1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel 15:1

THe Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people] Chap. 9. 16.

therefore hearken] That is, in thankfulnesse to God for so high an advancement.

1 Samuel 15:2

how he laid wait] Exodus 17:8. Numbers 24:20. So Deuteronomy 25:17.

1 Samuel 15:3

slay both man] That this might be an example of Gods vengeance against them that deal cruelly with his people; and that Gods word and oath concerning Amalek might be fulfilled, Exod. 17. 24, 26.

1 Samuel 15:4

in Telaim] That is, in the fields adjoyning to the city Telaim, situate in the tribe of Judah, called also Telem, Joshua 25:24.

1 Samuel 15:5

a city] That is, either the first city in his march, or the chief city where their kings dwelled.

laid wait] Or, fought.

1 Samuel 15:6

to the Kenites] See Judg. 1. 16. who dwelled in the borders of Judah and Amalek.

Go, depart, &c.] This multiplying of phrases signifying the same thing, intimateth that they were to depart with all speed.

get you down] For the Kenites dwelled in high, hilly and rockie places, Numbers 24:21.

ye shewed kindenesse] That is, Jethro your progenitour, Exodus 18:10; Exodus 18:19. Numbers 10:29; Numbers 10:31.

1 Samuel 15:7

from Havilah] A region of Arabia, Genesis 2:11.

to Shur] The utmost border of Arabia towards Aegypt, Genesis 25:18. Exodus 15:22.

1 Samuel 15:8

took Agag] This name, as some think, was the common name to all the Amalekitish kings, as Pharaoh to the kings of Aegypt, and Abimelech to the kings of Gerar, Numbers 24:7.

1 Samuel 15:9

spared Agag] That is, contrary to Gods commandment, v. 3. either to reserve him for triumph, or out of covetousnesse, hoping that he would redeem his life with some great ransome; or out of impious pity, as Ahab spared Benhaded, 1 Kings 20:31.

of the fatlings] Or, of the second sort.

1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth] He speaketh after the manner of men, namely, That he would do as men use to do when they repent of their actions; and not change his counsell and purpose, but his manner of working, as if he repented of what he had done; not changing his minde, but the things, his pre-science and counsll remaining immutable. So v. 29.

following me] In obeying my word.

and he cried] That is, earnestly prayed unto God for Saul, That he would not cast him off from being king: but God would not grant his suit, v. 23, 26, 28. and Chap. 16. 1.

1 Samuel 15:12

to Carmell] A town belonging to the tribe of Judah, lying in the way from Amalek to Judah.

up a place] Heb. an hand, that is, as some think, a monument of triumph like an hand, to signifie that by his hand and sword he had gotten the victory. Others, That he had appointed this place to refresh his army, and divide the spoil.

1 Samuel 15:13

I have performed] This was untrue, as appeareth v. 11

1 Samuel 15:14

What meaneth] q. d. This convinceth thee of untruth and disobedience, seeing they still live, bleat and low.

1 Samuel 15:15

the people spared] That is, They, and not I; which is also false. See v. 9.

to sacrifice] He coloureth his disobedience under the pretence of piety.

thy God] That is, whom thou lovest and servest, and therefore canst not but allow the means of his worship.

1 Samuel 15:17

wast little] That is, of mean condition. See Chap. 9. 21.

1 Samuel 15:18

a journey] That is, a warlike expedition against Amalek.

the sinners] That is, sinners above others in malice and wickednesse. So Genesis 13:13. Matthew 9:10. John 9:24; John 9:31.

they be consumed] Hebr. they consume them.

1 Samuel 15:19

flie upon] To wit, greedily, like a bird of prey.

1 Samuel 15:21

But the people] q. d. It was the people, not I, to whom I gave way, for fear of mutenie, v. 24.

1 Samuel 15:22

to obey is better then sacrifice] Ecclesiastes 5. 1. Hosea 6:6. Matthew 9:13. and Matthew 12:7.

1 Samuel 15:23

is as the sin of witchcraft] Hebr. divination. That is, both are sins of an high nature; for as witches and diviners leave Gods word, and go to the devill for counsell and direction, so rebells resst Gods will, and obey the devill in their works.

idolatry] Hebr. Teraphim. See Genesis 31:19.

1 Samuel 15:24

I have sinned] This was not the confession of one truely penitent, like Davids, 2 Samuel 12:13. but dissembled, for fear of losing his kingdom.

1 Samuel 15:28

ath rent] He taketh occasion by this accident, as a signe sent of God, to ratifie his sentence of deposition from the kingdom.

1 Samuel 15:29

the strength] Or, eternity, or, victory. That is, the LORD, in whom alone is all Israels strength. See vers. 11. and Genesis 6:6.

1 Samuel 15:30

yet honour me] q. d. Though I be rejected of God, yet for the present uphold my credit with the people.

1 Samuel 15:32

delicately] That is, both in respect of his garb and gate.

said] That is, thought within himself, or spake to others about him.

the bitternesse of death] That is, the fear and danger: for being spared in the heat of war, it is not likely that they will kill me in cold blood, being their prisoner.

1 Samuel 15:33

As thy sword hath made women childlesse] Exodus 17:11. Numbers 14:45.

Samuel hewed] Being excited by an extraordinary motion of Gods Spirit. So Elijah, 1 Kings 18:40. 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12. Numbers 25:7.

came no more] That is, purposely as his assistant, to visite, counsell and direct him from God, 2 Kings 8:29. though he saw him afterwards accidentally, when Saul came to see him at Naioth in Rmah, Chap. 19. 24.

mourned for Saul] To wit, till God did inhibite him, Ch. 16. 1.