c 2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, thousand men of Judah. and ten 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, k27:10. Num. 24:21,22. Judg. and laid wait in the valley. 1:16, 4:11. 5:24. 1 Chr. 2:55. -42. Esth. 3:1. r 27:8. 30:1. Josh. 10:39. 11:12. s 3,15,19. Josh. 7:21. 1 Gen. 18:25. 19:12-16. Num. n 14:48. Job 21:30. Ec. 8:13. p 27:8. Gen. 16:7. q 3. Num. 24:7. 1 Kings 20:34 13. t 35. Gen. 6:6. 2 Sam. 24:16. Ps. 110:4. Jer. 18:7-10. Am. 7:3. Jon. 3:10. 4:2. u Josh. 22:16. 1 Kings 9:6. Ps. 36:3. 78:41,57. 125:5. Zeph. 1:6. Matt. 24:13. Heb. 10:38, filled up the measure of its iniquities.—The right eous Lord certainly did no injustice to individuals; and the example was of a salutary tendency, to deter others in future ages from "meddling to their hurt" with the servants of the living God. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Num. 31:2. Josh. 6:21.) cape persecution and death as their recompense; || they are more favored than those who have gone before them; and need not expect much advantage to themselves from their usefulness, till they get to heaven.-In the midst of mercy the Lord will rebuke his people for their sins; and by mismanagement men lose the comfort of their sucV. 4. The large army, which was collected cesses, and are discontented, and filled with vexwhen Samuel directed the enterprise, shews that ation, in the midst of blessings.-But the Lord the people had much more confidence in their employs even wicked men as instruments of prov-rejected prophet, than in the king whom they idential good to his people: in temporal prosperity they forget their sins and the threatened wrath of God: and thus they blaze for a moment, like a meteor, and then are put out in utter darkness. O Lord, let us rather be chastened here, than thus prosper and be condemned with the world! NOTES. had so inordinately desired. (13:5-15.) The disproportionate number of Judah, might perhaps be the effect of their dissatisfaction with a king of another tribe.-The armies of Israel at that time had no cavalry. V. 6. Marg. Ref.-Notes, Num. 10:29-32. Judg. 1:16. 4:11. V. 7. The region occupied by the Amalekites, lay between Havilah on the north-east, and Shur on the south-west: and Saul carried his victorious arms through the whole extent of this district. (Marg. Ref.) CHAP. XV. V. 1-3. It is probable, that for some years Saul scarcely took any notice of Samuel, in his wars and successes; perhaps resenting the sharp rebuke which he had before V. 8, 9. The Lord had devoted all the Amalgiven him: and Samuel did not intrude himself. ekites, together with their substance, to utter But now, he was sent to Saul with an express destruction, as a solemn sacrifice to his justice: command, to go and utterly destroy the Amale- and the commandment given to Saul, concernkites. (14:48.) In delivering his message the ing the execution of this sentence, was express prophet reminded him, that he had been com- and particular (3); and probably intended as a inissioned by the Lord to anoint him king, and test of his disposition to obey or disobey God. that now he spake by the same authority: he (Notes, 13:13-15. Deut. 7:25,26. Josh. 6:17-19. seemed also to intimate, that unless Saul "heark- 7:1,10-26.)-But, while neither he nor his solened to the voice of the words of the LORD," he diers were induced to mitigate the severity of should be authorized to denounce the sentence of the injunction, by sparing any of the women or rejection against him; and he gave him his in- children; he, perhaps in complaisance to royalty, structions in the most explicit and particular or to grace his victory, spared the king of Amamanner. The Amalekites had long before been lek; (Notes, 1 Kings 20:28-43.) and the people, condemned; (Notes, Ex. 17:8-16. Deut. 25:17- doubtless by his concurrence, covetously reserv--19.) but the nation had been spared, till it had | ed the best of the cattle and substance, destroy (59 17:10. 18:11. e Ps. 36:2. 50:16-21. Jer. 2:18, 19,22,23,34-37. Mal. 3:1315. Luke 19:22. Rom. 3:19. 1 Cor. 4:5. f 9,21. Gen. 3:12,13. Ex. 32: 22,23. Job 31:33. Prov. 28:13. g Matt. 2:8. Luke 10:29. h 9.27. 12:7. 1 Kings 22:16. i 9:21. 10:22. Judg. 6:15. Hos. 13:1. Matt. 18:4. ing only the refuse which was of little value. Saul's conduct was evidently the effect of a proud rebellious spirit.-Many Amalekites escaped at this time, probably without his fault; and we read of them afterwards as a numerous people. (Notes, 27:8-12. 30:1-3.) V. 11. (Note, Gen. 6:6,7.) The Lord's change of conduct towards Saul was similar to that change in our conduct, which springs from repentance; though by means of all he accomplished his own wise and righteous purposes.