The word — That is, the word of the Lord revealed to Samuel, and by him to the people. A word of command, that all Israel should go forth to fight with the Philistines, as the following words explain it, that they might he first humbled and punished for their sins, and so prepared for deliverance. W... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore, &c. — This was strange blindness, that when there was so great a corruption in their worship and manners, they could not see sufficient reason why God should suffer them to fall by their enemies. The ark — That great pledge of God's presence and help, by whose conduct our ancestors obtain... [ Continue Reading ]
Bring the ark — This they should not have done without asking counsel of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shouted — From their great joy and confidence of success. So formal Christians triumph in external privileges and performances: as if the ark in the camp would bring them to heaven, tho' the world and the flesh reign in the heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heretofore — Not in our times; for the fore — mentioned removals of the ark were before it came to Shiloh.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wo, &c. — They secretly confess the Lord to be greater than their gods, and yet presume to oppose him. Wilderness — They mention the wilderness, not as if all the plagues of the Egyptians came upon them in the wilderness, but because the last and sorest of all, which is therefore put for all, the de... [ Continue Reading ]
Tent — To his habitation, called by the ancient name of his tent. There fell — Before, they lost but four thousand, now in the presence of the ark, thirty thousand, to teach them that the ark and ordinances of God, were never designed as a refuge to impenitent sinners, but only for the comfort of th... [ Continue Reading ]
The ark — Which God justly and wisely permitted, to punish the Israelites for their profanation of it; that by taking away the pretences of their foolish confidence, he might more deeply humble them, and bring them to true — repentance: and that the Philistines might by this means he more effectuall... [ Continue Reading ]
The ark — Whereby he discovered a public and generous spirit, and a fervent zeal for God, and for his honour, which he preferred before all his natural affections, not regarding his own children in comparison of the ark, tho' otherwise he was a most indulgent father. And well they might, for beside... [ Continue Reading ]
He fell — Being so oppressed with grief and astonishment, that he had no strength left to support him. The gate — The gate of the city, which was most convenient for the speedy understanding of all occurrences. Old — Old, and therefore weak and apt to fall; heavy, and therefore his fall more dangero... [ Continue Reading ]
Fear not — Indeed the sorrows of her travail would have been forgotten, for joy that a child was born into the world. But what is that joy to one that feels herself dying? None but spiritual joy will stand us in stead then. Death admits not the relish of any earthly joy: it is then all flat and tast... [ Continue Reading ]
I — chabod — Where is the glory? The glory — That is, the glorious type and assurance of God's presence, the ark, which is often called God's glory, and which wast the great safeguard and ornament of Israel, which they could glory in above all other nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
The ark — This is repeated to shew, her piety, and that the public loss lay heavier upon her spirit, than her personal or domestic calamity.... [ Continue Reading ]