HANNAH'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING. THE SIN OF ELI'S SONS 1-10. The Song of Hannah. This beautiful poem has been well called the 'Magnificat of the Old Testament.' The song of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46) is clearly modelled on it very closely. In each case there is the rejoicing over the exaltation of t... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE HORN IS EXALTED] The figure is that of an animal carrying its head high: cp. Psalms 112:9. MY MOUTH IS ENLARGED] The idea is that of speaking with confidence and derision: cp. Isaiah 57:4. SALVATION] In the Bible this word denotes help or deliverance of any kind.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLY] The Holiness of God in the OT. denotes positively the completeness of the divine nature and negatively God's unlikeness to anything else. ROCK] This is a frequent metaphor to express the strength and unchangingness of Jehovah. The name also conveys the idea that the strength of God is a refuge... [ Continue Reading ]
WEIGHED] i.e. estimated. The idea is the same as in Proverbs 21:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN] the number of completeness, perfection.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRAVE] Heb. _Sheol,_ the place where departed spirits were believed to be gathered at death. BRINGETH UP] restores to life those who were at the point of death.... [ Continue Reading ]
PILLARS] the great men of the state on whom it depended for its stability: cp. Galatians 2:9; Revelation 3:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAINTS] RV 'holy ones': rather, 'pious ones, those who love God.'... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ANOINTED] a common name for the Jewish king.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNEW] This verb in the Bible has of ten the added idea of appreciation, recognition of character, affection. 13-17. The sons of Eli were guilty of a twofold sin. (_a_) Instead of being content with their allotted portion (Leviticus 7:31.) they took all they could get of the offerer's portion. (_b_)... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MEN ABHORRED] rather, 'for the men (i.e. the sons of Eli) despised.'... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SAMUEL] Throughout this section Samuel is contrasted with the profligate sons of Eli. LINEN EPHOD] the usual priestly garment (1 Samuel 22:18).... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LOAN WHICH IS LENT] rather, 'in return for the petition which was made for (i.e. for the benefit of) the LORD,' i.e. in place of Samuel, the man-child who, if born, was to be given to the LORD. 22. Assembled _at_] RV 'did service at.' It is probable that these women were permanently connect... [ Continue Reading ]
In the original, point is given to Eli's rebuke by the fact that the word here used for 'judge' (_Elohim_) also means 'God.' The judge was regarded as the representative of God: see Psalms 82:6. If it is a case of men, God has appointed some one to settle the matter; but when God Himself is the offe... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN OF GOD] a common name for a prophet. With the books of Samuel we come to a period when God guides His people by human agency rather than by direct communication. DID I PLAINLY APPEAR?] RV 'Did I reveal myself?' It is an impassioned question, 'Did I or did I not?' THY FATHER] i.e. Aaron. IN PH... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE.. ALL THE OFFERINGS] see Leviticus 2:6; Leviticus 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
KICK YE AT] The figure is that of a pampered and intractable animal: cp. Deuteronomy 32:15. SACRIFICE AND.. OFFERING] bloody and unbloody sacrifices. HONOUREST THY SONS ABOVE ME] Eli should have removed his sons from a position they disgraced. But he could not bring himself to humiliate them and low... [ Continue Reading ]
When Abiathar, the descendant of Eli, fled to David (1 Samuel 22:20), Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, may have been made chief priest by Saul. He appears soon after, and it is not known how or when the office was bestowed on him. David divided the dignity between the two (2 Samuel 8:17), but Abiatha... [ Continue Reading ]
CUT OFF THINE ARM] destroy thy power, as Psalms 10:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ENEMY _in my_ HABITATION] lit. 'affliction of habitation.' The context seems to show that the reference is to Eli's own dwelling. While Israel increased in wealth and prosperity in the reign of Solomon, Eli's family were to fall into poverty and obscurity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Those who did not die young would pass their life in vexation and grief. THINE EYES.. THINE HEART] rather as LXX, 'his eyes.. his heart.' SHALL DIE IN THE FLOWER OF THEIR AGE] LXX reads 'shall die by the sword of men.'... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BUILD HIM A SURE HOUSE] i.e. I will give him a continuous posterity: cp. 1 Samuel 25:28; 2 Samuel 7:16. MINE ANOINTED] the king (singular), really referring to the long line of kings who were to follow David.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT ME INTO] rather, 'attach me to,' 'make me a hanger on.'... [ Continue Reading ]