1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 3:1

BEfore Eli] See Chap. 2. 11. the word; that is, of xtraordinary prophecy was precious; that is, there were but few prophets to reveal it, and by reason hereof, it was very rare, Psalms 74:0.

no open vision] That is, publikely known, though some had private visions, as Gedion and Manoah.

1 Samuel 3:2

at that time] To wit, when it was so rare and precious.

in his place] That is, in some part of the court next to the tabernacle, where the priests chambers were.

and his eyes began to wax dim 1 Samuel 4:15.

not see] That is, cleerly as in former times.

1 Samuel 3:3

ere the lamp] That is, before morning; for they were to be refreshed, that they might not go out, Exod. 27. 20, 21. Leviticus 24:3.

in the temple] That is, the tabernacle.

1 Samuel 3:7

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord] Or, Thus did Samuel before he knew the Lord, and before the word of the Lord was revealed unto him; To wit, as a prophet, by way of vision and extraordinary revelation by voice and speech; and as it is probable in a visible apparition, implyed in those words, The Lord came, and stood, and called, used, v. 10.

1 Samuel 3:9

in his place] Which was in a remote part of the court where the Levites chambers were.

1 Samuel 3:10

thy servant heareth] That is, attendeth, and is ready to obey.

1 Samuel 3:11

I will do a thing] That is, cause a great slaughter to be made in Israel, as Chap. 4. 10. and the ark to be taken, v. 11.

shall tingle] A phrase used in Scripture, to signifie such great horrour and astonishment upon the hearing of some terrible accident, as shall weaken and debilitate the very sense, like the report of a cannon going off neer the ear. So King. 21. 12. Jeremiah 19:3.

1 Samuel 3:12

which I have spoken] To wit, by the man of God. See Chap. 2. 27.

when I begin] Heb. beginning and ending: Namely, to execute the judgements threatned, I will not desist till they be fully accomplished.

1 Samuel 3:13

For I have told him] Or, and I will tell him, &c. Chap. 2. 29, 30, 31, &c.

will judge] That is, execute my just judgements upon him, and his family and posterity.

made themselves vile] Or, accursed; That is, base and contemptible by their wicked practices.

restrained them] Heb. frowned not upon them; No, not so much as by frowning upon them, though he ought to have severely punished them, as being not onely their father, but also the high priest and judge.

1 Samuel 3:14

the iniquity] That is, the temporall punishment of their sin is so immutably determined, that by no means it can be avoided, nor my sentence revoked. See Chap. 2. v. 25.

1 Samuel 3:15

vision] Or the things revealed unto him by this vision or apparition.

1 Samuel 3:17

God do so] See Ruth. 1. 17.

more] Heb. so adde.

thing] Or, word.

1 Samuel 3:18

every whit] Heb. all the things, or, words.

let him do what seemeth him good] Psalms 39:9. Isaiah 39:8.

1 Samuel 3:19

was with him] That is, favouring and multiplying is graces in him.

let none of his words fall] That is, fail and come to nothing, but effectually fulfilled all that he had spoken to Samuel. See 1 Kings 8:56. and Matthew 10:29. Some referre it to the words of Samuel which God accomplished, Isai. 55. 10, 11.

1 Samuel 3:20

from Dan] That is, from one end of the land to the other. See Judg. 20. 2.

established] Or, faithfull.

1 Samuel 3:21

by the word of the Lord] To wit, revealed to Samuel by dreams, visions and apparitions, which before his time were so rare and precious. Some understand hereby the eternall word of the LORD, JESUS CHRIST. So 2 Samuel 7:21. John 1:1.