1 Samuel 25

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXV.—Was not Samuel a figure of Jesus Christ, our great Priest, Prophet, Deliverer, and Judge? How earnestly desired, and how supernatural was his birth! Early was he devoted and called to, prepared for, and employed in, his Father’s service. How extensive is his office! He is the illuminated Prophet that renders our dark earth a valley of vision. He is the unparalleled Priest, who, by his once offering of himself, made peace between God and men. He is the great Deliverer, that makes us free indeed. He is the sovereign judge of all, particularly the Israel of God. How wretched the case in which he finds his church and people when he appears for their help! His sacrifice and intercession procure lasting friendship with heaven, and noted victories and mercies on earth. How marvellous his conquest of enemies, and restoration of the treacherously abandoned worship of God! Gracious are his instructions, sharp his reproofs, and certain his predictions! By him kings reign, and princes decree justice. Candid, upright, and generous, are his whole administrations; though wickedly, and to their lasting ruin, He and his Father were rejected by his brethren of Judah, who desired a temporal deliverer; and still are by carnal professors. But how distressed their condition till they seek the Lord, and David their king! But, lo, the righteous are taken away from the evil to come! Nations have reason to mourn when those who stood in the gap, to prevent the Lord’s wrath, are removed by death. Alas! how often the best of men are disgraced by their children, and the best of women by their husbands! There is little happiness in wealth enjoyed by fools; and as little comfort in marriage which is made for the sake of it. It becomes the poor to use entreaties. While we feast we should distribute our bread to the hungry. One good turn deserves and requires another: but a foul tongue is the sign of a wicked heart. Scurrilous invectives are too commonly the fare of God’s precious 3 30 saints in this world. They have puny, if not thievish hearts, who grudge to bestow their superfluities for the relief of such as are in want. How deadly dangerous, and deeply sinful, are violent passions! Some one provocation may quickly exasperate that mind which has calmly borne many such in other forms: but sensible and faithful servants are a great mercy to a family, and especially that one head of it hath sense and grace when the other is destitute of both. Soft words turn away anger; and a gift in the bosom pacifies strong wrath. But what we do in passion will afterwards be a grief to us: and it is a far greater satisfaction to forgive an offence than to revenge it. Nor ought any to be more ready to forgive injuries than those whom the Lord has marvellously protected. What thanks they deserve who keep us back from sin! And great is the mercy of God, which prevents our sin when we are upon the very point of committing it. If we have sworn to commit wickedness, it is sinful to keep our oath, but our duty bitterly to repent the taking of it. Those who are churlish to God and his people are often abundantly liberal to the devil and his agents, in drunkenness, costly apparel, or the like. Sinners lost in luxury and mirth, are insensible of the wrath of God, which hangs over their head; while beastly drunkards render themselves incapable of profiting either by advice or correction. But quickly will death turn their riotous joys into eternal sorrows, and tear the churl from his idolized portion of earth. Saints need not avenge their own wrongs; God will do it for them in a speedy and awful manner, and render them thankful that he kept them back from usurping his prerogative. Pacific prudence and sense are excellent means to pave our way to a more exalted station: and such as are content to suffer with the people of God shall reign with them at last. But they who sinfully multiply their wives must not expect to enjoy much of family pleasures. 4 E