Chapter XXIV (continued, part 3)
tic bliss in which she had been at her departure, in the begiiiuing of barley hai-vest—corresponding to the end of our March.
Ver. 1-.3. Rttth Gleans in the I-'ield of Boaz. 3. Kuth eaid unto Naomi, Let me uow go to the ticld to glean —Tlie riglit of gleaning was conferred by a positive law on the widow, the poor, and the stranger (see on Leviticus
19. 9, 10; tteuteronomy 24. 19, 21). But liberty toglean behind the reapers was not a right that could be claimed ; it was a privilege granted or refused according to the good-will or favour of the owner. 3. her hap was to liglit on a part of tlic Aeld belonging iiitto lioaz—Fiekls in Palestine being unenclosed, the phrase signilies that portion of the open ground which lay within the land-ii'.arks of Boaz.
Ver. 1-13. By Naomi's Instrcctions, Ruth Lies at Boaz's Feet, who Acknowledges the Duty of a Kinsman. 3. he w-lnnoweth barley to-night in the tlireshing-floor—The winnowing process is performed by tin-owing up the grain, after being troildeii dowii, against the wind with a shovel. The threshing -Iloor, which was commonly on the harvest-field, was carefully leveled with a large cyliiidric roller, and consolidated with chalk, that weeds might not spring up, and that it might not cho)) with drought. The farmer usually remained all night in harvest-time on the threshing-floor not only for the protection of his valuable grain, but for the winnowing. That operation was jierforined in the evening to catch the breezes which blow after the close of a hot da.v, and which continue for the most part of the night. Tills duly at so important a season the master undertakes himself; and, accordingly, in the siinplicily of ancient manners, Boaz, a person of considerable wealth and high rank, laid himself down to sleep on the barn floor, at the end of the heap of barley he had been winnowing. 4. go In, and uncover his feet, and lay thea down—.Singular as these directions may appear to us. tlu'ie was no iniproiiriety in them, according to the simplicity of rural manners In Bethlehem. In ordinary circumstances these would have seemed indecorous to the world, Ixil in the ease of Kuth, it was a method, tloubtlcss coiilbrmable to prevailing usage, of reminding Boazof tlie duty which devolved on him as the kinsman of her deceased husbaiul. Boaz probably slept upon a mat or skin; Ruth lay crosswise at his feet—a position In wlileli
4-2:{. He Takes Knowledge of Hek, and shows Her Favotr. 4. lioaz came from liethlehem, and saiil unto the reapers, Tlie Lord be tvitlt yon—This pious salutation between the master and his labourers strongly indicates the state of religious feeling among the rural population o# Israel at that time, as well as tlie artless, happy, and unsuspecting simplicity wl'.icli charaeterized tlie manners of the people. The same patriarelial style of Bpeaking is still preserved in the Kast. 5. his servant tikat was set over tlie reapers—an overseer whose special duty wa.s to superintend the operations in the Held, to supply provision to the reapers, and pay them for their labour in the evening. 7. she said, Let me glean, and gather after the reapers among the slienvev— Various modes of reaping are practise;! in the Kast. Where the crop is thin and short, it is jilucked up by the roots. In other states it is cut with the sickle. Whether reaped in the one way or the other, the grain Is cast into sheaves loosely thrown together, to be subjected to the process of threshing, wliich takes place, for the most iiart, ininiediately after the reaping. Field labours were In giiii early In the morning—before the day became opjiressi vely bol. she hath tarried a little in tlic house— t. e., the held tent, erected for the occasional rest and reficsliineiu ol tlie labourers. 8, U. Boaz said unto Kuth, Abide fast by my maidens—The reaping was performed by women, while the a.SHorlment of sheaves was tint duly of luen-sei vanls. The same division of harvest labour obtains in .Syria
Btill. Boaz not only granted to Kuth the full privilege ol gleaning after Ills reapers, but provided for her iiersonal comfort, go unto the vessel, and drink of thai which the young meii have drawn—gleaiU'is wi'le Miuieiimes allowed, by kind and charitable masters, to partake of t lie refreshments provided for the reapers. The vessils all tided to were skin bottles, lillcd with water—mid tlu^ bread was Boaked in vinegar (v. 11) ; a kind of poor, weak wine, sonietlmes mingled with a Utile olive oil—very coolin^^, as would be re(]ulred in harvest-lliiK^ This giaii iul leleetlonisslill used In the harvesl-lleld. 11. he leni iied li« r parched corn, atid she did eat, and was suj^ced, and left—some of the new grain, roasted on the spot, and lit for use alter being rubbed In the hands—a lavourite viand In the Kast. He gave her so much. Unit alti'r sat isfying 174
Kastern servants frequently sleep In the same chamber or tent with their master; and if they want a covering, custom allows them that beiiedt from part of the cover-
ing on their master's bed. Kesting.as the Orientals do at night, in t he sameclothes they wear during the d.-iy, there was no indelicacy In a stranger, or even a woman luittiiig the exlreinity of tills cover over her. 9. I am Kuth thine liaiidmal<l$ sprcail therefore thy skirt over thine liauflmalil, ff>r litou art a near klusman—Sh(< had already drawn i)ail of the mantle over her; and she asked him now to do it, tluit I hi! act might become his own. To spread a skirt ovi-r one is, In the lOiist, a symbolical action denoting protection. To this day Iti many parts of the Kast, to sny of any one that he put Ills skirt over a woman. Is synonymous with saying that he mar-
Of F.lkanah and his Two Wives. 1 SAMUEL L He gnf.<s (o Worship in Shiloh.
r.ed her; and at all the marriages of the modern Jews and Hindoos, one part of the ceremony is for the bride-
or, secondly, from Its having to be subd.vided amongst his other children, wliich he had proljably l)y a previous marriage. Tills right, tlierefore, was renounced and assigned in favour of Boaz, in the way of wliose marriage
gi ooin to put a sillten or cotton cloak around his bride.
1.^. Brin^ tUe veil tliat tliou Uast upon thee, and hold II—Eastern veils are large sheets—those of ladies being
witli Ruth the only existing obstacle was now removed. 7, 8. a man plucked off his shoe—Where tlie kinsman refused to perform his duty to the family of iiis deceased relation, his widow was directed to pull oft' tlie shoe with some attendant circumstances of contemptuous disdain. But, as in this case, there was no refusal, tl>e usual ignominy was spared, and the plucking off the shoe, the only ceremony observed, as a pledge of the transaction being completed.
of red silli; but the poorer or common class of women wear them of blue, or blue and white striped linen or
cotton. Tliey are wrapped round the head, so as to con-
ceal the whole face except one eye. 17. six measures of barley HcO., six sealls; a seah contained about two gallons and a lialf, six of which must have been ratlier a heavy load for a woman.
9-12. He Marries Ruth. 9. Boaz said unto the elders. Ye are witnesses this day that I hn-v c Itought all that was Chllion's and Malilon's, of t!ie liaiid of IVaomi—Although the widow of Cliilion was still living, no regard was paid to her in tlie disposal of licr liusliand's property. From her remaining in Moab, slie was considered to have either been married again, or to have renounced all right to an inheritance with tlie fauiilj' of Elimelech. 10. Ruth the Moabitess have I purcimsed to be my wife—This connection Boaz not only might form, since Ruth had embraced the true religion, but he was under a legal necessity of forming it. 11. all the people aii^ the elders said, We are witnesses—A multitude, doubtless from curiosity or interest, were present on the occasion. There was no signing of deeds ; yet was the transfer made, and complete security given, by the public manner in which the whole matter was carried on and concluded, the Lord make the woiti.tn that is come into thine house like Rachel and Leah—Tliis was the usual bridal benediction. 13. let thy Iiiouse be like the house of Pharez i. e., as honouraljle and numerous as his. He was the ancestor of the Bethlehem people, and his family one of the five from which the tribe of Judali sprang.
