1 Samuel

4. Be often upon your knees, pray with life and fervency: the same Spirit that fills the heart with sighs, fills it with joys; the same Spirit that composes the prayer, seals it. When Hannah had prayed, her countenance was no more sad (1 Samuel 1:18). Praying Christians have muc…

It is still music; for want of this a Christian is in continual fear; he does not take that comfort in ordinances. Hannah went up to the feast at Jerusalem, but she wept and did not eat (1 Samuel 1:7). So a poor dejected soul goes to an ordinance, but does not eat of the feast;…

Healing words are fittest for a broken heart; but that is a cruel, unmerciful tongue which speaks such words to the afflicted, as cut them to the heart (Psalm 69:26). They talk to the grief of those whom you have wounded. Hannah was a woman of a troubled spirit (1 Samuel 1:10).…

Quest. 3. What are the several sorts of prayer? Resp. 1. There is mental prayer, in the mind (1 Samuel 1:13). 2. Vocal (Psalm 77:1).

Do you not have enough in him? As Elkanah said to Hannah, (1 Samuel 1:8). Am not I better than ten sons?

Secondly, the Paschal Lamb when it was killed and eaten, had no bone of it broken, so was it commanded, Exodus 12:46, and Numbers 9:12; signifying, that Christ when he was crucified, should not have a bone of him broken, as Saint John applies the former Texts, John 19:36. Thirdl…

Lord in trouble have they visited you, they poured out a prayer when your chastening was upon them. 1 Samuel 1:15. I am a woman (says Anna) of a hard spirit: that is, a troubled soul, and have poured my soul before the Lord. Hence it appears, that the ordinary prayers of most me…

Prayer is the golden fleet the saints send out to heaven, which comes home richly laden with mercy. Sometimes God gives his people the same mercy in kind that they beg (1 Samuel 1:27). For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition.

So that the staff of her age, on whom she leaned was broken: she had now none left to comfort or assist her in her helpless comfortless state of widowhood; which is a condition not only void of comfort, but exposed to oppression and contempt. Indeed, and being a widow, the whole…

Now to open this a little; First, you shall discern the will of God by the breathing of the Spirit, first when the Spirit helps us to pray feelingly, and sensibly for those blessings that we stand in need of, when the Spirit does lift up our hearts, and reach after those mercies…

And this is often and usual, when the soul makes use of God's ordinances, and privileges which himself has granted, that surely God has heard our requests, he never refuses to grant that prayer which he stands to hear. For this purpose is that you read of the good woman Hannah (…

And in God's answering our prayer we have experience of the comforts of the Spirit, and those spiritual solaces which he secretly gives to his people. Hannah when she had prayed went away and her countenance was no more sad (1 Samuel 1:18). In praying we put forth the groans of…

The observableness of the mercy enhances the rates of it; tending more to the Christian's comfort, example to others, encouragement to right worshippers, and glory to God: All these things might take up much time, but I shall only hint what is that open reward that God gives to…

Thus Mordecai and Hester took all care to perpetuate the memory of that signal deliverance from the plot of Haman, by ordaining the feast of Purim, as an Anniversary throughout every generation, every family, every Province, and every Ciy, that those days of Purim should not fai…

(1.) What a mercy was it to us, to have Parents that prayed for us before they had us, as well as in our Infancy, when we could not pray for our selves? Thus did Abraham, Genesis 15:2 and Hannah, 1 Samuel 1. 10, 11. and some here likely are the fruits and returns of their Parent…

And so we are said often in Scripture to speak to God in our hearts, when the mouth does not speak at all, as Moses (Exodus 14:15) is said to cry to God — that was nothing but the directing or actual intending of such and such secret desires to God; that was a crying to God. So…

The names given to prayer import violence. It is called wrestling (Genesis 32:24), and pouring out the soul (1 Samuel 1:15), both of which imply vehemency. The affection is required as well as the invention.

Those wives wanted a meek and quiet spirit, that covered the altar of the Lord with tears (Malachi 2:13) — not tears of repentance for sin, but tears of vexation, at the disappointments they met with in their outward condition. Hannah's meekness and quietness was in some degree…

The Scripture every where notes them for infamous, and most abominable persons. When Eli supposed Hannah to be drunken, Count not your hand-maid a daughter of Belial, said she, 1 Samuel 1:16. Now a Son or daughter of Belial is, in Scripture-language, the vilest of men or women.…

The Troubles of the Saints are sanctified to them, but mine are fruits of the Curse. They have spiritual Consolations to ballance them, which flow into their Souls in the same height and degree, as Troubles do upon their Bodies, 2 Corinthians 1:5. But I am a stranger to their Co…

From which I gather, that her husband observing her to be a godly, wise, faithful, and industrious woman, gave her power and liberty to do in the household affairs, what she thought good, (he being a public magistrate, for he was known in the gates, sitting among the Elders of t…

2. Though she ought cheerfully to entertain whatever guests he brings into the house, yet ought not he to be grievous and burdensome therein to her: the greatest care and pains for entertaining guests lies on the wife: she ought therefore to be tendered therein. If he observe he…

The duty which on a father's part in this respect is required, is that he encourage his wife, and help her with all needful things for the performance of this duty. It is noted of Elkanah, that he suffered his wife to tarry at home while she gave suck to her son, and would not f…

If we had but this fixed with us; what gift or grace I seek, what comfort I seek, it shall no sooner be mine, but it shall all be yours again, and myself with it; I desire nothing from you but that it may come back to you, and draw me with it to you, this is all my end, and all…

Job 16:20: My friends scorn me; but my eye pours out tears to God. When we have a great burden upon us, to go aside and open the matter to God, it gives ease to the heart, and vent to our grief; as Hannah in great trouble, falls to praying to God, and then was no more sad (1 Sam…

Look as in an earthquake, when the wind is imprisoned in the bowels of the earth, the earth heaves, and shakes, and quakes, until there be a vent, and the wind be got out, then all is quiet: so we have many tossings and turmoilings in our minds, till we open and unbosom ourselve…

6. The Lord writes down the prayers of his People, Ionah 2:7. Prayer, though it be not Vocal, only Mental, is Recorded, 1 Samuel 1:13. Hannah spoke in her Heart.

It is no small ease that we have a God to go to, to whom we may freely open our minds. Prayer has a pacative virtue, as Hannah (1 Samuel 1:18) prayed to the Lord, and wept sore; and mark the event, the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad, etc. An…

An oven stopped up is hotter within: so the more close we are, the more we keep our own counsel, the greater is our burden. Look as wind when it is imprisoned in the caverns of the earth, it causes violent convulsions and earthquakes; but if it find vent, all is quiet; so it is…

Who ever repented of his repentance? (1 Samuel 1:18): Hannah went her way, and did eat and drink, and her spirit was no more sad. Prayer gives ease, but sensual pleasures leave remorse, and a sting.

We are to love God for hearing our prayers for others as well as for ourselves. Eli gave thanks and solemnly worshipped God for Hannah's sake, because he had before prayed for her, and therefore praised God for her, who had heard his prayers in her behalf: compare (1 Samuel 1:28…

Therefore the Lord to commend his favors to us, and to set a price upon them, will have us pray much and long. 1 Samuel 1:27: For this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me the petition which I asked of him. 3. God does it, to prove and exercise our faith.

A good Christian gives God the inwards; when he prays his heart prays. 1 Samuel 1:13: Hannah prayed in her heart. In his thanksgivings the heart is the chief instrument of praise (Psalm 111:1).

Take faith in any thing else, and you shall see, so much faith, so much quiet in you. For example, Hannah, in 1 Sam. 1:18. when her petition was granted, that she beleeued it, says the Text, she went away, and tooke meate, and looked no more sad. That was an argument that she be…

Those that never felt anything of this nature may call it a fancy, but the Lord's people are abundantly satisfied of the reality thereof. Their very countenance is altered by it (1 Samuel 1:18). The sad and cloudy countenance of Hannah cleared up — there was fair weather in her…

Is it a light thing for you to have God for your Father, Christ for your elder brother? Am not I better to you, says Elkanah to Hannah (1 Samuel 1:7-8), than ten sons? And is not the immortal God, the Father of mercies, and God of all consolations, better to you, than anything e…

And it is therefore the greatest, because it is the loss of the parents in most bowels; it is the loss of the chiefest comforts of their greatest hopes. But you say, The loss of some husband or some wife would be more grievous than the loss of a child: was not Elkanah better to…

Thirdly, God has mercies for all sorts. Mercies for the poor (1 Samuel 2:8): He raises the poor out of the dust. Mercies for the prisoner (Psalm 69:33): He despises not his prisoners.

His spring feeds all our cisterns; he drops his holy oil of grace upon us. Fourthly, God is holy transcendently (1 Samuel 2:2): "There is none holy as the Lord." No angel in heaven can take the just dimensions of God's holiness.

For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts and the angels' praises.

His kingdom rules over all; that is, the kingdom of his providence: This kingdom we do not pray for, when we say Your Kingdom come; for this kingdom is already come: God exercises the kingdom of his providence in the world (Psalm 75:7). He puts down one, and sets up another: Not…

Parents are as it were in the room of God; if they would teach you the fear of the Lord, you must listen to their words as oracles, and not be as the deaf adder to stop your ears. Eli's sons hearkened not to the voice of their father (1 Samuel 2:25), but they were called sons of…

His high birth, his learning, his legal righteousness, but he disclaims all in point of justification, and lays them under Christ's feet to tread upon. No angel could with all his holiness lay down a price for the pardon of one sin (1 Samuel 2:25). If a man sin against the Lord,…

Now, the Lord God approving of him, he has the hearts of all men in his hands, inclining them where he wills: and if it does stand with his glory, he will cause them to like, and to speak well of him, that does believe. Many, indeed, get great applause in the world, which little…

And this answer seems the better, because we may have some reason to think that God will save of every nation some, but no ground to imagine he will save all of any nation: much less all of every nation. 2. Here we may see, that God honoreth those his servants that honor him, as…

Thirdly, others there be which expound it thus: He descended into hell, that is, Christ Jesus, when he was dying upon the cross, felt and suffered the pangs of hell and the full wrath of God seizing upon his soul. This exposition has its warrant in God's word, where hell often s…

God is first transcendently holy. There is none holy as the Lord (1 Samuel 2:2). The blessed seraphims cover their faces, and cry holy, holy, but what angels can take the just dimensions of his sanctity? they are too low of stature to measure these pyramids.

(3) The mercies of God have been melting mercies to others, melting their souls in love to the God of their mercies. So Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1): when she received the mercy of a son, 'My soul,' said she, 'rejoices in the Lord' — not in the mercy, but in the God of the mercy. And s…

5. Mortify therefore your members, that are on earth, fornication, uncleanness, etc. Beza, Piscator, and others think it probable that Christ uttered this prayer to his Father, in the Syriac tongue, because the Evangelist uses the word [illegible], to be lifted up from the earth…

Therefore after their inward confusion, there followed also an outward confusion and shame among men, according to that saying: The Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain (Exodus 20:7). And again: They which despise me, shall be despised (1 Samuel 2:30). Co…

It is written (says he) that the mother of many children, and she which has a husband must be sick and die and contrariwise, that the barren and she which has no children, must have abundance of children. After the same manner Hannah sings in her song, out of which Isaiah the Pr…

Lastly, fearful judgments of God belong to ministers of wicked lives. Destruction befalls the sons of Eli and their families, because they by lewd example made the people of God to sin (1 Samuel 2:24). The like befell the sons of Aaron for their presumption.

And the precept of Saint Paul, commanding Timothy, that he should so reprove, as that he convict the conscience of the sin, when he says, Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and DOCTRINE (2 Timothy 4:2): now this is done by showing the true meaning of the law and the…

Thus she thought, now shall I have the honor of raising Abraham's family; now I am at least as good a woman as my mistress — thus she despised Sarah. Again, 1 Samuel 2:30, where the Lord says concerning Eli's sons, Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me, shall…

And in Psalm 33 says David also: The rich shall want and suffer hunger: but they which seek the LORD, shall want no manner of thing that is good. Likewise also said Anna the mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 2): They that were filled before, are sold for bread: and they tha…

May not an Intercessor be obtained to plead in the behalf of the guilty soul? Eli determines this matter, 1 Samuel 2:25. If one man sinagainst another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him?

