tlie hearts of all
are in God's hands, (c) Men's best measures — those of sound
policy and prudence- may prove to be the worst '_' There is a way
that seeraeth right to a man, but the end thereof is death."
VOL. III. O.T. Z

B.O. 1023.
tingnish between
felic'ty and pres

to ambition, aud
ambiti'-n to dis
appointment; tho course ia
then over, lhe
wheel turns
round but once,
while the n ac
tion of goodness
and happiness is
perpetual." —
LamBr.

Hushai coiuisels otherwise
a "If he were
bidden in any
defile, or other
refuge, and at
the flrst onset
turned upon hia
pursuers with
even but partial
success, the re
port would
spread of a great
defeat of David'a
enemies, and ter
ror would seizo
even tbe most
lion-heartedwaiwrior." — Ewald.
b Roberts.

Hushai'sadviceapproved
a " Hushai in-
sin uat es that
Ahithophel, by
his counsel, had
been desirous of
robbing Absalom
of the glory of
the victory over
David, and of
assuming it to
hicnself. So he
practises on
Ab.'s vainglory
and self - love,
and excites. him
against Ahitho
phel." — Words
worth.6 "No image
could have sym-

354

7/. SAMUEL.

COap. xvii. IS— J>9,

B.O. 1023.
bolised the sod
den onset of an
enemy so graphi
cal ly to an Ori
ental mind, as
the silent, irre-
eistihlc and rapid
descent of this
natural moisture
on every field
and blade of
grass." — Jamie
son.c Burder.
" Qems which
adom the beau
teous tresses of
the weeping
morn." — Poole.
d Forbes.

Hushai tells Bavid
a "Knowing
Ab.'s weak and
fickle character,
Hushai would
not depi^ndupon
the resolution."
.—Spk. Com.
b 1 Ki. i. 9.
" But all was
false and hol
low ; though his
tongue dropped
manna, and
could make the
worse appear the
belter reason, to
perplex and dash
malurest coun
sels." — Milton,
"Though fear see
notbing but ex-
tremity, yet
danger is no
deep sea, but a
ford, where they
that yield fan
only drowned
be." — Oreville.

David being'
wamedcrosses
Jordan
a" A. cloth with
a heap of corn."
— Stanley.
S Vulg.haapcefei
barley.
C''_Sehalz found

As the dew faileth (v. 12). — This is very beautiful and expres
sive. The dew in Palestine, as in several other climates, falls fast
and sudden, and is therefore no unapt emblem of an active, expedi
tious soldiery. It was, perhaps, for this reason that the Romans
called theh' light arraed forces Morarii. The dew falls upou
every spot of tho earth ; not a blade of grass escapes it. A
numerous army resembles it in this respect. It ia able to search
e-verjwhexe.'— Oriental hyperbole (v. 13). — On advancing, the
chopdars or heralds proclaimed the titles of this princely cow-
keeper, Futty Sihng, in the usual hyperbolical style. One of the
most insignificant-looking men I ever saw then became the de
stroyer of nations, the leveller of mountains, the exhauster of tlie
ocean. After commanding every inferior mortal to make way for
this exalted prince, the heralds call aloud to the animal creation,
" Retire, ye serpents ; fly, ye locusts ; approach not, guanas,
lizards, and reptiles, while your lord and master condescends to
set his foot on the earth 1" Arrogant as this language raay
appear, it is less so than the Oriental pageantry ih general. The
sacred writings afford raany instances of snch hyperbole. None
more so than Hushai's speech to Absalom.''
15 — 18. (15) Hushai did not feel sure that his counsel would
be followed, but it had secured the necessary delay ; and now it
was necessary to put David on his guard." (16) plain, 'tc, ch.
jxv. 28. (17) En-rogel, Jos. xv. 7, xvii. IG.' wench, maid
servant, who went to the well as if for water. (18) saw them,
the two young priests conversing with the maiden. Bahurim,
! oh. xvi. 5. well, proh. c'lstern ; this might readily be covered
I over.
I Tlie small pivots of great events (v. 17, 18.). — I. We find this
i illustrated by the history before ns. " A wench went and told."
" A lad saw." How much depended on the girl's tongue, and the
I lad's eyes. II. It finds many illustrations in all history. III.
jMany examples may be found in human life and experience.
Little things often turn the course, and decide the character of
great events and lives.
Washing linen in the East (v. 17). — In the Bast, the washing'
of foul linen is performed by woraen by the sides of rivera and
fountains. Dr. Chandler, Travels in Asia Minor, p. 21, says,
that " the woraen resort to the fountains by the houses, each
with a two-handled earthen jar on her back, or thrown over her
shoulder for water. They asserable at one without the village or
town, if no river be near, to wash their linen, which is afterward
spread on the ground or bushes to dry." May not this circum
stance, says Mr. Harmer, serve to confirm the conjecture that the
young woman that was sent to En-rogel, went out of the oity with
a bundle of linen, as if she were going to wash it ? Nothing was
more natural, or better calculated to elude jealousy.
19—22. (19) covering," poas. " the hanging or awning of
the door of the house." ground corn, meal, as if she desired
to dry it in the sun.' (20) gone over, etc., an equivocal reply,
not denying they had been with her, because this may have led
to a search. She indicates a wrong direction to put thera ofl: the
scent" (21) water, of Jordan, this movement secured Dav.
against surprise. This mnst have occurred late at night, or very
early in the moming.<* (22) morning Ught, of day following
the flight.

Cap. rvli. 23—26.]

77. SAMUEL.

355

Tlie escape over Jordan (v. 22). — I. The tme servant of God
•will find this life full of difficulty and danger. I '. God is always
on his side to wam him of danger and provide for his safety.
III. The moming light of an etemal day wiU reveal the great
king's host and show that there lacked not one of them that is
is not gone over Jordan.
Hiding in the isell (v. 19). — ^This was done to conceal Jonathan
and Ahimaaz, who had gone down the well to escape from the
servants of Absalom. Wells in the East have their mouths level
with the ground, hence, nothing is raore easy than to put a raat
or covering over the opening to conceal them from the sight.
Who has not seen corn or flour spread on mats in the sun to dry ?
The woman affected to have this object in view when she spread
a covering over the well : her " ground corn " was spread thereon
to dry in the sun. The men were in the well, and when Absalom's
servants came, and inquired, " Where is Aliimaaz and Jonathan 1"
she said, " They be gone over the brook of water." In the
Kandian war great nurabers were required to follow the army as
bearers, cooks, and messengers, and such was the aversion of the
people to the duty, that government was obliged to use force to
compel them to go. And it was no uncomraon thing, when the
oificers were seen to approach a cottage, for the husband or sons
to be concealed aa were Ahimaaz and Jonathan."
23-26. (23) his city, Giloh, ch. xv. 12. hanged him
self," in excessive mortification at the rejection of his counsel.
(24) Mahanaim,'' Ge. xxxii. 2, a fortified city, in a well-pro
visioned country, a good rallying point. (25) Amasa," nephew
to David. Ithra, or .Tether. Nahash, either Jesse's wife, or
the name of first husband of Zeruiah and Abigail's mother. (26)
pitched, to decide tlie kingdom by a battle.
Tlie godless man's refuge from disappointed pride (v. 23).- — I.
In Ahithophel we have a proud raan writhing with mortification.
In his overweening estiraate of his own intellectual superiority
he deems it impossible that another can be counted wiser than
himself. II. We have further u, man so proud that he.cannot
endure the slights of his fellow-men, and yet so bhnd that he
will hurry to the sentence of a higher tribunal. III. He who is
wrong with man cannot, by self-destruction, put himself right
with God. IV. Let any who may be tempted to put an end to
their life consider Matt. x. 28.
Higlimiy to suicide (v. 23).— The Rev. John Owen, the eloquent
advocate of the Bible Society, after adverting, in a sermon to
tlie young, to the peaceful death of a little girl, raentions the
awful end of a youth who had been seduced frora the paths of
virtue by wioked associates. " Scarcely," says he, " had the turf
been spread over the mortal reraains of this yonng disciple, when
the ground was opened to receive another of our youth, who,
awful to relate, had raised his arm, and that with too fatal
success, against the precious, the invaluable deposit of his own
life. This deluded youth had received the benefit of a Christian
education in one of our schools of gratuitous instruction ; and,
like the happy subject who preceded him into etemity, had been
carefully lectured in the house of God on matters which con
cerned his salvation. But a removal from school to employment
was to hira, as it unhappily is to too many of our youth, the
signal for renouncing his attendance upon the ordinances of
z2

B.O. 1023.
a small brook in
tbis very dis
trict, still called
Michal." — spk.
Com.
d See Ps. iil., iv.
V. 22. B. Lindsay,
Lec. ii. 199.
"Inmnrals, what
begins in fear
usually ends in
wickedness ; in
religion, what
begins in fear
usually ends in
fanaticism. Fear,
either as a prin
ciple or a mo
tive, is the be
ginning of all
evil," — Mra.
Jameson.e Roberts.
the suicide of
Ahithophelo "Bp, Hell
quaintly re
marks of him,
that Ihough mad
enough to hang
himself, he was
wise enough to
set his house in
order before he
did 'it."— Kilto.
I j 6 2 Sa. il. 8, 12,
I 29,c 1 Chr. ii, 16, 17.
». 23. Bp. Fleet
wood, ZSt ; W.
! Jones, vii. 102 ;
Dr. W. Paley, 1.
218." O that this too,
too solid flesh
would melt,
thaw, and re
solve itself into
a dew; or that
tbe everlasting
had not fixed
His canon 'ga nst
self - slaughter.
0 God! O God!
how weary, stale,
flat, and unpro
fitable seem to
me all the uses
of thirs world." —
Shakespeare.

356

n. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xviii. 1—5,

B.0. 1023.

provisions sent to
David a Ezr. ii. 61—63.
h Wordsworth,
c "As coupled
with sheep, perh.
suckling caives,
or milch cows
are meant." —
Spk. Com. — Some
suggest potted
meat, as now
prepared in E.,
as food for
joumeys. Thus
Busbequius,speaking of the
Tm-kish soldiers |
going on an
expedition into
Persia, says,
"Some of them
filled a leathern
bag with beef
dried, and re
duced to a kind
of meal, wbich
they use with
great advantage,
as affording a
strong nourish
ment. And Dr.
Shaw mentions
potted fiesh as
part of the pro
visions carried
with him in his
journey through
the Arabian de
serts.
d Burder.

religion. The consequence was such as might naturally be appre
hended. He fell into the snare of evil corapany, and became
licentious, profligate, and abandoned. Diseased, disgraced, de
spondent, without any cordial from religious hope, any support in
Christian resignation, he yielded to the teraptation of the de
stroyer, and completed the measure of his sin, his misery, and his
dishonour, by an act of deliberate suicide."
27—29. (27) Shobi, poss. appointed govemor of Ammon
after the taking of Rabbah. Machir, oh. ix. 4. Barzillai, «
ch. xix. 31 — 40. Rogelim, tlie fulle-rs, situated in the highlands
of Gilead. (28) basons, cups ; or cauldrons, kettles.' (29)
cheese of kine, from butterrailk.'
In the rv'ildei'ness (v. 29).— I. MoraUy regarded, the world is a
wilderness to the people of God. II. God's people are often
hungry, weary, and thirsty therein. III. But the wildemess
belonga to God, and he can " fumish a, table " there and give
streams in the desert.
Parched corn (v. 28) — Parched com is a kind of food still
retained in the East, as Hasselquist informs ua : " On the road
from Acre to Seide, we saw a herdsman eating hia dinner, con
sisting of half ripe ears of wheat, which he roasted and ate with
as good an appetite as a Turk does his pillau. In Egypt suoh
food is much eaten by the poor, being the ears of maize or Turkish
wheat, and of their durra, which is a kind of millet. When this
food was first invented, art was in a siraple state ; yet the custom
is still continued in some nations, where the inhabitants have
not even at this time leamed to pamper nature." The flour of
parched barley is the chief provision which the Moors of West
Barbary make for travelling. It is indeed much used as a part
of their diet at home. "What is most used by traveUers is
zuraeet, tumeet, or flour of parched barley for limereece.
They are all three made of parched barley-flour, which they
carry in a leathern satchel. Zuraeet is the flour mixed with
honey, butter, and spice ; tumeet is the same fiour done up with
origan oil ; and limereece is only mixed with water, and so drank.
This quenches thirst rauch better than water alone, satiates a
hungry appetite, cools and refreshes tired and weary spirits, over
coming those ill effects which a hot sim and fatiguing joumey
might occasion." (Jones.) Mr. Harmer proposes this extract as
an illustration of the passage now cited.*

B.O. 1023.
David'scharge concerning
Absalom a Ewald thinks
Mahanaim had
been besieg
but from some
unknown cause
Ab. had been
compelled to
raise the siege.
i2Sa. iv.19— 21.
c Comp. 1 Ki.
xxii. 31.

CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
1 — 5. (1) numbered, Heh. pakad, with further idea a rmfw,
inspect, the people, raany Gileadites having joined Dav. he
had now quite an array, captains, etc, 1 Sa. viii. 12.<" (2)
Ittai, a recognition of his devotion.* (3) thou . . us, as a
revolution intended to change the king, everything depended on
Dav.'s life." succour . . city, wh. would be done by covering
their retreat, if necessary. (4) gate side, to give hia charge
about Ab., and his blessing on the enterprise. (5) gently, they
raight take prisoner but not kill.
Deal gently ivith Absalom (v. 5). — ^Absalom the arch-conspirator
was in imminent peril from the Zealand love of David'a adherents.
Our love for our King may lead us to deal harshly with His foea.

Oap. xvlli. a— 13.j

11. SAMUEL.

357

II. Amid the multifarious concems of the situation David cares
for his prodigal son. God's tenderness and clemency are still
greater. III. David urges the strongest plea in his son's behalf
" For ray sake," This is Christ's plea— for My sake— be kind to
the sinner, I died for him. It shows a truer appreciation of the
work and mind of Jesus to bo kind, than treat with the severity
of godly zeal, those who are rebels against the great King.
Value depends on place (v. 3).— King James IV. commanded
in person at the battle of Flodden Field. Both parties did
wonders, but none on either side did raore than tho king hiraself.
He waa told that by coming to handy blows he conld do no
more than another man, whereas by keeping the post due to his
station, he raight be worth many thousands. Yet he could not
only fight in person, but also on foot. It was said by one of the
generals who fought with WeUington that the presence of the
Iron Duke in any part of the field waa equal to a reinforceraent
by a division of three or four thousand men.
6—8. (6) wood' of Ephraim, certainly somewhere E. of
Jordan.'' (7) slaughter, in mod. language, so many were put
hors de combat, not actually killed. ' (8) scattered, through
skilful generalship of Joab, acting in three divisions, wood
devoured, "thick oaks, tangled bushes, and thorny creepers
growing over rugged rocks and ruinous precipices, down which
the rebel array plunged in wild dismay.""
llie mood and tlie sivord (r. 8). — I. Man's chief reliance in war
is upou the weapon he has made — (a) applies to armaments,
armies, defences ; (b) applies to treaties and diplomacy ; (c)
topoleraios ; raen depend on the syllogisra, learning, etc. II, In
all war there are other sources of defeat and disaster than those
of human invention. " The Word," which is God's, devours " more
than the sword," ivhich is man's. Natural forces, the stars in
their courses, ete. III. Do not rely too much on perfect arma-
mente ; neither be disheartened by their incompleteness. If God
be with us a storm frora him will be mightier than the Armadas
of our foes.
Advance to the battle (vv. 2, 3). — It is said when the footsore
and wearied regiments of the Union Army neared Gettysburg,
and the sounds of the battle reached their ears, worn-out
and sick officers and men, inspired with a new strength, grasped
their arms, raoved forward to the scene of strife. A poor
fellow, who looked the image of death, hobbled out of an ambu
lance, and, shouldering his musket, was just starting forward,
when the surgeon stopped him with, " Where are you going,
sir 1" The brave fellow tried hard to stand firm, and speak
boldly, " To the front, doctor," " What I a raan in your condi
tion 1 Tou can't raarch half a raile. You haven't strength to
carry yourself, let alone your musket and equipments. You have
every symptom of the typhoid fever : a little over exertion wiU
certainly kiU you ?" " Well, doctor," said he, " if I must die, I
would rather die in the field than in an ambulance."'*
9—13. (9) met, in his flight. Intimating that they let him
escape, mule, lit. the mule, i.e. the king's own.« great oak,
terebinth, head caught, by the long hair,' and then wedged
into a fork of the branches." (10) hanged, not in sense of
dead. (1 1) a girdle, poss. a captain's commission was signified

B.O. 1023.
See Bp. BaU,
Contemp ; Dr. T.
Laurie, Lect. 68.
'¦T'had best,
quoth Ral
ph 0, as the
ancients say
wisely, — Have a
care 0' the main
chance, and look
beiore you ere
you leap ; for aa
you sow you are
like to reap."—
Butler.

battle in tho
wood of
Ephraim
a " Heb. yaar;
Arab waar, a,
ild, rocky re
gion, overgrown
with trees." — .
Thomson.
b " The name
may be explained
fr. the connec
tion of blood
with the Trans-
Jordanic Manas
seh, <ir from the
massacre of the
Ephraimites ia
that neighbour
hood by Jeph
thah. (Ju. lii.
S)."— Stanley.
" Another sug. is
that the nama
was flxed fr. this
battle, in wh.
Ephraim took
the lea d."—
-^ordsworth.
c Thomson.
d Rev. E. B. Tut-
hill.

