His influence must have prevailed
to exclude idolatry and unfaithfulness to Jehovah on the part of
the people; and the general character of the time must on the
whole have answered to the type he set before it. But here a very
unpleasant difficulty suggests itself. If the fact of Samuel being
at the head is sufficient guarantee that all was as it should be
within the state, how can there have been such great pressure
externally, so as to endanger the very existence of the people?
If men do their part, how can Jehovah fail to do His? On the
contrary, it must be believed that the righteousness which
prevailed within had its counterpart in the external vindication
of His people by Jehovah. Even under Samuel the Philistines were
with God's help driven across the border, and as long as he lived
they were not seen within it again. The piety of a praying
assembly was suitably acknowledged by Jehovah, who dropped into
its lap a success such as in after times the sword of warlike
kings sought long and in vain to achieve.
But this example of history corrected does not stand alone, and
becomes completely intelligible only when taken in connection
with the similar pieces which belong to it.
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