1 Samuel 1

with such satisfaction and assurance her own prayers and his would be heard, that there remained no more any token of sorrow and grief; but sho ate her meat, and looked cheerfully.

1 Samuel 1:1

iy OW there was a certain man of RamathaimzophimJ. Either he was born at this place, or lived there (perhaps both), which is called Ramah, ver. 19. of this chapter; and here Ramathaim (in the dual number, as the grammarians speak), becausa it was built upon two hills, which made it appear like a double city. The title of Zophira seems to be added to it, because it being ai high place, there was a watch-tower in it: where, upon occasion, men were set to observe who approached from all parts round about. Or, as St. Jerome, and others think, because here was a school of the prophets, who were wont to seat themselves in such places as were remote from company, and fit for contemplation; which made Elijah and Elisha frequent Mount Carmel. And thus the. Chaldee paraphrase translates these words, There ivas a man of Ramathaim, a disciple of the prophets. Who in the book of Ezekiel are called watchmen: and from hence some think camethe Greek word 2otf>Je: which was the title of astronomers at the first, who from high places contemplated the stars. •.. Of Mount Ephraim.’) This is added to distinguish this from other places, which had the name of Ramah, in other tribes; particularly in that of Benjamin, Josh, xviii. 25. And his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son ofElilm, the son ofTohu.’] It appears by this genealogy, that Samuel was a Levite, of the family of the Kohathites; as we road 1 Chron. vi. 33, 34, Ice. • See Mr. Selden, in his book de Succession, in Pontif. lib. i. cap. 18. where he confutes those who fancy Samuel was a priest, yea, the highpriest, as Petavius himself imagined. The sonofZuph, an Ephrathite.] Ephrata is the same with Beth-lehem, which was in the tribe of Jndah. Therefore Zuph is not called an Ephrathite, because he was descended from the Beth-lehcmiles(forhe was a Levite), but Digitized by Micrqsoft ® A COMMENTARY UPON [CHAP.-I. becauso he dwelt in that place; as the Levitcs were dispersed through all the tribes. So Mr. Seldcn there speaks (from the Hebrew doctors, and the Targum), “Domicilii ratione, non sanguinis;” he is called au Ephrathite, on the account of his habitation, not of his blood.

1 Samuel 1:2

And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah, &c. Hannah seems to have been his first wife, who proving barren, his earnest desire of children moved him to take another, as Abraham had by Sarah’s consent; which* was not in those times disallowod by God; who saith himself, that lie had given to David many wives, (2 Sam. xii. 8.) which shews it was not then a sin in them to have more than one. (Seo Grotlus, in his book de Jure Belli et Pads, lib. ii. cap. 5. sect. 9, 10.)

1 Samuel 1:3

And the man went up out of his city. For though Ramah stood high, yet Shiloh stood higher: and he first went down the hill from Ramah, before he could go up to the other. Yearly to worship, and to’sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.’] Where the tabernacle now was, and where all sacrifices were to be offered, and no where else. Hither all the people were bound to resort, at the three great festivals, (Deut. xvi. 16.) and not to appear before the Lord empty. Accordingly Elkanah not only worshipped God, with prayers and thanksgivings, but offered such sacrifices as were suitable to the festival: and it is likely presented other gifts, according to his ability, as is there required, ver. 17. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.] Ready to offer such sacrifices as were brought to the altar. Whose service Elkanah did not refuse to use, because they were notoriously profane; but reverenced their office, as still priests of the Lord, from whose impure hands he vouchsafed to accept, the offerings of pious people.

1 Samuel 1:4

And when the time was that Elkanah offered. His peace-offerings, w r hich were wont to accompany others at the great festivals. For instance, at the Passover, they offered not only the paschal Iamb, but several other sacrifices, as I noted upon Deut. xvi. 7; all the seven days of unleavened bread having peculiar sacrifices belonging to them. (See Numb, xxviii.) And so there were on the seven days of the feast of tabernacles, (Numb, xxix.) Now, on some of these days, Elkanah offered such sacrifices as might make a feast for his family and friends, according to the law, Deut. xii. 12. He gave to Peninnah Iiis wife, and to all his sons and daughters.] The. males only were bound to appear before God at these festivals; but devout persons were wont to bring their wives also with them, and their daughters as well as sons; especially when they dwelt so near the house of God as Elkanah did, whose habitation at Ramah was not above seven miles from Shiloh. It doth not appear that there was any peculiar court at the tabernacle (as there was afterward at the temple) for the women to worship in by themselves; but they came in with their husbands, and performed their duty close to them. Portions.] Of that part of the peace-offerings which belonged to him that offered them.. Which was the whole, except the fat which belonged to the Lord, and the breast and right shoulder which belonged to the priest. (Lev. vii. dbv 34.) With the rest the sacrificcr made a feast for himself, his family, and friends; giving to every one a portion of the sacrifice; whereby they had communion with the Lord, by partaking with hiin of his sacrifice, which had been offered to him at his altar.

