And they smote, &c.— Lot being in great danger, the angels, by their superior power, rescued him from the mad multitude without, whom they smote with blindness, that is, with such a dimness and confusion of sight, or temporary loss of it, as disenabled them from finding Lot's door, which they wearied themselves in vain to find. See 2 Kings 6:18.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here, 1. Lot's interposition. Observe, (1.) His advice; a humble entreaty. A wise reprover will ever cloak reproof with the garment of love. (2.) His hasty proposal. We must not commit sin, to avert sin. (3.) His earnest pleading of the laws of hospitality. When we treat with men, we should endeavour to convince them by argument.
2. Their insolent rejection of his advice, with intimidating threats against himself. Learn, (1.) Ill language is the common lot of those who set their faces against men's sins. (2.) Friendly admonition is often thus rejected as insolent intrusion. (3.) They who would rebuke wicked men, must put their life in their hand. (4.) The last effort to save is then finished, when sinners thrust out from them the preaching of the Gospel.
3. The angels' interposition to save Lot, and chastise these sinners against the Lord. Note; (1.) God has a hand to pull us in at the door of safety, when our case seems almost desperate. (2.) Those who can trust him with their life, are sure of a safe retreat at last, where the wicked cease from troubling.