These two references to the events associated with the death of Rachel are interesting because she died in the process of bearing Benjamin - Saul was a Benjamite. Saul was being taken on a tour of places associated with the events around the birth of his forefather.

Saul, the new king, looked the part, outwardly (1Sam 10:23).  And this is obviously why God had chosen him.  Israel needed a lesson.  God looks on the heart (1Sam 16:7)

Saul was a reluctant king.  He did not seek the job, and after he was selected did not accept the post with enthusiasm.  Nevertheless, this was the man Yahweh selected as king to show Israel a lesson. Saul's stature, head and shoulders above his fellows, appealed to the carnal attitudes of Israel.  But, Yahweh is interested in a person's spirit not his outward casing. 

Saul was clay in the hands of the divine potter (see Jer 18:3-6).   He filled Saul with His spirit (vs. 6,10) but later we shall see that He filled Saul with an evil spirit (1Sam 16:14).  Who can argue with the interventions of Yahweh (Isa 45:9,10)?

V.2 The design of these specific predictions of what should be met with on the way, and the number and minuteness of which would arrest atttention, was to confirm Saul's reliance on the prophetic character of Samuel, and lead him to give full credence to what had been revealed to him as the Word of God.

The reason that both Samuel and God were angry at the request of Israel for a king, was that a king would take the place of God.  Up until now, Judges had ruled the people.  These were representatives of God; they spoke on His behalf, and they did His bidding.  They were servants of God and fellow-servants with the people.  Their portion would be provided from offerings and tithes of the people.  A king, however, was according to the pattern of the nations roundabout (8:20).  He was someone who would lead, rather than guide.  He was someone who would take his portion, rather than being given it (8:15).  He was someone who would demand honour by virtue of his position, rather than being given it by virtue of his service to God (cp. 8:11, 9:6).

10:11    The choosing of Saul as ‘king’ reflects the promise in Gen 35:11where the subject is the birth of Benjamin.

V.19 Even though the Children of Israel once again rejected the God of their forefathers. He still did not not cast them off. It is another example of His willingness to put up with human weakness, and to tolerate a lower spiritual level in His people, than the ideal which His Law puts before them.

10:8  This is the first time that Saul is instructed to wait until an appointed time.

V.19 Yahweh made it clear to His people that, in their request for a human king, they had rejected Him.  Nevertheless, He acceded to their wishes and established Saul as the first king. 

It was customary in the Ancient Near East to recognize a ruler by bringing him presents (tribute).  However, there were certain men who refused to bring tribute to Saul because they disapproved of him (v.27).  They sinned, and would at some point be punished, because Yahweh had sanctioned Saul. 

Likewise, Yahweh has approved Jesus as the king of kings. All are obliged to pay tribute to Him.  The scripture warns: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (Psa 2:12).

V.1 The act of kissing was a sign of homage.  We give the same sign of respect to the Lord Jesus by following His commandments.  This is also the command of Yahweh (Psa 2:12; Matt 17:5).

V.3 Saul was told to take the necessary things for sacrifice.

V.5 The hill (KJV) in other versions is more emphatically stated as a definite place (Gibeah –elohim which means hill of God). The garrison of the Philistines was a observation-post situated on top of a hill.  The Philistines had control of the Land at this time.

Vs.6,10,11 Saul prophesied with the company of prophets.  To prophesy meant to speak or sing under inspiration.  In this case, it was singing (v.5).

V.17 As was already pointed out, Mizpah was one of the three cities that was on Samuel’s judging circuit.  It was also the nation’s rallying place for important announcements.

V.19 Here is a clear declaration that Israel had rejected Yahweh as its king.

Vs.22-24 Saul was reluctant to be king.  What a great start for the nation that wanted a human king.  By contrast, Yahweh, the king who was rejected,  was ever-present, willing, and able to help His nation.

V.25 See 1Sam 8:9.

V.27 In the Ancient Near East, presents to a new ruler meant accepting him in office and pledging loyalty to him. The people who withheld presents showed neither respect for the new king nor respect for Yahweh who appointed him.

Gifts were brought to Jesus (Matt 2:11). In the Kingdom, nations shall bring presents to Jesus, the King of the World, just like they did to David and Solomon, who foreshadowed Him (Psa 68:29; 72:10).

10:14 We know that one of Saul’s uncles was Abner – 1Sam 14:50 - so we may conclude that this uncle was Abner. A man who was to figure greatly in Saul’s life as captain in his army.

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The idea of God leaving Israel for a short while, and then returning to her for ever (as in Isa 54:7,8), is well explained by Paul in Rom 11:7-32. But it’s important we realise the meanings of the words Paul uses about Israel. In Rom 11:11 the word “fall” is used twice in the AV, but they are different Greek words. “Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid.” Here fall means fall down. But later in the same verse, “through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles”, fall is the word blunder, falling aside.  The NIV puts the verse like this: "Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles…”

54:1  The barren that did not bear that was to bring forth is typical of Eve – and the seed of the woman.

