And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I [am] the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I [am] with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Ver. 24. Fear not.] For the continued opposition of the Philistines, or whatever other discouragement. The best minds, when troubled for any long time, yield inconsiderate motions, and suffer some perturbation; as water that is violently stirred sends up bubbles. They cannot be so much master over their passions, as not otherwhiles to be disquieted: for, not the evenest weights but, at their first putting into the balance, somewhat sway both parts thereof, not without some show of inequality; which, after some tittle motion, settle themselves in a meet poise. Potissimum vero fidei murus, tentationum ariete durius aliquanto pulsatus et concussus, facile nutare ac ruinam minari incipit, nisi divinitus sustentetur. a
a Bucholcer. Cηρονολ., 320.