_A.M. 2884. B.C. 1120._ Samuel's decay, and the degeneracy of his sons, 1 Samuel 8:1. The people petition him for a king, and he refers it to God, 1 Samuel 8:4. God directs him what answer to give, 1 Samuel 8:7. They insist upon their petition, 1 Samuel 8:19; 1 Samuel 8:20. Which he promises shall... [ Continue Reading ]
_Samuel was 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were judges in Beer-sheba_ In the southern borders of the land of Canaan, which were very remote from his house at Ramah; where, and in the neighbouring places, Samuel himself still executed the office of judge.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Took bribes_ Opportunity and temptation discovered that corruption in them which, till now, was hid from their father, and, it may be, from themselves. 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make us a king_ Their desires exceed their reasons, which extended no farther than 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The thing displeased Samuel_ Because God was hereby dishonoured, through 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord said, Hearken unto the people_, &c. He grants their desire in anger, for their punishment. For these, it is plain, are the words of displeasure, being as much as to say, Let them have their will. Samuel took it very ill that they should be dissatisfied with his government: but God tells hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_So do they also unto thee_ Thou farest no worse than myself. This he speaks for Samuel's comfort and vindication. _Yet protest solemnly unto them_ That, if it be possible, thou mayest yet prevent their sin and misery. _Show them the manner of the king_ That is, of the kings which they desire, like... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will take your sons_ Injuriously, and by violence. _And appoint them for himself_ To attend him as the guards of his body, and in other offices. This shows that he speaks of the arbitrary power which the kings in those days used. And therefore Samuel doth not say absolutely, _I will show you the... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will appoint him_ Hebrew, _To_ or _for himself;_ for his own fancy, or glory, and not only when the necessities of the kingdom require it. _Captains over thousands, and captains over fifties_ Will dispose of them to military offices, higher or lower as he pleases, (1 Samuel 14:52,) to be perfect... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will take your daughters_, &c. He will exercise as arbitrary a power over the women as over the men; whom he will make to serve in such employments as he shall think fit; either for nothing, or such wages as he shall please to give them. To have their daughters taken in this manner would be pecu... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will take your fields_ By fraud or force, as Ahab did from Naboth. _And give them to 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. _The tenth_ Besides the several tenths which God hath reserved for his s... [ Continue Reading ]
_He will take your men-servants_ By constraint, and without sufficient recompense. _Your goodliest young men_ The most beautiful and proper person she can find; _and your asses, and put them to his work_ Either at the plough, or for carriage, or any other employment wherein he shall think they will... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless the people refused to obey_ This description of kingly government, as then exercised in the East, did not deter them from persisting in their desires. But they still peremptorily demanded a king, although Samuel told them that this demand was, in effect, throwing off the government of... [ Continue Reading ]
_He rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord_ 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 ye every man unto his city_ Betake yourselves to your several homes and employments, till you hear more from me in this matter. Thus he bade them leave the business unto him, intimating, that he doubted not but God would set a king over them.... [ Continue Reading ]