1 Samuel 1:1--12:25
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.]
two <08147> [two.]
Hannah ............... Hannah <02584> [but.]
<03117> [yearly. Heb. from year to year.]
worship <07812> [to worship.]
Shiloh <07887> [Shiloh.]
two <08147> [And the.]
sacrifice <02076> [offered.]
double portion <0259 0639 04490> [a worthy portion. or, a double portion.]
The Hebrew phrase, {manah achath appayim,} is correctly rendered by Gesenius, {ein Stud fur zwei personen, doppelle Portion,} "a portion for two persons, a double portion;" for {aph} in Hebrew, and [prosopon] in Greek, which literally mean a face, are used for a person.
loved <0157> [he loved.]
not enabled ... to have children <05462> [shut up.]
rival <06869> [adversary.]
upset ...... worry <03707 03708> [provoked her. Heb. angered her.]
year ... year <08141> [year.]
Whenever ... went up <01767 05927> [when she. or, from the time that she. Heb. from her going up.]
weep <01058> [why weepest.]
better <02896> [am not.]
very upset <05315 04751> [in bitterness of soul. Heb. bitter of soul.]
prayed <06419> [prayed.]
weeping uncontrollably <01058> [wept sore.]
<05087> [vowed.]
look <07200> [look.]
remembering <02142> [remember.]
child <0582 02233> [a man child. Heb. seed of men. I will give.]
Samuel, as a descendent of Levi, was the Lord's property, from twenty-five years of age till fifty; but the vow here implies that he should be consecrated to the Lord from his infancy to his death, and that he should not only act as a Levite, but as a Nazarite.
<04177> [there.]
praying <06419 07235> [continued praying. Heb. multiplied to pray.]
speaking <01696> [spake.]
drunk <07910> [she had.]
get drunk <07937> [How long.]
Put away <05493> [put away.]
lord <0113> [No, my Lord.]
stress <07186 07307> [of a sorrowful spirit. Heb. hard of spirit. poured.]
woman <01323> [a daughter.]
deep <07230> [out of.]
pain <07879> [complaint. or, meditation.]
<03212> [Go.]
God <0430> [the God.]
servant <08198> [Let thine.]
early <07925> [they rose.]
marital relations <03045> [knew.]
Lord ................... Lord <03068> [and the Lord.]
time <08622 03117> [when the time was come about. Heb. in revolution of days.]
Samuel. that is, Asked of God. Because.
bring <0935> [then.]
remain <03427> [and there.]
from then on <05704 05769> [for ever.]
Do .... think <06213 05869> [Do what.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
nursed ... son <03243 01121> [son suck.]
took ... up <05927> [A.M. 2839. B.C. 1165. An. Ex. Is. 326. she took.]
three bulls <06499 07969> [three bullocks.]
The LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, read "a bullock of three years old;" which is probably correct, as we read (ver. 25) that they slew {eth happar,} "the bullock."
house <01004> [house.]
brought <0935> [brought.]
alive <05315> [as thy soul.]
boy <05288> [For this.]
Lord <03068> [and the Lord.]
[lent him. or, returned him, whom I have obtained by petition, to the Lord.]
The word {hishilteehoo}, "I have lent him," is the {Hiphil} conjugation of {shu„l,} "he asked," (ver. 27,) and refers to the name of Samuel.
dedicate ............ dedicated <07592> [he shall be. or, he whom I have obtained by petition shall be returned. he worshipped.]
prayed <06419> [prayed.]
heart <03820> [My heart.]
horn <07161> [mine horn.]
<06310> [my mouth.]
happy <08055> [I rejoice.]
holy <06918> [none holy.]
than <01115> [none beside.]
rock <06697> [rock.]
proud <06277> [let not arrogancy. Heb. hard.]
God <0410> [a God.]
do <05949> [by him.]
bows <07198> [The bows.]
stumble <03782> [stumbled.]
well-fed <07649> [full.]
barren <06135> [the barren.]
withers away <0535> [waxed feeble.]
both kills <04191> [killeth.]
down <03381> [he bringeth.]
impoverishes .... wealthy <03423 06238> [maketh.]
humbles <08213> [bringeth.]
weak <01800> [the poor.]
seat .... princes <03427 05081> [set them.]
foundations <04690> [the pillars.]
watches over <08104> [will keep.]
holy ones <02623> [his saints.]
speechless <01826> [be silent.]
strength <03581> [by strength.]
adversaries .... against <07378> [adversaries.]
heavens <08064> [out of heaven.]
The LXX. insert, "Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, nor the strong glory in his strength, nor the rich glory in his riches; but let him who glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth the Lord, and executeth judgment and righteousness in the midst of the earth."
thunders <07481> [he thunder.]
executes <01777> [judge.]
will <05414> [he shall.]
exalt <07311> [exalt.]
anointed one <04899> [anointed.]
serving <08334> [minister.]
sons <01121> [the sons.]
sons ..... wicked <01100 01121> [sons of Belial.]
recognize <03045> [knew.]
fork <04207> [all that the flesh-hook.]
