1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 7:1

KIrjath-jearim] See Judg. 18. 12.

Abinadab] 2 Samuel 6:4.

and sanctified] That is, consecrated and set him apart for this holy office, to attend upon the ark of God.

1 Samuel 7:2

lamented after the Lord] That is, they sorrowing and mourning under the grievous oppressions of the Philistines, cryed unto God, and sought unto him, turning unto the LORD, and bewailing their sins, vers. 3.

1 Samuel 7:3

put away strange gods] Josh. 24. 14, 23. That is, the idols of the strange nations.

Ashtaroth] See Judges 2:13. and under this idoll he understandeth Baal and all the rest, v. 4.

serve him onely] Deuteronomy 6:13. and Deuteronomy 10:20. Matthew 4:10. Luke 4:8.

1 Samuel 7:4

put away Baalim] See Judg. 2. 11. And Baalim being of the masculine, and Ashtaroth of the feminine gender, by both these he meaneth all the gods and goddesses of the heathens.

Mizpeh] A city situate upon the borders of Benjamin and Judah; of which, see Judges 20:1. unto which place Samuel causeth the people to assemble, that they might joyn together in prayer, and seek God by a generall humiliation and serious repentance.

1 Samuel 7:6

and drew water] To wit, aboundance of tears out of the fountain of contrite hearts, as the Chaldee paraphrase hath it: By which hyperbolicall expression, is signified the great plenty of tears which they shed for their sins, and testified thereby their unfeigned repentance. The like expression David hath, Psalms 6:6. and Psalms 119:136.

And Samuel judged] That is, by his wise government, good example, holy admonitions and exhortations, he brought them to repentance, convincing them of their sins, Ezekiel 20:4. 22. 2. 23. 36.

1 Samuel 7:7

were gathered] Taking this to be a signe of their comotion and rebellion, they raise their forces, and com to subdue them.

1 Samuel 7:8

Cease not to cry] Hebr. Be not silent from us from crying. As trusting more in Gods ayd, obtained by his prayers, then in their own strength.

1 Samuel 7:9

offered it for a burnt-offering] That is, he either caused it to be offered by the priest, himself not being of that order, or did it as a prophet immediately inspired by God, and warranted to do it, as Elijah, 1 King. 18. 30, 31.

heard him] Or, answered.

1 Samuel 7:10

but the Lord thundred] According to Hannah’s prophecie, Chap. 2. 10. See Joshua 10:10. Judg. 4. 15. 5. 20.

discomfited them] Joshua 10:10.

1 Samuel 7:11

Beth-car] The name of a rock, of which, v. 11.

1 Samuel 7:12

and set it] As a monument of their victory, and thankfulnesse unto God for his help and assistance.

and Shen] Which was a great rock or promontory over against Mizpeh.

Eben-ezer] That is, the stone of help.

1 Samuel 7:13

they came no more] To wit, with an army to give battell, and to enlarge their territorie; but yet kept garisons upon their frontiers, to defend what they had gotten, 1 Samuel 10:5. and 1 Samuel 13:3. Or else [no more] may be taken for a long time, or whilst Samuel judged Israel.

1 Samuel 7:14

were restored] That is, either taken by force or yeelded by composition.

there was peace] That is, a cessation of open war between Israel and the Amorites, that is, the Philistines and others of the Canaanites. See Judges 4:17.

1 Samuel 7:15

judged Israel] That is, exercised the jurisdiction of a judge. See Judg. 2. 16. for though Saul reigned as king, yet Samuel continued his government as a judge still; and therefore they are said to have ruled together fourty yeers, Acts 13:21.

1 Samuel 7:16

in circuit] Hebr. and he circuited.

to Beth-el] That is, either the city of Beth-el, or the house of God, which was now at Kirjath-jearim, where the ark was.

1 Samuel 7:17

Ramah] Or, Ramathaim, Chap. 1. 1. where his dwelling house was.

there he judged] That is, there was his most ordinary plce of judicature, whither he used to return, after he had done h circuits in other cities.

an altar] See Judges 21:4.