for a burnt-offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel: and the Lord heard him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Note. Here we have intercessory prayer, and confidence in it both by him who prayed, and those for whom he prayed; an encouragement to pray for others, and to value the prayers of others for us. Samuel regarding a king for Israel. immediately. Answered And 1 Samuel viii.-6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. Samuel prayed unto the Lord. 7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done, since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10 And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. Note. We must be prepared for God not viewing things in the light in which we present them to him in our prayers. Samuel a second time regarding the same. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel viii.-19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel: and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us: 20 that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. Note.-What holy reverent familiarity the Lord allows of between himself and his people! Samuel for a sign. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel xii.-15 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 against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat-harvest to-day? 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. 18 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. 19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 20 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 heart; 21 and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain :) 22 for the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 23 Moreover, as for me, 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. 24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart : for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. Note.-1. Strange but true, that people sometimes acknowledge their sin, and yet persevere in it. 2. We may be sure that God is displeased with us when we break his commandments, even though for the present he be giving no open manifestations of his displeasure. Saul asking counsel. Not answered. 1 Samuel xiv.-37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. Note. When there is no answer to our prayer, we should carefully consider the reason why. Saul asking a true lot. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel xiv.-41 Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. 42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. Note-The answer came to this prayer by the event, not by words or signs; and it is so that the answer comes to the prayer of God's people now. Samuel regarding Saul. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel xv.-10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. 16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. Note.-Sin, and the rejection of sinners, is a grief to God's children. Samuel spent a whole night in prayer for Saul, God was not displeased with this, though he did not grant Samuel's requests. David regarding the Philistines. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel xxiii.—1 Then they told David, saying Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the thrashing-floors. 2 Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. Note. We should acknowledge God in all our ways, remembering the promise that then he will direct our paths. David a second time about the same. Answered immediately. 1 Samuel xxiii. -3 And David's men said unto him, Behold we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? 4 Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. Note the Lord's patience,-answering a second time those who mistrusted his first communication. David regarding the men of Keilah. immediately. Answered 1 Samuel xxiii.-9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. 10 Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down. 12 Then said |