Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and gray-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.
Parallel Translations
-
Now, behold, the king walks before you. I am old and gray-headed. Behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.
-
And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
-
And now, behold, the king walketh before you; and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you; and I have walked before you from my youth unto this day.
Cross-references (14)
Passages linked to 1 Samuel 12:2 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Samuel 8:5 They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
- 1 Samuel 8:1 When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
- 1 Samuel 8:20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”
- Numbers 27:17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
- 1 Samuel 3:19-20 Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh.
- 1 Samuel 8:3 His sons didn’t walk in his ways, but turned away after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
- 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
- 1 Samuel 2:29 Why do you kick at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people?’
- 1 Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he didn’t restrain them.
- 1 Samuel 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He said, “Here I am.”
- Psalms 71:18 Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come.
- Isaiah 46:3-4 “Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been carried from their birth, that have been carried from the womb. Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
- 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
- 2 Peter 1:14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (13 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain To govern you in peace and war.
To govern you in peace and war.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 1Sa 12:2 And now, behold, the king walketh before…
1Sa 12:2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons [are] with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
Ver. 2. And now, behold, the king walketh before you.] Graditur ante vos: gressu, sc., grallatorio, with a pace and state befitting a king: with care and charge also, to be unto you a shepherd and a shield. See Num 27:17. For which purpose, Samuel, as he here resigneth his power to him, so he propoundeth himself for a pattern to him in the ensuing apology.
Read full note →
And I am old and gray headed.] About sixty, as it is conceived, and much decayed in nature by his incessant pains in his office: Cura facit canos. What marvel that he who was so old-a-young-man should not be a young-old man? {a} Some Rabbis think that Samuel was but fifty and two when he died, but then he must have been gray headed at thirty-four, which is not likely, since he lived eighteen years after Saul was king, as Josephus holdeth. {b}
And, behold, my sons are with you.] Conditione privata, as private persons, so that you may question them, and deal by them as they deserve.
And I have walked before you.] In all integrity and good conscience, not only "harmless and blameless, as the son of God, without rebuke," {Php 2:15} but useful and serviceable in my place and station; trading all my talents for the common good of you all. Samuelis sane nomen (ut de Socrate, Plinius) {c} non hominis, sed integritatis et sapientiae nomen.
{a} παιδαριογερων.
{b} Lib. vi., in fine.
{c} Lib. vii. cap. 31,34.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Walketh before you; goeth out and cometh in before…
Walketh before you; goeth out and cometh in before you, i.e. ruleth over you, as that phrase signifies, Num 27:17; Deu 31:2; 2Ch 1:10. To him I have fully resigned all my power and authority, and do hereby renounce it, and own myself for a private person, and one of his subjects.
I am old and gray-headed; and therefore unable to bear the burden of government, and feel myself greatly at ease to see it cast upon other shoulders; and therefore do not speak what I am about to say from envy of Saul’s advancement, or from discontent at the diminution of my own power.
Read full note →
My sons are with you, or among you, in the same stake and place, private persons, as you are; if they have injured any of you in their government, as you once complained, the law is now open against them; any of you may accuse them, your king can punish them; I do not intercede for them, I have neither power nor will to keep them from receiving the just fruits of their misdemeanours.
