CONTENTS This chapter commenceth with another sad account of Israel's transgression, and the consequent punishment from the Lord. We have in it also, the relation of the birth of Samson, and the message of an angel concerning him. The conference between the angel and the mother of Samson in the fir... [ Continue Reading ]
Dan was one of the tribes of Israel. And this tribe lay near the Philistines' country. Jacob prophesied concerning this tribe, that Dan should judge his people. Perhaps this prophecy had its fulfillment in the person of Samson. Genesis 49:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
If the Reader will connect what is here said of this angel, with what is said of him in Judges 13:18, where the angel declares his name to be Secret, or as it might have been translated Wonderful: and then will call to mind what the Holy Ghost hath said of the Lord Jesus, by his servant the prophet... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat peculiarly interesting in the law of the Nazarites. The separation, or the being sanctified, and set apart to the Lord, carried with it a matter of great moment. And hence Moses appropriates a whole chapter to this one subject. And it is worthy of remark, that at the close of that... [ Continue Reading ]
An interesting information to her husband. No doubt from the nature of the prohibition, both Manoah and his wife conceived somewhat wonderful of this child; and cheerfully wished that a child, concerning whose birth so much attention was to be shown, might be dedicated as a Nazarite to the Lord from... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat very striking in the prayer of Manoah. No doubt from the woman's account in the joy she had experienced from the interview with the angel, the husband desired to be made a partaker in the same felicity. Reader! how dead and insipid would be all earthly conversation, if we were conv... [ Continue Reading ]
God is a God-hearing prayer, and faithful to His promises. Before my people call is the promise, I will answer. And Jesus confirms the same, when he saith, Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Compare Isaiah 65:24 with Matthew 21:22... [ Continue Reading ]
It doth not appear from the relation, that the angel bid her call her husband, but it may be supposed. So did Jesus to the woman of Samaria. John 4:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Certainly in all this we behold a lively type of the ever-blessed Jesus. He was himself holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and a Nazarite indeed, in whom was no guile. And was not the mother of Samson, like the church of old, during the long expected season of the birth of Jesus, enjo... [ Continue Reading ]
Every step in this delightful narration, becomes more, and more interesting. Perhaps the Reader will recollect, how in similar circumstances, Abraham tried to-detain his heavenly visitor. Genesis 18:2. Reader, you and I can hardly enter into the full apprehension of the sweetness of those things. Si... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD. It is not strange that Monoah should be unconscious who this angel was: fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Jacob felt the same desire, in the interview he had with the angel Genesis 32:29. Reader! what a mercy is it, to you and to me, that that name, which is now so dear to his people, is no longer secret. Now we know him in that lovely name of Jesus, a Saviour; the Lord our righteousness, and all the ot... [ Continue Reading ]
What a most interesting scene this must have been! It seems as if the man and his wife did nothing but look on. Yes, our faith can go no further. To lift a tool upon the altar is to pollute it. Exodus 20:25. Jesus is both the sacrifice, the rock or altar on which the sacrifice is offered, and the Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
The effect upon the minds of those persons was as might be expected. Never will the soul lay lower, than in the moment of receiving signal mercies. It is difficult to say, which to admire most, the fear of the man, or the faith of the woman. Nothing can be more admirably expressed, than the well-gro... [ Continue Reading ]
Samson, like Shemesh, signifies a sun: probably typical of Him, who is emphatically called, the Sun of righteousness. Malachi 4:2. And perhaps in allusion to his great strength. For the sun is said to go forth as a giant to run his course: Psalms 19:5. The first indications of the strength which wou... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS CONTEMPLATE, my soul, the wonderful grace of God manifested to this humble family, amidst the general corruption of Israel; and remark from it, for thy comfort and encouragement in evil times, how the Lord watcheth over his people for good. Behold! how angels minister unto them that are... [ Continue Reading ]