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the innocent and acquit the guilty, what a slur would be cast upon his moral government of the world!

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At the same time, we must not forbear to notice, how absurd and wicked it is, to make a man an offender for a word." That the men of Ephraim were wrong, there can be no doubt. It was wrong for them to quarrel with Jephthah, as they did. It was wrong for them to provoke the Gileadites to war. It was wrong for them to use insulting language, and call them hard names. But, it was equally wrong, on the other hand, for the Gileadites to put them to death, because they could not correctly pronounce a peculiar word! How much blood hath been shed in this manner! Because men could not hold exactly the same opinions with others, sometimes in essential, and sometimes in non-essential matters, they have been devoted to death, in multitudes, by fire and sword! Oh, when shall that hateful spirit of persecution cease; and men shall learn to love one another for the Lord's sake, because he loved them! Then they will all learn to speak the same truth, and mind the same things.

Jephthah died. Others succeed to the rule of the people; and they die also. Yes; we must all die. Kings and subjects, princes and people, must all die. Sooner or later, all must come down to the grave. There is no discharge in that war. May you be prepared! may you flee to Christ! may you trust in his merits! may you be cleansed in his blood! and may you partake of his salvation!

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4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

6 ¶ Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

8¶ Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

9 And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.

10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.

11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.

12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?

13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.

14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.

16 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.

17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?

18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.

20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.

22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.

23 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these.

24 ¶ And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

(1) Heb. added to commit, &c. (4) Or, what shall he do? (2) This seems a partial captivity. (5) Heb. what shall be his work? (3) Heb. What shall be the man- (6) Heb. before thee. ner of the, &c. (7) Or, wonderful. (8) Heb. Mahaneh-dan, as ch. xviii. 12.

You are here informed, how the children of Israel were given up into the hands of other enemies, on account of their sins; and by what means the Lord prepared the way for raising them up another deliverer. They ruined and destroyed themselves; but the Lord was their helper and defender. Again, it is said, they did evil in the sight of the Lord. Again, as a punishment for their sin, the Lord delivered them over to their foes. These were now the Philistines; and for forty years they groaned under the tyranny of their oppressors (v. 1).

When will men be wise? When will they learn the salutary truth, that sin will always entail misery in this world or the next, if not in both? When will nations, families, and communities be taught the same invariable fact? Does not sin provoke the Majesty of heaven? Can you have God for an enemy, and yet enjoy his favour? Must not the

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But who was to be their deliverer? By what instrumentality, or means, would the Lord help them? The history before us brings that point to light. Manoah was to have a son. That child was to be called Samson. He was to be the deliverer of oppressed Israel. The manner in which this was to take place was unlooked for, extraordinary, and even miraculous. No other agency or power could accomplish the series of events here recorded but the hand of God. And when he works, who shall hinder it?

The birth of Samson originated with God. It never entered the mind of the parents that they should ever have such a son, born for such a purpose, till the Lord told them so. In like manner, all our salvation originates with God. That such a Saviour as Jesus

Christ should be given us, or that we should be saved in such a way by him, could never have entered the heart of man, had not God God been pleased to make it known to us. loved the world, and gave his Son. God loves the sinner, and saves his soul.

The design made known was carried on by God, and brought to pass. When the angel first appeared to the woman, she told her husband. When he wished to have the vision confirmed, God hearkened to his voice, and was pleased to do so. and was pleased to do so. When, again, he desired to offer a sacrifice, he was permitted to do so, but told to offer it to the Lord (v. 6-16). So, also, stands the case in the salvation of the soul. salvation of the soul. The promise of the Saviour was repeated from time to time, till at length he was born to die for our sins. When the soul is taught of God, the sinner is led on gradually from one truth and blessing to another, till in due time he tastes that the Lord is gracious, and walks in the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Manoah asked for the angel's name (v. 17). Who can describe the glorious Jehovah? Beyond the revelation of his Word, and the witness of the Spirit, it is an impenetrable secret. No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; and no man knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him. (Matt. xi. 27.) That secret of the Lord is only with them that fear him; to whom he makes known his covenant. (Ps. xxv. 14.) But it is needful for our salvation. This is eternal life, to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. (John xvii. 3.) All that know the Lord are taught of God.

Because they had seen the Lord they feared they should die (v. 22). Alas! how fear upsets the mind! The opposite was the truth: because they had seen the Lord, they should live. So argued his wife in the power of faith. If the Lord were pleased to kill us, would he have done and shewed us all these things? (v. 23.) Take the same argument for your own case. If the Lord intended your death, would he have shewed you the way of life? Rebuke such unbelieving fears; strengthen your soul in the truth, love, mercy, and grace of the Lord your God; and stand prepared, in the strength of the Lord, for every duty and service to which you may be called.