But nothing will move a sinner; the rocks will sooner rend than his heart. If all that I have said will not prevail, it is a sign ruin is toward (1 Samuel 2:25). They hearkened not to the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

Such a one we read of, Judges 6:8: "The Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them," etc. Such a one it seems to have been that we read of, 1 Samuel 2:27: "and there came a man of God to Eli," etc. But there was no such order of men upheld in Israel fo…

And your gravity and awful composedness therein will contribute very much to the preserving of your authority, and will command respect abundantly more than your noise and chiding. Masters of families (and masters of schools too) have need, in this matter, to behave themselves w…

In this sense is it used in that frequent expression, if I have found grace in your sight: that is, if I be freely and favorably accepted before you. So he gives grace, (that is, favor) to the humble (James 4:6; Genesis 39:21; chapter 41:37; Acts 7:10; 1 Samuel 2:26; 2 Kings 25:…

2. That he will sorely revenge the rebellion of evil wives: for again he has said, they that despise me, shall be despised. We know that fellows in office are ready to stand for the credit of one another's place, and to maintain the honor thereof: and that not without good reaso…

Upon these grounds holy men have not spared to rebuke their children as there was occasion (Genesis 9:25; Genesis 34:30; Genesis 49:4). Though Eli did somewhat in this duty, yet because he was not more severe therein, he brought destruction both upon himself and his children (1…

It is notable, that Pharaoh in his distress sent for Moses and Aaron, and not for the magicians. The consciences of wicked men are open at such a time, and they know God's children have special favor, and great audience with him; and he having the hearts of all men in his hands,…

2. We pray for strength to withstand his darts, that we may take the armor of God, and withstand the evil one (Ephesians 6:13). Alas! of ourselves, we cannot deliver ourselves from the least evil, or stand out against the least assault; therefore it is God alone that must keep t…

Does God take care of oxen? He deals bountifully with his enemies, but much more does he preserve the feet of his saints (1 Samuel 2:9). The care of his providence has its degrees; it is more intensively exercised about things of worth and value, and most of all about the life o…

God gives men over that trust in themselves. For the Lord takes it to be his honor to be the saints' guardian, to keep the feet of his saints (1 Samuel 2:9). He will be owned and depended upon.

5. Self-Confidence: When we think to bear it out with natural courage and resolution, and will be playing about the cockatrice's hole, and dallying with temptation: As Peter's confidence, you know how dear it cost him (John 18:16-17). It is God who keeps the feet of his saints,…

In its infancy there may be some relics of fear in a Christian; as (John 19:39), Nicodemus at first came to Jesus by night: but a grown faith counts it no loss of honor, or impeachment of dignity, to become vile for God. 4. The eternal recompense, (1 Samuel 2:30), Those that hon…

1. That natural comforts are the gifts of God (1 Timothy 1:17). He gives us richly all things to enjoy; and sets forth the bounds of our habitation where and how much we shall have; and gives and takes these things at his pleasure; raising up some from the dunghill, pulling down…

Another instance is: That of Eli (which is remarkable), who is charged with honoring his sons before God (1 Samuel 2:29). How so?

Men take reproofs for reproach, yet God having laid it on good men as their [reconstructed: duty] to rebuke, and not suffer sin to lie upon their brother, they dare not omit it (Leviticus 19:17). Though Eli reproved his sons for their sins, yet he is sharply reproved for not rep…

Too much leniency in a magistrate is not meekness but injustice. For him to indulge offenses and say with a gentle reproof, as Eli (1 Samuel 2:23-24): Why do you such things? Nay, my sons, it is not a good report that I hear — this is but to shave the head that deserves to be cu…

Satan says God is a hard Master and his commandments are grievous. It is the devil's design, as the sons of Eli did, to make the offering of God to be despised (1 Samuel 2:17). The devil raises in people's hearts two particular prejudices against Christ and his ways.

Christ is called a horn of salvation (Luke 1:69); the strength of a creature lies in his horn, and so the strength of a believer lies in this horn of salvation. The bird might as well fly without wings as we can do anything effective without Christ (1 Samuel 2:9): by strength sh…

And therefore if any yet in their natural estate would become wise to salvation, let them first become fooles in their own eyes, and renounce their carnal wisdom, which perceives not the things of God, and beg wisdom of God, who gives and upbraids not. If any man would have stre…

And as for creatures, there was none in heaven or earth that was fit to undertake this office. For if one man sin against another, the judge shall judge herein; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intercede for him? (1 Samuel 2:25). "There is not any mediator between us…

Sin is the great Leveller; it brings a Family low: it cuts off the Arm, and dissolves the Pillars thereof. 1 Samuel 2:29. Wherefore kick ye at my Sacrifice?

5th Commandment: Honor your father, etc. He breaks this commandment: who mocks or reviles or beats his superiors (Genesis 9:22); who disobeys their lawful commandments (Romans [reconstructed: 13]:30); who is unthankful to parents and will not [reconstructed: relieve] them if nee…

Grace in either, contributes much to the spirituality of the actions one of another: so the mockers of eternity and judgment, are ignorant, because they will be ignorant (2 Peter 3:5). And Eli's sons will be abominably lustful in their affections, because they know not the Lord,…

1. The preaching of the Word, which is the sounding of God's silver trumpet in men's [reconstructed: ears]; God does not speak by an oracle, he calls by his ministers. Samuel thought it had been only the voice of Eli, that called to him, but it was God's voice (1 Samuel 3:6). So…

How much have we done, to cause God to withdraw his Spirit, and suffer us to fall finally? Yet that he should keep us, let his name be blessed, and his memorials eternized, who keeps the feet of his saints (1 Samuel 3:9). 3. See from where it is that the saints do persevere in h…

2. We become accessory to the sins of others, by not hindering them when it is in our power: Qui non prohibet cum potest, jubet: If a master of a family sees his servant break the Sabbath, or hears him swear, and lets him alone, does not use the power he has to suppress him, he…

They might correct out of a mood, but God does it [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] for our profit (Hebrews 12:10). Therefore say as Eli, it is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him (1 Samuel 3:18). What gets the child by struggling but more blows?

The Thessalonians heard the Word Paul preached, as if God himself had spoken to them (1 Thessalonians 2:13): When you received the Word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God. When Samuel knew it was the Lor…

Quest. 4. What this patient submission to God's will is? Answ. It is a gracious frame of soul, whereby a Christian is content to be at God's dispose, and does acquiesce in his wisdom (1 Samuel 3:18): It is the Lord, let him do what seems him good (Acts 21:14): The will of the Lo…

If his dominion be absolute, sure his disposal should be acceptable. It was so to good Eli (1 Samuel 3:18), It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him. And it was so to David (Psalm 39:9), I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because you did it.

Murmuring is a stone in God's way; murmuring is an anti-providence, a little God, setting itself against the true God, that stirs all in wisdom; and the murmurer does what he can to stop up God's way. Old Eli, when he heard sad news, says (1 Samuel 3:18), "It is the Lord, [illeg…

And which is more, as he has respect to all God's commandments, so he has respect to all God's commandments in all his ways, there is a double universality of obedience, and they both hold forth this truth; it brings into subjection every thought and imagination to the will of C…

If God gave them hearts to listen to what he spoke to them in God's name, then God will listen to them. If we speak, and do as Eli taught Samuel to say, Speak, Lord, for your servant hears (1 Samuel 3:10). If we come before God with such a resolution, that whatever God speaks to…

To be short, where the feeling of God's love takes place, so as this principle be once fixed in our hearts, that he is our father, it shall not much dismay nor trouble us to be heaved up, or cast down, according as it pleases him: for faith will teach us that there is nothing mo…

This way of God's speaking the children of Israel were not able to bear, therefore they desired that Moses might speak to them, but that God would not speak to them thus any more, lest they should die (Exodus 20:19). At other times God spoke with a more still and gentle voice, a…

For as a good man once said, mercies are best known by the back, and most prized when most wanted. In those days the word of the Lord was precious, there was no open vision (1 Samuel 3:1). It is with spiritual as with temporal food, slighted when plenteous, but if a famine once…

The word of God is gospel indeed, good tidings to the meek (Isaiah 61:1); they will entertain it and bid it welcome; the poor in spirit are evangelized (Matthew 11:5), and Wisdom's alms are given to those that with meekness wait daily at her gates, and like beggars wait at the p…

3. It frees them from the guilt of their children's sin, so as they are not accessory thereto, as Eli was. For correction is the last remedy that a parent can use: if by that he can do no good, it is presupposed that he has done his utmost endeavor: in which respect, though the…

Usually we are more sensible of the benefit of the word in the want of it, than we are in the enjoyment of it. (1 Samuel 3:1) The word of the Lord was precious in those days, there was no open vision. When the public ministry of the prophets was rare and scarce, then it was prec…

He is so able that he can secure us in his work, so good that we should not trouble ourselves about his will, but refer it to him without hesitancy, which if we could bring our hearts to, it would ease us of many burdensome thoughts, and troublesome cares; (1 Peter 4:19) Therefo…

If we look to the ministry only, and not to the authority, we are in danger to slight it; certainly shall not profit by it. Many do so, as Samuel thought Eli called him, when it was the Lord (1 Samuel 3:7-8); but when we consider who is the author of it, then it calls for our re…

But men in love with their lusts, make a woeful use of this consideration, hardening themselves in their conceit, that there shall never be a change, and so sin more securely. See the like in other things: (1 Corinthians 7:29), (1 Corinthians 15:32), (Jude 24), (Romans 6:2), (2…

Many a child and servant that has come to prison and execution, have made this sad complaint, my parents, my master never gave me warning, never showed me the danger of sin, nor instructed me in the way of the Lord, the way of righteousness and holiness! beware of this. And when…

What should the meaning of this be? See (1 Samuel 3:13), and there it is cleared up; for says God, I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not — he did not give them so much as a sour look, o…

First, submission to God's will; when we carry ourselves calmly without swelling or murmuring under the dispensations of providence. 1 Samuel 3:18: It is the Lord; let him do what seems him good. The meek-spirited Christian says thus: Let God do what he will with me; let him car…

It is like the flower that opens and closes with the sun; so it opens to God and closes to temptation. This is the motto of a new-born saint (1 Samuel 3:9): Speak, Lord, your servant hears. When God bids his children pray in their closets, mortify sin, and suffer for his name, t…

But when our spirits are calmed, and we are wrought to a sweet submission to God's will; we accept of the punishment, Leviticus 26:41, and do in patience possess our souls, Luke 21:19. When we say as Eli, 1 Samuel 3:18. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.

Eli was a good man, and yet the threatening of God took hold on him, and his house; and David though a godly man, yet the sword never departed from his house; so that the threatenings belong to God's people, and we must so account them; else we shall read the word in vain, when…

If ours be a true genuine love to our heavenly Father, it may be known, 1. By the effects. 1. Then we have a holy fear: There is a fear which arises from love to God; that is, we fear the loss of the visible tokens of God's presence (1 Samuel 4:13): Eli's heart trembled for the…

The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagle shall eat it. Eli's two disobedient sons were slain (1 Samuel 4:11). God made a law that the rebellious son should be stoned; the same death the bla…

He whose heart would never break at the sight of his sins, shall now break at the sight of his loss. Phinehas's daughter, when she heard the Ark was lost, cried out, The Glory is departed; (1 Samuel 4:21). When the sinner sees what he has lost, he has lost the beatific vision, h…

That is a blessed love which puts a Christian into a hot fit of zeal, and a cold fit of fear, making him shake and tremble, and not dare willingly to offend God. 2. A fear mixed with jealousy, 1 Samuel 4.13. Eli's heart trembled for the Ark.

Melanchthon seemed to take little notice of the death of his child, which he dearly loved, being almost overwhelmed with the miseries lying on the Church. And it was a good evidence of the graciousness and publicness of Eli's spirit, who sitting in the gate anxiously waiting for…

He speaks it then by way of contempt against the vain and dumb Idols; to wit, that they and their soul were led into captivity. Object. But let us see if this may not as well be retorted upon the true God, whose Ark was taken by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11), which was the sig…

Thus Job arose, bound with a four-fold cord of affliction: he raised himself up like Samson, though in humility, yet with strength and courage. And so it is opposed to the sinking of the spirit under troubles, as you know the spirit of Eli did, (1 Samuel 4:18). There was sad new…

O, they knew not how to give up such a minister! When the ark of God (which was the symbol of the divine presence among the Jews) was taken, all the city cried out (1 Samuel 4:13). O, the loss of a Gospel ministry is an inestimable loss! not to be repaired but by its own return,…

Sin is a forsaking of God, and sin makes God forsake us: now which is better, to have God with and for, or against us? If God be for us, it matters not who be against us (Romans 8:31), but if God be against us, and depart from us, all is Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:21-22; Job 34:29). Ye…

Therefore know that, if you finde not your hearts affected with the things that belong to God, that there is no anger stirred up, it is a sure argument that you love him not. It is observable that is said of olde Ely, 1 Sam. 4:3. when newes was brought him that the Israelites we…

When the Judges scourge and imprison the Apostles, no man will speak for them — the immediate power of God does it, the chains fall off legs and arms, immediate providence is a key also to open the prison doors, and they are saved. There is a bloody war at the taking of the Ark,…

The Ark then was not worshipped in God's stead, but was a sign by which the people were led as by the hand, to set their affections on things above, even upon the Lord himself: contrariwise, the Gentiles doted only upon their puppets, and attributed to them a divine power. We ma…

The crown is fallen from our heads; and what is the reason? because we have sinned against the Lord (Lamentations 5:16). God has spoken terribly, but he has answered righteously; as he gives great and especial mercies in answer to prayer: so he sends great and extraordinary judg…

6. Curiosity, to meddle with that which was out of his sphere, and did not belong to him. God struck the men of Beth-shemesh but for looking into the ark (1 Samuel 6:19). Adam would be prying into God's secrets, and tasting what was forbidden.