I have walked before you, i.e. been your guide and governor, partly as a prophet, and partly as a judge.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And now, behold, the king walketh before you,.... He…
And now, behold, the king walketh before you,.... He invested with his office, and in the exercise of it, and goes in and out as the captain, commander, and leader of the people; it is expressive of his being in the full possession of regal power and authority, and therefore Samuel might speak the more freely, as he could not be thought to have any hope and expectation of being reinstated in his government, or to have parted with it with any regret; and he wisely took this opportunity of reproving the people for their sin of desiring a king, when Saul was settled and established in his kingdom, and when they were in the midst of all their mirth and jollity, who might, from the success that had attended this first adventure of their king, conclude that they had done a right and good thing in requesting to have one:
and I am old, and grey headed; and so unfit for government, and very willing to be eased of the burden of it: he must surely be more than fifty two years of age, as the Jews generally say he was, since it is not usual at such an age to be grey headed; see Gill on Sa1 8:1; however, on this account he merited reverence and respect, and demanded attention:
Read full note →
and, behold, my sons are with you; as private persons in the condition of subjects, making no pretension to government; and if they had committed anything criminal, they were open to the law, and might be charged, and tried, and treated according to their deserts; and there they were, and might be asked what questions they thought proper with respect to what they knew of his conduct; and to be hostages or bail for him, if they could prove anything against him; or to be taken to make satisfaction for any injuries committed by him:
and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day; his manner of and conversation from his infancy to this time was well known to them, and he had spent all his days in the service of God, and for the good of Israel.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Walketh - Ruleth over you. To him I have…
Walketh - Ruleth over you. To him I have fully resigned my power, and own myself one of his subjects. Old - And therefore unable to bear the burden of government. My sons - Or, among you, in the same states private persons, as you are; if they have injured any of you, the law is now open against them; any of you may accuse them, your king can punish them, I do not intercede for them. Walked before you - That is, been your guide and governor; partly, as a prophet; and partly, as a judge.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 2. My sons are with you] It is…
Verse 2. My sons are with you] It is generally agreed that these words intimate that Samuel had deprived them of their public employ, and reduced them to a level with the common people.
Have walked before you from my childhood] He had been a long, steady, and immaculate servant of the public.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 1Sa 12:2. The king walketh before you — Ruleth…
1Sa 12:2. The king walketh before you — Ruleth over you. To him I have fully resigned my power, and own myself one of his subjects. I am old — And therefore unable to bear the burden of government. My sons are with you — Or, among you, in the same state, private persons, as you are; if they have injured any of you, the law is now open against them; any of you may accuse them, your king can punish them, I do not intercede for them. Walked before you — That is, been your guide and governor; partly, as a prophet; and partly, as a judge.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain My sons are with you - Possibly, however, a…
My sons are with you - Possibly, however, a tinge of mortified feeling at the rejection of himself and his family, mixed with a desire to recommend his sons to the favor and goodwill of the nation, is at the bottom of this mention of them.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Goeth, as your leader, according to your request. I…
Goeth, as your leader, according to your request. I am like a private man, (Calmet) willing to submit to his and the people’s judgment, (Haydock) though it could not be required. (Menochius) --- Grey-headed. This he might be at the age of sixty, which most chronologers allow him, (Haydock) as he had been at the head of affairs from his early years, in most difficult times. (Tirinus) --- With you. As soon as I heard of your complaints, I deprived them of their power, so that you cannot blame me from their misconduct. If they were guilty, they may stand their trial before the king. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 2. the king walketh before you] Goes in and…
2. the king walketh before you] Goes in and out in your presence in the exercise of his regal authority.
and I am old and gray-headed; and, behold my sons are with you] Samuel refers to the two reasons alleged by the elders in ch. 1Sa_8:5 for asking a king, (a) his own age, (b) the misgovernment of his sons. He mentions the first expressly, but with the natural reluctance of a father to dwell upon his sons’ misconduct, only hints at the second. The Hebrew conjunction “and” here as often introduces the reason, and may be translated by “for” or “seeing that.”
Read full note →
from my childhood] “From my youth,” as the word is rendered everywhere else in the E. V. Samuel’s public life may be said to have commenced when God first spoke to him in Shiloh (1Sa_3:11), so that they had had full opportunity of knowing him from the first.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (2) And now, behold, the king walketh before you.—No…
(2) And now, behold, the king walketh before you.—No doubt, here pointing to Saul by his side. The term “walketh before you implied generally that the kingly office included the guiding and governing the people, as well as the especial duty of leading them in war; from henceforth they must accept his authority on all occasions, not merely in great emergencies. Both king and people must understand that the days when Saul could quietly betake himself to his old pursuits on the farm of the Ephraim hills were now past for ever. He must lead, and they must follow. The metaphor is taken from the usual place of a shepherd in the East, where he goes before his flock. Compare the words of our Lord, who uses the same image of a shepherd walking before his sheep (Joh_10:27): “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
And I am old and grayheaded.—Here the prophet, with some pathos, refers to the elders’ own words at Ramah (chap 8:5). Yes, said the seer, I am old—grown grey in your service; listen to me while I ask you what manner of service that has been. Can any one find in it a flaw? has it not been pure and disinterested throughout?