First <03117> [presently. Heb. as on the day.]
take ..................... take <03947> [I will take.]
sight <06440> [before.]
treated <05006> [abhorred.]
ministering <08334> [ministered.]
linen ephod <0646 0906> [a linen ephod.]
small robe <04598 06996> [a little coat.]
{Meil katon,} "a little cloak" or {surtout;} an upper garment: see note on Ex 28:4.
at ... intervals when <03117> [from year to year.]
The natural place for this verse seems to be before the 11th, after which the 21st should probably come in; and after the 21st, perhaps the 26th should follow.
bless <01288> [blessed.]
one <07596> [loan. or, petition which she asked, etc.]
So ..... attended <06485> [visited.]
grew <01431> [grew.]
Eli <05941> [Now.]
Israel <06213 03478> [did unto.]
women <0802> [women.]
It is probable that these were persons who had some employment about the tabernacle: see note on Ex 38:8.
stationed <06633> [assembled. assembled by troops.]
do ... behave <06213> [Why.]
hear <08085> [I hear, etc. or, I hear evil words of you. by all.]
good <02896> [no good.]
Lord's <03068> [ye make.]
circulating <05674> [transgress. or, cry out.]
man sins .... man ............. man sins .... Lord ................... Lord <02398 0376 03068> [sin against.]
man ..... man ............. man <0376> [if a man.]
appeal .................. intercede <06419> [who shall.]
listen <08085> [hearkened.]
Lord ................... Lord <03068> [because.]
Rather, therefore, as the particle {kee} also signifies (see Ps 116:10:) so Noldius, {Ideo voluit Jehova eos interficere,} "Therefore Jehovah purposed to destroy them."
growing <01432 01980> [grew on.]
finding favor <02896> [was in.]
man <0376> [a man.]
plainly reveal <01540> [Did I.]
chose ............................... gave <0977 05414> [And did I.]
gave <05414> [did I give.]
scorning ... sacrifice <01163 02077> [kick ye.]
offering ............................... offerings <04503> [and at mine.]
They disdained to take the part allowed by the law; and would take for themselves what part they pleased, and as much as they pleased.
dwelling place <04583> [habitation.]
honored <03513> [and honourest.]
By permitting his sons to deal thus with the sacrifices, and to be served first, by taking their part before the fat, etc., was burnt to the Lord, Eli thus honoured his sons above God.
made yourselves fat <01254> [make.]
say <0559> [I said.]
May it never be <02486> [Be it far.]
honor .... honor <03513> [them.]
honor .... honor <03513> [I will honour.]
despise <0959> [that despise.]
remove <01438> [I will cut.]
That is, I will destroy the strength, power, influence, and authority of thee and thy family; of which the arm of man being the instrument, is used as the emblem.
trouble <06862> [an enemy, etc.]
Or, the affliction of the tabernacle, for all the wealth which God would have given Israel. This appears to be the right translation; for, agreeably to this prediction, he did see the tabernacle deprived of the ark, which was its glory, and lived to hear that it was captured by the Philistines.
old man <02205> [an old man.]
cause .... to fail <03615> [to consume.]
<0582> [in the flower, etc. Heb. men.]
sign <0226> [a sign.]
single day <0259 03117> [in one day.]
raise up <06965> [I will raise.]
build <01129> [I will build.]
heart ................. chosen one <03824 04899> [mine.]
remains <03498> [is left.]
Assign <05596> [Put. Heb. Join. one of the priest's offices. Heb. somewhat about the priesthood. eat.]
boy <05288> [the child.]
Word <01697> [the word.]
eyes <05869> [his eyes.]
lamp <05216> [ere.]
Before sun-rise: for it is probable the lamps were extinguished before the rising of the sun; see the Parallel Passages.
lamp <05216> [the lamp.]
temple <01964> [the temple.]
called ... Samuel <07121 08050> [called Samuel.]
Samuel <08050> [Now Samuel.]
Or, Thus did Samuel before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed unto him.
yet ............ yet <02962> [did not yet.]
Samuel was not destitute of the knowledge of God, in that sense which implies the total absence of true piety, as Eli's sons were; for he knew and worshipped the God of Israel: but he did not know him as communicating special revelations of his will to him, in the manner in which he made it known to the prophets.
third <07992> [the third.]
Although Samuel did not apprehend the way in which God reveals himself to his servants the prophets--by the "still small voice"--yet when this direct communication from the Almighty was made the third time, in a way altogether new and strange to him, it seems astonishing that he did not immediately apprehend. Perhaps he would have been sooner aware of a divine revelation, had it come in a dream or a vision. Those who have the greatest knowledge of divine things, should remember the time when they were as babes, unskilful in the word of righteousness. # 1Co 13:11,12
Speak <01696> [Speak.]
Lord came <0935 03068> [the Lord came.]
This seems to imply a visible appearance, as well as an audible voice.
<06471> [as at other.]
