Comments on the First Book of Samuel-L M Grant

8/9/2019 Comments on the First Book of Samuel-L M Grant

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or"er th!t !ll #!$ sb#it to His !thorit$ !n" be gi"e" b$ His power. On this !ccont

!ll the Lor"7s people oght to be prophets& !n" will be in the #e!sre in which the$

respon" to the li%ing oper!tion of the 5pirit of 'o" in their sols.

CHAPTER

Fro# (hronicles ?:--@-< we le!rn th!t >lk!n!h w!s ! Le%ite of the sons of 3oh!th. *he

n!#es of for of his forebe!rs !re recor"e" in %erse & which in or"er of "escent !re ph,#e!ning 1obser%er104 *oh ,1low& snk "own104 >lih ,1#$ 'o" is He104 Jeroh!# ,1he is

ten"erl$ lo%e"104 reslting in >lk!n!h ,1'o" h!s prch!se"10. *hese #e!nings gi%e so#e

in"ic!tion of the working of 'o" in %iew of !cco#plishing His own will in the e%ent!lotco#e seen in His ser%!nt 5!#el.

*he two wi%es of >lk!n!h& H!nn!h !n" Bennin!h& re#in" s of J!cob7s wi%es& R!chel !n"

Le!h. *hogh J!cob lo%e" R!chel& she "i" not be!r chil"ren& while Le!h "i" so. H!nn!h

#e!ns 1she w!s gr!cios&1 !n" Beninn!h& 1glittering.1

>lk!n!h w!s ! go"l$ Isr!elite who #!"e ! h!bit of !ppe!ring e%er$ $e!r to s!crifice to theLor" !t 5hiloh. In %erse C is the first ti#e the e+pression is se" in scriptre& 1the Lor" of

hosts.1 It is se" fi%e ti#es in 5!#el !n" si+ ti#es in - 5!#el. It is onl$ #entione"

th!t Hophni !n" Bhineh!s& the sons of >li& were there. >li e%i"entl$ took the pl!ce of high priest ,thogh not c!lle" th!t0& bt left the "ties of priesthoo" to his sons. *hogh we !re

tol" 1e%er$ priest st!n"eth "!il$1 ,Heb.;:;0& >li is not spoken of !s st!n"ing bt twice

!s sitting ,ch.:D4 =:C0 !n" once !s l$ing "own ,ch.C:-0.

In s!crificing& >lk!n!h "i" not forget his wi%es !n" the chil"ren of Beninn!h& bt w!s

#ore f!%or!ble tow!r" H!nn!h bec!se of his lo%e for her. *he Lor" h!"& in His wis"o#&withhel" her fro# chil"be!ring. On the other h!n"& Beninn!h h!" chil"ren& !n" bec!#e

!n !"%ers!r$& pro%oking H!nn!h e%i"entl$ with the t!nt th!t she h!" none. 8t H!nn!hw!s to le!rn the lesson& !s we !ll oght to& th!t 1th!t w!s not first which is spirit!l& bt

th!t which is n!tr!l4 !n" !fterw!r" th!t which is spirit!l1 , (or.:=?0. *he Lor"

!llows #ere h#!n n!tre to h!%e its w!$ !t first in or"er to pro%e its own %!nit$: then

He intro"ces wh!t is !ltogether sperior to it Est !s A"!# w!s the first #!n& (hrist thesecon" M!n.

*his is not !cco#plishe" in s withot e+ercise of sol& for wh!t is #erel$ fleshl$ #st

be E"ge" !s worthless. H!nn!h is therefore seen weeping !n" f!sting bec!se of her

in!bilit$ to be!r frit. >lk!n!h w!s ! kin"& consi"er!te hsb!n"& bt "i" not n"erst!n"the intensit$ of her grief& for he thoght she wol" consi"er hi# better to her th!n ten

sons. Howe%er& to !ppl$ this spirit!ll$& e%en thogh the Lor" Hi#self is sfficient to

s!tisf$ ot he!rts& $et He h!s i#pl!nte" within e%er$ belie%er ! "esire to be!r frit forHi# this is onl$ nor#!l !n" right.

>%i"entl$ co#ing to 5hiloh into the Lor"7s presence intensifie" her "istress& !n" !t the

te#ple she pr!$e" in bitterness of sol& weeping !n" %owing th!t if the Lor" wol" gi%e


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for ! ti#e& bt per#!nentl$. 5he consi"ere" th!t the w!$ to !cco#plish this w!s b$

le!%ing hi# with the priest !t the hose of the Lor". e #!$ well "obt th!t >li wol" be

!ble to gi%e hi# the s!#e soli" #or!l tr!ining !n" c!re th!t H!nn!h col" bt b$ f!ithshe w!s re!ll$ ptting hi# into the Lor"7s h!n"s& !n" the Lor" c!re" for hi# in spite of

>li7s in!"e)!c$. In f!ct& the short ti#e th!t H!nn!h h!" hi# no "obt left !n in"elible

i#pression on his $ong he!rt th!t !ffecte" his whole life.

e he!r nothing of !n$ wor"s th!t >li #!$ h!%e spoken !t this ti#e: if he spoke& the5pirit of 'o" "i" not consi"er his wor"s worth recor"ing. h$ "i" he not he!rtil$

co##en" the f!ith of H!nn!h9 Berh!ps he w!s r!ther "is#!$e" to be ch!rge" with the

responsibilit$ of c!ring for the $ong bo$. *he l!st sentence& 1he worshipe" the Lor"there1 e%i"entl$ refers to 5!#el.

CHAPTER !

*he reEoicing pr!$er of H!nn!h is now ttere" AF*>R she h!s gi%en p her chil". *he

pr!$er of M!r$& the #other of the Lor" Jess& re#in"s s of this one& thogh hers w!sspoken before he chil" w!s born. 5!#el& the first of the prophets& is srel$ t$pic!l of

(hrist& !n" H!nn!h7s pr!$er i#plies the inter%ention of the Messi!h in #!n7s !ff!irs& !s

%erse ; shows. *he l!ng!ge is therefore th!t which the go"l$ re#n!nt of Isr!el will se

following the sffering of the tribl!tion when the 1the 5n of righteosness1 !rises 1withhe!ling in His wings1 ,M!l.=:0.

First& her he!rt reEoices in the Lor"4 !n" secon"l$& her horn is e+!lte" in the Lor". *he

horn spe!ks of potenti!l power in pl!ce of $e!rs of h#ili!tion. Her #oth is opene" intri#ph& following !ll the hostile& o%erbe!ring wor"s of her ene#ies& bec!se it is in

'o"7s s!l%!tion th!t she reEoices. Also& when His s!l%!tion is known& the he!rt is "r!wn to

Hi# person!ll$& so th!t %erse - gi%es Hi# the pl!ce of gre!t "ignit$& set !p!rt fro# !llothers in sbli#e holiness& !n" the pl!ce of !bsolte st!bilit$& the Rock of etern!l& soli"strength& pon who# !ll the ni%erse "epen"s. h!t !re #en in the f!ce of sch glor$ !s

this9 *heir e+cee"ing pri"e !n" !rrog!nce is son"l$ repro%e"& for the Lor" is ! 'o" of

knowle"ge !lso. He is o#niscient !s well !s o#nipotent. He sees !n" weighs e%er$!cti%it$ in the sc!le of pre righteosness& n"erst!n"ing e%er$ #oti%e.

Gerses = !n" show th!t 'o"7s inter%ention pts the first l!st !n" the l!st first. *he

strength of the #ight$ is re"ce" to nothing before Hi#& while His power is e+ercise" in

ten"er goo"ness tow!r" the we!k& who# He gir"s with strength. *hose who h!%e h!"#ore th!n he!rt col" wish beco#e hire" ser%!nts in or"er to h!%e e%en bre!" to e!t&

while the hngr$ beco#e hngr$ no #ore. *he b!rren wo#!n ne+pecte"l$ be!rs ! fll

n#ber of chil"ren& while the one who h!" #!n$ chil"ren beco#es feeble. For the newcre!tion re%erses the or"er of the n!tr!l cre!tion. How #ch sperior to n!tr!l strength

is th!t which is spirit!l

For it is the Lor" Hi#self who is !ble to kill& !n" !ble to #!ke !li%e: He knows how to

bring one "own e%en to the gr!%e4 bt is no less !ble to bring p. H!nn!h h!" le!rntso#ething of this resrrection power of 'o" in her own bo"$& !n" she recogni2es th!t it


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is onl$ 'o"7s work th!t !cco#plishes !n$thing. 5o#e He #!kes poor& others He #!kes

rich. He will often bring one "own with the obEect of l!ter lifting hi# p.

How consistent is %erse < with the gospel of the gr!ce of 'o" @@ gr!ce th!t re!ches "ownto the poorest of the poor& r!ising hi# ot of the "st of his broken& sinfl st!te4 lifting the

begg!r fro# the "nghill of ! corrpte" life& to set hi# !#ong princes& in "ignit$ !bo%ethe le%el of the worl"4 !n" gre!ter still& to #!ke hi# inherit the throne of glor$. *his

re#in"s s of the wor"s of the Lor" Jess in Re%el!tion C:-. . . 1*o hi# th!t o%erco#ethwill I gr!nt to sit with #e in #$ throne& e%en !s I !lso o%erc!#e& !n" !# set "own with

#$ F!ther in His throne.1

Gerse < spe!ks of the Lor"7s lifting p the poor !n" the begg!r fro# the lowest"egr!"!tion to #!ke the# inherit the throne of glor$& for the pill!rs of the e!rth !re

est!blishe" b$ the Lor" !lone& the worl" being phel" b$ the #ight of His power. He c!n

"o !s He ple!ses& !n" He ple!ses to e+!lt the h#ble. 8t !s well !s s!%ing b$ His

#!tchless gr!ce& He !lso keeps the feet of His s!ints ,%.D0 preser%ing the# fro# the

sn!res th!t worl"lings c!nnot !%oi". In f!ct& the wicke"& who lo"l$ now procl!i# theirown honor& will be tterl$ silence" in "!rkness& for the strength of h#!n flesh c!nnot

pre%!il& bt will be tot!ll$ re"ce" to we!kness. or will this be !ll when the E"g#ent of the Lor" f!lls& it will bre!k His !"%ers!ries to pieces& His %oice thn"ering ot of he!%en

to strike terror in their he!rts. either will there be !n$ isol!tionis# !t th!t ti#e: the

whole e!rth& to its li#its& will be !ffecte".

*hen H!nn!h7s pr!$er en"s on ! won"erfl note of spre#e %ictor$ on the p!rt of 'o"7s3ing& the Lor" Jess (hrist& He being gi%en the strength of 'o" !bo%e !ll others& He& the

!nointe" Messi!h of Isr!el& e+!lte" in glor$. His horn e+!lte" spe!ks of His so%ereign

!thorit$ fin!ll$ t!king its rightfl pl!ce !fter long p!tience. otice in H!nn!h7s pr!$er

th!t the n!#e of the Lor" is #entione" se%en ti#es. In !ll of this too& thogh H!nn!h w!s! wo#!n& onl$ the first %erse is sbEecti%e& spe!king of her Eo$ in the Lor" !n" in His

s!l%!tion: the rest is be!tifll$ obEecti%e& "welling on the gre!tness of the Lor"7s person!n" of His work.

5!#el then "i" not h!%e the chil"hoo" of ! nor#!l chil". ot h!%ing the c!re of f!ther

!n" #other& or the co#p!n$ of other chil"ren& he w!s left with the !ge" priest >li& to

#inister to the Lor". For this he cert!inl$ nee"e"& !n" recei%e"& speci!l gr!ce fro# 'o"&!n" p!rticl!rl$ so when he witnesse" "!il$ the wicke" pr!ctices of the sons of >li in

their pretense of ser%ing 'o".

*he$ h!" initi!te" the csto#& tot!ll$ foreign to scriptre& of h!%ing their ser%!nt co#e

with ! three pronge" fleshhook to t!ke fro# the offerings of the people !ll th!t thefleshhook wol" t!ke p fro# the boiling pot. 'o" h!" stipl!te" wh!t p!rt of the pe!ce

offerings the priest w!s to h!%e @ 1the w!%e bre!st !n" the he!%en shol"er1 ,Le%.:C=0&

bt the gree" of the priests #o%e" the# to h!ghtil$ "ef$ His wor" !n" t!ke !ll the$ ple!se".


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Another #etho" the$ h!"& before the s!crifice h!" been !ct!ll$ #!"e& !n" therefore

before the f!t w!s brne"& w!s to re)ire r!w flesh fro# the offerer. If the offerer wol"

spe!k for 'o" on this occ!sion& rging th!t the f!t shol" first be brne" ,for it w!s to beentirel$ "e%ote" to 'o" !n" brne" on the !lt!r @@ Le%.:C0& the priests7 ser%!nt wol"

reEect the %er$ sggestion& !n" thre!ten to t!ke it b$ force with the f!t. In this w!$& not

onl$ "i" the priests crell$ oppress the people& bt the$ tre!te" the co##!n"#ent of 'o"with conte#pt. (ert!inl$ this sin w!s gre!t in the e$es of 'o"& for it le" #en to !bhor the

offerings of the Lor".

