1 Samuel 12

XII. Ver. 1—25. Samuel, in years, and anticipating his end to be approaching, exhorts and warns the Israelites.— It was probably at the meeting of Gilgal, mentioned in the close of the preceding chapter, that the venerable prophet delivered the following address, in which he speaks of himself as “old and grayheaded,” a phrase that cannot imply less than about threescore years; an age which, if chronology be correct, he would attain a few years after Saul’s election to the throne. This address contains, 1. An appeal as to his own integrity. “*Whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed?” But few governors, or judges, we fear, after so long an administration, could with safety make an appeal like this; and, perhaps, to still fewer would the negation reply be, * Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us.”

“There is (says Henry) a just debt which every man owes to his own good name, especially men in public stations, which is to guard against unjust aspersions and suspicions, that we may finish our course with honour as well as joy.” Demetrius had “‘a good report of all men, and of the truth itself.” (3 John 12.) 2. He reminds them of the Lord’s dealings with them as a nation, and of their ingratitude and rebellion against him, particularly in desiring to have another king over them, when the Lord himself had condescended to be their king. And to demonstrate that he spoke by divine authority, and that the Lord himself was displeased with them, on that account, he calls down a storm of rain and thunder in the time of wheat-harvest, which was very unusual at that season in their climate, though common enough with us.

3. Upon this they appear much alarmed, being seriously apprehensive of the consequences. Samuel, on his part, expresses the utmost concern for them, and his readiness to intercede on their behalf; but warns them against relapsing again into idolatry and rebellion. For the past, however, he assures them of the divine forgiveness, cautioning them at the same time not to attribute any merit, either to sacrifices; and it is clear, from his own defence, that Saul acted under the trepidations of unbelief, which led him to this whereas we read that they that believe will not 3. Isa. xxviii. 16. that is, will not leave the path of duty through the influence of fear, as was evidently the case with him; 2.

But what is the import of the character here David, “a man after God’s own heart,” that is, such as he cordially approved; a man thoroughly devoted to his service, which was eminently his character, although he, as well as Saul, was in some instances drawn aside, through the remaining power of his corrupt nature. To return, however, to the history of Saul: he was not given up into the hands of the enemy, as he was led to fear, as we shall see in a subsequent chapter; in the mean time, we cannot but remark the deplore situation in which the Israelites now were. The mighty army of Saul, and even his three thousand chosen troops, are all melted away to four hundred men; these are armed with bows and arrows, and slings and stones, fleshly but with neither sword nor spear.

For though they were allowed files to make their agricultural tools, they had no smiths among them capable of manufacturing steel, so as to form swords and spears, nor would their Philistine lords allow them.

Notes on the verses

Cap. XII. Ver. 2. Behold, my sons are with you.—Many suppose this to imply, that he had stripped his sons of all public authority, and reduced them to the rank of private individuals. Ver. 11. Bedan.—[Bedan, whose name occurs nowhere else as a judge of Israel. Bp. Patrick and others suppose to be a contraction of Ben Dan, “the son of Dan;” by which they suppose Samson is meant, as the Targum reads. The LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, some say instead of Bedan, read Barak; and the two latter versions, instead of Samson, have Samson. These readings are adopted by Houbigant, and appear to be genuine; for it is not probable that Samuel would enumerate himself.]—Bagster. Ver. 12. And when ye saw that Nahash…

came against you.—Nahash, it is probable, had been long preparing and threatening to attack them and when they saw him coming, then they became more importunate; and having heard a vague report, perhaps, that Saul had been appointed, they sent express to him at Gibeah, (1 Samuel 11:4). Ver. 17. Is it not wheat-harvest?—[Among ourselves, thunder and rain are far from being uncommon during harvest. But, according to Jerome, who spent several years in Palestine, during this harvest, which he says commenced about the end of June, or beginning of July, he never saw rain in Judea. This account is abundantly confirmed by modern travellers.]—Bagster. Ver. 21. Vain things.—Hebrew, “Vanities;” i.e. idols; “the vanities of the Gentiles.” See (Acts 14:15). Selected band. 3 He calleth the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines; as a be n Jonathan had smitten. 5 The Philistines great host. 6 The distress of the Israelites. 8 Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrificeth. 11 Samuel reproveth him. 17 The three spoiling bands of the Philistines. 19 The policy of the Philistines, to suffer no smith in Israel. Saul reigned one year; and when he had in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent. The Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had the burnt-offering.

their repentance or obedience. “For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake; because it has pleased the Lord to make you his people.” This applies to us Christians, as well as to the seed of Israel, according to the flesh. Of all whom the Lord is pleased to make his people, which is always an act of grace originating from himself, it is equally xiii. 5. true, he will “never leave them nor forsake them.” (Heb.