Ver. 1-5. BoAZ Calls ikto Judgment the Next Kins-
si AN. 1. Then ivent Boas «p to the gate of the city—
roofed building, unenclosed by walls; the place where, in ancient times, and in many Eastern towns still, all business transactions are made, and where, therefore, the kinsman was most likely to be found. No preliminaries were necessary in summoning one before the public assemblage; no writings, and no delay were required. In a short conversation the matter was stated and arranged—probably in the morning as people went out, or at noon when they returned from the field. 3. lie took ten men of the elders of the city—As witnesses. In ordinary circumstances, two or three were sufficient to attest a bargain; but in cases of importance, such as matrimony, divorce, conveyancing of property, it was the Jewish practice to have ten (1 Kings 21. 8). 3. Naomi selleth a parcel of land i. e., entertains the idea of selling. In her ei reumstances she was at liberty to part with
it (Leviticus 25. 2.5). Both Naomi and Ruth had an interest in the land during their lives; but Naomi alone was mentioned, not only because she directed all the negotiations, but because tlie introduction of Ruth's name would awaken a suspicion of the necessity of marrying her, before the first proposition was answered. 4. there is none to redeem it hesides thee ; and I am after thee (See on Deuteronomy 25. .5-10.) The redemption of the land of course involved a marriage with Ruth, the widow of the former owner.
13-18. She Bears Obed. 17. Obed—means "servant."' 18-33. these are the generations of Pharez i. e., his descendants. This appendix shows that the sjiecial oliject contemplated by the inspired author of this little iiook. was to preserve the memory of an intereslim; domestic episode, and to trace the genealogy of David. Tlicic was an interval of 380 years between Salmon and David. It
6-8. He Refuseth the Redemption. 6. The kinsman said, I cniinot redeem it, lest I mar mine oivn Inheritance — This consequence would follow, either,
Is evident that whole generations are omitted; the leading personages only are named, and grandfathers are saiil, in Scripture language, to beget their grand-children, v/ithout specifying the intermediate links.
first, from his having a son by Ruth, who, though heir to the property, would not bear his name; his name would be extinguished in that of her former husband
THE FIE ST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
otherwise called THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
the residence of prophets who we. e vratchmen. (Ezekiel
3. 17.) Though a native of Ephratha or Eethlehem-judah (Ruth 1.2), Elkanah was a Levite (1 Chronicles 6. 3.!, 3Jl; and though of this order, and a good man, practised polygamy, which though contrary to the original law, seems to have been prevalent among the Hebrews in tliose days, when there was no king in Israel, and every man did wliat seemed right in his own eyes. 3. this man went up out of his city yearly to worship in Shiloh—In that place was tlie "earth's one sanctuary," and thither he repaired at tlie three solemn feasts, accompanied by liis family at one of them—probably the passover. Although a Levite, he could not personally offer a sacrifice—tliat was exclusively the office of the priests ; and his piety in maintaining a regular attendance on the Divine ordinances is the more worthy of n6tlce, that the character of
Ver. 1-8. Of Elkanah and his Two Wives. 1. a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim—The first word being In the dual numl)er, signifies the double city—tlie old and new town of Haniah (i'. 19). There were five cities of this name, all on higli ground. Tliis city had the addition of Zopliim attaclied to it, because it was founded by Zuph, "an Epliratliite," that is a native of Ephratha. Bethlehem, and tlie expression of Ramathaim-zopliim must, therefore, lie understood as Ramah in the land of Zuph, In the hill country of Epliratha. Others, considering "Mount Eiihraim" as pointing to the locality in Joseph's territory, regard "Zophim" not as a proper but a common noun, signifying watch-towers, or watchmen, with reference eitlier tc the lieiglit of its situation, or Its being
Hannah's Prayer and Thanks. 1 SAMUEL II. Samud'a Ministry.
seven i. e., many children. G. he brlngeth down to the grave, and bringethniJ i. e., he reduces to the lowest state of degradation and misery, and restores to pros-
the two pi'iests who administered them was notoriouslybad. But doubtless he believed, and acted on the belief, that the ordinances were " efl'ectual means of salva-
tion, not from any virtue in them, or In those who administered them, but from the grace of God being communicated through them." 4. when Elltanah offered, Ue gave to Peufiiitali, &c. ... iiortloiis—The
perity and happiness. 8. inherit the throne of glory
i. e-., possesses seat.s of honour, he ralsethup the poor out of the dust, and llfteth the beggar fi'om the dunghill —The dunghill, a pile of horse, cow, or camel olial, hi aped up to dry in the sun, and serve as fuel, was, and is, one of the common haunts of the poorest mendicants ; and the change that had been made in the social position of Hannah, appeared to her grateful heart as auspicious and as great as the elevation of a poor despised beggar to the highest and most dignified rank. 10. the Lord shall judge the ends of tlie earth . . . exalt the horn of his anointed—Tills is the first place in Scripture where the word "anointed," or Messiah, occurs; and as there waa no king in Israel at the time, it seems the best interpretation to refer it to Christ. There is, indeed, a remarkable resemblance between the song of Hannah and that of Mary. (Luke 1. 46.) 11. the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest—He must have been engaged in some occupation suited to his tender age, as in playing upon the cj'mbals, or other instruments of music; in lighting the lamps, or similar easy and interesting services.
oflferer received back the greater part of the peace offerings, which Ue and his family or friends were accustomed to eat at a social feast before the Lord. (See on Leviticus 3. 7 ; Deuteronomy 12. 12.) It was out of these consecrated viands Elkanahgave portions to all '.'1 ? members of his family; but " unto Hannah he gave a ^ iTthy portion;" i.e., a larger choice, according to .. ) Eastern fashion of showing regard to beloved or ijguished guests. (See on ch. 9. 23, 24; also Genesis 43, vJ.) 6. her adversary provoked lier sore—The conduct C:"?eninnah was most unbecoming. But domestic broils in the houses of polygamisls are of frequent occurrence, and the most fruitful cause of them has always been jealousy of the husband's superior affection, as in this case of Hannah.
9-18. Hannah's Prayer. 9-11. she prayed, and vowed a vow—Here is a specimen of the intense desire that reigned in the bosoms of the Hebrew women for children. This was the burden of Hannah's prayer; and the strong preference she expressed foramalechild yiginated in her purpose of dedicating him to the tabernacle service. The circumstance of his birth bound him to this; but his residence within the precincts of the sanctuary would have to commence at an earlier age than usual, in consequence of the Nazarite vow. 13-18. Ell marked her mouth—The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation wliich, as Hannah regarded
12-17. The Sin of Eli's Sons. 13. Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial—Not only careless and irreligions, but men loose in their actions, and vicious and scandalous in their habits. Though professionally engaged in sacred duties, they were not only strangers to the power of religion in the heart, but they had thrown ofl' its restraints, and even ran, as is often done in similar cases by the sons of eminent ministers, to the opposite extreme of reckless and open profligacy. 13. the priest's custom with the people—When persons wished to present a sac-
rifice of peace-offering on the altar, the ollering was brouglit in the first instance to the priest, and as the Lord's part was burnt, the parts appropriated respectively to the priests and otferers were to be sodden. But Eli's sons, unsatisfied witli the breast and shoulder, which were the perquisites appointed to them by the Divine law (Exodus 29.27; Leviticus 7. 31,32), not only claimed part of the oflerer's share, but rapaciously seized them previous to the sacred ceremony of heaving or waving ^seo on Leviticus 7. 34); and moreover committed the additional injustice of ta.'kingup with their fork those portions which they preferred, whilst raw, in order to their being roasted. Pious people were revolted by such rapacious and profane encroachments on the dues of the altar, as well as what should have gone to constitute tlx; family and social feast of tiie oflerer. The truth is, the priests having become haughty, and unwilling in many instances
it in the light of a prophecy pointing to tlie accomplishment of her earnest desire, dispelled her sadness, and
filled her with confident hope. The character and services of the expected child were sutticiently important to
make his birtli a tit subject for prophecy.
