Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Samuel
Book: 1 Samuel
Chapter: 12
Overview:
Samuel testifies his integrity.
(1-5) Samuel reproves the
people.
(6-15) Thunder sent in
Harvest time.
(16-25)
1-5 Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an
Example before
Saul, while he showed the people their
ingratitude to
God and to himself. There is a just
Debt which
all men owe to their own good name, especially men in public
stations, which is, to
Guard it against unjust blame and
suspicions, that they may finish their course with honour, as
Well as with joy. And that we have in our places lived honestly,
will be our comfort, under any slights and contempt that may be
Put upon us.
6-15 The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only
to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's
judgments, and
So to gain their wills and affections.
Samuel
reasons of the righteous
Acts of the
Lord. Those who follow
God
faithfully, he will enable to continue following him.
Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of
Israel. We mistake
if we think that we can escape
God's
Justice,
By trying to shake
off his dominion. If we resolve that
God shall not rule us, yet
he will
Judge us.
16-25 At
Samuel's
Word,
God sent
Thunder and
Rain, at a season
of the
Year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This
was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a
King;
not only
By its coming at an unusual time, in
Wheat Harvest, and
On a clear
Day, but
By the
Prophet's giving notice of it before.
He showed their folly in desiring a
King to save them, rather
than
God, or
Samuel; promising themselves more from an
Arm of
Flesh, than from the
Arm of
God, or from the power of
Prayer.
Could their
Prince command such
Forces as the
Prophet could do
By his prayers? It startled them very much. Some will not be
brought to see their sins
By any gentler methods than storms and
thunders. They entreat
Samuel to pray for them. Now they see
their need of him whom shortly before they slighted. Thus many
who will not have
Christ to reign over them, would yet be glad
to have him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of
God.
Samuel aims to confirm the people in their religion. Whatever we
make a
God of, we shall find it deceive us. Creatures in their
own places are good; but when
Put in
God's place, they are vain
things. We
Sin if we restrain
Prayer, and in particular if we
cease praying for the
Church. They only asked him to pray for
them; but he promises to do more, to teach them. He urges that
they were bound in gratitude to serve
God, considering what
great things he had done for them; and that they were bound in
interest to serve him, considering what he would do against
them, if they should still do wickedly. Thus, as a
Faithful
watchman, he gave them warning, and
So delivered his own soul.
If we consider what great things the
Lord hath done for us,
especially in the great work of
Redemption, we can neither want
motive, encouragement, nor assistance in serving him.