1 Samuel 7

2 while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim. The meaning of this verse may be paraphrased thus: “Now, from the time that the Ark rested at Kirjath-jearim, a long period (as much as twenty years) elapsed before all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.” These “twenty years” have been thought to synchronise with the latter twenty of the forty years’ oppression by the Philistines, mentioned in Judges xiii. 1.

4. Baalim. See notes on Judges ii. 12, 13.

6 they . . . drew water. A symbolical action, which, according to accompanying circumstances and rites, might have different meanings. It was practised in after ages among the Jews, at the Feast of Tabernacles, as a sign of rejoicing, Isa. xii. 3; John vii. 37, 38. As on this occasion it was united with confession of sin, some (with the Chaldee Paraphrast) regard it as representing penitence and humiliation.

9 and offered it for a burnt offering. Samuel’s prophetic commission appears to have included the temporary exercise of priestly functions. See ver. 17; ix. 13: xvi. 2, 5; and cp. 1 Kings xviii. 18-38.

heard. Rather, “answered”: cp. Exod. xix. 19; Psa. xcix. 6, 8.

12. Shen. That is, “the tooth”: the name of a rock.

13 all the days of Samuel. That is, of his government. When this was afterwards transferred to Saul, the Philistines soon began to regain the mastery. See xiii., xvii., xxiii. 27, 28.

15. Samuel judged, etc. Samuel’s judgeship is to be dated probably from the assembly of the Israelites at Mizpeh (3-5). He was then about forty years old. While the earlier judges were generally distinguished by their warlike qualities, which they employed for the deliverance of the Israelites from external oppression, Samuel is remarkable for his attention to their social order and religious improvement. His “judgeship,” i.e., his religious authority, continued even when Saul was king.

16. Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh. As these three places were near to one another, in the tribe of Benjamin, or its neighbourhood, it seems that Samuel’s regular judicial authority was exercised chiefly among the central and southern tribes.