Samuel did not now rise and run as before, when thought he Eli called, but lay still and listened. All must be silent, when God speaks. Observe, however, Samuel in his reply left out one word: he did not say, Speak, Lord, but only Speak, for thy servant heareth; perhaps, as Bp. Patrick suggests, out of uncertainty, whether it was God that spake to him or not. However, by this answer way was made for the message he was now to receive, and Samuel was brought acquainted with the words of God and visions of the Almighty.
do <06213> [I will do.]
both .... ears <0241 08147> [both the ears.]
carry out <06965> [I will perform.]
start <02490> [when I begin, etc. Heb. beginning and ending.]
tell ........ judge <05046 05704 08199> [For I have told him. or, And I will tell him, etc.]
judge <08199> [I will.]
knew <03045> [which he knoweth.]
sons <01121> [his sons.]
cursing <07043> [vile. or, accursed. restrained them not. Heb. frowned not upon them.]
sin <05771> [the iniquity.]
opened <06605> [opened.]
Samuel ................ Samuel <08050> [Samuel.]
Samuel reverenced Eli as a father, and feared to distress him by shewing what God had purposed to do. It does not appear that God commanded Samuel to deliver this message; he therefore did not attempt it till adjured by Eli. It might be supposed that Samuel would have been so full of ecstasy as to have forgotten his ordinary service, and run amongst his friends to tell them of the converse he had with God in the night: but he modestly keeps it to himself. Our secret communion with God is not to be proclaimed on the house-top.
afraid <03372> [feared.]
conceal ............ conceal <03582> [I pray thee.]
God <0430> [God.]
severely <03254> [more also. Heb. so add. thing. or, word.]
<01697> [every whit. Heb. all the things, or, words.]
Whit, or wid, comes from the Anglo-Saxon {wiht,} which signifies person, thing, etc.: every whit is every thing: equivalent to every jot.
Lord <03068> [It is the Lord.]
grow <01431> [grew.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
prophecies ...... unfulfilled <01697> [let none.]
Dan <01835> [Dan.]
confirmed <0539> [established. or, faithful.]
Lord ............. Lord ............ Lord <03068> [And the Lord.]
{Wyyoseph yehowah lehairaâ€h,} "And Jehovah added to appear:" that is, He continued to reveal himself to Samuel at Shiloh.
appeared <07200> [appeared.]
word <01697> [the word.]
Israel .... Israelites <03478> [A.M. 2863. B.C. 1141. An. Ex. Is. 350. came. or, came to pass. Heb. was.]
Ebenezer <072> [Eben-ezer.]
That is, the place afterwards so called: See the Parallel Texts.
Aphek <0663> [Aphek.]
This Aphek was situated in the tribe of Judah, and is probably the same as Aphekah.
It must be carefully distinguished from that near Jezreel, and another in Asher. .# 29:1 Jos 19:30 1Ki 20:30
arranged <06186> [put.]
battle spread <04421 05203> [they joined battle. Heb. the battle was spread. Israel.]
killed <05221> [and they.]
battle line <04634> [the army. Heb. the array.]
Lord ..................... Lord <03068> [Wherefore.]
take <03947> [Let us.]
take <03947> [fetch. Heb. take unto us. the ark.]
save <03467> [it may save.]
sits <03427> [which dwelleth.]
cherubim <03742> [the cherubims.]
Hophni <02652> [Hophni.]
ark ............................ ark <0727> [with the ark.]
Israel <03478> [all Israel.]
They vainly supposed that the ark would save them, when the God of it had departed from them because of their wickedness.
sound <06963> [What meaneth.]
scared <03372> [were afraid.]
<0865> [heretofore. Heb. yesterday or the third day.]
struck <05221> [smote.]
strong <02388> [Be strong.]
serving ........ served <05647> [as they have.]
like ..................... like <0582 01961> [quit yourselves like men. Heb. be men.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
they <0376> [every man.]
very great <01419 03966> [a very great.]
ark <0727> [the ark.]
two sons <01121 08147> [the two sons.]
killed <04191> [were slain. Heb. died.]
clothes ... torn <04055 07167> [with his clothes rent.]
These, as we have already remarked, were the general signs of sorrow and distress.
dirt <0127> [with earth.]
sitting .... chair <03427 03678> [sat upon.]
worried <03820> [his heart.]
outcry ....... commotion <06963> [What meaneth.]
ninety-eight <08673> [ninety.]
eyes <05869> [and his eyes.]
straight ahead <06965> [were dim. Heb. stood.]
things <01697> [What is there done. Heb. What is the thing.]
son <01121> [my son.]
Israel <03478> [Israel.]
mentioned <02142> [when he made.]
neck <04665> [his neck.]
judged <08199> [And he had.]
"He seems to have been a judge to do justice only, and that in south-west Israel."
afraid ..... birth <03372 03205> [Fear not.]
pay <07896> [neither did she regard it. Heb. and set not her heart.]
Ichabod <0350> [I-chabod. that is, Where is the glory?. or, There is no glory. The glory.]
glory <03519> [The glory.]
captured <03947> [took.]
Ebenezer <072> [Eben-ezer.]
Ashdod <0795> [Ashdod.]