-Samuel had been soon reconciled to the people's rejection of him and his family, and had cheerfully anointed Saul: (Notes, 8:-10:) and from his first actions he had framed a favorable opinion of him. When he therefore was rejected, Samuel was exceedingly grieved; and he interceded all night for the reversal of the sentence. (Notes, Jer. 13: 15-17. 18:19,20. Luke 19:41–44. Rom. 9:1—3.) V. 12. Set him up a place.] Probably this was a trophy, or monument of the victory. The whole implies, that Saul took great state upon himself, and was not a little elated with his success. (Note, 2 Sam. 18:17,18.) V. 13, 14. Perhaps Saul was in some degree conscious of having done wrong; and he therefore addressed Samuel in this respectful language, in order to conciliate his good will, and to ward off the rebuke which he feared. Some however think he was so insensible of having committed any fault, that he was disposed to boast of his obedience, and expected to be congratulated and commended by the prophet. But Samuel's answer shewed him at once that the very herds and flocks, which were driven along with him, fully convicted him of inexcusable disobedience. (Marg. Ref.) V. 15. It is not probable, that either Saul or the people had fully purposed to sacrifice all the cattle which they had reserved: but even in that case, they opposed their own will and wisdom to the express command of God; and no doubt they intended to save their own cattle by means of them.-Saul took the merit of his obedience to himself; but he threw the blame of the disobedience on the people. Yet had he exerted his authority, with as much decision, in support of God's command, as he had done before in enforcing his own prohibition; and had he been as determined in the execution of Agag, as he was disposed to be in putting his son to death; it is not likely that any opposition would have been made to his orders. (Note, 14:36-44.) V. 16-18. Marg. Ref.—A journey. (18) The expedition had been so prosperous, that it was more like a safe and easy journey, than a laborious and perilous warfare. V. 19. Fly, &c.] With great greediness, as a hungry bird or beast upon his prey.' Bp. Patrick. V. 20, 21. Marg. Ref.-Notes, Gen. 3:12,13. Ex. 32:21-24. Luke 10:25-29. V. 22. Submission to the authority of God, must 23 For rebellion is as the sin of || LORD hath rejected thee from being king * witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniqui- over Israel. ty and idolatry: because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 24 And Saul said unto Samuel, "I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words; because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, I pray thee, 2 par-3 don my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. b 26 And Samuel said unto Saul, a I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the $ 12:14,15. Num. 14:9. Deut. 9: | 7,24. Josh. 22:16-19. Job 34: 37. Ps. 107:11. Jer. 28:16. 29: 32. Ez. 2:5-8. Heb. divination. Ex. 22:18. Lev. 20:6,27. Deut. 18:10,11. Is. 3:19. 19:3. 12:30. 13:14. 16:1. 2 Kings 17: 15-20. 1 Chr. 28:9. u 30. Ex. 9:27, 10:16. Num. 22: 34. 2 Sam. 12:13. Matt. 27:4. x 9,15. Ex. 23:2. Job 31:34. y 2:29. Gen. 3:12,17. Jer. 38:5. a 31. Gen. 42.38. 43:11-14. b See on 23.-13:14. 16:1. Jer 6: 27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. c 28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou. 29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie, nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. 30 Then he said, I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. Witchcraft.] Probably Saul had before this shewn much zeal against those who practised witchcraft; (Note, 28:3.) and this circumstance would add poignancy to Samuel's reproof. be essential to true religion under every dispen- pressly says, "Thou shalt;' and his rational creasation: but there is a great difference between ture dares to persist in saying, 1 will not;' the submission of a holy, and that of a sinful crea- whether the contest be about an apple or a king ture. External obedience, even to moral pre-dom, it is stubbornness and rebellion, a contempt cepts, is good in the sight of God, only when it of the commandment of God, and a daring insult springs from a willing submission of the soul to || to his majesty and authority; and has in it all the the divine authority. To profess a belief of the essential malignity, which constitutes idolatry or gospel is good, only when it arises from submis- witchcraft, or crimes punishable by death accordsion to the divine teaching, to the justice of the ing to the divine law. Therefore Saul for this condemnation under which sinners are conclud-rebellion was condemned to lose his kingdom. ed, and to the wisdom, suitableness, and grace of (Nole, 13:13-15.) the method of salvation there revealed. All instituted worship derives its obligation from the express appointment of God, from the honor which it renders to his name, from the disposition of the worshipper, and from the grace and spiritual blessings which are communicated by it. Sacrifices especially declared the desert of the offender, and typified the sufferings of the Savior: their value resulted entirely from the appointment of God; and they were not acceptable, except offered in obedience to him, and with a penitent, believing, and pious mind. (Note, Jer. 7:21 -23.) When therefore they were substituted in the place of true piety, or trusted in as meritorious; when the means were used to compensate for the neglect of the end, and the sign was alted into the place of the thing signified; they became an abomination, however costly and numerous they were.