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撒母耳记生命读经 · 第9篇

扫罗的历史（二）

The History Concerning Saul (2)
扫罗征服亚扪人以及撒母耳重新题醒以色列人
Saul’s Conquest Of The Ammonites And Samuel’s Reminder To Israel
1读经：撒母耳记上十一至十二章。我们读撒母耳记上、下的历史需要看见，不论发生什么事，神总是在幕后支配一切。我们在扫罗的历史中，特别看到这点。扫罗长得高大英俊，符合以色列人对于作王者的属人观念，所以他们立即承认扫罗是王。但神从始至终看透一切，知道扫罗心里想的是什么。在神眼中，扫罗在某个时候非常有用，可达到神暂时的目的；神需要用他来管教并训练以色列人。以色列人需要在一个表面是好的，事实上却极其自私的王之下受教育。一面，扫罗（在属人一面）够资格、有能力、有度量治理以色列人；另一面，他在神的眼中是邪恶的，也是装假的，能戴上许多不同的面具。扫罗被立为王时，他戴上谦卑的面具；但在他一生的末了，他实际上在神面前被暴露出是个十分邪恶的人。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Sam. 11—12 As we read the history recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel, we need to realize that, no matter what was happening, God was behind the scene directing everything. We see this in a particular way in the history concerning Saul. Saul, who was very tall and handsome, matched Israel’s human concept of a king, and they immediately recognized him as the king. But God sees through all things from beginning to end and knew what was within Saul’she art. In the sight of God, Saul was useful at a certain juncture for carrying out God’s temporary purpose. He was needed by God to discipline and train Israel. Israel needed an education under a king who was apparently good but who actually was very selfish. On the one hand, Saul was qualified and capable and had the capacity, humanly speaking, to rule Israel. On the other hand, he was evil in the sight of God and also a pretender who could put on many different masks. At the time of his inauguration, Saul put on a mask of humility, but near the end of his life, he was exposed as actually being an evil person before God
2扫罗作王四十年之后，以色列人必定学了功课，不照著人的作法随从列国。他们是特别的子民，是属于神的特别产业，所以他们的道路该合乎神的心。撒母耳就是这样的人；他完全合乎神的心，不随从列国的风俗。以色列人虽然从埃及的奴役下得著释放，并被带到应许之地，作神眼中特别的产业；他们却不愿作这样的产业，反而随从列国的风俗。因此，神就使用扫罗来管教他们。因著撒母耳这拿细耳人完全服从神作头，所以他愿意作神所要他作的，不表达自己的意见；因这缘故，当神告诉撒母耳去膏扫罗作以色列的王时，撒母耳就照著去行。有了这幅图画，现在我们继续来看十一至十二章中关于扫罗的历史。
2After Saul’s forty years of reigning, Israel surely learned not to follow the nations in a human way. As a peculiar people, a particular possession belonging to God, their way should be according to God’she art. This is the kind of person Samuel was. He was absolutely according to the heart of God, not according to the customs of the nations. Although Israel had been delivered from tyranny in Egypt and had been brought into the promised land to be a particular treasure in the sight of God, they were not willing to be such a treasure but instead followed the customs of the nations. Therefore, God used Saul to discipline them. Because Samuel, a Nazarite, was fully in submission to God as the Head, he was willing to do whatever God wanted him to do, without expressing his opinion. For this reason, when God told Samuel to anoint Saul to be the king over Israel, Samuel was obedient. With this in mind, let us now go on to consider the history concerning Saul in chapters eleven and twelve.
