(4) And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? (5) And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
The observation made upon the foregoing verses, is more confirmed in these. Wherefore should the men of Bethlehem tremble at the appearance of Samuel, had it not been that they feared the jealousy of Saul. I beg the Reader not to lose sight of the most interesting part in this history, I mean, its reference to the Lord Jesus; but remember that Bethlehem-Judah was the very spot, where in after ages, the glorious David, of whom this David was but a type, was born. And doth not the Reader recollect, that in the first appearance of Jesus, at his birth at Bethlehem, Herod, and all Jerusalem with him was troubled. Matthew 2:1-3. It is hardly necessary for me to detain the Reader with observing, that to sanctify the household or persons of a family, was among the offices of God's servants. Our dear Lord was pleased to sanctify himself for his people. John 17:19.