Absalomcaug-ht in
the oak
a Josephus. Se«
1 Ki. i. 33, 38, 44.
6 " It is neces. to

358

n. S.iMUEL.

[Cap. xviii. 14—17.

B.C. 1023.

be

continttally
on o le's guard
against the
branche.^ of the
trees, and when
tlie hair is worn
in large locks
floatbig down
the back, any
thick bough in-
terposiug in the
path might easi
ly dislodge a
rider fr. his
seat." — Hartley.
c Josefihus
" The two things
of his pride, h's
mule and his
hair, contributed
to his untimply
d'^ath." — Spk.
Com.
d M. Benr'J.
e" A giriile. curi
ously and richly
wrought, was
among the an
cient Heb. a
mark of honour,
and srimetimes
bestowed as a
reward of mili
tary merit." —
Jamieson,
f Paxton.
Joab slays
Absalom
a Bp. Patrick.
bKeU.
c Sept., Vidg.,
Syr.. Targ.,
Ewald, etc,
d " Though an
act of diso-
bedience, from
the statesman's
point of view
Joab's act was
one of good
policy." — Kilto.
e " Mod. Jews, as
they pass the
monumeitin the
valley of the Ki
dron, to wh. they
have given his
name, have
buried its sides
deepiu the stones
wh. they throw
against it in exe
cration," — Stan
ley. 110,14,1,5. H. Lind-
wy, Lect. ii. 213.

by the delivery of a girdle.-i Certainly girdles were costly things,
often given as presents," (12) charged, v. 5. (13) falsehood,
idea of untrue, unfaithful.
The snai-er ensnared (v. 9).— I. The sword had so far spared
Absalom, now the wood devoured him. II. He who would not
have spared his father is now unspared by God. III. Those
captivating tresses by which— as an eleraent of hia personal
beauty — the people were fascinated prove his ruin. IV. Lifted
up between earth and heaven, of which place was he worthy?
The girdle (v. 11).— To loose the girdle and give it to another
was, among the Orientals, a token of great confidence and affiec
tion. Thus to ratify the covenant which Jonathan made with
David, and to express his cordial regard for his friend among
other thinga he gave him his girdle. A girdle curiously and
richly- wrought was, among the ancient Hebrews, a raark of
honour, and sometiraes bestowed as a reward of raerit ; for this
was the recompense whioh Joab declared he meant to bestow on
tho man who put Absalom to death : " Why didst thou not smite
hira there to the ground, and I would haje given thee ten
shekels of silver, and a girdle." The reward was certainly raeant
to correspond with the iraportance of the service which he
expected him to perforra, and the dignity of his own station aa
commander-in-chief : we may therefore suppose it was not a
common one of leather, or plain worsted, but of costly materials,
and richly adomed ; for people of rank and fashion in the East
wear very broad girdles, all of silk, and superbly ornamented
with gold and silver, and precioua stones, of which they are
extremely proud, regarding them as the tokens of their superior
atation, and the proof of their richea./
14 — 17. (14) tarry, " Lose tirae in such diacourse."" threa
darts, "pointed wooden ataves:"'' the word is not elsewhere
used for the lance or javelin ; but trans, spear ia well supported."
midst, Heb. lieart. (15) slew him, finishing the work.iJ (16)
blew, etc., ch, ii. 28. held back, bee, Ab,'s death ended the
battle. (17) heap of stones, not as raonument, but in excra-
tion of his crirae."
Memorial stone (v. 17), — To mark the spot where the chiefs
were buried, aud to remain at the same time as a memorial of the
battle in which they fell, their surviving friends raised over them
a heap of stones. This practice may be traced to the primitive
ag-es of the world ; for when Absalom was defeated and slain,
'¦ they cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great
heap of stones npon him," Tliis monumental heap was not
intended to indicate that Absalom deserved to be stoned as a
rebellious son, but raerely to mark, according to a very coraraon
and a very ancient custom, the grave of that ambitious and
unnatural prince. It was usual in the East, indeed, to distinguish
any remarkable plaoe or event by a heap of stones. All tha
Mohammedans that go in pilgrimage to Mount Sinai visit a rock,
on which the forra of a camel's foot is iraprinted, which they
foolishly suppose to be the animal that Mohammed rode ; and,
therefore, in honour of their prophet, they bring every one a
stone, till, by continual accumulation, a large heap has risen near
the place. Jacob, and his faraily too, raised a heap of stones in
comraeraoration of the covenant so happily concluded betweeu
him and Laban on Mount GUead. That "heap of witness"

Cap. xvUi. 18— 2S.]

//. SAMUEL.

359

informed every passenger that it was raised in memory of some
interestmg event ; and every relation that brought a stone to the
heap made himself a witness to the agreement, as well as recom
mended it to the attention of others. The surviving warriors,
too, might bring every man his stone, iu token of their respect
for the deceased, to raise a monumental heap over the body of the
hero who had led them to barttle and to victory, which should
arrest the notice of the passing traveUer, and bear witness to
futuro times of their attachment and regret./'
18 — 23. (18) Contrasting the monument of shame he had,
with the monument of pride which he planned for himself."
king's date, vaUey of Jehoshaphat; or poss. in the south, near
Hebron : the vale of Shaveh,' no son, ch. xiv. 27 ; these raust
have died. Ab.'s place," lit. Mnd. (19) run, this was his
peculiar and weU-knowu power (v. 27). (20) shalt not, bee.
Joab feared the instant passionate anger of the king. (21)
Cushi, an Ethiopian, the Cushite.'' (22) ready, convenient;
idea likely to be acceptable. (23) plain," though farther round,
the road may have been easier.
Absalom's pillar (v. 18). — ^Leam — I. That nothing can prosper
without the blessing of God, and that this can never rest on the
head of oue who is wanting in fllial duty. II. That it is a sor
rowful thing when the great love of Christ is cast away ; for it is
stronger than the love of parents. III. That any who wish to be
remembered after death should seek to establish some worthier
memorial than Absalom did./
Another outline on same verse. — I. The raonument desired ; (1)
It is the fate of raan to die and be soon forgotten ; (2) It is the
wish of raan to be reraerabered ; (3) Absalora took steps to pre
serve the memory of his name. Hence the pillar he reared.
What was the epitaph ? It could not be " To the memory of a
faithful friend, an affectionate brother, a loyal subject, and a
dutiful son." II. The monument realised ; (1) Who raised it ?
Those who execrated his meraory ; (2) What was it ? A heap or
cairn of stones without an inscription, just to mark the spot
where he lay ; (3) Where was it ? In a dark wood, not araong
the torabs of the great and good. . III. Account for the diffier
ence ; (1 ) Absalora seemed to think that his being of royal birth
was suflficient to secure a royal tomb, with a high-sounding
inscription on it ; (2) He forgot that a true epitaph is a summing
up of the chief exploite of the life, and the leading features of
the character. Leam: (1) Your epitaph wiU presently have to
be written. What would you like it to be ? (2) Are you striving
to deserve the epitaph that you desire? (3) The grace of God
can make you all that you wish to be, and raore ; (4) However
lowly your raonuraent on earth, seek to have your name written
in heaven.
The tomb of Absalom (v. 18). — On the east, we came to the re
puted torab of Absalom, resembling nearly, in the size, form,
and decoration of ite square base, that of Zacharias, before de
scribed : except that it is sculptured with the metopes and
triglyphs of the Doric order. This is surraounted by a sharp coni
cal dome, of the form used in our modern parasols, having large
mouldings, resembling ropes running round ite base, and on the
summit something like au iraitation of flame. The dome is of
masonry, and on the eastern side there is a square aperture in it.^

B.O. 1023.
" Sometimes let
gorgeous tra-
jgedy iu sceptred
pall come sweep-
¦ ing hy. "—Milton.
\f Paxton.

Absalom'spillarAhimaaz, Cushi
a "His real
monument waa
a solitary cairn
in the wild fo
rest, instead of a
lordly pillar in
the ' King's dale,*
near the capital
city." — Words
worth.b Ge xiv. 17.
c "Tbe tomb
said to be Ab.'s
is 24 ft.sq.,dom6-
topped, and
reaches 40 ft. in
height, but tha
arohitecture is
not of the
period."— /amie-
son,dNot CuOi, tho
Benjamite.
e " Poss. word
means a pecu
liar kind of run
ning." — Ewald.
V. 18. Crit. Sac.
Thes. Nov. i. 685.
/ W. Tringham,
M.A.
" How many are
so entombed by
the riches, the
honours, the
pleasures, and
the sins of the
world, as only to
be taken out of
tbem to be buried
in the earth."—
Marsh.

360

n. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xviii. 24—33.

B.O. 10 !3.
g Buckingham.

Davidwaiting for news
0. 28. Dr. J.
Scott, iii. 185.

I
"Is a man seem
to rim fast, it is
said, ' Ah ! there ;
is news in his
mouth.' ' Wny
have yo'i come
so fast ? ' 'In
my mouth there
is news.' To a
man iu trouble
it is often said,
' Fear not, a mau
will soon come
with tdin^s in
his iriouth.' " —
Roberts.
a Percy Anec.
••Newspaperswere flist in
vented by a
French physi
cian, who, tind-
ing his visits
^elc me wheu-
ever he brought
auy news orgus-
Bip, aptilied to
Car iinal Riche-
lie ' for a patent
to publsh the
Paris Gazette, in
l%-l-2."— Chambers.
" Sorrow turns
the Etars into
mourners, and
every wind of
heaven into a
dirge,"~//annay.b Shakespeare.

Davidmourns for
Absalom
a " He rushed
into the watch
man's chamber
over the gate
way, and eight
timea over re-
l)Oated the wail
of grief for Ab.,

It is probable that this monuraent really occupies the place of
that mentioned to have been set up by him whose name itbeara.
Josephus, in relating the same circumstance, calls the pillar a
marble one ; he fixes its distance at two furlongs from Jerusalem,
and says it was named Absalora's Hand.»
24 — 28. (24) two gates, in%er and outer, roof, or tower
above the gates. (25) apace, swiftly. (26) coming thus singly
showed the army was not defeated. (27) running, so peculiar
as to be noticed at a distence. (28) called, shouting out before
actual arrival. His message equivocal.
Aliimaaz and Cushi. — I, Running is not everything ; there is
much in the way which we select. II. Two ways before men, (a)
Self, up the hill of works ; down the ravines of resolutions and
humiUations ; (b) Christ, the way of life, plain, pleasant, suitable.
III. He who runs by this way will outrun all others. IV. If
raen thus vie with each other in coraraon matters, should we not
be in earnest about eternal things. V. The king beholds the
runners, and knows them by the i-unning.
Running footnum. — At the present day, the general goodness of
the roads' throughout Europe, the opportunities of changing
horses, and the vast speed of these animals for a short time,
renders swiftness in man of less consequence than it was in tho
days of our fathers, who kept in their service men of great
ability, who were denominated running footmen, and employed
upon all messages requiring despatch. 'The following facts evince
that it is possible for men to perforra journeys upon foot, with
greater expedition than even by the modern and improved
methods of travelling by post, Philippides, being sent by the
Athenians to Sparta, to implore their aid in the Persian war, in
the space of two days, ran one thousand two hundred and rixty
furlongs — that is, one hundred and seventy Roman miles and a
half, Fuchidas was sent by the sarae Atlienians to Delphos, to
i desire sorae of the holy iire from thence. He went and retumed
in the same day, having walked a thousand furlongs, or one
hundred and twenty-five Roraan miles. When Fonteius aud
Vipsanus were consuls, there was a boy called Addas, vvho, in one
day, ran seventy-five mile.?."
Sensations caused by neics. —
Old men, and beldams, in the streete,
Do prophesy upon it dangerously : .
Young Arthur's death is coramon in their mouths ;
And when they talk of him they shake their heads,
And whisper one another in the ear ;
And he that speaks doth gripe the hearer's wrist ;
Whilst he that hears makes fearful aotion,
With wrinkled brows, with nods, with rolling eyes.'
S9 — 33. (29) He had not courage enongh to tell all he knew.
(30) turn aside, Dav. wanted news from the second runner, (31)
tidings, as a foreigner, aud a servant only, Cushi would not feel
the hesitation of Ahimaaz, (32) enemies, etc., even he seems
to have been afraid to tell the truth plainly. (33) chamber,*
! seeking privacy, but his ory of grief was lieard. would. . . thee,
lit. " Who ivill grant me to die for 1liie.''
Js the young man Absalom safe? (r. 32).— I. The perils to which
youth, and esp. young men, are exposed, which oooasion this iu«

Cap. xviii. 2&-33.]

//. SAMUEL.

361

quii-y. There are four evils in wh. Absalom indulged, and wh.
eventually led to his ruin — 1. Expensive habita ; 2. Hypocritical
pretensions ; 3. Evil associates ; 4. Indulgence in unlawful pur
suits. II. The object to whioh the inquiry of the text is directed ;
your safety. In order to secure your safety, young man, there
must be— 1. Faith in Christ; 2. Obedience to His Gospel. III.
The spirit in which this inquiry is raade. A spirit of — 1. Tender
anxiety; 2. Ardent love; 3. Fervent prayer. Conclusion. (1)
If you are not safe, what effect would a faithful reply to this
inquiry produce on the minds of aU who are interested in you ?
(2) See the necessity of immediate and entire submission to
Christ; (3) Remember what joy your safety would diffuse
throughout the whole Church.'
A father's question. — I. This was an affectionate father's in
quiry conceming a very dear son of his who was away frora
home. II. It was his inquiry couoerning a son whom he knew
to be surrounded by wioked advisers. III. It was his inquiry
conceming a son whom he knew to be engaged in a wicked and
dangerous enterprise. IV. It was his inquiry, although he knew
that if his son were safe he himself would be in peril. V. It
¦was an inquiry that was doomed to meet with a very sad reply.
Leam : — (1 ) The yonng man away from homo is not forgotten ;
(2) The hearts at home are much affected by knowledge of pre
vious history and character; (3) There is no real safety for the
young till they are " safe in the arms of Jesus," and are " kept
by the power of God unto salvation ; " (4) So decide, pray, and
live, that, in reply to the question, "Is the young man safe?"
it may be said — to the great joy of those who hear the news—
" Yes, he is safe in the society of the good, aud in the service of
Christ,"" Telling bad ne-ws (v. 32). — This was a delicate way of teUing
David that the rebel Absalom was dead. A person in communi
cating by letter inteUigence of the death of a friend, does not
always say, in so many plain terms, " He is dead ; " but, " Would
that all our enemies were now as our friend Muttoo 1 " " Ah 1 were
they all as he, we should have peace in our village." A son, in
writing to an uncle concerning the death of his father, says,
" Ah I the children of your brother are now given unto the Lord."
" Would that our eneraies were now aa our father 1 They wiU
now rejoice over us."**
Desiring ncn-s. —
The news ! our moming, noon, and evening cry,
Day after day repeate it till we die.
For this the cit,.. the critic, and the fop,
Dally the hour away in Tensor's shop ;
For this the gossip takes her daily route.
And wears your threshold and yom- patience out;
For this we leave the parson in the lurch.
And pause to prattle ou the way to church ;
Eveu when sorae coffin'd friend we gather round,
We ask, "What news?"— then lay him in the ground/

his son." — Stanf.
ley. V. 82. Bp. Anr
drewes, ii. 3.
!). 3-3. Dr. R.
Barris, 209; Dr.
P. Doddridge, iL
173 ; A. a. Spen
cer, 273; C. Si
meon, iil. 294 ;
Dr. E. Payson,
iii. 362; Dr. T.F.
Dibden, 242.
6 /. Sherman.
*' A master paa-
bion is the love
of news; not
music so com
mands, nor so
the Muse : give
poets claret, they
grow idle soon;
feed the mu
sician, and he'a
outof tune." — (3.
Crabbe.
c Bive.
In the depths of
the sea tha
waters are still;
the heaviest sor
row is that borne
in silence; the
deepest love
flows through
the eye and
touch; the purest
joy is unspeak
able ; the most
impressive prayer is silent;
and the most
solemn preacher
at a funeral ia
the silent one
whose hps ara
cold.d Roberts.
" Tears are the
safety-valves of
the heart, when
too much pres
sure is laid on."
—Albert Smith
f Sprague.