18t 5!#el&1 thogh not e%en ! priest& 1#inistere" before the Lor"& being ! chil"& gir"e"

with ! linen epho".1 His #inistr$ is #entione" both before !n" !fter the notice of thewicke"ness of >li7s sons. *hs "oes 'o" %!le the si#ple ser%ice of ! little chil". *he

linen epho" spe!ks of #or!l righteosness: how #ch #ore !ppropri!te for 5!#el th!n

for the priests

5!#el7s #other w!s !ble to see hi# onl$ once ! $e!r !t the ti#e of the $e!rl$ s!crifice&

bt cert!inl$ she "i" not forget hi#& e!ch $e!r bringing hi# ! new co!t which she h!"#!"e. e #!$ be sre her #other7s he!rt w!s geninel$ gl!" th!t her son w!s "oing the

work of the Lor". >li& in spite of his gener!l leth!rg$& h!" so#e spirit!l sense left& for he blesse" >lk!n!h !n" H!nn!h for their h!%ing offere" 5!#el to ser%e the Lor". 8$ now

!t le!st he h!" fon" it w!s worth while h!%ing ! bo$ sch !s 5!#el with hi#. He

e+presse" the "esire !lso th!t the Lor" wol" gi%e H!nn!h #ore chil"ren. *he Lor"gr!ciosl$ !nswere" this too& gi%ing her three #ore sons !n" two "!ghters. *hs her

f!ith w!s richl$ rew!r"e". In %erse < we h!%e re!" th!t 5!#el 1#inistere" before the

Lor".1 In %erse - it is !""e" 1the chil" 5!#el grew before the Lor".1 o "obt this

growing w!s #ore th!n ph$sic!ll$& for when it is s!i"& 1before the Lor"&1 'o" w!sobser%ing his spirit!l growth.

hile we !re tol" th!t 5!#el 1grew before the Lor"&1 this is followe" b$ the s!" report

of >li7s sons growing in e%il. >li& !t this ti#e %er$ !ge"& he!r" the report of his sons7 grosscorrption& bt h!" no spirit!l energ$ to "o !n$thing #ore th!n #il"l$ repro%e the#.

1h$ "o $e sch things9 for I he!r of $or e%il report b$ !ll this people.1 *he people

were e%i"entl$ !ll protesting to >li !n" he knew th!t his sons were !ct!ll$ #!king the

people tr!nsgress !g!inst the Lor". If it were ! #!tter of onl$ one #!n wronging !nother&this col" be settle" b$ ! E"ge4 bt sin !g!inst 'o" w!s ! #ore "re!"fl #!tter. ho

wol" entre!t for the gilt$ in this c!se9 8t >li went no frther th!n this. 8eing high

priest he w!s responsible to see th!t the priests "i" not !bse their position. He oght toh!%e e+pelle" the# entirel$ fro# the priesthoo". He spe!ks of ! E"ge rightl$ E"ging

between people4 bt it w!s his "t$ to !ct for 'o". Howe%er& he h!" we!kl$ ignore" this

with his sons& no "obt fro# their $oth& !n" the$ took fll !"%!nt!ge of his we!kness.His wor"s to the# took no effect bec!se the$ were not b!cke" p b$ !ction. *oo #!n$

p!rents follow in his tr!cks.

In contr!st& !s the chil" 5!#el grows he is fon" in f!%or both with 'o" !n" with #en.

*his will re#in" s of ! f!r gre!ter th!n 5!#el& !s we re!" in Lke -:-. 1An" Jess


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incre!se" in wis"o# !n" st!tre& !n" in f!%or with 'o" !n" #en.1 *he prophet w!s being

prep!re" of 'o" for #ost serios !n" e+!cting work.

Me!nwhile& 'o" will se !n nn!#e" 1#!n of 'o"1 to be!r witness to >li th!t oght toh!%e so penetr!te" his sol !s to #o%e hi# to !ct with fir# "ecision. *his #ess!ge fro#

'o" w!s one of #ost sole#n reproof to >li hi#self& beginning in ! )estioning w!$. 6i">li not consi"er th!t 'o" Hi#self h!" pl!inl$ !ppe!re" to A!ron& his f!ther& e%en before

Isr!el7s "eli%er!nce fro# >g$pt9 !n" th!t He h!" chosen hi# specific!ll$ to be His priest&to be pri%ilege" to offer s!crifice on His !lt!r& to brn incense& to we!r ! "istincti%e epho"

th!t g!%e hi# ! s!nctifie" pl!ce of "ignit$ in Isr!el9 6i" >li re#e#ber th!t it w!s 'o"

who h!" gi%en to his f!ther ,!n" b$ i#plic!tion to his sons0 the pri%ilege of offering !llthe offerings of the chil"ren of Isr!el9

*hen 'o" bl!#es >li& not his sons& for kicking !t His s!crifice& !s to which He h!" gi%en

e+press co##!n"#ents. *his kicking is of corse showing conte#pt for 'o"7s rights b$

rebelling !g!inst His !thorit$. e #!$ !sk& w!s it not his sons who h!" "one this& not

>li9 8t >li w!s gilt$ of !llowing his sons to "o it& for he w!s in the chief pl!ce of!thorit$. 'o" bl!#es hi# for honoring his sons !bo%e 'o". 5ole#n in"ict#ent in"ee"

for ! priest >li7s selfishness is incl"e" with th!t of his sons& !s 'o" s!$s the$ h!" #!"ethe#sel%es f!t with the chiefest of !ll the offerings of Isr!el. How s!"l$ !n" "re!"fll$

one #!$ !bse the gre!t pri%ileges th!t 'o" h!s gi%en Hi#

*hogh n"er the co%en!nt of l!w it h!" been propose" b$ 'o" th!t >li7s hose !n" the

hose of his f!ther wol" w!lk before Hi# fore%er& $et the gl!ring f!ilre of the priesthoo" ch!nge" this co#pletel$& for sch ! pro#ise w!s contingent pon their

f!ithflness. 'o" therefore presses pon >li the nch!nging principle& 1the# th!t honor

#e I will honor& !n" the$ th!t "espise #e sh!ll be lightl$ estee#e".1 *his histor$ of the

priesthoo" pl!inl$ illstr!tes the %!nit$ of n!tr!l sccession.

*herefore 'o" prononces ! sole#n E"g#ent: the "!$s were co#ing when >li7s !r# !n"

the !r# of his f!ther7s hose wol" be ct off. Of corse 'o" spe!ks figr!ti%el$. *he

!r# is th!t which !cco#plishes work& the strength behin" work th!t #!$ be "one. othing of this wol" be left: the priesthoo" wol" be re"ce" to i#potence. An

oppressor or !"%ers!r$ wol" g!in so#e pro#inence in 'o"7s h!bit!tion. Isr!el7s histor$

h!s srel$ pro%en this& for the priesthoo" ne%er reg!ine" its proper "ignit$& !n" priestsh!%e been notorios for their oppression of the people. 'o" wol" "o goo" to His people

in spite of this& bt wol" t!ke !w!$ the priests in their $oth. >li w!s to be the l!st of the

ol" #en !#ong the priests. All his sons wol" "ie in the flower of their !ge. A sign to

confir# the re!lit$ of this w!s gi%en. His two sons wol" "ie the s!#e "!$. 'o" "i" not!"" wh!t w!s !lso tre& th!t >li hi#self wol" "ie th!t "!$.

Gerse C looks f!r be$on" the ti#e of >li !n" his sons !n" !ll the priests who h!%e co#e

!n" gone "own throgh the centries. 'o" Hi#self wol" r!ise p ! f!ithfl priest @@ notone of the n!tr!l sccession of the line of A!ron. (ert!inl$ it c!n be s!i" onl$ of the

Lor" Jess (hrist th!t He wol" "o !ccor"ing to th!t which is in 'o"7s he!rt !n" #in".

'o" wol" bil" Hi# ! sre hose. *his Briest w!s of the or"er of Melchise"ec


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,Heb.:D@;0& not of A!ron& !n" !s sch He is ! priest fore%er ,Heb.:?0. He wol" w!lk

before 'o"7s !nointe" fore%er ,or contin!ll$0. *hogh the l!ng!ge here is %eile"& "oes

it not i#pl$ th!t His priesthoo" wol" be consistent with His kingl$ "ignit$ !s Messi!h,the !nointe"09 Jst !s 'o" pro#ise" ! sre hose to (hrist !s the 5on of 6!%i"& the 3ing

,- 5!#.:?0& so He pro#ises ! hose to Hi# !s High Briest.

*he p!thetic con"ition of >li7s hose& on the other h!n"& wol" be sch th!t it wol" be

re"ce" to the st!ts of begg!rs& h!%ing no he!rt of ! priest& bt !sking for ! priest7s office Est to relie%e their hnger. *he s!"ness of this shol" srel$ h!%e re!che" the conscience

of >li& bt e+ercise of sol see#s to be foreign to for#!lis#. (o#p!re ch!pter C:li to #ore wholehe!rte" obe"ience. At

this ti#e the or" of the Lor" w!s r!re: con"itions were sch th!t the Lor" "i" not re%e!lHi#self !s He h!" "one to Moses& Josh! !n" so#e of the J"ges. Gerse - shows

howe%er& th!t 5!#el bec!#e the one e+ception.

5!#el7s first re%el!tion fro# 'o" co#es !t ! ti#e when >li h!" l!i" "own to sleep !n"

his e$es h!" begn to w!+ "i#. o "obt this is inten"e" th!t we shol" !ppl$ itspirit!ll$ too. For#!lis# !lw!$s beco#es "i#@sighte"& while f!ith beco#es wi"e

!w!ke. hile the l!#p of 'o" in the te#ple w!s %irt!ll$ re!"$ to go ot 'o" h!" His

own w!$ of c!sing re%i%!l. 5!#el h!" l!i" "own& bt w!s not !sleep when 'o" c!lle"hi#. *he !l!crit$ of the little bo$7s response in"ic!tes ! be!tifll$ obe"ient spirit. He r!n

to >li& for there w!s no one else there& so f!r !s 5!#el knew. >li col" onl$ tell hi# he

h!" not c!lle". At the secon" c!ll& >li oght to h!%e been !lerte" b$ this ns!le+perience& bt tells 5!#el !g!in to lie "own. ot ntil the thir" ti#e "i" he begin tore!li2e th!t the Lor" w!s c!lling 5!#el. 5!#el w!s so $ong th!t he "i" not $et know

the Lor"& !n" >li then instrcts hi# to w!it for !nother c!ll& !n" respon"& 15pe!k& Lor"4

for th$ ser%!nt he!reth.1

All this w!s inten"e" b$ 'o" to stir the e+ercise of both 5!#el !n" >li. (ert!inl$5!#el wol" re#!in wi"e !w!ke for the forth c!ll& to which he respon"s& 15pe!k4 for

th$ ser%!nt he!reth.1 He o#its the wor" 1Lor"&1 no "obt bec!se he h!" not before been

instrcte" !s to the Lor" Hi#self& which is !ll too possible e%en when srron"e" b$ thefor#!l !cknowle"g#ent of His things: in f!ct sch things often ten" to obscre the re!l

knowle"ge of Hi#self.

*he Lor"7s #ess!ge to 5!#el is "re!"fl. It #!$ see# to s too terrif$ing for the e!rs of

! little bo$4 bt 'o" is wiser th!n we in f!ct& it is the 1little chil"ren1 who !re w!rne"!g!inst !nti@christ in John -:


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!g!inst hi# !ll th!t He h!" spoken !s to his hose: when once this beg!n there wol" be

no "el!$ in its !cco#plish#ent.

Of corse >li wol" not h!%e tol" this prophec$ to 5!#el& bt 'o" tells 5!#el th!t Heh!" tol" >li th!t He wol" E"ge his hose fore%er bec!se of the ini)it$ th!t he hi#self

w!s !c)!inte" with !n" h!" not correcte". His sons #!"e the#sel%es %ile !n" he "i" notrestr!in the#. His #il" protests were no restr!int wh!te%er. In contr!st& 'o"7s wor"s to

hi# were confir#e" b$ ! sole#n o!th th!t this ini)it$ wol" ne%er be prge" withs!crifice or offering. For this willfl sin there w!s no offering: 'o" #st !ct in E"g#ent.

5!#el re#!ine" in be" till #orning& bt it is not s!i" he slept. *his first #ess!ge of 'o"

to hi# wol" srel$ brn itself into his in#ost sol& so th!t he wol" ne%er forget it4 btr!ther h!%e i#presse" pon his he!rt the t#ost respect for the holiness of the 'o" with

who# he h!" to "o. e c!n e!sil$ n"erst!n" his fe!ring to tell >li wh!t 'o" h!" s!i".

5i#il!rl$& !n$ tre prophet of 'o" will h!%e so#e #e!sre of fe!r !s to "ecl!ring the

whole consel of 'o"& for he knows th!t it will not be !lw!$s welco#e" b$ #en. 8t he

#st not gi%e in to his fe!r& for when 'o" spe!ks He will !llow s no e+cse forconce!ling His wor".

>li& c!lling 5!#el& !"Ere" hi# to tell hi# !ll th!t 'o" h!" spoken. He srel$ re!li2e"

th!t it wol" be no light #!tter of which 'o" spoke to 5!#el& !n" likel$ rel!ting to thecorrpt con"ition of the priesthoo". 5!#el respon"e" b$ telling hi# e%er$thing& hi"ing

nothing fro# hi#. *hs& !t ! $ong !ge& he !cte" !s ! tre prophet of 'o". >li col" not

bt recogni2e this w!s 'o"7s sole#n #ess!ge to hi#& !n" spe!ks sb#issi%el$& thogh hesee#s to h!%e gotten be$on" !n$ thoght of e+ercise to ch!nge #!tters hi#self. His w!s

! p!thetic st!te of p!ssi%it$ withot e+ercise.

