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other solemnities requisite for his inauguration; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly, gave God thanks for their victory, and the happy settlement of the kingdom.

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REFLECTIONS.

E have in Saul, an example of a good magistrate and ruler. He was diligent in his own private affairs, and concerned for the welfare of Israel. He had, in this instance, courage and resolution, attempered with much mildness. How happy is it when these good qualities meet! How well would it have been for himself and for Israel, if he had continued so; but, alas! we shall soon see the contrary.

2. The fear of God is the noblest principle, as it will make men courageous, resolute, and public spirited. v. 7. The fear of God fell on them, and that induced them to obey the king's summons, pity their brethren, and come immediately to their relief. Religion makes men good subjects, good soldiers, and true friends to their country. Let us cultivate this principle in ourselves, and teach it to our children, if we wish them to be public blessings; and if we wish them to lead quiet and peaceable lives, we must teach them to love the brotherhood, fear God, and honour the king.

3. We see here, how fickle the disposition of mankind is, what little dependence is to be placed on their applause, and how little we should be affected by their contempt. Many despised Saul; and many of those who adhered to him saw him despised, without resenting it. But great success made great alterations in the affections of the people; no sooner was he victorious, than every one was for Saul, and against his enemies; every one was the friend of him who prospered in his way. This instance, and many others in the holy scriptures, teach us to cease from man, and never to lay any stress on the enjoyment or want of popular applause, for it is easily gained, and as easily lost. Let it be our ambition to secure the honour which cometh from God, for his loving kindness is better than life.

CHAP. XII.

The close of the last chapter left the assembly of the states at Gilgal, where Saul was made king by universal consent. Here Samuel resigns the government, and attempts to make the people penîtent and religious ; he appeals to them concerning the equity of his administration, and sets before them their ingratitude; his exhortations are enforced by a remarkable sign; and they are encouraged to hope in God's mercy if they are not rebellious.

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ND Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have

made a king over you. The people were transported with joy at having a king; and flattered themselves that God was pleased with their request, because he had given them a king, and so signal a victory. Samuel embraced this opportunity to convince them of their mistake, and that this favourable circumstance was not owing 2 to their piety or politics. And now, behold, the king walketh before you, to rule and govern you: and I am old and gray headed, and have resigned cheerfully, without envy or discontent; and, behold, my sons [are] with you as private persons, responsible for any maladministration: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day, discharged my place faithfully, as a 3 Levite, a prophet, and a judge. Behold, here I [am] witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed; putting honour upon Saul in making himself accountable to him. Then offering himself to be tried, and his whole administration examined, he desires the people to speak freely, without any check or restraint: Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith, that I should not discern what was right and just; or dissemble, as if I did not see it? and I will restore it you, and 4 make full satisfaction. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand; they acknowledge that he had been an upright judge, and had done nothing amiss; which they ought to have applauded 5 him for. And he said unto them, The LORD [is] witness against you, and his anointed [is] witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand. And they answered, [He is] wit ness; they bore this testimony in the presence of God and the king. Thus he vindicated his own character and conduct; showed them their folly in desiring a king; gave a good exemple and a useful lesson to Saul; and could more boldly reprove them when his own innocence was thus publicly acknowledged.

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And Samuel said unto the people, [It is] the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt, that set them in part of the land, conducted them to Jordan, appointed Joshua to be their leader, und promised them success. He then gives them a short history of 7 God's mercy to them. Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of 8 the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this 9 place. And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them; their sin was the cause of all their calamities, and not any defect in the government of their 10 judges. And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sin

ned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Astaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. Such were their prayers and promises when under affliction. He then reminds them of their 11 deliverance; And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon, and Bedan, (probably this was Samson, who was a man of Dan,*) and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of 12 your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us when the LORD your God [was] your king. They would not stay till God raised them up a judge, or a deliverer, or till ke 13 commanded Samuel to fight, but would have a king. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, [and] whom ye have 14 desired and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. If ye will fear the LORD and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, for you are still on your good behaviour, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God; who will be your leader, guide, and protector, and you shall be safe and happy under his care; otherwise your enemies will still op15 press you, and your king will not be able to save you. But if ye

will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be 16 against you, as [it was] against your fathers. Now therefore, stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes, he will give you a visible demonstration of the truth of what I have said; you skall sec it is not the language of a weak 17 old man, but of an inspired prophet. [Is it] not wheat harvest today? a fine clear day, when there is no likelihood of rain; yet, what you know is not usual at this season, I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness [is] great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king; that you may see God's power and knowledge, and kis displeasure against you, and that he could as easily punish you as he did the Philistines by thunder: thus you will see your folly in rejecting him and his prophets, who have such interest with him.