362

77. SAMUEL,

[Cap.'xix. 1—8.

B.C. 1023.
Joab hears
of David's
grrief
a " Not through
the gate where
David was." —
V'ordsworth.

V. 1. W.Reading,
iii. 410 ; A. Wil
liams, ii. 190.
T. 2.
viii. 1.

Jay,

T. i. Bp. Words
worth, Chris. Boy
hood, ii. 114; C.
0. Pratt, 156.
" God made both
tears and laugh
ter, and both lor
bind purposes ;
for as laughter
enables n.irth
and surprise to
breathe freely,
BO tears enable
Borrow to vent
itself patiently.
Tears hinder sor
row from becom
ing despair and
madness ; and
laughter is one
of the very privi
leges of reasou,
being conflned
to the human
species." — Leigh
Bunt.
a Constable's Mis
cellany

JoabreprovesDavida 1 Ki. XV. 29,
xvi. 11 ; 2 Ki. X.
7, II, 17.
6 "This threat,
grounded on the
general's un
bounded popu
larity with the
army, showed
him to be a
dangerous per
son." — Jamison.
e2Sa,xv. 2: Je.

CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH,
1 — 4. (1) king weepeth, in a way to depress tbe people.
Joab knew it was time for action, not for mo'jming, if the king
was to be restored. (2) victory, Heb. deliverance or salvation.
(3) by stealth," not entering as a triumphant army should
with flags and songs. (4) covered his face, one of the attitudes
of grief, oh. xv. 30.
A disastrous -victory (v, 2). — Wellington said that the next
worst thing to a terrible defeat was a glorious victory. I. Here
a victory won, but a noble lost, A prince slain. How many of
the great have fallen in victory —Nelson, Woolf, Abercrorabie.
II. Here a victory won, but a father bereft of his child. Many a
father raust lose his son to secure a victory. III. Other victories
than those won on the tented field are sirailariy expensive.
Bet-ween the gates (see xviii. 24). — Now, in looking at the ac
count given ns in 2 Sa. xviii, and xix, we see the tower of en
trance into Mahanaim furnished, like the caatle at Tunbridge,
with two pairs of gates, the one at a distence from the other, the
king sitting between thera, not, we raay justly believe, in the
passage iteelf, so as to block up the way, or at all incoramode
those who might be passing, but in a room by the side of the way.
We find a watchman on the top of the tower, raade, without
doubt, coraraodious for that purpose by the steircases coramuni-
oating with each other frora the bottom to the top, as the English
castle was flat, and covered with lead, for the purpose of descry
ing at a distance those who were coming, as well as wounding
assailante. We find the observations made by the watohman
were not coraraunicated by him immediately to the king, but by
the warder at the outer gate : and that there was communication
between this lower room in which David first sat, and the upper
room over the gateway, for by that means he retired to give vent
to his sorrow. — Jerv'ish mourning. — The Jews mingled a great
deal of ceremony, wi£h the tearing of garraente, when any raia-
fortune befell them. Sometiraes they made the rent frora the top
downwards ; sometimes from the skirt upwards. The requisite
length was a hand's breadth. When made on the occasion of the
death of parents, it was not .sewed up again ; when for the losa
of other persons, it was sewed up at the end of thirty days. Itis
in reference to this practice that Solomon has said, there is " a
tirae to rend and a time to sew ; " that ia to say, a time to be
afflicted and a time to adrait of consolation.""
5—8. (5) Joab . . said, assuming a haughty tone, as if he
were the offended party, shamed . . faces, Ps. Ixix. 7. sons,
etc., Ju. ix. 5." (6) regardest, with pleasure, none of those who
have imperilled their lives for you. Dav. needed snch an arousing.
(7) go forth, fr. the chamber to meet the retuming soldiers.
comfortably, encouragingly, thankfully. I swear, etc., a
threat. (8) sat in the gate," cheered the people with his
presence. Israel, Ab.'s followers.
Open to correction (v. 8),— I, David had this mark of true
greatness in that he did not resent faithful rebukes. Once from
Nathan, now fl'om Joab. II. Those who profess themaelves
ready to receive reproof are often too much Uke one who said so,

Kiap. XIX. u— ;3U.]

77. SAMUEL.

863

' But I would like to see the mau who can cou-

aud then added
vince me."
9 — 15. (9) at strife, uncertain and divided aa to the course
to adopt." (10) speak ye not, prob. addressed to the tribe of
Judah, wh, had not joined in the invitation. (11) ye the last,
Jud. being Dav.'a o^vn tribe ; but there are many traces of its
jealous feeling. (12) bones, etc., ch. v. 1. (13) Amasa, now
leader of the tribe, of my bone, here actual relationship,
room of Joab, a dangerous promiae, ch. iii. 39 ; xvi. 10 ; xix. 22.
(14) bowed, with this appeal and persuasion. (15) Oilgal,
Jos. V. 9, convenient, as being near the fords.
A leader of men (v. 14). — I. There mnst have been something
very wonderful about this David that he had such power to sway
the minds of others. II. Besides his great natural ability, his
cour.age, his broad sympathetic soul, God was with him.
Amasa (v. 13). — As to the promise to Amasa, of constituting
him general in Joab's room, the prudence of this may be also easily
vindicated. For Amasa stoodin the same degree of consanguinity
to Da-vid as Joab did, and the offer to him df making him captain-
general must, as it has been well observed, have been influenced by
Qie personal qualities of the man — the importance of gaining him
over — he being a person of great power and authority, and having
a resentment against Joab for the mnrder of Abner and Absalom
Beaides, I doubt not but that David thought he should now be
able to break Joab's power, and bring him to an account for his
repeated assassinations and treasons, as well as fix Araasa for ever
in his interest, by placing so high a degree of confidence in him,
as to give him the command of all the forces in his kingdora.
This hath been frequently the raethod by which great raen have
endeg-voured to gain over their eneraies, and it argues a real
generosity of soul, of which little rainds are utterly incapable, to
win an adversary to his duty by such unexpected instances of
confidence and friendship. When Cinna, the grandson of
Pompey, and other great raen, conspired against Augustus, he
not only pardoned them, but norainated Cinna consul for the
ensuing year; and Caasar not only spared Brutus, after he had
appeared in arras against him, but took him into favour as his
intimate friend, and intrusted him -with the govemment of
Gaul.» 16-20. (16) Shimei," ch, xvi. 6—13. (17) thousand men,
to show how valuable his help might be. Ziba, ch. xvi. 1—4.
(18) ferry boat, or bridge of boate.' (19) perversely, indic,
his penitence. (20) house of Joseph," expression for aU the
10 tribes, bee, they were led by Ephraim. Shimei avoids annoying
Dav. by mention of Benj,, Saul's tribe.''
The morshipper of success.—!. Such craven souls always look
less at the man than hia circumatancea. Shimei will do homage
to success, not to the right. He will bow down as willingly to
Absalom as to David. II, Such raen are perfectly unreliable. If
we succeed we may be sure of Shimei's help. Is it worth rauch 1
If we fail and need help we raust not look to Shimei. III. The
eneraies of Jesus also will one day applaud him conqueror.
David's -magnanimity (v. 19 ). —
The fine and noble way to kill a foe
Is not to kiU him : you with kindness may

B.O, 1023.
xxxviii. 7, xxxix.

Judah groea
to welcome
Davida "The senti
ments of 3 diffe
rent parties are
represented in
rr. 9, 10. The
royalists, the ad
herent-! of Ab.,
and those indif
lerent to the Da-
vidiedyuasty."—Jamieson.
T. 10. T. Morer,
120; T. Balguy,
i.47.V. 14. T. Coddard,
16.
p. 15. H. Lindsay,
Lect. ii. 226,
"Memory is
Adam sitting
outside the gatea
of Paradise,
weepiug over
pleasures gone
for ever. Hope
ia Adam, in the
strength of God's
promises, going
aibout to engage
in the activities
of a holy life,
looking for the
eierlasting joya
of the world to
com e." — Dr.
Deems.
b Chandler.

Shimei
joins in
the welcome
a 1 Kl. ii. 8, 9.
b Stanley. "Prob.
a raft, such aa
have been used
from time im
memorial on the
Euphrates snd
Tigris; and the
word rendered
'household' may
mean merely
goods."c "Joseph com
prehends all Is
rael (Jos. xvi. 1)."
—KeU

364

77. SAMUEL.

[Cap. Xix. 21-23.

B.C. 1053.

So change him, that he shall cease to be so ;
And then he's slain. Sigismund used to say
His pardons put his foes to death ; for wheu
He raortify'd their hate, he kill'd thera then.'
"The great chain Prosecution in tile East,— In. the East, the right of caUiug
of causes which jan offender to account is claimed either by the person who
tif'^ t^th \"-'^°' receives the injury or his nearest relation ; and the same person,
of^God Him^f^ ' ^'^^^ ^^^ permission or connivance of his people, sustains at once
can never be un- . the character of party, judge, and executioner. In such a state of
rolled by any in- 1 things, we are not to be surprised if the exercise of justice
When w°e' go but i ^^ °^^'°: Precipitate and tumultuary. The act of the PhUistines,

d Wordsworth.
e Aleyn.

When we go but i ¦ °^^^ precipitate and tumultuary. The act ot the PhUistmes,
one step beyond "^ burning the spouse of Sarason and her father with fii-e, waa
the immeUiato entirely of this character ; not the result of a regular sentence,
tfe's^S'thinS'"'"" ^^^ *® Summary vengeance of an incensed multitude. In the
go out of 'ou? ! ^^'™' °^. Moses, the right of the private avenger was distinctly
depth; all we j recognised ; bnt to prevent the dreidful effiecte of sudden aud
tain't'*^'^st° ''"'i * ' I'?'^°'^*l vengeance, cities of refuge were appointed at convenient
thntshows'JS we "^i^^^i^es through the. land of promise, to which the manslayer
„™ ,¦_ ._ .,. might flee for safety, till he could be brought to a regular ti'ial,
before a court of justice. In almost every part of Asia, those who
demand justice against a criminal throw dust upon him, signify.
ing that he deaerves to lose his life, and be cast into the grave ;
and that thia is the true interpretation of the action is evident from
an imprecation in common use among the Turks and Persiaus,
Be covered with earth ; Earth be upon thy head. We have two
remarkable instances of casting dust recorded in Soripture ; the
first ia that of Shimei, who gave vent td his secret hostihty
to David, when he fled before hia rebeUious son, by throwing
stones at hira and casting dust. It was" an ancient custom, in
those warm and arid countries, to lay the dust before a person of
distinction, and particularly before kinga and princes, by sprink-
hng the ground with water. To throw dust into the air while a
person was passing, was therefore an act of great disrespect;
to do so before a sovereign prince, an indecent outrage. But it is
clear from the explanation of the custom, that Shimei meant
more than disrespect and outrage to an aiHicted king, whosft
f Paxton subject he waa ; he intended to signify by that action that David
was unfit to live, and that the time was at last arrived to offer
hira a sacrifice to the arabition and vengeance of the house
of Saul./
r<,o}~^^' ^^^^ Abishai, corap. I Sa. xxvi. 8 ; 2 Sa. xvi. 9.
(,12) any man, etc, raercy and forgiveness were becoming to
such a day of joy. (23) not die, a very limited release : really
no more than not die just now.
n.f Ti "«'.'!"'«»''""':.'/ (V. 23).— I. The kingly scorn with whioh
David forgave the poor abject wreteh. It must have stung him
liousn.^^ *° i"*^ *>* ^'^^''^ ^'^o^S^i him and his past rebel.
and be me, nTft w^ °^ "°*'°"- "' ^^ y°" ^"""^^'J' tlii"^ of David,
there now nU° ^°°i ^'¦f'°'?^^ Shiraei. III.' How many are
there now m the ranks of Christ's friends who once reviled
hla^trytntpe*^S''n^,^\-?&„t""r^^"^^
ateSeTh?h^^S£?? ra/s-eXC t
better. At^ickpaste ot^^^ ^It"^^, ^^^'^^^^

that shows us we
are in an ele-
meut which does
not belong to us."
'—Burke. "Alas! how-
many causes that
can plead well
for themselves
iu the courts
of Weatmmater,
and yet ia the
general court of
the universe, and
free soul of man,
bave no word to
utter!" — Ca'T-
lyle."A curse is like
a cloud, it
passes.*' — Byron.

David
spares
Shimei

V. 21.
iii. 1.

i. Sterne,

'This nor hurts
him, nor proflts
you a jot; for-
hear it, there
fore; give your
cause to heaven."
^'Shakespeare.

Cap. xix. 24—30.]

IJ. SAMUEL.

365

plastered over the beard, and whioh, after remaining an hour, is
all completely washed off, and leaves the hair of a vei-y strong
orange colour, bordering upon that of briokdust. After this, as
thick a paste is made of the leaf of the indigo, which previously
has been pounded to a fine powder, and of this also a deep layer
is put upon the beard ; but this second process, to be teken well,
requires full two hours. During all this operation the patient
lies quietly flat upou his back ; while the dye (raore particularly
the indigo, which is a great astringent) contracte the features of
his face iu a very moumful manner, and causes all the lower
parts of the visage to sraart and bum. When the indigo ia at
last waahed offi, the beard ia of a very dark bottle-green, and
becoraes a jet black only when it has raet the air fof twenty-four
hours. Sorae, indeed, are content with the khenna or orange
colour ; others, raore fastidious, prefer a beard quite blue. The
people of Bokhara are famous for their blue beards.<»
24—30. (24) came down,<" it does not certainly appear
whether he waa wholly faithful : thia is the favourable construc
tion to put on hia conduct. Theae are the actions, or neglectings,
usual in time of grief, beard, the moustache, beard of upper
lip. (25) to Jerusalem, fr. his estate in the highlands of
Benj. (26) deceived me,* evidently scheming to secure favour
for himself. Being lame, Mephib. waa very dependent on others.
(27) good, right iu thy kingly judgment. (28) Language of
excessive submission. (29) Irapatient answer, divide , making
Ziba partner, no longer . servant, (30) all, this shows Dav.'s
enor. Ziba had no more right to half thau to all.
Tlie king's favour is better than life (v. 30). — I. In the absence
of Jesus what is there cau make us happy and content ? II.
In the presence of Jesus how much previously considered need
ful is no longer valued.
A court preaclwr (v. 30). — ^Thomas Fuller, so well known as
the author of the Worthies of England, and other works, on first
coming to London, soon distinguished hiniself so much iu the
pulpite there, that he waa invited by the maater and brotherhood
of tiie Savoy to be their lecturer. Ou the breaking out of the
rebeUion, and when the king left Londdn iu 1641 to raise an
army, Mr. Fuller continued at the Savoy, and laboured all the
while, both in pubUo and private, to promote the cause of the
kiug. On the anniversary of his inauguration, when the king
had left London with a view to commence hostiUties against the
rebels, March 27, 1642, Fuller preached at Westminster Abbey a
sermon from this verse. The serraon, as raay well be supposed,
gave great offence, and the preacher was soon afterwarda forced
to withdraw from London ; on which, he proceeded to Oxford, to
share the fortunes of the king. As Charles had heard much of
hia abilities in the pulpit, he was now desirous of witnessing
them personally ; and accordingly. Fuller preached before his
majesty at St. Mary's Church. The impression which this serraon
made was aingular enough. In London, Fuller had been censured
for being too hot a royalist ; and now he was thought to show
lukewarmness to the royal cause. So far was this however from
being the case that he afterwarda joined the royal army, and
attended it from place to place, constantly exercising the duty
of a chaplain ; and after the battle of Chereton-Down, March 29,
1644 being left at Basing-house, he anunated the garrison to so

E.o. 1023.
"Thereat he
smitten whs with
great afl'right,
anil trembling
terror did his
heart appal, nor
wist he what to
think of that
same night, nor
what to say, nor
what to do at
e.\i:'—Dr. Watts.
a Morier.

