And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Ver. 1. _And it came to pass, when Samuel was old._] Sixty at least, say interpreters; and so less able to do all himself. _Omnia fert aetas, animum quoque … fert, i.e., aufert._ Age disableth for duty many times. _... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba. Ver. 2. _Now the name of his firstborn was Joel._] Which some _a_ will have to be Joel the prophet, the son of Pethuel, that is, of Samuel, say they, Joe 1:1 as this Joel is called Vashni. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Ver. 3. _And his sons walked not in his ways._] _Heroum filii noxae._ Grace is by gift, not inheritance. _See Trapp on "_ 1Sa 3:12 _"_ This was no fault of Samuel's, as hath been said. Plato... [ Continue Reading ]
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. Ver. 5. _Behold, thou art old._] But what of that? was he therefore to be cast off as a Depontanus, a dotard? Or were they weary of receiving so many benefits by one man?... [ Continue Reading ]
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. Ver. 6. _But the thing displeased Samuel._] Chiefly because he knew it was displeasing to God, 1Sa 8:7 and then as an indignity done to himself, by shaking off his government even while he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them._ Ver. 7. _Hearken unto the voice of the people._] _Verba sunt irati,_ these words were uttered in anger... [ Continue Reading ]
According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Ver. 8. _According to all the works which they have done._] _Populus hic antiquum obtinet,_ these... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. Ver. 9. _Now therefore hearken._] See 1 Samuel 8:7 . _ Protest solemnly unto them._] That they may fall with open eyes, and be left as inexcusable as the... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. Ver. 10. _And Samuel told, &c._] But he lost his sweet words; for the people were set and would not be reclaimed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint [them] for himself, for his chariots, and [to be] his horsemen; and [some] shall run before his chariots. Ver. 11. _This will be the manner._] _Loquitur hic non tam de iure quam de more._... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots._ Ver. 12. _And he will appoint him captains over thousands, &c._] Who shall use the commo... [ Continue Reading ]
And he will take your daughters [to be] confectionaries, and [to be] cooks, and [to be] bakers. Ver. 13. _And he will take your daughters._] Whereat you may fret, but cannot help it. “ _Vanae sine viribus irae._ ” All your comfort will be, _Etsi actio est iniusta, tamen passio est iusta,_ No reme... [ Continue Reading ]
And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, [even] the best [of them], and give [them] to his servants. Ver. 14. _And he will take your fields, &c._] As if you were not masters of so much as a molehill, but all were his. But what saith God? "The prince shall not take of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants._ Ver. 15. _And he will take the tenth of your seed._] Violently, and not by order of law; pilling and polling you unreasonably, though he receive of his subjects no less sums of curses th... [ Continue Reading ]
And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put [them] to his work. Ver. 16. _And he will take your men-servants._] Nero's word to his officers was, _Hoc agamus nequis quicquam habebat._ _a_ Make the slaves know that they can call noth... [ Continue Reading ]
He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. Ver. 17. _And ye shall be his servants._] His slaves to do his drudgery, more like peasants of France than yeomen of Kent, as he said.... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Ver. 18. _And ye shall cry out._] As the Romans once did of Marius and Sulla, that the remedy was worse than the disease. _ And the Lord will not hear you,_] viz., To c... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; Ver. 19. _Nay; but we will have a king._] Why then you shall, saith God, for a mischief to you. Hos 13:11 You shall have your will, and then I will have mine another while. See the like... [ Continue Reading ]
That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. Ver. 20. _That we also may._] So ambitious they were of losing their liberty, being _heroines ad servitutem parati,_ as Tiberius said of the Romans.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. Ver. 21. _In the ears of the Lord._] Whereof he had the royalty, as a favourite.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. Ver. 22. _Go ye, &c., _] _q.d., _ Your request is granted, and shall shortly be accomplished. Meanwhile wait God's pleasure.... [ Continue Reading ]