CHAPTER XIV.

1 Samson desireth a wife of the Philistines. 5 In his journey he killeth a lion. 8 In a second journey he findeth honey in the carcase. 10 Samson's marriage feast. 12 His riddle by his wife is made known. 19 He spoileth thirty Philistines. 20 His wife is married to another.

AND Samson went down to Timnath, and

saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for 'she pleaseth me well.

4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

5¶ Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have

rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand : but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

7 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

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9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

10 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.

11 And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of gar

ments:

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13 But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.

15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?

16 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?

17 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

19 And the Spirit of the LORD came

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WE have considered the birth of Samson, which was altogether a most extraordinary circumstance; and he was designed for a most arduous work. This would be altogether effected in a manner as extraordinary as his birth. Every thing connected with the gospel is much of the same description. The birth of Christ, the regeneration, and salvation of the soul, are altogether extraordinary blessings. They are such as man could never think of, and never bring to pass; for they are altogether above and beyond the common course of things and events.

It is said, at the close of the last chapter, that the Spirit of the Lord began to move Samson at times; that is, for the work to which he was called, and also in regard to his own soul; for Samson is one of those who are named by the apostle as having been renowned for their faith. "The time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae." (Heb. xi. 32.) Is it not thus the Spirit of God works in the heart of all whom he calls by his grace, and appoints to his service? Are there not certain movings and motions of the Spirit on the heart preparatory to the work of conversion, and in the work of regeneration itself? Are there not also the same movings and motions of the Spirit upon the heart when the Lord calls a sinner to the work of the ministry, for instance, who has already been called to the faith of Christ by his saving grace? Is there not in the one case a great sense of sin, and a great desire for Christ and his salvation, coupled with an earnest anxiety to love and serve the Lord? Is there not, in the other, a great desire for the salvation of souls, and an earnest longing to set forth the love and

grace of the Redeemer before the perishing sons of men?

In the chapter before us these motions of the Spirit break forth into action. Circumstances arose which led Samson, step by step, to enter on the work assigned him. The way, indeed, was extraordinary; but God giveth no account of his matters. His ways

are not as

our ways; nor are his thoughts as our thoughts. (Is. lv. 8, 9.) It would never have entered any human mind, that the taking of a wife, or the death of a lion, would pave the way for the slaughter of the Philistines, or the deliverance of Israel. Let us note the providences of God, however common or extraordinary they may be, and we shall find many remarkable circumstances in our own case which clearly indicate the special guidance and direction of the Lord. This discovery should teach us the delightful lessons of pious meditation and grateful praise.

Samson was endued with an extraordinary degree of strength. It was a gift from the Lord. Proofs of this fact will multiply before us. Here a lion was as easily slain as a kid. Cannot the Lord endue you with power to withstand your adversary the devil; that roaring lion, which goeth about seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter v. 8, 9.) Yea, can he not so sanctify every trial, and every temptation, coming from that foe, and from every other source, as to redound to your peace and comfort; your joy and salvation? Can he not enable you to derive to your soul meat from the eater, and sweetness from the strong? Such a promise as "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (Rom. xvi. 20), will abundantly strengthen and refresh your soul, when realised in faith, and applied by the Spirit, in a time of need.

But Samson's path was not an easy one. He had great strength; but he had great trials. Many of his troubles arose from his own inconsiderate course. God may overrule, and employ, many things for his own glory, which are not acceptable in his sight. Such was Samson's marriage, which was strictly prohibited. (Deut. vii. 3.) And although God overruled it for good, still the sin brought trouble: it led from one step to another, till we are forced to exclaim, How

are the mighty fallen! Ah, beware of forbidden paths; consult the Word of God; walk in the light of his truth; your path and end will then be peace.

CHAPTER XV.

1 Samson is denied his wife. 3 He burneth the Philistines' corn with foxes and firebrands. 6 His wife and her father are burnt by the Philistines. 7 Samson smiteth them hip and thigh. 9 He is bound by the men of Judah, and delivered to the Philistines. 14 He killeth them with a jawbone. 18 God maketh the fountain En-hakkore for him in Lehi.

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OUT it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

2 And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? 'take her, I pray thee, instead of her.

3 ¶ And Samson said concerning them, 2Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.

4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.

5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.

6 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

7 ¶ And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.

10 And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.

11 Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto

them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.

12 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye not fall upon me yourselves.

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13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.

14¶ And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an

ass have I slain a thousand men.

17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.

18¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof 10 En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

20 "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

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