1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:1 Hannah’s song is very similar to the prayer of Mary in Luke 1:46. There are also many similarities to psalms and other passages of the OT—especially Psalm 113—as the numerous esv cross-references show. The reference to the “king” in 1 Samuel 2:10 looks forward to the re... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:2 THERE IS NONE BESIDES YOU. There is no HOLY being besides the Lord. Only the Lord is God (see Deuteronomy 4:35; Deuteronomy 32:39). The Lord is often described as a ROCK (compare Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:15;... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:3 BY HIM ACTIONS ARE WEIGHED. God’s KNOWLEDGE extends even to the motives behind human actions. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:5 SEVEN. Hannah actually had only six children, including Samuel (v. 1 Samuel 2:21). This is a general statement, and seven is a poetic number for perfection. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:6 The Lord controls not only birth and death, but all of LIFE in between. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:8 THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH ARE THE LORD’S. The Lord is sovereign over life, for he created and owns the world (ON THEM HE HAS SET THE WORLD). Compare “pillars” (Job 9:6; Psalms 75:3) and “foundations” (2 Samuel 22:16). The Lord upholds the physical place where his people... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:10 THE LORD WILL JUDGE. See Psalms 96:10. THE ENDS OF THE EARTH describes God’s uniqueness, majesty, and authority (compare Psalms 67:7; Psalms 98:3; Proverbs 30:4; Isaiah 52:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:11 At the same time that the boy Samuel is ministering to the Lord (vv. 1 Samuel 2:11, 1 Samuel 2:18; 1 Samuel 3:1), Eli’s own two sons, Hophni and Phineas (see 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 2:34), are hindering the worship there. ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:12 These verses describe how the WORTHLESS... SONS OF ELI (v. 1 Samuel 2:12) treated the tabernacle sacrifices WITH CONTEMPT (v. 1 Samuel 2:17). They behaved in this way because they DID NOT KNOW THE LORD (v. 1 Samuel 2:12). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:13 The priests were to be supported by portions of the sacrifices of the people (see, e.g., Leviticus 7:31; Deuteronomy 18:3). But the CUSTOM described in these verses seems to have been a serious deviation from the law. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElem [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:15 These verses seem to suggest that Eli’s sons were guilty of a further deviation from the already degenerate custom described in vv. 1 Samuel 2:13. This is an extraordinary situation: the PRIEST, who was supposed to know the rules of sacrifice, was engaging in behavior... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:18 The story returns to SAMUEL. Before, Samuel was MINISTERING “in the presence of Eli the priest” (v. 1 Samuel 2:11), but now he is ministering simply BEFORE THE LORD, in the garment of a priest. The LINEN EPHOD was probably a simple tunic or apron worn by priests (1 Sam... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:22 Eli’s sons committed sexual immorality with WOMEN who worked with them in the sanctuary. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:25 IF SOMEONE SINS AGAINST THE LORD, WHO CAN INTERCEDE FOR HIM? This shows the need for a mediator between man and God. Hophni and Phineas had rebelled against God, even ignoring their father’s warnings about their behavior. Because of Eli’s sons’ willful rejection of him... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:26 Similar language is used in Luke 2:52 to describe the physical and spiritual growth of the boy Jesus. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:27 A MAN OF GOD (a prophet) confronts Eli about the wicked behavior of his two sons. I GAVE TO THE HOUSE OF YOUR FATHER ALL MY OFFERINGS BY FIRE. When an offering was made, part was burned as a “memorial portion.” The remaining part was normally eaten by the priests (Levi... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:30 Though the Lord had PROMISED the priesthood (GO IN AND OUT BEFORE ME) to the descendants of Levi, the agreement can be broken if they are not obedient. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:31 The man of God (see v. 1 Samuel 2:27) declares a curse for Eli and all his descendants for their breaking of the covenant. Compare the punishments described in Deuteronomy 28:15. BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING indicates that the prophesied events will happen during a futu... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 2:35 The FAITHFUL PRIEST with a SURE HOUSE is probably Zadok, a priest under David and a descendant of Ithamar’s brother Eleazar, son of Aaron (2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 24:3; see also Judges 20:28). The ANOINTED is the king (see 2 Samuel 7:16).... [ Continue Reading ]