How "ifferent w!s the stirring e+ercise of 5!#el7s sol fro# his $oth *he Lor" w!swith hi# !s he grew& !n" !llowe" none of his wor"s to f!ll to the gron". How fewin"ee" h!%e ! rept!tion of this kin" For if we !re not gi%en to h!r#fl wor"s& !t le!st

too often we !llow seless wor"s to f!ll fro# or lips& r!ther th!n !lw!$s tre !n" right

wor"s. 8t ! ch!r!cter of this kin" in ! pblic pl!ce like the te#ple col" not re#!inhi""en: !ll Isr!el soon knew th!t he w!s est!blishe" to be ! prophet of the Lor". 5hiloh

w!s blesse" b$ the !ppe!r!nce of the Lor"& bt it w!s onl$ to 5!#el& !n" this 1b$ the

wor" of the Lor".1 *o"!$ the wor" of the Lor" to s h!s been co#plete" in scriptre& !n"onl$ b$ this written wor" "oes He co##nic!te His #in" to His prophets now.

CHAPTER #

Gerse shows th!t 5!#el "i" not conce!l the wor" th!t 'o" g!%e to hi#& bt

co##nic!te" it to !ll Isr!el. 8t it is not s!i" th!t it w!s this wor" th!t c!lle" the# to

b!ttle with the Bhilistines. It see#s the b!ttle w!s initi!te" b$ Isr!el& howe%er. *he$ pitchne!r >ben@e2er& which #e!ns 1the stone of help&1 e%i"entl$ confi"ent of 'o"7s help !p!rt

fro# His wor" !n" !p!rt fro# the recognition of His rights !#ong His people. *he

Bhilistines pitch in Aphek& #e!ning 1restr!int&1 which perh!ps in"ic!tes th!t the$ were


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not so self@confi"ent !s Isr!el. Yet the$ g!ine" ! "ecisi%e %ictor$& with ! gre!t sl!ghter of

=;;; #en.

*his srel$ oght to h!%e broght Isr!el "own to their knees in broken h#ili!tion& !n"with honest en)iring of 'o". *he$ "o not think of 5!#el& the #!n of 'o"& Est !s we

too often forget to think of (hrist !n" His wor" !t ti#es of f!cing serios proble#s forwhich onl$ He is sfficient. *he el"ers recogni2e th!t it is the Lor" Hi#self who h!s

s#itten the# before their ene#ies& bt inste!" of seeking His f!ce& the$ resort to #erefleshl$ pl!nning& consi"ering th!t if the$ bring the !rk of the Lor" to the b!ttle& it wol"

be ! s!cre" ch!r# to inflence the Lor" on their beh!lf *he !rk w!s of corse s$#bolic!l

of (hrist& the tre (enter of His people Isr!el& bt on this occ!sion Isr!el thinks of it#erel$ !s !n i"ol with #!gic!l powers to s!%e the# fro# their ene#ies.

>li7s sons& Hophni !n" Bhineh!s& c!#e with the !rk fro# 5hiloh& h!%ing the offici!l

position of being in ch!rge of it. *he el"ers& thogh the$ knew well the #or!l corrption

of the $ong #en& were blin"e" to the f!ct th!t the li%ing 'o" col" not possibl$ !ppro%e

of their pblic i"entific!tion with the !rk& which we !re re#in"e" here w!s 1the !rk of theco%en!nt of the Lor" of hosts who "wells between the cherbi#.1 *his %er$ e+pression

insists on the !bsolte holiness of 'o".

*he #en of Isr!el were !s blin" !s the el"ers: the$ re#e#bere" onl$ th!t in the p!st the!rk h!" le" the n!tion into the l!n" in con)est of their ene#ies& bt the$ "epen" on p!st

e+perience while h!rboring gross #or!l e%il !#ong the# !t present. *heir gre!t shot

son"s like th!t of %ictor$& bt their lo" noise "oes not inflence 'o"& thogh it !l!r#e"the Bhilistines.

hen the Bhilistines he!r th!t Isr!el h!s shote" so lo"l$ bec!se the !rk h!" co#e into

the c!#p& their fe!r is incre!se"& for the$ were i"ol!ters& #ere for#!l religion being %er$f!#ili!r to the#. *he$ !ss#e ,pr!ctic!ll$ !s "i" Isr!el !t this ti#e0 th!t the !rk w!sIsr!el7s go"& !n" !re #ost !pprehensi%e. For Isr!el h!" not se" this before when fighting

the Bhilistines& !t le!st since their entr!nce into the l!n". *he$ re#e#ber th!t 'o"& who#

the$ c!ll 1go"s1 h!" sent n#eros pl!ges pon >g$pt& bt "i" not know th!t the !rkh!" not e%en been in e+istence !t th!t ti#e *hs #en !re often so "ense th!t the$ c!n

concei%e of no go" bt one this is %isible to their e$es& thogh it is ! lifeless& in!ni#!te

thing

(ol" the Bhilistines fight !g!inst the li%ing 'o" !n" e+pect to win9 8t the$ stirthe#sel%es to fight to the t#ost !g!inst this #ere i##obile go". *his w!s nnecess!r$&

for 'o" h!" !lre!"$ "eci"e" th!t Isr!el wol" b!"l$ lose. *he Bhilistines g!in ! f!r #ore

"ecisi%e %ictor$ th!n !t first. =;;; #en kille" w!s ! gre!t loss for Isr!el& bt C;&;;; iso%er ti#es !s #!n$ *he loss of life !#ong the Bhilistines is not #entione": it w!s

likel$ s#!ll. 8t 'o" will #!ke Isr!el feel the reslts of their "ishonoring Hi#.

F!r #ore serios th!n the "efe!t& howe%er& w!s the f!ct of the !rk of 'o" being c!ptre"

b$ the Bhilistines. 'o"7s prophec$ concerning Hophni !n" Bhineh!s is flfille" too& both


11/73

of the# being kille". 'o" h!s se" the i"ol!tros Bhilistines !s ! ro" to pnish His people

Isr!el& who h!" l!pse" into !n i"ol!tros st!te the#sel%es.

A #!n of 8enE!#in brings the s!" news to 5hiloh& his clothes rent !n" e!rth on his he!"in token of repent!nt #orning. At this ti#e >li is !g!in sitting& not !t the te#ple "oor&

bt b$ the w!$si"e for he w!s fe!rfl of the whole #!tter& !n" speci!ll$ for the !rk& forwhich he felt so#e responsibilit$. *he #!n7s #ess!ge c!ses ! nois$ t#lt in the cit$&

which stirs the )estioning of >li. In response the #essenger tells hi# person!ll$ of hisfleeing fro# the b!ttle& !n" th!t Isr!el h!" sffere" "efe!t !n" gre!t sl!ghter *hen he

!""s th!t >li7s sons h!" been kille" !n" the !rk of 'o" t!ken.

*he "e!th of his sons "i" not h!%e the s!#e effect on >li !s "i" the loss of the !rk. *hisw!s sch ! shock to hi# th!t he f!inte" !n" fell b!ckw!r" !n" broke his neck. (ert!inl$ it

w!s serios th!t the !rk h!" been c!ptre"& bt >li7s #ere for#!l religion pl!ce" #ore

e#ph!sis on the !rk th!t on obe"ience to 'o"7s wor": since the !rk w!s t!ken& it w!s to

hi# !s thogh 'o" Hi#self h!" been t!ken !w!$ bt 'o" w!s c!ring #ore for His own

glor$ th!n >li w!s. 5bse)ent histor$ tells s too th!t He w!s !ble to c!re for the !rk!#ong the Bhilistines when the$ h!" fll possession of it. Me!nwhile& howe%er& it w!s

necess!r$ for 'o" to shock the n!tion Isr!el to its "epths b$ re#o%ing the three priests!n" the !rk !t the s!#e ti#e. *hogh >li h!" li%e" D< $e!rs& his en" w!s s!"& !n" he w!s

the l!st of his f!#il$ to li%e long. 'o" h!" p!tientl$ borne with the e%il of the priestl$

f!#il$ for long ti#e& bt now Isr!el #st be gi%en the cle!r e%i"ence th!t 'o"7s p!tienceis f!r fro# in"lgence. *he s""en swiftness of 'o"7s E"g#ent w!s inten"e" to pt the

fe!r of 'o" into the he!rts of !ll Isr!el. *re in"ee" were 'o"7s wor"s to 5!#el th!t the

e!rs of e%er$ he!rer wol" tingle !t wh!t wol" tr!nspire @@ the three pro#inent priests of

Isr!el !ll kille" in one "!$ !s well !s the !rk of 'o" lost to the ene#$

Yet this w!s not !ll. *he wife of Bhineh!s& h!%ing ne!re" the ti#e of chil"birth& when shehe!r" the news th!t the !rk w!s t!ken !n" her hsb!n" !n" f!ther@in@l!w kille"& w!s so

!ffecte" th!t this in"ce" birth p!ins. *hen she li%e" onl$ long enogh to n!#e her chil"Ich!bo" ,#e!ning 1where is the glor$910. In her c!se it is s!" too th!t it see#e" ! worse

thing to her th!t the !rk w!s c!ptre" th!n th!t her hsb!n" !n" his brother h!" #!"e !

pr!ctice of "ishonoring 'o" in connection with the !rk !n" the te#ple. *o her& !s to the

#!n$ in Isr!el& the !rk itself w!s !ct!ll$ 1the glor$&1: bt it w!s re!ll$ onl$ ! s$#bol ofthe glor$. ot onl$ h!" the s$#bol "ep!rte"& bt how col" 'o"7s glor$ itself re#!in

co#pl!centl$ !#ong the people9 As ! gener!l rle people h!%e #ore !bhorrence of 'o"7s

righteos "iscipline on !ccont of their sins th!n the$ h!%e of their sins the#sel%es. 5chis the per%ersit$ of #!n7s sinfl n!tre How #ch better if we feel or gilt !n" !ccept

its reslts.

CHAPTER $

*hogh 'o" h!" !llowe" the Bhilistines to g!in the %ictor$& He %er$ soon spoils their ple!sre in h!%ing c!ptre" the !rk& t!king it to Ash"o". *he$ think the #ost fit pl!ce for

it is in the hose of 6!gon& the fish@go" ,h!lf fish& h!lf #!n0. o "obt the$ e%en

consi"ere" the$ were p!troni2ing Isr!el7s go" b$ gi%ing it this pl!ce


12/73

8t the ne+t #orning 6!gon w!s fon" f!llen on its f!ce before the !rk& !n" the$ were

gi%en the work of lifting their go" b!ck into its pl!ce *he secon" #orning& howe%er&

the$ were not !ble to restore the "!#!ge4 for !s well !s being f!llen !g!in& the he!" of6!gon !n" the p!l#s of his h!n"s h!" been ct off. It w!s ! #ess!ge to the Bhilistines

th!t if the$ thoght 6!gon h!" intelligence& he h!" not e%en ! he!": if the$ thoght he

col" "o !n$thing& he h!" no h!n"s to "o it. 5ince the "!#!ge h!" been "one on thethreshol" of his hose& the priests of 6!gon !"opte" the sperstitios csto# of ne%er

stepping on the threshol" !s the$ c!#e in the "oor. *he$ "i" not co#e to the sensible

conclsion& howe%er& th!t the$ shol" gi%e p the worship of this i#potent i"ol.

8t not onl$ "i" their i"ol sffer !t the h!n" of 'o": the people the#sel%es were !fflicte" b$ !n epi"e#ic of p!infl he#orrhoi"s& or boils. *he e%i"ence w!s so cle!r th!t this w!s

!ll connecte" with the presence of the !rk !#ong the# th!t the$ w!nte" this re#o%e"

so#ewhere else i##e"i!tel$. *he$ "eci"e on '!th& frther inl!n" fro# Ash"o"& perh!ps bec!se it h!" no te#ple of 6!gon& !s "i" Ash"o" !n" '!2!. here it w!s pt in '!th we

!re not tol"& bt its presence in the cit$ w!s )ickl$ felt b$ ! gre!t "estrction !n" !n

epi"e#ic of he#orrhoi"s th!t left the whole cit$ in constern!tion.

h!t c!n the$ "o9 *he$ tr$ ! thir" cit$& >kron& bt onl$ to frther spre!" the scorge of"e!th !n" p!infl "ise!se. *he people the#sel%es cr$ ot in fe!r of the reslts when the

!rk is broght there& !n" their fe!rs !re )ickl$ re!li2e". *he$ h!%e le!rne" now th!t it

wol" be foll$ to t!ke it to !nother Bhilistine cit$& !n" $et the !wfl scorge contines to pl!ge the >kronites. Fin!ll$ in "esper!tion the$ con%ene ! g!thering of the Lor"s of the

Bhilistine cities to #!ke ! "ecision !s to wh!t to "o with the !rk. Of corse the !nswer

w!s to retrn it to Isr!el. How goo" to see in !ll this th!t 'o" w!s c!ring for His glor$

when Isr!el h!" f!ile" to "o so.