-Had Saul offered thousands of bullocks and rams, not of the spoils of Amalek, but from his own herds and flocks, exactly according to the divine ritual, in an impenitent and self-confident disposition, God would have abhorred them: how much more then, when the animals to be sacrificed were spared, in direct disobedience to his express command!-Samuel did not therefore mean to exalt one part of external religion by depreciating another, as many seem to suppose; but to shew that a right state of the heart is essential to the acceptable performance of every service. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Ps. 50: 7-15. Prov. 15:8,9. Is. 1:10-15. Am. 5:21 V. 24, 25. Saul could no longer deny his offence, or entirely excuse it; and therefore he confessed it, yet in such a manner as detected an unhumbled heart. He persisted in transferring the blame to the people; "for he feared them, and obeyed their voice:" yet he was not so timid, or obedient to them, when his own interest or authority were concerned. (Notes, Ex. 32:21-24. Matt. 14:8-11.) He seems to have been more disquieted because Samuel was offended, than because the Lord was angry with him: and he enex-treated Samuel to pardon his sin, as if he had possessed authority to reverse the sentence which God had denounced. (23. Note, Ex. 10:16,17.) V. 26 -28. (Marg. Ref. Note, 28:12-19.) It does not appear that Saul had any real attachment to Samuel; but he doubtless respected his character: and, aware of his influence with the people, he perhaps feared, lest departing in displeasure, and anointing another king, he should stir up the people to revolt, and thus immediately execute the sentence against him. He therefore earnestly opposed his departure; and, by rending Samuel's mantle, afforded a significant token of the kingdom being rent from him, and given to a more worthy person. (Notes, 1 Kings 11:913,29-31.) V. 29. The Strength of Israel.] Or, "The victory of Israel." (Marg.) Saul took the honor of 24%). 23. The heinousness of any sin is not to be the victory and of Israel's protection to himself, judged of, by the magnitude of the object about and raised a trophy of it (12): but Samuel seems which it is committed, or the grossness of the to have indirectly rebuked his vanity, and reoutward action; but from the deliberate and de-minded him that the eternal God, was indeed termined disobedience of the will, whence it "Israel's Strength and Victory."-"The LORD retakes. (Note, Gen. 3:6.) When the Lord ex- pented of having set up Saul to be king;" (Note, 31 So Samuel turned again after Saul, || Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before and Saul worshipped the LORD. the LORD in Gilgal. 32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag, the king of the Amalekites: and Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 33 And Samuel said, 'As thy sword i ath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And k Jer. 48:44. 1 Thes. 6:3. Rev. 11 Gen. 9:6. Judg. 1:7. Matt. 7: 2. Jam. 2:13. Rev. 16:6, 18:6. 18:7. 11.) for not having confirmed his promise of the kingdom to him by an oath, an opening was left for the change of measures intended by this expression. But Saul had now provoked him to pass sentence against him, and as with a solemn oath to declare that it was irreversible. In that case, God is never said to repent; nay, it is spoken of as an impossibility that he should. (Notes, Num. 14:27-30. Ps. 95:9-11. 110:4. Heb. 3: 14-19. 6:13-20. 7:20-22.) V. 30, 31. When Saul ought to have publicly confessed his sin, and taken shame to himself; he was very solicitous, that Samuel should honor him before the elders and people, probably for fear of an insurrection. (Note, Ps. 51: title.) Perhaps he also thought that God would accept his worship, if Samuel was present, but not otherwise.Samuel however, perhaps by divine direction, changed his mind and delayed his departure; that he might not occasion any disturbance among the people, and that he might execute the justice of God upon Agag. Thus he was present at Saul,s worship, but it does not appear that he took any part in it. V. 32, 33. Agag affected the stateliness and dignity of a monarch even in his degraded and perilous circumstances, as if he would over-awe the aged prophet: and