Ashdod, called Azotus by the Greeks, was one of the five satrapies of the Philistines, and a place of great strength and consequence. It was situated near the Mediterranean, between Askelon and Jamnia, thirty-four miles north of Gaza, according to Diodorus Siculus, and the Antonine and Jerusalem Itineraries. It is now called Shdood; and Dr. Richardson says they neither saw nor heard of any ruins there. "The ground," he observes, "around Ashdod is beautifully undulating, but not half stocked with cattle. The site of the town is on the summit of a grassy hill; and, if we are to believe historians, was anciently as strong as it was beautiful."
[Azotus.]
Dagon ....... Dagon <01712> [of Dagon.]
Dagon ... lying .............. Dagon <01712 05307> [Dagon was.]
back .... place <07725 04725> [set him.]
head <07218> [the head.]
Dagon ................. Dagon ................ Dagon's <01712> [of Dagon.]
The name of this idol, Dagon, signifies a fish: and it is supposed to be the Atergatis of the Syrians, corruptly called Derceto by the Greeks, which had the upper part like a woman, and the lower part like a fish; as Lucian informs us: [Derketous de eidos en Phoinike ethe‚sam‚n, the‚ma xenon; ‚misen men gyn‚; to de okoson ek m‚r¢n es akrous podas, ichtlyos our‚ apoteinetai;] "In Phoenicia I saw the image of Derceto; a strange sight truly! For she had the half of a woman, but from the thighs downward a fish's tail." Diodorus, (1. ii.) describing the same idol, as represented at Askelon, says, [to men pros¢pon echei synaikos, to d'allo s¢ma pan ichthyos.] "It had the head of a woman, but all the rest of the body a fish's." Probably Horace alludes to this idol, in De Art. Poet. v. 4; {Desinat in piscem, mulier formosa superne:} "The upper part a handsome woman, and the lower part a fish." If such was the form of this idol, then everything that was human was broken off from what resembled a fish.
Dagon ................. Dagon ................ Dagon's <01712> [the stump. or, the fishy part.]
priests <03548> [neither.]
<01869> [tread.]
attacked <03027> [the hand.]
<02914> [emerods.]
[thereof.]
The LXX. and Vulgate add: [Kai meson t‚s choras aut‚s anephy‚san myes kai egeneto synchysis thanatou megal‚ en t‚ polei; {Et ebullierunt vill‘ et agri in medio regionis illius, et nati sunt mures; et facta est confusio mortis magn‘ in civitate; "And [the cities and fields in Vulg.] the midst of that region produced mice; [Vulg. burst up, and mice were produced;] and there was the confusion of a great death in the city."
When <07200> [saw.]
ark <0727> [The ark.]
God ................. god Dagon <0430 01712> [upon Dagon our god.]
do <06213> [What shall.]
Gath <01661> [Gath.]
attacked <03027> [the hand.]
great deal <03966> [with a very.]
<02914> [and they had emerods.]
God ... Ekron ....... God .... Ekron ................ God <06138 0430> [God to Ekron.]
kill ... people <05971 04191> [us, to slay us and our people. Heb. me, to slay me and my people.]
people <05971> [us not, and our people. Heb. me not, and my people. a deadly.]
attacking <03027> [the hand.]
die <04191> [died.]
cry for help <07775> [the cry.]
ark <0727> [A.M. 2864. B.C. 1140. An. Ex. Is. 351. the ark.]
called <07121> [called.]
send <07971> [wherewith.]
empty <07387> [empty.]
guilt offering <0817> [a trespass.]
understand <03045> [known.]
five ..... gold .... five gold <02568 02091> [Five golden.]
leaders .......................... leaders <05633> [you all. Heb. them.]
mice <05909> [mice.]
Bochart has collected many curious accounts relative to the terrible devastations made by these mischievous animals. William, Archbishop of Tyre, records, that in the beginning of the twelfth century, a penitential council was held at Naplouse, where five and twenty canons were framed for the correction of the manners of the inhabitants of the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem, who they apprehended had provoked to bring upon them the calamities of earthquakes, war, and famine. This last he ascribes to locusts and devouring mice, which had for four years together so destroyed the fruits of the earth as to cause an almost total failure of their crops. It was customary for the ancient heathen to offer to their gods such monuments of their deliverance as represented the evils from which they had been rescued; and Tavernier informs us, that among the Indians, when a pilgrim goes to one of the pagodas for a cure, he brings the figure of the member affected, made of gold, silver, or copper, according to his circumstances, which he offers to his god.
honor <03519 05414> [give glory.]
grip <07043> [lighten.]
land ...... God ............. gods .... land <0430 0776> [off your.]
harden ............ treated <03513> [harden.]
<04714> [the Egyptians.]
harshly <05953> [wonderfully. or, reproachfully. did they not.]
send <07971> [the people. Heb. them.]
new cart ....................... cart <02319 05699> [new cart.]
placed <05927> [on which.]
objects <03627> [jewels.]
Beth Shemesh <01053> [Beth-shemesh.]
then <06213> [he. or, it.]
know <03045> [we shall.]
hand <03027> [not his hand.]
accident <04745> [a chance.]
put <07760> [they laid.]
offered <05927> [offered.]
five <02568> [the five.]
returned <07725> [they returned.]
gold <02091> [these.]