CHAPTER %

*he se%en #onths "ring which the Bhilistines h!" possessor of the !rk w!s ! fll ti#e in

which to pro%e the se%erit$ of 'o"7s h!n" in sole#n "isple!sre. How col" the$ be!r it

!n$ longer9 *here is ! )estion in their #in"s& howe%er& !s to how to sen" it b!ck. If& !sthe$ "iscern& it h!s been !n offense to 'o" th!t the$ h!%e t!ken the !rk& how is th!t

offense to be p!i" for9 For this the$ conslt their i"ol!tros priests !n" "i%iners& who tell

the# the$ #st retrn it with ! tresp!ss offering.

Yet& how ignor!nt the$ !re of wh!t ! tre tresp!ss offering is For this 'o" re)ire" ! bloo" s!crifice& which is tot!ll$ foreign to the nbelie%ing #in". *he$ concei%e the r!ther

!#sing notion ,thinking it wise& no "obt0 of sen"ing fi%e gol"en i#!ges of

he#orrhoi"s !n" fi%e of #ice. Here we !re tol" !lso th!t !n infest!tion of #ice h!""!#!ge" their l!n"& !n" the$ connecte" this !lso with 'o"7s "e!ling with the# on

!ccont on the !rk. In this the fi%e cities of the Bhilistines were represente". Men of the

worl" !re the s!#e to"!$& in spite of 'o"7s h!%ing shown cle!rl$ th!t onl$ the bloo" of(hrist she" !t (!l%!r$ c!n possibl$ !tone for #!n7s sins. *he$ think th!t so#e gift of

their own te#por!l possessions oght to ingr!ti!te 'o" tow!r" the#& !s thogh 'o"& the

M!ker of the ni%erse& possesses the s!#e selfish n!tre !s #!n "oes& gr!sping for


13/73

#!teri!l things 8t 'o" thinks no #ore of this th!n He "i" of (!in7s offering of the frit

of the gron" ,'en.=:C@0. 5till& these were not Jews& !n" 'o" #!"e no isse of it with

the Bhilistines: the )estion of the !rk7s retrn w!s the #!tter of gre!test i#port!nce.

Gerse ? shows the$ were well !c)!inte" with Isr!el7s "eli%er!nce fro# >g$pt in the f!ce

of Bh!ro!h7s crel opposition& !n" th!t Bh!ro!h7s stbbornness w!s e%ent!ll$ broken b$'o"7s #!n$ #ir!cles th!t c!se" gre!t sffering in >g$pt. 5o histor$ w!rns the# th!t if

the$ h!r"en their he!rts the$ will prolong their sffering.

*hogh fll$ prpose" to retrn the !rk to Isr!el& the Bhilistines know nothing of 'o"7s

w!$s !s to this& !n" resort to the n!tr!l e+pe"ient of sen"ing it b!ck to Isr!el on ! new

c!rt. Of corse the$ #ight h!%e in%ite" the Jews to co#e !n" t!ke it b!ck to their l!n" b$#e!ns of the priests c!rr$ing it& !s w!s 'o"7s or"er. 8t 'o" #!kes no isse of this with

the Bhilistines. *he cows the$ chose to pll the c!rt were not !ccsto#e" to this& !n" !lso

were #ilk cows h!%ing new@born c!l%es. *he$ propose to gi%e the# no "ri%er& bt let

the# go !s the$ will. ith their c!l%es locke" p !t ho#e& their n!tr!l bent wol" h!%e

been to retrn "irectl$ to the#. *he i#!ges of gol" were pt in ! coffer besi"e the !rk.

*his w!s to be the one l!st cle!r e%i"ence to the Bhilistines of whether or not it w!s 'o"

who h!" pl!ge" the# bec!se of the !rk. If the c!ttle wol" go str!ight tow!r" 8eth@

she#esh in Isr!el ,the #ost "irect rote0& then the$ wol" know th!t this !ffliction h!" been fro# 'o"7s h!n": if not& the$ wol" consi"er th!t onl$ ch!nce h!" been in%ol%e" in

the whole or"e!l. >%en thogh the pre%ios e%i"ence h!" been %er$ cle!r& #en !re

e+tre#el$ slow to gi%e 'o" the honor th!t is rightl$ His.

8t 'o" !llows no slightest )estion to re#!in. *he cows t!ke the str!ight ro!" tow!r"

8eth@she#esh& in spite of their n!tr!l !%ersion to "oing so& protesting !ll the w!$ b$

lowing for their c!l%es. *he rlers of the Bhilistines followe" the# !ll the w!$ to the bor"er of Isr!el to #!ke sre the$ "i" not trn b!ck.

Of corse the #en of 8eth@she#esh& bs$ !t the ti#e of h!r%est& were !stonishe" !n"

Eo$fl to see the !rk. *he cows trne" into ! fiel" of ! cert!in #!n n!#e" Josh! !n"

stoppe" besi"e ! gre!t stone. Le%ites c!#e !n" re#o%e" the !rk !n" the coffer of gol"en

Eewels fro# the c!rt to the stone& then ct p the woo" of the !rk !n" offere" the cows !s! brnt offering to the Lor". As to the fi%e rlers of the Bhilistines& it is s!i" onl$ th!t the$

witnesse" this !n" retrne" to >kron. o #ention is #!"e of whether or not the pl!ge

w!s i##e"i!tel$ e!se" in their l!n".

Gerses !n" < recor" the n!#es of the fi%e Bhilistine cities represente" b$ the gol"eni#!ges of the he#orrhoi"s !n" #ice& incl"ing their !"E!cent %ill!ges& !n" the f!ct th!t

the gre!t stone in Josh!7s fiel" w!s still re#!ining when this recor" w!s written.

Howe%er& 'o" pro%es !g!in th!t He is no respecter of #en. If the Bhilistines h!" sffere"for their h!%ing the !rk !#ong the#& the Isr!elites of 8eth@she#esh sffer for "!ring to

look into the !rk. *his wol" not h!%e been !llowe" while the !rk w!s in the te#ple& bt

#en7s foolish criosit$ e%i"entl$ #o%e" the# to open the !rk !n" look into it& !t 8eth@


14/73


15/73

*he$ "rew w!ter !n" pore" it ot before the Lor". *he signific!nce of this is seen in -

5!#el =:=: 1e #st nee"s "ie& !n" !re !s w!ter spilt on the gron"& which c!nnot be

g!there" p !g!in.1 *his w!s ! confession before the Lor" th!t their con"ition w!s schth!t the$ were helpless to reco%er the#sel%es. *heir f!sting frther spe!ks of their self@

E"g#ent& th!t is& refr!ining fro# s!tisf$ing their n!tr!l !ppetites. hen there is re!lit$

in sch e+ercise !s this& 'o" will work in pre gr!ce on beh!lf of His people. It is not th!tthese things h!%e #erit in the#sel%es& bt !re r!ther ! genine confession of or

"eser%ing nothing fro# 'o". *hen He works on beh!lf of those who h!%e no power.

*he Bhilistines& he!ring of this g!thering of Isr!el& !re !l!r#e" !n" #ilit!nt. 5!t!n !lw!$s

h!tes the thoght of belie%ers nite"l$ seeking the #erc$ of 'o"& !n" will )ickl$ r!iseopposition. Of corse Isr!el h!" before sffere" ! h#ili!ting "efe!t !t the h!n"s of the

Bhilistines ,ch.=:;0& !n" !re frightene" !t the show of Bhilistine strength. It is now

therefore with no bol" self@confi"ence th!t the$ go to b!ttle& bt with the entre!t$ th!t5!#el will not ce!se to pr!$ to 'o" for the#. *his spirit of h#ili!tion !n" of

"epen"ence on 'o" will not f!il to bring 'o"7s inter%ention. Howe%er& 5!#el "oes not

onl$ pr!$& bt offers ! $ong l!#b !s ! whole brnt offering to 'o". Of corse thist$pifies the s!crifice of the Lor" Jess& which is the onl$ b!sis on which we !re gi%en !n$

title to blessing fro# 'o".

Un"er l!w it w!s not the work of Le%ites to offer s!crifice& bt of the priests. 8t the

priesthoo" h!%ing b!"l$ f!ile"& 'o" in this ns!l w!$ both e+pose" the sh!#e of the priests !n" pro%i"e" for Isr!el7s nee"e" help. L!ter 5!l force" hi#self !n" offere" !

brnt offering bec!se 5!#el h!" not co#e to hi# !s )ickl$ !s he w!nte" ,ch.C:D@=0&

bt this w!s !n !ct of fleshl$ i#p!tience& not 'o"7s le!"ing& !n" 5!#el tol" hi# th!t for

this re!son his king"o# wol" not contine.

*he Bhilistines c!#e to the !tt!ck !s 5!#el w!s offering the l!#b. If the ene#$ !tt!ckss !t ! ti#e when we !re consciosl$ "epen"ent on the precios s!crifice of (hrist& there

will be no "obt of his "efe!t. It w!s not Isr!el7s strength th!t g!ine" the %ictor$ th!t "!$& bt 'o"7s inter%ention b$ thn"ering with ! gre!t thn"er pon the Bhilistines. One c!n

i#!gine how s""en& tre#en"os pe!ls of thn"er& %er$ close !t h!n"& wol" sen" chills

of fe!r into the he!rts of br!%e #en. *his of corse frstr!te" the# !n" spre!" confsion

in their r!nks& so th!t Isr!el h!" no "ifficlt$ in g!ining ! "ecisi%e %ictor$.

After 'o"7s %ictor$ o%er the Bhilistines on beh!lf of Isr!el& 5!#el w!s c!refl to keep

Isr!el fro# glo!ting o%er sch ! %ictor$& for when !ll is "one he set p ! #e#ori!l stone&

c!lling it >ben@e2er& 1the stone of help&1 th!t the$ #ight not forget th!t the tri#ph w!s

g!ine" onl$ throgh the help of the Lor". hile their !ttit"e w!s th!nkfl& it w!s !lsosb"e" in the recognition 1Hitherto h!th the Lor" helpe" s.1 As to the ftre& the$ #st

re#e#ber th!t the$ col" e+pect His help onl$ !s the$ honestl$ recogni2e" His !thorit$

!n" "epen"e" on His #erc$.

*he Bhilistines& h!%ing been replse"& !re not so !n+ios !g!in to t!ke the offensi%e

!g!inst Isr!el& !n" 'o"7s h!n" w!s #!nifestl$ for Isr!el !g!inst the Bhilistines !ll the "!$s

of 5!#el. How #ch power there is in one #!n7s genine intercession 1*he effect!l&


16/73

fer%ent pr!$er of ! righteos #!n !%!ileth #ch1 ,J!#es :?0. *his is ! precios t$pe of

the #e"i!torship of the Lor" Jess. *he$ were !ble !lso to recl!i# those !re!s th!t the

Bhilistines h!" t!ken fro# the# before& fro# >kron to '!th. 8oth of these were bor"ercities& which #!"e the# !n obEect of contention& bt the$ were re!ll$ Isr!el7s. Bhilistines

contine" to li%e in the#& thogh tribt!r$ to Isr!el& #ch !s is the c!se with the '!2!

strip now in DD;. Also #entione" is the f!ct of pe!ce between Isr!el !n" the A#orites.*hese were highl!n" "wellers in Isr!el who h!" been pt n"er tribte& not being

e+pelle" fro# the l!n". 5!#el7s intercession w!s e%i"entl$ effecti%e in this c!se !lso& to

preser%e pe!ce.

All his life fro# $oth he re#!ine" the E"ge of Isr!el. For his consistent& plo""ing f!ith!n" f!ithflness he st!n"s ot !#ong !ll the ch!r!cters of scriptre. He h!" !"opte" !

gener!l pl!n of tr!%el th!t hol"s helpfl spirit!l signific!nce for s. >!ch $e!r he went in

! circit& first to 8eth@el& #e!ning 1the hose of 'o".1 'o"7s hose th!t is& 'o"7s interestsin connection with His people& we shol" rightl$ e+pect to be gi%en the first pl!ce. *o"!$

'o"7s hose is co#pose" of !ll belie%ers& !n" c!re for the# !n" fellowship with the# is

%it!ll$ i#port!nt if we !re to prosper spirit!ll$.

'ilg!l w!s his ne+t stop. *his is ! neg!ti%e co#ple#ent of the positi%e trth of the hoseof 'o". 'ilg!l #e!ns 1rolling !w!$&1 signific!nt of 'o"7s rolling !w!$ Isr!el7s repro!ch

in their co#ing ot of >g$pt into (!n!!n& b$ #e!ns of circ#cision& the ctting off of the

flesh ,Josh.:-@


17/73


18/73

p!$ the costs. Of corse it will be e!sil$ !rge" th!t !ll these things !re necess!r$ t!+es&

whether the people like it or not. 8t the Lor" w!rns the# the$ will not like it& !n" wol"

e%ent!ll$ cr$ ot for relief& bt col" not e+pect the Lor" to gi%e it. *he$ wol" h!%e tole!rn "eepl$ the reslts of their own wilflness.