20. Samuel, Bokn. SO. called his name Samuel Doubtless with her husband's consent. The names of children were given sometimes by the fathers, and sometimes by the mothers (see on Genesis 4.1,26; 5.29; 19.37;
21. 3) ; and among the early Hebi-cws, were commonly compound names, one part including the name of God.
iil. the r<inii Elkanah . . . went up to offer . . . htsvow—Tlie solemn expression of his concurrence in Hannah's vow was necessary to make it obligatory. (See on Numbers 30.) !JiJ. But Ilauiiah went not up—Men only were obliged to attend the solemn feasts. (Exodus 23. 17.) But Hannah, like other pious women, was in the habit of going, only she deemed it more prudent and becoming to defer her next journey till her son's age would enable her to fulfil her vow. 34:. three bullocks—jSepi., renders it "a bullock of three years old; " which is, probably, the true rendering.
to accept Invitations to those feasts, presents of meat were sent to them; and this, though done In courtesy at first, being. In course of time, established into a right, gave rise to all the rapacious keenness of Eli's sons.
18-20. Samuel's Ministry. 18. But Samuel ministered before the Loixl, being a child-This notice of ills early services in the outer courts of tho tabernacle, wtia made to pave the way for the remarkable propliecy regarding the high priest's fahiily. girded with a linen ephod—A small shoulder-garment or apron, used in llie sacred .service by the inferior priests and lAWites; sometimes also by Judges or eminent persons, and hence allowed to Samuel, who, though not a Levite, was devoled to God from his birth. 19. his mother made hiiii « little coat, and brought It to l>liu from year to year— .\ ware that he could not yet render any useful service to the tabernacle, slio undertook the expense of supplying him with wearing apparel. All weaving stull's, manulaclure of cloth, and maklngof suits were anciently tlie eiiiploym(>nt of women. 30. Ell blesHcd Elkanah and IiIh wife —This blessing, like that whii^li ho had formerly pronounced, hail a inopliellc virlu(>; which, ere long, nppeareil In the Incieiuse of llamiali's family {v. 21), and (ho growing qualifications of Sanuiel for the service of the sanctuary. 33. tho women that aHsembled at the door of the tabernacle—Thl6 was an institution of holy womt u
Chapter ii.
Ver. 1-11. Hannah's SoNo in Thankfulness to God.
1. Hannah prayed, and said—Praise and prayer are Inseparably conjoined in Scripture. (C'olossians 4. 2; 1 Timothy 2. 1.) Tills beautiful song was her trilnito of thanks
for the Divine goodness In answering her petition, mine horn Is exalted In the Lord—Allusion Is lu're made (o a peculiarity in tiio dress of Eastern I'emiiles aliout Lebanon, which seems to have obtained anciently among the Israelite women, that of wearing a tin or silver horn, on the forehead, on which tlieir veil Is suspended. Wives, who have no clilldren, wear it projecting In an ol)lique direction, wlille those who becoine mothers lordiwith raise It a few inclies higher, inclining towards I lie i>crpendhailar, and by tills sllglit but ol>servable cliange In their head-dress, make known, wheriivcr ( hey go, I he maternal chariicter which tliey now bear. 5. they that were famngry ceaMcd i.e., to hunger, the barren hath biiiu
The Lord Appears to Samuel. , 1 SAMUEL III, IV. Israel Overcome hy the PhilUlines.
of a strictly ascetic order, who had relinquished worldly-
give a reverential attention to the message. The burden of it was an extraordinary premonition of the judgment* that impended over Eli's house; and the aged priest, having drawn the painful secret from the simple cliild, exclaimed, "It is tlie Lord; let him do wliat seenieth to him good." Such is the spirit of meek and Unmui ii»uring submission in wliich we ouglit to receive tlie dispensations of God, however severe and afflictive. But, in order to form a right estimate of Eli's language and conduct on this occasion, we must consider the overwtielming accumulation of judgments denoun(;ed against his person, his sons, his descendants—his aJtar, and nation. With such a threatening prospect before liim, his piety and meekness wei'e wonderful. In his personal character he seems to have been a good man, but his relative s conduct was flagrantly bad; and though his misfortunes claim our sympathy, it is impossible to approve or defend the weak and unfaithful course which, in the retributive
cares and devoted themselves to the Lord ; an institution which continued dowu to the time of Christ (Luke 2.37).
Uli was, on the whole, a good man, but unhappy in the moral and religious training of his family. He erred on the side of parental indulgence, and though he reprimanded them (see on Deuteronomy 21. 18-21), yet, from
fear or indolence, shrunk from laying on them the re-
Btraints, or subjecting them to the disciidine their gross delinquencies calledfor. lu his judicial capacity, he winked at their flagrant acts of mal-administration, and sullered them to make reckless encroachments on the constitution, by which the most serious injuries were in-
flicted botli on the rights of the people and the laws of
Goil. !J.5. lUey lifivrkciied not unto tlie voice of tlieir
fatiier, because (it should be therefore) tlie Lord wovild slay them—It was not God's preordination, but their own wilful and impenitent disobedience which was the cause of their destruction.
justice of God, brought these adversities upon him,
27-85. A Tkoi'iiecy against Eli's House. !?7. tliere came a man of God unto Eli, saying . . . there shall not be an old man in thine house—So mucli importance has always, in the Kast, been attached to old age, that it would be felt to be a great calamity, and sensibly lower the respectability of any family wliich could boast of few or no old men. The prediction of this prophet was fully confirmed by the afflictions, degradation, poverty, and many untimely deaths with which tlie house of Eli was visited after its announcement (see on ch. 4. 11; 14.3; 22.
"Ver. I-U. Israel Overcome by the Philistines. 1. the word of Samuel came to all Israel—The character of Samuel as a prophet was now fully established. The wantof an "open vision" was supplied byhim.for "none of his words were let fall to the ground " (ch. 3. 19) ; and to his residence in Shiloh all the people of Israel repaired to consult him as an oracle, who, as the medium of receiving the Divine command, or by his gift of a prophet, could Inform them what was the mind of God. It is not improbable that the rising influence of the young prophet had alarmed the jealous fears of the Philistines, who, having kept the Israelites in some degree of subjection ever since the death of Samson, were determined, by farther crushing, to prevent the possibility of their beii.g trained by the counsels, and under the leadership of Samuel, to reassert their national independence. At all events, the Philistines were the aggressors (v. 2). But, on the other hand, the Israelites were rash and inconsiderate In rushing to the field without obtaining the sanction of Samuel as to the war, or having consulted him as to.the subsequent measures they took. Israel went out nt^niiist the Philistines to battle i. e., to resist this new incursion. — Aphek . . . Eben-ezer—Aphek, which means " strength," is a name applied to any fort or fastness. There were several Apheks in Palestine ; but the mentionof Eben-ezer determines this " Apliek " to be in the south, among the mountains of Judah, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-horon, and consequently on the borders of the Philistine territory. The first encounter at Aphek being unsuccessful, the Israelites determined to renew the engagement in better circumstances. 3-9; Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Loril out of Shiloh unto ns—Strange that they were so blind to the real cause of the disaster, and that they did not discern, in the great and general corruption of religion and morals (ch. 2. and 7. 3 ; Psalm 78.58), the reason why the presence and aid of God were not extended to them. Their
18-'23; 1 Kings 2.27). 31. I will cut olT thine arm, and the arm of thy fatlier's house—By the withdrawal of the high priesthood from Eleazar, the elder of Aaron's two sons, after Nadab and Abihu were destroyed, that dignity had been conferred on the family of Ithamar, to which Eli belonged, and naw that his descendants had forfeited the honour, it was to be taken from them and restored to the elder branch. 33. tliou shalt see an enemy In my habitation—A successful rival for the office of high priest shall rise out of another family (2 Samuel 15. 35; 1 Chron-
icles 24. 3; 29. 22). But the marginal reading, "thou shalt see the affliction of tlie tabernacle," seems to be a preferable translation.
