Sermons and Biblical Studies

Samuel, Saul, and David Volume 3 Preface It was originally contemplated that the Daily Illustrations, so far as founded upon the historical books of the Old Testament, should be completed in the Third Volume of this Work. As, however, the portion of Scripture intended to form the basis of that Volume is, in extent of … Continue reading ““211. SAMUEL, SAUL, AND DAVID””

The First Tribal War—Judges 20-21 It behooves us to point out some strange irregularities in the behavior of the tribes who undertook the avengement of the Levite’s wrong, not only to show how ill the true working and obligations of their theocratic system was understood by the Israelites in this age, but to account for … Continue reading ““210. THE FIRST TRIBAL WAR—JUDGES 20-21””

The Offence—Judges 19 In the three last chapters of the book of judges we have another illustration of the disorders that prevailed in the same age, to which the transaction considered yesterday has been referred. That transaction evinces the religious disorder and uncertainty into which that age had fallen. The one now before us equally … Continue reading ““209. THE OFFENCE—JUDGES 19””

The Levite—Judges 17-18 The five last chapters of the book of Judges form a sort of appendix thereto, relating incidents which, in their chronological place, would come nearer to the commencement than to the close of the book. The incidents are of a very different complexion; but they are very important, from the distinct impression … Continue reading ““208. THE LEVITE—JUDGES 17-18””

The Avengement—Jdg_16:21-31 The Orientals have too few prisoners—imprisonment not being a judicial punishment—to make it worth their while to think of turning their labor to account. Yet in the case of those whom they wished deeply to humble, or grievously to punish, the inconsistency of allowing them to remain in idleness could not fail to … Continue reading ““207. THE AVENGEMENT—JUDGES 16:21-31””

The Secret—Jdg_16:19-21 The last scene in the history of Samson is a drama in itself, and, as such, has been taken by Milton as the basis of his “Samson Agonistes”—perhaps the grandest dramatic poem, after the ancient model, that our language contains. It is not however in its historical developments that we have to regard … Continue reading ““206. THE SECRET—JUDGES 16:19-21””

The Beguilement—Jdg_16:4-18 As Samson judged Israel twenty years, and as these twenty years could not well have commenced before that great action in which he singly smote the Philistines in the presence of the three thousand magnates of Judith by whom he had been delivered up, the remaining scenes of his life belong to the … Continue reading ““205. THE BEGUILEMENT—JUDGES 16:4-18””

Retrospect In the rapid survey we have thus far taken of certain points in the remarkable career of Samson, we have not been able to refer to the topics of profitable reflection which it suggests. This day they may very properly engage our attention. It may occur to us that it is almost always to … Continue reading ““204. RETROSPECT””

Judges 16-21 : Twenty-Sixth Week Autor: JOHN KITTO

The Jaw-Bone and Gate—Jdg_15:1 to Jdg_16:3 The fact that the people of Judah, in whose tribe Samson afterwards found a retreat in a cleft or cavern of some unknown rock then called Etam, actually delivered him up bound at the demand of the Philistines; and the anxiety they feel and express lest these proud heathen … Continue reading ““202. THE JAW-BONE AND GATE—JUDGES 15:1-16:3””