Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel (cont. x2)

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It is comparatively easy to begin in humility than to end in humility.

Behold, the sad case of King Saul...

Poole on 1 Samuel 9:18-21: Saul's First Encounter with Samuel

Verse 18:[1] Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is. [Saul drew near to Samuel in the midst of the gate[2]] That is, he met Samuel immediately upon passing the very gate (Vatablus). Here, אֶת[3] is put in the place of אֶל/to; as...

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Samuel began his career in humility, and ended it in like manner, willingly giving honor to another.

Saul began in humility, but ended in pride and tyranny.

How difficult a thing is humility to maintain!

Poole on 1 Samuel 9:22-24: Saul at Samuel's Feast

Verse 22:[1] And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. [He brough them into the dining room, לִשְׁכָּתָה] Into the chamber (Montanus), the vaulted room...

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Saul receives the Word of God, but grows forgetful of this privilege.

A cautionary tale concerning pride and forgetfulness...

Poole on 1 Samuel 9:25-27: Samuel's Secret Communion with Saul

Verse 25:[1] And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon (Deut. 22:8; 2 Sam. 11:2; Acts 10:9) the top of the house.[And he spoke with Saul] Either concerning religion and piety (Rabbi Salomon in Martyr, similarly Lyra, Tostatus and...

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A translation milestone!

Poole's "Synopsis" on 1 Samuel 9 is available for the first time in English!

Free and online!

www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/1-samuel

 

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Poole outlines 1 Samuel 10. It is time for Israel to have her first king, Saul.

Poole's Outline of 1 Samuel 10

Samuel anointeth Saul, 1; confirms him by prediction of three signs, 2-8. Saul prophesies, 9-13. He cometh to his uncle; telleth him what Samuel had said concerning the asses, but concealeth the matter of the kingdom, 14-16. Samuel assembleth the people at Mizpeh, 17-20. Saul is chosen king...

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In 1 Samuel, the office of Judge waxes old; the era of the kings has come!

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:1: The Anointing of Saul

Verse 1:[1] Then (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:13; 2 Kings 9:3, 6) Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, (Ps. 2:12) and kissed him, and said, Is it not because (Acts 13:21) the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over (Deut. 32:9; Ps. 78:71) his inheritance?[A lentil-shaped vessel of oil...

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[No Other Name]

In 1 Samuel, the office of Judge waxes old; the era of the kings has come!

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:1: The Anointing of Saul

Verse 1:[1] Then (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:13; 2 Kings 9:3, 6) Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, (Ps. 2:12) and kissed him, and said, Is it not because (Acts 13:21) the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over (Deut. 32:9; Ps. 78:71) his inheritance?[A lentil-shaped vessel of oil...

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"Note that, although the anointing of Kings is commanded by no law, as far as I know, it is employed repeatedly as customary even before those times. "

Yes, for why should there be law regarding an office God never had a design for? When they rejected the Judges and asked for a king, they rejected God as their king.
Great stuff by the way. I love all this.

 

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"Note that, although the anointing of Kings is commanded by no law, as far as I know, it is employed repeatedly as customary even before those times. "

Yes, for why should there be law regarding an office God never had a design for? When they rejected the Judges and asked for a king, they rejected God as their king.
Great stuff by the way. I love all this.

Very kind. Thank you.

 

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Civil magistrates are accountable to King Jesus, and will be made to feel it sooner or later.

"The first place Samuel directed him to was a sepulchre, the sepulchre of one of his ancestors, for Rachel died in travail with Benjamin; there he must read a lecture of his own mortality, and now that he had a crown in his eye must think of his grave, in which all his honour would be laid in the dust" (Matthew Henry).

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:2: Saul's First Sign

Verse 2:[1] When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by (Gen. 35:19, 20) Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin (Josh. 18:28) at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care (Heb...

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A message for Washington:

"These two loaves, which were the first tribute paid to this newly-anointed king, might serve for an admonition to him not to spend the wealth of his crown in luxury, but still to be content with plain food. Bread is the staff of life." -Matthew Henry

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:3, 4: Saul's Second Sign

Verse 3:[1] Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up (Gen. 28:22; 35:1, 3, 7) to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of...

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Interested in Exclusive Psalmody? You will not want to miss this (including "Comments"). Samuel's "Sons of the Prophets" are an important, but often neglected, link in the History of the Service of Song.

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:5, 6: Saul's Third Sign

Verse 5:[1] After that thou shalt come to (1 Sam. 10:10) the hill of God, (1 Sam. 13:3) where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down (1 Sam. 9:12) from the high place with a...

