1 Samuel 11

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…

It is certain the first man did so (Genesis 3:12): the woman you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree; your gift is the cause of my sin and ruin. It is as certain David laid the sin of Uriah's murder at the door of providence (1 Samuel 11:25): when he heard that Uriah was…

One says well; est Sacra Scriptura veluti fons quidam, in bono terrae loco scaturiens, quem quo altius foderis, eo magis exuberantem invenies; ita quo diligentius Sacram Scripturam interpretaris, eo abundantiores aquae vivae venas reperies. Brent. Hom. 36. in 1 Sam. 11. That Obj…

The thing itself in its existence it is true cannot be made so a sign; but it may in the promise and prediction of it. And many instances we have of things promised for signs, which were not to exist in themselves, until after the accomplishment of the things whereof they were s…

Therefore labor to have strong affections to good: for the strength of affections come from the inward man: Again the strength of the affections shew the abiding of the spirit in the soul. As in the 1 Samuel 11:6. it is said that The spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he was…

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…