Old — And so unfit for his former travels and labours. He is not supposed to have been now above sixty years of age. But he had spent his strength and spirits in the fatigue of public business: and now if he thinks to shake himself as at other times, he finds he is mistaken: age has cut his hair. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Beer — sheba — In the southern border of the land of Canaan, which were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places Samuel himself still executing the office of judge.... [ Continue Reading ]
Took bribes — Opportunity and temptation discovered that corruption in them which 'till now was hid from their father. It has often been the grief of holy men, that their children did not tread in their steps. So far from it, that the sons of eminently good men, have been often eminently wicked.... [ Continue Reading ]
A king — Their desires exceed their reasons, which extended no farther than to the removal of Samuel's sons from their places, and the procuring some other just: and prudent assistance to Samuel's age. Nor was the grant of their desire a remedy for their disease, but rather an aggravation of it. For... [ Continue Reading ]
Displeased — Because God was hereby dishonoured by that distrust of him, and that ambition, and itch after changes, which were the manifest causes of this desire; and because of that great misery, which he foresaw the people would hereby bring upon themselves. Prayed — For the pardon of their sin, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Hearken — God grants their desire in anger, and for their punishment. Rejected me — This injury and contumely, reflects chiefly upon me and my government. Should not reign — By my immediate government, which was the great honour, safety, and happiness of this people, if they had had hearts to prize... [ Continue Reading ]
So do they — Thou farest no worse than myself. This he speaks for Samuel's comfort and vindication.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye protest — That, if it be possible, thou mayst yet prevent their sin and misery. The manner — That is, of the kings which they desire like the kings of other nations.... [ Continue Reading ]
Will take — Injuriously and by violence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Will appoint — Heb. To, or for himself; for his own fancy, or glory, and not only when the necessities of the kingdom require it. And though this might seem to he no incumbrance, but an honour to the persons so advanced, yet even in them that honour was accompanied with great dangers, and pernicious... [ Continue Reading ]
Daughters — Which would be more grievous to their parents, and more dangerous to themselves, because of the tenderness of that sex, and their liableness to many injuries.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your fields — By fraud or force, as Ahab did from Naboth. His servants — He will not only take the fruits of your lands for his own use, but will take away your possessions to give to his servants.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tenth — Besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his service, he will, when he pleaseth, impose another tenth upon you. Officers — Heb. To his eunuchs, which may imply a farther injury, that he should against the command of God, make some of his people eunuchs; and take those into... [ Continue Reading ]
Will take — By constraint, and without sufficient recompense.... [ Continue Reading ]
His servants — That is, he will use you like slaves, and deprive you of that liberty which now you enjoy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cry out — Ye shall bitterly mourn for the sad effects of this inordinate desire of a king. Will not hear — Because you will not hear, nor obey his counsel in this day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Be like — What stupidity! It was their happiness that they were unlike all other nations, Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 33:28, as in other glorious privileges, so especially in this, that the Lord was their immediate king and lawgiver. But they will have a king to go out before them, and to fight their... [ Continue Reading ]
Rehearsed — He repeated them privately between God and himself; for his own vindication and comfort: and as a foundation for his prayers to God, for direction and assistance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Go — Betake yourselves to your several occasions, till you hear more from me in this matter.... [ Continue Reading ]