1 Samuel 1:5

But to Hannah he gave a wor thy portion. Or a double portion; in token of his extraordinary respect and kindness to her. For he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up Iter ivomb.] Or, though the Lord, &c. Her barrenness did not make him love her less, but rather more; because he would support and comfort her under that affliction.

1 Samuel 1:6

And her adversary also provoked her sore, to make her fret, because the Lord liad shut up her womb. It added to her affliction,, that Peninnah set herself against her; and was wont to twit her with her barrenness, saying, when her husband sent her a more liberal portion of the holy things than she received, Though he be so kind to you, yet you bring him no children, as I do; which gave her great vexation.

1 Samuel 1:7

And as he did so year by year, when she went up to tlie house of the Lord, so she provoked her. She constantly took this occasion to upbraidher with her barrenness, when her husband expressed such extraordinary kindness to her, Tlierefore she wept, and did not eat.] Her grief was so great, that it made her turn the festival into a fast. So Tertullian understands it, who (in his book de Jejuniis, cap. 7.) saith, God rewarded her fasting and prayers with what she desired, vouchsafing, " inanem cibo ventrem filio implere, et quidem propheta;" to fill her belly empty of meat with a son, and he a prophet.

1 Samuel 1:8

Tlten said Elkanah her husband to her, Hamiah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?. In him we have an example of a most excellent husband, who patiently tolerated the insolent humour of Peninnah, and comforted dejected Hannah with words full of tender affection. Which was truly, in St. Peter’s language, to dwell with his wives, Kara jvlxtlv, according to knowledge, as Victorinus Strigclius here observes. We cannot from the last words of this verse conclude (as some of the Hebrew doctors do) that Peninnah had ten sons (which was not such a pleasure to her as the affection he had for Hannah would have been), for they may signify, according to the common language of holy Scripture, only a great many sons.

1 Samuel 1:9

And Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. The kind words of Elkanah seem to have persuaded her to eat and drink cheerfully. In whom we have an example of an excellent wife; who, sensible of her husband’s kindness, endeavoured to please him by complying with his desires, and avoiding all things that might be grievous to him. Now Eli the priest.] He was both the high-priest and also the judge at this time of the Israelites, being bom in the end of Gideon’s judicature, and died in the middle of the Philistines’ tyranny over the Israelites, twenty years before the great victory Samuel got over them at Eben-ezcr, as Sir John MaTsham computes, who rightly observes, that whensoever his judicature began (which is not recordcd)it consisted only in. hearing and judging causes by his pontU fical authority. For he wrought no deliverance for Israel Microsoft® CHAP. J.] THE FIRST^ BOOK OF SAMUEL. that we read of: but was such a judge as Samuels, sons were, (viii. 1.) and as Samuel himself was after Saul began to reign. When all the days of his life he continued to go abont the country and. do justice, which he administered also when he came home at his own house, (vii. 15. 17.) Sat upon a.seat by a post.’] The Hebrew word is upon a throne; it being a seat raised up to some height to make him conspicuous to all that entered into the house of God, where he sat at the door of it. The Jews, in Seder,01am, and in Jalkut, have a conceit that Eli was this very day, when Hannah came to pray, made judge of Israel: so that from hence theydate the beginning of his judicature. But this is a weak conjecture, built merely on this phrase, sat on his seat. Where, as Abarbinel observes, he sat as the highpriest, and not as a judge. And this was no.new. thing, but according to. custom, that he might preserve good order there; give his advice to those who had occasion to consult him; resolve their doubts, and give. them his blessing. And he thinks that Samuel was bom ten years or more before the judicature of Eli. In the temple of the Lord.’] It is not unusual to call the tabernacle by the name of a temple:’ as the temple, when it was built, is called a tabernacle. (See Jer. x.20. Lament, ii. 6.) Yet the Talmudists, from the Hebrew word hachil (which is here used), say, that when the tabernacle was removed from Gilgal to Shiloh, the sides of it were built of stone, and covered at the top with curtains, having no solid roof. And from hence they fancy it is called beth, the house of the Lord, (vcr. 24.) which Maimonides.interprets a house of stone. But there is no certainty of this: for such words as these have a larger sense. And indeed we are taught as much by the 1 Kings iii. 2. where it is expressly said, that there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until the days of Solomon: and 2 Sam. vii. 6. where Nathan speaks in God’s name to David, in these words, " I have not dwelt in a house since I came out of Egypt." (Seo J/Empcreur, in his preface to Codex Middoth.) From the first words of this verse, it appears that Hannah rose up to go to the temple at the time of the evening sacrifice, for it was after they had dined.