Read full note →
My sons are with you.—Yes, old indeed, for my offspring are numbered now among the grown men of the people. Possibly, however, a tinge of mortified feeling at the rejection of himself and his family, mixed with a desire to recommend his sons to the favour and goodwill of the nation, is at the bottom of this mention of them.—Speaker’s Commentary. It is evident that these sons, whose conduct as Samuel’s deputies had excited the severest criticism on the part of the elders (1Sa_8:5), had been reduced—with the full consent, of course, of their father, who up to this period exercised evidently supreme power in all the coasts of Israel—to the condition of mere private citizens.
From my childhood unto this day.—Samuel’s life had in truth been constantly before the public observation from very early days; well known to all were the details of his career—his early consecration under peculiar and exceptional circumstances to the sanctuary service, the fact of the “word of the Lord” coming directly to him when still a boy, his recognition by the people directly afterwards as a prophet, then his restless, unwearied work during the dark days which followed the fall of Shiloh. It was indeed a public life. He would have Israel, now they had virtually rejected his rule, think over that long busy life of his for a moment, and then pronounce a judgment on it.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain The king walketh before you. I.e. you have now…
The king walketh before you. I.e. you have now one to protect and lead the nation, whereas my business was to raise its religious and moral life. The metaphor is taken from the position of the shepherd in the East, where he goes before his flock to guide and guard them. On this account the word shepherd or pastor is used in the Bible of the temporal, (Jer_2:8 Jer_23:4, etc.) and not, as with us, of the spiritual guide. My sons are with you. This is no mere confirmation of the fact just stated that he was old, but a direct challenge of their dissatisfaction with his sons" conduct, as far at least as concerns any connivance on his part, or support of them in their covetousness. Samuel says, You know all about my sons; I do not profess to be ignorant that charges have been brought against them. Give full weight to them, and to everything said against them and me, and then give judgment.
Ver. 2. (GILGAL.)
Read full note →
Piety in old age.
and grey headed." On speaking of himself as "old and grey headed," Samuel immediately afterwards made reference to his childhood. "I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day." He loved to linger (as old men are wont) over his early days; and in his case there was every reason for doing so, for they were surpassingly pure and beautiful. One of the chief lessons of his life is that a well spent childhood and youth conduces greatly to a happy and honoured age. Consider him as an eminent illustration of piety in old age.
I OLD AGE IS PRESUMPTIVE OF PIETY, inasmuch as
1. Piety prevents indulgence in vices that tend to shorten life. How manyare brought by such vices to a premature grave! When, therefore, we see an old man we naturally infer that he has been a good man, nor can there be any doubt that he has exercised much self-control. Samuel was a Nazarite.
2. It has a direct tendency to prolong life by producing healthful virtues. The fear of the Lord prolongeth days. (Pro_10:27)
3. It has the promise of many days. "With long life will I satisfy him". (Psa_91:16) "Even to old age I am; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you". (Isa_46:4) "A good old age". (Gen_15:15) "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season". (Job_5:26)
4. It is commonly associated with long life. There are, doubtless, exceptions, the causes of which are not far to seek, but this is the rule.
II OLD AGE IS MADE HONOURABLE BY PIETY, because of
1. Its maintaining the respect which is naturally felt for the aged. Among the Spartans, when a hoary headed man entered their assemblies, they all immediately rose, and remained standing till he had taken his place; and it is enjoined in the law of Moses: "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man". (Lev_19:32) But this injunction assumes the possession of godliness, without which old ago neither deserves nor receives appropriate reverence.
2. The beauty and perfection of character which it develops. There is beauty in the fresh springing corn, but there is still greater beauty in "the full corn in the ear," bending under its golden burden. A good old man, matured in character by long growth, and abounding in "the fruit of the Spirit," is one of the noblest sights on earth. He is a king amongst men. "The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness". (Pro_16:31 Pro_20:29)
3. The conflicts and perils that have been passed. "An old disciple", (Act_21:16) or "such a one as Paul the aged" (Phm_1:9), is like a veteran soldier bearing on him the scars of many a hard fought battle, and wearing the honours conferred by a grateful country. He is like a giant of the forest, standing erect when the storm has laid his companions in the dust.
