1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12:1-7

said unto them, the LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

Before Samuel parted with the assembly, he addresses himself to them.

1. By way of appeal for his own integrity among them. He had now resigned the government; their king stood before them, and he was a subject as well as they, and ready to answer any man who would call him to account; and his sons are now private persons, and open to any accusation which might be laid against them. He reminds them of his grey hairs, which they should have regarded with greater reverence, as coming upon him in their service, in which, from earliest infancy he had been employed. He challenges them to lay the least crime to his charge, of bribery or oppression committed by him during all his administration, and therein tacitly reflects upon their own sin and folly in rejecting one who, without the re-reward, had governed them with such impartial justice. Note, (1.) To vindicate one character from the objections of calumny, is a debt due to a man’s good name. (2.) They who are conscious of their own integrity, are not afraid of enquiry into their conduct.

2. The people willingly bear testimony to his uprightness among them. He had never oppressed them to the least matter, nor received ought at their hands, as a reward for his service. The Lord therefore is appealed to against any future charge, as their own confessions proclaim his innocence, and they rejoice, He is witness, that they had fully cleared him from every suspicion of mal-administration. Note, It is a great comfort to have the witness of God for our integrity.

3. And Samuel said unto the people, ‘It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7. Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD, of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. 8. When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers, out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. 9. And when they forget the LORD their God, he said them into the hand of Sifera, captain of the hoff of Hazor, and into the hand of the Phulishies, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. 10. And they cried unto the LORD, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. 11. And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Betan, and Jerubhah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. 12. And when ye saw that Nahath the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, ‘Nay, but a king shall reign over us; when the LORD your God was your king. 13. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired: and behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14. If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye, and also the king that reigneth over you, continue following the LORD your God. 15. But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

4. Hef. xii. 10, 11.

5. NOW the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gibba. 2. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul, and upon his sons: and the Philistines flew Jonathan, and Ahmadeh, and Malchithua, Saul’s sons. 3. And the battle went fore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was fore wounded of the archers. 4. Then said Saul unto his armour-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, left these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armour-bearer would not; for he was fore afraid: therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5. And when his armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. 6. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armour-bearer, and all his men that same day together. 7. ¶ And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

At last Saul’s day is come, when his evil is had in remembrance before God, and his judgment overtakes him.

1. The Philistines bravely fall upon the Israelites, who, on the first shock, are broken, and take to flight. Multitudes fall under the devouring sword, and the most valiant, who refuse to fly, expose themselves only to more certain ruin. Among these, it seems, were the brave sons of Saul, and the amiable Jonathan at their head, who seeing the battle press hard on them, and their father in danger, seek to stay by their bravery the fury of the conquerors: but being unable to sustain the shock, they fall nobly in the bed of honour. A heavy judgment on Saul’s house, but which made David’s way to the throne much easier, these competitors being removed. Now, The righteous here are involved in ruin with the wicked, but the day of final recompense shall vindicate all God’s dispensations.

2. Saul himself at last is overtaken, and wounded with an

armour, shot perhaps at a venture, but speeded by God to this man. Unable to fight or fly, yet, on proud; to bear the thoughts of captivity, or dreading to fall by the sword of a Philistine, who might torture or inflate him, he bids his armour-bearer dispatch him; but refused for his matter, as the Lord’s abounded, or fear left he might be called in account for it, with heid him; to that final, resolved to decry the poison of his own sword to his breath, and fell upon it, closing a wicked miserable life, with a more wicked and miserable death. Now, (1.) It is guide makes a man a self-musterer. (2.) They make a dreadful exchange, who think to escape the malice of life, by plunging into the horrors of eternal death.

3. His armour-bearer seeing his belief fall, would not survive him; and though he refused to say Saul, rashly minders himself. If this, as hath been conjectured, was Bong; we see the just judgment of God upon him; the sword that was bathed in the blood of the priests at Noto, now was shredded in his own heart.

4. The Philistines on this victory seized the cities near the field of battle, which the terrified inhabitants had deserted, and dwelt in them, till dispossessed by David; and thus marred the land for their choice of their king, and their evil ways during his reign, according to the threatening denounced by Samuel, Ye shall be conquered, hath you and pray king.

5. And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gibba. 9. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and beat into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. 10. And they put his armour in the house of Ahtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-than. 11. ¶ And when the inhabitants of Jabeh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul. 12. At the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-than, and came to Jabeh, and burnt them there. 13. And they took their bones, and burned them under a tree at Jabeh, and fasted seven days.

1 Samuel 12:6-15

Samuel having vindicated himself, proceeds to remind them of what God had done for them, as a proof of their ingratitude in rejecting him; yet with instructions how this change might issue to their good.