Ver. 1-10. The Lord Appears to Samuel in a Vision.
t. the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eat—His ministry consisted, of course, of such duties in or about tlie sanctuary as were suited to his age, which is
supposed now to have been about twelve years. Whether the olQce had been specially assigned him, or it arose from (he Interest Inspired by the story of his birth, Eli kept him as his immediate attendant; and he resided not in the sanctuary, but in one of the tents or apartments around It, assigned for the accommodation of the priests and Levltes, his being near to that of the high priest's, the %vord of the Lord was precious in tliose days—it was very rarely known to the Israelites ; and in point of fact only two prophets are mentioned as having appeared during the whole administration of the Judges (Judges
first measure for restoring the national spirit and energy ought to have been a complete reformation—a universal return to purity of worship and manners. But, instead of cherishing a spirit of deep humiliation and sincere repentance—instead of resolving on the abolition of existing abuses, and the re-establishing of tTie pure faith, they adopted what appeared an easier and speedier course they put their trust In ceremonial observances, and doubted not but that the introduction of the ark into th»
4.4; 6.8). there was no open vision — no publicly recognized prophet whom the people could consult, and from wliom they might learn the will of God. There must have been certain indubitable evidences by which a communication from heaven could be distinguished. Eli knew them, for he may have received' them, though not so frequently as is implied in the klea of an "open vision." 3. ere tike lamp of God went out In the temple of the Lord—The "temple" seems to have become the established designation of the tabernacle, and the time indlrated was towards tlie morning twilight, as the lamps were extinguished at sunrise 'see on Levltli us ff. 12, 13). 5. he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I, for tlion calledst me—It is evident that his sleeping chamber was close to that of the aged high priest, and that he was accustomed to be called during the night. The three successive calls addreaseil to the boy convinced Ell of the Divine character of llie speaker, and he therefore exhorted the child to
battle-field would ensure their victory. In recommending this extraordinary stop, the elders might recollect the confidence it imparted to their ancestors (Numbers 10. ;?5;
14. 44), as well as what had been done at Jericho. But it is more probable that they were influenced by the heatlienIsh Ideas of their Idolatrous neighbours, who carried tlieir Idol Dagon, or his sacred symbols, to their wars, believing that the power of their divinities was inseparjvbly associated with, or residing in, their images. In sliort, the shout raised in the Hebrew camp, on the arrival of th«
The Death of Eli. 1 SAMUEL V, VI. The rhilislincs Said Haclc iht Aih.
ark, inilioated very plainly the prevalpnee amongst the Israelites at this time, of a belief in national deities whose influence was local, and whose interest was especially exerted in behalf of the people who adored tliein. The joy of the Israelites was an emotion springin;; out of
ing piles, hiemorrhoids (Psalm 78. Gfi), in a very aggras'ated form. As the heathens generally regarded diseases a i*ei t-
iiig the secret parts of the body as punishments from the gods for trespasses committed against themselves, llie Ashdodites would be the more ready to look upon the prevailing epidemic as denionsti aling the anger of Gott, already siiown against their idol. 7. the ai-k of C.oU shall' not abide with us—It was removed successivelj" to several of the large towns of the country, but 1 he .same pestilence broke out In every place, and raged so fiercely and fatally that the authorities were forced to send tlie ark back into tlie laud of Israel. 11. they sent— t. f., the magistrates of Ekron. 13. the cry of the city went up to heaven—The disease is attended witii acute pain, and
the same superstitious sentiments as the corresponding •lismay of tlieir enemies ; and to afford them a couvincinf;,
tlioiigh painful proof of their error, was the ulterior object of the discipline to which they were now subjected—a discipline by which God, while punishing them for their apostasy by allowing the capture of the ark, had another end in view—that of signally vindicating Kis snpremacy over all the gods of the nations.
12-22. Kli Hearing the Tidings. 13. Ell sat wpoii a seat by tlie way-side—The aged priest, as a public magistrate, used, in dispensing justice, to seat himself
it is far Irom being a rare phenomenon in the Philistiau plain. [Van he Velde.]
daily in a spacious recess at the entrance gate of the city
and in his intense anxiety to learn the issue of the battle,
lie took up his usual place as the most convenient for meeting with passers-by. His seat was an otKcial chair, Bimilar to those of the ancient Egyptian judges, richly carved, superbly ornamented, higli, and without a back. The calamities announced to Samuel as about to fall upon the family of Eli were now inflicted in the death of his two sons, and after his death, by that of his daughter-inlaw, whose infant son received a name that perpetuated the fallen glory of the church and nation. The public disaster was completed by the capture of the ark. Poor Eli ! he was a good man, in spite of his unhappy weaknesses. So strongly were his sensibilities enlisted on the Bide of religion, that the news of the capture of tlie ark proved to him a knell of death; and yet his over-indulgence, or sad neglect of his family—the main cause of all the evils that led to its fall, has been recorded, as a beacon to warn all heads of Christian families against making shipwreck on the same rock.
Ver. 1-9. The Philistines Counsel how to-Senb Bai k THE Ark. 1. tiie arU was in tike country of the Philistines seven mouths—Notwithstanding the calamitiis which its presence had brought on the country and the people, the Philistine lords were unwilling to relinquish such a prize, and tried every means to retain it with peace and safety, but in vain. -Z. Tlie Philistines called for the priests and the til viners—The designed restoration of the ark was not, it seems, universally approved
of, and many doubts were expressed whether the prevailing pi'Stilence was really a judgment of Heaven. The priests and diviners united all parlies by recommending acour.se which would enable them easily to discriminate the true character of the calamities, and at the same time to propitiate the incensed Deity for any acts of disrespect which might have been shown to His ark. tive j^oldeu ciiurods— Votive or thank otleriugs were commonly made by the heathen in player for, or gratitude after, deliverance from lingering or dangerous disorders, lu the form of metallic (generally silver) models or images of tlie diseased parts of the body. This is common still in Koman Catholic countries, as well as in the temples of the Hindoos and other modern heathen. Hve goldeu niiUe—This animal is suppo.sed by some to be the jerboa or jumpiiig-mouse of Syria and Kgypt [BochartJ; by others, to be the short-tailed field-mouse, which often swarms in prodigious numbers, and commits great ravages in the cultivated fields of Palestine. 5. give glory to tSie God of Israel—By these propitiatory presents, the Philistines would acknowledge His power, and make reparation for the injury ilone to His ;uk. lighten his hand . . . from olf your gods—Klohini for god. «. Wikercfore then do j e hnixlen your hearts, as the Egyptians ivti'i Pharaoh hardened theirs—The memory of the ajipalling judgments that had been inUicted on Kgypt was not yet obliterated. Whether preserved in written records, or in floating tradition, they were still fresh in the minds of men, and being extensively spread, were doubtless the meansof dillusing the knowledge and fear of the true God. 7. maite a new cart—Their object in making a new one for the purpose seems to have been not only for cleanliness anil neatness, but from an Impression tliat there would have been an impropriety in using one that had been apjilied to meaner or more common services. It appears to have been a covered wagon (see on 1! Samuel 6. 3). two milch klue—Such untrained heifers, wanton and vaj^^'anl, would pursue no certain and regular path, like those accustomed to the yoke, and therefore were most unlikely of their own spontaneoua motion to prosecute the direct road to the land of Israel, bring their calves home front them—The strong natural affection of the dams might be supposed to stimulate their return homewards, rather than direct their steps In a foreign country. fS. take the ark of the IjOrd, and Iny it upon (he cart—This mode of carrying the saered symbol was forbidden; but the innoranee of Hie Philistines made the indignity be overloolced (see on 2 Samuel (i. C). put (lie Jewels ... in a collVr by the side thereof—The way of securing treasure In the Kast Is still In u jliesl,
CHAPTEK, V.