Therefore pry not into the Arcana Coeli, the secrets of heaven. Remember what befell the men of Bethshemesh, for looking into the ark (1 Samuel 6:19). Know that we are not to go by God's secret will, but by his revealed will; look into God's revealed will, and there we shall fin…

And so God is sanctified when he does by a high hand of power recover and extort the glory of his holiness from the dead and stupid world. As by that notable stroke of the Bethshemites, when fifty thousand were slain for peeping into the ark (1 Samuel 6:20): This was the result…

And God has severely punished them that have been looked upon as little sins, yea some of them well-meant sins, as that of Uzza's taking hold of the Ark, when the Cart shook (2 Samuel 6:6-7). When they did but look into the Ark, it cost them dear (1 Samuel 6:19). Gathering of a…

But there is not a sword drawn when it is rescued. The Ark comes home; it is alone God's immediate providence that drives and acts upon two milk cows to bring it home again (1 Samuel 6:12-14). Who knows but when our strength of two Kingdoms has failed us, the Lord shall make cow…

Come as earnest suitors, resolve to take no denial. 2. If you would be in covenant with God, break off the covenant with sin; before the marriage covenant, there must be a divorce (1 Samuel 7:3). If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, put away the strange gods; and they…

To pray in the name of Christ is not only to mention Christ's name in prayer, but to pray in the hope and confidence of Christ's merit. (1 Samuel 7:9) Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it, &c. We must carry the lamb Christ in the arms of our faith, and so we prevail in pray…

O pray for mercy! God has treasures of mercy; prayer is the key that opens these treasures: and in prayer be sure to carry Christ in your arms; all mercy comes through Christ; (1 Samuel 7:9). Samuel took a sucking lamb. Carry the Lamb Christ in your arms, go in his name, present…

In the Hebrew: his great ones; or, his bowmen (because they are many, or because the great ones did fight afar off) have besieged me. So (2 Chronicles 17:9), (1 Samuel 7:16): Samuel went in a circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh. And (Joshua 6:3): You shall besiege Jericho.

Take a censer quickly, for wrath is begun. And Verse 48. presently the plague was stayed; upon Samuel's prayer the Philistines were discomfited when they were over-running Israel (1 Samuel 7:5, 9-10). With every one of these God was pleased to talk and commune as a friend; such…

See the place (Deuteronomy 6:13-14): You shalt fear the Lord your God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name, ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people, which are round about you. And in other places it is expressed, as (1 Samuel 7:3): If you prepare your…

The experiences we have had throughout our lives of the faithfulness and constancy of Providence, are of excellent use to allay and quiet our hearts in any trouble that befalls us. Hitherto God has helped, 1 Samuel 7:12 We never found him wanting to us in any case hitherto: this…

But in all this, so far as Job had gone, he had not sinned with his lips. As Samuel after many victories and deliverances, sets up a stone or a pillar with this inscription, Eben-Ezer, The stone of help, saying, Hitherto has the Lord helped us (1 Samuel 7:12), so here the Holy G…

This establishment of the covenant of grace with David, David always esteemed the greatest smile of God upon him, the greatest honor of all that God had put upon him; he prized it, and rejoiced in it above all the other blessings of his reign. You may see how joyfully and thankf…

But before this holy God? They own his holiness in the dispensation, though it were so dreadful, (1 Samuel 7:20). It is a great glory to God when you own him as just in all his ways, when he deals most hardly.

What shall a poor forlorn Creature do, to get into Covenant with God? 1. If you would be in Covenant with God, break off the Covenant with sin, 1 Samuel 7:3. What King will be in league with him that holds correspondence with his Enemy?

Former experiences must not be forgotten. Ebenezer, up to now the Lord has helped us; if he shall afflict us afterward, yet up to now he has helped us (1 Samuel 7:12). If he take away life, it is a mercy that he spared it so long for his own service and glory: if liberty, that w…

That faith may be animated in prayer, we must bring Christ in our arms when we appear before God. 1 Samuel 7:9: Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a burnt-offering, and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him. This suckling lamb typified Christ.

And again, 'I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.' It is expounded of Christ, but was first spoken of Solomon, the Type (1 Samuel 7:14). 'My mercy, that is, my covenant-mercy to the Son of David and his seed, shall stand sure as the days of heaven' (Psalm 89:28…

Faith does two things, in such a case. 1. It renews the parent's covenant, both to itself, and to its child, because faith believes the covenant is made to the parent and his child (Genesis 17:7), and therefore Abraham in that respect looks up to God, 'Oh that Ishmael might live…

Thus you see what kind of mourning it is, from which the Holy Spirit fetches his comparison. Now such shall be the mourning of every gracious heart, looking upon Christ pierced by him; such a mourning is expressed (1 Samuel 7:6): when they mourned for their sin, they drew water,…

For although it be true of all and every sin, which David confesses of his own particular murder and adultery, that it is against God, yea against him alone (Psalm 51:4), yet in these and such like cases which tend to the undermining of his Church, and the decay of his religion…

The kingly office had been formerly held by Saul; but, as he reached it through tumult and the ungodly wishes of the people, the lawful possession of the office is supposed to have commenced with David, more especially in reference to the covenant of God, who promised that "his…

Lo, I come to do your will, O God. O! but there is a hard stone in our will, the stony heart is the stony will; Hell cannot break the rock and the adamant, and the flint in our will (1 Samuel 8:19). No, but we will have a King; whether God will or no (Jeremiah 18:12).

As when Jacob and Laban made a covenant, it is said Jacob sacrificed beasts and called his brethren to eat bread (Genesis 31:54), which words must not be understood of killing for sacrifice but of killing for a feast. Again, when Saul sought his father's asses and asked for the…

And no marvel: for we take from the Church, as fast as they gave to it. In old time they were used to say, What shall we give the man of God (1 Samuel 9)? but now with the sacrilegious church-robbers, they say, Come, and let us take the houses of God in possession (Psalm 83:12).…

Some have had special, personal, and peculiar discoveries of it made to them. So had Samuel about the choice of the person whom he should anoint King, 1 Samuel 9:15 And so had David, 1 Samuel 23. 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12. where you find upon his enquiry of God (likely by the Vrim and…

The time of mercy was now fully come; the Decree was now ready to bring forth that mercy, with which it had gone big from Eternity, and its gracious design must be executed by the hand of Providence, so far as concerned the external means and instruments: and how aptly did it ca…

OBSERVATION. WHen Cattel are strayed away from your fields; you use all care and diligence to recover them again, tracing their footsteps, crying them in Market-Towns, sending your servants abroad, and inquiring your selves of all that you think can give news of them. What care…

How can the Lord say, blessed be Egypt, and though the whole seed be visibly in covenant, old and young, yet it follows not that therefore every promise that is absolute, that is, that of a new heart, is made to all and every one within the visible covenant: for it is promised (…

First, what is meant by thoughts, especially as they are the intended subject of this discourse, which in so vast an argument I must necessarily set limits to: 1. By thoughts, the Scriptures do comprehend all the internal acts of the mind of man, of what faculty soever, all thos…

To set the heart on the creature is to set a diamond in lead — none are so mad as to keep their jewels in a cellar, and their coals in a closet; and yet such is the profaneness of wicked men to keep God in their lips only, and Mammon in their hearts, to make the earth their trea…

The master of the family in all his lawful commandments must be obeyed: now the church of Christ is a family, and we are members thereof; therefore we must yield obedience to him in all things, for all his commandments are just. When Saul was chosen king over Israel, certain men…

And I speak not only of carnal and civil wisdom, that, that only is to be denied in this case, but common graces, which many times chokes all the hypocrites in the bosom of the Church; they are commonly choked upon this point, upon these things they trust, and do therefore veril…

Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish in the mid-way (Psalm 2:12). Because Christ Jesus is the Son of God, he should be submitted to and embraced with the heartiest love and subjection; for to kiss is a sign of religious adoration (Hosea 13:2), as they kissed the calves,…

Samuel, a young man, was sent to the tabernacle in Shiloh to be taught and trained up by Eli the priest. Samuel, when he was judge of Israel, erected colleges of prophets and ruled them himself (1 Samuel 10). In the decayed estate of the ten tribes, Elijah and Elisha set up scho…

The word To love, is not taken here simply, but for some special respect: and therefore he restrains it to the happy issue of his voyage. And so we may say that Saul was beloved of God for some private end; namely, that he might reign for a time, and might have the gift of proph…

John bore from the womb a token of future rank. Saul, while tending the herd, remained long without any mark of royalty, and, when at length chosen to be king, was suddenly turned into another man, (1 Samuel 10:6.) Let us learn by this example that, from the earliest infancy to…

Thus we read of Samuel's being appointed over them, 1 Samuel 19:20: "And when they saw the company of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them." The company of prophets that we read of 1 Samuel 10:5 were the same. Afterwards we read of their being under E…

The greatest provocations that men can give would not hurt us, if we did not, by our inordinate and foolish concern, come too near them, and within reach of their cannon; we may therefore thank ourselves, if we be damaged; He that has learned, with meekness and quietness, to for…

While we look at things that are eternal, not temporal, this light affliction; all is but light, and nothing in comparison: What is it for one to have a rainy day, who is going to take possession of a Crown? there is no man would be much sensible of a little cold in his head, if…

1. His Trial is set forth by two things. 1. The persons from whom it came, The bands of the wicked. 2. The evil done him, have robbed me. 1. The persons, The bands of the wicked [illegible] — the Hebrew word [illegible] signifies a cord, and also a troop or company not of soldie…

Herod, it is said, when he heard John the Baptist, did many things and heard him gladly (Mark 6:20). Saul was under a great change when he met the Lord's prophets — he turned prophet too (1 Samuel 10:10). Indeed it is said in verse 9 of that 1 Samuel 10 that God gave him another…

Second, a hypocritical mourning; the heart is very deceitful, it can betray as well by a tear as by a kiss. Saul looks like a mourner; as he was sometimes among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:12), so he seemed to be among the penitents (1 Samuel 15:25): And Saul said to Samuel, I hav…

Hypocrisy is a resembling of a moral good for vain glory: it is not hypocrisy to suppress tears in prayer, lest the man seem to seek himself, nor for a father to seem to be angry at his child or servant when he is not angry, nor to put on deafness at reproaches (Psalm 38:12). Th…

All that the Lord our God will speak to you, we will hear, but the Lord says, verse 19, O that there were such a heart in them, but it is not in them. 4. (1 Samuel 10:9) God gave Saul another heart, then a changed heart is not a new heart, a new spirit or a new gift in Jehu is n…

But directly this is the same with that parallel place (Titus 1:3): according to the commandment of God our Savior, where no interposition of that conjunctive particle can have place, the same title being also in other places ascribed to him, as Luke 1:47: my spirit has rejoiced…

Men by nature may have a deep reach in the things of the world, but ignorant in the things of God. Nahash the Ammonite would make a covenant with Israel to thrust out their right eyes (1 Samuel 11:2). Since the fall our left eye remains a deep insight into worldly matters, but o…

The raising of a man to honor — from where is this? — but through divine Providence (Psalm 75:7): He puts down one, and sets up another. Success and victory in battle is the result of Providence; Saul had the victory, but God worked the salvation (1 Samuel 11:13). That among all…

And to show love to God, we are to pull out our right eye, if it does offend (Matthew 5:29). Israel took great indignation at Naash the Ammonite, that he would have put out their eyes (1 Samuel 11). Herein then lies the malignity of sin, that it has so darkened the eyes of man's…

First, an ignorant heart is an impure heart; to be ignorant of sin or Christ argues impurity of heart. Nahash the Ammonite would enter into covenant with the men of Jabesh-Gilead, provided he might put out their right eyes (1 Samuel 11:2). Satan leaves men their left eye — in wo…