1. He abrogates their history. God had delivered them from Egypt; but their ingratitude fathers forsake him for idols, and brought themselves thereby into bitter distress, under Sifera, the Phulishies, and Moabites; yet, whenever they returned to him in penitence, he returned to them in mercy, and delivered them by the hands of judges distinctly railed up, until his own time, who had been the last of them. Notwithstanding, they were bent on a king, and God had gratified them. He restores therefore with them on the obligation they were under to this gracious God, and their ingratitude is resisting to have another king; in which also his compliance with their request was a fresh token of his patience and mercy towards them. Note, (1.) The more we reflect upon God’s dealings with us, the

more reason we shall have to chuse his government, and to condemn the folly and ingratitude of ever leaving him. (2.) Full experience should be remembered for pretext conduct. They who forsook God, always suffered for it.

2. He instructs them how the alteration of the government might turn to their good. If they were faithful to God, observant of his worship, and persevering in his service, then God would keep them in his holy ways, and it should go well with them and their king: but if they apostulated from God, then they might expect to feel his heavy hand, till they were consumed together. Note, (1.) They who are faithful to the grace bestowed, as their reward, shall have that grace confirmed and strengthened. (2.) God’s service brings a pretext reward along with it now, and ensures an eternal reward hereafter. (3.) They who will not be brought under the yoke of God’s laws, must be broken by the rod of his judgment.

3. Now therefore stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17. ‘It is not wheat-harvest to-day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain: that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18. So Samuel called unto the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins, this evil, to ask us a king. 20. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: (ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21. And turn ye not aside: for then should ye ye after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain) 22. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23. Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD, in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way. 24. Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

1 Samuel 12:8-13

That day the pursuit halted, and this was blood dyed the chest of the valley. On the morrow they return to strip the slain, and to their joy find their enemy Saul a breathless corpse, and his sons fallen with him. Hereupon we have,

1. The insult offered to the dead body of Saul. They cut off his head, which (the 1 Chron. 2: 10.) they thank up as a trophy of their victory in the house of their god Dagon, and placed his armour in the temple of Ahtaroth, and took the trunk, and the bodies of his sons, and ignominiously fastened them with nails to the wall of Beth-than, or hung them on gibbets upon the wall. Thus the insult Saul by self-murder wished to avoid, overtook him.

2. They proclaimed their victory through the land, and set apart a day of solemn thanksgiving to praise their idols, to whom they ascribed their success. Now, Blind idolaters often shew more gratitude to, and dependance upon, thanks and stones, than they who pretend to worship the true God, express to the living Jehovah; therefore in the day of judgment these shall rise up to condemn them.

3. The men of Jabeh-gilead, fired at the insult shewn the royal corpse, as well as mindful of their particular obligations to Saul, boldly adventure to cross Jordan, and by night take down, unperceived, the bodies from the wall of Beth-than; and carrying them home, with great solemnity burn either the flesh which began to purify, or forest odours over them; then take up the bones and ashes, and bury them under an oak, and keep a seven days mournful fall, every day until evening, for the death of their sovereign, and the desolations of their country. Thus closes this first book, where Israel’s son sets in blood, and darkness and despair seem to cover the land: but we shall find the morning break upon us in the opening of the next volume; and the bright sun of David, the glorious type of Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, arising to cheer the desolate valleys of Judah, and shining forth in his meridian splendor, whilst all their enemies are led captive at his chariot wheels.

THE

1 Samuel 12:15-17

2. 1-4.

when Samuel saw Saul, * the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thro’ of: this same shall I reign over my people.

Samuel was now just coming from his door when Saul appears in sight. He had, by a secret whisper from God the preceding day, been informed of his design, to send to him the person appointed to be the ruler of his people; and though in anger this king was given, yet God hath designs of grace to answer: though they shall heart by their king, they shall be saved by him from their enemies. Their cry God hath heard; whether the cry of distress from fear of the Philistines, or their former supplication to Samuel; and now behold the man whom God hath appointed to reign over Israel as a king; or as the word figuance, to refrain them from the evil of their ways. Note, (1.) Circumstances that appear utterly fortuitous, are yet all ordered of God with deep design. (2.) When God will punish his people, he will in wrath remember mercy.

18. Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the teer’s house is. 19. And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the teer: go up before me unto the high place, for ye shall eat with me to day; and to-morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that it in thine heart. 20. And as for thine afters that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them, for they are found: and on whom it all the desire of Israel? is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house? 21. And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamin? of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and I my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speaketh thou so to me? 22. And Samuel took Saul, and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chasteth place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty p. times. 23. And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I give thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. 24. And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul: and Samuel said, Behold, that which is left, set it before thee, and eat; for unto this time hath it been kept for thee, since I said, I have invited the people: so Saul did eat with Samuel that day. 25. And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel commanded with Saul upon the top of the house. 26. And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 27. And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, But the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on) but stand thou shalt a while, that I may I show thee the word of God.

