But Saul ordered, "No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel." Sermons
I. UNDER STRONG PROVOCATION, arising from - 1. The recollection of their past conduct towards himself (1 Samuel 10:27). He could not altogether forget it, and when he was disposed to put it away from his thoughts, he was reminded of it by others. Nothing is more provocative of wrath than brooding over the wrongs that have been received. On the other hand, the surest way to forgive is to forget. 2. The feeling of natural resentment toward them. "Revenge is sweet," say men who are not restrained by Divine wisdom and grace; and they are especially apt to say it when they have the power to avenge themselves, and when they persuade themselves that justice and prudence require that the wrong should not go unpunished. They do require it, doubtless, in some eases; but how large a place does the desire of gratifying personal animosity hold in most instances in which men seek to inflict punishment on others. "Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work" (Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 20:22). 3. The urgency of others. Men are only too prone to indulge wrath without such an incitement, but they are often led by it to go beyond their own judgment and feeling, and he who, like Saul, overcomes it gains a double victory. "Thereby he gained another victory - (1) over himself - he restrains himself in the exercise of a right; (2) over the anger of those who demanded that justice be executed; (3) over his former opponents, who now clearly see that which, under the influence of haughty contempt, they had doubted; and (4) over the whole people, who must have been carried along by him in the path of noble moral conduct, and lifted above themselves to the height on which he stood" (Erdmann). II. IN A ROYAL MANNER. "There shall not a man be put to death this day." 1. Promptly. If he had waited till the morrow his purpose might have changed. When a generous emotion fills the heart it should be at once translated into word and deed. First thoughts in things moral, unlike first thoughts in things intellectual, are always best. Hesitation and delay dim their brightness and weaken their power. 2. Decisively. Saul spoke like a king. He refused to stain his laurels with blood. And whilst he resolved not to punish his enemies, he declared his determination that none other should punish them. "Where the word of a king is there is power." 3. Completely. "Not a man." Not a single example was to be made, but his clemency was to extend to all. In the same royal manner we may and ought to show mercy. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." III. FROM A PROPER MOTIVE. "For today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel." "Not only signifying that the public rejoicing should not be interrupted, but reminding them of the clemency of God, and urging that since Jehovah had shown such clemency upon that day, that he had overlooked their sins and given them a glorious victory, it was only right that they should follow his example and forgive their neighbours' sins without bloodshed" (Seb. Schmid). Saul showed - 1. Regard for the transcendent excellence of mercy. Nothing is more beautiful or more pleasing to God, and its exercise is necessary that we may obtain mercy (Matthew 6:15). He is "merciful and gracious." "Mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (Proverbs 25:21; Romans 12:19, 20; James 2:13.) "It becomes 2. Gratitude for the abounding goodness of God. His hand was fully recognised in recent victory and deliverance. His kindness to us should constrain us to be kind to others, and his forgiveness is shown to have been experienced only when it leads us to forgive (Matthew 18:35). 3. Desire for the welfare of men. "The Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel," to whom these "worthless men" belonged. Even such men are objects of his forbearance and benevolence. "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good" (Matthew 5:45). He does them good, and thereby seeks to subdue their hostility toward himself (Ezekiel 33:11). We ought to exhibit the same spirit, and by doing so we shall promote the general peace and happiness. "Be ye therefore merciful, even as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36). - D.
There shall not a man be put to death this day. Louis XII of France is known in history as a most magnanimous prince towards his enemies. On his accession he caused a list of these to be drawn up, and marked against each name a black cross. This was looked upon by them that they were singled out for punishment, and they accordingly fled. When Louis heard of it, he had them called into his presence and assured them that they had no cause for alarm, since the reason why he had placed the cross against their names was to keep him in mind of the Cross that brings pardon to all. Among those who sought his pardon at this time were the magistrates of Orleans, who had subjected him to such indignities while he was detained as a prisoner in their city. Their deputation he dismissed courteously with the generous reply that "it did not, become the King of France to resent the injuries of the Duke of Orleans." Of a like spirit was Lord Nelson, who penned in his cabin on the morning of the battle of Trafalgar: "May humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet."(Charles Deal.) People Ammonites, Israelites, Jabesh, Nahash, Samuel, SaulPlaces Bezek, Gibeah, Gilgal, Jabesh-gileadTopics Accomplished, Death, Deliverance, Rescued, Safe, Salvation, Saul, To-day, Worked, WroughtOutline 1. Nahash offers them of Jabesh Gilead a reproachful condition4. They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul 12. Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom renewed Dictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 11:13Library The Bright Dawn of a Reign'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The King after Man's Heart And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided The Providence of God Samuel Links 1 Samuel 11:13 NIV1 Samuel 11:13 NLT 1 Samuel 11:13 ESV 1 Samuel 11:13 NASB 1 Samuel 11:13 KJV 1 Samuel 11:13 Bible Apps 1 Samuel 11:13 Parallel 1 Samuel 11:13 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 11:13 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 11:13 French Bible 1 Samuel 11:13 German Bible 1 Samuel 11:13 Commentaries Bible Hub |