CONTENTS
The events recorded in this Chapter are much more pleasing than what
hath been said of Israel a long time before. Here is an account of the
men of Kirjath-jearim fetching the ark and placing it in an house. The
Israelites are represented as mourning after the Lord. The history of
Samuel is... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that
the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of
Israel lamented after the LORD.
It is difficult to explain this verse, or to account for what we read
in it. Was it possible for Israel to remain so long satisfied wit... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) В¶ And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye
do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the
strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts
unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the
hand of the Philistines.
The R... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and
served the LORD only.
Baalim is plural, meaning several God's. Ashtaroth is singular and
feminine, and therefore means but one, and that a she goddess. Is this
Israel the beloved people of God who are thus led away to these filt... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for
you unto the LORD. (6) And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew
water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and
said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the
children of Israel in M... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) В¶ And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel
were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up
against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were
afraid of the Philistines. (8) And the children of Israel said to
Samuel, Cease not to cry unto... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines
drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a
great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them;
and they were smitten before Israel. (11) And the men of Israel went
out of Mizpeh, and pursu... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and
called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped
us.
This spot between Mizpeh and Shen, was rendered the more memorable
because this was the very spot where 20 years before the Philistines
had defeated Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) В¶ So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into
the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the
Philistines all the days of Samuel.
The ministry of Samuel was so much blessed, that the Philistines dared
not invade Israel all his days. We learn that the passover was... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were
restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof
did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was
peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Whether Ekron and Gath were included in this recove... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. (16) And he
went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh,
and judged Israel in all those places. (17) And his return was to
Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there
he built an altar unto the... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
REMARK, my soul, in the perusal of this Chapter, the first renewings
of grace in the blessed fruits and effects of it; all hearts, like
those of Israel, then will go forth in Lamentations after the Lord.
There will be no real enquiries, no heart-searching sorrow, though
ordinances may b... [ Continue Reading ]