壹 、扫罗征服亚扪人
I. SAUL’S CONQUEST OF THE AMMONITES
一 、亚扪人的威胁和辱骂
A. The Threatening and Reproach of the Ammonites
3扫罗被膏为王后，亚扪人来威胁和辱骂以色列人。（十一1～5。）亚扪人拿辖对著基列雅比安营。雅比众人对拿辖说，拿辖若与他们立约，他们就服事拿辖。拿辖回答说，他们若由他剜出各人的右眼，以此凌辱以色列众人，在这样的条件下，他就与他们立约。雅比的长老请求宽容七日，看是否有人能够拯救他们；他们就打发使者到扫罗住的基比亚那里。这给扫罗制造了一个机会来显扬自己。他不是为著神的国，乃是为著他自己的王国。
3After Saul was anointed king, the Ammonites came to threaten and reproach the children of Israel (11:1- 5). Nahash the Ammonite encamped against Jabesh- gilead, and the men of Jabesh told him that if he made a treaty with them, they would serve him. Nahash replied that he would make a treaty on the condition that all their right eyes would be gouged out. He would thus make it a reproach upon all Israel. The elders of Jabesh asked for seven days’ respite to see if there was one who could save them, and they sent messengers to Gibeah of Saul. This created an opportunity for Saul to make a show. He was not for the kingdom of God but for his monarchy
二 、扫罗征服亚扪人
B. Saul’s Conquering of the Ammonites
4扫罗征服了亚扪人。（6～11。）神的灵剧烈的临到他，（6，）他就得著神的加强。他召集百姓，将他们分为三队，击杀了亚扪人。（7～11。）
4Saul conquered the Ammonites (vv. 6-11). God sent the Spirit to rush upon Saul (v. 6), and he was empowered by God. Then he gathered the people, divided them into three groups, and slaughtered the Ammonites (vv. 7-11
三 、扫罗在他战胜的日子，赦免藐视他的人
C. Saul’s Forgiveness of His Despisers on the Day of His Victory
5扫罗的胜利使他在以色列人眼中被高举。有些百姓对撒母耳说，『那说扫罗岂能管理我们的是谁？可以将他交出来，我们好杀死他。』（12。）但扫罗赦免了藐视他的人，说，『今日不可杀人，因为今日耶和华在以色列中施行了拯救。』（13。）扫罗所行的很吸引人，所以得著百姓的心。但撒母耳很清楚扫罗真实的光景。
5Saul’s victory uplifted him in the eyes of the people of Israel. Some of the people said to Samuel, “Who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men that we may put them to death” (v. 12). However, Saul forgave his despisers, saying, “No man shall be put to death on this day, for today Jehovah has accomplished deliverance in Israel” (v. 13). Saul behaved in an attractive way and gained the heart of the people, but Samuel was clear concerning Saul’s real situation
贰 、撒母耳重新题醒以色列人
II. SAMUEL’S REMINDER TO ISRAEL
6十一章十四节至十二章二十五节，叙述撒母耳重新题醒以色列人。、
6In 11:14—12:25 we have an account of Samuel’s reminder to Israel
一 、在耶和华面前，撒母耳重新立国，并确定扫罗的君王职分
A. The Renewing of the Kingdom and the Confirmation of Saul’s Kingship before Jehovah by Samuel
7扫罗征服亚扪人，并赦免藐视他的人后，撒母耳就对以色列人说到重新立国的事：『我们要往吉甲去，在那里重新立国。』（14。）众百姓就到了吉甲，在耶和华面前立扫罗为王，又在耶和华面前献平安祭；在那里扫罗和以色列众人极其喜乐。（15。）虽然扫罗战胜亚扪人，并且显得谦卑、有吸引力，但照撒母耳看来，以色列国还不是神在地上的国。
7After Saul conquered the Ammonites and forgave his despisers, Samuel spoke to Israel about renewing the kingdom, saying, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom” (v. 14). All the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before Jehovah and sacrificed peace offerings before Jehovah. There at Gilgal Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly (v. 15). Although Saul had been victorious over the Ammonites and appeared to be such an attractive, humble person, according to Samuel the nation of Israel was still not the kingdom of God on earth.
