Did evil — That is, fell into idolatry, not after the death of Abdon the last judge, but in the days of the former judges. Forty years — To be computed, not from Abdon's death, but before that time. And it is probable that great slaughter of the Ephraimites made by Jephthah, greatly encouraged the P... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the family — That is, of the tribe or people. Bare not — An emphatical repetition of the same thing in other words, which is an usual elegancy both in scripture and other authors.... [ Continue Reading ]
The angel — The Son of God, yet distinguished from the Lord, because he appeared here in the form of a servant, as a messenger sent from God. The great Redeemer did in a particular manner concern himself about this typical redeemer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beware — Because the child was to be a Nazarite from the womb, Judges 13:5, and from the conception; and because the mother's pollution extends to the child, she is enjoined from this time to observe the following rules belonging to the Nazarites. Strong drink — Under which are comprehended the othe... [ Continue Reading ]
A Nazarite — A person consecrated to God's service. Begin to deliver — And the deliverance shall be carried on and perfected by others, as it was by Eli, Samuel, and Saul; but especially by David. God chuses to carry on his work gradually and by several hands. One lays the foundation of a good work,... [ Continue Reading ]
Man of God — A prophet, or sacred person, sent with a message from God. Terrible — Or, venerable, awful, full of Majesty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let thy words — Or, thy words shall come to pass: I firmly believe thy promises shall be fulfilled. How — What rules shall we observe about his education?... [ Continue Reading ]
Let her — Whilst the child is in her womb, and after the child is born let him observe the same orders.... [ Continue Reading ]
Made ready — Supposing him to be a man and a prophet, to whom he would in this manner express his respect, as was usual to strangers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bread — That is, meat, as bread is commonly taken in scripture. To the Lord — Not unto a man, as thou apprehendest me to be; but unto the Lord, as thou wilt by and by perceive me to be.... [ Continue Reading ]
Honour — Either by making honourable mention of thee, or by shewing respect to thee, by a present, which they usually gave to prophets.... [ Continue Reading ]
Secret — Hidden from mortal men: or, wonderful, such as thou canst not comprehend: my nature and essence, (which is often signified by name in scripture) is incomprehensible. This shews, that this was the angel of the covenant, the Son of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Meal — offering — Which were generally joined with the chief sacrifices. A Rock — The angel's presence and command being a sufficient warrant for the offering of sacrifice by a person who was no priest, and in a place otherwise forbidden.... [ Continue Reading ]
The altar — That is, from that part of the rock which served instead of an altar, upon which the sacrifice was laid. Ascended — To manifest his nature and essence to be spiritual. Fell — Partly in reverence to that glorious presence manifested in so wonderful a manner: and partly, out of a religious... [ Continue Reading ]
Nor would, &c. — This expression seems to have some emphasis in it, to enhance God's mercy to them, as being afforded them in a time of such grievous calamity; and in a time when the word of the lord was precious; and there was no open vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed him — That is, endowed him with all those graces and gifts of mind and body which were necessary for the work he was designed for.... [ Continue Reading ]
To move — That is, to stir him up to heroical designs; to shew forth its power in the frame of his mind, and in the strength of his body, discovered to his neighbours in extraordinary actions; to encline his heart to great attempts for the help and deliverance of God's people, to give some essays of... [ Continue Reading ]