4. The good that has been done in past time, and lives to bear witness to the doer, and "praise him in the gates." We value the young for the good they may hereafter effect, the old for the good they have already accomplished. "Them that honour me I will honour.
III OLD AGE IS RENDERED USEFUL BY PIETY, for thereby it
1. Furnishes a convincing evidence of the truth and power of religion. When faith survives doubts, temptations, difficulties, its very existence is an argument for the reality of that which is believed, a proof of the practicability of a religious life, and a commendation of its unspeakable worth.
2. Sets forth an impressive example of the spirit of religion humility, trustfulness, calmness, patience, resignation, Cheerfulness (Genesis Deu_33:1; Jos_14:10, 12 23:14; 2Sa_19:32)
1. Bears valuable testimony for God, and continues in prayer and labour on behalf of men. "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age," etc.. (Psa_92:14, 15 71:14, 17, 18) Although some services are no longer possible, others, often more valuable, may, and ought to, be rendered till the close of life.
2. Affords wise counsel to the younger and less experienced. Wisdom is proverbially associated with age. Those who have seen and heard much of the world, and had long experience of life, may be expected to know more than those who are just starting out in their course. Their judgment is less influenced by passion and impulse; they look at things in a clearer light, and in a calmer frame of mind, and are more likely to perceive the truth concerning them.
Whose ripe experience doth attain To somewhat of prophetic strain.
Much of the inspired wisdom of the Scriptures is based upon the sanctified experience of the aged. "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance" (2Pe_1:15, 2Pe_1:12-14; 1Pe_5:1, 1Pe_5:5) "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth". (1Jn_3:18) "Little children, love one another.
IV OLD AGE IS GREATLY COMFORTED BY PIETY. It has its drawbacks and troubles. Bodily infirmities increase, the mental powers lose their vigour, and friends become fewer. (Ec 12) It is also liable to moral failings, such as irritability, fretfulness, despondency, and excessive carefulness, which need to be guarded against. "When I consider in my mind, I find four causes why old age is thought miserable: one, that it calls us away from the transactions of affairs; the second, that it renders the body more feeble; the third, that it deprives us of almost all pleasures; the fourth, that it is not very far from death" (Cicero "on Old Age"). But notwithstanding such things, it has, "with godliness," abundant compensations, consisting of
1. Pleasant recollections of the past, especially of the Divine benefits that have been received. "Surely I will remember thy wonders of old". (Psa_77:11)
2. Wide observation of the works and ways of God. "I have been young, and now am old," etc.. (Psa_37:25)
3. Inward support and consolation derived from communion with God. "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by. (2Co_4:16) "The glory of the old age of the godly consists in this, that while the faculties for the sensible no less than mental enjoyments gradually decline, and the hearth of life gets thus deprived of its fuel, the blessings of godliness not only continue to refresh the soul in old age, but are not until then most thoroughly enjoyed. The sun of piety rises the warmer in proportion as the sun of life declines.
4. Bright prospects of the heavenly home house not made with hands," the vision of God, perpetual youth, reunion with parted friends, perfect and endless blessedness. As the world of light draws near, some of its rays seem to shine through the crevices of the earthly tabernacle that is falling into decay (Gen_49:18; Luk_2:29, Luk_2:30) "The state in which I am now is so delightful, that the nearer I approach to death, I seem, as it were, to get sight of land; and at length, after a long voyage, to be getting into the harbour. O glorious day I when I shall depart to that Divine company and assemblage of spirits, and quit this troubled and polluted scene" (Cicero). "If the mere conception of the reunion of good men in a future state infused a momentary rapture into the mind of Tully; if an airy speculation for there is reason to fear it had little hold on his convictions could inspire him with such delight, what may we be expected to feel who are assured of such an event by the true sayings of God" (R. Hall). "I have a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better" (Php_1:23; 2Ti_4:6-8)
Observations:
1. Let us be thankful for the consolations of religion in "the time of old age.
2. Let the aged cherish the dispositions by which it is made beautiful anduseful.
3. Let the young honour the aged, and not forsake "the counsel of the old. (1Ki_12:8)
4. Let them also remember that they will grow old, and so live that theymay then be honoured and happy. D.
Vers. 3-5. (GILGAL.)