he spake, either as one who deemed himself in no danger of death, sceing he had escaped the sword of a conquering king, and could have nothing to fear from Samuel; or, as having got over the fear of death, and as determined to meet it with intrepidity. He was indeed the chief person who ought to have been slain, both as the head of the devoted nation, and for his own cruelties; and therefore "Samuel hewed him to pieces before the LORD," as a sacrifice to his justice. (Notes, Josh. 8:29. Judg. 8:18-21.) Thus the prophet, who was of a lenient spirit, and prayed all night for Saul, did not hesitate to execute that sentence of God upon this condemned criminal, which Saul, who afterwards proved himself exceedingly cruel, had not done. V. 34, 35. From this time, Samuel withdrew entirely from Saul, as one rejected by God; and though Saul once came to him, (19:23,24.) he never went to Saul any more: yet he continued to mourn over him. (Notes, 11. 16:1,2.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-21. Those who have not learned to obey God, are not well qualified to rule over others, especially over the Lord's people.-The righteous vengeance of God may be long delayed; but it will certainly be executed, according to his most tremendous threatenings, upon all impenitent sinners; yet with the most marked severity upon the ringleaders in persecution, and on such as endeavor to hinder those who are setting out in the ways of piety. When he calls us to our work, 34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to "Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; neverthe less, P Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. m Num. 25:7,8. 1 Kings 18:40. | p 11. 16:1. Ps. 119:136,158. Jer. Is. 34:6. Jer. 48:10. 9:1,2. Rom. 9:2,3. Phil. 3:18. q See on 11. Gen. 6:6. n 114. o 19:24. and his time is come, he will provide us helpers and give us success; but he will at the same time make trial of our spirits. We must not avenge ourselves without express command; but we may at any time requite the kindness of our benefactors: and those who do good to the worshippers and servants of God for his sake, treasure up blessings for their posterity.—It is dangerous to live among wicked people; and if we would not perish with them, we must keep separate from them, as far as consists with our various duties.— The pride of man's heart can admit the blasphemous idea of being more merciful than God, and of censuring the threatened punishment of sinners as too severe! while covetousness deems the "vile and refuse" good enough to be spent wholly in religion; (Note, Mal. 1:12—14.) and hypocrisy is detected by partiality in obedience, and paying more honor to wicked great men, than to the command of God.-Many go far in the external appearance of religion, who turn back from following the Lord, and are given up to be hardened, and to perish. Over such persons faithful ministers are often constrained to grieve. They must and will, however, deliver the message of God to them, though their hearts be pained by so doing: and if sinners knew their secret sorrow, and fervent and multiplied pray ers for them, and considered that they speak no more than God has required them to say, they could hardly so inuch resent their most faithful reproofs. When men are solicitous to publish and perpetuate the memory of their religious services, they shew that they only sought human applause; and "verily they have their reward:” (Notes, Matt. 6:1-4. 23:5-7.) and when they boast of their obedience, and by fair speeches would extort commendation from the servants of God, we may be sure their conduct will not endure a strict scrutiny.-Many observable circumstances betray the hypocrisy of some confident professors of godliness. If indeed you are true disciples of Christ; what mean these evil tempers, this covetousness, this luxury and pride of life, this conformity to the world, this contempt and neglect of the poor? Was this the mind and life of Christ? Is this the scriptural character of a Christian? "The bleating of the sheep, and the lowing of the oxen," did not more fully detect Saul's disobedience, than things of this kind do the hypocrisy of numbers, who seem to be religious. But, by self-examination and circumspection, men should render it unnecessary for ministers to press home upon their consciences such convincing questions. The unhumbled heart, however, will never be at a loss to excuse or palliate the most evident criminality; and it will always be necessary for preachers to drive sinners from their subterfuges, to shew them the malignity and aggravation of their offences, to silence their objections and excuses, and to urge conviction upon their hearts: though the convincing Spirit of God alone can render ↑ Heb. meeting. k 1 Kings 2:13. 2 Kings 9:22. 1 Chr. 12:17,18. 1 Ex. 19:10,14,15. Lev. 20:7,8. Num. 11:18. Josh. 3:5. 7:13. 