1 Samuel 9:1-2. Saul's genealogy 1. _Now there was a man_ "The sacred historian now tracks as it were another stream of events which were to concur in working out God's providential purpose of giving a king to Israel." _Speaker's Commentary_. _Kish, the son of Abiel_ See note on 1 Samuel 14:50. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_whose name was Saul_ Heb. Shâûl = "asked." It occurs as the name (_a_) of an Edomite prince (Genesis 36:37-38); (_b_) of a son of Simeon (Genesis 46:10); (_c_) of a Kohathite in the genealogy of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:24); (_d_) of Saul of Tarsus, "who is also called Paul" (Acts 7:58, &c.); and thu... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul's search for his Father's Asses 3. _the asses_ In the East asses are valuable property, indispensable for farm-work and travelling. The possession of a drove of asses, and several servants, indicates that Kish was a man of some substance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul's route cannot be traced with any certainty. He started from his home at Gibeah apparently in a N.W. direction (1) through "Mount Ephraim" (see 1 Samuel 1:1, note); (2) through "the land of Shalisha," perhaps the district round Baal-shalisha (2 Kings 4:42), which lay about 12 miles N. of Lydda;... [ Continue Reading ]
_take thought for us_ i.e. "_be anxious_," as in Matthew 6:25. Cp. 1 Samuel 10:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in this city_ Pointing to the town on a hill in front of them. _a man of God_ See note on 1 Samuel 2:27. _he is an honourable man_ Lit., THE MAN IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED. _all that he saith_, &c. Cp. 1 Samuel 3:19. _peradventure_ Derived from _per_, "by," and _adventura_, late Latin for "that which i... [ Continue Reading ]
_a present_ A word occurring here only, to denote the present with which one _approaches_a great man. The cognate verb is found in Isaiah 57:9, "Thou _wentest_to the king with ointment." For presents offered to _prophets_compare 1Ki 14:3; 2 Kings 5:15 ff; 2 Kings 8:8-9: and for the present of _bread... [ Continue Reading ]
_the fourth part of a shekel of silver_ Worth rather more than sixpence according to the present price of silver: but we have no clue to its _real value_in the time of Samuel. _that will I give_ Sept. "And THOU Shalt give it;" certainly a more natural reading, as the present would be made by the ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beforetime in Israel_ This verse is clearly an _addition_to the original narrative to explain the term "seer" which had become obsolete when the book was compiled in its present form, It is inserted here and not after 1 Samuel 9:11 where the term first occurs, to avoid interrupting the narrative.... [ Continue Reading ]
Inquiry for the seer 11. _as they went up_ AS THEY WERE ASCENDING BY THE ASCENT TO THE CITY. The Hebrew has a peculiar construction, the repetition of which is characteristic of this chapter. Cp. 1 Samuel 9:5_; 1Sa 9:14; 1 Samuel 9:17; 1 Samuel 9:27_. _young maidens going out to draw water_ Cp. Gen... [ Continue Reading ]
_he is before you_ BEFORE THEE, addressing the speaker. It is a direction to go straight forward. _he came to day to the city_ If "the city" was Ramah, Samuel may have been absent from home on one of his official circuits. _a sacrifice of the people_ Possibly at the New Moon (Numbers 28:11-15) or... [ Continue Reading ]
_he doth bless the sacrifice_ Pronounces a blessing or thanksgiving over the sacrificial feast. Cp. Luke 9:16 with John 6:11; Matthew 26:26. _for about this time_ Lit. "For as for HIM NOW shall ye find him." The pronoun is repeated for emphasis.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and when they were come into the city_ Rather, AS THEY WERE COMING INTO THE MIDST OF THE CITY, BEHOLD SAMUEL WAS COMING OUT TO MEET THEM. In the E. V. this verse apparently disagrees with 1 Samuel 9:18. The correct translation makes all clear. Saul and his servant ascend the hill. As they enter the... [ Continue Reading ]
Saul entertained by Samuel 15. _Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear_ Lit. "had uncovered Samuel's ear," a figure of speech said to be derived from the practice of removing the hair or a corner of the turban from another's ear in order to whisper a secret into it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_out of the hand of the Philistines_ See note on 1 Samuel 7:13. _I have looked upon my people_ Sept. "I have looked upon the AFFLICTION, of my people." The word might easily have fallen out of the Hebrew text. Cp. Exodus 3:7; Exodus 3:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord said unto him_ Lit. JEHOVAH ANSWERED HIM; answered his mental question. Is this the man? 1 Samuel 9:17 is in close connexion with 1 Samuel 9:14; 1 Samuel 9:15 forming a parenthesis. _shall reign over my people_ Lit. "shall _restrain_my people." A peculiar word, contrasting the restraints... [ Continue Reading ]
_in the gate_ Heb. " IN THE MIDST of the gate," i.e. the gateway, where they would naturally halt to inquire for the Seer's house.... [ Continue Reading ]
_go up before me_ Addressed to Saul only. The verb is in the singular. Saul is to precede Samuel as a mark of honour. _all that is in thine heart_ Thine inmost thoughts and aspirations; not merely about the asses, which Samuel tells him at once. May we not suppose that Saul at his plough like Joan... [ Continue Reading ]
_three days ago_ Heb. "to-day three days" = "the day before yesterday," according to the _inclusive_Hebrew reckoning. _set not thy mind on them_ "Set not THY HEART on them." Be not anxious for them. _on whom is all the desire of Israel_ Rather, FOR WHOM ARE ALL THE DESIRABLE THINGS OF ISRAEL? ARE... [ Continue Reading ]
_the smallest of the tribes of Israel_ The warlike tribe of Benjamin, the smallest except Manasseh at the time of the numbering in the wilderness (Numbers 1:37), was reduced to insignificance by the terrible slaughter recorded in Judges 20:46. _of the tribe of Benjamin_ Heb. THE TRIBES, If this rea... [ Continue Reading ]
_the parlour_ Or, THE CHAMBER, a room at the high place specially used for sacrificial feasts. In later times the word was applied to the "chambers" in the precincts of the temple used for the residence of priests and Levites, and for sacred purposes in general. _made them sit in the chiefest place... [ Continue Reading ]
_the portion_ Cp. 1 Samuel 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the cook took up the shoulder_ Rather, AND THE COOK HEAVED THE LEG. The right leg was the priest's portion (Leviticus 7:32), which Samuel had received. Its dedication to God was indicated by a solemn "heaving" or elevation "before the Lord," to which allusion is here made. Cp. Numbers 18:26 ff.... [ Continue Reading ]
10:8. Saul anointed by Samuel and promised three signs in confirmation of his call 25, 26. _Samuel communed with Saul_ Preparing him for the announcement which he was going to make next morning. On the housetop they would be open to the public view so that all could see the honour Samuel shewed his... [ Continue Reading ]
_about the spring of the day_ "spring," i.e. "rising" of the day = dawn. Cp. "dayspring," Luke 1:78. _called Saul_ Rather, "called TO Saul." Samuel had slept in the house, Saul on the roof. _abroad_ In the language of the E. V. -abroad" means simply -out of the house." 27 _a while_ NOW. The E. V.... [ Continue Reading ]