_Before. Chaldean, "in the days of Heli." The young Levite slept in an adjoining chamber, to wait on the high priest, not far from the sanctuary. --- Precious; that is, rare: (Challoner) as such things are generally more esteemed, (Haydock) which are granted to few. (Worthington) --- Some prophets h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out, towards morning, (Calmet; Exodus xxvii. 20.) when some of the lamps were to be extinguished. (Worthington) --- Samuel slept. Some would transpose these words to the end of the verse, as they think it improbable that Samuel should be in the place where the high priest himself could enter only o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. He had not before an experimental knowledge of the manner in which God revealed his will to men. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heareth; ready to comply with whatever may be required. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Times, ( secundo:) a second time, or repeatedly, or mentioning the name twice, (Menochius) as God does sometimes in urgent cases, Genesis xxii. 11. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tingle, through astonishment and fright, Jeremias xix. 3., and 4 Kings xxi. 12._... [ Continue Reading ]
_House, by the prophet, chap. ii. 27._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wickedly. Septuagint, "were cursing God." This is one of the places which the Jews have corrected. (Du Hamel) --- Judge; or condemn and punish, Proverbs xix. 29. (Calmet) --- Chastise them, not in words only, or in a soft manner, as he had done. Hebrew, "because his sons made themselves despicable,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sworn. We read not of an express oath; (Calmet) but the denunciation of God was equivalent. (Haydock) --- Iniquity, or punishment. Nothing could withhold the indignation of the Lord, in correcting the sinner, though he would shew mercy eternally to the penitent. But he saw the obstinacy of these pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slept. Hebrew and Septuagint, "laid himself down to sleep." For how could he take any rest after such terrible threats? (Calmet) particularly as light was beginning to appear, when he was called by God, ver. 3. --- Doors. Some walls had probably been built, to enclose the curtains of the tabernacle... [ Continue Reading ]
_And so. Literally, "May God do these things to thee, and add these also." It is not certain that he mentioned the particular punishment, (Haydock) though it is most probable. The Scripture refrains from repeating them. (Grotius) --- Ruth i. 17. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sight. Some of the Fathers think that these words proceeded from an habitual indifference, as he was not disposed to molest his sons any farther, let the consequences be what they might. (St. Gregory; St. Ephrem, &c.) --- But others believe, that Heli was actuated by the spirit of humanity and resi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ground, unfulfilled. This may be understood of the words of the Lord, (Calmet) which Samuel had announced. His other predictions were constantly verified, so that he was justly regarded as a true prophet. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Faithful. Hebrew Neeman, may be a title of dignity, or may signify that Samuel was confirmed and continued to be a prophet. (Calmet) --- According to, or by. God revealed his will to him by word, and not by visions. (Sanchez) --- Israel. The whole people suffered along with their leaders. (Haydock)... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER III.... [ Continue Reading ]