Sermons and Biblical Studies

The Foxes—Jdg_15:1-7 Samson did not see his wife on his return to Timnath from Askelon, but went straight home to Zorah, when he had paid his forfeit. This is usually attributed simply to his resentment. But pondering lately, with deep admiration, upon the masterly picture which the chief of poets has drawn of the self-consciousness … Continue reading ““201. THE FOXES—JUDGES 15:1-7””

The Riddle—Jdg_14:11-19 The account of Samson’s marriage feast is given with unusual detail, and we are thus enabled to distinguish some of the ancient marriage customs of Palestine, most of which are such as still exist in the East. As the law of Moses did not affect any customs of this sort, nor establish any … Continue reading ““200. THE RIDDLE—JUDGES 14:11-19””

The Lion—Jdg_14:1-10 After Moses, the only eminent persons of the Old Testament whom we are permitted to know from their birth, are Samson, Samuel, and Solomon. Of the three the early life of Samuel is the best known. Of that of Samson we only know—and it is much to know—that “the child grew, and the … Continue reading ““199. THE LION—JUDGES 14:1-10””

The Nazarite—Judges 13 There is no judge in Israel whose history is so fully related as that of Samson. It occupies four of the twenty chapters which compose the book of Judges. It is full of striking and marvellous incidents, arising from the great physical strength and the great moral weakness of the hero—mixed up … Continue reading ““198. THE NAZARITE—JUDGES 13””

Jephthah—Judges 10 The next defection of the Israelites into idolatry was very grievous. The tribes in the different districts seem to have adopted the worship of the nearest heathen nations on their borders. For this they were subject to a twofold oppression; for, while the Philistines afflicted the south, the Ammonite oppressed the tribes beyond … Continue reading ““197. JEPHTHAH—JUDGES 10””

A Parable—Jdg_9:8-16 It seems to us very probable that one cause of the ill-success of Abimelech’s attempt to establish a kingdom, lay in the general abhorrence at the deed which he committed when he had secured the adhesion of the men of Shechem. Attended by the unprincipled men he had attached to his person, he … Continue reading ““196. A PARABLE—JUDGES 9:8-16””

Judges 9-16 : Twenty-Fifth Week Autor: JOHN KITTO

A King—Judges 9 The history of the Israelites exhibits one peculiarity which does not seem to have been duly noticed. Nothing is more frequent in both ancient and modern history than the real or alleged ingratitude of the people to those who have rendered them signal services. The histories of Greece and Rome teem with … Continue reading ““194. A KING—JUDGES 9””

Friday, The Stratagem—Jdg_7:16 to Jdg_8:17 Among all the stratagems in ancient military history, which abounds in stratagems—in the entire volume of instances collected by Polynaeus—we find none so remarkable as that to which Gideon resorted, or having the slightest resemblance to it. The device strongly manifests that faculty of inventiveness which appears to have been … Continue reading ““193. FRIDAY, THE STRATAGEM—JUDGES 7:16-8:17””

Tests—Jdg_7:1-15 At the proper moment the spirit of the Lord “clothed” Note: Such is the real meaning of the word rendered “came upon.” Gideon, and he knew the time for him to work for the deliverance was come, and he felt within a heart equal to the work to which he was called. He caused … Continue reading ““192. TESTS—JUDGES 7:1-15””