Ashdod <0795> [Ashdod.]
Gaza <05804> [Gaza.]
Ashkelon <0831> [Askelon.]
Gath <01661> [Gath.]
Ekron <06138> [Ekron.]
five leaders <05633 02568> [the five lords.]
greater Abel <01419 059> [great stone of. or, great stone.]
struck down .................... struck down ............. struck <05221> [he smote.]
50,070 <02572 0505> [fifty thousand.]
As it is very improbable that the village of Beth-shemesh should contain, or be capable of employing, 50,070 men in the fields at wheat harvest, much less that they could all peep into the ark, and from the uncommon manner in which it is expressed in the original, it is generally allowed that there is some corruption in the text, or that some explanatory word is omitted. The Hebrew is {shivim ish, chamishim aileph ish,} literally, "seventy men, fifty thousand men:" so LXX. [ .] Vulgate, {septuaginta viros, et quinquaginta millia plebis,} "70 (chief) men, and 50,000 common people." Targum, {besabey ƒmma,} "of the elders of the people 70 men, {ovekahala,} and in the congregation 50,000 men." But the Syriac, {chamsho alphin weshivin gavrin,} "5,000 and 70 men;" with which the Arabic agrees; while Josephus has only [ ,] seventy men; and three reputable MSS. of Dr. Kennicott's also omit "50,000 men." Some learned men, however, would render, by supplying [Mˆm,] {mem,} "70 men; fifty out of a thousand;" which supposes about 1,400 present, and that a twentieth part were slain.
Kiriath Jearim <07157> [Kirjath-jearim.]
Kiriath Jearim <07157> [Kirjath-jearim.]
Abinadab <041> [Abinadab.]
longed <05091> [lamented.]
really <07725> [A.M. 2884. B.C. 1120. An. Ex. Is. 371. return.]
remove <05493> [put away.]
<03559> [prepare.]
serve ....... deliver <05647 05337> [serve him.]
Gather <06908> [Gather.]
<04708> [Mizpeh.]
pray <06419> [I will pray.]
drew water <04325 07579> [drew water.]
Grotius says, that the pouring out of water means the shedding of tears; and the Targum reads, "And they poured out their hearts in penitence, as waters, before the Lord." Others suppose that it was done emblematically, to represent the contrition of their hearts, and their desire to wash away their past offences. But some learned men conceive that it was poured out as a libation, in token of joy, after they had fasted and confessed their sin, as they were wont to do in the feast of tabernacles. (See note on Nu. 29:35.)
fasted <06684> [fasted.]
sinned <02398> [We have sinned.]
led <08199> [judged.]
afraid <03372> [afraid.]
Keep <02790> [Cease, etc. Heb. Be not silent from us from crying.]
nursing <0259 02461> [a sucking.]
Lord ... cried ..... Lord ....... Lord <02199 03068> [cried unto.]
answered <06030> [heard. or, answered.]
thundered <07481> [thundered.]
panic <02000> [discomfited.]
Beth Car <01033> [Beth-car.]
This place was probably situated in the tribe of Dan. Josephus calls it [ ;] the LXX. [ ;] Targum, Beth-saron; Syriac and Arabic Beth-jasan; by which Houbigant supposes is meant Beth-shan.
took a stone <03947 0259 068> [took a stone.]
Ebenezer <072> [Ebenezer. that is, The stone of help.]
Lord <03068> [Hitherto.]
defeated <03665> [subdued.]
invade <03254 0935> [came no more.]
Philistines .................. Philistines <06430> [against.]
peace <07965> [peace.]
led <08199> [A.M. 2873-2947. B.C. 1131-1057. judged.]
travel <01980> [he went.]
When he was at Bethel, the tribe of Ephraim and all the northern parts of the country could attend him; when at Gilgal, the tribe of Benjamin and those beyond Jordan could have easy access to him; and when at Mizpeh, he was within the reach of Judah, Simeon, and Gad: but at Ramah was the place of his ordinary abode; and there he held his court, for there he judged Israel: and as it is probable that Shiloh was destroyed, it is said (ver. 17) that there, i.e., at Ramah, "he built an altar to the Lord."
circuit <05437> [in circuit. Heb. and he circuited.]
return <08666> [his return.]
built <01129> [he built.]
appointed ... sons <07760 01121> [A.M. 2892. B.C. 1112. An. Ex. Is. 379. made his.]
sons ... judges <08199 01121> [sons judges.]
Joel <03100> [Joel.]
[Vashni.]
sons <01121> [his sons.]
dishonestly ..... perverted <05186> [but turned.]
elders <02205> [the elders.]
appoint <07760> [now make.]
<03415> [displeased. Heb. was evil in the eyes of.]
prayed <06419> [prayed.]
Do <08085> [Hearken.]
rejected ......... rejected <03988> [they have not.]
say <08085 06963> [hearken unto. or, obey. howbeit, etc. or, notwithstanding when thou hast solemnly protested against them, then thou shalt shew, etc.]
policies <04941> [the manner.]
policies <04941> [This will.]
conscript <03947> [He will take.]
run <07323> [run.]
appoint <07760> [appoint.]
plow <02790> [and will set.]
administrators <05631> [officers. Heb. eunuchs.]
cry <02199> [cry out.]
