1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 1:1

An Ephrathite] As the Jewes are called Cretes, and Arabians, Parthians, Medes, Elamites, &c. because borne and bred up in those, Countreys, Acts II. 9, 10, 11. For though borne, or at least dwelling in Mount Ephraim in Ramah; yet was Elkanah, and so Samuel his son, of the posterity of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, 1 Chron. VI. 33,—38.

1 Samuel 1:3

Eli] Eli or Heli, was by unknown descents of the posterity, not of Eleazer, the elder; but of Ithamar, the younger son of Aaron, the son of Amram, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi. Eli was extraordinarily both High Priest; and Judge; And a good and famous man; though faulty, and infamous in his children. And therfore more grievously punished for their flagitious wickednesse, then Samuel for his sons lesser faults. See the sins of the sons of the High Priest Joshua, Ezra X. 18. From Eli descended Phinehas, his son; Ahitub, his son, 1 Sam. IV. 19, 21. compared with chap. XIV. 3. Ahimelech, his son, slaine by Saul, [his brother was Ahijah] 1 Sam.

XIV. 3. and XXII. 9, 11. Abiathar, his son, in Davids time, 1 Sam. XXII. 20. 1 King. I. 7. This Abiathar is named High Priest by our Saviour, Marke II. 26. when David did eate the Shew-bread; because Abiathar then was with his Father Ahimelech joyned in that action of giving the bread to David instantly succeeded in his Fathers roome and Priesthood; was therein more eminent then his Father; and continued therein, with David in his persecution by Saul, and in all the time of his reigne afterward. And thus have we no need in that whole History of Ahimelech and Abiathar, Father, and son, to make them Binomii, to be both known by both those names, and both indifferently called by either; yet see the great Annotations on 1 Chron.

XVIII. 16. This Abiather was thrust out of the High Priesthood by Solomon, 1 King.

II. 26, 27. And the sons of Abiathar were Ahimelech, and Jonathan, 2 Sam. VIII. 17. and XV. 27. This Ahimelech, and not his Grandfather, of the same name, is he that is usualy joyned with Zadok in Davids reigne. And both then are named Priests, 2 Sam. VIII. 17. 1. Chron. XXIV. 31. i. e.

Priests of the second ranck, or next the High Priest, who then was Abiathar. Such a second Priest we read of, 2 King. XXV. 18. Jer. LII. 24. who upon any extraordinary occurrent, restraining or disabling the High Priest; was to supply his place. This Jonathan the son of Abiathar was imployed with Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, as newes-bearer to David in his flight from Absolom, 2 Sam. XV. 27, 28. and XVII. 17.

Of Zadok, See 2 Sam. VIII. 17.

1 Samuel 1:9

Temple] So is the Tabernacle here called. And so, chap. III. 3. 2 Sam. XXII. 7. Psal. XXVII. 6. And so again, The Temple is called a Tabernacle, Lam. II. 6.

1 Samuel 1:20

Samuel] We read not that he was High Priest, or ever so called; But an extraordinary Prophet and Judge, a Nazarite, ver. 11. a Sacrificer; though a Levite onely, and most likely of the posterity of that Korah, Num. XVI. 32. and of the race of Izhar the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, as was formerly said, 1 Chron. VI. A rare and worthy person.