The song of Hannah is a prophetic Psalm. It is poetry. and it is prophecy. It takes its place by the side of the songs of Miriam, Deborah, and the Virgin Mary, as well as those of Moses, David, Hezekiah, and other Psalmists and prophets whose inspired odes have been preserved in the Bible. The speci... [ Continue Reading ]
ANY ROCK ... - The term rock as applied to God is first found in the song of Moses (see Deuteronomy 32:4 note), where the juxtaposition of rock and salvation in 1 Samuel 2:15, “he lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation,” seems to indicate that Hannah was acquainted with the song of Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
See an instance in 1 Samuel 2:36. See, too, in Ezekiel 13:19, another example of hire paid in bread. CEASED - i. e. were at rest, did no work. The general sense is expressed by the translation of the Latin Version, “they were filled.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL GIVE STRENGTH ... - This is a most remarkable passage, containing a clear and distinct prophecy of the Kingdom and glory of the Christ of God. (Compare Luke 1:69).... [ Continue Reading ]
The word “minister” is used in three senses in Scripture: (1) of the service or ministration of both priests and Levites rendered unto the Lord Exodus 28:35, Exodus 28:43 : (2) of the ministrations of the Levites as rendered to the priests, to aid them in divine Service Numbers 3:6 : (3) of any s... [ Continue Reading ]
SONS OF BELIAL - See the marginal reference note. The phrase is very frequent in the books of Samuel. In the New Testament, Paul contrasts Christ and Belial, as if Belial were the name of an idol or the personification of evil 2 Corinthians 6:15. This probably led to the use of the term “Belial” in... [ Continue Reading ]
The Law of Moses defined exactly what was to be the priest’s portion of every peace offering Leviticus 7:31, as it also gave express directions about the burning of the fat Leviticus 7:23, Leviticus 7:31. It was therefore a gross act of disobedience and lawlessness on the part of Hophni and Phinehas... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OFFERING OF THE LORD - Minchah, here in the general sense of “gift or offering” to God (compare Malachi 1:10; Malachi 3:3). In its restricted sense, it is used of the meat offerings, the unbloody sacrifices, and is then coupled with bloody sacrifices, sacrifices of slain beasts. (See 1 Samuel 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRDED WITH A LINEN EPHOD - This was the usual dress of the priests. It does not appear whether Levites wore an ephod properly. Possibly it was a mark of Samuel’s special dedication to the Lord’s service that he wore one. (See the marginal reference). The ephod was sometimes used as an idolatrous im... [ Continue Reading ]
A LITTLE COAT - The robe of the ephod was also one of the garments worn by the High Priest (see Exodus 28:31 note). This pointed mention of the ephod and the robe as worn by the youthful Samuel, seems to point to an extraordinary and irregular priesthood to which he was called by God in an age when... [ Continue Reading ]
See the marginal references. The words “before the” Lord have special reference to his residence at the tabernacle.... [ Continue Reading ]
WOMEN THAT ASSEMBLED - Or, “Served.” See the marginal reference and note. Probably such service as consisted in doing certain work for the fabric of the tabernacle as women are accustomed to do, spinning, knitting, embroidering, mending, washing, and such like.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sense seems to be, If one man sin against another, the judge shall amerce him in the due penalty, and then he shall be free; but if he sin against the Lord, who shall act the part of judge and arbiter for him? His guilt must remain to the great day of judgment. BECAUSE THE LORD WOULD SLAY THEM... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE CHILD SAMUEL ... - The account of our Lord’s growth Luke 2:52 is very similar; “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The literal version of the passage before us is, “The child Samuel advanced and grew and was good (or acceptable), both with the Lord, an... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN OF GOD - See Judges 13:6 note. The sudden appearance of the only prophet of whom mention is made since Deborah, without name, or any notice of his country, is remarkable.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EPHOD - The High Priest’s ephod, in which was Urim and Thummim. DID I GIVE ... - The bountiful provision made by God for His priests is mentioned as the great aggravation of the covetousness of Eli’s sons (compare 2 Samuel 12:7).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE KICK YE - See the marginal reference. The well-fed beast becomes unmanageable and refractory, and refuses the yoke, and bursts the bonds Jeremiah 5:5. So the priests, instead of being grateful for the provision made for them, in their pampered pride became dissatisfied, wantonly broke the... [ Continue Reading ]
BE IT FAR FROM ME - The phrase so rendered is a favorite one in the Books of Samuel, where it occurs ten or eleven times. It is variously rendered in the King James Version, “God forbid,” and “Be it far from me, thee, etc.” Literally, “Be it an abomination to me.”... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CUT OFF THINE ARM ... - A strong phrase for breaking down the strength and power, of which the arm is the instrument in man (compare Zechariah 11:17). See 1 Samuel 2:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
The original text is rather obscure and difficult of construction, but the King James Version probably gives the sense of it. The margin gives another meaning. IN ALL THE WEALTH ... - The allusion is particularly to Solomon’s reign, when Zadok was made priest instead of Abiathar, 1 Kings 2:26. (See... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning is explained by 1 Samuel 2:36. Those who are not cut off in the flower of their youth shall be worse off than those who are, for they shall have to beg their bread. (Compare Jeremiah 22:10.) THINE EYES ... THINE HEART - For a similar personification of the tribe or family see Judges 1:2... [ Continue Reading ]
Zadok is meant rather than Samuel. The High Priesthood continued in the direct descendants of Zadok as long as the monarchy lasted (see 1 Chronicles 6:8). MINE ANOINTED - in its first sense obviously means the kings of Israel and Judah Psalms 89:20; Zechariah 4:14. But doubtless the use of the term... [ Continue Reading ]
A PIECE - The word is only found here; but is thought to be connected in etymology and in meaning with the “Gerah,” the smallest Hebrew coin, being the twentieth part of the shekel. The smallness of the sum asked for shows the poverty of the asker.... [ Continue Reading ]