*he sole#n w!rning f!lls on "e!f e!rs. *he #ost consi"er!te wise re!soning is lost onthose who !re "eter#ine" to h!%e their own w!$. *he$ h!%e no !nswer for the w!rning&

bt repl$ to 5!#el& 1o4 bt we will h!%e ! king o%er s&1 bec!se& first& the$ w!nt to belike the n!tions& Jst !s #!n$ (hristi!ns to"!$ w!nt to be like the worl"4 !n" secon"l$&

the$ e+pect ! king to fight their b!ttles for the#. In both of these things the$ lose sight of

'o". How c!n the$ represent 'o" before the n!tions if the$ choose to be like the n!tions9this wol" effecti%el$ t!ke !w!$ !n$ re!l testi#on$ to ! "ifference th!t 'o" h!" #!"e

bec!se of His lo%e for the#. Also& in the p!st& who w!s it who foght their b!ttles for

the# !t those ti#es when the$ g!ine" %ictories9 5ee >+o"s =:C@=.

CHAPTER (

*he wor" of 'o" now tr!nsfers ot !ttention to ! #!n of 8enE!#in whose gene!log$ is

gi%en s for for gener!tions& !n" he ! #ight$ #!n of power. Fro# #en7s point of %iew

e%er$thing w!s f!%or!ble !s reg!r"s the b!ckgron" of 5!l& the son of 3ish. More th!n

this& he hi#self w!s ! ph$sic!ll$ striking $ong #!n& otst!n"ing !bo%e e%er$one else&he!" !n" shol"ers t!ller th!n the !%er!ge person. *he honor of being fro# 8enE!#in too&

1the son of #$ right h!n"&1 w!s ! #!tter in which #!n in the flesh col" bo!st ,Bhil.C:=@

0. 5o f!r !s #ere #!n is concerne"& 5!l w!s the i"e! e+!#ple. 'o" therefore wol"gi%e hi# to Isr!el !s king. *hogh he w!s re!ll$ the people7s choice& $et 'o" "i" not

!llow the# to choose hi#& bt He Hi#self wol" in!gr!te 5!l !s king& so th!t he

wol" re#!in Est !s long !s 'o" inten"e". hen Isr!el wol" cr$ ot in resent#ent

!g!inst their "esire" king& the$ wol" h!%e no !thorit$ wh!te%er to "epose hi#& no #oreth!n to !ppoint hi#. the$ #st le!rn in ! fll w!$ the %!nit$ of #!n in the flesh.

5!l is intro"ce" to s in !n interesting !n" signific!nt w!$. His f!ther7s "onke$s were

lost& !n" his f!ther !ppointe" hi# !n" ! ser%!nt to look for the#. L!ter& in contr!st& 6!%i"w!s keeping the sheep when he w!s c!lle" to be king. Of corse sheep !re t$pic!l of

belie%ers& while #!n gener!ll$& in nbelief& is likene" in his %er$ birth to ! wil" "onke$7s

colt ,Job :-0& the s$#bol of stbborn rebellion. 6!%i" is ! t$pe of (hrist& who h!s !f!ithfl& ten"er he!rt tow!r" His sheep4 where!s 5!l is t$pic!l of !ll #ere h#!n

go%ern#ent& which ne%er sccee"s& Est !s 5!l ne%er "i" fin" his f!ther7s "onke$s. One

writer h!s s!i" th!t !ll h#!n go%ern#ent concentr!tes on sb"ing the wil" be!st in

#!n& which is ! hopeless prsit. In"ee"& the go%ernors the#sel%es h!%e the s!#erebellios n!tre& howe%er well tr!ine" !n" cltre" the$ #!$ !ppe!r to be.

*he$ p!sse" throgh for !re!s of the contr$& the n#ber for being th!t of testing !n"

gener!ll$ of f!ilre& !s the forth book of the 8ible ,#bers0 #!nifestl$ te!ches. 1*he$fon" the# not.1 How precios is the contr!st in Lke :=& where the 5hepher" whose

one sheep w!s lost is seen 1going !fter th!t which w!s lost1 U*IL H> FI6 I*.1


19/73

Fin!ll$& co#ing to ! fifth !re!& 5!l proposes to his ser%!nt th!t the$ retrn ho#e

"efe!te"& for he e+pects his f!ther now to be concerne" !bot the# r!ther th!n the

"onke$s. *he ser%!nt knows of 5!#el& ! #!n of 'o" with !n honor!ble rept!tion& !tre prophet of 'o"& !n" th!t he w!s !t le!st !t this ti#e in ! ne!rb$ cit$. hether this

w!s R!#!h we !re not tol". He sggests th!t he #ight tell the# wh!t to "o !s reg!r"s

fin"ing the "onke$s. 5!l& howe%er& thoght it essenti!l th!t the$ h!%e ! present to gi%e tothe #!n of 'o". Men7s n!tr!l thoghts !re !lw!$s "irecte" in this w!$& !s thogh 'o"

looke" for so#ething fro# #!n first before He wol" !nswer his nee". It is the leg!l

principle th!t f!ils to re!li2e th!t 'o" is ! 'o" of pre gr!ce. 5!" to s!$& 5!l "i" notle!rn better th!n this !ll his life. *he ser%!nt h!" ! forth p!rt of ! shekel of sil%er& !n"

5!l !grees th!t this will be !ppropri!te& thogh l!ter we ne%er re!" of his gi%ing it to

5!#el. It w!s )ite the opposite: 5!#el h!" #!"e pro%ision FOR 5AUL.

e !re tol" in %erse D th!t the "esign!tion 1Brophet1 referre" to the s!#e person !s "i"15eer&1the for#er h!%ing repl!ce" the l!tter. *he seer of corse is one who sees or

"iscerns& while prophet refers to one who co##nic!tes wh!t he "iscerne" !s fro# 'o".

(o#ing to the cit$ the$ en)ire for the seer !n" !re tol" b$ $ong girls th!t he h!" co#e

th!t "!$ to the cit$ bec!se of ! fe!st of the people in the high pl!ce& !n" w!s on his w!$there. 'oing )ickl$ in th!t "irection the$ wol" fin" hi#. *he #!n$ "et!ils in this

histor$ !ll fit perfectl$ in 'o"7s "irecting e%er$thing to bring !bot His own en"s. As the$

c!#e insi"e the cit$ 5!#el #et the#. e !re tol" th!t 5!#el w!s e+pecting 5!l bec!se 'o" h!" tol" hi# the "!$ before th!t He wol" sen" hi# ! #!n ot of 8enE!#in

!bot the s!#e ti#e the following "!$& !n" 5!#el w!s instrcte" to !noint hi# !s

c!pt!in o%er Isr!el. 'o" wol" @ se 5!l to s!%e Isr!el fro# the Bhilistines bec!se of

His own co#p!ssion tow!r" His people. (ert!inl$ He col" h!%e se" other #e!ns forIsr!el7s s!l%!tion& bt in gr!ce He #!"e this concession to His people bec!se of their

rging& not bec!se this w!s His "irecti%e will.

At the #o#ent 5!#el s!w 5!l the Lor" tol" hi# this w!s the #!n of who# He h!"spoken to hi#& !n" he wol" reign o%er Isr!el. 5!#el "i" not howe%er t!ke the

initi!ti%e& bt w!ite" for 5!l to co#e to hi#& !sking where the seer7s hose w!s. 5!#el

tells hi#& 1I !# the seer&1 bt w!its for no other )estion fro# 5!l.

5!#el& r!ther th!n !sking 5!l wh$ he w!nte" to see the seer& instrcts 5!l to go p before hi# to the high pl!ce& where he wol" e!t with 5!#el th!t "!$. *he following

"!$ he wol" let hi# go !fter telling hi# !ll th!t w!s in his he!rt. *hen he tells hi# th!t

the "onke$s th!t were lost h!" !lre!"$ been fon" ,! lesson for 5!l th!t 'o" col" "o

wh!t 5!l col" not0.

8t #ore th!n this& he g!%e hi# the !rresting news th!t the "esire of Isr!el w!s on 5!l

!n" on !ll his f!ther7s hose. *his w!s cert!inl$ ne+pecte" b$ 5!l& who rightl$ protests

th!t he is onl$ ! 8enE!#ite& of the s#!llest tribe in Isr!el. h$ "i" 5!#el spe!k in thisw!$ to hi#79 5!#el l!ter refers to this when 5!l stoo" in nee" of serios reproof&

telling hi#& 1hen tho w!st little in thine own sight& w!st tho not #!"e he!" of the

tribes of Isr!el& !n" the Lor" !nointe" thee king o%er Isr!el91 ,ch.:0. hen 5!l w!s


20/73

ele%!te" to the pro#inence !n" !thorit$ of king& it w!s not long before he forgot his own

littleness: he thoght hi#self gre!t enogh to ignore 'o"7s e+press co##!n"s& !n" of

corse sffere" the conse)ences. On the other h!n"& f!ith !lw!$s #!int!ins ! h#ble pl!ce& no #!tter how gre!tl$ one #!$ be honore".

Abot thirt$ gests were present when 5!#el took 5!l !n" his ser%!nt to "inner& gi%ingthe# the #ost honore" pl!ce !t the t!ble. *hen 5!#el or"ere" the portion he h!"

reser%e" for 5!l to be broght. *he shol"er then gi%en to 5!l is t$pic!l of theresponsibilit$ he #st shol"er in beco#ing king. Of (hrist we re!"& 1the go%ern#ent

sh!ll be pon his shol"er1 ,Is!.D:?0. 5!l srel$ oght to h!%e t!ken to he!rt the trth

th!t in t!king responsibilit$ to reign& he #st bow his shol"er to the !thorit$ of 'o"& bt he l!ter forgot this. *h!t "!$& howe%er& he !te with 5!#el& in"ic!ting th!t 'o"& on

His p!rt& w!s willing to show fellowship to 5!l in his !ppoint#ent to the throne& thogh

5!l wol" l!ter show hi#self nwilling to h!%e honest fellowship with 'o".

After the #e!l 5!#el co##ne" !lone with 5!l on the hosetop& t$pic!ll$ ! pl!ce of

w!tching. Berh!ps he w!s gi%ing instrction th!t 5!l "eepl$ nee"e" !t the ti#e. *he ne+t#orning& r!ther th!n ret!ining 5!l to inst!ll hi# i##e"i!tel$ !s king& he sent hi# !w!$

!g!in. In those things !lre!"$ seen& 5!l w!s inten"e" to "iscern th!t he first h!" to "owith 'o" before he col" be pl!ce" on the throne& the e!ting of the s!crifice is ! #ost

signific!nt #!tter& !s we h!%e seen. 8t 'o" still h!s lessons to te!ch hi# before his

coron!tion. hether he le!rne" the# is !nother #!tter& bt if he h!" h!" !n e+ercise"he!rt& he #ight h!%e "iscerne" f!r #ore th!n he "i". 5!#el !cco#p!nie" hi# to the

bor"er of the cit$ !n" !ske" th!t he #ight pri%!tel$ spe!k with 5!l& 1th!t I #!$ show

thee the wor" of 'o".1

CHAPTER )

o one else w!s present when 5!#el !nointe" 5!l. *his contr!sts with 6!%i"7s!nointing in (h!pter ?:C& 1in the #i"st of his brethren&1 then b$ 1the #en of J"!h1 in -

5!#el -:=4 !n" l!ter b$ the el"ers of Isr!el in - 5!#el :C. For 'o" col" h!%e 6!%i"

pblicl$ !nointe" bec!se he w!s 'o"7s specific choice& being ! t$pe of (hrist. On theother h!n"& 5!l w!s re!ll$ the people7s preference for king& $et behin" the scenes 'o"

!nointe" hi# ,b$ His ser%!nt0 so th!t the people col" not "epose hi# !s the$ ple!se".

6e#ocr!c$ is not to be !llowe" in Isr!el. *his re#in"s s th!t 1the powers th!t be !reor"!ine" of 'o"1 ,Ro#!ns C:0& e%en thogh those powers h!%e no intention of

honor!bl$ c!rr$ing ot 'o"7s will4 where!s the onl$ go%ern#ent th!t 'o" !ct!ll$

!ppro%es is th!t in which His 5on is gi%en fll pre@e#inence.

*he !nointing oil spe!ks of the Hol$ 5pirit& who !lone c!n gi%e power to en!ble ! king torightl$ rle in Isr!el. 6i" 5!l "iscern in this th!t he col" be en!ble" onl$ b$ 'o"9

5!#el !lso kisses hi#& !n in"ic!tion th!t 'o"7s kin"ness !n" lo%e w!s fll$ !%!il!ble to

5!l if he wol" recei%e it. *hen 5!#el gi%es hi# three signs of !n ns!l ch!r!cterth!t were inten"e" !lso to spe!k to his sol. How pl!in is the f!ct here th!t thogh 5!l

w!s to be king& $et 5!#el w!s in pr!ctic!l !thorit$ o%er hi#& the represent!ti%e of !

higher king"o# th!n th!t of Isr!el. First& 5!l w!s to #eet two #en b$ R!chel7s gr!%e.


21/73

e re#e#ber th!t R!chel "ie" in gi%ing birth to 8enE!#in ,'en.C:?@D0. 5!l shol"

then re#e#ber the sorrow !n" "e!th fro# which his %er$ tribe h!" sprng. *his oght to

sb"e the pri"e of the flesh. More th!n th!t& the #en wol" tell hi# th!t the lost"onke$s h!" been fon"& !n" now 5!l7s f!ther w!s sorrowing for hi#. 5!l col" h!%e

le!rne" fro# this th!t the rebellios hose of Isr!el ,t$pifie" b$ the "onke$s0 will be

reco%ere" b$ 'o" !p!rt fro# #!n7s help& so th!t 5!l7s being king w!s not ! thing inwhich the flesh h!" !n$ right to bo!st.

