Chapter 13:
| 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 Joshua Ruth
Judges 13
Concise Complete
The Philistines, Samson announced. (1-7) The angel
appears to Manoah. (8-14) Manoah's sacrifice. (15-23) Birth of Samson. (24,25)
Verses 1-7 Israel
did evil: then God delivered them again into the hands of the Philistines. When
Israel was in this distress, Samson was born. His parents had been long
childless. Many eminent persons were born of such mothers. Mercies long waited
for, often prove signal mercies; and by them others may be encouraged to
continue their hope in God's mercy. The angel notices her affliction. God often
sends comfort to his people very seasonably, when they feel their troubles most.
This deliverer of Israel must be devoted to God. Manoah's wife was satisfied
that the messenger was of God. She gave her husband a particular account, both
of the promise and of the precept. Husbands and wives should tell each other
their experiences of communion with God, and their improvements in acquaintance
with him, that they may help each other in the way that is holy.
Verses 8-14
Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet, as Manoah, have believed. Good men
are more careful and desirous to know the duty to be done by them, than to know
the events concerning them: duty is ours, events are God's. God will guide those
by his counsel, who desire to know their duty, and apply to him to teach them.
Pious parents, especially, will beg Divine assistance. The angel repeats the
directions he had before given. There is need of much care for the right
ordering both of ourselves and our children, that we may be duly separate from
the world, and living sacrifices to the Lord.
Verses 15-23
What Manoah asked for instruction in his duty, he was readily told; but what he
asked to gratify his curiosity, was denied. God has in his word given full
directions concerning our duty, but never designed to answer other questionings.
There are secret things which belong not to us, of which we must be quite
contented to be ignorant, while in this world. The name of our Lord is wonderful
and secret; but by his wonderful works he makes himself known as far as is
needful for us. Prayer is the ascent of the soul to God. But without Christ in
the heart by faith, our services are offensive smoke; in him, acceptable flame.
We may apply this to Christ's sacrifice of himself for us; he ascended in the
flame of his own offering, for by his own blood he entered in once into the holy
place,
hebrews 9:12.
In Manoah's reflections there is great fear; We shall surely die. In his wife's
reflection there is great faith. As a help meet for him, she encouraged him. Let
believers who have had communion with God in the word and prayer, to whom he has
graciously manifested himself, and who have had reason to think God has accepted
their works, take encouragement from thence in a cloudy and dark day. God would
not have done what he has done for my soul, if he had designed to forsake me,
and leave me to perish at last; for his work is perfect. Learn to reason as
Manoah's wife; If God designed me to perish under his wrath, he would not give
me tokens of his favour.
Verses 24-25 The
Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson when a youth. This was evidence that the
Lord blessed him. Where God gives his blessing, he gives his Spirit to qualify
for the blessing. Those are blessed indeed in whom the Spirit of grace begins to
work in the days of their childhood. Samson drank no wine or strong drink, yet
excelled in strength and courage, for he had the Spirit of God moving him;
therefore be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.
Chapter 13:
| 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 Joshua Ruth
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
