1 Samuel 2:9

1Sa 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Ver. 9. He will keep the feet of his saints. ] This is a lower love and courtesy than to keep their hands. Joh 13:5-6 He keepeth them from utter prolapsion, from devoratory evils, as Tertullian speaketh, so as that either they fall not at all, - stumble they may, but they get ground by their stumbling, - or if they fall, they shall arise; for the Lord putteth under his hand. Psa 37:24 There is still a supporting grace, below which they cannot possibly fall.

The wicked shall be silent in darkness. ] They may fall whither they will or can, for any care God taketh of them: they shall fall and never rise again. Zep 1:3 They have been silent in darkness, making no moan, neither humbling themselves in their distress; they "cried not when God bound them," Job 35:12 therefore they shall be silent, sore frightened and astonished at their horrible calamities here, and tortures in hell.

For by strength shall no man prevail. ] Or, Obtain his enterprise. Augustine striving against his headstrong corruptions in his own strength, heard a voice saying, In te stas, et non stas. Thou wouldst stand by thyself, and therefore fallest. See thyself weak as water, and run to Christ: rely on him alone; for God "hath laid help on One that is mighty"; he hath given "strength unto his King, and exalted the horn of his Messiah," as it is in the next verse.