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So Samuel called unto the LORD: and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel; they feared lest God should indeed destroy them, and that Samuel would not intercede for them; therefore 19 they earnestly beg his prayers. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not, lest the fruits of the earth be utterly destroyed, and our persons consumed: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king. They were not sensible of this before, but

It was common to have two names, one of which was taken from the place they came from, or soine other remarkable circumstance,

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now they are brought to repentance and humble acknowledgment of their guilt.

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your hearts; do not despair of re21 covering the divine favour: And this is the best and only way of doing it; turn ye not aside to idols: for [then should ye go] after vain [things,] which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain, mischievous, and destructive, are not able to save you, 22 and will expose you to the displeasure of God. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, his honour would suffer, as if he was unfaithful or unkind: it is not for any merit in you, but all of God's free grace and mercy, because it 23 hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. Moreover, as for me, though I have been highly disobliged, and ill requited, yes God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you but I will teach you the good and the right way, I will 24 pray for and direct you as long as I live. Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart, with diligent care and steadfast resolution, otherwise all my prayers and instruction will answer no end: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you, consider his great goodness in not rejecting you, but set25 ting a king over you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, neither my prayers, nor Saul's courage, will be of any avail, for ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

REFLECTIONS.

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WE learn from hence, that it is our duty to behave in such

a manner, as that we may be able to appeal to God and men for the integrity and unblameableness of our conduct. This should be the care of all, more especially of those in superior stations, as magistrates, ministers and parents. Let us herein exercise ourselves, to keep a conscience void of offence; and when we come to review life, we shall have comfort in ourselves and the ap probation of others. A good conscience makes a man confident; he dares put himself upon trial, and challenge all the world. To have the good word of our neighbours, that we have lived honestly and soberly in the world, will be our comfort under contempt and slights; which old people, when their days of service are over, too often meet with. Let our whole conduct be so open, fair, and good, that we may be able at the close of life to say, with the apostle, Ye are witnesses, and God also is my witness, how unblameable I have walked among you.

2. It is a duty which we owe to ourselves, to our own comfort and usefulness, to vindicate our reputation and to keep a good name. Samuel knew his own private failings, but was willing his public conduct should be cleared and vindicated, and the testimony of Israel to it gained. This was very different from courting esteem and

begging applause. As a good name is valuable, and better than great riches, we ought to be solicitous about it, and endeavour to roll away every reproach which may be thrown upon it, to remove every suspicion. and aspersion, and to finish our course with honour, as well as with joy.

3. Let us not conclude any way to be right because we pros per in it. The Israelites had a king given them at their request; but in that their wickedness was great, and their request displeased God. If men increase their fortunes by indirect ways, by oppression, fraud, smuggling, gaming, and the like, it is no argument that these things are lawful, or that God will connive at them. Provi. dence may seem to smile upon practices which the law of God forbids. Therefore let us look well to the principles on which we act, and the ends we pursue; and see to it that the means be upright and justifiable. God may grant our request, but send along with it leanness and a blast. In his anger he may make the greatest prosperity of fools to destroy them.

4. The calamities we have passed through and the deliverances afforded us, should be remembered, to promote our humiliation and gratitude. If we recollect what sins we have committed, the dangers with which we have been surrounded, and what deliverers have been raised up, we shall find that God has done great things for us in answer to our prayers; that we have reason for humiliation on account of our sins, which have exposed us to God's displeasure, and on account of our small improvement of his favours; and for thankfulness for the kind appearances of Providence for us; for God's prophets, who remind them of these things, and reason with them about them as rational creatures, capable of thinking, reflecting, and judging. Let us never forget the goodness of God to us in these instances.

5. Though men should disoblige us and treat us ill, we are to do them all the good in our power, as Samuel did. We should abhor the thought of returning evil for evil, and of neglecting any method of doing good to those by whom we have been neglected or slighted. To neglect prayer for the happiness even of our enemies, and those who despise us, is a sin against God. Good men are afraid of sins of omission, and christians are under peculiar engagements to love their enemies, to bless them that curse them, and to do good to them that despitefully use and persecute them; and thus, not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

6. We learn, that righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is the reproach of any people. The drift of Samuel's farewell sermon was, to impress this upon the minds of the people; to engage them to serve God and obey his voice. Let it be our care, as Britons, to obey the divine law, to manifest in our own conduct, and to promote in others, public virtue; to serve the Lord in truth and righteousness. This, in the natural course of things, secures prosperity, and obtains the blessing of heaven. And if this be not our character, we shall be consumed; the wisdom of our administrations, the courage of our princes and commanders, will all be vain; our gov

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