1 Samuel 1:1
Ramathaim — zophim — Called Ramah, 1 Samuel 1:19. Eparathite — That is, one of Bethlehem — judah, by his birth and habitation, though by his original a Levite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ramathaim — zophim — Called Ramah, 1 Samuel 1:19. Eparathite — That is, one of Bethlehem — judah, by his birth and habitation, though by his original a Levite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Two wives — As many had in those ages, tho' it was a transgression of the original institution of marriage. And it is probable that he took his second wife, namely, Peninnah, because Hannah was barren.... [ Continue Reading ]
Yearly — At the three solemn feasts, when he, together with all other males were obliged to go to worship God in the place appointed; and at other times, when he as a Levite, was to go thither in his course. To sacrifice — Not in his own person, which the Levites could not do, but by the priests. We... [ Continue Reading ]
Portions — Out of the sacrifice of his peace — offerings, the greatest part whereof fell to the offerer, and was eaten by him, and his friends or guests, before the Lord. And out of this he gave them all portions, as the master of the feast used to do to the guests.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shut up her womb — Yet Elkanah did not withdraw his love from her. To abate out just love to any relation, for the sake of any infirmity which they cannot help, is to add affliction to the afflicted.... [ Continue Reading ]
Her adversary — Peninnah: so her envy or jealousy made her though so nearly related.... [ Continue Reading ]
When she went — This circumstance is noted as the occasion of the contention, because at such times they were forced to more society with one another, by the way, and in their lodgings; whereas at home they had distinct apartments, where they might be asunder; and then her husband's extraordinary lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Ten sons — Oughtest thou not to value my hearty love to thee, more than the having of as many sons as Penninah hath? She would willingly change conditions with thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
A seat — Or, throne; for it is manifest it was raised higher than ordinary, 1 Samuel 4:18. Here he might sit, either as the judge; or rather as high — priest, to hear and answer such as came to him for advice, and to inspect and direct the worship of God. Temple — That is, of the tabernacle, which i... [ Continue Reading ]
Bitterness — That is, oppressed with grief. Prayed unto the Lord — They had newly offered their peace — offerings, to obtain the favour of God, and in token of their communion with him, they had feasted upon the sacrifice: and now it was proper to put up her prayer, in virtue of the sacrifice. For t... [ Continue Reading ]
Give him — That is, consecrate him to God's service in his temple. No razor — That is, he shall be a perpetual Nazarite.... [ Continue Reading ]
Continued — Heb. multiplied to pray. By which it appears that she said much more than is here expressed. And the like you are to judge of the prayers and sermons of other holy persons recorded in scripture, which gives us only the sum and substance of them. This consideration may help us much to und... [ Continue Reading ]
Drunken — Because of the multitude of her words, and those motions of her face and body, which the vehemency of her passion, and the fervency in prayer occasioned.... [ Continue Reading ]
Count not, &c. — Thus when we are unjustly censured, we should endeavour not only to clear ourselves, but to satisfy our brethren, by giving them a just and true account of that which they misapprehended.... [ Continue Reading ]
Find grace — That favourable opinion and gracious prayer which thou hast expressed on my behalf, be pleased to continue towards me. Sad — Her heart being cheared by the priest's comfortable words, and especially by God's spirit setting them home upon her, and assuring her that both his and her praye... [ Continue Reading ]
Remembered — Manifested his remembrance of her by the effect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Samuel — That is, Asked of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
His house — Hannah only and her child excepted. His vow — By which it appears, though it was not expressed before, that he heard and consented to her vow, and that he added a vow of his own, if God answered his prayers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Weaned — Not only from the breast, but also from the mother's knee and care, and from childish food; 'till the child be something grown up, and fit to do some service in the tabernacle: for it seems that as soon as he was brought up he worshipped God, 1 Samuel 1:28, and presently after ministered to... [ Continue Reading ]
His word — His matter or thing; the business concerning the child, what thou hast vowed concerning him, that be may grow up, and be accepted and employed by God in his Service.... [ Continue Reading ]
Three bullocks — One for a burnt — offering, the second for a sin — offering, and the third for a peace offering; all these sorts being expedient for this work and time. Flour — For the meal — offerings belonging to the principal sacrifices, which to each bullock were three tenth — deals, or three t... [ Continue Reading ]
A bullock — The three bullocks mentioned 1 Samuel 1:24, the singular number being put for the plural, which is frequent.... [ Continue Reading ]
Soul liveth — As surely as thou livest. Which asseveration seems necessary, because this was some years after it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lent him — But not with a purpose to require him again. Whatever we give to God, may upon this account be said to be lent to him, that tho' we may not recall it, yet he will certainly repay it, to our unspeakable advantage. He worshipped — Not Eli, but young Samuel, who is spoken of in this and the... [ Continue Reading ]