1 Samuel 1:10

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. Her grief returned when she was alone, and thought of her. barrenness; which made her pray with great vehemence, and many tears, for a child.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow. As was usual, when they earnestly longed to obtain what they sought with prayers and tears. And said, O Lord, if thou wilt indeed look upon the afflictions of thy Mndmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid.] These are three various expressions of the same thing: whereby she declares, though with great humility, how much she was concerned, to obtain her request, of being delivered from her barrenness: for that is the meaning of looking upon her affliction, and remembering her..(See Gen. viii. 1. Exod. iii. 7. 16.) But wilt give unto thy handmaid* a man-child.’] She thrice calls herself his handmaid, out of a profound sense of her meanness and his majesty: and desires a man-child, becauso only such could wait upon the Lord in the service of the tabernacle; as she intended her son should do, if God bestowed one upon her. Then will I give unto the Lord all the days of his life.] The Levi tcs, were not bound to serve at the tabernacle until they were twenty-five years old; and not after they were fifty: but she devoted him to the ministry there from his childhood, as long as he lived. v And there shall no razor come. upon his head.] She vowed he should be a Nazarite; part of«whosc description this is, (Numb. vi. 5.) And so the best of the Jewish doctors interpret it;. for the exposition of the Chaldee paraphrast is very forced: but from hence the.opinion of the Talmudists is confuted, who say, (in the Mischna, in the title Sota, cap. 3.). that a man might devote his child to be a Nazarite before he was of age; but a woman could not. Nor doth any of them take.notice of this example of Hannah; which hath made some think, that possibly they looked upon this as done by an. extraordinary motion, and therefore not to be a rule to. others; especially since she did it before her child was born. (See J; Wagenseil, in his learned notes upon that book, p. 448.)

1 Samuel 1:12

And it came to pass, that as she continued pray ing before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.* The inward anguish of her soul, U is probable, made the motions of her mouth and her countenance very different from what is usual.

1 Samuel 1:13

Now, Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she had bee%i drunk. Hearing her say nothing, but only seeing her lips move along time; with such gestures, it is likely, of her body, hands, and eyes, as argued a very great commotion; he took her to be disordered with the wine she had drunk liberally at the forenamed feast. For it is apt to make one talk much, and the great agony wherein she was might something distort her face.

1 Samuel 1:14

And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? Put away thy wine from thee. He seems to bid her go to bed and sleep; aftd then come and pray, to God.

1 Samuel 1:15

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord; lam a woman of a sorrowful spirit: and have drunk neither wine nor strong drink. Of the difference between wine and strong drink, see Numb. vi. 3. 5. Great affliction of spirit makes one distaste meat and drink But have poured out my soul before the Lord.] An usual expression for sincere and fervent prayer. t

1 Samuel 1:16

Account not thy handmaid for a daughter of Belial. This is a phrase signifying the most lewd persons/ that regarded neither God nor men. (See Deut. xiii. 13.) For out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.] The accusation against her being very foul, she purgeth herself from it very earnestly; but in a modest manner, and with due respect to the office which Eli held in the church. Vcr. 17. And Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of heaven grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.] Her sober and respectful answer convinced the old man of his error; and moved him to dismiss her with his blessing, and a solemn prayer to God that he would grant her request.

1 Samuel 1:18

And she said, Let thy handmaid find grace in thy sight. For which she returned him most humble thanks, and desired the continuance of his prayers. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.] She departed from the temple

1 Samuel 1:19

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house in Hawaii. I supposo she acquainted Elkanah -with her prayer and with Eli’s blessing: and it is likely that he now made a solemn vow to God if he would be pleased to fulfil her petition. (See ver. 21.) * And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.] According to her prayer, (ver. 11.) -

1 Samuel 1:20

And it came to pass, when the time was come about, after Hannah conceived. The usual time that women go with child before they be delivered. Tliat she bare a son, and called his name Samuel.’] Sometimes fathers, and sometimes mothers, gave the name to their children. (See upon Gen. iv. 2G.) Saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.] This was the reason of his name: which sho gave him, that he as well as she might keep in mind the interest God had in him; from whom she obtained him by ardent prayers. * For Saulmeel (which is contracted into Samuel) signifies asked of God, as wc translate this word in the margin of our Bibles. He was born (as Sir John Marsham computes with great probability) in the time when the Philistines domineered over Israel for forty years together, (see Judges x. 7. xiii. 1.) but in what year cannot certainly be determined.

