Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
1 Samuel 15
Concise Complete
Saul sent to destroy Amalek. (1-9) Saul excuses and
commends himself. (10-23) Saul's imperfect humiliation. (24-31) Agag put to
death, Samuel and Saul part. (32-35)
Verses 1-9 The
sentence of condemnation against the Amalekites had gone forth long before,
25:19, but they had been
spared till they filled up the measure of their sins. We are sure that the
righteous Lord does no injustice to any. The remembering the kindness of the
ancestors of the Kenites, in favour to them, at the time God was punishing the
injuries done by the ancestors of the Amalekites, tended to clear the
righteousness of God in this dispensation. It is dangerous to be found in the
company of God's enemies, and it is our duty and interest to come out from among
them, lest we share in their sins and plagues,
revelation 18:4. As
the commandment had been express, and a test of Saul's obedience, his conduct
evidently was the effect of a proud, rebellious spirit. He destroyed only the
refuse, that was good for little. That which was now destroyed was sacrificed to
the justice of God.
Verses 10-23
Repentance in God is not a change of mind, as it is in us, but a change of
method. The change was in Saul; "He is turned back from following me." Hereby he
made God his enemy. Samuel spent a whole night in pleading for Saul. The
rejection of sinners is the grief of believers: God delights not in their death,
nor should we. Saul boasts to Samuel of his obedience. Thus sinners think, by
justifying themselves, to escape being judged of the Lord. The noise the cattle
made, like the rust of the silver,
james 5:3, witnessed
against him. Many boast of obedience to the command of God; but what means then
their indulgence of the flesh, their love of the world, their angry and unkind
spirit, and their neglect of holy duties, which witness against them? See of
what evil covetousness is the root; and see what is the sinfulness of sin, and
notice that in it which above any thing else makes it evil in the sight of the
Lord; it is disobedience: "Thou didst not obey the voice of the Lord." Carnal,
deceitful hearts, like Saul, think to excuse themselves from God's commandments
by what pleases themselves. It is hard to convince the children of disobedience.
But humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more
pleasing and acceptable to him than all burnt-offering and sacrifices. God is
more glorified and self more denied, by obedience than by sacrifice. It is much
easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burned upon the altar, than to bring
every high thought into obedience to God, and to make our will subject to his
will. Those are unfit and unworthy to rule over men, who are not willing that
God should rule over them.
Verses 24-31
There were several signs of hypocrisy in Saul's repentance. 1. He besought
Samuel only, and seemed most anxious to stand right in his opinion, and to gain
his favour. 2. He excuses his fault, even when confessing it; that is never the
way of a true penitent. 3. All his care was to save his credit, and preserve his
interest in the people. Men are fickle and alter their minds, feeble and cannot
effect their purposes; something happens they could not foresee, by which their
measures are broken; but with God it is not so. The Strength of Israel will not
lie.
Verses 32-35
Many think the bitterness of death is past when it is not gone by; they put that
evil day far from them, which is very near. Samuel calls Agag to account for his
own sins. He followed the example of his ancestors' cruelty, justly therefore is
all the righteous blood shed by Amalek required. Saul seems unconcerned at the
token of God's displeasure which he lay under, yet Samuel mourns day and night
for him. Jerusalem was carnally secure while Christ wept over it. Do we desire
to do the whole will of God? Turn to him, not in form and appearance, but with
sincerity.
Chapter 15:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