Integrity in public office.
here I am: witness against me before the Lord." It is a noble thing for a man in any position of life, but especially in exalted, public, and responsible office, to "do justly and love mercy" as well as to "walk humbly with his God;" to continue for many years in the fulfilment of his duty with strictest integrity and unselfish devotion to the public good. Of this Samuel was an illustrious pattern. Concerning integrity in public office, observe that
I It is generally, and not improperly, EXPECTED, because of
1. The superior knowledge which one who fills such an office is assumedto possess. (Ezr_7:25)
2. The important trust which is reposed in him. "Moreover, it is required instewards that a man be found faithful". (1Co_4:2)
3. The powerful influence which he exerts over others, for good or evil. (Pro_29:2)
II It is beset by numerous TEMPTATIONS, such as
1. To prefer his ease and pleasure to laborious and self-denying duty. (Rom_12:8)
2. To use his power for the enrichment of himself and his family, to thedisregard of the general welfare, and even by means of extortion, fraud, and oppression. (Act_16:22 Act_24:26)
3. To seek the praise of men more than the praise of God, and to yield tothe evil wishes of the multitude for the sake of personal advantage. (Joh_19:13)
III It lies open to public CRITICISM, for
1. The conduct of a public man cannot be wholly hidden from view.
2. His responsible position invites men, and gives them a certain right, tojudge concerning the course he pursues; and, in many instances, his actions directly affect their persons, property, or reputation.
3. As it is impossible to restrain their criticism, so it is, on the whole,beneficial that it should be exercised as a salutary restraint upon those "who are in authority." Happy is he in whom "none occasion nor fault can be found, forasmuch as he is faithful". (Dan_6:4)
IV It is NOT always duly APPRECIATED, but is sometimes despised and suspected.
1. The reasons of the conduct of one in public office are not always fullyunderstood, nor the difficulties of his position properly considered, nor the motives of his actions rightly interpreted.
2. Evil doers, to whom he is "a terror," may be expected to hate and speakill of him. "What evil have I done?" said Aristides, when told that he had everyone"s good word.
3. Men are apt to be envious of those who are exalted above them, and toforget their past services if they do not favour the gratification of the present popular feeling. Samuel" was not the only judge who experienced ingratitude. "Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he showed unto Israel". (Jud_1:8:35)
V It sometimes requires to be openly VINDICATED, for the sake of
1. Personal character and reputation. "I have not taken one ass from them,neither have I hurt one of them". (Num_16:5)
2. Truth, and righteousness, and the honour of God. How often, on thisaccount, did the Apostle Paul vindicate himself, in his epistles, from the accusations that were made against him!
3. The welfare of the people themselves, on whom misrepresentation andunfounded suspicions exert an injurious influence.
VI It is certain, sooner or later, to be fully RECOGNISED.
1. Time and circumstances bring real worth to the light.
2. There is in men a sense of truth and justice which constrains them toacknowledge and honour the good.
3. God takes care of the reputation of those who take care of his honour.There comes a "resurrection of reputations." The judgment of one generation concerning public men is often reversed by the next. "There is nothing hidden that shall not be made manifest." "And the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. D.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain I am now old and grey-headed.
1Sa_12:2
I am now old and grey-headed.
Read full note →
A good old age
A good old age has been cynically defined as an age at which a man is good for nothing; but it is our own fault if we are good for nothing in old age. The old can help the rising generation by sympathy and advice, and do much to prevent them from rising in the wrong direction. (Quiver.)
Age in the service of God
The late Mr. George Muller, of Bristol, sent this testimony as a message to Christian Endeavourers: The joy of serving God increases with the multiplying years. I have never had more delight in the work of the Master than now, at the end of more than threescore years and ten. The richest blessings will be discovered in the path of service.
Beautiful old age
How beautiful it is to see a man, below whose feet time is crumbling away, holding firmly by the Lord whom he has loved and served all his days, and finding that the pillar of cloud, which guided him while he lived, begins to glow in its heart of fire as the shadows fall, and is a pillar of light to guide him when he comes to die. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
A peaceful retrospect
The only life that bears being looked back upon is a life of Christian devotion and effort. It shows fairer when seen in the strange cross lights that come when we stand on the boundary of two worlds--with the white radiance of eternity beginning to master the vulgar oil lamps of earth--than when seen by these alone. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.