1 Samuel 1:21

And tlie man Elkanah, and all his house’, went, tip to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice. At the feast of the Passover, or some other of the three great festivals. He is a great example of piety; who carried his whole family to worship God with him at those solemn times which the law enjoined. • And his vow.] Which it is likely he made, cither when he saw his wife was with child, or, perhaps, before, when she told him w r hat hope she had her prayer would be heard, and he worshipped God, (ver; 19.) r Ver: 22. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up till the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.] She was not bound by the law to go up with her husband: and, therefore, though she was wont to go, she resolved, as became a prudent woman, to stay at home till the child was strong enough, not only to accompany her, but to be left at the house of the Lord, and be capable of being instructed in the service of God.

1 Samuel 1:23

And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good: tarry until thou hast weaned him. Interpreters here note the sweet agreement that ought to be (according to the example of this happy couple) between husband and wife*. Only the Lord establish his word.] Wc do not read of any thing the Lord had spoken about this child: unless Elkanah looked upon what Eli had said as spoken by God, because he was God’s high-priest. Or the Hebrew words may be translated, the Lord establish his work; L e. perfect what he hath begun, by making the child grow tiH he was fit for his service. For the word (Lobar signifies any matter or thing as well as word. So the woman abode.] At home. • And gave the child suck till she weaned him.] Sheherself was his nurse, and suckled him, after the example of Sarah. (See upon Gen. xxi. 7.) And, it is likely, continued to do so (out of her great affection to him) several years. Some think three; but it is not improbable six or seven, as Lyra conjectures. And so long I remember one to have sucked, in the place where I was born. •

1 Samuel 1:24

And when she had tveaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine. As they were not to appear before the Lord empty; so, upon this occasion, they brought an ample offering to him; to testify their gratitude to the Divine Majesty. And it is highly probable, that one of these bullocks was wholly offered to God as a burnt-offering, and the other two were peace-offerings; or, as some will have it, one a sin-offering, and the other a peace-offering. Which had a largo measure of flour for a meat-offering, and of wine also attending it; that they might rejoice together before the Lord, when they feasted with him upon the peace-offering. And brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.] In the Hebrew the words arc, hanaar-naar, the child was a child, i. e. wholly at their disposal. • -

1 Samuel 1:25

And they slew thebxdlock, and brought the child to Eli. They first performed their duty to God, by offering a whole burnt-offering to him; reserving the rest, I suppose, till they had acquainted Eli with God’s goodness to them, that they might all rejoice together.

1 Samuel 1:26

And she said, Oh,my lord! as thy soul liveth,my lord,I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. Many take these words, as thy soul liveth, for an oath; whereby she assures him, that, as certain as he was alive, she was the person whom he saw in that place • praying, and took for a distempered woman. But others (particularly D. Kimchi) think there is nothing of an oath in them,’ they being only a form of well-wishing to him; as if she said, I wish thee a long life, that thou mayest educate my son.

1 Samuel 1:27

For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. She had told him nothing of what she prayed for, when he reproved her, but only in general, that she was extremely afilicted for want of something, which she earnestly begged of God. But now she acquaints him with it, and with her vow sho made, if God granted her desire; which she was now come to accomplish.

1 Samuel 1:28

And therefore also I have lent him unto the Lord. Or, restored him to the Lord (as the Targum expounds it), from whose gift she received him. As long as he liveth he sltall beknt unto the Lord.] Or, as the words may be translated, all the days that he shall be desired for the Lord. That is, as long as God should think fit to employ him in his own house; which was till he made him a judge, (vii.15.) Then he was not fixed at Shiloh, but went about the country to Beth-cl, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh; and then settled at his own house in-llamah, as we read there, ver. 17. And he worshipped the Lord there.] This shews that Elkanah was with Hannah,, and gave his consent to this dedication of their child, to such service as God should think fit to employ him in: which he humbly prayed God to accept. Microsoft ® CHAP. II.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.