1 Samuel 7

Chap. VII. Ver. 1—17. Israel’s reformation and deliverance. —In the close of the preceding chapter, we find the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh sending to those of Kirjath-jearim to fetch the ark, lest some other evil should befall them; this accordingly they did, and with them it abode a long time, even twenty years, which probably marks the time when this book was written; for, in fact, the ark continued long after, till it was fetched away by David. It is not certain that this Eleazar was of the family of Aaron, though most probably a Levite. Perhaps the priests were at this time so secularized, that they paid no attention to the ark; a Levite was therefore sanctified, or set apart, by some holy ceremony, to the office of its protection and preservation.

On this we may remark, that while the idle curiosity of the Beth-shemites (a city of priests) was severely punished, the pious care of the men of this city was acceptable to the God of Israel. This appearance of returning to a due sense of religion, the Targum reads, “He smote of the elders of the people seventy men.”

Notes on the verses

Chap. VII. Ver. 6. Drew water.—(Grotius says, that the pouring out of water means the shedding of tears; and the Targum reads And they poured out their hearts in penitence, as waters, before God. Others suppose that it was done emblematically, to represent the contrition of their hearts and their desire to wash away their past offences. But some learned men conceive that it was poured out as a libation, in token of joy, after they had fasted and confessed their sin, as they were wont to do in the feast of tabernacles, (See note on (Numbers 29:35).) Hence L’Empereur renders the succeeding clause, “after they had fasted,” &c.]—Bagster.

Ver. 11. Beth-car.—[This place was probably situated in the tribe of Dan.]

Josephus calls it Korraioi; the LXX. Baithchor; Targum, Beth-saron; Syriac and Arabic, Bethjasan; by which Howbigant supposes is meant.

Ver. 16. In circuit.—Hebrew, “Circuited”—went from town to town, to hear, and to judge, and to advise.—[When he was at Bethel, the tribe of Ephraim, and all the northern parts of the country could attend him; when at Gilgal, the tribe of Benjamin, and those beyond Jordan, could have easy access to him; and when at Mizpen, he was within the reach of Judah, Simeon, and Gad: but at Ramah was the place of his ordinary abode; and there he held his court, for was he judged Israel; and as it is probable Shiloh was destroyed, it is said (ver. 12.) that there, i.e. at Ramah, he built an altar to the Lord.]—Bagster.