Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 13:18-21

"And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave [them] their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years: and after these things he gave [them] judges until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years." — Acts 13:18-21 (ASV)

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Do you not sometimes hear people speak disparagingly about certain parts of Scripture, and say, "Oh, that is the historical part"?

Dear friends, never fall into the error of thinking less of one part of Scripture than of another, but remember that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the men of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

This sermon, by Paul, is a recounting of Old Testament history; and he would not have spoken unprofitably; you may depend upon that.

I would urge you to bear a protest against the method, which seems to be emerging nowadays, of saying, "That part of the Bible is for the Jews;" or "That particular Epistle"—for they speak this way even of the New Testament—"is not for us."

It is all for us, and we are to seek to profit by every word of it, praying the Holy Spirit to apply it to our hearts.