CONTENTS The history in this chapter, like the two or three preceding, is full of distress, though the subject varies. From private calamities we are now introduced to the relation of public: and from an house, or family, the evil is extended to the Nation. Now we hear of the wars on account of sin... [ Continue Reading ]
The readiness of all Israel to assemble upon the complaint of the Levite, seems to say; the Lord had yet a seed to serve him. And no doubt, in the worst of times, this is, and must be the case. There is a sweet promise, to this effect, Isaiah 59:21. Mizpeh, was not far from Shiloh; so that it became... [ Continue Reading ]
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? If Benjamin had not been grossly sunk in wickedness, what a fine opportunity was here afforded to have sent in their supplication for pardon.... [ Continue Reading ]
I pass by the relation of the story itself, (for we had it before in the preceding chapter) to call the Reader's attention to the Levites appeal. What are, or ought to be the children of Israel? Moses had told them long before; Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, Deuteronomy 7:6. Faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
Oh! that all the tribes of Jesus were so consolidated in his cause, and so united to him, their great head, and to each other as the members of his mystical body: what might not be expected in their zeal for the divine honour and glory!... [ Continue Reading ]
This fair appeal common justice required. The wicked only are to be punished in his iniquity. And this with a view also, to stop the execution of God's wrath. How lost therefore was Benjamin to refuse. But is there not in all this, the picture of human nature, hardened to its own ruin by sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
The disposition of the army of Israel, and then asking counsel from the Lord, is a sweet token for good. And, as the Lord appointed Judah to lead, who doth not see shadowed out in this, the early tokens of that war, which the Lord fights for his people against sin and Satan; and Jesus, who according... [ Continue Reading ]
The apparent success of Benjamin, is a lively representation of the seeming success of Satan, in the holy war. How frequently are God's people apparently worsted, and in the conflict, prompted to exclaim, Surely the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me, Isaiah 49:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we see that through the whole the victory was not doubtful. The Lord hereby taught Israel, who perhaps vaunted more upon the strength of their numbers, compared to Benjamin and Gibeah, than simply leaned upon the arm of Jehovah, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. A... [ Continue Reading ]
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months. I would not overstrain the holy word, to discover more than it is intended to convey: but in those six hundred men of Benjamin fleeing to the rock; may we not be led, at least, to r... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. What an awful catastrophe doth the close of the chapter form:... [ Continue Reading ]