Ver. 1, 2. The Philistines Bring the Ark into the House of Dagon. 1. Aslidod—Or Azotus, one of the Ave Philistine satrapies, and a place of great strength. It was an inland town, thirty-four miles north of Ga/.a, now called Esdud. H, tlie liouse of Dagou—Stately terajiles were erected in honour of tills idol, who was the principal deity of the Pliilistiues, but whose worship extended over all Syria, as well as Mesopotamia and Chaldea ; his name being found among the Assyrian gods on tlie cuneiform inscriptions. [Rawlinson.] Ho was rci)resented under a monstrous combination of a human head, breast, and arms, joined to the belly and tail of a tish. 'J'he captured ark was placed in the temple of Dagon, right before this image of the idol.
3-5. Dagon Falls Doavn. 3. tUej' of Aslidod airose cnrly—They were filled with consternation wlien they found the oliject of their stupid veneration prostrate before the symbol of the Divine presence; thougli set up.
It fell again, and lay in a state of complete mutilation; his head and arms, severed from the trunk, were lying in distant and separate places, as if violently cast oft", and only tlio fishy j art remained. The degradation of their Idol, though concealed by the priests on the former occasion, was now more manifest and Infamous. He lay in the attitude of a \ anquished enemy and a suppliant, and this picture of huifliliation signillcantly declared the superiority of the God of Israel. 5. TUerefore neither tlic prieMls . . . nojany . . . tread on tl»e threHliold of Dagon—A superstitious ceremony crept in, and in the providence of (*od was continued, liy whicli tlie Philistines contributed to publish this proof of the heljilessness of their god. nnto this day—The usage continued in practice at the time when this history was wrltt(^n—probably In the later years of Samuel's life.
0-12, TiiK I'niLisTiNiis are Smitten with Kmerods, C, (lie liaud of the Tiord was heavy upon tliein of Aslidod—The presumption of the AHhdodiles was punished by a severe Judgment that overtook them In the form of a pestilence, smote tlu;m with cm< roilsI!l<>ed178
The Ark al Kirjathrjearim. 1 SAMUEL VII, VIII. The Israelites ask for a King.
to its loss or its recovery, all the house of Israel lamented after the tiord—They were then brought, doubt-
chained lo the house wall or some solid part of the furni-
ture. 9. Bclli-shemesU i. e., "house of tlie sun," now Ain Shems [Hobinsok], a city of priests in Judah, in the south-east border of Dan, lying in a beautiful and extensive valley. Josephns says they were set a-going near a place where tlie road divided into two—tlie one leading
less b,y the influence of Samuel's exhortations, to renounce idolatry, and return to the national worship of the true God.
3-fi. The Israelites, by Samuel's Mkans, Solemnly Repent at Mizpeh. 3-G. Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel—A great national relormation was effected tlirough the influence of Samuel. Disgusted with their foreign servitude, and panting for the restoration of liberty and independence, tliey were open to salutary impressions; and convinced of their errors, they renounced idolatry, and the re-estalilisliment of tlie faith of tlieir fathers was inaugurated at a great public meeting, held at Mizpeh in Judah, and hallowed by tlie observance of impressive religious solentinities. Tlie " drawing water, and pouring it out before the Lord," seems to have been a s,vmbolical act by which, in the people's name, Samuel
baoT:: to Ekron, where were their calves, and the otlier to Beth-sheruesh. Their frequent lowings attested tlieir ardent longing for their young, and at the same time the supernatural influence that controlled their movements
in a contrary direction, the lords of tlic Pluilistines went after tliem—to give their tribute of homage, to prevent imposture, and to obtain the most reliable evidence of the truth. The result of this journej"- tended to their own deeper humiliation, and the greater illustration of God's glory. 14. they clave i.e., the Betli-shem-
Ites, in an irrepressible outburst of joy. offered, tlte kine —Though contrary to the requirements of tlie law (Leviticus 1.3; 22. 19), these animals might properly be offered, as consecrated by God himself; and though not beside
testified their sense of national corruption, their need of that moral purification of wliich water is tlie emblem, and their sincere desire to pour out their hearts in repentance before God. Samuel Judged Israel in l^Hiipeh—At the time of Eli's death lie coujd not have much exceeded twenty years of age ; and although his character and position must h.'ive given him great influence, it does not appear that liitherto he had done more than prophets were wont to do. Now he entered on the duties of a civil magistrate.
tlie tabernacle, tliere were many instances of sacrifices offered by prophets and holy men on extraordinary occasions in otlier places. 17. tliese are tlie goWen emerods
. . . and the mice—There were five representative images of tlie emerods, corresponding to the five principal cities of the Philistines. But the number of the golden mice must have been greater, for they were sent from tlie walled towns as well as the country villages. 18. on the great stone of Abel Abel or Aben means "stone," so
7-14. While Samuel Pbays, the Philistines are Discomfited. 7-11. when the Philistines heard, &c.—The character and importance of tlie national conven'ioii at Mizpeh were fully appreciated by tlie Philistines. They discerned in it the rising spirit of religious patriotism among the Israelites that was prepared to throw oil the yoke of their domination ; and anxious to crush it at the
tlial without resorting to italics, the reading should be, "the great stone." 19. he smote the men of Bethshemesh, hecanse they had looked into the ark—In the ecstasy of delight at seeing the return of the ark, the Bi th-shemesh reapers pried into it beneath the wagon cover; and instead of covering it up again, as a sacred utensil, tliey let it remain exposed to common inspection, wishing it to be seen, in order that all might enjoy
first, they made a sudden incursion while the Israelites were in tlie midst of their solemn celebr.ation. LTnprepared for resistance, they besought Samuel to su))pliciite the Divine interposition to save them from their enemies. The prophet's prayers and sacrifice were answered by such a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning, that the assailants, panic-struck, wei'e disordered and fled. The Israelites, recognizing the hand of God, rushed courageously on the foe they had so much dreaded, and committed sucli immense havoc, that the Philistines did not for long recover from this disastrous blow. This brilliant victory secured peace and Independence to Israel for twenty years, as well as the restitution of the usurped territory. VZ. Samuel took a stone and set It between Mizpeh and Shen—on an ojien spot between the town and "the crag" (some well-known rock in tiie neiglibourhood). A huge stone pillar was erected as a monument of their victory (Leviticus 2fi. 1). The name—Eben-ezer
tlie triumph of seeing the votive offerings presented to it, and gratify curiosity with the sight of the sacred shrine. Tills was the offence of those Israelites (Levites, as well as common people), who had treated the ark with less reverence than the Philistines tliemselves. he smote of the people ftfty thousand and threescore and ten men —Beth-shemesh being only a village, this translation must be erroneous, and should be, "he smote fifty out of a thousand," being only 1I(X) in all who indulged this curiosity. God, instead of decimating, according to an ancient usage, slew only a twentieth part; i. e., accoi'ding to Josephus, 70 out of 14(10 (see on Numbers -I. 18-22). 21. KlrJnt]»-jearlm—" the city of woods," also called Kirjathbanl (Joshua 15.60; IH.U; 1 Clironicles 13.6,7). This was the nearest town to Beth-shemesh ; and being a place of strength, was a fitter place for the residence of the ark. Beth-shemesh being In a low plain, and Kivjatli-jearim on a hill, explains the message, "Come ye down, and fetch it up to you."
is thought to have been written on the face of it.