2 Chr. 30:17-20. Job 1:5. Ps. 26:2-6. Joel 2:16. 1 Cor. 11: 28. | rejected, another more suitable shall be sought out. The mighty of the earth are so accustomed to flattery and distinction, that they can scarcely In exercising the sacred ministry, nothing is of suppose any will dare to withhold it from them: more importance, than an accurate knowledge of but "with God there is no respect of persons;" the relative and comparative value of the truths, and, while he requires his servants to honor precepts, and ordinances of religion; about which those who are in authority, he teaches them to hypocrites greatly mistake, and thus impose up-be of his judgment concerning comparative exon themselves. An obedient heart is essential to cellency. Neither dignity, nor delicacy, nor vain all religion: and, in a sinner, implies a ready obe- confidence, gives sinners any security: "the bitdience to the command given to all men to re- terness of death" may meet them when and pent, an obedient reliance on the Savior's merits; where they least expect it; but the bitterness of an obedient attendance on all instituted ordi- future misery is the most to be feared.-Our nances as means of grace; and a cheerful obe- warfare indeed is of a different nature from dience to the commands of Christ, from love to Saul's: but if we spare one domineering lust, or his name, and a desire to adorn his gospel. The profitable iniquity, we shall forfeit the promised expression of this temper even in the most minute kingdom with deep disgrace; as our sincerity concerns, and with much infirmity and many must be approved by devoting every sin to utter mistakes, is accepted by a merciful God: but a destruction, by the power of God's grace, and proud, stubborn, rebellious will renders the most for the glory of his name. For this, in all ages splendid services, and the most specious profes- and nations, is the line of distinction between sion, abominable in his sight, and ranks them Samuel and Saul, between the Christian and the with the most atrocious crimes.-The impenitent hypocrite; that the one levels his whole force sinner may be detected even in his confessions against Agag, against that sinful propensity, and the behavior which accompanies them. He which, by constitution and custom, has the greathas always some reserve; he throws the blame off est ascendency, that he may hew it in pieces befrom himself; he shews an anxiety about the es- fore the Lord; while the other is anxious to preteem of man, and a fear of temporal loss, shame, serve his master-sin, however willing he may apand suffering, more than of the future wrath of pear to mortify or refrain from those sins, to an offended God; and he attempts to quiet his which he has been less addicted, and to which he conscience with external forms and a partial feels less temptation. reformation. In vain do such men endeavor to prevail with the faithful ministers of Christ to countenance them. The more they attempt it,|| the more awful warnings will they receive of approaching ruin: and when the servants of God despair of doing them good, they will withdraw, and leave them to themselves, whatever be their rank in life, that they may interpret their silence and absence into a constant reproof. The fear of men is no excuse for disobeying God; and moreover it is often a mere pretence; for many will plead it for neglecting self-denying duties, who dread no man's displeasure in gratifying their own passions!-When the sentence of final rejection is irreversibly denounced, repentance will be unavailing: and though our God is now ready to forgive, he will neither repent nor change his purposes of vengeance hereafter; for the "Strength of Israel" will be eternally engaged to punish his stoutest and proudest foes.-If those who were regarded when little in their own eyes, are elated by prosperity and forget the Lord, he will contemn them: and when one instrument is NOTES. CHAP. XVI. V. 1-3. It is probable, that the events recorded in this chapter happened some time after those before related; yet Samuel still continued to mourn for Saul: but at length God expostulated with him, and ordered him to go and anoint one to succeed Saul.-It may be supposed, that in the mean while Saul had become very suspicious and tyrannical, and enraged against Samuel. The question therefore, which he proposed, might not result from unbelief, but from a desire of instruction, for the prudent management of the affair. (Notes, Judg. 13:8. Luke 1:34 -38.) Accordingly, he was directed to go to Beth-lehem to sacrifice, as he probably did from time to time in many different places: (Noles, 7 9,17. 9:12-14.) and the answer, which he was instructed to return, was the truth; nor was he bound to divulge all his intentions. (Note, Jer. 38:24-28.) V. 4. It is probable, that these elders were conscious of iniquity committed among them, and |