二 、撒母耳的重新题醒
B. Samuel’s Reminder
8在十二章一至十八节我们看见撒母耳的重新题醒。这题醒隐含著撒母耳和扫罗的比较。我们若将扫罗与撒母耳作比较，就能看见何者是真
8In 12:1-18 we have Samuel’s reminder. This reminder implies a comparison between Samuel and Saul. If we compare Saul with Samuel, we will be able to see what is truly of God’she art and for God’she art
9正出于神的心，并为著神的心。
9
１ .说到他的正直
1. Of His Integrity
10首先，撒母耳以他的正直题醒以色列人－他对待百姓时是纯净公平的。（1～5。）他题醒他们，他从未抢夺过谁的东西，从未欺负过谁，虐待过谁，也从未从谁手里受过贿赂。他说，『你们在我手里没有找著什么，有耶和华和祂的受膏者今日为证。』（5上。）撒母耳的话暗示扫罗会屈枉正直，并抢夺百姓许多的东西。对于扫罗，撒母耳有这样的远见。
10First, Samuel reminded Israel of his integrity—that he was pure and just in dealing with the people (vv. 1-5). He reminded them that he had not taken anything from them, defrauded them, oppressed them, or taken any bribe from them. He said, “Jehovah is Witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand” (v. 5a). Samuel’sword implied that Saul would pervert justice and take away many things from the people. Samuel had this kind of foresight concerning Saul
２ .说到耶和华为以色列所行公义的事
2. Of Jehovah’s Righteous Acts for Israel
11撒母耳在他的智慧里，没有先对以色列人说到神，乃是先题醒百姓关于他的正直，然后才对他们说到耶和华为以色列所行公义的事。撒母耳题醒百姓，从前立摩西、亚伦，又领他们列祖出埃及地的，是耶和华。（6。）然后撒母耳题醒他们，耶和华还救他们脱离四围仇敌的手。（11。）
11In his wisdom, Samuel did not first speak about God to the people of Israel. Instead, Samuel reminded the people of his integrity and then went on to speak to them of Jehovah’s righteous acts for Israel. He reminded them that it was Jehovah who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought their fathers up out of the land of Egypt (v. 6). Then he reminded them that Jehovah delivered them from the hand of their enemies all around (v. 11
３ .说到虽然耶和华他们的神是他们的王，以色列却作恶事，要求立王
3. Of Israel’s Wickedness in Asking for a King, though Jehovah Their God Was Their King
12最后，撒母耳题醒以色列人，说到虽然耶和华他们的神是他们的王，以色列却作恶事，要求立王。（12～18。）耶和华是他们的王，他们却要另一个王。（12。）这里撒母耳是在责备以色列人离弃他们的丈夫。因著以色列人要一个王来代替神，他们就不能对美地有正确的享受。我相信至少在某种程度上，撒母耳在这里的用意是要激动以色列人。扫罗征服亚扪人之后，以色列人很快乐，但他们被扫罗欺骗了。撒母耳对这情形并不高兴；他似乎是对以色列人说，『你们应当留在神的作王之下，以祂作你们的丈夫和头。这样，你们就能享受美好的生活，因为祂要在你们中间得著祂的国度。但你们却作错事，不以神作你们的头，却以人作你们的头。事实上你们是与神离婚，另嫁扫罗。你们认为他是个英俊、优秀、仁慈和谦卑的人，但这些不过是他的外表，他的里面是黑暗的。他要叫你们受苦，取去你们许多的东西。』
12Finally, Samuel reminded Israel of their wickedness in asking for a king, though Jehovah their God was their King (vv. 12-18). Jehovah was their King, yet they wanted another king (v. 12). Here Samuel was rebuking Israel for leaving her Husband. Because they wanted a king as a replacement for God, they would not have the proper enjoyment of the good land. I believe that, to some extent at least, Samuel’sin ten there was to provoke the children of Israel. After Saul’s conquest of the Ammonites, the people were happy, but they had been deceived by Saul, and Samuel was not happy about this situation. Samuel seemed to be saying to Israel, “You should have remained under the kingship of God, taking Him as your Husband and your Head. Then you would have enjoyed a good life, for He would have had His kingdom among you. But you have done wrong in taking a man as your head instead of God. You have actually divorced God and married Saul. You regard him as a handsome man, a man of choice, a man who is kind and humble. But this is only his outward appearance. Within him there is something dark. He will cause you to suffer and will take away many things from you.”