Mephibo sheth meets
Davida " The faets re
lated in this V.
tend to clear
M ephiboshsheth
fr. the suspicion
of uniaithf ulness
to David" — Spk.
Com.
b Lit. tripped me
up. V. 29. Dr. J.
Lightfoot.-tii.iOJ.
U.29. "This form
of speech is ex
ceedingly com
mon when a man
wishes to con-
fiim anything,
or when he
wants to give
weight to a pro
mise. To show
ttiat all will be
fulfllled, he saye.
Nan - chim - nain -
nea, 'Ohl Ihave
said it' " — Ro
berts. c Percy Anee.
Maintain your
pastoral integ
rity and inde
pendence, lest
you sear your
conscience,
queneh the Holy
Spirit, forfeit the
confidence of
your people, and
lose the favoiir
OfGod.

366

n. SAMUEL.

[Cap. xlx. 31—35

B.O. 1023.
Barzillaia Ge. xlvii. 9.
V. 32. R. Pol
whele, i. 232.
IW. 32—35. W. F.
-Vance, 229 ; /.
Saurin, iv. 173.
V. 34. /. Tid-
combe, 73 ; Dr. J.
Orton, i. 3.3S; /.
Bretland, li. 86;
Dr.A.Re.es.i.Vli;
J. Bewlett, 417;
T. Rogers, i, 443 ;
C. Simeon, liu
299; Dr. O. Town-
tend, 47; A. Wil
liams, i. 241; Dr.
,T. F Dibden,US;
Dr. R. Barris,
i73; S.Boole,ia7.
b Dr. J. R. Uac-
duff. ¦¦
" Thongh I look
old, yet I am
etrong and lusty ;
for in my youth
I never did apply
hot and rebel
lious liquors in
tny hlood ; nor
did not with un-
bashful forehead
woo the means
of weakness and
debility ; there
fore my age is as
a lusty winter,
frosty, but
kindly.''— «Aoi«-
speare. "His mien is
lofty, his de
meanour great,
nor sprightly
folly wantons in
his air; nor dull
serenity becalms
his eyes, such
had I trusted
once as soon as
seen ; but cau
tious age sus
pects the flatter
ing form, and
only credits what
experience tells."
—Jolmson. "Care keeps hie
¦watch in every
old man's eye."
— Shakespeare.
*''When men
grow virtuous in
tbeir old age,

vigorous a defence of that plaoe, that Sir WilUam WaUer was
obUged to raise the siege with considerable loss."
31—35. (31) Barzillai, ch. xvii. 27. (32) great, in wealth
and position. (33) feed, give honom- of a seat at the royal table.
(34) long, eie.,'' too old to make such a change. (35) Enumera
tion of infirmities of great age.
Barzillai (vv. 31, 37, 39), — Observe conceming Barzillai — I.
His pity for the fallen (2 Sa. xvii. 29). Pity for the unfortunate
is one of the finest traite in the humau character. II. His dis
interested loyalty. Barzillai thinks not of expediency ; he does
what is right, in spite of prudence. III. His estimate of life.
We cannot possibly pronounce ou his piety. Yet we would
accept his worda aa the apostrophe of a good and venerable old
man, who tekes the grand view of life as a prelude to another.
Apply these words of BarziUai to — 1. The young man ; 2. The
man of business ; 3. The chUd of pleasure ; 4. The fruitiess
professor.' Happiness in old age (v. 34). — Wilberforce remarked, " I cau
acarcely understand why my life is spared so long, except it be
to show that a man can be aa happy without a fortune as with
one." And soon after, when his only surviving daughter died,
he writes, " I have often heard that sailors on a voyage wiU
drink, ' Friends astern 1' till they are half way over ; then,
' Frienda ahead I' With me it has been ' Friends ahead 1' thia
long tivae," ^ Old age of tlie good amd blessed state, — 'Tohim,"
observes the biographer of Archbishop 'Leighton, "death had lost
its sting ; it was become a pleasant therae, and gave occasion to
some of his most cheerful sayings. He would corapare the heavy
load of clay with which the soul is encumbered to the rairy boots
of which the traveller divests himself ou finishing his jouruey ;
and he could not disguise his own wish to be speedily unclothed,
instead of lingering below tiU hia garmenta were wom out, or
dropped off through old age. In general his temper waa serene
rather than gay ; but hia nephew states that, if ever he rose to an
unusual pitch of vivacity, it was when some illness attacked him ;
when, from the shaking of the prison doors, he was led to hope
that sorae of those brisk blasts would throw thera open, and give
him the release he coveted. Then he seemad to stand tiptoe on
the margin of etemity; in a delightful amazement of spirit,
eagerly waiting the summons, and feeding his soul with the
prospect of imraortel life and glory. Soraetiraes, while contera
plating his future resting-place, he would break out into that
noble apostrophe of pious George Herbert —
' Oh, let me roost and nestle there I
Then of a sinner thou art rid.
And I of hope and fear.'
Thus hath the prospect of speedily having done with the world,
and going to be ' with Christ, which is far better,' comforted the
hearte of God's people under their most overwhelming sorrows ;
and the sarae source of consolation would prove equally abundant
and efficaoioua stiU, were the hearts and conversations of believers
raore in heaven. But alas ! alaa 1 this world ia too much the
home of many of God's people. They are too much engrossed
with its cares, too muoh occupied with ite pursuits, too muoh
fascinated with ite enjoyments, too sanguine in theu' expecta
tions of what it is calculated to yield them ; and thus, what was

Cap. xlx. 33—43.1

//. SAMUEL.

3G7

intended to animate and console them under trial— the shortness
of their stey where alone trial can reach them— is converted into
a source of uneasiness and disquiet. Let us rouse ourselves from
suoh earthliness ; let us have our conversation in heaven, from
whence also we look for the Saviour ; and then, in the deepest
affliction, we may apply to ourselves the words of the poet —
' Though long of wind and waves the sport,
Condemned in wretehedness to roam.
Soon shalt thou reach a sheltering port,
A quiet home.'"
36 — 40. (36) such a reward, as to make him a courtier.
(37) Aged people become greatly attached to their ancestral
homes. Chimham, his son." (38^ will do, et^., Chimham
seema to have received an inheritance at Betiilehem.' (39)
people, meaning David's party. (40) conducted, teking the
principal parts and poaitions. This gave great offence.
An old man blessed by tlie hing (v. 39). — I. Respect is due to
old age. (a) The past at the close of which it stands ; (b) The
future, to the confines of which it has come. II. The king's
blessing the best one for old age. Barzillai would ;:ejoice that
he had lived to see the kiug — would of ten speak of the interview.
Does the bleasing of Christ rest on you old men ?
The. obl'irioiisness of ai?*.- Custom ao fai; regulates the senti
mente, at least of common minds, that I believe men may be
generally observed to grow less tender, as they advance Lnage.
He who, when life was new, melted at the loss of every com
panion, can look in time, without concem, upon the grave into
which hia last friend was iiirown, and into which himself is
ready to fall ; not that he is more willing to die than formerly,
but that he ia more familiar to the death of others, and there
fore is not alarmed so far aa to consider how much nearer he
approaches his end. But this is to suhmit temely to the tyranny
of accident, and to suffer our reason to lie useless. Every funeral
may justly be considered as a summons to prepare for that stete
into which it shows us th;3t we must sometime enter ; and the
Bummons is raore loud and piercing, as the event of which it
warns us is at less distance. To neglect at any time preparation
for death, is to sleep on our post at a siege ; but to omit it in old
age, is to sleep at an attack."
41—43. (41) stole thee away," poss. no gathering of the
entire nation had been called to escort the king, so the othei
tribes felt slighted. (42) near of kin, they stood upou their
tribal righte. eaten, etc., they made out that their act was one
of simple duty, and did dot involve advantage over others. (43)
fiercer,' harder, more bitter, in the contention following.
Rivalry (v. 43).— I. Both these parties professed to love the
king, each had his way of showing it, II. One party displeased
with the other whose way succeeded, though both aimed at the
sarae thing. III. The successful party instead of being most
rancorous should have shown the greater kindness. IV. In this
way may have been sown thoae seeda of strife that bore such
bitter fmit in Rehoboam's time. ^u iii,„™o« ^f
Tlie resentment of Israel (v. 41 ).— The pretence that tiie^nen of
Judah had stolen him away was unreasonable and unjust, for
whUe he was at Mahanaun, the tribes on that side Jordan aU

B.O. 1023.
they are merely
making a sacri-
fieo to God of
tbe devil's leav
ings." — Swift.

Chimham
a I Ki. ii. 7.
b Comp. Je. xU.
17.
e. 87. J. Grant,
220. " What is age
but the holy
p'aee of life,
chapel of ease
for all men's
wearied mise
ries? Anil t»
rob that of her
ornament it is
accursed, as from
a priest to steal
a holy vestment,
ay, and convert
it to a sinful
covering."— Jfai-
singer.
¦"The leaves of
memory seem to
make a mourn
ful rustling m
the AajA^-Long-
fellow. c Johnson.

strife be-
tween Israel
and Judah
a " Got posaefl-
sion by stealthy,
underhand pro
ceedings." — Spk.
Com.b "Here wa.1 »
festerment that
broke out at &
future day." —
Chalmers."Never do any
thing that can
denote an angry
mind; fjr, al
though every
body is bom wlill

368

17. SAMUEL,

[Oap. XX. 1—^

B.C. 1023.

ft certain degree
of passion, and,
from untoward
circumstances,
¦will Bometiir.Qi
feellts operation,
and be what they
call 'out oE hu-

declared for him, and accompanied him to the passag-e of thafc
river, and went over with him to join the ^fst of their brethren.

who were come down to meet him ; so that when they were all
united at the passage of the river, there were actually present, by
large deputetions, the tribes of Judah, Benjamm, and tive oUiera,
who waited on him in his march to Gilgal. The truth of the
case seems to be, thatthe deputations frorathe more distant tribes,
not being able to get farther than Gilgal, before the king's arrival
rihTeman'^Tri tiiere, envied the other tribes, and particularly that, of Judah,
woman will' which had the principal share in providing everything necessary
never allow it to f qj thg Idng's passage over Jordan, and laid hold of the first
Check ^"and re- ' opportunity to express their resentment against them. This was
strain it; never i heightened by the imprudent haughty answer vfhich the men
make any deter- i of Judah made to their expostulation, that they had a peculiax
right in the king, as he was near akin to them, because he was
of their own tribe : and seeming to insinuate that they came
voluntarily, but that the other tribes came with an expectetion
of being provided for at the king's expense, and hoping some
donation from him, as the reward of their submission to him. This,
I thiuk, is plainly implied, when- they told them : '¦ Have we
eaten at all at the king's cost? Or hath he given ns any gift f"
Words which seem to carry a tecit insinuation, that other tribes
expected both. This reflection, and the claim of a particular
interest in the king, disgusted all the other tribes in general, and
disposed them to enter into violent measures to revenge them
selves. David, upon the whole, seems to me to be nowise blame-
able on account of Sheba's revolt, but that it was occasioned by
misunderstandings between the tribes themselves, which it waa
not at that time In his power to prevent.'

mination until
you flnd it has
entirely sub-
Bided; and al
ways avoid say-
ingaoythiugtbatyou may wish
unsaid." — Ld,
Collingwood,"Contention,
like a horse full
of high feeding,
madly hath
broke loose, and
hears down all
before him." —
Shakespeare.e.Chandler.

B.C. dr. 1022.
. Sheba and
Amasa
a 2 Sa. xvi. 7,
xxii. 5. " The
usual term of in
vective cast to
aud fro between
the various par
ties in the state."
^Stanley. b Ge. xlvi. 21 ; 1
Chr. vii. e— 8.
e "Ineligible for
re - marriage." —
Ewald,
d As having led
Ab.'s force it
might be sup
posed Judah
¦would quickly
respond to his
call.See Bp. Baa,-Con-
temp.
e Bobert).

CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH.
1 — 5. (1) there, where the altereation took place. Belial,
De. xiii. 13." Benjamite, fr. the mountains of Ephraim.
Should be a Bich-rite, or descendant of Becher, son of Benjamin.'
to hig tents, usual watehword of insurrections. (2) went up,
fr. Gilgal and Jordan plain. (3) had left, ch. xv. 16. widow
hood, Heb. midomliood of life .-' regarding them as defiled iy
Ab.'s sin. (4) Amasa, now occupying Joab's place.'' He had
not Joab's proraptness or influence. (5) tarried, the fact is
stated, but the reason not assigned.
The disputes of brethren an opportivrnty fw the foe (». 1). —
Connect with last horaily. I. A soft answer from Judah would
have turned away the wrath of Israel. II. The resentraent of
Israel was as fuel for the spark of rebellion. III. It needed only
a man of Belial to apply the torch and set the kingdom in a blaze.
IV. The same principle wUl apply to parties in poUtics— to
ohurches— to farailies.
No part in David (v. 1).— When slavea are liberated from their
ownera, they say, " We have nopangu, i.e. part, in them, nor they
m us. It IS also very coramon to mention the nanie of the
person, and that of his father ; and this sometiraes iraplies dis
grace, especially when the family has arisen frora obscurity and
therefore to aUude to ite origin u to insult the descendants.'—

Cap. XX. 6—10.

U. SAMUEL.

369

Lmng m midowhood (v. 3).— In China, when an emperor dies, aU
his women are reraoved to an edifice called the Palace of Chastity,
situated within the waUs of the palace, in which they are shut
np for the remainder of their lives./
6—10. (6) Abishai, putting a new slight on Joab.a fenced
Cities, involving the perils and anxieties of siege. It was im
portant to nip this sudden insurrection in the bud. . (7) Che
rethites, etc. ch. viu. 18. (8) Gibeon, El Jib, 5 or 6 m. NN.W.
of Jerus. went before, better advanced to meet : or hurriedly
overtook them.» fell out, of its sheath, wh. was fastened to the
girdle." (9) by the beard, this action would hide the left-
handed thrust A mode of friendly salutetion. (10) fiftli rib,
oh. ii. 23. so, better and.
Som is it with your soul? («?. 9). — ^We shall- isolate these words,
" Art thou in health," etc., frora the context, using them in rela
tion to spiritual health. There is abundant reason for our
solicitude. A lack of spiritual health implies unhappiness. 'The
backslider is necessarily miserable. Propound the question to
some, who — I. Though in health, answer dubiously. The aged
often draw mistaken conclusions from the fact that — 1 . Their feel
ings are not so intense as thay were. The question is. Are you
making progress ? not. Are you as enthusiastic as when you
started 1 Feeling is a sun-dial, God's Word the unalterable time
piece ; 2. Their prayers seem unanswered. The woraan of
Canaan. At first, " not a word." Yet afterwards Christ said,
" Woman, great is. thy faith ; " 3. Their labours are less abundant
(see Nu. viii. 2.5). II. Though lacking health, reply in the aihrm-
ative. Becanse- 1. No outward marks. The deadliest form of the
plague that ravaged London waa that which gave the leaat sign.
Heart disease exists while the body is hale and strong ; 2. No
fear of immediate danger. All departures from God are dan
gerous, and result in sorrow. III. Knowing their state aright,
answer in the negative, let us — 1. Inquire as to your symptoras.
As to— (1) Your pulse. Is it vigorous, or has joy fled, and zeal
gone 1 (2) Your tongue. Is it olean 1 (3) Your appetite. Does
it loath wholesorae fare 1 (4) Your spirits. Do they flag ? Are
you peevish ? (5) Your strength. Have you no ability to give,
to work, to obey 1 (6) Your memory. Are past mercies, past
trials, forgotten ; 2. Prescribe sorae reraedies. Don't think
lightly of your case. Nor yield to despair. (1) Avoid all that
disagrees with your health : camal pleasures, evil companions.
(2) Seek solitude. Be often alone with the Good Physician,
Virtue goeth out of Hira. (3) Take freely of bitter herbs ; medi
tations on apostesy — Judas, Demas. Think how you grieve
Christ and the Church. (4) Take the balm of GUead. The doc
trine of God's unchanging love, Hia encouraging proraises. (,"5)
Take plenty of exercise. Attend the means of grace ; go into
the vineyard.''
Kiss'mg the beard (v. 9). — ^D'Arvieux was present at an Arabian
entertainment, to which carae all the emirs, a little while after
his arrival, accompanied by. their frienda aud attendante : and
after the uaual civilitiea, caresses, hissings of the beard, and of
the hand, which every one gave and reoeived according to his
rank and dignitv, sat down upon mate. It was in this way,
perhaps, that Joab pretended to testify hia respect for Amasa, his
rival in the favour of the king ; he took him by the beard to
vou III. O.T. ^ ¦*¦

B.C. cir. 1022.
vv. 1, 2. Dr. D.
Waterland. viii.
.138; //. Lindsay,
ii. 210.
f Burder.
Joab alays
Amasa and
pursues
Sheba
a " Prob. as the
king was on bad
terms with Joab,
and wish'^d to
deprive bim of
his post as cap*
tain of the host,
ho gave his or
ders to Abishai,
and weakly con
nived at tlie exe
cution of th em by
Joab, which was
inevitable.''-i^(fc. Com.
b Jamieson, Kitto.
c *' As if by acci
dent, bnt, in
reality, this was
so contrived hy
Joab, in order
that he might use
it against Amasa
without putting
him ou his guard
by drawing it fr.
the scabbard."—
Wordsuiorlh.
djt. A. Griffin.
e Paxton.
" Malice is the
devil's picture.
l.ust makes men
brutish, and ma
lice maljes them
devilish. IVIalice
is mental mur
der; you may kill
a man aod never
touch him;
'W hosoever
hateth his bro
ther Is a mur
derer.'"—?. Wat-

" Malice is a set
tled or deliberate
determination to
revenge or do
hurt to another.
It more fre
quently denotes
the disposition of
inferior minds to
execute every
purp,)se of mis-
cbief within tha

370

//. SAHUEL.

reap. :

. 11-22.

