_Old. Houbigant would translate, "when he ws growing old," senesceret, as he supposes he was now nearly sixty, having judged about twenty-five years, and living another twenty as partner with Saul. (Prol. lxii.) See chap. vii. 15. (Haydock) --- Judges, as his delegates in the southern parts of the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_In, or "as far as" Bersabee, from Dan, that is, throughout Palestine. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judgment. Samuel was not to blame, and hence he was not punished like Heli. (Menochius) --- However, the misconduct of the children of these two judges, in succession, (Haydock) gave occasion to the people to demand a king, who might not be tempted by bribes. (Worthington) --- It is surprising that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judge us, in a different manner from what had been hitherto done. (Haydock) --- By a crying ingratitude, they reject the government of a wise old man, who had rendered them the most signal services. Perhaps the power of Naas, king of the Ammonites, might afford them some pretext for acting as they... [ Continue Reading ]
Samuel. Nothing could be more disrespectful to him, nor more ungrateful to God, who had distinguished them from all other nations, and had taken the government upon himself, and appointed the judges as his lieutenants. The foolish Israelites wished to throw off this sweet yoke, and to be ruled in an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thee. "God, in anger, grants a person what he desires wrongfully." (St. Augustine) --- He permits the people to follow their own plans; and the Hebrews believe, that he gave them Saul to punish them, being well apprised of his proud and cruel nature. (Cuneus Rep.) (Calmet) --- Rejected, &c. The gov... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thee. He comforts Samuel, by observing that it was not so much any fault of his, as the people's habitual fickle temper, which made them seek for this change. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
The right. That is, the manner ( mishpat) after which he shall proceed, having no one to control him, when he has the power in his hands. (Challoner) --- He intimates that the kings will frequently act in a tyrannical manner, ver. 11. (Menochius) --- But the holy Fathers observe, that herein they do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Chariots; to be drivers, (Menochius) or will make them fight from them. --- Footmen, or guards. Xenophon places 4000 armed with bucklers before, and 2000 with lances all round the chariot of Cyrus. See chap. xxii. 17._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Centurions, or body-guards. (Menochius) --- These offices might be honourable, but at the same time disagreeable, when people were forced to accept of them, and to neglect their more pleasing agricultural employment. The multitude of officers increases the expenses of the prince, and falls heavy up... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vineyards, as Achab did, though he first proposed to buy it._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tenth. God had already claimed one tithe, which he had abandoned to his sacred ministers. We do not read that the kings of the Hebrews ever claimed (Calmet) a second tithe precisely, (Haydock) though they might have done it b the example of other kings, Leviticus xxvii. 30. Joseph had asserted the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Goodliest, in strength (Calmet) and beauty. (Menochius) --- Solomon made his people work at his buildings, and David employed an officer in the fields, 1 Paralipomenon xxvii. 26. Septuagint have read in a different manner, "He will tithe....your excellent droves of oxen." (Calmet) --- They also spe... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VIII. _ Servants, or slaves. The Hebrews enjoyed greater liberty than any of the nations in the East, yet they are styled slaves, chap. xvii. 8. They were nearly on the same footing as the ancient Germans. "Each governed in his own place of abode. The Lord requires of them a quantity of cor... [ Continue Reading ]
_The face, privately; for even groans will not be free. (Menochius) --- The event justified this prediction, as most of the kings of the Hebrews ruled like tyrants, and what was worse, engaged their subjects in idolatry, and drew down the heaviest judgments upon them. (Calmet) --- Hear you, so as to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Over us. The populace is generally inconstant, and fond of changes. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nations. We are neither better nor worse than the rest. What extravagance! for a people to abandon a state of happiness, and the dominion of God, and to prefer the service of a man! (Calmet) --- For us. This was the pretext, as Naas threatened them with war, chap. xii. 12. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]