*he secon" sign gi%en to 5!l ,%.C0 w!s to t!ke pl!ce !t the pl!in of *!bor& where he

wol" #eet three #en going p to 'o" to 8ethel. *here is of corse speci!l signific!nce

in the n#ber three& for one w!s to be c!rr$ing three ki"s& !nother three lo!%es of bre!".It w!s the trine 'o" the$ were going to #eet !t 8ethel& 1the hose of 'o".1 *he$ h!"

fll pro%ision with the# for ! bloo"@s!crifice& for the #e!l offering !n" for ! "rink

offering ,! bottle of wine0. All of this w!s srel$ ! re#in"er th!t 5!l too wol" h!%e to"e!l with 'o"& !n" oght to be prep!re" with proper s!crifices !n" ! genine concern for

the hose of 'o". *he$ wol" greet 5!l !n" gi%e hi# two lo!%es of bre!"& which he w!s

to recei%e. ol" this not tell 5!l th!t the king7s ssten!nce wol" !ct!ll$ co#e fro#'o" b$ His #o%ing the he!rts of His people9 for these lo!%es were wh!t w!s re!ll$

offere" to 'o". Moreo%er& the liber!lit$ of the people oght to h!%e been !n e+!#ple to

5!l th!t he wol" t!ke to he!rt& r!ther th!n to h!%e !n !ttit"e of #erel$ e+pecting fro#

others& !s those in !thorit$ often "o.

*he thir" sign ,%.0 w!s to be !t 1the hill of 'o"&1 where the !r#$ of the Bhilistines w!s

then g!rrisone". 8t no sggestion of conflict is #!"e. R!ther& 5!l wol" #eet !

co#p!n$ of prophets co#ing fro# the high pl!ce& following ! b!n" of #sic!l

instr#ents& !n" the$ the#sel%es wol" prophes$. *he lesson here is #ost signific!nt.*hogh 5!l wol" be re)ire" to le!" Isr!el in b!ttle !g!inst the Bhilistines& $et the w!$

of %ictor$ is onl$ in gi%ing 'o" His pl!ce first. *he #sic is of corse s$#bolic!l of Eo$fl worship of 'o"& !n" prophes$ing is the "ecl!ring of 'o"7s #ess!ge to the peoplewhere this or"er is obser%e"& then the %ictor$ in b!ttle will follow& for 'o" will h!%e

"irecte" the b!ttle. In going to fight !g!inst A##on& Mo!b !n" Mont 5eir& Jehosh!ph!t

first !ppointe" singers to pr!ise the Lor" !n" be!t$ of holiness ,- (hron.-;:-0. *hisreslte" in ! reson"ing %ictor$ of Isr!el. 8t we re!" nothing like this in 5!l7s histor$ in

spite of his h!%ing this e!rl$ sign.

A""e" to this sign w!s 5!l7s h!%ing the 5pirit of the Lor" co#e pon hi# to %irt!ll$

trn hi# into !nother #!n in his prophes$ing !#ong the prophets. 'o" w!s thereb$signif$ing His own willingness to le!" 5!l b$ the power of His 5pirit in 5!l7s t!king the

king"o#. It w!s left to 5!l to re!li2e& howe%er& th!t onl$ in his sb#itting to the 5pirit

of 'o" col" he e+pect this gi"!nce& thogh this is i#plie" in 5!#el7s telling hi#&when this h!ppene"& to "o !s occ!sion ser%es hi#. 5!" to s!$& this spirit of sb#ission to

'o" w!s ignore" b$ 5!l in his rling Isr!el. 8t wh!t c!n we e+pect9 1*he #in" of the

flesh is en#it$ !g!inst 'o": for it is not sbEect to the l!w of 'o"& neither in"ee" c!n be.

5o then the$ th!t !re in the flesh c!nnot ple!se 'o".1 ,Ro#!ns


22/73


23/73

strength& !re consi"ere" the essenti!ls in #en7s go%ern#ents& bt the #ore i#port!nt

#!tter of f!ith in !n" "epen"ence pon the li%ing 'o"& is l!rgel$ o%erlooke" !n"

forgotten b$ #en.

Bresenting hi# then to the people& 5!#el tol" the# th!t there w!s not !nother like this

#!n who# the Lor" h!" chose. *o !ll otw!r" !ppe!r!nces this w!s tre& thogh 5!#elh!" to be tol" b$ 'o" l!ter& 1M!n looketh on the otw!r" !ppe!r!nce& bt the Lor"

looketh on the he!rt1 ,(h!pter ?:0. *he people respon" with ! gre!t shot& 1Let the kingli%e.1 It is ! gre!t #erc$ of 'o" in !n$ cltre when !t le!st so#e #e!sre of respect is

shown for 'o"@!ppointe" !thorit$.

5!#el then in !""ressing the people l!$s "own the principles of the king"o#& !fterwhich he writes these in ! book. M!nifestl$ the go%ern#ent !t its inception w!s not top

he!%$ with or"in!nces& !s is the c!se with %irt!ll$ e%er$ go%ern#ent now. Of corse the

l!ws of 'o" h!" been !lre!"$ gi%en to Isr!el in scriptre& !n" these re#!ine" in force Est

!s before.

Of corse there w!s no p!l!ce in which the king w!s pri%ilege" to li%e: the people went

b!ck to their ho#es !n" 5!l "i" the s!#e& thogh ! b!n" of #en !cco#p!nie" hi#

1whose he!rts 'o" h!" toche".1 o "obt the$ were c!p!ble #en& which w!s pr!ctic!ll$

! necessit$ if 5!l w!s to h!%e the spport he nee"e" in his new office. On the otherh!n"& we re!" of 1chil"ren of 8eli!l1 who "espise" hi# !n" g!%e hi# no !llegi!nce.

*hese were the cl!ss of people who wol" 1"espise "o#inion !n" spe!k e%il of "ignities1

,J"e


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#!n of J!besh@'ile!"& the prospect wol" in"ee" b$ "re!"fl. 8t the liter!l losing of

one e$e is s#!ll co#p!re" to the spirit!l signific!nce of sch ! loss.

!h!sh7s "e#!n" th!t the e$es of the #en of Isr!el shol" be torn ot #!$ re#in" s ofM!tthew ?:--: 1*he l!#p of the bo"$ is the e$e: if therefore thine e$e be single& th$

whole bo"$ sh!ll be fll of light.1 Onl$ one e$e is #entione" here in spite of the f!ct th!twe h!%e two e$es. *he e$e lets in the light& which is t$pic!l of n"erst!n"ing. 8$ wh!t

#e!ns "o we "iscern !n" n"erst!n"9 One #e!ns is b$ re!soning& which is the onl$ oneth!t the nbelie%er ses. 8t the positi%e right e$e s$#boli2es the principle of FAI*H& b$

which the belie%er n"erst!n"s wh!t the nbelie%er #isses entirel$. (o#p!re Hebrews

:C !n" I (orinthi!ns -:=@.

*o !ccept 5!t!nic "octrine one #st %irt!ll$ h!%e his right e$e torn ot. If we w!nt to

#!ke ! le!ge with the A##onite worl" the$ will re)ire s to "o !w!$ with f!ith !s !

#e!ns of le!rning the trth. As 5!t!n well knows& this !#onts to reEecting 'o" Hi#self&

thogh the followers of this e%il #!$ spe!k glibl$ of 'o"& !ll the while #e!ning

so#ething else th!n the 'o" !n" F!ther of or Lor" Jess (hrist. h!t ! repro!ch in"ee"it wol" be pon Isr!el if ! n#ber of Isr!elites wol" !gree to renonce f!ith in the

li%ing 'o"

*he el"ers of J!besh@'ile!" !sk for three "!$s respite fro# hostilities with the obEect offin"ing so#eone in Isr!el who will co#e to their resce. It !ppe!rs th!t !h!sh w!s so

confi"ent of hi#self th!t he !llowe" this Est to e+pose the p!thetic con"ition of !ll Isr!el.

He "i" not consi"er the e%i"ent f!ct th!t if e%il is to g!in !n !"%!nt!ge it #st strike)ickl$. *he Bh!risees knew this when the$ "e#!n"e" the i##e"i!te crcifi+ion of the

Lor" Jess ,M!rk :@=0. Ahithophel knew it when he conselle" Abs!lo# to prse

!n" kill 6!%i" i##e"i!tel$ ,- 5!#el :@-0. Hsh!i knew it too when he conselle"

Abs!lo# to the contr!r$ ,%.@C04 bt Abs!lo#7s own pri"e blin"e" hi# to this f!ct. henhe !ccepte" Hsh!i7s consel& Ahithophel knew th!t their e%il c!se w!s "oo#e"& !n" he

co##itte" sici"e ,%.-C0.

Messengers bring the !ppe!l to 'ibe!h& which w!s in the pro+i#it$ of Jers!le#& c!singthe people to weep. 5!l& thogh !nointe" king& w!s still eng!ge" in his nor#!l work&

c!ring for the her". *he news h!" i##e"i!te effect pon hi#& throgh the power of the

5pirit of 'o"& who stirre" hi# gre!tl$ in !nger !g!inst the crelt$ of the A##onites.Hewing in pieces ! $oke of o+en& he sent the pieces throghot Isr!el b$ swift

#essengers& telling the #en th!t if the$ "i" not co#e ot to follow 5!l !n" 5!#el& their

o+en wol" be ct p too. He recogni2e" the necessit$ of h!%ing the power of 5!#el7s

n!#e to b!ck hi# p& for 5!#el w!s hel" in high reg!r" b$ the people.

'o" se" this& howe%er& !s the fe!r of the Lor" fell on the people& so th!t the$ respon"e"

well. *his w!s of corse working b$ fe!r& the s!l #etho" th!t #!n in the flesh ses in

sch c!ses. How #ch higher is the ch!r!cter of (hristi!nit$: 1f!ith @@ worketh b$ lo%e1,'!l!tions :?0. Howe%er& the people c!#e ot 1with one consent.1 In Acts we re!"

si#il!r e+pressions ! n#ber of ti#es& 1with one !ccor"1 etc.& bt the s!ints of 'o" then

were #o%e" b$ the powerfl energ$ of lo%e tow!r" the n!#e of the Lor" Jess.


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In %er$ short ti#e ! for#i"!ble !r#$ of three hn"re" !n" thirt$ thos!n" is r!ise"& !n"

wor" is sent to J!besh@'ile!" th!t the$ will h!%e help on the thir" "!$. (onsi"ering !

"ist!nce of o%er fift$ #iles& this w!s re#!rk!bl$ )ick work. *he !r#$ #st h!%e left before e%ening !n" #!rche" o%ernight to !rri%e there b$ the ti#e of the #orning w!tch.

*he #en of J!besh@'ile!"& howe%er& g!%e no in"ic!tion to the A##onites th!t the$ were

going to h!%e help& bt r!ther tol" the# th!t the$ wol" srren"er the ne+t "!$. >%i"entl$the A##onites were so self@confi"ent th!t the$ "i" not consi"er secret intelligence

necess!r$ in c!se of !n Isr!elite !tt!ck.

As the Isr!elite !r#$ !ppro!che" in the #orning& 5!l "i%i"e" the# into three co#p!nies&

no "obt e!ch co#ing fro# ! "ifferent "irection so !s to confse the A##onites. *heirs""en !tt!ck tot!ll$ rote" their ene#ies& sl!ghtering l!rge n#bers !n" sc!ttering the

rest. *he %ictor$ w!s co#plete b$ the he!t of the "!$. It is i#port!nt to re#e#ber th!t it

w!s 'o" who h!" #o%e" 5!l !n" sst!ine" hi#& en!bling hi# to g!in this %ictor$& thsshowing His willingness to b!ck 5!l p fll$ if 5!l wol" obe$ Hi#.

Let s consi"er the present signific!nce of 5!l7s %ictor$ o%er the A##onites. A #!n who!ccepts ortho"o+ "octrine& thogh he is not born !g!in& #!$ e%en be ! strong le!"er

!g!inst "ecepti%e 5!t!nic "octrines& "ecisi%el$ "efe!ting this "re!"fl scorge of e%il. Ofcorse 'o" b!cks p the fight !g!inst sch things& !n" 5!l re!li2e" th!t the %ictor$ w!s

re!ll$ 'o"7s. Jeh col" be #ost 2e!los in "estro$ing Ah!b7s hose bec!se of its gross

corrption of the trth of 'o"& !n" 'o" co##en"e" hi# for it ,- 3ings ;:C;04 bt thene+t %erse tells s th!t 1Jeh took no hee" to w!lk in the l!w of the Lor" 'o" of Isr!el

with !ll his he!rt1 ,%.C0.