Ver. 1-18. By the Occasion of the Ill-Government ofSamuel's Sons the Israelites Ask a King. 1. when Samuel -was old—He w.as now about fifty-four ye.ars of age, having discharged tlie office of sole judge for twelve years. Unable, from growing infirmities, to prosecute liis circuit Journeys through the country, he at length confined his magisterial duties to Ramali and its iieigliliourhood ; delegating to his sons as his deputies (ch. 7. 15) the administration of justice in the southern districts of Palestine, their provincial court being held at Beer-sheba. The yoimg men, however, did not inherit the liigh quali-
Ver. 1-2. The Ark at KiR.rATH-jEA.HiM. 1. the men of Klrjath-jearlm—"The city of woods," also Kiijatlibaal (Joshua l'>. UO; 18.14; 1 Chronicles l.'i. 5, 6). This was the nearest town to Beth-shemesh, and stood on a hill; this was the reason of the message (ch. 6. 21), and why this was chosen for the convenience of people turning their faces to the ark (1 Kings 8. 2!l-.ir>; Psalm 28. 2; Daniel 6.10). they brought It Into the hotixe of Abinadnb— Why It was not transported at once to Kliiloli, wliere the tabernacle and sacred vessels were remaining. Is difficult lo conjecture, snnctlfled hla son—lie was not a Levite, and was therefore only set apart or ajipointcd to lie keeper of the place. !i. the i»rk abode tweitty yearn In KlrjuthJearlm—It appears. In the subse<iuent history, tliat a much longer period elapsed before Its final removal from Klrjath-jearlm (2 Samuel 6.; 1 Chronicles l:!). Hut tliat length of time had pii«sed whc-n the Israelites began to -evive from their sad state of religious decline. The captureof the ark had produced a general Indirii-ience either
ties of their father; ftnd they having corrupted tlie fountains of Justice for tlieir own private aggrandizement, a deputation oS the leading men In the country lodged a complaint against them in headquarters, accompanied with a lorni.al demand for a change in tlie government. The limited and occasional authority of the Juilgcs, the disunion and jealousy of the tribes und(!r the administration of those rulers, had been creatingadesire foraunited and permanent form of government; while the advanced age of Samuel, together with the risk of bis death lup,i,>- 17»
Sfivl comes to Samuel. 1 SAMUEL IX. Said Appointed to the Kingdtm.
p«nlng In the then unsettled state of the people, was the oopasion of calling forth an expression of this desire now. 6. tlie thing displeased Samuel when tliey gald, Give us a king to judge us— Personal and family feelings might aft'ect li .s vie^sN 9 of this public movement. But liis dissatisfaction arose j rincipally from the proposed change being revolutionary n its character. Though it would not entirely subvert t leir theocratic government, the appointment of a visible monarch would necessarily tend to throw out of view tlieir unseen King and Head. God intimated, through Samuel, that their request would, in anger, be granted, while at the same time he apprised them of some of the evils that would result from thi^ir choice. 11. tliis ivlll l>e tUe manner of tlie king—The following is a veryjustand graphic picture of the despotic governments which anciently and still are found in the East, and into conformity with which the Hebrew monarchy, notwithstanding the restrictions prescribed by the law, gradually slid. He will take your sons antl appoint them for himself—Oriental sovereigns claim a right to the services of any of their subjects at pleasure, some shall run before his chariots—The royal equipages were, generally throughout the East, as in Persia they
verdant hills between Shiloh and the vales of Jordan (Shalisha and Shalini)—he approached again the borders of Benjamin, scoured the land of Zuph, and was proposing to return, when liis servant recollected that they were in the immediate neighbourhood of the man of God, who would give theui counsel. 6. there Is in this city a man of God—Ramah was the usual residence of Samuel, but several circumstances, especially the mention of Rachel's sepulchre, which lay in Saul's way homeward, lead to the conclusion tliat "this city" was not the Raniah where Samuel dwelt, peradventure lie can show us our way tliat we should go—It seems strange that a dignified prophet should be consulted in such an
affair. But it is probable that at the introduction of the prophetic office the seers had discovered things lost or stolen, and thus their power for higher revelations was gradually established. 7. Saul said to his servant, Behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man \—According to Eastern notions, it would be considered a want of respect for any person to go into the presence of a superior man of rank or of official station without a present of some kind in his hand, however trifling in value, the bread is spent in our vessels—Shepherds, going in quest of their cattle, put up in a bag as much flour
still are, preceded and accompanied by a number of attendants who ran on foot. 13. He will appoint him captains—In the East, a person must accept any office to which he maybe nominated by the king, however irlisome
for making bread as will last sometimes for thirty days.
It appears that Saul tliought of giving the man of God a cake from his travelling bag, and this would liave been sufficient to render the indispensable act of civility—the customary tribute to official dignity. 8. the fourth part of a shekel of silver—rather more than sixpence. Contrary to our Western notions, money is in the East the most acceptable form in which a present can be made to a man of rank. 9. seer . . . prophet—The recognized distinction in latter times was, that a seer was one who was favoured with visions of God—a view of things invisible to mortal sight; and a prophet foretold future events. 11. as they went up tlie hill—The modern vil-
it may be to his taste or ruinous to his interests. 13. He will take your daughters to he confectionaries—Coolcery, baking, and the kindred works are, in Eastern coun-
tries, female employment, and thousands of young women are occupied with these ofHces in the palaces even of petty princes. 14-18. He will take your flelds, &c.—Tlie circumstances mentioned here might be illustrated by exact analogies in the conduct of many Oriental monarchs in the present day. 19-33. Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel—They sneered at Samuel's description as a bugbear to frighten them. Determined, at all hazards, to gain their object, they Insisted on being made like all the other nations, though It wn.s
lage, Er-Rameh, lies on an eminence; and on their way they met a band of young maidens going out to the well, which, like all similar places In Palestine, was beyond the precincts of the town. From these damsels they learned that the day was devoted to a festival occasion, in honour of which Samuel had arrived in the city ; that a sacrifice had been offered, which was done by prophets in extraordinary circumstances at a distance from the tabernacle, and that a feast was to follow—implying that
their glory and happiness to be unlike other nations in having the Lord for their King and Lawgiver (Numbers
2:?. 9; Deuteronomy 33.28). Their demand was conceded, for the government of a king liad been provided for in the law, and they were dismissed to wait the appointnrent, which God had reserved tohimself (Deuteronomy 17. lt-20).
it had been a peace offering, and that, according to the venerable practice of the Israelites, the man of God was expected to ask a special blessing on the food in a manner becoming the high occasion. 14. Samuel came out against them, to go to the higli place—Such were the simple manners of the times that this prophet, the chief man in Israel, was seen going to preside at a high festival undistinguished either by his dress or equipage from any ordinary citizen.
