_SAUL IS SENT BY HIS FATHER TO SEEK THE ASSES WHICH WERE LOST: SAMUEL MEETS SAUL, INVITES HIM TO A FEAST WITH HIM, AND ASSURES HIM THAT THE ASSES WERE FOUND: AND BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN COMMANDED BY GOD TO ANOINT SAUL KING, HE ORDERS THE SERVANT TO PASS ON BEFORE THAT HE MIGHT DECLARE GOD'S COMMANDS TO... [ Continue Reading ]
A MIGHTY MAN OF POWER— _A strong man._ Houb. This seems to be the true interpretation, as Saul's family was not considerable for its wealth or dignity. See 1 Samuel 9:21 and chap. 1 Samuel 10:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHOICE YOUNG MAN, AND A GOODLY— Almost all ancient writers supply us with proofs of the singular regard which, in early days, was had to appearance and person in the choice of monarchs. See Doughty's Annal. Sacr. Excurs. 76.... [ Continue Reading ]
KISH SAID TO SAUL HIS SON, TAKE NOW ONE OF THE SERVANTS WITH THEE— This commission was but mean, if we are to judge of it by our manners; but in ancient times every thing which pertained to rural life was honourable. We see in Homer, gods, heroes, and princes keeping flocks: such was the occupation... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY WERE COME TO THE LAND OF ZUPH— See chap. 1 Samuel 1:1. _Zuph_ was a territory in the tribe of Ephraim, where some of Samuel's ancestors had lived; and _Ramah,_ where Samuel now dwelt, must have been in it, as we collect from the new verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BEHOLD, IF WE GO, WHAT SHALL WE BRING THE MAN?— Such as are prejudiced against the sacred history, and unacquainted with eastern customs, may be ready, from the donations to the prophets, to imagine that they were a mercenary set of people, and rudely to rank them with cunning men and fortune-t... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE HIGH PLACE— Though the word במה _bamah,_ says Mr. Locke, properly signifies _a high place,_ or place of sacrifice; yet it is here rendered by the Targum, as it is often elsewhere, _domus accubitus,_ an _house of feasting,_ because feasting and sacrifice were generally concomitants of one anot... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, SAMUEL CAME OUT AGAINST THEM, &C.— _Samuel met them, as he was about to ascend the high place._ Houb. _God told Samuel in his ear,_ in the next verse, signifies that he privately revealed to him. REFLECTIONS.—Few would have looked for a king chosen from such an employment as that of Saul; b... [ Continue Reading ]
SAUL ANSWERED AND SAID, AM NOT I A BENJAMITE, &C.— Samuel convinced Saul that he was a prophet, by informing him of the business for which he came to consult him; and this done, he acquaints him with God's future designation of him to the throne of Israel: for which Saul replies in terms equally mod... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL SAID UNTO THE COOK, BRING THE PORTION, &C.— The author of the _Observations_ remarks, that the _shoulder of a lamb_ is thought in the East a great delicacy. "Abdolmelick the caliph," says he, "upon his entering into Cufah, made a splendid entertainment. When he was set down, Amron the son of... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY WERE COME DOWN FROM THE HIGH PLACE, &C.— The Vulgate adds at the close of this verse, _and Saul prepared him a bed on the top of the house and slept;_ which Houbigant approves. We refer to his note. He renders the whole thus: _Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house, and Saul p... [ Continue Reading ]