B,0. dr. 1032.
more limited
circle of their
abiUties." — C.
Buck.•' Malice scom'd
puts out itself;
but argued, Kives
a kind of credit
to a false accu
sation." — Mas
singer. " The history of
the world tells us
that immoral
means will ever
intercept good
eais."— Coleridge.

JoabbesiegresBeth-maachaha Fr. Old Eng.
wai we; A. S.
wealowian, to roll
oneself about, as
in mire.
6 " As the army
came up, every
one halt d at the
ghastly sight. Its
removal broke
the spell." — Stan
ley.c "Now called
Abel-el-Kaneh, on
east side of
frtream Dedara,
above the waters
of Merom." —
Wordsworth
d Spk. Com.
e The Ponusrium.
f Cowper.
the head of
Sheba sent
to Joab
a 2 Sa, xiv. 2,
Bistoric parallels ;
Joab sends a
wise woman to
the king; now
receives instrue-
tioii from one
himself. Sheba
Blain by a
woman ; so, too,
was Abimelech,
Sisera, etc.
"Intrepidity Is
an extraordinary
Btrengthotmind, which raises it

kiss him, or agreeably to the custom of these emirs, or Arabian
chieftains, to kiss the beard iteelf ; and in this stooping posture
he could muoh better aee to direct the blow, than if he had only
held his beard, and raised himself to kiss his face ; while Amasa,
charmed by this high corapliraent, which wa.'s ueither suspicious
nor unusual, and undoubtedly returning it with corresponding
politeness, paid no attention to the sword in the hand of his
murderer. It is extremely probable that Judas betrayed his Lord
in the sarae way, by kissing his /beard. The evangeliste Matthew
and Mark say, that he came directly to Jesus, and saidj Hail,
Master, and kissed him ; but Luke seeraa to hint, that Judas
saluted him with more respect. Jesus, according to Matthew,
hadtime to say, before he received the kiss frora Judas, " Friend,
wherefore art thou corae 1 " and while Judas waS; kissing His
beard, Jesus raight express Himself with great ease and propriety,
as Luke relates, " Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with
a kiss ? "«
11—15- (11) men, servants, by him, body of Amasa, for
David, insinuating the disloyalty of Amasa. (12) wallowed,
V. 10." stood still,'' as ch. ii. 23 : this neairly spoiled Joab's
expedition, (13) after Joab, the well-known leader, (14)
Abel of Beth-maachah, should be one word : a town in the
N,W, of Palestine,' in tribe of Dan : it was fortified. Berites,
inhabitante of the district : or it may refer to fortresses'* of N.
Palestine. (15) bank, on which to plaut engines, trench,'
fortified space outeide the wall.
Removing hindrances to popularity (v. 12).— -I. We have the
people filled with horror at the sight of one dead mau. They
could not advance with that corpse in the way. II. In the path
of progress are many who are morally dead. They block the way.
III. The dead must be removed to make way for the march of
living men.
Excitement qf popularity.—
Some shout him, and some hang npon his ear.
To gaze in 's eyes and bless him. Maidens wave
Their 'kerchiefs, and old women weep for joy ;
While others, not so satisfied, unhorse
Tlie gilded equipage, and, tuming loose
His steeds, usurp a place they well deserve/
• l^~^^' *-^^) ^^'^® woman, a person of some authority and
influence. (17) near, as near as waa safe. (18) ask at Abel,
this -was a proverb based on the traditional wisdom of the people
at Abel. Joab had not asked whether they agreed with
bheba. (19) I, perhaps she was jndge, or ruler, of the city. (20)
Joab was wUlmg to slay for necessity or poUoy, but not naturally
a blood-thirsty man. (21) deliver him, the fight was only to
secure a traitor. (22) in her wisdtfm, persuading them to
sacrifice one who was reaUy their enemy.
Traditional wisdom (v. 18).— I. Quite a number of curious pro
verbs have been originated by the situation and' character of
places. II Here is a place which of old time was famous for ite
wisdom. Now lte repntetion for wisdom ia maintained by one— a
woman, HI- Her shrewdness suggeste a way out of a great war.
She would discover the reason of the siege, and then raised the
Biege by dehvermg Sheba.

Cap. xxl. 1—6.1

n. SAMUEL.

371

The city of Abel (v. 1 8). — Intimating that the city of Abel was
very famous, in ancient times, for giving advice, and determining
controversies. But of this there is no intimation except in this
place, and the sense seems very forced and unnatural. I think
B. S, Jarchi's exposition leads to the true interpretation, which
our leamed Bishop Patrick seems also to approve ; who obaervea,
that the Hebrew word refera, not to old time, but the beginning
of the siege. Aa if she had said. When the people saw thee lay
siege to the city, they said, surely they wUl aak ua, if we will
have peace, and then we shall soon come to an agreement, and
make an end; putting Joab in mind of the rule in the law,
Deut. XX. 10, which coraraands them to offer peace to the cities
of other nations, when they came to besiege them, and therefore
much raore to a city of then- own', as Abel was. Tlda agreea well
¦with what follows, that ttiey were a peaceable people, and faith
ful to their prince, and therefore would not have refused to yield
to him upon summons.''
23—26.' (23) all the host, Dav. dared not remove him.
Benaiah, ch. viii. 18. (24) Adoram, or Adonham, 1 Ki. iv. 6.
tribute, or revenues, recorder," or remembrancer, or histo
rian. (25) Sheva, or Seraiah, (26) chief ruler, oh. viii. 18,
comp, ch. xxiii. 38, perhaps .Tairite should be Ithrite.
David's officers. — I. In the government of a, kingdom it is
needful to have office well distributed. (1) Monopoly of power
prevented ; (2) Inconvenience arising out of the death of one
holding many oflSces ; (3) He who has but one office will discharge
the duty of it better ; (4) This applies also to offices in the Churoh,
II. Self is a kingdom whereiu memory ie the scribe, and consci
ence the recorder, etc Ail members have not the same office, ete.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST.
1  6. (1) days of David," the time of it is not fixed.
Woody house, family on wh. rests the guilt of shedding innocent
blood, slew, etc, not else narrated. (2) had sworn, Joa. ix.
15. zeal, one of his fits of religions mania. (3) atonement,
reconciliation. (4) no money payments in compensation, but
blood for blood. (5) the man, avenging of blood must be teken
of the family of the murderer. (6) seven, tieated as a perfect
number, hang them up, after death; not put to death by
hanging.* Eam.ine a punishment for sin (v. 1).— The history teaches us—
I. In what light we should view pubUo calamities. II. The way
in which we may get them removed. We should — 1. Inquire
into then- smful causes ; 2. Put away whatever is displeasing to
Spurious zeal (v. 2).— Let us take heed we do not sometimes
call that zeal for God and His Gospel, which is nothing else btit
our own tempestuous and stonny passion. True zeal is a sweet,
heavenly and gentle flame, which maketh ns active for God, bnt
al\^-ays within the sphere of love. It never ca-Us for " fire from
heaven" to censure those who differ a little from us m their
apprehensions. It is like that kind of lightnmg (which the
philosophers speak of) which melte the sword withm. but smeeth
A. A 2

B.o. dr. 1022.
above tho tron
bles and disor
ders, aud the
emotions, which
the sight of great
perils is calcu
lated to excite.
It is by this that
heroes maintain
themselves in a
tranquil state of
mind, and pre
serve the free
use of their rea
son under the
most surprising
and terrible cir
cumstances," —
La Rochefoucauld.
b Chandler.
David's
officers
a 2 Sa. viii. IG—
18,
"As islanda
stand in grand
solitude in tha
midst of seas, so
great minda
dwell alone amid
tbe little souls
which all tha
circles of life.".^
Dr. Thomat.

B.O. dr. 1021.
the three
years'
famine
a "This chap.
appears to come
from a different
source." — Spk.
Com.

b Nu. xxv. 4 ; Do.
xxi. 22.
See Bp. BaU,
Contemp.
V. 1. TV. Gougs,
Godls Three Ar
rows. 129; W.
Reading, ii. 373;
J. Fawcett, iii.
371 ; B. Lindsay,
ii. 254; Bp. Arm
strong, 210.
c 0. SimtOD.

372

n. SAMUEL.

[Cap. ssX. 7—14.

B.C. a'r. 1021.
d Cudworth.
the sons
of Bizpah
a Q-e. xxxvi. 24.
h 1 Sa. xviii. 19.
t "The rain
came to the
thirsty land as
token of for
giveness.'* —
Wordsworth.
V. 10. R. Warner,
iii. 1 ; //. Bughes,
Fem. Char. ii. 25G.
r. 10. "Speaking
of a great preci
pice near Bylan,
Mr.Parsonssaya,•three loaded
camels fell down
theprecipics,andwere killed on
the spot, in my
remembrance;and what is very
' remarkable, in
less than thirty
hours after their
loads wei e taken
off, there was not
left a piece of
flesh, but all was
devoured by tbe
vultures in the
day, and the
beasts of prey,
mostly jackals,
in the night.' " —
Burd£rd Barmer.
David buries
the remains
of Saul aud
Jonathan
a Excited by Hiz-
pah's example to
do honour to
bodies of Saul
and Jonathan.
TO. 11— 14. J.B.
Pott, ii. 176.
When Dr. John
son died mauy
began to revile
him; and Dr
Parr said, "Ah.
now that the old
lion is dead,
every ass thinks
ho may Ifick at
him'.'

not the scabbard : it strives to save the soul, but hurteth not the
body."* 7—11. (7) Lord's oath, 1 Sa. xviii. 3, xx. 8, 42. (8) Riz-
pah, ch. iii. 7. Aiah, is a foreign (Horite) name."" Michal,
should be Merab.'' marg. Michal's sister. (9) in the hill, v. 6.
(10) water dropped,'^ if the rains of October, she watched six
months : or special rain may have been sent. (11) told Dav. ,
her devotion exciting attention.
Rizpah matching the slain (v. 10). — I. Should we in our love
for the Crucified One be outdone by the love of Eizpah for the
slain ? Shall we weary of considering His pains ! II. > Should we
not treat worldly and sinful thoughte gg Eizpah did the birds of
the air % III. Should not we bravely contend with the foes of
Jesus, as she with the beasts %
Heavy rain in tite East (vv. 9, 10). — Such a late spring rain
would have been attended, as the rain at Sidon was, with many
advanteges ; and coming after all hope of common rain was over,
and presently following the death of these persona oh the other
hand, would be a much more merciful management of Provi
dence, aud a much nobler pi'oof that the execution waa the
appointment of God, and not a political stratagem of David, than
the passing of six months over without any rain at aU, and then
ite falling only in the comraon track of things. This explana
tion also throws light on the closing part of this story, "And
after that God was entreated for the land." Dr. Delaney seeras
to suppose that the performing these funeral rites was requisite
to the appeasing God : bnt could that be the raeaning of the
clause ? Were the ignominy of a death the law of Moses pro
nounced accursed, and the honour of a royal funeral, both neces
sary raediuras of appeasing the Almighty? Is it not a much
easier interpretation of this clause. The rain that dropped ou
these bodies was a great mercy to the country, and the return of
the rains in due quantities afterward, in their season, proved that
God had been entreated for the land?'*
IS — 14. (12) went, did not merely send, but went himself."
Jabesh, 1 Sa. xxxi. 11—13. (13)* them . . hanged, v. 9.
(14) Zelah, Jos. xviii. 28.
Animosity ends inthe grave (v. 14). — I. Considering what David
had suffered at the hands of Saul this was noble on his part.
Compare with the exhuming and hanging of Cromwell. II.
Learn the foUy of that little spite which pursues even the dead
with its harmless hate.
Beth-shan (v. 12),— Calmet saya on this, " House, or temple of
the tooth, or of ivory ; from both, a house, and shen, a tooth.
This title means, no doubt, simply the temple of the tooth, but
we have no reason to conclude that a tooth ouly was worshipped
in any temple in Canaan ; it must have been the- symbol of
some deity." Calmet then proceeds to show that this may have
been the god Ganesa of the East, who is represented with an
elephant's head, and supposes the tuska are alluded to by the
tooth. I ara not aware, however, of any such distinction being
made in that deity, and think it unlikely that his tusk would
give tho name toa temple. Is it not a curious fact, that the
tooth of Buddha is the mest sacred and precious relie, m the
opinion of the inhabitente of Siam, of the Burman Empire, £tnd

Cap. xxl. 15-22.1

//. SAMUEL.

373

of Ceylon? That tooth is kept in the teraple of Kandy, the
capital of Ceylon. Buddhisra is the religion of China, and of
those countries alluded to, and it was formerly the religion of
multitudes in India.'
15—18. (15) war again, time referred to cannot be fixed,
waxed faint, so was in some peril. (16) Ishbi-benob," i.e.
wlio.ie dwelling is at Nab. the giant, Na-haphah,'' (17) no
more go out, this explains ch. xviii. 3. (18) at Gob, same as
Gezer, or near it,'' mod. El Kiibab, 4 m. E. of Joppa. Sibbechai,
corap. ch. xxiii. 27.
David and the giants (y. 16). — I. Compare the two giante
GoUath and Ishbi-benob. Goliath the greater, his spear twice
the weight. II. Compare David at the two periods of his life.
Then a stripling : forty years had passed, he is now an old raan,
but brave as ever. III. Giante to fight all Ihrough life, we must
be brave iu youth if we conquer iu old age. IV. Lesser giants at
the end of life more difficult to overcorae than greater ones at
the firat. V. But God giveth the victory in youth and age.
The great Duke of Argyle. — At the siege of Mons during the
glorious career of Marlborough, the Duke of Argyle ioined an
attacking corps when it was on the point of shrinking frora the
contest ; and pushing araong thera, open-breasted, he exclairaed.
" You see, brothers, I have no concealed annour ; I am equally
exposed with yon ; I require none to go where I shall refuse to
venture. Eemeraber you fight for the liberties of Europe, and
the glory of your nation, which shall never suffer by my behaviour ;
and I hope the character of a Briton is as dear to every one of
you." Thia spirit animated the soldiers ; the assault was made,
and the work was carried.*
19—22. (19) Comp. 1 Chr. xx. 5, where the name is given as
Lahmi. Oregim, raeans of rveavers, poss. name added after his
son's exploit" (20) Evidently a monster : not more efficieiit beo.
having six fingers and toes. (21) defied, as 1 Sa. xvii. 2C.
Shimeah, ch. xni. 3. (22) four, comp. 1 Chr. xx. 8.
Confidence in animal courage and brute force.— 1. This con
fidence is characteristic of serai-barbarous people. II. The vanity
of it is raanifested by men of faith. III. The history is sugges
tive of the triuraph of mind over matter, of right over might, of
truth over mal-f ormed error.
Description ofa giant.— " There was one
Who when I saw him firat sat by a fire :
An egg, an hour-glass and a water bowl
Being before him. All he said was thia : —
When the sand is ruu
The egg is done.
This he first boiled, then roasted, and then ate.
Student. What sort of one ? Perhaps an ostrich egg I
Festus. Much larger. Here is nothing of the kind.
The yolk waa like the sun seen in a fog ; -
The white was thin and clouded, and the sheU
Heavy and hard as is our earth-pie crust
A wheat-stack of our friend's here would but make
One loaf of bread for them. Oak trees they use
As pickles, and tall pines as toothpicks ; whales,
In their own blubber fried, serve as mere fish

b Roberts.