The soul is the face whereon Gods image is stamp't: holiness is the beauty of this face, which makes us indeed like God, this Satan knowes God loves, and the Saint is chary of; and therefore he labors to wound and disfigure this, that he may at once glory in the Christians shame…

Thus we should be as doves for harmlessness: we should not do wrong to others, but rather suffer wrong. Such a dove was Samuel (1 Samuel 12:3), whose ox have I taken, or whose ass have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? He did not get men's estates into his hands, or raise himse…

First men break the tenth commandment by coveting, and then they break the eighth commandment by stealing. It was an excellent appeal that Samuel made to the people (1 Samuel 12:3): Witness against me before the Lord, whose ox have I taken, or whose ass, or whom have I defrauded…

But we must learn, that true faith is especially commended by these fruits, The study and practice of innocence, and the maintaining of peace in Christian estates: for, true faith, and treachery, and contention, will no more stand together than light and darkness. Secondly, Samu…

3. The Church (Psalm 77) acknowledges such misjudging of God, to be the soul's infirmity (Psalm 77:10): I said, This is my infirmity. Assertion 2. Yet, de facto, David a man according to God's heart (1 Samuel 12:12-13), fell in an old fever, a fit of the disease of the spirit of…

This caused Moses to say (Numbers 16): I have not taken so much as an ass from them: neither have I hurt any of them. And Samuel also (1 Samuel 12): You know that I have not taken any man's ox, or ass from him, nor done wrong to any, etc. For if he that has this charge and funct…

But if it be his pleasure, he can honorably show mercy through Christ, to any sinner of you all, not one in this congregation excepted. Therefore here is encouragement for you still to seek and wait, notwithstanding all your wickedness; agreeable to Samuel's speech to the childr…

Hence the Lord brands the Ingratitude of his people, Psalm 106:13 They soon forgat his works. (3.) A due Appreciation and Valuation of every Providence that does us good, 1 Samuel 12:24 That Providence that fed them in the Wilderness with Manna, was a most remarkable Providence…

Look upon the ruined estates and bodies you may every where see, and behold the truth of the Scriptures evidently made good in those sad Providences. The Word tells you, that your departure from the way of integrity and simplicity, to make use of sinful policies, shall never pro…

## HOMILIA 41. 1 Samuel 12:6-9 — "And Samuel said to the people: The Lord who made Moses and Aaron, and brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore stand, that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the mercies of the Lord, which he has done with you…

We cannot promise ourselves an utter immunity from desertion; but it is not total. We shall find for his great name's sake, The Lord will not forsake his people (1 Samuel 12:22), and (Hebrews 13:5) I will never leave you nor forsake you. Not utterly, yet in part they may be fors…

The sum of what is spoken, by way of [reconstructed: command], as to Abraham (Genesis 18:19) amounts to this, that he would advise and charge his posterity not to sin. So that of Samuel to Israel (1 Samuel 12:24-25), and that of David to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1-3) etc., indeed to a…

Men have fleeced others to feather themselves. What a brave challenge did Samuel make (1 Samuel 12:3): Behold, here I am; witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken?

For to walk before the Lord required in Abraham's Covenant (Genesis 17:1) is to walk in all the ways of the Lord, to fear and love him (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). And Samuel (1 Samuel 12:22), Joshua (Joshua 24:22-25), and Mary (Luke 1:55), and Zechariah (Luke 1:70, 72, 73) refer to…

(2.) From Covenant mercy to the thousand generation — contrary to (Genesis 17:7; Exodus 20:5). (3.) From Covenant prayers and church prayers — contrary to (1 Samuel 12; Psalm 28:9; Psalm 67:1-2; Psalm 103:4-5). (4.) From the blessing of the Lord's Covenant-presence, who dwells i…

Therefore it is speaking grace, to close with the sweetness not only of the law written in the heart, and these inbred principles of honesty and truth, to hurt none, to obey God, (for Satan raised not the first dispute about these) but with all the judgments and testimonies of G…

Paul (2 Corinthians 8-9): For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor: He had a greater mind than that he could live to riches. Paul (Acts 20:33) says not I have sought neither silver nor gold, as the godly judge, Wh…

But secondly, there was more than hearing the word; the word was applied to the conviction of their particular sin, by which means their hearts came to be pricked: it is the nature of the word applied to convince a sinner, that you are the man; so these hearers, they knew assure…

This is the life of faith in the upshot of a man's calling — he lays it down in confidence of God's acceptance: and for man, he has this boldness in his dealings with men, he boldly challenges all the sons of men, of any injury done to them, and he freely offers them restitution…

But if ever God give a man a spirit of grace, these are not the things that he looks most at, but this above all the rest, that he has sinned against God's grace, against the ordinances of his grace, against Christ that has been revealed for his salvation, and these draw his eye…

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], You fool, this night shall your soul be required of you. (1 Samuel 13:13.) Is it not foolish to prefer a short lease before an inheritance? A sinner prefers the pleasures of sin for a season, before those pleasures which run at God's right hand for e…

The truth of the first is manifest, in that not only in this chapter, but often also in the Old Testament, God has made such honorable mention, and given such honorable titles unto many of these Elders: calling Abraham the friend of God, 2 Chronicles 20:7. And David, a man after…

Fifthly, because God's providence disposes all things, when we make lawful promises to do anything, we must put in, or at the least conceive this condition [if the Lord will]: for Saint James says, that we ought to say, If the Lord will, and if we live, we will do this or that (…

When we are set to thinking of our ways, we have many thoughts and sensible stirrings, but they come to nothing, because we do not follow it close: you think, and have some workings of conscience, but do they end in a fixed purpose? Some break through all as Saul forces himself…

This is to distrust God, and to entangle ourselves the more, and to miscarry in a long voyage, after we are about to enter into the port. See the story of Saul's sacrificing, in (1 Samuel 13, verses 8 to 15). If he had tarried a little longer all had been well; before the day wa…

We find Samuel reproving King Saul; Is it meet to be said to a King, you are wicked? Yet (1 Samuel 13:13) says the prophet to the King, you have done foolishly, you have done wickedly. And (1 Samuel 15:22-23) he calls his sin rebellion and stubbornness; thus cuttingly did he rep…

3. Propos. The washed heart that lodges not vain thoughts (Jeremiah 4:14), purged from dead works, by the blood of Christ (above all the blood of bullocks and goats) (Hebrews 9:14), purified by faith (Acts 15:14), is the good heart. It is a better heart according to the heart of…

What a poor case was David in (Psalm 51:10): "Renew a right spirit within me." There was a time when God had said of him that he was a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He had a heart that was careful and watchful, but now his heart is lost.

Their prayers were not cries, but howlings, brutish and mere sensual complaints, because they proceeded not from their hearts, from any inward and sincere affection, but only from fear of that hand which was able to cast them upon their beds. As a sick man eats meat, not for lov…

Hebrew: Iosiphometz, He shall add to his strength. A Christian has strength to resist temptation, to forgive his enemies, to suffer affliction; it's not easy to suffer, a man must deny himself before he takes up the cross: The way to heaven is like the way which Jonathan and his…

We ought then before we come, to pray for a blessing on the ordinance, that the sacrament may be not only a sign to represent, but a seal to confirm, and an instrument to convey Christ and all his benefits to us. We are to pray that this great ordinance may be poison to our sins…

3. The blandishments of riches: The young man in the Gospel went very far, "you are not far from the Kingdom of God;" but he had rich possessions, and these golden weights hindered him from the Kingdom (Luke 18:23). Jonathan pursued the battle till he came at the honeycomb, and…

The earthquake this winter past, must stir us up to this duty. For it is a matter full of terror (1 Samuel 14:15), and the sickness which has taken hold of thousands as a gentle warning must be respected. And it must be considered, that the changes of the great world bring with…

Let us learn from this, that the power of God is not restricted to means or outward assistance, and that it is all one with Him whether there be much or little, as Jonathan Instead of Jonathan, the French copy mentions Asa, whose words are similar, and were uttered on a similar…

It may be we shall be hid; it may be we shall have a blessing. And this was the best ground that Jonathan had for the great undertaking against the Enemies of God, 1 Samuel 14:6. It may be God will go along with us.

It was a saying of Pius Quintus, When I first entered into orders, I had some good hope of my salvation; when I became a Cardinal, I doubted of it; but since I came to be Pope, I do even despair of it. Jonathan pursued the victory till he came at the honeycomb, and then he stood…

While he has drawn near to God, he has drawn virtue from him. Never did Jonathan taste so much sweetness when he dipped his rod in the honeycomb (1 Samuel 14:27), as the soul finds in communion with God. In drawing near to God, a Christian's heart has been warmed and melted; the…

It was the beginning, or the first, of such a kind of work of God, such a pouring out of the Spirit of God. After such a manner such an expression is commonly used in scripture: so, 1 Samuel 14:35, "And Saul built an altar unto the Lord, the same was the first altar that he buil…

The more excelle[•]t any thing is by an institution of God, [•]y so much more horrid and abominable is the abuse [•]hereof. O how often is the dreadful Majesty of Heaven and Earth called to witness to frivolous [•]hings! and oft to be a witness of our rage and fu[•]y! as 1 Samue…

The pleasure will quickly go off, but the sting will remain behind. I tasted but a little honey on the top of my rod (said Ionathan) and I must die, 1 Samuel 14:43. Thirdly, In fact, that's not all; but the Lord proportions wrath according to the pleasures souls have had in sin,…

In the words there are 4 things. 1. This foundation stone. 2. The laying of it. 3. The building on it. 4. The greatness and excellency of the work. 1. For the foundation called here a chief cornerstone, though the Prophet's words are not precisely rendered, yet the substance, an…

They have loved strangers, and after them they will go; as men sometimes wounded in conscience, he finds plainly, such whoredom and drunkenness is the way to damnation; but well, if I must be damned, let me be damned for something; if I must be damned for hating God and his ordi…

Rachel was fair to look upon, but being barren said, Give me children or I die. So if knowledge does not bring forth the child of obedience, it will die (1 Samuel 15:22). To obey is better than sacrifice.

Probatio dilectionis est exhibitio operis. The son that loves his father will obey him; obedience pleases God (1 Samuel 15:22): To obey is better than sacrifice. In sacrifice only a dead beast is offered, in obedience a living soul.

He is a mediator only for such as are in covenant. O! how will you be filled with horror and despair, and be as Saul (1 Samuel 15:28): The Philistines make war against me, and the Lord is departed. 2. Till you are in covenant with God, there is no mercy.

God's providences are uncertain, but his promises are the sure mercies of David. (Acts 13:34) God is not a man that he should repent, (1 Samuel 15:29). The word of a prince cannot always be taken, but God's promise is inviolable.

So we are more willing to excuse sin, than confess it. How hardly was Saul brought to confession (1 Samuel 15:20): I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, but the people took of the spoil. He rather excuses his sin, than confesses it.

Rahab out of Jericho: Joshua 6:22. The Kenites from the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 15. And here Noah out of that general destruction.

