1 Samuel 13
DOYLY1 Samuel 13:5
- — thirty thousand chariots,] This number appears prodigious: the Syriack and Arabick versions have 3000, instead of 30,000, which is probably the true reading; and even then we must suppose, that under the name of chariots are included carriages of every description which attended the army. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells.
Saul is reproved by Samuel Before CHRIST 1093. from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; intrested the face.
1 Samuel 13:12
- — I forced myself therefore, &c.] This excuse of Saul’s carries a plausible appearance; but, at the bottom, it is nothing more than his setting up his own discretion and conduct against the positive command of God: for God was Governour in chief of the affairs of Israel, and Saul had nothing to fear from the Philistines, so long as he obeyed His orders. Saul’s piety on this occasion was merely pretended: for when he prayed to God to prosper his undertaking in a way which was contrary to His own clear revelation, his conduct was so far from deserving the name of piety, that it was a direct affront on His infinite wisdom. Reading.
1 Samuel 13:13
- — Thou hast done foolishly: &c.] The command which Samuel had given to Saul when he anointed him, chap. x. 8, was, to come to Gilgal to offer sacrifice, to wait for him there seven days, and to act by his direction. Saul transgressed every part of this command, in offering the sacrifice himself which should have been offered only by the Prophet; in not waiting till the end of the seventh day, but offering on the morning of that day; and in intending to begin the war without any direction from Samuel. Thus he broke the commandment of God, which was expressly given to prove his trust in God’s word, and his obedience to the law, and obtruded himself, without authority, on the office of the priest; herein giving proof of a presumptuous and impatient temper. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells. Probably Samuel came not within the time appointed, on purpose, perhaps, to prove the faith and patience of Saul. Dr. Hales. Saul, impatient and weak in faith, snatched at the seeming advantage of the moment, and shrunk not from purchasing it at the price of disobedience. He called for burnt offerings and peace offerings. Scarcely had he made an end of offering when Samuel arrived. Saul endeavoured partly to extenuate, partly to vindicate, his conduct, and pleaded the critical emergency. The Prophet cut off at once all excuses by a declaration, to which the understanding and conscience of the king immediately bore witness, “Thou hast done foolishly.” Gisborne. God would have us adhere inviolably to what He commands, and not depart from it on any pretence whatever. We must never seek excuses or make use of pleas when God commands; for nothing is more offensive to Him than disobedience to His orders. Ostervold.
— for ever.] Not strictly for ever, but for a long time, or as long as his posterity should remain: for God could not intend to establish the kingdom in Saul for ever, without contradicting the prophecy of Jacob, Genesis xlix 10, who had promised the sceptre to the tribe of Judah. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 13:14
- — the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart.] God had not yet commanded David to lead His people, but He fully intended so to do, if Saul did not repent and obtain a pardon of Him for his offence: he had not yet provoked Him so far, as to have an irrever-
sible sentence passed upon him: but the sentence might have been revoked if he had not persisted in his folly, and committed a much greater offence against the Divine Majesty in his war against Amalek. Bp. Patrick. David is here called “a man after God’s own heart;” because he acted in conformity to the main purpose of God’s heart. He is so called, not on account of his private virtues, but of his publick conduct; not for a spotless purity of manners, but for his abhorrences of idolatry, and his strict adherence to the civil and religious laws of his country. Whoever exerted himself vigorously and effectually in upholding true religion, which was the great end and main design of the Divine government established over the Jews, might with the strictest propriety be called a man after God’s own heart. Now this was the distinguishing excellence of David’s life: he was a sincere and hearty lover of his country, a zealous observer of its laws in opposition to all idolatry, from which he kept himself and his people at the utmost distance. If any Christian writers have supposed that this title was the mark of moral perfection, and, in consequence of that, have exalted David’s character into a standard of virtue, they have, with a very good meaning perhaps, done a very injudicious thing. Bp. Porteus. Whoever observes the occasion of this expression will find, that it ought to be taken principally in a comparative sense, and in reference to the conduct of Saul, whose transgression, in sparing Amalek, the Prophet Samuel was then reproving; it means, that, in executing God’s decrees against the idolatrous nations round about him, David would be more punctual, and not so remiss as Saul had been, and in this respect would conform to the Divine will, or be “the man after God’s own heart.” Stackhouse. “The man after God’s own heart” stands in opposition to the character of Saul, who is described as acting foolishly, by breaking the commandment of God, and rejected by Him; that is, deprived of the succession to the crown in his family, on account of his folly, presumption, and disobedience. It therefore means, one who would act prudently, and obey the commandments of God delivered to him by His Prophets, and whom therefore God would thus far approve and continue to favour. There are therefore two senses, which are evidently implied in this character of a man after God’s own heart; a man who would faithfully execute the will of God according as he was commanded; and one who, on that account, and so far, would be the object of His approbation. In one or other, or both, of these senses, we find the expression always used. Dr. Chandler. In a general and indefinite way of speaking, where the subject treated of is only the general relation of man to God, no one can be called “a man after God’s own heart,” but he who uses his best endeavours to imitate God’s purity, as far as humanity will allow, in the uniform practice of every virtue: but, in the case of David,
The policy of the Philistines. Jonathan smiteth their garrison. Before CHRIST 1003.
1 Samuel 13:19
- — there was no smith found &c.] Such was the miserable condition to which the tyranny of the Philistines had reduced the Israelites. By a similar policy the Chaldeans took away the smiths of the Israelites, 2 Kings xxiv. 14; Jer. xxiv. 1; xxix. 2; and Porsenna obliged, by covenant, the Roman people to use no iron, except in tilling their fields. Bp. Patrick.
1 Samuel 13:20
- — down to the Philistines, &c.] Not to the country
Israelites, join against them. 24 Saul’s un-advised adjuration kindereth the victory. 32 He restraineth the people from eating blood. 35 He buildeth an altar. 36 Jonathan, taken by lot, is saved by the people. 47 Saul’s strength and family.
Before CHRIST about 1067.
NOW || it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
1 Samuel 13:23
- — the passage of Michmash.] The passage which led to Michmash, and which it was thought necessary to secure. Dr. Wells.
Chap. XIV. ver. 1. — that is on the other side.] On the other side of “the passage of Michmash,” mentioned in the last verse. This attempt of Jonathan’s would have been rash and criminal, as he had no orders from his father, who commanded the army, if he had not been stirred to it by a Divine impulse. Bishop Patrick.
A divine terror seizes the Philistines. I. SAMUEL. Saul’s unadvised adjuration Before CHRIST about 1687. still. c 1 Macc. 4. 20.