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"The greatest of men (including kings) must own themselves in subjection to God and his word" (Matthew Henry).

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:7, 8: Samuel's Instructions to Saul

Verse 7:[1] And let it be, when these (Ex. 4:8; Luke 2:12) signs (Heb. it shall come to pass that when these signs,[2] etc.) are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee (Heb. do for thee as thine hand shall find;[3] Judg. 9:33[4]); (Judg. 6:12) for God is with thee.[When these signs...

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Our national charade (in which we Christians are complicit): When we do important things in the public sphere (politics, economics, foreign policy, war, etc.), we have all agreed to pretend that there is no God.

Consider: Is not Saul most agreeable to the eye as a ruler, when most under the influence of the Spirit of God?

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:9-12: Saul among the Prophets

Verse 9:[1] And it was so, that when he had turned his back (Heb. shoulder[2]) to go from Samuel, God gave (Heb. turned[3]) him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.[When he had turned his shoulder, etc.] Samuel had promised that Saul would be changed, etc., after the...

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We must be watchful against pride. As we grow, and advance in sanctification, the danger of pride also grows. The glory of sanctification is to be ascribed to the Lord; but, as soon as we attribute the progress to ourselves, we fall.

Saul begins in a charming humility, but ends in an unseemly and self-destructive pride...

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:13-16: Saul's Humble Return to Private Life

Verse 13:[1] And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.[He ceased to prophesy] Not only from the act of prophesying (in this manner all often cease), but from the habit, in which Saul differs from them, Numbers 11:25. Those elders did not cease, they remained ever...

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It is folly to trust in human government to save.

Consider Samuel's complaint, as Israel looks to a king, rather than their God, for salvation...

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:17-21: Casting Lots for a King

Verse 17:[1] And Samuel called the people together (Judg. 11:11; 20:1; 1 Sam. 11:15) unto the LORD (1 Sam. 7:5, 6) to Mizpeh…[And he assembled the people] Although it had already been ascertained, what had pleased the Lord in the designation of a King (Sanchez, Menochius). Question: But why...

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The Most High has set a King over us, Jesus Christ the Righteous (Psalm 2), and given us a "law/manner of the kingdom" (1 Samuel 10:25).

Perhaps we should revisit the compromise with the Deists at the Constitutional Congress...

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:22-25: The Manner of the Kingdom

Verse 22:[1] Therefore they (1 Sam. 23:2, 4, 10, 11) enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.[And after these things they consulted the Lord (similarly Pagnine), וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ־עוֹד֙ בַּֽיהוָ֔ה] And...

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"Thus differently are men affected to our exalted Redeemer. God hath set him king upon the holy hill of Sion. There is a remnant that submit to him, rejoice in him, bring him presents, and follow him wherever he goes; and they are those whose hearts God has touched, whom he has made willing in the day of his power. But there are others who despise him, who ask, How shall this man save us? They are offended in him, stumble at his external meanness, and they will be broken by it." -Matthew Henry

Poole on 1 Samuel 10:26, 27: A Mixed Reception of the New King

Verse 26:[1] And Saul also went home (Judg. 20:14; 1 Sam. 11:4) to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.[Saul departed unto his own house] As if he had not changed his old manners because of new honors, but he was retaining his former humility in his new...

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Biblical instruction on Civil Government has never been more important.

1 Samuel 10 is full of such teaching. Poole's "Synopsis" on 1 Samuel 10 is now available in English, free and online!

www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/1-samuel

 

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"In this chapter we have the firstfruits of Saul's government, in the glorious rescue of Jabesh-gilead out of the hands of the Ammonites. Let not Israel thence infer that therefore they did well to ask a king (God could and would have saved them without one); but let them admire God's goodness, that he did not reject them when they rejected him..." --Matthew Henry

Poole's Outline of 1 Samuel 11: Saul's First Military Expedition

Nahash besiegeth them of Jabesh-gilead; offereth them a reproachful condition; they have seven days granted them to consult and seek relief; they send messengers to Saul, 1-5. He is provoked; sends messengers to all the Israelites to come in to their help; they come to the number of three...

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Something for Americans to consider...

"They had lost the virtue of Israelites, else they would not have thus lost the valour of Israelites, nor tamely yielded to serve an Ammonite, without one bold struggle for themselves. Had they not broken their covenant with God, and forsaken his service, they needed not thus to have courted a covenant with a Gentile nation, and offered themselves to serve them." --Matthew Henry

Poole on 1 Samuel 11:1, 2: Crisis at Jabesh-Gilead

Verse 1:[1] Then (1 Sam. 12:12) Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against (Judg. 21:8) Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, (Gen. 26:28; Ex. 23:32; 1 Kings 20:34; Job 41:4; Ezek. 17:13) Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.[Nahash went up] The...