Lord <03068> [and the Lord.]
"Hitherto," says Puffendorf, "the people of Israel had lived under governors raised up by God, who had exacted no tribute of them, nor put them to any charge; but little content with this form of government, they desire to have a king like other nations, who should live in magnificence and pomp, keep armies, and be able to resist any invasion. Samuel informs them what it was they desired; that, when they understood it, they might consider whether they would persist in their choice. If they would have a king splendidly attended, he tells them that he would take their sons for his chariots, etc.: if they would have him keep up constant forces, then he would appoint them for colonels and captains, and employ those in his wars who were accustomed to follow their family business; and since, after the manner of other kings, he must keep a stately court, they must be content that their daughters should serve in several offices, which the king would think below the dignity of his wives and daughters. (ver. 13.) In one word, that, to sustain his dignity, their king would exact the tenth of all they possessed, and be maintained in a royal manner out of their estates."
answer <06030> [will not hear.]
refused ... heed <03985 08085> [refused to obey.]
said <01696> [he rehearsed.]
Kish <07027> [Kish.]
[Cis. a Benjamite. or, the son of a man of Jemini. power. or, substance.]
young man <0970> [choice.]
shoulders <07926> [from his shoulders.]
hill country <02022> [mount.]
Shalisha <08031> [Shalisha.]
Shaalim <08171> [Shalim.]
Zuph <06689> [Zuph.]
becomes anxious <01672> [take thought.]
town <05892> [city.]
respected <03513> [an honourable.]
says <01696> [all that he saith.]
bring .................. take <0935> [what shall.]
bags ... used up <0235 03627> [spent in. Heb. gone out of, etc. there is not.]
We are not to suppose from this that the prophets took money to predict future events: Saul only refers to an invariable custom, that no man approached a superior without some present or another, however small in value. Dr. Pococke tells us of a present of fifty radishes! Other authors mention a flower, an orange, or similar trifles; and Mr. Bruce says, that one who wished to solicit a favour from him, presented him with about a score of dates! "I mention this trifling circumstance," says Mr. B. "to shew how essential to human and civil intercourse presents are considered to be in the East; whether it be dates, or whether it be diamonds, they are so much a part of their manners, that without them, an inferior will never be at peace in his own mind, or think that he has hold of his superior for protection. But superiors give no presents to their inferiors." Presents then are tokens of honour; not intended as offers of payment or enrichment.
[have we. Heb. is with us.]
happen to have .... hand <03027 04672> [I have here at hand. Heb. there is found in my hand.]
inquire <01875> [enquire.]
<07200> [a Seer.]
[Well said. Heb. Thy word is good.]
ascent .... town <04608 05892> [the hill to the city. Heb. in the ascent of the city. found.]
sacrifice <02077> [sacrifice. or, feast.]
high place <01116> [the high place.]
bless <01288> [he doth bless.]
time <03117> [this time. Heb. to-day.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
told Samuel <08050 0241 01540> [told Samuel in his ear. Heb. revealed the ear of Samuel.]
consecrate <04886> [thou shalt.]
people ....... people ........... looked ...... people <07200 05971> [looked upon.]
man <0376> [Behold.]
[reign over. Heb. restrain in.]
<07200> [the seer.]
The word {roaih} literally signifies one who sees; particularly preternatural sights. A seer and a prophet were the same in most cases; only with this difference, the seer was always a prophet, but the prophet was not always a seer. A seer seems to imply one who frequently met with and saw some symbolical representation of God. All prophets, true or false, profess to see God, (see Nu 24:4, 16. Jer 14:4;) and diviners, in their enthusiastic flights, boasted that they had those things exhibited to their sight which should come to pass.
tell <05046> [and will tell.]
three days <07969 03117> [three days ago. Heb. to-day three days.]
concerned <07760 03820> [set not.]
desire <02532> [on whom.]
Benjaminite <01145> [a Benjamite.]
family clan <04940> [my family.]
way <01697> [so to me. Heb. according to this word.]
head <07218> [in the chiefest.]
Give ......... gave <05414> [Bring.]
leg <07785> [the shoulder.]
Probably the shoulder was set before Saul, not because it was the best part, but because it was an emblem of the government to which he was now called. (See Isa 9:6.)
was kept <07604> [left. or, reserved.]
down <03381> [And when.]
roof <01406> [the top.]
Samuel ............................. Samuel <08050> [Samuel.]
Saul had no doubt slept there all night, as is usual in the East; and now, being the break of day, "Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house:" there was no calling him to the top of the house a second time; he was sleeping there, and Samuel called him up.
Get ............. got <06965> [Up.]
Tell ... servant <0559 05288> [Bid the servant.]
awhile <03117> [a while. Heb. to-day. that I may.]
container <06378> [a vial.]
kissed .... said <05401 0559> [kissed him.]
leader <05057> [captain.]
inheritance <05159> [his inheritance.]
Rachel's <07354> [Rachel's.]
