1 Samuel 1:1
The First Book of SAMUEL, otherwise called The First Book of the KINGS 1 Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh. 4 He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah. 9 Hannah in grief prays for a child. 12 Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her. 19 Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned. 24 She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord.
Ramathaim Zophim <07436> [Ramathaim-zophim.]
This ancient town, now called Ramla, is, according to Phocas, about thirty-six miles west of Jerusalem, and, according to modern travellers, about nine miles from Joppa and a league from Lydda, between which it is situated. It is built on a rising ground, on a rich plain, and contains about two thousand families.
[Arimathea. mount.]
Elkanah <0511> [Elkanah.]
Zuph <06689> [Zuph.]
Ephraimite <0673> [Ephrathite.]
1 Samuel 19:1-24
Saul .............. Saul's <07586> [And Saul.]
Saul's enmity now burst forth, in the avowed purpose of putting David to death; and nothing less than the especial interposition of Providence could have saved David's life, when every officer about the king's person, and every soldier, had positive orders to dispatch him.
<02654> [delighted.]
Jonathan <03083> [Jonathan.]
When I find ... what <07200 04100> [what I see.]
spoke .... behalf .................................. beneficial <01696 02896> [spake good.]
sin .... servant ....... sinned <02398 05650> [sin against.]
actions <04639> [because his works.]
risked <05315 07760> [put his life.]
struck <05221> [slew.]
<06213> [wrought.]
sin ... innocent <05355 02398> [sin against innocent.]
reason <02600> [without a cause.]
took an oath <07650> [sware.]
[he shalt not.]
formerly <0865> [in times past. Heb. yesterday, third day.]
David <01732> [David.]
[him. Heb. his face]
tried <01245> [sought.]
nail <06362> [he slipped.]
escaped <04422> [and escaped.]
sent messengers <04397 07971> [sent messengers.]
guard ..... kill ....................... dead <08104 04191> [to watch him.]
Michal <04324> [Michal.]
lowered David <03381 01732> [let David.]
household idol <08655> [an image. Heb. teraphim.]
quilt <03523> [a pillow.]
Rather, "the net-work of goat's hair at its (the Teraphim's) pillow;" for the {kevir,} (whence the Chaldee and Syriac {kavreetho,} a honey-comb, from its net-like form), seems to have been a kind of mosquito-net, which, says Dr. Shaw, is "a close curtain of gauze, used all over the East, by people of fashion, to keep out the flies." That they had such anciently cannot be doubted. Thus when Judith had beheaded Holofernes in his bed, (ch. 13:9, 15) "she pulled down the canopy (or the mosquito net, [ ,] from [ ,] a gnat, or mosquito, whence our word canopy) wherein he did lie in his drunkenness, from the pillars."
said <0559> [she said.]
Bring ... up <05927> [Bring him.]
The eastern beds consist merely of two thick cotton quilts, one of which, folded double, serves as a mattress, the other as a covering. Such seems to have been the bed of David, which could easily have been carried, with himself in it, to the presence of Saul.
messengers <04397> [And when.]
It is highly probable that David, when supposed to be sick, was thought to be hid in the harem or chamber of Michal. "The harems," says De La Motraye, "are sanctuaries, as sacred and inviolable, for persons pursed by justice for any crime, debt, etc., as the Roman Catholic churches in Italy, Spain, Portugal, etc." Thus we find, that to effect his purpose, Saul sent messengers to Michal, but they treated her harem with too much respect to enter it at first; but being authorised by Saul, they entered even into her chamber; and during the delay occasioned by respect for the privacy of Michal, David escaped.
deceived <07411> [Why hast.]
enemy <0341> [mine enemy.]
Michal .................. Michal <04324> [And Michal.]
said ..................... replied ..... said <0559> [He said.]
kill <04191> [why should.]
Samuel ................. Samuel <08050> [to Samuel.]
So ... sent messengers ........................... messengers <07971 04397> [sent messengers.]
saw <07200> [when they.]
sent ... messengers ........ sent messengers <04397 07971> [sent messengers.]
prophesied ............. prophesied <05012> [prophesied also.]
Spirit <07307> [the Spirit.]
came <0935> [until he came.]
stripped <06584> [stripped.]
lay <05307> [lay. Heb. fell.]
Saul <07586> [Is Saul.]
1 Samuel 21:1--22:23
Nob <05011> [Nob.]
Nob appears to have been a sacerdotal city of Benjamin or Ephraim. Jerome says, that in his time the ruins of it might be seen not far from Diospolis or Lydda. But the Rabbins assert that Jerusalem might be seen from this town. The tabernacle resided some time at Nob; and after it was destroyed, it was removed to Gibeon; "and the day of Nob and Gibeon were fifty-seven years." Maimonides in Bethhabbechirah, c. 1.
Ahimelech ...... Ahimelech <0288> [to Ahimelech.]
[called Ahiah.]
[called also Abiathar.]
shaking with fear <02729> [afraid.]
king <04428> [The king.]