David and
Ishbi-benob
a Comp. Goliath,
1 Sa. xvii.
6 Go. xiv 6; Do.
ii. II, 20, iii. 13;
Joa. xii. 4, etc.
c Jos. X. S3; 1
Chr. XX. 4.
" As Chriat was
belli aLamb and
a Lion, ao is
evpry Christian :
a 1-imb for pa
tience in sulTer-
ing and inno-
ceuce of life; a
lion for boldness
in hia innocency.
I would so order
my courage aud
mildness that 1
may be neitiier
lion-likn in my
conversation nor
sheepish in tbe
derence ofa good
cause. "-fl;). Hall.
d Percy Anec.

the e:iants
of Philistia
a Wordsworth.
" Physical cou
rage is chiefly
a conatitutional
iendowment, though itmay ba
cultivated by ju
dicious training.
It is that un
flinching steadi
ness of nerve
Wliich impelled
Putnam to enter
the wolfs den,
and luce the
greedy brute in
his very lair. It
is a sentiment
which renderp an
individual supe
rior to a feeling
of personal dan
ger. It pecu
liarly heflts the
soldier and the
seaman, and all
who aro called
upon to e,vercjse
cooi judgment ia
Bituationti of

874

n. SAMUEL.

{Cap. xxii. 1—ia

B.O. ctr. 1021.
peril." — S. a.
Goodrich.
b Baileys.
"A great mind,
like a great ship,
cannot move in
shallow water.
Giveit seadepth,
and sea room,
and it shall bear
cargoes to serve
the nations." .—
Dr. Thomas.

B.O. 1018.
Savid'ssong: of
praise

a " It belongs to
early part of
Dav.'s reign,
when he was re-
cently esta
blished upon the
throne ol Israel,
and his triumph
over his eneuies
was still fresh."-
Spk. Com.

b 1 Sa, ii. 1,
Lu. 1. 69.

10;

m. 1 — 3. Bp. Tom-
line, A Ser. (1798),
m. 2—3. Bp. E.
Smith (1698).

». S. Dr. R. Tay
lor, iii. 320.
•' Mediocrity ia
not allowed to
poeta, either by
the goda or
men." — Borace. -
a Burder.

« "A word of
Egyptian origin,
bnt difflcult to
explain. It has
no .Semitic ety-

To bait their appetites. Boiled elephante,
Rhinoceroses, and roasted crocodiles —
Everything dished up whole — with lions stewed,
Shark sauce, and eagle pie, and young giraffes, ,
Make up a potluck dinner, — if there's plenty.
Then as for game, tho pterodactyls
And ichthyosauri are great dainties there
Coming in season only once an age.
They reckon there by ages, not by years.
Student. And as to beverage ?
Festus. Oh ; if thirsty, they
Will lay them down and drink a river dry.
Nor once draw breath.
Parson. Ah 1 camel, gnat, and aU."*

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND.
1 — 4. (1) this song," comp. Ps. xviu. (2) rook, Heb. sela,,
a high cliff or crag, sought for refuge. (3) rock, Heb. tsur,
soraething solid, firra, unmovable. shield, as Ge. xv. 1 ; De.
xxxiii. 29. horn,!' symbol of strength ; the horn of the animal
is his strength and defence. (4) call on, with the language of
trust and thanksgiving.
David's song of victory (v. 4). — Compare with ordinary songs of
triuraph in which national heroes are lauded. I. David's reso
lution : " I will call, etc." II. David's reason : " Who is worthy,
ete." 'He had learned this (a) from a study of the Divine
character, (b) from a review of past history. III. David's con
fidence : " So shall I, eto." Whatever (a) their individual strength,
or (b) their collective numbera.
6 — 0. (5) waves, in psalm, toj-j'o?!)*, Heb. cords, fig. of hunter's
net ungodly, of Belial. (6) sorrows, eocrfs.- matching the
word snares. (7) temple. Heaven as God's dwelling-place
realised by raan. (S) Strong poetic fig, of the comraotion of war.
(9) out of, by his, v. 15, sign of anger.
Out of the deptlis (v. 7). — I. Our God is one who may be con
fidently approached in great extremities. II, Ho ought, there
fore, to be served at all times. Ill, The cry of distressed souls
mourning their sin and weakness is heard in heaven.
Tlw, snares of death (v. 6). — Thia is an illusion to the ancient
manner of hunting, which is still practised in some countries,
and was perforraed by surrounding a considerable tract of ground
by a circle of nets, and afterward contracting the circle by
degrees, till they had forced all the beaste of that quarter to
gether into a narrow corapass, and theu it was that the slaughter
began. This raanner of hunting was nsed in Italy of old, as
well as all over the Eastern parts of the world, and it was frora
this custora that the poets soraetiraes represented Death as sur
rounding persons with his nete, and as encompassing them ou
every side."
10 — 13. (10) bowed, as in storra the clouds come down
lower, darkness, of the black storra-oloud. (11) cherub,"
fig. of the wind, as a servant of God or Hia chariot. Second
clauses of v. in this song often explain figures of the firat clausca.

Cap. xxii. 14—19.]

//. SAHUEL,

375

(12) pavilions, royal tente.* dark waters, Heb. binding of | b.o. rfr.iois.
water. (13) brightness, of Ughtning.
2'he -w'md. —

North win^s send hail, south winds bring rain,
East winds we bewail, west winds blow amain ;
North-east is too cold, south-east not too warm.
North-west is too bold, south-west doth no harm.

The north ia a noyer to grass of all suites.
The east a destroyer to herb and all fruits ;
The south, with his showers, refresheth the com,
The west, to all flowera, may not be forborne.
The west, as a father, all goodness doth bring,
The east, a forbearer no mannea- of thing ;
The south, as unkind, draweth sickness too near,
The north, as a friend, maketh aU again clear.
With temperate wind, we be blessed of God,
With tempest we find, we are beat with Hii rod :
All power, we know, to remain in His hand
However wind blow, by sea or by land.
Though winds do rage as winds were wood,
And cause spring tides to raise great flood.
And lofty ships leave anchor in raud,
Bereaving raany of life and of blood ;
Yet true it is, as cow chews cud.
And trees, at spring, do yield forth bud,
Except wind stands, as never it stood,
It is an ill wind turns none to good."
j4_19 (14) Thunder regarded by pious soul is the voice of
God (15) Some of the figures may be taken from the scene of
the Exodus. (16) channels. ^fc, as Bx. xiv. 21, 22. blast, «io,
comn Ex xi-v. 21. (17) took me, passing from historical to
personal references. (18) strong enemy,
¦vented," v. 6. , .
The arrows of tU Almighty (v. ]5).-I. Are numerous, raany
have sped, others on the string, the qmver yet well supphed 11.
Far-flving Few could use the bow of Rohm Hood : but who
can aend^an arrow so far as God? Ill, WeU-aimed, Men may
draw a bow at a venture: with them it is olten hit oi- miss.
With God -there is no chance work. The statue of Apollo
Belvedere represente the god with a bow ^'^,^\'^^fJlZ7cttL
the arrow has flown, and on his face a look of scorn for thfe
fugitive who thought to escape hira. IV. Happy are those who
are wounded by the arrow of truth before they are struck by the
^^Zrmf^f\nViction (v. 15).-The means employed b^ ^e
blessing of God, to make sinners acquainted with their sintul-
nei and dan-er and to lead thera to implore His raercy, are
various To smne He speaks in the thunders of His law ; others
Ire attracted by the soothing sound of His Gospel; while the
Smttetf^a^reiteelfhafe— ira
citing attention and deep feeling.

mology." — P»-
rowne. b Id contrast
with the temple,
V. 7, this indic.
God's temporary
abode.c Tusser.
" Eternity la %
pr e -eminent
mode of the es
sence of God, by
which it is de
void oftime with
rei^ard to tbe
texm or limits
of ! eginning and
d, hecause it is
ct iufinite being:;
It is also devoid
of time with re
gard to the huc-
cessionof former
and latter, c f past
and lutnre, be
cause it ia of
simple being,
which is never in
\_pottntia] capa
bility, but always
in act." — ^rmi-
nias.

The excellent Isaac Ambrose,

a Prse, before^
and venire, to
come. This word
has changed its
meaniog now to
hinder: in Scrip.
it is rather get
beforehand,
- . The presence of
II. j God's glory is ia
heaven; ihepre-
sence of His
power on earth;
the presence of
His justice in
hell, and tha
presence of Hia
grace with Hie
people. If ho
deny us Hia
powerful pre
sence we fall into
nothing; if He
deny us His gra
cious presence,
we fall into sin ;
if He deny ua
His merciful pre
sence, we fall
Into beU.

• T.." rr «/,•<,/>/,« Avfjpli elves an account of a profane persG'
^^to" ^: wi brought to |;i"the raercy of God in a reraarkable

876

//. SAMUEL,

[Cap. xxU. 20—35.

-B.0. dr. 1013.
Hovr many Gods
are there? was
ODce said to a
little boy. "One."
•* How do you
know thpre is
only pne ?" " Be
cause there is no
room for more,
for the one Qod
fills heaven and
earth."

a Ps. XV.
h Ps. xxiv. 3, 4.
God shows
mercy, not be
cause we have a
will to receive it,
but because He
has a will to be
stow it.

a Ma. T. 7.
* Ma. V. S.
c Pd. ozix. 105.
<f2Sa. Tii.8.
"No man ever
thought too
highly of his
nature or too
mecnly of him-
teM."— Young.

a "The sacred
writers fre
quently mention
gazelles under
the various
names of harts,
roes, and hinds.
They are cee-
brated for their
activity (Ge.
xl'X. 21; 2Sa. ii.
18). I have ofton
stopped to ad
mire the grace,
ease and fearless
Becarity with
wh. these pretty
creatures hound
along the high
places of tbe

manner. He was out on a journey, with his pious wife, when
they were overtaken with a storm of thunder and lightning.
He was seized with great terror, and. his wife inquired into its
cause. " Why." aaked he. " are not you afraid ?" She replied,
" No, not at all ; for I know it is the voice of my heavenly
Father ; and shall a. child be afraid of a kind father's voice 2"
The mau began to reflect, that Christians must have within them
a Divine principle, of which the world is ignorant, or they could
not enjoy such calmness wheu the rest of the world were filled
with horror. He went to Mr. Bolton, an eminent minister, to
whom he had been oppoaed, acknowledged and lamented his sins,
and fumished good evidence of a change of heart.
20 — 25. (20) large plaoe, " open ground, not full of floods
and nets." (21) righteousness," uprightness, cleanness of
hands,' raust have been written before Dav.'s sad fall. (22)
wickedly, iv'dfully : Dav. distinguishes sina of huraan frailty,
from sins of self-will. (23) judgments, as found in His word.
(24) upright, corap. Gen. xvii. 1. iniquity, besetting sin,
inward tendency to sin. (2.'>) Corap. v. 21.
A large place for the children of Qod (v. 20). — I. In their
natural state they are cabined, cribbed, confined. Hedged in by
doubt, fear, habit, eto. II, Their deliverance frora this condition
can come only from one quarter — Grod, III. When He delivers
He brings into the wide place of (a) liberty, (b) grace, (c) safety,
(d) joy, (e) hope.
26 — 30. (26) merciful," as a, king should be: word better
rendered, gracious. (27) pure, sincere-hearted.' unsavoury,
Heb. wilt wrestle, in Ps. xviii. word is fi-oward. (28) eyes are
upon, though He may delay judgment, God seea and knows.
(29) lamp, familiar fig. in Ps." (30) wall, Jhe battlements
of a besieged city.*
The good man's lamp (v. 29). — I. The good man is sometimes in
darkness (a) through his own sins, (b) fears, (c) enemiea. II. He
haa a lamp in his darkness, (a) not self -created. (J) not a Divinely
kindled creature comfort, (c) bnt God Himself— the Father of
Lights. III. By thia larap the darkness itself is lightened, (a)
other laraps bum dimly in it, (b) serve to make the darknesa
visible, (c) this tums night into day, sorrow into joy, fear into
hope. 31 — 35. (31) ¦way, of dealing with His people, tried j
refined; idea, well teated by experience of His pebple. buckler,
hghter kind of shield. (32) -who is God ? comp, Moses' song,
De. xxxii. rook, word tsur, a,s v. 3. (33) my ¦way, the path
I should take plain ; reraoving difEculties, (34) hind's feet,
the gazelle is referred to," (35) bow of steel, or bronze.'
God's -Ivay (v. 31). — This the language of one who was saint,
poet, hero, prince. Testiraony of *ich a raan worth having. It
may apply to two things. I. The way which God prescribes
" perfect." Perfect is the way prescribed for— 1. Our moral
conduct ; 2. Our spiritual restoration : thia way is perfeot in
wisdom, in justice, in sufficiency. II. The way He puraues ;
"perfect." . His way is perf ect in — 1. Conception; 2. Execution.
A conviction of the perfection of God's way — (1) Is essential to
our well-being ; (2) la the most attainable of beliefs ; (3) Must
fiash on every sinner a nature sooner or later."