The phrase in v1 "more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman" can be explained by going back to the first occurrences of the word "desolate" found in Leviticus 26. Here the same word is mentioned over and over again in speaking of the judgements on Israel should they continue in despising God's covenant with them (v31-35). This judgement would be the scattering of Israel among the nations whilst the land remained empty.

In Lev 26:40 we see an important link with Daniel. It was Daniel that prayed this prayer to God in order to bring back the people from captivity. Compare this verse with Dan 9:2-19 and you will see how Daniel quotes the words of this verse, and speaks of the desolation of the land.

So we can suggest that the desolate woman of Isa 54 is Israel, and that the desolation (or barren-ness) spoken of is her period of captivity. What isn't so clear, however, is whether this prophecy refers to this initial captivity alone. If we read on we can see that it is in fact much more far reaching. v2-3 refer to Isa 49:19-21 which speaks of children being brought from the nations into which the Jews were scattered. This must surely point to our time? Are we to see it primarily as a prophecy of the return of the Jews to the land which is happening as we speak, or as a prophecy of the greater gathering in of the children of God by the work of Jesus Christ?

54:8 The ‘mercy’ was experienced by Hezekiah who was reprieved from death and is echoed in his Psalm of despair and thanks – Psa 102:13

54:1 The singing of this chapter develops what Isaiah has already said the people would do. Isa 12:6

V.4 Israel had been a wayward nation since its inception (the shame of thy youth - KJV).  Now, the Babylonian captivity had made Israel a widow.  However, Israel had lost her husband (Yahweh) through divorce.  Not that Yahweh divorced Israel, but that Israel chose to divorce Yahweh (Isa 50:1). 

54:14 We noted that verse 10 quotes elements of the promise to David in 2Sam 7:15 The word ‘established’ in this verse is also another promise to David word. 2Sam 7:16,26

LIKE THE PROMISE TO NOAH

Speaking to Israel, God made some amazing promises. As he presented a picture of what life would be like for his people in the future, he compared his promises about it to the promise he made to Noah. '"To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfaling love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.' (Isa 54:9-10) What an awesome promise this is to those who will receive it!

Right now we all go through suffering of some kind or other. The writer to the Hebrews calls it discipline. But the time will come, and the promises is as sure as the promise God made to Noah, that he will no longer be angry and that his people will live in peace.

While the promise God made was directly to Israel, as members of the body of Christ, we also have a part in it. Let's look forward all the more to the day when God's covenant of peace will never be broken, when his unfailing love will always shine through, and when his compassion will never fail. The promise to Noah has never been broken, so we have an amazing hope!

V.1 The children of the desolate one (ESV) refers to the redeemed gathered from the Gentiles.  This group will be elevated above Natural Israel.

Vs.2,3 Natural Israel will also be blessed in the future. Its territory will be enlarged, from Gentile lands, to accommodate the larger numbers of Jews.  Remember that the original boundaries of the Land of Promise included all of Judea and Samaria (presently The West Bank); the Gaza Strip; and parts of Jordan.  Regardless of the present political situation, these lands will be reclaimed by Israel.

Vs.4-8 Nevertheless, in His mercy, Yahweh would act as a redeemer (Heb. gaal) and take away the reproach of this widow.  He would act like Boaz, the kinsman (Heb. gaal), towards Ruth.

Vs.11,12 In the Kingdom, Natural Israel will be blessed as well as Spiritual Israel (the Redeemed in Jesus).  Twelve is a number of completeness, as in the twelve tribes which constitute the whole of Israel.  Compare these verses with the picture of the New Jerusalem in Rev 21:19,20.

Vs.13,14 Peace shall reign in the Kingdom. Israel will truly learn the ways of holiness and righteousness (Zech 8:3-6; Heb 8:10; 10:16).

Vs.15-17 Yahweh pledges to save Israel from all foes. In the last days, before the Kingdom is established, nations will come against Israel.  But, they all shall be defeated.

54:5 Whereas the nations surrounding Israel. had territorial Gods Israel’s God is a God of the whole world.

17 v.5 - Mysteries are things that the mind of the flesh loves to think about. However the 'mystery' which we are to be concerned with has been revealed. [1 Corinthians 2:7-10]. We should not investigate the mysteries that the world offers in the various religions and philosophies. Our Father has revealed the most beautiful mystery to us - and we are involved in it.

18 v.4 - The call to 'come out of her' is not restricted to the time of the destruction of Babylon. Believers at all times must avoid association with the Babylonian systems of their age. If we cannot dissociate ourselves from Babylon now we will not heed any call from the Lord at the time of the overthrow of this world's order.

Once again we are introduced to the fall of Babylon. On this occasion by quotation from a number of Old Testament areas which speak of the fall of Babylon. Maybe the extent of the range of quotations will help us to realise that the overthrow of Babylon is a major theme right through the Old Testament.

And so again we are transported to the kingdom and the time of Ezekiel's temple.