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In our distresses, when we cry to others, we may or may not be heard.

When we cry out to Jesus, we are always heard on high. What a comfort!

Poole on 1 Samuel 11:3, 4: A Cry for Help!

Verse 3:[1] And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us (Heb. forbear us[2]) seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.[Grant to us seven days] Of such grants made for a day under...

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A message for Washington...

'Good magistrates are in pain if their subjects are in tears.' -Matthew Henry

Poole on 1 Samuel 11:5-8: Oxen Hewn and an Army Raised

Verse 5:[1] And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.[Behold, Saul was coming, following the oxen from the field] Some, thinking this beneath a King, say that for the sake...

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Here, Saul is a fine figure of a civil magistrate, serving his people...rather than serving himself of his people. May the Lord raise up such in these Western lands...

Poole on 1 Samuel 11:9-11: Saul's First Victory!

Verse 9:[1] And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help (or, deliverance[2]). And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.[Tomorrow] [Some take it...

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A lesson for the present time, and for our land...

Saul's gov't began in humility, mercy, and service; but it ends in pride, jealousy, rapaciousness, and cruelty.

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you..."

Poole on 1 Samuel 11:12-15: Saul's Kingship Confirmed

Verse 12:[1] And the people said unto Samuel, (1 Sam. 10:27) Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? (see Luke 19:27) bring the men, that we may put them to death.[To Samuel] Rather than to Saul, lest they should provoke Saul to vengeance in his own cause (Mendoza generally out of...

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A translation milestone! Poole's "Synopsis" on 1 Samuel 11 (Saul's first military victory) is now available for the 1st time in English! free and online!

www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/1-samuel

 

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"I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath." (Hos 13:11)

Something for our country to consider...

Join us for the study of 1 Samuel 12 (so many Biblical principles of good government!).

New posts every few days...

Poole's Outline of 1 Samuel 12: A King Given in Anger

Samuel having appointed a king unto the people, testifieth his own integrity, to which they witness, 1-5. He setteth before them the sins of their ancestors, and their own sin in asking a king, 6-13; comforts them if they will obey the Lord; threateneth the disobedient; terrifies them by...

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William Symington's Messiah the Prince: 'Exemplary behaviour is necessary to give due moral effect to official administration. Laws however wise, acts however equitable, intentions however pure, cannot have the same influence on others when they proceed from persons who are themselves destitute of moral character.'

Poole on 1 Samuel 12:1-5: Samuel's Solemn Protestation

Verse 1:[1] And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto (1 Sam. 8:5, 19, 20) your voice in all that ye said unto me, and (1 Sam. 10:24; 11:14, 15) have made a king over you.[Now, Samuel said] Question: Why would he reprove the Israelites only now, rather than previously...

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A lesson for our nation...

"[Samuel] reminds them of the great goodness of God to them and to their fathers, gives them an abstract of the history of their nation, that, by the consideration of the great things God had done for them, they might be for ever engaged to love him and serve him." (Matthew Henry)

Poole on 1 Samuel 12:6-8: A History of the Lord's Mercies, Part 1

Verse 6:[1] And Samuel said unto the people, (Mic. 6:4) It is the LORD that advanced (or, made[2]) Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.[It is the Lord that made Moses and Aaron] The speech is imperfect; and, so that the sense might be plain, it seems...

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In ancient times, Samuel displayed the aggravation of Israel's sins, in that they continued in transgression in the face of God's judgments and mercies.

What would he say to America?

Poole on 1 Samuel 12:9-13: A History of the Lord's Mercies, Part 2

Verse 9:[1] And when they (Judg. 3:7) forgat the LORD their God, (Judg. 4:2) he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of (Judg. 10:7; 13:1) the Philistines, and into the hand of the king (Judg. 3:12) of Moab, and they fought against them.[Who were...

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From the first founding of her monarchy, Israel was required to serve the Lord, government and people.

This was not unique to Israel, but is required of all the nations of the earth (see Psalm 2), including America.

Poole on 1 Samuel 12:14, 15: National Obedience to the Lord

Verse 14:[1] If ye will (Josh. 24:14; Ps. 81:13, 14) fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment (Heb. mouth[2]) of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following (Heb. be after[3]) the LORD your God…[If ye...

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