Cap. xxii. 36—40.1

11. SAMUEL.

377

The bom (v. 35). — We leam from Homer, that the Grecian bow
¦was at first made of hom, and tipped with gold. But the raaterial
of which it was fabricated, seeras for the most part to have been
wood, which the workman frequently adomed with gold and
silver. One of theae ornamented weapona procured for Apollo,
a celebrated Cretan, the significant name of Ap-yvporoKog, the
bearer of the silver-studded bow. But the Asiatic warrior often
uaed a bow of steel or brass, which, on account of its great stiff
ness, he bent with his foot. Those that were raade of hom or
wood probably required to be bent in the same way : for the
Hebrew always speaks of treading his bow, when he makes
ready for the battle ; and to tread and bend the bow are in all
the writings of the Old Testament convertible phrases. The bow
of steel is distinctly mentioned by the Hebrew bard : " He
teaches my hand to war, so that a bow of ateel ia broken by mine
arma." This was a proof of great strength, and of uncomraon
Bucceas in war, which he aacribea with equal piety and gratitude
to the infinite power and goodneas of Jehovah. To bend the
bow, waa frequently proposed as a trial of strength. After
TJlyssea had bent his bow, which all the suitors of Penelope had
tried in vain, he boasted to his son Teleraachus of the deed,
because it waa an undeniable proof that he had not lost his
ancient vigour, in which he was accustoraed to glory. Herodotus
relates, that when Carabyses sent his spies into the territories of
Ethiopia, the king of that country, well understanding the design
of their visit, thus addressed them : " When the Persians can
eaaily draw bows of this largeness, then let them invade the
Ethiopians." He then unstrung the bow, and gave it to them to
carry to their master. The Peraiana themselves, according to
Xenophon, carried hows three cubita in length. If theae were
made of steel or brass, which are both mentioned in the sacred
volume, aud of a thickness proportioned to their length, they
must have been very dangerous weapona even in close fight ; and
as such they are represented by the prophet Isaiah : " Their bows
also shall dash the youug men in pieces ; and they shall have no
pity on the fmit of the womb ; their eyes shall not spare children."
In time of peace, or when not engaged with the eneray, the
Oriental -wairriors carried their bow in a case, aometimes of cloth,
but more coraraonly of leather, hung to their girdles. When it
¦was taken from the case, it was said, in the language of Habakkuk,
to be " made quite naked."''
86 — 40. (36) gentleness, gracious condescension, great,
or multiplied me. (37) enlarged," given me room to move.
Thinking of the contrast bet. his persecution time and his king
ship, feet, Heb. ankles. (38) tumed not again, in even
teraporary defeat. (39) consumed, some ; wounded others.
(40) Thou hast, directly tracing his victories to God.
Divine gentleness (v. 36).— I. I^pes of the gentleness of God.
The gentleness of— 1. The shepherd ; 2. The philanthropist ; 3.
The teacher; 4. The father ; 5. The husband. II. Instances of
this gentleness, aa seen in the life of Christ. 1. Hia discourse
with Nicodemus (Jo. iii. 1— 21) ; 2. Hia treatment of the woman
taken in adultery (Jo. viii. 2—11) ; 3. His behaviour to Martha
and Mary (Lu. x. 38—42); 4. His gentleness at the supper
(Jo xiii 23) ; 5. On the cross (Lu. xxiii. 34) ; 6. After His
resurrection (Mk. xvi. 7, see outline, B.M., N.T., i. 373), III.

mountams." —
Thoms n.
b "Bronze,
b'ffhly tempered
aud elastic, not
steel or brass,
was used for
bows by the
Egvptians and
Israelites."— ^^Ar.
Com.
V. 33. Dr. B.
Dri'per, On the
Collects, ii. 336.
c Dr. Tliomas.
A gentleman
being invited hy
an honourable
persOT.age to see
a ftately build
ing erected by
Sir Christopher
Hatton, he de
sired to be ex
cused, and to sit
still, looking on
a flower which
ho held in his
hand: "For,"
said ho, " I see
more beauty of
God in this
flower, thau in
ail tho beautiful
ediflcen in the
world."

d Paxton.

a Clearing away
hindrances.
"We are encom
passed by mer
cies on every
side. At ewry
time, and in
every thing, God
has given uB
instances of Bis
goodness. Every
season haa re
tumed with its
proper blessing;
every day with
its needrul sup
ply, and every
week with ita
hallowed day of
rest.

378

//. SAMUBL.

[Cap. xxil. 41-^

B.C. dr. 1018.

6 B. A. Griffin.
a 1 Sa. xii. 29—
31.
V. 44. R. Synge,
Ser. on Loyalty,
79.
"In such multi
tudes of God's
mercies as you
enjoy, marvelnot
that you have
some crosses,
lest we should
presume ; lilse.
wise blessings
with crosses, lest
we should de-
Bpair — and in
any outward
blessing which
you pee you cau
not have,heseech
God you may
never be vexed
for it." —
ham.

b Roberts.
a This is the only
passage in which
Dav. names him
self. "The question
whether the test
of the Ps. is more
ancient or more
accurate in the
Bii. of Sam. or
In the Bli. of Ps.
has been mu<;h
discussed. The
most natural and
prob. explan.
that David, to
wards the close
of his reign, pre
pared a revision
for public reei-
tatlon."— SjjA.
Com.

b E. W. Beecher.

Occasions when most manifested in our experience. In — 1. Times
of affliction; 2. Timea of labour; 3. Times of disappointraent;
4, The hour of death. IV. EfEects produced by this gentleness :
"made me great," or "multiplied me." Multiplied — l.^My
graces ; 2. My gifts ; 3. My hopes ; 4. My labours.-''
41—46. (41)necks, Jos. X.24'; Ex.xxiii. 27. (42) unto the
Lord, they received no anawer, bee. through Dav. they were
coraing under Div. judgraent for their sins. (43) Comp. war of
Aramon." (44) my people, the diflficnltiea of hia motley com
pany in the hold ; and the siding of northern tribes with house of
Saui. head of the heathen, or the nations. (45) submit,
marg. yield feigned obedience : lie to me. (46) close places,
hiding places ; or cloaed, fortified citiea.
A Messianic prediction (v. 44). — The missionary enterprise — I.
Is sometimes hindered by the strivings of the people of God (ill.
Madagascar), men more zealous for forms and sects than for
Christ and Hia truth. II. Deliverance from theae strivings pro
motes Christ to the head of the heathen. Then " bleasings abound
wherever He reigna." III. Wheu Chriat ia at the head, thoae
who once knew Him not are led moat joyfully to serve Him.
Necks of enemies [v. 41). — The neok ia often used for the whole
body, and in threateninga, it is the part mentioned. A proprietor
of alaves is aaid to have their necks. To a person going araong
wicked or cruel people it is said, " Go not there, jonr puddara, i.e.
neck, or nape, will be given to them." " Depend upon it, govem
raent will have it out of tlie necks of those sraugglera." " Have
you paid Chinnan the raoney?" "No, nor will I pay him."
" Why ? " " Because he has had it out of my neck." When two
men have been fighting, the conqueror may be seen to seize the
vanquished by the neck, and thrust him to the ground.'
47—51. (47) liveth, comp. Ps. xlii. 2, 8. rook, v. 3. (48)
avengeth me, ia my goel ; undertakes my case. (49) violent
man, Saul. (50) heathen, surrounding nations should dis
tinctly understand that he attributed all hia successes to Jehovah
his God, not to prowess, or army. (51) tower of salvation,"
giving security and stability, for evermore, O. T. expression
for our permanently, for a long time.
The Roch of Sa.lvation (v. 47) ia the Rock of Ages.— I. This
Eock waa provided by Divine mercy, comprehending all humau
need, in agea long paat. II. It is designed as a place of refuge
for all the ages to come. III. There is a cleft in the Kock into
which sinners in all lands and ages may run and be safe.
Tite Roch of Salvation {v. 47). — Men who stand on any other
foundation than the rock Christ Jeaua are like birds who build
their nests in trees by the side of rivers. The bird sings in the
branches, and the river sings below ; but, all the while, the watera
are undermining the soil about the roots, till, in some unsuspected
hour, the tree falls with a crash iuto the stream : and then the
nest is sunk, the home ia gone, and the bird is a wanderer. But
birds that hide their young in the clef te of the rooks are undis
turbed, and after every winter, ooming again, they find their
nests awaiting them, and all their Ufe long brood in the sama
places, undisturbed by stream or storm.'

Oap. xxill. 1-12J

a.MMUEL.

879

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD.
\ — 7. (1) last words," as a prophet, and poet, his last song
or paalm. son of Jesse, hia usual deaignation,' sweet
psalmist, lit. he that is pleaaant with the Paalma, " darling of
the aonga of his "people." (2) Spirit, Ex. xxxi. 3. (3) Kock,
ch. xxii. 2, 3, tsur. (4) tender grass, corap. Ps. Ixxii. 6 ; Is. xliv.
3, 4. (5) Better read, " Is not so my house with God " that He
has made, efc." BXt)iio\i.g'h, ox will he nat mahe it to grow ? (6)
thorns, contrast with wheat. Ps. cxxix. 7. (7) fenced,
guarded fr. their prioklineaa. burned, comp. Matt. iii. 10 — 12.
David's sorrow and resource (v. 5). — Consider — I. David's
domestic sorrow : " my honse is not with God." II. His personal
resource : God's covenant relation to hira. Look at thia covenant
in — 1. Its duration : everlasting ; 2. Ita completeness : " ordered
in all things;" 3. Ita certainty : "sure."'' — God's everlasting
covenant (v. 5). — This covenant is — I. Divine in its origin : " He,"
God haa poaitively raade this covenant. II. Particular in its
application : " with rae." Here Ues the sweetness of it to each
believer. III. Everlaating in ita dm-ation."
East words (v. 1). — 01 Albert Barnes: "These notes on the
Book of Psalras complete ray labours in endeavouring to explain
and illustrate the sacred Scriptures. At ray time of life — with
the partial failure of viaion, with which I have been afflicted for
more thau twelve years — with the other cares and burdens rest
ing on me — and with the moral certainty that the infirmities of
age, if I am spared, must aoon corae upon rae, I could hope to
accomplish no raore— and I shall atterapt no raore." The final
worda of the Eev. Edward Perronet. author of the hymn "All
Hail the Power of Jesua' Name," were, "Glory to God in the
height of Hia Divinity I glory to God in the depths of His
humanity! Glory to God in His aU-sufiBciency I And into
His handa I commend my spu'it." The last words, too, of
Eev. Dr. Backus, first Preaident of Hamilton College, were,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good- will
toward men."
8—12. (8) names, oomp. 1 Chr. xi. The text of this pasaage
is corrupt, and should be coiTeoted by help of 1 Chr. xi. 11."
Adino Eznite ia an error, and has no place m Chr. If _ his narae
was Jashobeam it was not Adino. If he was Tachmonite he was
not Eznite. (9) Eleazar, 1 Chr. xi. 12, xxvu. 4. Ahohite,
patronymic formed fr. Ahoah, 1 Chr. viii. 4. (10) clave, stuck
with long and hard clasping. (11) lentiles, or barley, 1 Chr. xi.
13. (12) stood, alone. , „ ,., , ' --j
David's three mighty me».-Note— I. Each of these heroes did
his best in the time of danger raost valiantly, as if the auccesstui
isaue of the conflict depended on hira. II. Though each fought
so well, it was God who wrought the victory _(«r, 10-12). Ul.
So in every conflict the battle is ours, but the victory is the Lord s
A courageous hing.-Viing Jaraes IV. of Scotland, who used
often to amnae himself m wandering about the country in
different disguises, waa once overtaken by a violent storm in a
dark night, and obliged to take shelter ma cavern near Wemys,
whioh is one of the most remarkable of the antiquities of Soot-

B.O. 1018.
David's last
wordsa "His Mast
words ' show, not
only the full
power aud bril
liance of his high
poetic genius,
but show also
thatthe Spiritof
God inspired him
with thoughts
purer, holier, and
more sublime
{ than those of
earth,"— /*{»¦/«-.
6 " So he remains
to tho end; al
ways with his
family-- affections
fresh and bright,
his father and his
early kinsmen
never forgotten
amidst hi$ sub
sequent splen
dour," — Stanley.
c Ewald, KeU, Spk.
Com.
" There are no
words so obscure
in this boolc (of
Sam ) as these
two vprses." —
Bp. Patrick.
d J. East, M.A.
e C. B. Spurgeon.

David's
mig-hty men,
Adino,Sleazar,Shanimah,
a Eead thus:
"The Tachmo
nite' Jasholjeam
was chief among
the captains;
the same lifted
up his spear
against 300."
" True courage
has BO little to
do with anger,
tliat there lies
always the
strongest sus
picion agaiust it,
where this pas-
Bioa is highest.

380

77. SAMUEL.

tOap. xxill. 13-23.

BX. 1018.
Tme courage is
cool, and calm.
The bravest of
men have the
least of a brutal
bullying inso-
leuce; and in
the very time of
danger are found
the most serene,
pleasant, and
free. Bago, we
know, can maife
a coward forget
himself and
flght. But what
is done in fury
or anger ean
never be placed
to the account
of courage." —
Shaftesbury. b Percy Anec.
¦waterbrougrht to David
a " Ln- Clermont
Ganneau sug
gests tho iden
tif. of Adullam
withAydelMieh.Lieut.Oonder has
made a careful
survey of this
spot. He Suds
the ruins of an
ancient towu,
strongly situ
ated ou a height
commauding the
broad valley of
Elah." — Pales.
Explor. Reports.
h Robinson.
t C. Simeon, M.A.
tw, 15.-17. R. P.
Buddicom, 2; E.
Melvill, i. 168.
d Burder.

Abishai, Senaiah,ffl 1 Ki. i. 8,
82—40, ii. ih—
35, iv. 4.
6 "The pit was
prob. near a
liouse, and the
lion was lying
in wait for his
prey." — Words
worth.e 2 Sa. viil. IB,
xx. 28.
*' "When Homer
maketh his brave
eaptaina march.

land. Having advanced some way into it, the king discovered a
number of men and woraen ready to begin to roast a sheep, by
way of supper. Frora their appearance, he began to suspect that
he had not fallen into the beat corapany ; but, as it waa too late
to retreat, he asked hoapitality from them tUl the tempest was
over. They granted it, and invited the kiug, whom they did not
know, to ait down, and take part with them. They were a band
of robbera and cut-throats. As soon as they had finished their
supper, one of them preaented a plate, upon which two daggers
were laid in form of a St. Andrew's cross, telling the king, at the
same time, that this was the dessert which they always served to
strangers ; that he must choose one of the daggers, and fight
him whom the company should appoint to attack him. The king
did not lose his presence of mind, but instantly seized the two
daggers, one in eaoh haid, and plunged them into the hearts of
the two robbers who were next him ; and running full speed to
the mouth of the cavern, he escaped from their pursuit, through
the obscurity of the night. The king ordered the whole of this
band of cut-throats to be seized next moming, and hanged.'
13 — 17. (13) harvest-time, Comp. 1 Chr. xL 15. AduUam,"
1 Sa. xxii. 1. Bephaim, Jos. xv. 8 ; 2 Sa. v. 18. (14) hold, or
fortress. " A frontier fortresa on the Phil, border." (1.5) -well
of Bethleliem, " there ia no well of living water in or near the
towu " now : ' it may have been filled up. (16) poured it out,
as a libation (Ju. vi. 20), or drink-offering. (17) the blood,
beo. procured at the hazard of these men's lives.
Dav'id' s des'irefor tlie water qf tlie -icell at Bethlehem (vv, 15 — 17),
— Consider — I. David's wish. Notice it as — 1. Foolishly indulged ;
2. Eashly countenanced ; 3. Piously suppreaaed. II. The lessons
to be leamed from it. 1. How strong a principle is love ; 2. How
we ahould delight to exercise love towards our Lord Jesus in par
ticular ; 3. With what grief and indignation should we mortify
every evil desire."
Alexander's cup of mater (». 16). — There is an account very
similar to this in Arrian's lAfe of Alexander. "Tunc poculo
pleno, sicut oblatum est reddito : non solus, inquit bibere sustineo,
nec tam exiguum devidere oranibus possum." " When his army
waa greatly oppresaed with heat and thirst, a soldier brought him
a cup of water ; he ordered it to be carried back, saying, ' I can
not bear to drink alone, while so many are in want : and this
cup is too small to be divided araong the whole. Give it to the
children from whom you brought it.'""*
18 — 23. (18) among three, ortlie three, that f etehed the water.
(19) first three, that is Jaahobeara, Eleazar, and Shammah.
(20) Benaiah," oh. viii. 18. lion-like, ariels, Uoiis of God,
very valiant men. pit,' cistern. (21) goodly, or man of
stature : prodigious, 1 Chr. xi. 23. (22) among tliree, ¦svith
Abishai, and poss. Araasa. (23) first three, aav. 19. guard,
better, " raade him of his privy council: " additional ofSce to chief
of the bodyguard."
In jeopardy qf tiieir lives (v. 17). — See also 1 Chr. xi. 19. In
these two passages the Hebrew is simply " that went with their
lives," Not very unlike is. the expression in 1 Sam, xix. 5, " For
he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine." So
ohap. xxviii, 21. Jud. ix, 17, M. R. " Cast hia life far," i.e.

Oap. xxiii. Q'l-SD.l

IL SAMUEL.

