1 Samuel 11

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XI.—Inheritances, hastily gotten at the beginning, are often marked with terrible vexations: and God remarkably displays his wrath against some cities or nations. What a plague is it to live beside bad neighbours! But inhuman barbarity often issues in men’s own ruin. Kind sympathy with others in their trouble, and holy indignation against deeds of cruelty and wickedness, are highly commendable. Deep humility, a hasty concern for their subjects, zeal for the interests and honour of God, proper courage and authority, prudence, and confidence in God for success, attended with activity and dispatch in business, are truly ornamental in magistrates: and the fear of God ought to influence subjects to their duty. Never ought men to be more forward in forgiving others than when the Lord hath done great things for themselves. And, with hearty thanksgivings to God, and increasing regard to his appointments, ought we to acknowledge the deliverances which he grows or the honours which he confers