5!#el w!s not c!rrie" !w!$ b$ the people7s enthsi!s# for 5!l. He r!ther encor!ge"

the people to go to 'ilg!l to renew the king"o# there. e sh!ll re#e#ber th!t in Isr!el7s

co#ing to the l!n" the$ first stoppe" !t 'ilg!l& where the #en were circ#cise"& !n"when the$ h!" g!ine" %ictories l!ter& the$ were instrcte" to retrn to 'ilg!l. *his

re#in"s s th!t& no #!tter wh!t %ictor$ is g!ine"& the flesh #st be E"ge" !s !ct!ll$h!%ing no p!rt in it& !n" therefore not !llowe" to e+!lt itself. How often we #st be

re#in"e" of this ctting off of the flesh 5!l is offici!ll$ #!"e king there& ! sb"ing

lesson for !n$one who is gi%en ! pl!ce of pro#inence. *his is !cco#p!nie" b$ the

s!crifice of pe!ce offerings which s$#boli2e the f!ct th!t& !s well !s 'o" h!%ing His p!rtin the %!le of the s!crifice of (hrist& the people !lso !re blesse" in co##nion with th!t

s!crifice. Its obEect is here to e+press nit$ between 'o"& the king& !n" the people& b!se"

pon the %!le of the s!crifice of (hrist. ith 5!l this "i" not l!st: the fll signific!nceof it c!n onl$ be fon" when the Lor" Jess t!kes His pl!ce !s 3ing. Yet !t the ti#e 5!l

!n" !ll Isr!el reEoice" gre!tl$. 5!#el is not #entione" in this reEoicing.

CHAPTER !

*his ch!pter inter%enes in the histor$ !s ! sole#n reproof to Isr!el !n" ! w!rning of the"!ngers to which the$ h!" e+pose" the#sel%es b$ !sking for ! king *he %oice of the

prophet is not to be pt in the b!ckgron" bec!se the people h!%e ! king& 5!#el brings

to Isr!el7s !ttention so#e pl!in f!cts& the signific!nce of which the$ oght to seriosl$


26/73

consi"er. *he$ h!" been gi%en their w!$& with ! king est!blishe" o%er the#& ow he h!"

beco#e ol".

He in%ites their criticis#. H!" he se" the pl!ce 'o" h!" gi%er hi# for his own!"%!nt!ge9 H!" he t!ken !n$thing fro# !n$one9 H!" he "efr!"e" !n$one9 H!" he

oppresse" !n$one9 H!" he e%er recei%e" ! bribe9 He !""resse" this pblicl$ to !ll Isr!el!n" spoke !s in the presence of 'o". !s there e%en one who col" point the finger !t

hi#9

*heir !nswer is cle!r !n" "ecisi%e to the effect th!t he h!" not been gilt$ of !n$

!berr!tion wh!te%er in his rel!tionship with the people& *o #ore "eepl$ i#press this on

the#& 5!#el in%okes the witness of the Lor"& to which the$ respon"& 1He is witness.15!" it is to s!$ th!t not #!n$ #en in !thorit$ col" st!n" p to ! test of this kin". 8t

5!#el h!" le!rne" e!rl$ in life to "epen" pon the pre gr!ce of 'o"& the reslt being !

ste!"$& consistent life of trth !n" st!bilit$. *his showe" be tre of e%er$ ser%!nt of 'o".

He spe!ks then of Moses !n" A!ron who# 'o" h!" pt in the Bl!ce of le!"er bring Isr!elot of >g$pt. It w!s no less tre th!t it w!s withot !n$ offici!l !ppoint#ent. He "i" not

s!$ this& bt the$ oght to h!%e recogni2e" it withot his cl!i#ing it. He !sks the# to

st!n" still !n" p!$ close !ttention to his re!soning with the# before the Lor"& not

concerning his life before the#& bt concerning !ll the righteos !cts of the Lor" b$which Isr!el h!" been blesse".

hen the f!#il$ of J!cob h!" been in >g$pt ,of corse for so#e ti#e0 the$ crie" to the

Lor" bec!se of their bon"!ge& !n" the Lor" sent Moses !n" A!ron to "eli%er the# withthe obEect of bringing the# into their own l!n". *his w!s !n !cco#plish#ent& the

con"cting of ,prob!bl$0 between two !n" three #illion people for fort$ $e!rs throgh

the wil"erness !n" est!blishing the# in ! l!n" fro# which 'o" h!" to "ri%e ot the pre%ios inh!bit!nts. Histor$ h!s ne%er seen !n$thing like it. At the ti#e& !n" l!ter ti#e&!n" l!ter Isr!el !ccepte" it !s ! #!tter of f!ct& bt h!r"l$ re!li2e" the won"er of the gr!ce

of 'o" in so "e!ling with the# in #!r%elos blessing.

Gerse D refers to the book of J"ges& ch!pter =:@- !s well !s ch!pter C@ !n" C@-.

5!#el "oes not se chronologic!l or"er here& for which he h!s no "obt ! re!son& bt inthe c!ses of !ll those ene#ies it w!s Isr!el7s "isobe"ience to 'o" th!t le" to Isr!el7s

c!pti%it$. In e!ch c!se 'o" he!r" their pr!$ers when their "istress bec!#e sfficient to

#!ke the# cr$ to Hi# in confession of their sin !n" in entre!t$ for "eli%er!nce. Howf!ithfl !n" gr!cios He h!" been in spite of their nf!ithflness *hree #en !re single"

ot who# 'o" sent !s "eli%erers& Jerb!!l ,or 'i"eon0& 8e"!n !n" Jeohth!h. *hese were

#ilit!r$ le!"ers in contr!st to 5!#el hi#self& who# 'o" sent for Isr!el7s "eli%er!nce!lso b$ #e!ns of spirit!l !n" #or!l power r!ther th!n b$ w!rf!re. *he "eli%er!nce w!s

effecti%e in en!bling Isr!el to "well s!fel$.

Howe%er& he tells the# th!t when the$ fe!re" !n !tt!ck b$ !h!sh the A##onite& inste!"

of re!li2ing th!t onl$ their own sin wol" le!%e the# %lner!ble& !n" therefore !ppe!ling


27/73

in confession !n" f!ith to their f!ithfl (re!tor& the$ "e#!n"e" ! king *his w!s %irt!ll$

telling 'o" th!t He w!s no longer to be trste" !s their king

Yet the$ "i" not think the$ were "ispl!cing 'o": the$ thoght the$ col" h!%e their king!n" ser%e 'o" too. 5o 5!#el tells the# th!t if the$ will obe$ the Lor" !n" ser%e Hi#&

not rebelling !g!inst !n$ of His co##!n"#ents& now th!t the$ h!%e their king& then solong !s the$ "i" this& the$ !n" their king wol" contine following the Lor". If the$ think

it is !n !ct!l !"%!nt!ge to h!%e ! king& let the# pro%e it b$ their obe"ience to 'o". Onthe other h!n"& the$ !re sole#nl$ w!rne" th!t if the$ will not obe$ the Lor"& then the

h!n" of the Lor" wol" be !g!inst the# in serios "iscipline& Est !s h!" been the c!se

with their f!thers when the$ h!" been gilt$ of rebelling !g!inst the co##!n"#ents of'o".

Howe%er& it w!s necess!r$ th!t 5!#el7s wor"s shol" be confir#e" b$ ! cle!r pblic

sign fro# 'o" in or"er to press these f!cts sole#nl$ pon their consciences. He c!lls

pon the# to st!n" !n" see the gre!t thing th!t 'o" wol" "o. 6ring whe!t h!r%est in

Isr!el ! thn"er stor# w!s nhe!r" of. 5!#el tol" the# th!t he wol" pr!$ !n" the Lor"wol" sen" sch ! stor# in or"er th!t the$ #ight re!li2e th!t their wicke"ness w!s gre!t

in !sking ! king. *here w!s no sggestion th!t the$ ch!nge their #in"s now4 for sincethe$ h!%e recei%e" their king& the$ #!$ not get ri" of hi# !g!in& bt #st le!rn the

conse)ences of their own foll$. 'o" !nswers the pr!$er of 5!#el in sen"ing thn"er

!n" r!in& ! sign so cle!r th!t the people gre!tl$ fe!re" the Lor" !n" 5!#el.

*he$ !sk for 5!#el7s pr!$ers for the#sel%es& th!t the$ shol" not "ie on !ccont of their sin& ! sin !""e" to #!n$ #ore. At le!st their consciences were re!che"& !n" 5!#el

re!ssres the#& telling the# to fe!r not. For in spite of their h!%ing "one wicke"l$ the$

c!n "epen" on the f!ithflness of 'o"4 !n" he rges the# not to trn fro# following

Hi#& bt to ser%e Hi# with !ll their he!rt. *hs he stirs their sober e+ercise& whether ornot he h!" confi"ence th!t the$ wol" thoroghl$ obe$. *he$ !re tol" to !%oi" those %!in

things th!t too often beco#e i"ols& tot!ll$ n!ble to "eli%er !n$one fro# bon"!ge& !n""e%oi" of %!le. *he encor!ge#ent he gi%es is b!se" on the f!ithflness of 'o". He

wol" not fors!ke His people: the honor of His own n!#e w!s in%ol%e" in His contining

to c!re for the#.

Gerse -C shows the seriosness with which 5!#el consi"ere" his responsibilit$ to pr!$for the people. *o ce!se to pr!$ for the# wol" be sin in his esti#!tion. Let s re#e#ber

th!t sins of o#ission !re not to be lightl$ reg!r"e". *ogether with pr!$er& he wol" te!ch

the# the goo" !n" right w!$& for if one honestl$ pr!$s for others& he is #ost concerne"

th!t the$ shol" be gi"e" in the w!$s of the Lor". He therefore rges the# to fe!r theLor" !n" to ser%e Hi# in trth with !ll their he!rt. He b!se" this e+hort!tion pon the

!bn"!nce of 'o"7s gr!ce to the# in the p!st He h!" "one gre!t things for the#& Est !s

we to"!$ h!%e been blesse" be$on" #e!sre b$ %irte of the gre!t s!crifice of (hrist.M!$ we well consi"er wh!t gre!t things He h!s "one for s& !n" respon" with willing

obe"ience to Hi#. On the other h!n"& 5!#el w!rns the# f!ithfll$ th!t if the$ choose to

still !ct wicke"l$& the$ c!n e+pect to be cons#e" b$ it& !n" their king !lso. *he sc!les of'o"7s Estice !re right !n" e)!l.


28/73

CHAPTER "

Hebrew schol!rs consi"er th!t either so#ething is #issing fro# %erse in the Hebrew

#!nscripts or th!t the whole %erse w!s not origin!ll$ in the te+t. After 5!l7s %ictor$ !tJ!besh@'ile!" he sent #ost of his !r#$ ho#e& bt chose C;;; fro# !#ong the#& -;;; to

re#!in with hi# !n" ;;; to be n"er the le!"ership of his son Jon!th!n. *he c!se ofJ!besh@'ile!" w!s ! one ti#e #!tter )ickl$ !cco#plishe"& thogh there h!" been no

pre%ios org!ni2!tion. 8t ! st!n"ing !r#$ wol" re)ire c!p!ble org!ni2!tion. 5!lconfine" this likel$ so !s not to !ttr!ct too #ch !ttention fro# the Bhilistines who were

!t this ti#e strong enogh to consi"er Isr!el %irt!ll$ n"er their "o#in!tion.

I##e"i!tel$ we he!r of Jon!th!n& howe%er& he is seen !tt!cking ! g!rrison of theBhilistines. His f!ith st!n"s in refreshing contr!st to his f!ther7s r!tion!li2ing !n"

in"ecision. *$pic!ll$ the Bhilistines spe!k of #ere for#!l religion& ! for# of go"liness

with no spirit!l power. (!n f!ith sb#it to this9 (ert!inl$ not. 8t of corse Jon!th!n7s

!ction !w!kene" the "isple!sre of the Bhilistines. 5!l& howe%er& who h!" not the f!ith

to initi!te this& blew the tr#pet to infor# Isr!el: he is re!"$ to t!ke !"%!nt!ge ofJon!th!n7s f!ith to the e+t!nt th!t Isr!el n"erstoo" th!t it w!s 5!l who h!" t!ken the

!ction. Isr!el then g!thers to 5!l in 'ilg!l& while the Bhilistines g!ther ! gre!t !r#$ th!twol" see# in%incible b$ its %er$ si2e. *o"!$ too we know th!t for#!l religion g!ins

#ltit"es in contr!st to the few who cl!i# (hrist !s their (enter. Yet Jon!th!n h!" not

been !fr!i" to !tt!ck this for#i"!ble foe. It see#s !#!2ing th!t the$ col" g!ther C;&;;;ch!riots& si+ thos!n" horse#en !n" foot#en %irt!ll$ nn#bere".

*his !rr!$ strikes fe!r into the he!rts of the #en of Isr!el& !n" the$ seek e%er$ possible

hi"ing pl!ce& whether c!%es& thickets rocks& high pl!ces or pits. h$ shol" the f!ith of

'o"7s people be so we!kene" bec!se of being otn#bere"9 1If 'o" be for s& who c!n

be !g!inst s91 ,Ro#!ns


29/73

the otw!r" for#!lit$ of worshipping 'o"& !s thogh th!t wol" be of so#e #!gic!l

%!le. 5ch is #!n in the flesh: he recogni2es nothing bt for#!lis# in the worship of

'o" !n" thinks he is honoring 'o" while "isobe$ing His pl!in wor".