I say [truly righteous] to exclude the hypocrite, who has a form, and slight tincture of piety, but knows not the grace of God in truth (Colossians 1:6). He has nothing of religion but the name (Revelation 3:1), and religion often suffers by him: But he who is really righteous,…

First we load his patience, and forbearance, by our continuance in sin; but besides that, we abuse the very gifts of God, as our wealth, and good parts of nature, and our common graces: And (by your leave) the very saving graces of God's spirit, we will not stick to abuse them a…

For his authority is absolute, and what he does say does warrant our faith, and command our practice and obedience. I gather this partly from the word "Hear," which not only signifies attention and belief, but obedience, as (1 Samuel 15:22): "To obey is better than sacrifice, an…

Ans. I answer, that they still keep their order and dignity: but by these of the second, which Christ strictly requires, and upon which he also insists, the hypocrisy of hypocrites is chiefly discovered, so as a man may more plainly discern thereby whether the true fear of God b…

Again, let us note how our life must be ordered, if we desire that God should approve of us; that is, that we do nothing without his commandment: for as he rejects and condemns all outward shows, by which hypocrites would be thought jolly fellows; so he esteems nothing at all of…

For he is silent, not because it could advantage him nothing at all to murmur; but because he willingly submits himself to God's justice. It seems that Saul's silence tends to the same end, when Samuel told him that the kingdom was rent from him (1 Samuel 15:24). But because the…

And we have touched it somewhat before, in Chapter 8. We are here taught in general, that the Lord requires nothing more of us than obedience, which he accepts above all sacrifices: (1 Samuel 15:22). Which eat swine's flesh.] He complained before that God's service was polluted…

The leper was so far from deserving praise for the disorderly exhibition of his regard, that he ought, in my opinion, to be condemned for not obeying Christ's injunction. If he wished to express his gratitude to him to whom he was indebted for his cure, no better method could ha…

For Christ declares them to be mistaken who bring forward, in the room of doctrine, the commandments of men, or who seek to obtain from them the rule for worshipping God. Let it therefore be held as a settled principle, that, since obedience is more highly esteemed by God than s…

“Pource qu’il estime plus obeissance que tous les sacrifices du monde;” — “because he esteems obedience more than all the sacrifices in the world.” (1 Samuel 15:22.) So then, while the Papists are employed in frivolous traditions, let every man who endeavors to regulate his life…

Obedience in the Scriptures, signifies Faith: but the Pope with his Doctorly Schoolmen, and Cloistered Divines, has with their Glosses mangled this word, and wrested it to the maintenance of their lies and trifles, as they have done whatever else is read in the Scriptures concer…

This 21st verse does further explain who are the bitter in soul, even such as long for death; when a soul (from natural principles) finds a sweetness in death, that soul is in bitterness; Our affliction and our misery is indeed wormwood and gall, as the Church complains (Lamenta…

First, for the former query: There seems some difficulty in reconciling Scripture to itself in this particular, and in reconciling such a proceeding to justice and equity; for sometimes the Scriptures do expressly mention the punishment of parents' sins to be inflicted upon thei…

Hypocrites have their convictions too (Exodus 10:16): Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Thus was Saul also convicted (1 Samuel 15:24). Does true conviction and compunction work reformation of…

Numb. 24:20 His latter end shall be, that he perish for ever: and Deut. 25:19 Moses gives a charge, that after Israel was possessed of his inheritance, that he must blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven, You shall not forget it. And further, although at the first,…

This was Aaron's folly, who to please the people, erected an idol (Exodus 32:1). And this was Saul's folly, who against God's express prohibition suffered his people to take some of the spoil of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:21). The like may be said of Joash, who listened to his…

A bitter enemy of Israel. The Amalekites shewed their Spight to Israel two ways. 1. They did lye in ambush; and as Israel passed by, fell upon their rear, and cut off the feeble in their army, 1 Samuel 15:2. 2. They did openly give Battel to them, and would have hindred them fro…

God does never repent, and call back his grant, that he has by this act of grace ensured eternal happiness to the saints on such terms. (1 Samuel 15:29) For the strength of Israel will not lie, nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (Psalm 110:4) I have sworn, a…

7. Consider this: sins of omission are sins which God has severely judged men for in this world, and for which he will judge men in the great day. It is observable how severe God has been to them that have omitted what he commanded them to do, though they have pretended to do it…

And though they thought in putting them to death, they should do God good service, yet God reckons it as their serving the devil (John 16:2, with Revelation 2:10). When Saul excused his sin under the pretense of sacrifice, it was yet called rebellion, and reputed as witchcraft,…

This may be called a devilish zeal, for as there is the faith of devils, so there is the zeal of devils, therefore his rage is great, because he knows his time is short (James 1:19; Revelation 12:12). Eighthly, there is a Scriptureless zeal, that is not bounded by the Word, but…

Second, a hypocritical mourning; the heart is very deceitful, it can betray as well by a tear as by a kiss. Saul looks like a mourner; as he was sometimes among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:12), so he seemed to be among the penitents (1 Samuel 15:25): And Saul said to Samuel, I hav…

Obedience is the grand precept both of the law and gospel; in this stands a Christian's duty, in this consists his felicity. 1 Samuel 15:22: to obey is better than sacrifice. It is grateful to God, it is graceful to a Christian.

God can overcome his enemies without their hands, but they cannot so much as defend themselves without his arme. It is one of Gods names, The strength of Israel, 1 Samuel 15:19. He was the strength of Davids heart, without him this valiant Worthy (that could, when held up in his…

The widowes two mites surpassed all the rest, Christ himselfe being judge; so in sin, though the internal acts of sin in thoughts and affections seem light upon mans balance if compared with outward acts, yet these may be so circumstanciated that they may exceed the other in God…

And in the New Testament, Matthew 6:27-28, 33, 1 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 13:5-6, which were nothing if our Heavenly Father provides bread, protection, safety, dwelling in the land, and our houses, to the fathers, but the children had no charter but to beggary, to the sword, to be d…

But 2. Justification by grace does not, in iisdem apicibus, in the same points, have the same adversaries. 1. Moses and the Prophets contend most with ceremonial hypocrites, who sought righteousness much in ceremonies, washings, sacrifices, new moons, and also their own inherent…

Now because in this they place their chief, if not the sole end of the oblation of Christ, I must a little show the falseness and folly of it, which may be done plainly by these following reasons. First the foundation of this whole assertion seems to me to be false and erroneous…

Answer. This helps to keep up their fame. 1 Samuel 15:30. Honor me before the people.

Which threatening God made good, when he cut off Eli's two Sons, and put by the other Sons from the Priesthood. Sin brings a Kingdom low, 1 Samuel 15:19. Wherefore did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but did evil in his sight?

Of Ahab: when Ahab heard these words he rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted and went softly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah saying, do you see how Ahab is humbled before me (1 Samuel 15:24-30; 1 Kings 21:27-29)? Dissembled repentance may be discerned becaus…

Exodus 12:41. The strength of Israel will not lie, 1 Samuel 15:29. Meditate on the truth of God.

They do taste, or experience the good that comes by the promises of the word, and discoveries of heaven and glory; though they do not feel experimentally the transforming efficacy of these things upon their own souls. Now that illumination furnishing them with excellent gifts (a…

The Lord gives more grace, he resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble; grace upon grace is for the humble (James 4:6). 6. The humble cannot complain of God's dispensation (1 Samuel 15:26). Humble David said, "But if the Lord say, I have no delight in you, behold here am…

It is deeply sensible of that as soon as ever the spirit of grace visits our hearts, we begin to see that we were born children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). It lets us see we are the children of this world (Luke 16:8), and have been the children of the devil (John 8:44), as Manasse…

To think God is in this place, he beholds us, would add wings to prayer, and oil to the flame of our devotion. 2. Is God's knowledge infinite, study sincerity, be what you seem; (1 Samuel 16:7). The Lord looks upon the heart. Men judge of the heart by the actions, God judges of…

And as he can raise up other passions, so also fears and terrors, jealousies, and distrusts — to fear where no fear is. Thus he handled Saul when God left him to him: 'An evil spirit from the Lord troubled him' — or, as most read it, 'terrified him' (1 Samuel 16:15). And in rais…

Thus he left David to Satan, to provoke him to sin as well as Judas; therefore that provocation to number the people, as it is imputed to Satan and his malice (1 Chronicles 21:1), so also to God and his anger in giving leave first to Satan (2 Samuel 24:1). And as an evil spirit…

God promised Abraham a son, in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed (Genesis 12.3): But he performed it not of 30 years after (Genesis 21.2). He gave David the kingdom of Israel, and anointed him by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16.13. But he attained it not of many years afte…

When the devil is gone, the Angels come. Certainly it is true on the contrary (1 Samuel 16:14), The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him: and it is true in this sense, if we entertain the Temptation, we banish the good Angels from…

Thus Abram speaks the truth in part, calling Sarah his sister, and conceals it in part, not confessing her to be his wife (Genesis 12:10). Thus Samuel by God's appointment reveals that he came to Gilgal to offer sacrifice, and conceals the anointing of David, that he might save…

It is certainly true, that “every man is tempted,” as the Apostle James says, (1:14) “by his own lust:” yet, as God not only gives us up to the will of Satan, to kindle the flame of lust, but employs him as the agent of his wrath, when he chooses to drive men headlong to destruc…

So (Exodus 19:20), when the people were to be prepared to receive the law, the Lord says to Moses, Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, that is, prepare the people, or warn the people that they prepare themselves for the receiving of the law. And likewise in (…

And therefore we are to obey our parents in whatever honest calling and employment they will set us. David, though destined to a kingdom, is yet by his father Jesse appointed to keep the sheep (1 Samuel 16:11). We ought not, till at last we are emancipated and set free by their…

Fourthly, it is no lie to conceal part of the truth, when it is not expedient or necessary to be known. Thus (1 Samuel 16:2), God himself instructs Samuel, when he sent him to anoint David king over Israel, that he should answer, he came to sacrifice to the Lord; which was truth…

We have no certain account of the time when David was first endued with the spirit of prophecy; but it is manifest, that it either was at the time that Samuel anointed him, or very soon after; for he appears soon after acted by this spirit, in the affair of Goliath: and then gre…

Yet further, although in Jericho they destroyed men, women, and cattel, and so it was more accursed then Ai, for there the cattel were saved; yet in Jericho the gold, silver, brass, iron, were consecrated unto God, Iosh. 7:19 but so it must not be in Amalek, for that must be mor…

All the services which servants perform to their masters must be done in truth and uprightness. The Apostle gives this direction to Christians who have to do not only with masters according to the flesh (who only see the outward appearance) but also with the master of spirits wh…

Masters and mistresses are flesh and blood as well as servants, and so subject to weakness, sickness, old age, and other distresses, wherein they may stand in great need of servants' help: servants therefore must be faithful in affording them the best help that they can. Saul's…

1. It is the inward man that is esteemed with God, and therefore that's it the saints mainly look after. God does not look upon men according to their outward condition, pomp, and appearances in the world, but according to the inward endowments of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Man'…

In some cases we may conceal something (Luke 9:21): Our Savior strictly charged them, and commanded them to tell nobody that he was the Christ. (1 Samuel 16:2): When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint David, Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me.

It is not enough that the life seem good, and many good actions be performed, unless the heart be purified; otherwise we do with the Pharisees, wash the outside of the platter (Matthew 23:25-26), when the inside is full of extortion and excess. It is the heart God looks after (1…

So here like a bottle in the smoke. And you must consider that this was spoken of David, that ruddy youth, of whom it was said (1 Samuel 16:12), Now he was ruddy, of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. But great sorrows had made an alteration, and afflictions do quic…

But before I make an end of speaking of it, I ask our Massing doctors, since they know that obedience is more esteemed of God than oblations, and that he more requires that his voice be hearkened to, than that sacrifices be offered: how they believe that this manner of sacrifici…

But take a man with a pricked conscience only, and he is so far from being weaned from this thing, as that he will plunge himself deeper into them; he thinks that if he fill himself with business, or merry company, it will drive away heart qualms; as Cain to marrying, and then t…

So we must not only bow the knee, give God worship, but bring presents, golden obedience. This is to glorify God when we stick at no service, we will fight under the banner of his gospel against regiments, and we say to him as David to King Saul (1 Samuel 17:32), "Your servant w…

Now what an infinite mercy of God is it, when he brings poor souls out of this house of bondage, when he gives them a jail delivery from the Prince of Darkness! Jesus Christ redeems captives: He ransoms sinners by price, and rescues them by force: As David took a lamb out of the…

Fourthly, seeing God's providence disposes all things, we are taught to gather observations of the same, in things both past, and present: that we may learn thereby to be armed against the time to come. Thus David when he was to encounter with Goliath, gathered hope and confiden…

These experiences are food for your faith in a wilderness condition (Psalm 74:14). By this David kept his heart in times of danger (1 Samuel 17:37), and Paul his (2 Corinthians 1:10). It was sweetly answered by Silenziarius, when one told him that his enemies lay in wait to take…

Objection. You say, But does not many a man pray for his brethren, and yet is not heard and accepted, did not Abraham pray for Ishmael? And what think you of Samuel's prayer for Saul, and yet says God, How long will you mourn for Saul (1 Samuel 17:6). I have cast him off, mourn…

And herein it is a wonder to see sometimes, how God's servants are strained, all for want of the life of faith in their souls; if God cut short with us, it is because we do not live in Christ, but in the spirit of grace, and think to walk by the strength of grace received, we lo…

From this Topick faith argues, and that very strongly and conclusively. So did David's faith in many exigencies: when he was to encounter the Champion of the Philistins, it was from former Providence that he encouraged himself, 1 Samuel 17:37 And the Apostle Paul improves his ex…

There are leading Providences, which how slight and trivial soever they may seem in themselves, yet in this respect justly challenge the first rank among Providential favors to us; because they usher in a multitude of other mercies, and draw a blessed train of happy consequences…

From Providences past, saints use to argue to fresh and new ones to come. So David, 1 Samuel 17:37 The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistin. So Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:10 Who has del…

- 4. Eschewed evil. As they who write the acts or stories of great men, usually give us some description of their persons before they set down their undertakings or achievements (as you see in (1 Samuel 17:4-7) how the great giant Goliath is described) so here the Holy Ghost by…

In this, as in other instances, he was a man after God's own heart. When his own brother was so rough upon him without reason (1 Samuel 17:28), why came you down here, etc.? How mild was his answer? What have I now done? Is there not a cause? (verse 29). When his enemies reproac…

In Egypt God blessed Joseph with a faithful servant (Genesis 43:23). David, who ventured his life to save his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:34), had many servants that ventured their lives for him (2 Samuel 21:17; 23:15). To this purpose may be applied that proverb which Christ of…

1. That they well moderate the labor to which they put their servants, so as they may be able for the time to undergo it, and to endure so long as their time of labor is appointed. It was a good reason which Saul rendered to keep David from entering combat with Goliath, because…

Leave it to God to give you that which is convenient, and suitable to your condition of life. A shoe may be too big for the foot, and a garment too great for the body, as Saul's armor was too large for little David; (1 Samuel 17) God will give you that which is convenient, that…

The Scripture does not only warn us, and show us the face of those lusts, which Satan works by to destroy us, but it arms us against them: Satan is never so worsted as when Scripture weapons are used: Those shafts strike Satan to the quick that are taken out of God's quiver. Dav…

The people of the Chinese say, that Europe has one eye, and they have two, and all the world else is blind: A proud man looks upon others with such an eye of scorn, as Goliath did upon David, 1 Samuel 17:42. When the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him.

