1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 1:1

mount = hill country of.

Elkanah = Acquired by God, i.e. perhaps in exchange

for firstborn (Numbers 3:13, Numbers 3:45), a son of Korah. See Exodus 6:24.

1 Samuel 1:2

Hannah = Grace.

Peninnah = Pearl. Note the Figure of speech Antimetabole. App-6.

children = offspring. Hebrew. yalad.

1 Samuel 1:3

yearly. Hebrew “from days to days”. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, to emphasise the regularity.

the LORD of hosts = Jehovah Sabaioth, one of the Jehovah-titles. The first of 281 occurrences. Denotes the God of Israel as the Lord of all the hosts of heaven and earth. See App-4. This title specially characterises this book.

Shiloh. Where the Tabernacle and Ark were. Joshua 18:1; Joshua 19:51; Joshua 22:9. Judges 18:31.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

1 Samuel 1:4

time = day. Punctuality thus emphasised.

1 Samuel 1:5

worthy = double.

1 Samuel 1:8

why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. Compare John 20:13, John 20:15. . . . than ten sons. Probably a Parcemia (App-6). It is so to-day among the Arabs: such a woman being called moonejeba = ennobled.

1 Samuel 1:9

a seat = the seat. First occurrence. Compare Zechariah 6:13.

a post = door post, or side post.

the temple = palace. Hebrew. heykal. Seven mentioned in Scripture: (1) The Tabernacle, 1 Samuel 1:9; (2) Solomon’s, 1 Kings 6:5, 1 Kings 6:17; (3) Zerubbabel’s, Ezra 4:1, Ezra 4:2; (4) Herod’s, John 2:20; (5) The future one of 2 Thessalonians 2:4; (6) The millennial temple of Eze 41:1; and (7) the heavenly temple of Rev 21:3, Revelation 21:22. Also seven references to believers as a temple in N.T.: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19. 2 Corinthians 6:16. Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 2:21. Hebrews 3:6. 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 4:17.

1 Samuel 1:10

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

1 Samuel 1:11

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. See note on Genesis 26:28.

remember me, and not forget. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6) for great emphasis.

no razor. See Numbers 6:5. Judges 13:5; Judges 16:17.

1 Samuel 1:14

How long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

1 Samuel 1:15

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

1 Samuel 1:17

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

1 Samuel 1:19

Ramah. Hence this was Samuel’s residence. remembered. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

1 Samuel 1:20

bare a son. Thus Samuel was a descendant of Korah. See Exodus 6:24.

Samuel. See note on Title, in the book comments for Samuel.

1 Samuel 1:21

man. Hebrew. ’ish. App-14.

offer = sacrifice. App-43.

1 Samuel 1:22

child = young child.

for ever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Whole), App-6. The whole put for a portion; i.e. as long as he lives. Put literally in 1 Samuel 1:28.

1 Samuel 1:24

weaned. From 2 Macc. 7.27 it has been inferred that the time of weaning included the periods of nourishment and up-bringing, which would bring Samuel to the age of at least twelve years. Compare Isaac’s weaning at the age of five years, and see Genesis 21:8. three bullocks. Septuagint and Syriac read “a bullock of three years”. Compare 1 Samuel 1:25, and Genesis 15:9.

ephah. See App-51.

a bottle = a skin bottle. and the child was young. Hebrew vehannar na ’ ar. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6) = “now the boy was a child”. Note also the Figure of speech Parenthesis. App-6.

1 Samuel 1:25

a = the.

1 Samuel 1:26

thy soul = thyself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

1 Samuel 1:28

the LORD = Jehovah. Punctuate thus, “to Jehovah as long as he liveth. He shall be”, &c. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6) in verses: 1 Samuel 1:27-28. “Jehovah hath given me my petition (sh e ’elathi) which I asked of Him (sha’alti): therefore also I have lent him (hishiltihu) to Jehovah. "