Ver. 1-14. SAirr., Despairing to Find iris Fathek's Asses, comes to Samtjel. 1. a mighty man of power —i. e., of great wealth and substance. The family was of high consideration in the trilie of Benjamin, and therefore Saul's words must be set down amongst the common forms of affected humility, which Oriental people are wont to use. 3. Saul, a choice young mnn,,and a goodly —He had a presence; for it is evident that he must have been only a little under seven feet high. A gigantic stature and an athletic frame must liave been a popular recommendation at that time in that country. 3. the asses of Saul's father were lost: and Kisli said to Saul, Arise, go seek the asses—The probability Is, that the family of Klsh, according to the immemorial usage of Oriental shepherds in the purely pastoral regions, had
lo-27. Gon Reveals to Samttei, Saul's Coming, and nrs Appointment to the Kingdom. 15. Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before—The description of .Saul, the time of his arrival, and the high office
to which he was destined, had been secretly Intimated to Samuel from heaven. The future king of Israel was to
fight the battles of the Lord and protect His people. It would appear that they were at this time sulTerlng great molestation from the Philistines, and that this was an additional reason of their urgent demands for the appointment of a king (see on ch. 10.5; 13.8). 18. Tell me,
let the animals roam at large during the grazing season, at the close of which messengers were despatched In search of them. Such travelling searches are common; and, as each owner has his own stamp marked on his cattle, tlie mention of it to the shephords he meets gradually leads to the discovery of the strayed animals. This ramble of Saul's had nothing extraordinary in It, except
I pray tliee, where the seer's house isl—Satisfying the stranger's Inquiry, Samuel Invited liim to the feast, as well as to sojourn till the morrow; and. In order to recon-
cile him to the delay, assured him that the strayed as.se8 had been recovered. 30. on whom is all the desire of Israel T Is It not on thee, and on thy father's Iiouse ! This was a covert and Indirect premonition of the roynl dignity that awaited lilm; and, though Saul's answor shows that he ftilly understood It, ho nflected to doulit
Its .r»per/or directions and issue, which turned Its uncertainty Into certainty. 4,5. he passed tlirougit IKoiint Kphralm—This being situated on the north of lienjamln, indicates the direction of Saul's Journey. The district explored means the whole of the mountainous region, with Its valleys and defiles, which Iielonged to Epliralm. Turning apparently southwards—probably through the 180
that the prophet was In earnest. 31. And Saul answered and said. Am not I a Ilenjamite^ of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, &c.—By selecting a klug from tlila
Samuel Anoints Savi, 1 SAMUEL X, XI. and he is Cliosen King by the People.
l6.%%t anJ nearly, extinct tribe (Judge? 20.), Divine wisdom dergneJ to remove all grounds ol jealousy aniougsl the other tribes. Saiuutl took Saul, and broiiglit tiiin
observance of Saul while the prophet and he lived; that in every great crisis, as a hostile incursion on the country he should repair to Gilgal, where he was to rtniaiu seven days, to afl'ord time for tlie tribes on both sides Jordan to assemble, and Samuel to reach it. 9. when I»e had turned Itls back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart—Influenced by the words of Samuel, as well as by the accomplishment of these signs, Saul's reluctance to undertake the onerous office was overcome. The fulfilment of the two first signs is passed over, but the tliird is specially described. The spectacle of a man, though fitter to look after his father's cattle than to take part in the sacred exercises of the young prophets—a man without any previous Instruction, or any known taste, entering with ardour into the spirit, and skilfully accompanying the melodies of the sacred band, was so extraordinary a phenomenon, that it gave rise to the proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (see on ch. 19.24). The prophetic spirit had come upon him ; and to Saul it was as personal and experimental an evidence of tiie truth of God's word that had been spoken to him, as converts to Christianity have in themselves from the sanctifying power of the Gospel. 12. but who is their father! —The Sept. reads, "Who is his father?" referring to Saul the son of Kish. 17. Samuel called the people togctlier at Mizpeh—a sliaft-like hill near Hebron, 500 feet in height. The national assemblies of the Israelites were held there. A day having been appointed for the election
lnt«> the parlour—the toilworu but uoble-looiiiiig trav-
eller found himself suddenly seated amongst the prin-
cipal men of the place, and treated as the liiost distinguished guest. iJ4. Tlie took took up the shoulder, and set it before Saul. Aitd Samuel Siiid, lieliold that
tt-iiicli is left, set it before tliee, and eat i. e., reserved
(see on Genesis 18. ti; -13. Si). Tills was, most probably, the right shoulder; which, as the perquisite of the sacrifice, belonged to Samuel, and which he hail set aside for his fexpected guest. In the sculptures of tlie Egyptian sham-
bles, also, the first joint taken oH' was always the riglit shoulder for the priest. The meaning of those distinguished attentions must have been understood by the other guests. 25. Samuel eommuned wltii Saul upon the top of tlie Iiouse—Saul was taken to lodge with the prophet for that night. Before retiring to rest, they communed on the flat roof of the house, the couch being laid there (Joshua 2. 6), when, doubtless, Samuel revealed the
secret, and described the peculiar duties of a monarch lu a nation so related to the Divine King as Israel. Next morning, early, Samuel roused his guest, and conveying him o,a his way towards the skirts of the city, sought, before parting, a private interview—the object of which is narrated in the next chapter.
of a king, Samuel, after having charged the people with a rejection of God's institution and a superseding of it by one of their own, proceeded to the nomination of the new monarch. As it was of the utmost importance that the appointment should be under the Divine direction and control, the determination was made by the miraculous lot, tribes, families, and individuals being success^ ively passed until Saul was found. His concealment of himself must have been the result either of innate modesty, or a sudden nervous excitement under the circumstances. When dragged into view, he was seen to possess all those corporeal advantages which a rude people desiderate in their sovereigns; and the exhibition of which gained for the prince the favourable opinion of Samuel also. In the midst of the national enthusiasm, however, the prophet's deep piety and genuine patriotism took care to explain "the manner of the kingdom," i.e., the royal rights and privileges, together with the limitations to wliicli they were to be subjected; and in order that the constitution might be ratified with all due solemnity, the charter of this constitutional monarchy was recorded and laid up "before the Lord," i. e., deposited in the custody of the priests, along with the most sacreu archives of the nation. 36. Saul went home to Glbeuh —Near Geba; this was his place of residence (see on Judges 20.), about five miles north of Jerusalem, there went a band of men whose hearts God had touclied Who feared God, and regarded allegiance to their king as a conscientious duty. They are opposed to " the children of Belial." 27. The children of Belial said. How shall
Ver. 1-37. SAMtJEL Anoints Saul, and Confirms HIM BY niE PliEDICTION OF TlIREE SIGNS. 1. Then Samuel took a vial of oil — This was t)ie ancient (Judges 9 S) ceremony of investiture with the royal office among the Hebrews and other Eastern nations. But there wer« two unctions to the kingly office; the one In private, by a prophet (ch. 10. 13), which was meant to bo only a prophetic intimation of the person attaining that high dignity—the more public and formal inauguJatlon (2 Samuel 2.4; 5.3) was performed by the high
piies*., and perhaps with the holy oil, but tliat is not certain. The first of a dynasty was thus anointed, but Dot his heirs, unless the succession was disputed (1 Kings L 39; 2 Kings 11, 12; 23. 3U; 2 Chronicles 2,3. 11). kissed lilm —Tills salutation, as explained by the words that accompanied it. wjiK -.T. "vst of respectful homage, a token of congratulation io the new king (Psalm 2. 12). 2. wlnen thou art departed from me to-day—The design of tliese Bpecitic predictions of what should be met with on the way, and the number and minuteness of whicli would arrest attention, was to confirm Saul's reliance on the prophetic character of Samuel, and lead him to give full credence to what had been revealed to him as the word Of God. Racliel's sepulclire—Near Bethlehem (.see on Genesis S-i. 10 1. Zelzali—Or Zelah, now Bet-jalah, in the neighbourhood of that town. 3. the plain—Or the oak of Tabor, not the celebrated mount, for that v/as far distant, three men going up to God to Betliel—Apparently to offer sacrifices there at a time when the ark and the tabernacle were not in a settled abode, and God had not yet declared the permanent place which he should choose. The kids were for sacrifice, the loaves for the otliM-ing, and the wine for the libations. 5. the hill of God—Probably Qeba (ch. 1.3. 3>, so called from a school of tlie prophets being established therW* The company of projihets were, doubtless, the pupils at tliis seminary, which had probably been instituted by Samuel, and in which the chief branches of education t.-uiglit were a Icnowlcdge of tlie law, and of psalmody witli instrumental music, which is called " i)ropI)esying" (here and In 1 Chronicles '£>. 1,7). 6. tlie Spirit of tlie I^ord will come ui>on tliee lit., rush npou thee, suddenly endowing tliee with a capacity and dlKposition to act In a manner far superior to thy previous character and habit^o, and Instead of the simplicity, ignorance, and sheepish ness of a pe^asant, thou wilt display an euiTgy, wis<loni, and magnanimity worthy of a princ^e. thou itlkalt go down before me to Gilgal — This, according to.Iosephus, was to be a standing rule for the
tliis man save usT And they despised. Itim, and brouglit him no presents—In Eastern countries, th<! honour of the sovereign and the splendour of the royal household are upheld, not by a fixed rate of taxation, but by presents brought at certain seasons by officials, and men of wealth, from all parts of the kingdom, according to the means of the Individual, and of a customary registered value. Such was the tribute which Saul's opponents withheld, and for want of which he was unable to set up a kingly establishment for a while. But "biding his time," he bore the insult with a prudence and magnanimity which were of great use in the beginning of his government.