He had been trained up to skill that way, yet he rests only in God's teaching of him (Psalm 18:32-34). It is the Lord that girds me with strength; he puts strength into his hands, so that a bow of steel is broken with my arms; and therefore it was that when he went against Golia…

Had but one been adopted, all of us might have despaired, but he brings many sons to glory; this opens a door of hope to us. 6. That God should confer so great honor upon us in adopting us: David thought it no small honor, that he should be a king's son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:18).…

USE 3. Of Comfort: To such as can upon good grounds call God Father: there is more sweetness in this word Father than if we had ten thousand worlds. David thought it a great matter to be son-in-law to a king (1 Samuel 18:18). What is my father's family, that I should be son-in-l…

(8.) By having an intention to kill another; as Herod would, under a pretense of worshipping Christ, have killed him (Matthew 2:8, 13). So Saul, when he made David go as captain against the Philistines, designing thereby that the Philistines should have killed him (1 Samuel 18:1…

(1.) He has adopted you for his child. David thought it no small honor to be the king's son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:18): what an honor is it to derive your pedigree from heaven, to be born of God; why then are you troubled, and murmur at every slight cross? As Jonadab said to Amnon…

And that he is able to convey and suggest such spiritual thoughts and reasonings of what sort soever, appears many ways: as by injecting blasphemous thoughts against God such as do sometimes transcend the wit and capacity of the receiver of them. And is manifest likewise by Saul…

Alexander feigned himself to be son to Jupiter: every good Christian is high-born; he is born of God; and that is more than to come of princes, and be of the blood-royal. David thought it no small honor to be the king's son in law (1 Samuel 18:18). Oh what an infinite honor is i…

Two words express Christ's old, and eternal love to men, his delights was with the sons of men, as Christ was his Father's delight, from eternity; so was Christ feasting himself on the thoughts of love, delight, and free grace to men; sure not to Pharaoh, Judas, and all the race…

We owe it in some respects to all that fear God and must dispense the general acts of friendship to them (Acts 4:32): The multitude of them that believed, were of one heart and of one soul; and Christian love is called [in non-Latin alphabet], the bond of perfectness (Colossians…

Saul knew what he did when he married his daughter to David. I will give him her (said Saul) that she may be a snare to him (1 Samuel 18:21). Political marriages are usually made for temptation, not for comfort: snares are tied fastest, with a false lover's knot.

Now meekness teaches us to consider this, and to allow accordingly, and so distances and strangeness, feuds and quarrels are happily prevented, and the beginnings of them crushed by a timely care. How necessary to true friendship it is to surrender our passions, and to subject t…

He who loves is well pleased with him whom he loves, and seeks also to please him, that they may mutually delight one in another. Were these three virtues well rooted in us, we would say, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, etc. (1 Samu…

If a great man should match into our blood and line, what an honor and glory do we reckon it to us! (1 Samuel 18:23) Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law? Do we account this a small matter, to be related to kings, and princes, and potentates?

Perverseness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually, he sows discord (Proverbs 6:14). 3. Envy stirs up repining thoughts; it is a sin that feeds on the mind (1 Samuel 18:9). And Saul envied David from that day forward.

4. Understanding is necessary that we may judge aright of time and place, and manner of doing, that we may do not only things good but well, where to go, where to stand still; as it is said they sought of God a right way (Isaiah 8:21). And David behaved himself wisely in all tha…

Love is called [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14): all things are bound together by a holy society, and preserved by it. There is in love a desire of union and fellowship with those whom we love (1 Samuel 18:1): Jonathan's soul was knit to the…

As a king creates dukes, marquesses, earls, and barons, so God installs his children into honor; he creates them noble persons, persons of renown. David thought it no small honor to be the king's son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:18): Who am I, that I should be son-in-law to the king? Wha…

It embalms his name. 1 Samuel 18:30. David's name was much set by; or as the Original carries it, it was precious.

These are not drunken as you suppose. Jonathan knowing David to be a worthy man, and all those things Saul said of him to be slanders, vindicated David (1 Samuel 19:4-5). David has not sinned against you, but his works toward you have been very good.

They must likewise be very few, and very humble and submissive. Talkativeness is an argument of disrespect, and by the answers of the lips, the heart is tried and sounded; therefore we find how mildly and reverently Jonathan speaks to his father Saul, although he were then plead…

These at first were under the tuition of Samuel. Thus we read of Samuel's being appointed over them, 1 Samuel 19:20: "And when they saw the company of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them." The company of prophets that we read of 1 Samuel 10:5 were th…

Meekness hides the lancet, gilds the pill, and makes it passable; dips the nail in oil, and then it drives the better. Twice we find Jonathan reproving his father, for his rage against David; once he did it with meekness, and it sped well (1 Samuel 19:4-5): let not the king sin…

On this ground did Michal well in suffering her husband David to escape out of the hands of Saul her father. I justify not her manner of carrying the matter, with untruths, and false tales; but her refusing to yield to her father's mind and will is justifiable, and that in two r…

So Rahab spared the lives of the spies, by telling the men of her city that they were gone, when she had hidden them under the stalks of flax (Joshua 2:4-6). Thus Michal to save David from the fury of her father, feigned him sick (1 Samuel 19:14), and David advised Jonathan to a…

Exodus 21:22. 2 kings 24:25. without cause or merit or any means of procurement, 1 Samuel 19:5. 2 Samuel 24:24.

Question: How many ways may a parent provoke his children to wrath? Response 1. By giving them opprobrious terms (1 Samuel 20:30). You son of the perverse rebellious woman, said Saul to his son Jonathan.

These are all called the covenant of God, he is a party in the covenant ever. 3. Another, is an oath or a covenant of God to pass between friend, and friend; such was the covenant between Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 20:16). Now there is a certain covenant between God and his pe…

It is worth noting what God says of Abraham (Isaiah 51:2), I called him alone and blessed him. Mark it, when God had enticed Abraham from all his friends, and got him alone, then he blesses him, and you know what the blessing of Abraham was, even a covenant-blessing; such God di…

David we know fled from Saul in fear of his life; envious, bloody Saul had threatened to kill him. In his flight, David meets with his beloved Jonathan, and says to him (1 Samuel 20:8), Jonathan, if there be any iniquity in me, slay me yourself, for why should you bring me to yo…

While she says, I will give you my loves, it is not to be understood, as if then she would begin to love him (for, the thing that made her put up this suit was her love to him) but that then she would with more freedom do it, and with ease and delight get it done, which now woul…

Men in passion are apt to reveal secrets, to make rash vows and resolutions which afterwards prove a snare, and sometimes to slander and belie their brethren, and bring railing accusations, and so to do the devil's work; and to speak that in their haste concerning others (as Dav…

And your gravity and awful composedness therein will contribute very much to the preserving of your authority, and will command respect abundantly more than your noise and chiding. Masters of families (and masters of schools too) have need, in this matter, to behave themselves w…

Now communion is the mutual communication of such good things, as wherein the persons holding that communion are delighted, bottomed upon some union between them. So it was with Jonathan and David, their souls cleaved to one another (1 Samuel 20:17) in love. There was the union…

Secondly, that she first labor with all meekness and by all good means that she can to dissuade her husband from urging and pressing that upon her, which with a good conscience she cannot do. A like proof may be brought for this as was for the former: for we know that a wife is…

§. 39. Of indiscreet reproving a wife. Contrary is the indiscretion of husbands who regard neither place, nor persons, nor time, nor temper of themselves or their wives, nor any other circumstance in reproving, but like Saul (who at a table where a great feast was, in presence o…

2. Because she knew her father sought to slay him: if then she had delivered him into the hands of her father, she had made herself accessory to murder. In this latter respect [reconstructed: Jonathan] also did well in refusing to fetch David at his father's command (1 Samuel 20…

So Rahab spared the lives of the spies, by telling the men of her city that they were gone, when she had hidden them under the stalks of flax (Joshua 2:4-6). Thus Michal to save David from the fury of her father, feigned him sick (1 Samuel 19:14), and David advised Jonathan to a…

Beware of this fallacy; delay strengthens sin, hardens the heart, and gives the devil fuller possession of a man. (1 Samuel 21:8) The king's business requires haste; so the business of salvation requires haste; do not put off an hour longer. Volat ambiguis mobilis alis hora — wh…

3. Humility: The humble soul looks on its sins, and how it has provoked God, he says not his afflictions are great, but his sins are great, this makes him lie at God's feet and say, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him (Micah 7:9). Thus a su…

For this purpose galleries were constructed around the walls of the temple, in which they had “chambers,” (1 Kings 6:5.) The law did not, indeed, forbid a priest to enter his house, but, as it did not permit those who ate the show-bread to come near their wives, (1 Samuel 21:4,)…

There was also another external requisite to the preparing and sanctifying of themselves; and that was by abstaining for a time from the lawful use of the marriage bed; you have the command expressly in that 19th Exodus 15. Be ready against the third day, come not at your wives;…

Why should the Lord [illegible] wise, choose such weaklings, aged and decrepit, who shall not be able to strike one stroke for him in the defense of his Truth, or set one foot forward in [illegible] ways of his Statutes? As Achish spoke of David when he came to the [illegible] a…

First, God is exceedingly pleased with such a frame of heart. God says of a contented Christian, as David once said of Goliath's sword, There is none like that, give it me (1 Samuel 21:9). If you would please God, and be men of his heart, be contented.

If we do not run, and so run, we shall never obtain the prize; if a man were to run for a wager of three or four millions, would he not run with all celerity and swiftness? The king's business requires haste (1 Samuel 21:8); if any should say to us, where are you going so fast?…

David himself was fain to flee for his life from Saul's unjust cruelty, and therefore went and dwelt amongst the Philistines, 1 Samuel 27:1-2. And, 1 Samuel 22:2 there came to David such as were in trouble, and in debt, and these were with him in all his travel, and persecutions…

Or the sins of the Elect were like so many companies or regiments of men, any one of which they could never have overcome, but when Christ came to satisfy divine justice for them, all the companies and regiments of sins (so to speak) rendezvoused and brought into one formidable…

Believe it, Sirs, this, though the matter you report be never so true, is nothing else but slander; because it is done to no good end, but only to feed your own malice; and, like flies, to lie sucking the galled backs and sores of others. And therefore we find that Doeg, though…

Surely the Apostle did speak it with a holy boasting (1 John 1:3): Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus — as if he had said, we do not walk with the pedants of the world; we are of the blood royal of Heaven; we live above other men; our fellowship is with th…

Josephus reports of Herodias, wife to Herod the Tetrarch, who when the Emperor had deprived her husband of his Tetrarchy, and banished him, annexing his Tetrarchy to Agrippa his kingdom, understanding that Herodias was Agrippa's sister, the Emperor gave her her husbands substanc…

Sensible you were, and oughtest to be; but no reason to hang down the head through discouragement, much less to forsake Sion in her distress, for fear of being ruined with her. What David spoke to Abiathar, 1 Samuel 22:23. that may Sion speak to all her Sons and Daughters in all…

A like proof may be brought for this as was for the former: for we know that a wife is not bound to greater subjection to her husband than a son is to a father: but a son may in the case proposed forbear to do that which his father requires and commands him to do: instance the a…

The third direction is, that masters use what means they can to provoke and stir up their servants to be diligent and faithful: as in the first place, exhortation, admonition, persuasion, promises of reward, with other like fair means. Such were the means which Saul used to make…

David, after all his experiences, was surprised with these kinds of thoughts (1 Samuel 27:1): I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul. He had a particular promise and assurance of the kingdom, and had seen much of God's care over him, and yet after all this David doubts of th…

Take heed of being partners in others' sins when they are committed, as co-helpers and concauses of their production. You may partake of other men's sins, first, as instruments to execute others' sinful designs or commands, as Doeg was in executing the priests (1 Samuel 22), or…

Can the world give such privileges as these? As Saul said (1 Samuel 22:7), will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields, and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands? Can the world do that for you, as God does for his children?