1 Samuel 12:16-25

Whatever God of his sovereign grace pleased to do for them in a way of mercy, that did not at all lessen their guilt before him. Therefore, though he had given them a promise just before, and they were now to appearance successful in their choice, yet he would remind them, that their sin was great. Note, Success in an evil way never landsdors it. To convince them of this, he uses an argument more effectual than words, to which they might be inattentive, and dull of hearing. For.

1. He prays to God in their presence, and instantly terrible thunders utter their voice, and though the day was serene before, and in that season of the year, it being wheat-harvest, rain never fell in Judæ; yet now the thick clouds gather round, and pour down a torrent of water. These were manifest evidences of God’s disobedience, of their folly in preserving the sword of a king, before the prayers of such a prophet, and warnings how soon their sin would turn their pretext peaceful calm into a storm of wrath. Note, (1.) All the elements are ready armed to avenge God’s quarrels, whenever he pleases to send them. (2.) It is a dangerous thing to turn the prayers of God’s ministers against us, for their quarrel is the Lord’s.

2. Terror and dismay seize the affrighted congregation. Fearing God’s disobedience, and perceiving the power of Samuel’s prayers, they confess their guilt and folly, and earnestly intreat him to intercede for them, that they perish not, as they were conscious they had deserved to do. Note, (1.) The time will come, when sinners will cry for their prayers, whom now they despise. (2.) Though the terrors of the Lord put men into a fright, they work no lasting change; when the storm is blown over, they quickly relapse into their former ways.

3. Samuel kindly undertakes to be their advocate, their comforter, and friendly adviser. He bids them not fear. Their thunders were not to destroy, but to humble them, and bring them to a sense of their great wickedness. As God had chosen them, not for their distress, but for his own great name’s sake, he would keep them; only they must beware not to turn aside unto idols, which never could profit them. For his own part, he could not but pray for them without ceasing, and should continue to give them his best advice, to preserve them in fidelity to their covenant God; reshaping them earnestly to fear the Lord, and serve him in simplicity, both in gratitude and love, for the great things he had already done for them, and left their disobedience should provoke him to destroy both them and the king

king in whom they gloried. Note, (1.) God’s choice is forer, and as of his grace he calls, so by his grace he will keep his choice: though their fine provoke him to scourge them, yet will he not utterly destroy them. (2.) Whatever creature engages our affections from God, it makes the heart idolatrous, and will deceive our expectations. (3.) Those who injure us, we must still pray for; how much more those who turn and fury, Forgive. (4.) Ministers must not cools teaching people the good and right way, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. (5.) The more we consider what God has done for us, the more shall we feel ourselves constrained to love and serve him. (6.) When a minister is faithful, if the people continue refractory, he will have the comfort of having delivered his own soul. (7.) Apostasy from God, and eternal ruin, are inseparably connected.

1 Samuel 12:18-27

We have here the first interview between Saul and Samuel. Meeting a man in the gate of the city, bearing no marks of distinction about him, Saul required after the teer, and was not a little surprised when he heard him reply, I am he.

1. Samuel bereupon, without his enquiry, satisfies him concerning the business he came upon: the afters are found, he need not farther concern himself about them; he prefers him to spend the day with him at the feall, sends him up before him to the high place, either as giving him precedence, or as having some business to do by the way, and drops an intimation of that predicament, which, little as he thought of it, God intended for him.

2. Saul institutes at the message, and can scarce believe him in earnest, modestly speaking of his family and self, as unworthy of such an honour. Note, An humble mind is the ornament of every station.

3. At the feall, Samuel treats him with peculiar distinction: he is set in the highest place, and the best aids carried to him; which before he came had been designed and set apart for him, and his servant shares in his master’s honour, and partakes of the entertainment. Note, (1.) Whom God honours, we must respect for his sake, and yield that place to them which Providence has assigned. (2.) We must not envy those whom God is pleased to advance, though we must have any help to them.

4. When they came down from the high place, Samuel spent the evening and next morning in communion with Saul on the roof of his house, which was flat, and for coolness much restored to him; and we may suppose, fully informed him concerning God’s election, his own readiness to resign to him, and the behaviour suitable to his station, and probably prayed for him and over him, that he might be faithful to his trust. Thus very

early in the morning, he brought him on his journey, and having desired him to dismiss his servant, he confirms the word which he had spoken to him from God, by a solemn and strong him as king, as the beginning of the next chapter will inform us.