381

adventured it Ps, cxix. 109, " My soul [i.e. life] is continually
in ray hand : yet do I not forget Thy law.'' What thia raeans is
explained iu the next, and parallel, sentence, " Tlie wicked have
laid a snare for rae : yet I erred not from Thy precepts." The
etymology of the English word haa been variously given. We
agree with Aldis Wright in taking it from jeu parti, an even
game, in whioh the chances are equal. The analogy of " hazard "
is, we think, strongly in favour of this -view, " hazard " being an
unlucky throw [not in the Old Testament]. Both terms took
their origin from games of play, and were transferred to real life
aa well. Just ao " Jacta est alea " was applied to the famous
passage of the Rubicon. This idea is not in the Hebrew, how
ever, with which we may rather compare, for instance :
" Oh, when the king did throw his warder down,
His own life hung upon the staff he threw." Sltaliespeare.'^
24—30. (24) Asahel, ch. ii. 32. Elhanan, ch. xxi. 19.
(25) HaTodite, corap. 1 Chr. xi. 27 ; Ju. vii. 1. (26) Paltite,
fr. Beth-Pelet, Jos. xv. 27. Tekoite, ch. xiv. 2. (27) Anetho-
thite, of Anathoth, Jos. xxi. 18. Hushathite, 1 Chr. iv. 4. (28)
Ahohite," v. 9. Netophathite, Netophah, a village, or cluster
of villages, near Bethlehem. (30) Pirathonite, of Phathon,
Ju. xii. 13. brooks, " word means vaUeys with a running
stream."' Gaash, Joa. xxiv. 30.
Tlie muster-roll of fn-ihe, — I. The earthly roU-call. Men arabi
tious of a plaoe there. Deeds of valour win the place. Few find
a place. II. The heavenly roll-call. Larab's book of Life.
' Peaceful heroea. Unknown to farae, known to God, The men
who endured hardness. Martyrs. The heroism of patience. The
heroic battle of daily life. The brave struggle for honest bread.
The servioe of Christ iu trial, persecution, eto.
31 — 39. (31) Arbathite, prob. of Beth-Arabah, Jos. xv. 61,
xviii. 18, 21. Barhumite, of Bahvri-m, ch, x-vi. 5. (32) Shaal-
bonite, of Sliaalabin, Job. xix. 42. (33) Jonathan should be
attached to thia v. as son of S|iammah, v. 25. Sharar, 1 Chr.
xxvi. 4. (34) Maachathite, ch. XX. 14. Gilonite, ch, xv. 12.
(35) Carmel, in S. of Judah, 1 Sa. ?cv. 12. Arbite, of Arab in
Judah." the name is however uncertain, comp. 1 Chr. xi. 37.
(36) Zobah, ch. viii. 3. (37) armourbearer, 1 Sa, xiv. 1 ;
2 Sa. xvui. 15. (38) Ithrite, of Kirjath-Jearim.' (39) Uriah,
ch. xi. 3. The nuraber given is 31. but poas. Asahel'a early
death led to retention of his narae, though his place was fiUed
by snother.
The brave i/oiitlis qf lomsburg. — There is a northern tradition
that Harold, King of Denmark,' founded a city which he called
lomsburg, and sent thither a colony of young Danes, nnder the
command of PaUnatokea. This leader forbade his followers,
even in the most imminent danger, to pronounce the word fear ;
he would have his people fight and die -svithout yielding. Some
youths from lomsburg having attacked a Norwegian lord, were,
after a very obstinate contest, made prisoners, and conderaned to
death. Far from dreading it, they conteraplated it with joy- and
the first of them said with an unmoved countenance, "Why
shonld I not share the same fate as my father 1 he died, and so
must L" A warrior,' named ThorkUl, asked the second what he

B,0. 1018.
he gives them ai-
lenco for guide.
Contrariwise, he
malicth cowards
to babble, aud
chatter like
cranes ; the one
pass along lilse
Kreat rivers,
letting their
strenms glide
softly with silent
majesty; the
others do no
thing else but
murmur lilio
litile hiooks: a
sign of not being
valiant at ail is
to strive to seen)
valiant." — N.
Caussin.
d B. F. Woolrych.

Asahel, and others
a Comp. 1 Chr.
zi, 29.
6 Spk. Com.
"All great men
are in some de
gree inspired."—.
Tally.

Abi-albon and others
a Jos. XV. £2.
6 1 Chr. H. 53.
"I'llnot disgrace
my innocence by
fear, iest I the
saving of my
life repent; I'll
rather bear thaa
merit punish
ment," — Oirery.
" Few minds are
sunlilvc,- sourcea
of light to them
selves and to
others. Many
more are moons,
that shine wiih
a derivative and
reflep.te-^ light.
Among tbe tests
to distinguish
them is Ihis: the
former are al
ways full, the
latter only noir

882

//, SAMUEL.

[Cap. xxiv. 1—9.

thought ? He answ^ered, that he knew the laws ot lomsburg too
and then* when i^^^ *° speak a word at which his enemies might rejoice. A
their suis are 'third gave for answer to the same queation, that he rejoiced at
his honourable death, and infinitely preferred it to a ahameful
life like that of ThorkiU. The fourth spoke atiU more plainly ;
" I suffer death with pleaaure, and the hour is agreeable to rae."
The fifth and aixth died while bidding their enemiea defiance.
At laat came the seventh, who waa a youth of great beauty.
When ThorkiU asked him if he feared death, he anawered, " No :
I suffer it willingly, becauae I have fulfilled the highest duties
iu life, and have seen all those die before me whom I would
have been sorry to survive."'

suns are
shining full upon
them." — Bare.
c Pa-cyAnec.

B.O. 1017.
Joab sent
to number
the people
a "In Chr. the
word Satan
should be trans
lated adversary.
It may have been
one of his own
counsellors giv
ing bad advico."
- Sag. 'Spk. Com.
1. " '1' h e only
tiatisfactory ei-
' planation of the
measure is, that
it was intended
as the founda
tion of an orga-
nised and vigo
rous govern
meet, liko tbat
of Egypt or
Phoenicia, uuder
wh. the exact
number of the
houses and in-
. habitants of
every city and
village would
have to be ob-
tained, so as to'
be able to sum
mon the people
for general taxa
tion." — Ewald.

the warriors
of Israel
aud Judah
a Wordsworth,
Ewald. I) Spi. Com.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH.
1 — 4. (1) again, narrative joins on to ch. xxi. 1 — 14, but it
aeems a fragment whose piace and time in Dav.'s hiatory oannot
be fixed, he moved, comp. 1 Chr. xxi. l." number, take
cenaus oi* (2) captain, or and the captains, as v. 4. (3) why,
etc., Joab waa a clever poUtician, and judged thia unwise fr. the
ypolitical rather than religious aide. He feared the introdnction
of the apirit of despotism. (4) prevailed, i.e. aelf- will againat
good counsel.
Numbei'ing the people (v. 4). — Conaiderationa upon censua-
taking. I, If the number ia great, pride of national wealth and
strength may be inflamed. II. If the nuraber be amall, there
may be national depreasiou. III. In both casea a, tendency, -
I among unbelieving people, to forget God. IV. In all census-
taking there is One whose preaence and favour are true sourcea
of success,
David nmnbering the people (v. 1).— Thia verse should be trans
lated, " Again the auger of the Lord waa kindled against Israel,
because one had raoved David," ete, ; or, by supplying from
1 Ch. xxi. 1, an adversary (Satan) had moved David. Thia trans
lation fairly represents the meamng of the original, and avoids
the difficulty involved in the preaent rendering.
Temptation. — Temptations are enemiea outside the castle, aeek
ing entrance. If there be no falae retainer ¦within who holds
treacherona parley, there can scarcely be even an offer. No one
would make overturea to a bolted door or a dead waU. It is sorae
faoe at the window that invites proffer. I'he violence of terap
tation addressed to us ia ouly another way of expressing the
¦violence of the desire within ua. It costs nothing to reject what
we do not wiah : and the struggle required to overcorae terapta
tion meaaures the strength in ua of the teraptable element. Men
ought not to aay, "How powerfuUy the Devil temptel" but,
" How strongly I ara terapted I ""
5 — 9. (5) pitched, in soldier fashion, a teraporary carap.
Aroer, on S.E. before Rabba ; " better to understand Aroer on
the Arnon.' river of Gad, or valley toward Gad. Jazer, Nn.
xxxii, 3. (6) Tahtim-hodshi, nether land newly inliabited:
some error in the word prevente identification. Dan-jaan, Jos.
xix. 47. (7) Tyre, Jos. xix. 29. Beersheba, Ge. xxi. 14. (8)
all the land, on B. of Jordan fr. S. to N., W. of Jordan fr,
N. to S. (9) sum, corap. 1 Chr. xxxvii. 23, 24.

Cap. xxiv. 10—17.1

//. SAMUEL.

383

The raliant -men of Israel (v. 9). — CromweU's Ironsides were
men that had the fear of God before them, and raade aome con
science of what they did. They were always victorious. They
went into battle praying and singing psalms. Their watch
word was, ' • The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is
our refuge." Every soldier had his pocket Bible of select texte
for soldiers, and fed his soul upon the Word of God.
10 — 14. (10) smote him, conscience testified it was act of
boasting and self-will, said, in confesaion and prayer, as Ps,
xxxii. 5. (11) up, etc., the raorning after Joab's retum. Gad,
1 Sa. ix. 9, why not Nathan ? (12) three things, as punish- '
ment of this offence ; signs of Divine recognition and judgraent,
(13) answer, graciously testing Dav. by this offer of choice,
(14) hands of the Lord, the decision indicates Dav.'s trust
in God.
Darid numbering the people (m. 11 — 16). — Notice — I. The
severity of God in punishing sin. David probably had disobeyed
the law (see Ex. xxx. 12 — 14). Moreover in this act he waa
impelled by pride, and confidence in an arra of flesh. II. The
goodneaa of God in pardoning sin. III. The effecte which the
sins of individuals produce on the community."
Our trials might have been greater (v. 14). — A man aged fifty
years lived forty-eight of that time, and never knew what sick-
neaa was ; but the last two years of his life he was sickly and
impatient under it ; yet at last he reasoned ,the case thus with
himaelf : " The Lord might have given rae forty-eight years of
sickness, and but two years of health, yet He hafi done the con
trary : I wiU therefore rather admire the mercy of God in giving
me so long a time of health, than repine and murmur at Hira for
giving me ao short a time of sickness." '
15—17. (15) time appointed, three days, v. 13, perhaps
meaning time of the assembly, or evening oblation." (16) upon
Jerus., poas. indic. that pestilence was raore severe in country
than in the city, threshing-place, on a hill. Mt, Moriah,
N.B, of Zion. Araunah, or Ornan,i> 1 Chr. xxi. 15. Jebusite,
so one left of the original inhabitante ; poss. the king or ruler,
(17) sheep, Ex. xxxii, 32 ; Jo. x. 11, 15.
Tlie angel bij the threshing-floor (v. 16).— Note— I. The place.
Ite history. Its destined purpose. II. No man atanding there
could save. The angel of the covenant makes the aanctuary a
place of aalvation. III. Meroy went forth, at the angel'a bidding
frora the threshing-floor. God's house a source of life and bless
ing for the horaes of raen.
Self-sacrifice (v. 17).— Two fishermen, a few years ago, were
mending their nete on board their vessel on one of the lakea in
the interior of Argyleshne, at a considerable distance frora the
shore, when a sudden squaU upset their boat. One of them could
not swira, and the only oar which, floated waa caught by him that
could swim. Ilia sinking corapanion cried, "Ah, my poor wife
and children, they must starve now ! " " Save yourselt, 1
risk ray life for their sakes I " said the other, thrusting the oar
beneath the arms of the drowning man. He oommitted hiraself
instantly to the deep, in danger of perishing for the safety ot his
comva^nion. That moment the boat struck the bottom,J,nd
started the other oar by their side, and thus both were enabledTto
keep afloat tiU they were picked up.

B.C. 1017.

Gad offers
David a
choice of
trialsV. 10. W. Read
ing, iv. 1 ; A. Ro
berts, Vil. Ser.
v. 17.
V. 13. Dr. J. Or
ton, 1. 312.
V. 14. /. Boys,
Rem. 70; E. Ca
lamy, Farewell Ss.
1 ; Bp. Beveridge,
vii.-2i}S', J. Brails
ford, 31; T. Ar
nold, 1. 242.
a C. Simeon, M.A.
God never
wounds with
both hands.
b Spencer

the plague
and David's
prayera Spk. Com., Reft.
b "Original
given variously
as Aranyah, Ha-
avarnah, Haor-
nah, Araunah,
Oman. Prob, the
king of the an
cient Jebus, and
spared by Dav,
for old frien:l-
s^r^."— Stanley.
V. 17, /. Wesley,
vii. 400.
"A weak mind
sinks under pro
sperity as well
as under adver
sity. A strong
mind haa two
highest tides, —
when the moou
Is at the f Llll, and
when there is no
moou," — Bare.

384

//. SJLMUEL.

[Cap, xxiv. 18—25.

B.C. 1017.
David
builds au altar
"Unreflective
minds posse 'S
thoughts only as
a jug does water,
by eontain'ng
them. In a dis
ciplined mind,
knovledge exists
like vital force -n
the physical
frame,— ready to
be directed to
tongue, or hand,
or foots hither,
thither, any
where, and for
any use desired."
— & Coley.
a Burder.

David
refuses Araunah'soffer
« " It was the
meeiing of two
age.=?, Araunah,
as he yields that
spo:, is the last
of the Canaan
ites; the last ol
that steru old
race that we dis
cem in any indiv.
form and cha-
rater, Dav., as
be raises ttial
altar, is the close
harbinger of the
reign ot Solo
mon, the roundel
of a uew iu-ititu-
tion wh. another
was to CO m-
plele.'^ — Stanley.
b Keil.
c Bo. Ball.
Comp. 1 Ohr.
sxi. 25.
d U. R. Thomas.
V. 21. T. Manton,
v. 1093; r. Bid
dulph iii. 217 i
Dr. Chandler, i.
83; Dr. Woi-is-
taorth, -I-l.
e T. Fuller.

18— Sl. (18) go up, this accounts for Dav.'s being at the
threshing-floor, (19) went up, he had to descend fr. Zion, and
then ascend Moriah, (20) looked, some intimation seehis to
have been -given to him, or the procession waa evidently an un
usual one, and for an extraordinary purpoae. (21) stayed, Nu.
xvi. 48, 50.
Eastern threshing-floors (v. 18). — Threshing-floors, araong the
ancient Jewa, were only, aa they are to this day in the Bast,
round level plots of ground in the open air, where the corn was
trodden out by oxen, the Zibycte area of Horace, ode i. 1, 10.
Thus Gideon's floor (Jud, yi. 37)Lappears to have been in the open
air ; as waa likewiae that of Araunah the Jebusite ; elae it would
not have been a proper plaoe for erecting an altar and offering
sacrifice. In Ho. xiii. 3, we read of the chaff which is driven hy
the whirlwind from the fioor. This circumstance of the thresh-
ing-fioor'a being expoaed to the agitation of the wind, seems to ba
the principal reason of ite Hebrew name ; which may be further
illustrated by the direction which Hesiod givea.his husbandman,
to thresh his corn in a place well exposed to the wind. From the
above account it appears that a threshing-floor (rendered in our
textual translation a void place) raight well be near the entrance
of the gate of Samaria, and that it might afford no improper
place for the kings of Israel and Judah to hear the prophets in." ^
23—25. (22) Araunah said,« with Oriental politeness. (23)
as a king, "all "these, 0 king, Araunah gives to the king."*
(24) buy it, " it ia heartless piety to desire to serve God cheaply."'
(25) intreated, ch. xxi. 14.
Genidne seri-'ice for God (v. 24). — The principle in these words
applies to (a) worship, (J) work, (c) gifts, (d) personal religion.
Three questions will show why we should not offer to God that
which costs nothing. I. What benefit is it to yourself 1 AVhat
coste something (a) calls out highest motives, (jb) employs aU
faculties. II, How far can it influence the world ? Sacrifice
the needed eleraent in all great infiuence. III. How far cau it
be acceptable to God ?''_
The self-sner'ific'ing minister (v. 24).— He will not offer to God
of that which coats him nothing, but takes pains aforehand with
his sermons. Having bi-ought his sermon into his head, he
labours to bring it into hia heart, before he preaches it to his
people ; and aurely that preaching which comea from the soul
most works on the soul. The placea of Scripture he quotes are
pregnant and pertinent. The similes and illustrations are always
farailiar, but never conteraptible. In his opinion reasona are the
pillars of the fabric of a aerraon, but similitudea are the windows
which give the best light. He provideth not only wholesome but
plentiful food for his people. He makes not that wearisome
which ahould be ever welcome ; wherefore his sermons are of an
ordinary length,' except on an extraordinary occasion. He counts
the auccess of his ministry the greatest preferment. Yet herein
God hath humbled many pains-taking pastors, in making them
to be elouda to rain, not over Arabia the happy, but over Arabia
the desert and the atony,' HMD OF veil. IU,

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 02405 8704