Lawyers their Clients? or Generals discourage those who fall off from the enemy, and come to their side? surely no. When David was in the field, 'tis said, 1 Samuel 22:2. Every one that was in distress, in debt, or in discontent gathered themselves to him, and he became a Captai…

And the greater his distresses were, the more fervent were his Affections in all his Adresses to God. And he was never in greater than when he escaped out of the Cave at Adullam, and went thence to Mizpheh of Moab, to get shelter for his Parents, 1 Sam. 22.13. Then was he in the…

Thus God's name is hallowed and sanctified in heaven — the angels and glorified saints are singing Hallelujahs; let us begin the work of heaven here. David did sing forth God's praises and doxologies in a most melodious manner, therefore was called the sweet singer of Israel (1…

Which shows the wonderful mercy of God, to his own people and servants. And the like thing we may read of in David, when he abode in the wilderness of Maon: for there Saul followed him, and he and his men compassed David and his men round about, 1 Samuel 23.26, 27. Now, what hop…

As ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. As sweet perfumes are a reviving, so to be supported in good resolutions or directed and guided in our way to heaven by a faithful friend is very cheering and comfortable; and w…

Some have had special, personal, and peculiar discoveries of it made to them. So had Samuel about the choice of the person whom he should anoint King, 1 Samuel 9:15 And so had David, 1 Samuel 23. 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12. where you find upon his enquiry of God (likely by the Vrim and…

Contingen. keep to no Rules. How remarkable to this purpose, was the tidings brought to Saul, that the Philistines had invaded the Land? 1 Samuel 23:27 just as he was ready to grasp the prey. The Angel calls to Abraham, and shews him another Sacrifice, just when his hand was giv…

Now this is the constant practice of God's children. David always ran to the oracle or the ephod, when he had any business to do (1 Samuel 23): Shall I do thus and thus? or shall I not? Jacob in his journey would neither go to Laban, nor come from him, without a warrant.

Yet certain it is, there be hypothetical connections of supernatural providence in God's eternal decree, never put forth in action, because of our laziness: (as if God shall suffer Job to be tempted, and he by grace sin not, as (Job 1:22), the Lord shall also strengthen him when…

Let us pray for our enemies, and conquer them by love. David's kindness melted Saul's heart (1 Samuel 24:16). A frozen heart will be thawed with the fire of love.

3. To stain one's hands with royal blood. David's heart smote him, because he did but cut off the lap of King Saul's garment (1 Samuel 24:5). How would David's heart have smote him, if he had cut off Saul's head?

Saul having pursued David with malice, and hunted him as a partridge upon the mountains, yet David would not do him a mischief when it was in his power. David's kindness melted Saul's heart (1 Samuel 24:16-17): Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and w…

He gave David the kingdom of Israel, and anointed him by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16.13. But he attained it not of many years after; and in the mean time, was persecuted and hunted by Saul, as a flea in a man's bosom, or as a Partridge in the mountains, 1 Samuel 24.15. and 26.20. And th…

We dare not so much as speak of an earthly king irreverently; what reverence then do we owe to Christ the king of heaven and earth? David's heart was touched in that he had cut off but the lap of Saul's garment, when he might have slain him, because he was the Lord's anointed (1…

But this way you may obtain a truly glorious conquest. What an honorable victory did David this way obtain over Saul — 1 Samuel 24:16-17: 'And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words, that Saul lifted up his voice and wept; and he said to David, You a…

And it is the property of a good man, not to take up a false report (Psalm 15). And David reproves [reconstructed: Saul] because he did but lend the ear to tale-bearers saying, why do you give ear to men's words that say, behold, David seeks evil against you? (1 Samuel 24:10). I…

The title tells us this Psalm was composed by him when he hid himself from Saul in the cave. This cave was in the wilderness of Engedi among the broken rocks where the wild goats inhabited — an obscure and desolate hole; yet even there the envy of Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 24:1…

To be smitten by a friend whose very smiting is friendship, and who heals us by wounding cannot be offensive. Hence David's choice, Let us fall now into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are great) and not into the hand of man (1 Samuel 24:14). Hence a third observation fro…

How should it be otherwise? Men must needs act as they are: It was a proverb of the ancients, "Wickedness proceeds from the wicked" (1 Samuel 24:13). Such as the fountain is, such must needs be the streams; the fruit is answerable to the nature of the root and tree.

It is the evil of passion that it turns our friends into enemies, but it is the excellency of meekness, that it turns our enemies into friends, which is an effectual way of conquering them. Saul, as inveterate an enemy as could be, was more than once melted by David's mildness a…

When Saul persecuted him with such an unwearied malice, he did not take the advantage which providence seemed to offer him, more than once, to revenge and right himself, but left it to God to do it for him. David's meek spirit concurred with the proverb of the ancients, wickedne…

Second, Christ sometimes by some strong impulse of actual grace recovers the soul from the very borders of sin. So it was in the case of David, 1 Samuel 24:4-5. The temptation was at the door of prevailing when a mighty impulse of grace recovers him.

My Mother, says Solomon to Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:20). I find also the title of Sir or Lord, used: a title of honor (1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Kings 5:13; Judges 18:19; 2 Kings 6:21; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:1; Genesis 22:7; Genesis 27:18; Matthew 21:30; Genesis 31:35). 2. By using…

Great was that esteem which Potiphar had of Joseph, when of a bondservant he made him overseer over his house (Genesis 39:4). Why is the title Father given to masters (2 Kings 5:13), and the title Sons to servants (Joshua 7:19 and 1 Samuel 24:16), but to show that servants shoul…

And it is God's way to shame the party that did the wrong, and to overcome him too; it is the best way to get the victory over him. When David had Saul at an advantage in the cave, and cut off the lap of his garment, and did forbear any act of revenge against him, Saul was melte…

The odiousness of sin does most appear in the unkindness of it; that infinite goodness has been abused, and infinite goodness despised, and that you are willing to lose your part in infinite goodness, rather than not satisfy some base lust, or look after some trifling vanity. Sa…

We are froward in our relations; Hagar was proud in Abraham's house (Genesis 16:4): her mistress was despised in her eyes; but very humble in the desert (Genesis 21:16). David's heart was tender and smote him when he cut off the lap of Saul's garment (1 Samuel 24:5), but how stu…

So (Ezra 4:1[...]), Be it known to the king, that the Jews which came up to you from us, are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, etc. So Saul against David, as appears by his expostulation with him about it (1 Samuel 24:9), Why do you hear men's words, s…

Fifth, meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy. When Saul lay at David's mercy, and David only cut off the skirt of his robe, how was Saul's heart affected with David's meekness (1 Samuel 24:16-17)! Is this your voice, my son David?

The Spirit in his office cannot step one foot with the unbeliever. Hence much tenderness and smiting of heart where the Spirit is (1 Samuel 24:5). Indeed conscience to weep as one over his mother's grave, for his enemies (Psalm 35:13, 14), and strict doubling of faith in greates…

Can we say that God promises grace and mercy to any acts of the flesh, or of unbelief? 4. It is a mark of a conscience in a right frame, to be affected with the sense of the least sin as David was — one in whose conscience there remained the character of a stripe, when he but cu…

2. A writ written with a pen of iron, and diamond, to endure for eternity. 3. Not written only, but engraved, and indented upon the conscience (1 Samuel 24:5). When David rent the robe of Saul, his heart smote him, so that it left a hole, or the mark of the stripe behind it; as…

His conscience was now daubed and smothered; tract of time will sometimes heal such anguishes. So Saul (1 Samuel 24:17-18) and (1 Samuel 26:2), but it is not so with a pierced heart, it never leaves braying after the Lord (Psalm 42:1-2) and (Psalm 84:3) and (Psalm 34:5-6). My so…

Be not of a morose spirit. It was said of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:18), he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Some are so barbarous, as if they were akin to the ostrich, they are fired with rage, and breathe forth nothing but revenge, like those two men in the Go…

When he calleth, they must obey: and when he calls not, or allows not a course of gaining, or a trade of life (though all the world allowed it) we must not follow it: this will honor them, and their profession, before God. Abraham's faith justified him before God, but his obedie…

Answer. If his conscience tell him, out of God's word, that the thing is not lawful, then he must not keep it; for, an oath may not be the bond of iniquity: the keeping of it is a doubling of the sin. David, in his anger, had sworn to slay Nabal, and all the men in his family, f…

They have all quoad not quoad. These are like the churl Nabal, 1 Samuel 25. 11. Shall I take my bread and my water and give it to men whom I know not from where they be.

Have you forgotten what necessities and straits even a David suffered? How great were his straits and necessities (1 Samuel 25:8)! 'Give, I pray you,' said he to Nabal, 'whatever comes to your hand, to your servants and to your son David.'

Secondly, Having cleared this, and shown you wherein the sin and danger lies; my way is prepared to the second thing proposed: namely, to dissuade mourners from these sinful excesses of sorrows, and keep the golden bridle of moderation upon their passions in times of affliction.…

A soft tongue breaks the bones (Proverbs 25:15). See the example of Gideon appeasing the Midianites (Judges 8:1), and Abigail pacifying David (1 Samuel 25). Fifthly, without meekness, we cannot savingly hear the word, either read or preached (James 1:21).

It is necessary then, you see, that these two parts be joined together, if we would have God to approve and allow of our charity. In commanding them to break their bread to the hungry, he meant to take away all excuses from the covetous and niggardly, who are wont to reply, that…

Yea, we find an account in Scripture of gracious persons, a great part of whose comfort in this world has been split upon this Rock. Abigail was a discreet and vertuous Wman, but very unsuitably matched to a churlish Nabal; see 1 Samuel 25:25 What a temptation to the neglect of…

Sometimes God does make one man to be a hedge or a defense to another. The servants of Nabal said of David (1 Samuel 25:16), That he had been a wall to them both by night and day; that is, he had been a protection and a guard to them, he had defended them all the while his army…

The qualification of her suit is, What shall we do for her, in the day that she shall be spoken for? This phrase, to speak for her, is in allusion to the communing that is used for the attaining women in marriage: We find the same phrase in the Original, 1 Samuel 25:39. David se…

Thirdly, there is another sort of the gifts of common providence, wherein some excel others, and that is, riches and honor: these the Scripture calls fathers. Nabal, although he were a fool and a churl, yet David in his messages to him, does implicitly call him father (1 Samuel…

Grow on my soul, and add to your faith virtue, to your virtue knowledge, etc. Grow on from faith to faith; keep yourself under the ripening influences of heavenly ordinances; the faster you grow in grace, the sooner you shall be reaped down in mercy, and bound up in the bundle o…

We may certainly have (and we would do well to consider it) less inward disturbance, and more true ease and satisfaction in forgiving twenty injuries, than in avenging one. No doubt Abigail intended more than she expressed, when to qualify David, and to persuade him to pass by t…

Upon every little default they are put into a flame, and transported beyond due bounds: easily provoked, either for no cause at all, or for very small cause; greatly provoked, and very outrageous, and unreasonable when they are provoked. Their carriage fiery and hasty; their lan…

When I shall awake, I will seek it yet again. (2.) As it takes away the heart, Hos. 4 11. that is, the understanding, reason and ingenuity of a man, and so makes him uncapable of being reclaimed by counsel. Upon this account it was, that Abigail would not speak less or more to N…

Are you come to call my sin to remembrance? But rather let it work kindly on your heart, and make you say as David to Abigail, 1 Samuel 25:32. 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your advice.