ａ.神在当日打雷下雨，证实这话
a. Confirmed by Jehovah’sS ending Thunder and Rain on That Day
13神在当日打雷下雨，证实撒母耳的话。（16～18。）撒母耳叫他们站著，看耶和华在他们眼前要行一件大事。他接著说，『我求告耶和华，祂必打雷降雨，使你们又知道又看出，你们求立王的事，在耶和华眼中是极大的恶。』（17。）于是撒母耳求告耶和华，耶和华就在当日打雷下雨。这些并不是积极的神迹，因为这不是出于神喜悦，乃是出于神的不悦。
13Samuel’swords were confirmed by Jehovah’ss ending thunder and rain (vv. 16-18). Samuel told them to stand and see the great thing that Jehovah would do before their eyes. Then he went on to say, “I will call to Jehovah, that He would send thunder and rain; and you will know and see that your wickedness which you have done in the sight of Jehovah by asking for a king for yourselves is great” (v. 17). Then Samuel called to Jehovah, and Jehovah sent thunder and rain on that day. These were not positive signs, for they were signs not of God’s happiness but of His displeasure
ｂ.众民便甚惧怕耶和华和撒母耳
b. All the People Fearing Jehovah and Samuel Greatly
14撒母耳求告耶和华，以及耶和华打雷下雨之后，众民便甚惧怕耶和华和撒母耳。（18。）三.百姓的认罪和撒母耳的吩咐
14After Samuel called to Jehovah and He sent thunder and rain, all the people feared Jehovah and Samuel greatly (v. 18b). C. The People’s Confession and Samuel’s Charge
15十九至二十五节记载，百姓承认他们的罪；撒母耳就吩咐他们，并为他们祷告。
15Verses 19 through 25 record the people’s confession of their sin and Samuel’s charge to them and his praying for them
１ .百姓承认他们的罪，
1. The People’s Confession of Their Sin
16求撒母耳为他们祷告百姓承认他们的罪，说他们在一切的罪上，加了求立王的恶事。因此，他们求撒母耳为他们向耶和华他的神祷告，免得他们死亡。（19。）
16and Their Begging Samuel to Pray for Them The people confessed their sin, saying that they had added to all their sins the evil of asking for a king for themselves. Thus, they begged Samuel to pray to Jehovah his God that they would not die (v. 19
２ .撒母耳吩咐他们，
2. Samuel’s Charge to Them That
17不可偏离耶和华不跟随祂，却要全心事奉祂
17They Would Not Turn Away from Following Jehovah
but Serve Jehovah with All Their Heart
18撒母耳吩咐以色列人，不可偏离耶和华不跟随祂，却要全心事奉祂。（20。）他警告他们，不可偏离去顺从那无益且不能救人的虚假偶像，因为它们是虚空的。百姓应该只有一颗心，就是向著神的心，与神在一起的心。因此撒母耳说，『只要你们敬畏耶和华，诚诚实实的全心事奉祂，思想祂为你们所行何等大的事。你们若仍然作恶，你们和你们的王，必一同灭亡。』（24～25。）
18Samuel charged the people of Israel not to turn away from following Jehovah but to serve Him with all their heart (v. 20). He warned them not to turn away to vain idols, which, being vanity, could not profit them or deliver them. The people needed to have only one heart, a heart that was toward God and with God. Therefore, Samuel said, “Only, fear Jehovah and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be consumed” (vv. 24-25).
３ .撒母耳不停止为他们祷告，使他不至得罪耶和华
3. Samuel’sPraying for Them without Ceasing, so that He Would Not Sin against Jehovah
19在二十三节上半，撒母耳对求他为他们祷告的百姓说，『至于我，必断不停止为你们祷告，以致得罪耶和华。』这启示撒母耳认为，他若不为神特别的子民祷告，乃是得罪耶和华。我们需要学习撒母耳，不只为我们自己的儿女祷告，更为神的儿女祷告。我们若为我们的儿女祷告，却不为神的儿女祷告，我们就是自私的人，并且得罪神。为神的儿女祷告，事实上就包括为我们的儿女祷告。当我们为神的儿女祷告，我们的儿女也就在祂的眷顾之下。
19In verse 23a Samuel told the people, who had begged him to pray for them, “As for me, far be it from me that I would sin against Jehovah by ceasing to pray for you.” This reveals that Samuel considered not praying for God’s peculiar people to be as in against Jehovah. We need to learn of Samuel to pray not only for our own children but also for God’s children. If we pray for our children without praying for God’s children, we may be selfish and sin against God. Praying for God’s children actually includes praying for our children. As we pray for God’s children, our children will be under His care
20撒母耳记上的记载给我们看见，撒母耳的心只为著神的选民。『选民』这辞在神耳中，在神心上，乃是非常宝贵的。祂的选民是祂特别的、私有的产业，作祂的珍宝。关心神的选民，乃是撒母耳的历史重要的一面，这与扫罗的历史成了尖锐的对比。
20The record in 1 Samuel shows us that Samuel’she art was only for God’select. The term elect is precious to the ears of God and to the heart of God. His elect are His peculiar, personal possession as a treasure. Caring for God’select was a crucial aspect of the history concerning Samuel, which was in sharp contrast to the history concerning Saul