Matthew Poole on 1 Samuel (cont. x2)

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As it was in ancient times with the Amalekites, so it is now with our sin: God has declared total war. We must not spare the least, nor the culturally acceptable.

Partial obedience is no obedience.

 
"Repentance in God is not, as it is in us, a change of his mind, but a change of his method or dispensation. He does not alter his will, but wills an alteration." -Matthew Henry

 
Repentance or excuses?

When confronted with sin, which will you choose?

Saul...a cautionary tale...

 
"Saul's sin in sparing Agag, and saving the best of the sheep and oxen, which he was commanded to destroy, was materially a far less sin than David's adultery and murder, yet it is made equal with a greater than both, even witchcraft itself, 1 Samuel 15:23; and whence received his sin such a dye, but from the wickedness of his heart, that was worse than David's when deepest in the temptation." --William Gurnall

 
In the course of 1 Samuel 15, it is said that God repented (v. 11), and that repentance is something that God does not do (v. 29).

How are these assertions to be harmonized?

 
'Believe it, souls, you must fall a-cutting your bosom sins in pieces by the sword of the Spirit, as Samuel cut Agag in pieces in Gilgal before the Lord, or else you will never obtain a perfect cure, 1 Samuel 15:33. Slight skirmishes will not do it; you must pursue your bosom sins to the death, or they will be the death of your souls.' -Thomas Brooks

 
For the first time in English...

Poole's "Synopsis" of 1 Samuel 15 ("the Rejection of Saul") is now available in its entirety! free and online!

 
In 1 Samuel 16, we see Saul, rejected and waning; but David, called and waxing.

Poole provides an outline...

 
"Note, Before solemn ordinances there must be a solemn protestation. When we are to offer spiritual sacrifices it concerns us, by sequestering ourselves from the world and renewing the dedication of ourselves to God, to sanctify ourselves. When our Lord Jesus came into the world, though men had reason enough to tremble, fearing that his errand was to condemn the world, yet he gave full assurance that he came peaceably, for he came to sacrifice, and he brought his offering along with him: A body hast thou prepared me. Let us sanctify ourselves, that we may have an interest in his sacrifice. Note, Those that come to sacrifice should come peaceably; religious exercises must not be performed tumultuously." --Matthew Henry

 
A lesson from history...

Israel desired a king like the kings of the other nations, and they chose one that appeared so, big and broad-shouldered, majestic in bearing. But, what they really needed was the man after God's own heart...

 
The people chose a ruler like the kings of the other nations; but what they needed was "the man after God's own heart".

A lesson for the present hour...

 
A Demon is a spirit. So, of what use is David's harp in driving Saul's away?

Poole surveys the history of interpretation...

 
"It is a pity that music, which may be so serviceable to the good temper of the mind, should ever be abused by any to the support of vanity and luxury, and made an occasion of drawing the heart away from God and serious things: if this be to any the effect of it, it drives away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit." -Matthew Henry

 
Not just a Sunday-school story any more...

Study the Biblical text of David and Goliath with Matthew Poole!

Poole outlines the chapter...

 
What are we to make of the Biblical reports concerning Giants?

Poole dives into the testimony of Scripture and ancient history...

 
Goliath's incredible size and strength is further emphasized in the description of his armaments.

Poole explores the details...

 
Matthew Hostus, a sixteenth century German antiquarian, estimates the total weight of Goliath's armaments at almost 300 pounds!

Although amazing! Poole finds that such strength is not singular in history...

 
What is the Giant in your life, bidding defiance to your God?

Is is not time to face it, trusting in the Almighty?

Poole consider's Goliath's challenge...

 
And who will face Goliath, the mighty champion of the Philistines?

Poole explores the humble circumstances of David and his family...

 
"That children ought to have the consent of their parents in making choice of their calling, and not place themselves as they please, is evident by the approved practise of the saints recorded in God's word." -W. Gouge

 
The Lord has sent His people into the world on an errand, a Great Commission to fulfill. Let us be intentional and faithful in its discharge.

 
A word of encouragement to those bearing witness...

"Those that undertake great and public services must not think it strange if they be discountenanced and opposed by those from whom they had reason to expect support and assistance; but must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of their enemies' threats, but of their friends' slights and suspicions." --Matthew Henry

 
David, drawing upon his past experiences of Divine deliverance, trusts God in his present circumstances, facing the giant.

Christian, apply former lessons to your present trials; trust the Good Shepherd; and find rest for your soul.

 
"But what arms and ammunition is David furnished with? Truly none but what he brought with him as a shepherd; no breastplate, nor corselet, but his plain shepherd's coat; no spear, but his staff; no sword nor bow, but his sling; no quiver, but his scrip; nor any arrows, but, instead of them, five smooth stones picked up out of the brook, 1 Sam 17:40. By this it appeared that his confidence was purely in the power of God, and not in any sufficiency of his own, and that now at length he who put it into his heart to fight the Philistine put it into his head with what weapons to do it." (Matthew Henry).

 
Fighting what feels like a losing battle against sin?

"Faith purifies the heart from sin, by engaging against sin in Christ's strength, as David engaged against Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:47, not in his own strength, but in the strength and name of the Lord of hosts. Faith leads the soul directly to God, and engages God against sin, so as that the combat, by the wisdom of faith, is changed, and made now rather between God and sin than between sin and the soul; and so sin comes to fall before the power and glorious presence of God." -Thomas Brooks

 
"Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour. See how God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those that bid defiance to him and his people. None ever hardened his heart against God and prospered." -Matthew Henry

 
For the first time in English...

Matthew Poole's treatment of the famous David and Goliath narrative (1 Samuel 17) is now available in its entirety! free and online!

#matthewpoole #matthewhenry #bible #puritans #reformedscholasticism #1samuel

 
"This is a very ordinary piece of the divine conduct, the mystery of God, first, as it were, to pass the sentence of death on a promised mercy, to bury and lay the gravestone on it, and then to raise it up, and bring it in." -Thomas Brooks

So it is...and so it was with David...

 
"Our Lord Jesus has thus shown his love to us, that he stripped himself to clothe us, emptied himself to enrich us; nay, he did more than Jonathan, he clothed himself with our rags, whereas Jonathan did not put on David's." -Matthew Henry

Beautiful...

 
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