Other comments on this day's readings can be found here.
Reading 1 - 1Sa 12:5
"Samuel said to them, 'The LORD is witness against you, and
also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my
hand.' 'He is witness,' they said" (1Sa 12:5).
"Samuel did not deem himself above criticism. Now, in
self-vindication, he invited public reproach, if indeed he had perverted
justice... ruled unjustly, or lined his own pocket. But there was no word to be
said against his administration. He had always had the nation's respect and
confidence... This day they gave him unmeasured approval and gratitude for a
long life of unselfish service. What a contrast with the days to come, when
there were plenty who were 'bitter of soul' as a result of the unequal reign of
Saul (1Sa 22:2)" (Harry Whittaker, "Samuel, Saul, and David" 51).
Reading 2 - Isa 55:1
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you
who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and
without cost" (Isa 55:1).
"[Some] men sometimes think that they give all that is
required of them in giving money. This has been one of the great errors of
Christendom, the attempt to buy that which is 'without money and without price'.
It is true that the apostle Paul says something regarding spiritual and carnal
things which seems to suggest reciprocity in these matters. We must not put his
teaching upside down, however. He says that Gentiles who are partakers of
Israel's spiritual riches have a duty to minister in carnal matters. He
certainly does not suggest that carnal wealth can buy the spiritual treasures.
The two kinds of riches are on a different plane. The currency is different and
there is no known rate of exchange. The wealthy man who goes to his chapel with
a feeling that he can purchase anything and a readiness to give of his abundance
[only] if the service pleases him, is not likely to receive any real spiritual
food. He is not in the right condition to appreciate it. Possibly husks please
him best. If so he can buy what he requires" (Islip Collyer, "Principles and
Proverbs").
Reading 3 - Rev 19:7,8
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the
wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen,
bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous
acts of the saints)" (Rev 19:7,8).
"It will be perceived, then, that the church as defined, is in
the present state the espoused of Christ, but not actually married. She is in
the formative state, being moulded under the hand of God. When she shall be
completed, God will then present her to the Man from heaven, 'arrayed in fine
linen, clean and white'... The presentation of Eve to the first Adam was the
signal of rejoicing to the Morning Stars; and we perceive that the manifestation
of Messiah's Queen will be attended with the 'Alleluia' of a great multitude,
sounding like the roaring of many waters, and the echoes of mighty thunderings,
saying, 'let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to the Lord God omnipotent:
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his betrothed hath made herself ready'
(v 7)" (John Thomas, "Elpis Israel" 48).