The whole of this is a gross falsehood; and which was attended with the most fatal consequences. It is well known that from all antiquity it was held no crime to tell a lie in order to save life. Thus Diphilon [Hypo lambano to pseudas epi sotevea legomenon, ouden peripoieisthai duscheres.] "I hold it right to tell a lie for safety: nothing should be avoided to save life." A heathen may say or sing thus: but no Christian can act thus and save his soul, though he may save his life.
disposal <03027> [under thine.]
found <04672> [present. Heb. found.]
bread ...... holy bread <03899 06944> [hallowed bread.]
soldiers <05288> [if the young.]
equipment ..................... equipment <03627> [the vessels.]
journey <01870> [in a manner.]
equipment ................ holy today ..... equipment <06942 03117 03627> [yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel.]
So .... gave ... holy <05414 06944> [gave him.]
bread ...... bread ................... hot bread <02527 03899> [hot bread.]
detained <06113> [detained.]
Doeg <01673> [Doeg.]
<07462> [herdmen.]
sword <02719> [The sword.]
valley <06010> [the valley.]
wrapped <03874> [behold.]
behind <0310> [behind.]
fled <01272> [fled.]
Achish <0397> [Achish. or, Abimelech.]
Gath <01661> [Gath.]
Jerome says there was a large town called Gath, in the way from Eleutheropolis to Gaza; and Eusebius speaks of another Gath, five miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Lydda, (and consequently different from that mentioned by Jerome;) and also of another Gath, between Jamnia and Antipatris. It appears to have been the extreme boundary of the Philistine territory in one direction, as Ekron was on the other, (ch. 7:14; 17:52,) and lay near Mareshah, (2 Ch 11:8. Mic 1:14,) which agrees pretty well with the position assigned it by Jerome. But Reland and Dr. Wells agree with Eusebius; and the authors of the Universal History (b. i. c. 7) place it about six miles form Jamnia, fourteen south of Joppa, and thirty-two west of Jerusalem.
servants <05650> [the servants.]
king <04428> [the king.]
thought <07760> [laid up.]
very <03966> [sore.]
altered <08138> [changed.]
making marks <08427> [scrabbled. or, made marks.]
madman <07696> [is mad. or, playeth the madman.]
David <01732> [David.]
cave <04631> [the cave.]
Adullam <05725> [Adullam.]
Adullam was a city of Judah; and, according to Eusebius, ten miles (Jerome says eleven) eastward from Eleutheropolis.
in trouble <04689> [distress.]
[was in debt. Heb. had a creditor.]
discontented <04751> [discontented. Heb. bitter of soul.]
leader <08269> [a captain.]
Mizpah <04708> [Mizpeh.]
king <04428> [the king.]
father <01> [Let my father.]
know <03045> [till I know.]
stronghold <04686> [in the hold.]
[Gad.]
[depart.]
David <01732> [David departed.]
tamarisk <0815> [tree. or, grove in a high place. spear.]
Benjaminites ... Jesse's son <03448 01121> [the son of Jesse.]
giving <05414> [give.]
commanders ... officers <08269> [captains.]
informs ...... son ....... son ............. informs ...... son <01540 01121> [sheweth me. Heb. uncovereth mine ear.]
son ....... son .................. son <01121> [that my son.]
Doeg <01673> [Doeg.]
He is also said to be "the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul;" and the Septuagint intimates that he was over the mules of Saul. He may have been what we call the king's equerry or groom.
Ahimelech <0288> [Ahimelech.]
Ahitub <0285> [Ahitub.]
inquired <07592> [he enquired.]
provisions <06720> [him victuals.]
Then .... arranged <07971 07121> [sent to call.]
son <01121> [thou son.]
lord <0113> [Here I am. Heb. Behold me.]
conspired <07194> [Why have.]
faithful <0539> [And who.]
king .............. king's <04428> [the king's.]
<05493> [goeth.]
today <03117> [Did I then.]
He seems to intimate, that his enquiring now for David was no new thing, having often done so before, without ever being informed it was wrong in itself or displeasing to the king.
[the servant.]
whole or ... part <01419 06996> [less or more. Heb. little or great.]
surely die <04191> [Thou shalt.]
father's <01> [thou, and.]
messengers <07323> [footmen. or, guard. Heb. runners.]
kill ... priests ............................... priests <03548 04191> [slay the priests.]
refused ... harm <014 07971> [would not.]
Doeg .......... Doeg <01673> [Doeg.]
strike ........... struck down <06293> [he fell.]
eighty-five <08084> [fourscore.]
The LXX. read, [tria kosious kai pente andras,] "three hundred and five men;" and Josephus, "three hundred and eighty-five men." Probably the eighty-five were priests and the three hundred the families of the priests; three hundred and eighty-five being the whole population of Nob.
linen ephod <0906 0646> [a linen ephod.]
Nob <05011> [Nob.]
men <0376> [men.]
<06310> [with the edge.]
This is one of the worst acts of Saul's life: his malice was implacable, and his wrath cruel; and there is no motive of justice or policy by which such a barbarous massacre can be justified.
one <0259> [one.]
But one .......... escaped <04422> [escaped.]
guilty <05437> [I have occasioned.]
seeks ..... seeking <01245> [he that seeketh.]
secure <04931> [but with me.]