Ver. 1-4. N.\.HASH Okfer-s Them of Jauesh-gilead a Reproachful Condition. 1. Then Naliaslk the Ammon-
ite came up—Nahash (serpent), see on Judges 8. 3. The Ammonites had long claimed the right of original pos-
Samuel lieproves the People. i SAMUEL XII, XIII. SauPs Sekcied Band.
sired, their condriet was liighly displeasing to their heavenly King; uevertheless, if they remained faithful to him and to the principles of the theocracy, they might be delivered from many of the evils to which the new state of things would expose them. And in confirmation of those statements, no less than in evidence of the Divine displeasure, a I'emarkable piienomenon, on the invocation of tlie prophet, and of wliicli he gave due premonition, took place. 11. Bedan—The Sept. reads Barak; aud for "S.amuel," some versions read "S.amson," which seems more natural than that the prophet should mention him-
session in GiloaiJ. Thougli repressed by Jephtliali fJudses
11. 1 liey now, alter ninety years, renew tlieir pretensions; and it was tlie report of their tlireatened invasion
tliat liastened tlie appointment of a king (cl>. VI. 12). Make a covenant -vvitli us, aud ivc will sen-e tliee— They saw no prospect of aid from the western Israelites, wlio were not only remote, liut seareely aljle to repel the incursions of the Philistines from themselves. 'Z. thrust out all yonr rlglit eyes— scoop or hollow o'ht the
ball. This barbarous mutilation is the usual punishment of usurpers in the East—inflicted on chiefs; sometimes,
also, even in modern history, on the whole male population
self to the total omission of the greatest of the judges. (Cf. Hebrews 11.
of a town. Nahash meant to keep the Jabeshites useful as
il-l't. He Terrifies Tiiem with Thunder in Harvest-time. 17. Is it notwlieat harvest to-rtayl—That season in Palestine occurs at the end of June or beginniji^ of July, when it seldom or never rains, and tlie sky is serene and cloudless. There could not, therefore, have been a stronger or more appropriate proof of a Divitie mission tlian the phenomenon of rain and thunder happening, without any progno.stics of its approach, upon the prediction of a person professing himself to be a prophet of the Lord, and giving it as an attestation of his worda being true. The people regarded it as a miraculous display of Divine power, and, panic-struck, implored tlio prophet to pray for them. I'roniising to do so, he dispelled their fears. The conduct of Samuel, in this whole aflair of the king's appointment, shows him to have been a great and good man who sank all private aud personal considerations in disinterested zeal forhis country's good* and whose last words in public were to warn the people, and their king, of the danger of apostasy and disobedience to God.
tributaries, whence lie di<l not wish to render them wholly
blind, but only to deprive them of thi'ir ri'-ht eye, which would disqualify them for war. Besides, liis object was, through the people of Jabesh-gilead, to insult the Israel-
itish nation. 3, 4. send inesseingers »into nil tSie coasts of Israel—A curious proof of the general dissatisfaction that prevailed as to the appointment of .Saul. Those
Gileadites deemed him capable neither of advising nor succouring them; and even in his own town the appeal was made to the people—not to the prince.
5-11. They Send to Saul, and are Delivered. 6-11. he took a yoUe of oxen, and lieived tlietu in pieces—
(see on Judges 19.) This particular form of war-summons was suited to the character and habits of an agricultural and pastoral people. Solemn in itself, tlie denunciation
that accompanied it carried a terrible threat to those that neglected to obey it. Saul conjoins the name of Samuel
vv-ith his own, to lend the greater inHuence to the meas-
ure, and strike greater terror unto all contemners of the
order. The small contingent furnished by .Judah suggests
that the disatl'ectiou to Saul was strongest in that tribe.
8. Bezek—This place of general muster was not far from
Sheclicm, on the road to Reth-shan, and nearly opposite
Ver. 1, 2. Saul's Selected Band. 1. Snnl reigned one year (fiee Marg.) Tlie transactions recorded in the eleventh and twelfth chapters were theprincipal incidents comprised in the first yea;' of Saul's reign ; and the events about to be described in this happened in the second year, 8. Snnl chose liim three thousand men of Isi'ael—This band of picked men was a boily-guard, who were kept constantly on duly, while the rest of the people were dismissed till their services miglit be needed. Itseems to have lieen his tactics to attack the Pliilistine garrisons iu the country by dilTei'ent delachments, rather than by risking a. general engagement; and his first operations were directed to rid his native territory of Benjamin of these enemies.
the ford for crossing to Jabesli-gilead. The great number on the muster-roll showed the eirecl. of Saul's wisdom and
promptitude. 11. on the morrow Sanl put tJie people
In three companies—Crossing the Jordan in the evening, Saul marched his army all night, and came by daybreak on the camp of the Ammonites, who were surprised in
three difl'erent parts, and totally routed. This happened
before the seven days' li vice expired.
12-15. SAUL Cox FIRM ED KiNO. ti, 13. tke people
said, Who said, SUall Satjl reign over ws^—The enthu-
siastic admiration of the people, under tlie impulse of
grateful and generous feelings, would liave dealt summary vengeance on the minority who opposed Saul, had not he, either from principle or policy, sliown himself as
3, 1. He Calls tite Herrf.ws to Gii.oal Ag.vinht the PlflLlSTlNES. 3. .Tonathnn (God-given), smole the sa>^ rison oi'the Philistines in Gcba—Geba and Gibeali were towns in Benjamin, very close to each other (Joshua IS.
great in clemency as in valour. The calm and sagacious counsel of Samuel directed the popular feelings into a
right channel, by ai)pointing a general assembly of the
21, 2H). The word rendered "garrison" is ditl'erent from thatti.2^^; ch. 11. l,and signilies, ?i7., something erected; probably a pill.ar or Ilag-stall', indicative of Philistine ascendency; and that the secret demolition of this standard, so obnoxious to a young and noble-hearted patriot, was the feat of Jonathan referred to, is evident from the words, "the I'hilistines heard of it," which is not the way we should e.xpect an attack on a fortrc-ss to be noticed. Sa»] blew the trnmpet tItroiij;liojtt «H *l>e land—This, a well-known sound, was usual Helirew war-summons; the first blast was answered by the beacon fire in the neighbouring places. A second blast was blown —then answered by a tire in a more distant locnlity, whence the
militia, the really ellective foi-ce of the nation, at Gilgal, where, amid great pomp and religious solemnities, the
victorious loader was coulirmcd in his kingdom.
CHATTER XII.
Ver. 1-5. Samuel Tf-stities His iNTEGnrrY. 1. Samuel said nnto all Israel—This public address was made
after the solemn re-instalment of Saul, and before the convention at Gilgal separated. Samuel having challenged
a review of his public life, received a unanimous testimony to the unsullied honour of his personal character, as well as the Justice aii<l integrity of his public ailminis-
tr.ation. 5. tlie I^ord is witness a;;:>lnst yon, and liis anointed is witness af^winst yon—that, by Iheir own acknowledgment, he had given them no cause to weary of the Divine government by judges, and that, therefore, the Dlame c«f desiring a change of government rested with themselves. This was only Insinuated, and they did not