Given that we hope to be amongst those who are judged worthy at the return of Christ and the resurrection we must be amongst those whose names are written in the book of life - so we must make sure that we are not associated with the powers which are to be destroyed at the return of Christ - we ought to remember that we are 'strangers and pilgrims … ' (Hebrews 11:13 1 Peter 2:11)

We notice that the nations will wail when 'Babylon' and all it's systems are destroyed. What would our reaction be? Are we so locked into this world's way that the overthrow of it and it's governments would distress us also?

16:6 Martyrdom figures in the reason for God's judgement on the nations. The phrase "blood of saints" speaks of this martyrdom in (Rev  17:6) and here.

17:9 "here is ... wisdom" is found twice in Revelation. Here and Rev 13:18. On both occasions wisdom enables the true servant of God to differentiate between the true and the false. This is not only true of the number of the beast or the city on seven hills. It is always the case that God's wisdom can protect the servant of God from all error.  Consider the way that wisdom is used in Scripture - especially the book of Proverbs.

18:5 We have already noticed that "for her ... have reached unto heaven" quotes Jer 50:9. However the idea of sins reaching to heaven is used elsewhere in Scripture (Gen 18:20, Jon 1:2) forming the basis of the language in Jeremiah.

Rev. 17: After Armageddon, those of the Apostate Church, and its followers, will conspire to make war with Jesus.  Nations of Europe and Russia will join Rome's Mother Church to try and destroy Jesus, whom they will deem the antichrist.  But Jesus will utterly destroy them. 

Rev. 18: Continues the description of the destruction of Rome (called Babylon because of the similarity to its idolatry and to its destruction). 

16:1  That the word to bring judgment came from ‘the temple’ demonstrates that the final judgments will be decreed and controlled by God, however those in darkness will see them as just another war that they think that they can sort out by negotiation.

17:1  Sitting upon many waters signifies control over many nations. Jer 51:13 has already used this language to speak of the dominion that Babylon had over the world in her day.

18:2 Even if we have difficulty identifying who this ‘Babylon’ is there is no doubt that it is to be a time of rejoicing for the servants of God just like is was to be for those who had gone into captivity in the days of Jeremiah. Jeremiah foresaw the end of Babylon’s domination using similar language Jer 51:8 . That God had kept those words for Israel should give us confidence that no matter how evil the world seems Babylon and all that it represents will eventually be overthrown and the kingdom of God will be here.

17:2 ‘Fornication’ in Scripture regularly refers to false worship. This symbol being used because rather than being married to God these nations are ‘joined to an harlot’. There are only two options marred to God or married to an harlot.

17:4    the ‘golden cup’ echoes Babylon – Jer 51:7 helping to identify the woman.

17:1 Is a term used often in Scripture to speak of nations. We have seen in an earlier comment that the idea is found in Jer 51:13 but it can be seen elsewhere, for example – Isa 17:13

17:1 The whore is a description of the papacy-led false system of worship.  The phrase many waters symbolizes many people (17:15).

17:2 The rulers of many nations have come under the influence of the papacy’s blasphemous influence.

17:3 The  woman is a description of the papacy (ecclesiastical power) in all its pomp.  The beast upon which she rides is descriptive of the political power of the Roman Catholic Church (descriptive of a Catholic Europe at the time of the end). Scarlet is the color of sin (Isa 1:18). Seven heads answer to the seven hills on which Rome sits (17:9). The ten horns reflect the ten toes of Daniel’s image (Dan 2:32,33).  The ten horns represent ten divisions of power in the Roman Empire (17:12). Ten represents a number of completeness.

17:4 The woman is bedecked with all the finery she received from the nations she intoxicated with the spiritual filth she dispensed from her golden cup.

17:5 Babylon is descriptive of Rome because Rome has followed the original idolatrous practices that Nimrod and his wife Semiramis set up in Babylon after the flood. 

17:6 Many true followers of Jesus have been put to death by the woman (papal ecclesiastical power).

17:7 The angelic uncovering of the woman’s mystery begins.

17:8 The bottomless pit is symbolic of (seemingly unending) humanity over the ages.  Perdition is complete destruction. This will happen to the beast (the political system of the papacy) when Jesus returns.  The book of life contains the names of the true followers of Jesus.

17:10 This verse is illustrative of Roman government being played out in history.

17:13 The autonomous nations of the European Union will support the papacy at the time of the end.

17:14 This war will take place after the battle of Armageddon. Jesus and His saints will defeat the enemy.

17:16,17 The events of this verse seem to belong to a different time than after 17:14 because the nations (not individuals) at the end time will not abandon the papal system.  This is probably a reference to the French Revolution (1789-1799).  

17:18 Babylon = Rome.

Chapter 18 will be discussed in the December reading

17:12 The ten kings are seduced by the offer of power because even though they have no power they before powerful because the beast gives them power. So they are not really in control at all, just puppets of the beast. However mankind tends not to notice that what is given has strings attached. The gospel differs from this. We need to decide where we accept gifts from. God’s gifts are freely given.