Zelzah <06766> [Zelzah.]
donkeys .................. donkeys <0860> [The asses.]
concerned about <01697> [care. Heb. business.]
Tabor <08396> [Tabor.]
Bethel <01008> [Beth-el.]
three .................... three young goats ........ three <07969 01423> [three kids.]
give <07965 05414> [salute thee. Heb. ask thee of peace.]
Gibeah ... God <0430 01389> [hill of God.]
company <02256> [a company.]
harps <05035> [a psaltery.]
spirit <07307> [Spirit.]
different person <0376 0312> [another man.]
signs <0226> [let it be. Heb. it shall come to pass that, etc. signs.]
do ..... finds <04672 06213> [that thou do as occasion, etc. Heb. do for thee as thine hand shall find.]
God <0430> [God.]
Gilgal <01537> [to Gilgal.]
turned <07926> [back. Heb. shoulder. gave. Heb. turned. another heart.]
signs <0226> [and all those signs.]
The following history of Saul is given by the Afghans, a people generally supposed to be of Jewish origin: "In a war which raged between the children of Israel and the Amalekites, the latter being victorious, plundered the Jews, and obtained possession of the ark of the covenant. Considering this [as] the God of the Jews, they threw it into the fire, which did not affect it. They afterwards attempted to cleave it with axes, but without success: every individual who treated it with indignity, was punished for his temerity. They then placed it in their temple; but all their idols bowed to it. At length they fastened it upon a cow, which they turned loose in the wilderness. When the prophet Samuel arose, the children of Israel said to him, 'We have been totally subdued by the Amalekites, and have no king. Raise to us a king, that we may be enabled to contend for the glory of God.' Samuel said, 'In case you are led out to battle, are you determined to fight?' They answered, 'What has befallen us, that we should not fight against infidels? That nation has banished us from our country and children.' At this time the angel Gabriel descended, and delivering a wand, said, 'It is the command of God, that the person whose stature shall correspond with this wand, shall be king of Israel.' Melec T l£t was at that time a man of inferior condition, and performed the humble employment of feeding the goats and cows of others. One day, a cow under his charge was accidentally lost. Being disappointed in his searches, he was greatly distressed, and applied to Samuel saying, 'I have lost a cow, and I do not possess the means of satisfying the owner. Pray for me that I may be extricated from this difficulty.' Samuel perceiving that he was a man of lofty stature, asked his name. He answered, T l£t. Samuel then said, 'Measure T l£t with the wand which the angel Gabriel brought.' His stature was equal to it. Samuel then said, 'God has raised T l£t to be your king.' The children of Israel answered, 'We are greater than our king. We are men of dignity, and he is of inferior condition. How shall he be our king?' Samuel informed them, they should know that God had constituted T l£t king, by his restoring the ark of the covenant. He accordingly restored it, and they acknowledged him their sovereign." Asiatic Researches, vol. ii. p. 119, et seq.
arrived <0935> [they came.]
known <03045> [when all.]
one another <0376 07453> [one to another. Heb. a man to his neighbour. What is this.]
Saul <07586> [Is Saul.]
<06030> [of the same place. Heb. from thence. who is their.]
asked ........... replied <0559> [And he said.]
lost <0369> [no where.]
matter <01697> [matter.]
Lord <03068> [unto the Lord.]
said <0559> [Thus saith.]
today .................. said <03117 0559> [And ye have.]
tribes <07626> [by your tribes.]
tribes ....... tribe <07626> [caused.]
inquired <07592> [enquired.]
hidden <02244> [hid.]
When <01361> [he was higher.]
see ...... Lord <07200 03068> [See ye him.]
live ... king <02421 04428> [God save the king. Heb. Let the king live.]
Gibeah <01390> [Gibeah.]
hearts <03820> [whose hearts.]
men <01121> [children.]
bring .... gift <0935 04503> [brought him.]
nothing <02790> [he held his peace. or, he was as though he had been deaf.]
Nahash ................ Nahash <05176> [Nahash.]
In the Vulgate this chapter begins thus: {Et factum est quasi post mensem,} "And it came to pass about a month after;" which is also the reading of the principal copies of the Septuagint; and is also found in Josephus, though it appears to be of little authority.
Jabesh ....... Jabesh <03003> [Jabesh-gilead.]
Make <03772> [Make.]
<02063> [On this.]
gouge <05365> [thrust.]
humiliate <02781> [reproach.]
seven <07651> [Give us. Heb. Forbear us.]
Gibeah <01390> [to Gibeah.]
loudly <05375> [lifted up.]
behind ... oxen <0310 01241> [after the herd.]
people <05971> [What aileth.]
Spirit ... God <0430 07307> [Spirit of God.]
angry <0639> [his anger.]
took <03947> [he took.]