5!#el sole#nl$ repro%es this "isobe"ience& telling 5!l th!t he h!" "one foolishl$4 for

cert!inl$ !t !n$ ti#e "isobe$ing 'o"7s co##!n"s is foolishness. *he isse is "eepl$serios. If 5!l h!" si#pl$ obe$e"& his king"o# wol" h!%e been per#!nentl$

est!blishe"4 bt his "isobe"ience to 'o" settle" the f!ct th!t his king"o# wol" notcontine. 5o soon !fter the beginning of his reign 5!l is forew!rne" th!t the Lor" h!s

soght ! #!n !fter His own he!rt& to #!ke hi# c!pt!in o%er His people. *his refers

"irectl$ to 6!%i"& !s we see in (h!pter ?4 bt it is t$pic!l of the f!ct th!t the king"o#sof #en #st !ll be set !si"e b$ 'o"& who will e%ent!ll$ bring in the M!n !fter His own

he!rt& the Lor" Jess (hrist& who !lone c!n be trste" with the responsibilit$ of reigning

fll$ for 'o".

*hogh 'o" h!" gi%en sentence th!t 5!l w!s to lose his kingship& $et he w!s not

"epose" i##e"i!tel$: he w!s !llowe" to re#!in for so#e $e!rs in the pl!ce of rle. Inf!ct& 6!%i" w!s not $et pointe" ot !s the #!n to sccee" hi#: this !w!ite" (h!pter ?

where 6!%i" w!s !nointe"& thogh not reigning for so#e ti#e.

5!#el then left 5!l& going to 'ibe!h& !n" 5!l is seen now to h!%e onl$ si+ hn"re"#en& o%er two@thir"s "eplete" fro# the for#er n#ber. G!stl$ otn#bere" b$ the

Bhilistines& he h!s no he!rt wh!te%er to procee" to the !tt!ck. *he Bhilistines& on the other

h!n"& "o not see# incline" to !tt!ck 5!l& bt se #!ne%ers e%i"entl$ inten"e" tointi#i"!te Isr!el withot "irect confront!tion three co#p!nies of 1spoilers1 c!#e fro#

their c!#p& going in "ifferent "irections& e%i"entl$ to pln"er the %ill!ges of Isr!el. 5!l7s

!r#$ w!s no protection for these oppresse" people: the Bhilistines h!" the# !t their

#erc$ while 5!l w!s tre#bling n"er ! thre!t of !n !tt!ck b$ the c!#p of the Bhilistines.

A #!Eor co#plic!tion !lso w!s th!t the Bhilistines h!" "epri%e" Isr!el of #et!l workers&

so th!t Isr!el7s !r#$ h!" no swor"s or spe!rs. >%en to sh!rpen their f!r# i#ple#ents the$

h!" to go to the Bhilistines& e+cept for those th!t col" be sh!rpene" with ! file. *here isof corse ! serios spirit!l lesson in this. Mere for#!listic religion will !lw!$s "epri%e

s of !n$ tre spirit!l "efense. For#s !re sbstitte" for the pre trth of 'o"& 1the

swor" of the 5pirit1& !n" in this c!se the people of 'o" !re left powerless. In the "!$ of b!ttle& therefore& onl$ the two le!"ers& 5!l !n" Jon!th!n& possesse" we!pons. How

si#il!r to for#!listic religion Onl$ clerg$#en !re e+pecte" to h!%e !n$ knowle"ge of

the or" of 'o". *he l!it$ "epen" on the clerg$ to interpret the 8ible for the#& so th!t

the$ c!n onl$ follow blin"l$ !n" helplessl$& h!%ing no cle!r gr!sp of the or" of 'o" forthe#sel%es. *he$ !re %irt!ll$ n"er the "o#in!tion of the Bhilistines.

CHAPTER #

*he Bhilistines see#e" content to inti#i"!te Isr!el with their tre#en"os show of

strength& r!ther th!n to !tt!ck 5!l. One #!n& howe%er& is not to be inti#i"!te". Jon!th!n&in the f!ce of Bhilistine power !n" in the f!ce of Isr!el7s p!thetic we!kness !n" fe!r&


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"eci"es to !ct !p!rt fro# his f!ther7s !ppro%!l or e%en his knowle"ge. Jon!th!n7s f!ith is !

refreshing contr!st to 5!l7s w!%ering in"ecision. He enlists onl$ his !r#or@be!rer to

!cco#p!n$ hi# to the g!rrison of the Bhilistines.

*here is no "obt interesting spirit!l instrction in 5!l7s re#!ining 1n"er !

po#egr!n!te tree.1 *he po#egr!n!te is ! frit fll of see"s& spe!king of the gre!tfritflness the n!tion Isr!el will enEo$ in the ftre #illenni# of e!rthl$ blessing. 6oes

this not tell s th!t& t$pic!ll$ spe!king& 5!l w!s e+csing his present l!+it$ b$ f!lling b!ck pon the pro#ise of the ftre9 it is tre we shol" "eepl$ !ppreci!te the pro#ises

of 'o" in reference to ftre gre!t blessing& bt this shol" stir s to e+ercise ! %it!l f!ith

!t present be!ring tre witness to Hi# who h!s gi%en s sch 1e+cee"ing gre!t !n" precios pro#ises.1 'enine f!ith "oes not encor!ge l!+it$& thogh it #!$ h!%e to w!it

for so#e ti#e for 'o"7s le!"ing.

Gerse C tells s th!t Ahi!h ,c!lle" Ahi#elech in (h!pter --:D0& the gr!n"son of >li& w!s

priest !t this ti#e. Yet the priesthoo" w!s of no conse)ence to 5!l& nor "i" Jon!th!n

think of conslting the priest. *he priesthoo" h!" reg!ine" no power since >li7s "!$& !n"'o"7s prophec$ !s to there being no ol" #!n of >li7s "escen"ents wol" pro%e sole#nl$

tre in this c!se& when 5!l h!" Ahi#elech !n" other priests kille" b$ 6oeg the >"o#ite,ch.--:


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*!king this !s the Lor"7s !nswer& the$ fe!rlessl$ cli#b on h!n"s !n" feet& n"!nte"

either b$ the steep !scent nor b$ the conte#pt of the ene#$. otice& howe%er& th!t

Jon!th!n "oes not s!$& 1*he Lor" h!th "eli%ere" the# into or h!n"&1 bt 1into the h!n"of Isr!el.1 *hogh Isr!el !s ! whole w!s of no help to Jon!th!n& $et his he!rt w!s

concerne" for the tre welf!re of the n!tion r!ther th!n for hi#self.

*he$ re!ch the crown of the hill& where the conte#ptos ene#$ h!s e+pecte" to #!ke

sport of the#. 8t the$ i##e"i!tel$ !tt!cke" with ! strength begotten of f!ith in theli%ing 'o". *he Bhilistines f!ll one b$ one before the swor" of Jon!th!n& !n" his !r#or

be!rer #!"e sre the #en were kille". Abot twent$ #en were )ickl$ "isp!tche" in this

first s""en !ss!lt. 8t it "i" not en" there. (onfsion w!s spre!" into the r!nks of theBhilistines& !n" the whole g!rrison tre#ble" together with the co#p!nies of spoilers&

!pp!rentl$ thinking th!t #!n$ Isr!elites h!" in%!"e" the c!#p b$ so#e #e!ns. At the

s!#e ti#e 'o" foght for Isr!el b$ sen"ing !n e!rth)!ke th!t frther confse" theBhilistines. 5!l7s w!tch#en& obser%ing fro# ! "ist!nce& were !ston"e" to see the

fighting !n" be!ting "own of one !nother& for e%i"entl$ the Bhilistines foght one

!nother& not knowing who were ene#ies.

Of corse 5!l w!s perple+e"& !n" his perple+it$ w!s not relie%e" b$ fin"ing th!t& of hisown !r#$& onl$ Jon!th!n !n" his !r#or be!rer were #issing. He c!lle" for Ahi!h the

priest& th!t he shol" bring the !rk& no "obt with the intention of in)iring of 'o". 8t

!s he w!s t!lking with Ahi!h& the incre!sing noise in the Bhilistines7 c!#p so e+cites hi#th!t he tells Ahi!h& 1ith"r!w thine h!n".1 He is %irt!ll$ s!$ing. 1e "on7t nee" 'o"7s

"irection now: the noise of the b!ttle "eci"es the #!tter for s.1

8ringing his !r#$ with hi# to the scene of b!ttle& 5!l fin"s th!t the Bhilistines !re

fighting !g!inst e!ch other. Also Hebrews who h!" been !#ong the Bhilistines& whether

c!pti%es or "islo$!l bec!se of fe!r& now took si"es with Isr!el. Other Isr!elites who h!"hi" the#sel%es bec!#e br!%e on he!ring of the "efe!t of the ene#$& !n" Eoine" the r!nks

of the prsers. 8t it w!s cle!r for !n$one who h!" e$es to see th!t it w!s not #!n& btthe Lor" Hi#self who s!%e" Isr!el th!t "!$.

Howe%er& ! #ost nti#el$ ele#ent is interEecte" b$ the selfish pri"e of 5!l. He h!"

nothing to "o with the rot of the Bhilistines& bt prononces ! crse on !n$ of his

sol"iers who e!t foo" th!t whole "!$ ntil e%ening& in or"er& !s he s!$s& 1th!t I #!$ be!%enge" on #ine ene#ies.1 How "i" he e+pect the# to be sst!ine" for the conflict9 *his

is the s!#e principle !s th!t of telling the Lor"7s ser%!nt he is to concentr!te on fighting

the Lor"7s b!ttles& !n" no to fee" on the or" of 'o" before "oing so One "oes not nee"

to spen" ALL his ti#e e!ting& bt if he "oes not "igest the trth of 'o"7s or" he will beless effecti%e in (hristi!n w!rf!re.

*he people were gre!tl$ "istresse" b$ the crel prohibition of 5!l !s reg!r"s e!ting foo"&

bt the$ "i" refr!in fro# e!ting. Howe%er& in co#ing to ! woo"e" !re! the$ fon" hone$on the gron" !n" "ropping& e%i"entl$ fro# ! tree. *o h!%e e!ten ! little of this energi2ing

foo" wol" h!%e t!ken pr!ctic!ll$ none of their ti#e bt thogh 'o" h!" #!"e the foo"

e!sil$ obt!in!ble& 5!l7s !rbitr!r$ co##!n" "enie" it to the#. *his is the s!#e leg!l


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How "ifferent were their wor"s to those of Jon!th!n7s !r#or be!rer in %erse : 1I !# with

thee !ccor"ing to th$ he!rt.1 In this c!se the priest w!s !pp!rentl$ "obtfl& !n"

sggeste" th!t the$ in)ire fro# 'o".

8t 'o" g!%e no !nswer to 5!l7s )estioning. (ert!inl$ He h!" ! wise re!son for this&

!n" !llowe" #!tters to "e%elop Est !s He "i" in or"er to show 5!l th!t he wol" not be!ble to "o !s he ple!se" Est bec!se he w!s king. It w!s necess!r$ th!t 5!l shol" be

shown p !s being wrong before the people. If he h!" t!ken this to he!rt& his ensinghistor$ #ight h!%e been "ifferent& bt he ignore" #!n$ "!nger signs th!t 'o" pt in his

w!$.

5!l "eci"e" th!t 'o" "i" not !nswer hi# bec!se so#eone h!" sinne"4 so he !"opte"the #etho" of Josh! in the c!se of Ach!n ,Josh.:?@


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>"o# #e!ns the s!#e !s A"!# ,1re" e!rth10& !n" pictres si#pl$ #!n in the flesh. ob!h

#e!ns 1! st!tion1 or 1st!n"ing1& !pp!rentl$ in"ic!ting the religios pri"e of h!%ing

1!rri%e"1 !t the lti#!te en". *he Bhilistines ,#e!ning 1w!llowers10 spe!k of for#!lreligion with its #!ss of rit!l in which #en beco#e sw!#pe". Howe%er& 5!l is not s!i"

to h!%e "efe!te" the#& bt onl$ to h!%e 1%e+e" the#.1

On the other h!n"& bec!se the A#!lekites were spoiling Isr!el& 5!l g!there" !n !r#$

!n" s#ote the#& "eli%ering Isr!el ot of their h!n"s. A#!lek #e!ns 1licking p&1 !n"spe!ks of the lsts of the flesh which contin!ll$ thre!ten the people of 'o". 5!l w!s

gi%en power fro# 'o" to "efe!t th!t ene#$& thogh in the ne+t ch!pter he wol" not

fll$ c!rr$ ot 'o"7s E"g#ent !g!inst A#!lek !n" l!ter on it w!s !n A#!lekite whoreporte" to 6!%i" th!t he h!" kille" 5!l ,- 5!#.:?@+.:=0.

ow th!t Isr!el h!" ! king& 'o" c!lls pon hi# to !tt!ck A#!lek !n" co#pletel$ "estro$

!ll th!t the$ h!%e& not sp!ring #!n of wo#!n& chil" or b!be in !r#s& together with !lltheir !ni#!ls. Of corse 'o" wol" co##!n" no sch thing in this present "ispens!tion

of His gr!ce& bt the ini)it$ of A#!lek w!s sch th!t "estrction w!s the onl$ righteos

re#e"$. It #!$ see# "re!"fl to kill little chil"ren& bt !t le!st the$ wol" be t!ken tohe!%en& while it wol" be ! "ifferent #!tter if the$ were re!re" in bitter en#it$ !g!inst

'o" !n" the trth of His or".


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*he t$pic!l lesson for s !lso is #ost i#port!nt. 5ince A

Comments on the First Book of Samuel-L M Grant

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