Extraordinary for the good of the husband himself, and others in the family, or such as are out of the family. If there falls out an extraordinary occasion whereby the wife by disposing the goods without or against the consent of her husband may bring a great good to the family,…

To this head may be referred servants' faithfulness in making known to their master the sin of his wife, and to their mistress the sin of her husband, especially if it be such a sin as may tend to the ruin of the family, and that by the knowledge thereof, the party that is not b…

He has such an absolute right, that you can call nothing your own. We think indeed, our lips are our own (Psalm 12:4), and our estates our own: as Nabal (1 Samuel 25:11), Shall I take my bread, and my water, and my flesh? All you have, it belongs to this king, by right of creati…

2. Because he had been tripping and guilty in this kind. In the story of David you may trace too much of this way and vein of lying; as his feigning to Abimeleck the Priest (1 Samuel 25:8), and to Achish (2 Samuel 27:8) compared with verse 10, his persuading Jonathan to tell his…

So the Pharisees hated Christ, because of his free reproofs (John 9:40): "Are we blind also?" They cannot endure to hear of their faults, especially from one in an inferior condition, and think every reproof to be a reproach, though never so wisely and compassionately managed, a…

But if you thus meet with them early on, you may prevent a great deal of sin; it is the best proof of your love (Proverbs 13:24). And it may be they will say as David did to Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39), blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me; blessed be…

These are akin to the churlish Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:11: Shall I take my bread and my water and give them to men I do not know? It was said of the Emperor Pertinax that he had a large empire but a narrow, scanty heart.

God has set me a race to run, and I must not linger or loiter. The haste Abigail made to the king (1 Samuel 25:34) prevented her death and the massacre of Nabal's family; our haste in the heavenly race will prevent damnation. This may plead for a Christian in his eager pursuit a…

Now is the fittest season to stamp a reproof upon them, and it is likeliest to take impression. When Abigail reproved Nabal, it was in the right season — not when he was in wine, but when he was in his wits and was fit to hear a reproof (1 Samuel 25:37). Another season for repro…

2. This pronoun self and mine is a proud usurper against God. Was he not an atheist or a churl, and his name folly, who said, (1 Samuel 25:11) and breathed out so many my's? Shall I take my bread and my waters, and my flesh which I killed for my hearers, and give it to men whom…

It appears they yield not themselves willingly to obey sin, in as much as it is the matter of their joy when God orders any providence to prevent sin in them. 'Blessed be the Lord,' said David to Abigail, 'and blessed be your advice, and blessed be you, that have kept me this da…

First, God will reveal his secret counsels to such, and make them of his counsel (Genesis 18:18-20). Secondly, he will bring upon Abraham all the good he has promised him: it is the ready way to bring about the accomplishment of all God's promises to us; otherwise God will heap…

The grave is your long home, but not your last home: though death strip you of your beauty, yet at the Resurrection you shall have it restored again. As David when he found Saul asleep, took away his spear and flask of water, but when he awoke he restored them again (1 Samuel 26…

Here was a swift motion for the angel to come from heaven to earth between the beginning and ending of Daniel's prayer. 4. The angels are a watchful guard, not like Saul's guard, asleep when their Lord was in danger; (1 Samuel 26:12). The angels are a vigilant guard, they watch…

A sober and considerable party in the Land (however traduced) have entred their dissent, and openly protested against the scandalous actings of others; so that it is to be hoped, the Lord will not impute the sin of some to the whole. There are a certain number that said as David…

Saul, as inveterate an enemy as could be, was more than once melted by David's mildness and meekness, "Is this your voice, my son David?" said he (1 Samuel 24:16). "I have sinned, return my son David" (1 Samuel 26:21). And after that, Saul persecuted him no more (1 Samuel 27:4).

The restraint is to God's law, that a master command nothing against it, but what is agreeable to it. Abishai would fain have had David's warrant to have killed Saul: but David was so far from commanding him to do it, as he kept him from it (Nothing unlawful to be commanded by m…

When Shimei cursed David, and Abishai, one of David's bodyguard, would have beheaded Shimei, King David said, Let him alone, and let him curse (2 Samuel 16:11). And when Saul had wronged and abused David, and it was in David's power to have found Saul napping and killed him (1 S…

He melts (as sometimes a pricked conscience will do at a sermon) and wept, so as you would have thought his heart had melted, but it was only his conscience that was pricked; David durst not trust him for all that. And shortly after that, Saul went out with three thousand chosen…

For a man to rely upon another for any good thing, and at last to fail in his expectation, this must needs shame him in the disappointment of his hopes; but when the hopes of a man are grounded upon the unsearchable riches, and the unfailing promise, and the immutable truth, pow…

As David when he was in fears uttered a desperate speech — namely, that Samuel's prophecy concerning him and message from God that he should be king would prove false. He said not only that one day he should perish by the hand of Saul (1 Samuel 27:1) — the ground of which was th…

Of both these, we have example in David, and his followers. David himself was fain to flee for his life from Saul's unjust cruelty, and therefore went and dwelt amongst the Philistines, 1 Samuel 27:1-2. And, 1 Samuel 22:2 there came to David such as were in trouble, and in debt,…

First they allege the phrase of scripture, (Exodus 14:31) They believed in God, and in Moses. (1 Samuel 27:12) And Achish believed in David. (2 Chronicles 20:20) Believe in the prophets and prosper.

Ask your own hearts, where, or when was it that your God forsook you, and left you to sink and perish under your burdens? I doubt not, but most of you have been at one time or other plunged in difficulties, difficulties out of which you could see no way of escape by the eye of r…

"I have sinned, return my son David" (1 Samuel 26:21). And after that, Saul persecuted him no more (1 Samuel 27:4). The change that Jacob's meekness made in Esau is no less observable, and (some think) is remarked as very strange and surprising, by an unusual pointing in the Heb…

6. Despair, and distrustful thoughts of God, though we have had much experience of his goodness. David (1 Samuel 27:1), I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul; after all his experience. 7. Questioning our interest in God, by reason of crosses, or the doubtful posture of…

4. Another evil is desponding, and distrustful thoughts of God. David, after all his experiences, was surprised with these kinds of thoughts (1 Samuel 27:1): I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul. He had a particular promise and assurance of the kingdom, and had seen much o…

When the soul wearied with delays and deferments, and expectation, sits down in a [illegible] condition; because he cannot have what he will, he will cast away what he has, and conceives he may be careless of what he might attain. As David said, I shall one day perish by the han…

And shortly after that, Saul went out with three thousand chosen men to take him; David again had him in his hand (1 Samuel 26:1-2). Then his bowels melted again, and he was wounded, and tells David he would not hurt him, but it was no trusting of him notwithstanding; this David…

And that we may endeavor after this to have God for our God: Consider 1. The misery of such as have not God for their God; in how sad a condition are they, when an hour of distress comes? This was Saul's case (1 Samuel 28:15). I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war a…

(Acts 9:31) If we leave God, where shall we go? When Saul left God, he went to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:8). 3. The serpent has a subtlety in its wings; for naturalists report, such serpents are found in Ethiopia, as have wings; and the Scripture mentions a fiery flying se…

3. Worldly things cannot remove trouble of mind. King Saul being perplexed in conscience, all his crown jewels could not administer comfort to him (1 Samuel 28:15). The things of the world will no more ease a troubled spirit than a gold cap will cure the headache.

When men have waited upon God in the use of ordinances and yet find not that comfort they desire; now Satan disheartens them and [illegible] them upon resolves of declining all religion; they begin to say as that wicked king (2 Kings 6:33), Why should I wait on the Lord any long…

Psalm 89:15: 'They shall walk in the light of your countenance, in your name shall they rejoice all day.' And this is here utterly withdrawn: and it may thus come to pass that the soul, in regard of any sense or sight of this, may be left in that case that Saul really was left i…

The Apostle tells us that Satan is sometimes transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). And we read that once he took the habit and guise of a prophet (1 Samuel 28:18), and indeed he deceives more by the voice of Samuel than by the voice of the Dragon. We read of…

Thus Jannes and Jambres turned their rods into serpents, before Pharaoh, and brought frogs, by deceiving the eye, and not in truth (Exodus 7 and 8). Thus the witch of Endor made a counterfeit of Samuel to rise out of the earth (1 Samuel 28). The second question is, if this witch…

In the grave there is a fourth rest better than all these, a rest from sin, a rest from the drudgery of Satan, a rest from the winnowings and buffetings of Satan; a rest from the law of our members, warring against the law of our minds. When Saul went to the witch of Endor for a…

What would'st you do then, or to whom will you turn? It may be you will cry to the Creatures for help and pity; but alas, to what purpose? they will give as cold and as comfortless an answer, as Samuel gave to Saul, 1 Samuel 28:15, 16. And Samuel said to Saul, Vvherefore hast [•…

When a man's hands begin to wax feeble, and he is discouraged in the ways of the Lord; My foot had well-nigh slipped, says David (Psalm 73:2). 5. There's closing with sinful means, and running to them for an escape: As Saul, when he was crossed (1 Samuel 28:7), Seek me a woman t…

'Tis better to pine away in affliction, than to be freed from it by sin; to be as a bottle in the smoke, than to forget our duty: therefore no trouble should drive us to sin, or to use sinful means for our escape; though worn out with expectation, let our duty hold our hands fro…

He did not say, nor mean, that he should be like the Elohim, (the Creators, as the word is, Job 35:10; Ecclesiastes 12:1) the God that made them, but like Elohim Gods, namely, such as I and my Angels are, who once knew good, but now know evil, both by doing it, and suffering the…

Outward things can no more cure the agony of conscience, than a silk stocking can cure a gouty leg. When Saul was sorely distressed (1 Samuel 28:15), could all the jewels of his crown comfort him? If God be angry, whose fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down…

That mourning which, like the flaming sword, keeps the soul from approaching to God and beats it off from duty, is a sinful mourning — it is a sorrow hatched in hell. Such was Saul's grief, which drove him to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7). Evangelical mourning is a spur to…

He that walks in darkness, and has no light (but some glimmering of starlight, or half moon under the earth, and knows not the ground he walks in) — let him trust in the name of the Lord. 8. She runs not away from Christ under desertion: But 1. She comes to him — it's a question…

This argues a law-spirit, rising and falling asleep again. 3. There is a final doubting of despair, like the doom past on the condemned malefactor: as in Cain (Genesis 4:13-14), in Saul (1 Samuel 28:15-16). All these conclude men under the law, and the curse of it.

They have got their sickness in your service; use what means you can for their recovery. Be not like the Amalekite, who forsook his servant when he was sick (1 Samuel 30:13), but be as the good Centurion, who kept his sick servant, and sought to Christ for a cure (Matthew 8:6).…

After we have been at the solemn worship of God we are apt to grow remiss, and leave off former strictness: like a soldier, that after the battle leaves off his armor. Now Satan watches his time; he does as David did the Amalekites: after they had taken the spoil and were secure…

Cain slays Abel that notable servant of GOD: but his reward was this, he was cast forth of God's Church, Genesis 4.11, 13. and stricken in God's just judgment with final desperation. Saul persecuted David: but his end was to kill himself with his own sword, 1 Samuel 30.4. And Je…

And when Joseph's brothers were afraid because they had sold him into Egypt, he comforts them, saying, that it was God that sent him before them, for their preservation (Genesis 45:7). So king David when his own soldiers were purposed to stone him to death, he was in great sorro…

See how deeply the Apostle has stigmatized such wretches; (1 Timothy 5:8). If any man provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Thirdly, another duty that husbands owe their wives, is protection from…

When upon the surprise of a fright, he changed his behavior before Abimelech, and counterfeited that madness, which angry people realize; yet his mind was so very quiet and undisturbed, that at that time he penned the 34th Psalm, in which not only the excellency of the matter, a…

For 1. Some, when they observe their servants begin to be sick, will put them out of their houses, and leave them to shift for themselves, as that cruel Amalekite who left his sick servant abroad in the fields (1 Samuel 30:13). But note the vengeance of God which followed thereu…

This testified the truth of David's faith, who found it staying him upon God, when there was nothing else near that could do it: I had fainted unless I had believed (Psalm 27:13). So in his strait (1 Samuel 30:6), where it is said, that David was greatly distressed: but he encou…

And can he be all in all to you? 1 Samuel 30:6: David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. When the Amalekites carried away all, yet this was his comfort — God was left still.

At that time the favorers of the Gospel suffered much rapine and spoil of goods. Applying it to David's case, some think it fulfilled when the Amalekites spoiled Ziklag (1 Samuel 30), and took the women captive, and the spoil of the city. Some understand it of the time when Absa…

In the world there still is day and night, summer and winter: here is a mixture of mourning and joy, but there all comfort (Matthew 5:4). Fourthly, the highest and chiefest object of our comfort is the Lord himself: David comforted himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6). Th…

David thought on God and was troubled; not every remembrance of God will comfort the soul; but when I speak of remembrance, I speak not only of remembering God, when the heart is overwhelmed, but faith keeps a daily remembrance of God even from time to time. Transient remembranc…