The sending the pieces of the oxen was an act similar to that of the Levite, Jud 19:29, where see the Note. An eminent Scotch writer describes the rites, incantations, and imprecations used prior to the fiery cross being circulated, to summon the rough warriors of ancient times to the service of their chief; and he alludes to this ancient custom, which in comparatively modern times, has been practised in Scotland; and proves that a similar punishment of death, or destruction of their houses, for disobeying the summons, was inflicted by the ancient Scandinavians, as recorded by Olaus Magnus, in his History of the Goths. This bears a striking similarity to the ancient custom of the Israelites. With the Highlanders, a goat was slain; with the Israelites, an ox. The exhibition of a cross, stained with the blood of the sacrificed animal, was the summons of the former, while part of the animal, was the mandate of the latter. Disobedience in one nation was punished with the death of themselves or oxen, and burning of their dwellings in the other.
cut <05408> [hewed.]
out ............................. out <03318> [Whosoever.]
terror <06343> [the fear.]
one <0259 0376> [with one consent. Heb. as one man.]
Bezek <0966> [Bezek.]
Israelites <01121> [the children.]
deliverance <08668> [help. or, deliverance.]
Tomorrow <04279> [To-morrow.]
next day <04283> [on the morrow.]
three <07969> [in three.]
morning <01242> [morning.]
struck ... down <05221> [slew.]
two <08147> [so that two.]
<0559> [Who is he.]
<0376> [There shall.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
<03212> [let us go.]
renew <02318> [renew.]
Lord's presence .......... Lord's presence <06440 03068> [before the Lord.]
offered up <02076> [sacrificed.]
very happy <08055 03966> [rejoiced greatly.]
done <08085> [Behold.]
given <04427> [have made.]
walks ..................... walked <01980> [walketh.]
old <02204> [I am old.]
sons <01121> [my sons.]
walks ..................... walked <01980> [I have walked.]
chosen king <04899> [his anointed.]
ox <07794> [whose ox.]
bribe <03724> [bribe. Heb. ransom. blind mine eyes. or, that I should hide mine eyes at him.]
return <07725> [I will.]
Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
chosen king <04899> [his anointed.]
found <04672> [ye have.]
<03027> [in my hand.]
Lord <03068> [It is the Lord.]
chose <06213> [advanced. or, made.]
confront <08199> [reason.]
just <06666> [righteous acts. Heb. righteousnesses or benefits.]
ancestors <01> [to. Heb. with.]
Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
cried <02199> [cried.]
sent Moses <07971 04872> [sent Moses.]
led <03318> [brought.]
settled <03427> [made them.]
forgot <07911> [forgat.]
gave <04376> [he sold.]
Philistines <06430> [of the Philistines.]
hand .............. hand ........ hand <03027> [into the.]
cried <02199> [And they.]
Baals <01168> [Baalim.]
deliver <05337> [deliver.]
Jerub-Baal <03378> [Jerubbaal.]
Barak <0917> [Bedan.]
Bedan, whose name occurs no where else as a judge of Israel, Bp. Patrick and others suppose to be a contraction of {ben Dan,} "the son of Dan;" by which they suppose Samson is meant, as the Targum reads. The LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, however, instead of Bedan read Barak; and the two latter versions, instead of Samuel have Samson. These readings are adopted by Houbigant, and appear to be genuine; for it is not probable that Samuel would enumerate himself.
Jephthah <03316> [Jephthah.]
Samuel <08050> [Samuel.]
Nahash <05176> [Nahash.]
King ................ king .............. king <04428> [Nay.]
Lord <03068> [when the Lord.]
king ............. Lord ...... king <04428 03068> [behold.]
chosen ...... asked <0977 07592> [whom ye.]
asked <07592> [have desired.]
fear <03372> [If ye will.]
says <06310> [commandment. Heb. mouth. continue. Heb. be after.]
obey <08085> [But if ye.]
says .............. king <06310 01> [against.]
positions <03320> [stand.]
wheat <02406> [Is it.]
In northern latitudes, thunder and rain are far from being un-common during harvest. But rain is hardly ever known in Palestine during that season, which commences about the end of June, or beginning of July. This fact is abundantly confirmed by modern travellers, and is demonstrative to every unprejudiced reader of the Holy Scriptures, that the thunder and rain, which at Samuel's invocation, was sent at this season of the year, was a miraculous interposition of the power of God; for we read in ver. 16, it was a "great thing which the Lord will do." Thus were the Israelites warned of their sin in having asked a king, and of the omnipotence of that God, whose gracious promises they virtually neglected by this act.
call <07121> [I will call.]
sin <07451> [your wickedness.]
made ... thunder <05414 06963> [sent thunder.]
afraid <03372> [feared.]
Pray ............ servants <06419 05650> [Pray for thy.]
afraid <03372 06213> [Fear not.]
turn <05493> [turn not.]
empty ..... profit ........ empty <08414 03276> [vain things.]
profit <03276> [cannot profit.]
Lord ................ Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
great <01419> [for his great.]
uphold <02974> [it hath.]
far be it from me <02486> [God forbid.]
ceasing <02308> [in ceasing. Heb. from ceasing. I will teach.]
good <02896> [the good.]
fear ... Lord <03068 03372> [fear the Lord.]
faithfully <0571> [in truth.]
look <07200> [consider.]
great <01431> [how great things. or, what a great thing, etc.]
evil <07489> [But if.]
king <04428> [ye and.]
