Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Argument
The ARGUMENT.
THis Book was intituled with the name of Samuel, not that he was the Author of it, but because the first eight Chapters chiefly respect him, and the things done under his government, and was (as the Hebrews think) written by one of his Disciples, a son of the Prophets; who in honour of his Master, calleth it by his name: and it is intituled also The first Book of Kings, because it containeth a relation of such things as hapned under the first Kings Government. In the Book it self, we have the History of the two last Judges, Eli and Samuel, and Saul the first King of Israel, with the State of the Church, and Common-wealth under their Government. Eli was the son of Ithamar, the second son of Aaron, and high Priest; but how he came to this Office, rather then Eleazars posterity, who was the first born, the Scripture mentioneth not: OnelyOnly we may probably ghesse, That being one of the Judges, he was in an extraordinary manner called immediately by God to this place and Government. Concerning him we finde, That though himself were a godly man, yet (grace not going by inheritance) his two sons Hophni and Phinehas were wicked, even in their Office, and about the holy things, in which God chiefly will be honoured; with which being highly displeased, he punisheth them with untimely death, and their Father with them, as accessary to their sin; because, being both a Father and a Judge, he rested onelyonly in a milde reproof, and did not severely punish them according to their demerits. After his death, Samuel judged Israel, who before he was born, was designed of God to this Office, and devoted by his Mother to this service, being the son of her desires, prayers and praises. He being an holy Prophet, purgeth the Church from Idolatry, restoreth Religion to its puritie, prospereth in all his undertakings, and by some victories doth in part deliver Gods people out of the hands of their enemies. But his sons not walking in his wayes, cause discontent, and occasion the people to reject his Government, and to desire a King; wherewith the Lord being displeased, because in Samuel his deputy, they rejected himself their supreme Soveraign, and would not Deut. 17. Hos. 13. 11.stay the time; when according to his promise he would set a King over them, he gave them (as the Prophet speaketh) a King in wrath, even Saul, who at first, and at the best, was a notable Hypocrite; yet for the first times of his raign, used by God, for the good of his Church, as an instrument of deliverance unto it, by obtaining some famous victories over its enemies: But when for his disobedience he was by God rejected and deposed, and David designed to his place, then he sheweth himself a wicked rebell, and bloody tyrant, who obstinately resisteth Gods revealed will, holdeth still the Scepter by violence and strong hand, rageth against David with all subtilty and fury, and oftentimes attempteth his death; notwithstanding, That he was in his own conscience convinced of his innocency. And seeing his malice could not reach to God himself, he extendeth it as far as he could, laying his bloody hands upon his Priests; and because the high Priest alone in his innocency and simplicity had relieved David, he causeth him and all the rest of the Priests, even eighty and five persons, to be cruelly murthered, yea, with them their wives, children, sucklings, and even their Oxen, Asses and Sheep, with more then barbarous and beastly cruelty.
Finally, In this Book are related Davids grievous persecutions, not onelyonly by Saul, but also by his courtly Sycophants, Flatterrers, Slanderers, false Friends, and professed Enemies. God first humbling him hereby, before he would advance him to the supremest dignity, and laying (as it were) a deep foundation where he intended to raise the stateliest building. In all which his sufferings, David assisted with Gods grace and spirit, sheweth such faith, patience, piety, affiance in God, humility, constancy, and many other graces, that he is made exemplary herein to all succeeding ages and persons.
Lastly, In this story is recorded, the execution of Gods righteous Judgements, upon Saul and his wicked courtiers and servants, with many other of this sinfull Nation, by the sword of the Philistines, whereby he maketh way for the accomplishing of his promise to David, in causing him to reign over his people. Israel.