The Lord thundered with a great thunder— Baldwin the Second, with other princes, marching to Damascus, fully resolved to take it by surrender or storm, met with a check in foraging, which enraged the army so much, that they immediately flew to their arms to chastise the affront; when suddenly God, against whose will men can do nothing, sent such violent showers, such darkness in the sky, such difficulty in the roads by means of the vast quantities of water, that scarcely any one could hope for life; which darkness of the air, and thickness of the clouds, the irregular blowing of the winds, the thunders, and continual lightnings, signified before hand. But as the human mind is ignorant of futurity, they did not attend to the divine patience calling to them to refrain, but strove to proceed in an impossible attempt. The intemperateness of the weather, however, obliged them to desist; and made those who had been at first such a terror to their enemies that they thought they had no means of escaping, look upon it as a great thing to be able to get back again. This account, says the author of the Observations, I cite as no improper comment on the present passage. See Observations, p. 352.
REFLECTIONS.—Satan will begin to roar when sinners begin to pray.
1. No sooner was Israel assembled at Mizpeh to repent, than the Philistines took the alarm, and assembled to crush them, suspecting (as the suspicious are very ready to do) that their designs were evil, and construing their repentance towards God into rebellion against them. Note; The first struggles for glory are often the hardest.
2. The news terrifies the people; broken with their long servitude, though they had never less reason to fear than when thus found on their knees before God, they cry to Samuel to help them with his prayers, more dependent now on the arm of God for their safety than on the arm of flesh. Note; Weak as we are to encounter the numerous hosts of our spiritual enemies, we have a prevailing advocate with the Father; and if he pray for us, while we trust in him it is impossible that we should fail.
3. Samuel, deeply interested in Israel's safety, is as ready to pray as they to desire him. A sucking lamb he offers for a burnt-offering, and with the blood of atonement to plead, in faith and prayer approaches the throne of grace. Note; (1.) Jesus Christ is the slain lamb, offered up to God for us sinners. (2.) Through the efficacy of his sacrifice, we may come before God; assured that whatsoever we ask, believing, we shall receive.
4. God hears, and answers his request. The Philistines drew near while the sacrifice was offering; and never was an attack so ill-timed for them, so critical for Israel. Armed with hot thunder bolts, in wrath the God of Israel arose; and who can stand before the blasting breath of his displeasure? The flashing lightnings glare around, the terrible thunders roll above them, terror and amaze seize their affrighted hosts, they turn, they fly; while the men of Israel, shouting, pursue their defenceless foes, and smite them down like sheep appointed for the slaughter. Note; (1.) When God arises his enemies must be scattered. (2.) Glorious and instant are the answers that God often gives to the prayer of faith.
5. Samuel commemorates the victory, by setting up a great stone on the spot, and calling it Ebenezer, The Stone of help. And it is remarkable, that this was the very place where Israel, chap. 1 Samuel 4:1 were defeated by the Philistines; in which passage this name is given it by anticipation. Note; (1.) Answers of prayer deserve memorials of gratitude. (2.) Every christian may, by experience, set up his Ebenezer, and, whilst he acknowledges past help, confidently depend on the continuance of the same protection.