Commentary on 1Samuel Part 2 (No. F009ii)

Chapter 7

And the men of Kir′iath-je′arim came and took up the ark of the Lord, and brought it to the house of Abin′adab on the hill; and they consecrated his son, Elea′zar, to have charge of the ark of the Lord. ²From the day that the ark was lodged at Kir′iath-je′arim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

Samuel as Judge

³Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ash′taroth from among you, and direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” ⁴So Israel put away the Ba′als and the Ash′taroth, and they served the Lord only. ⁵Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” ⁶So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. ⁷Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines. ⁸And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” ⁹So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord; and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. ¹⁰As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the Lord thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel. ¹¹And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, as far as below Beth-car. ¹²Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jesha′nah, and called its name Ebene′zer; for he said, “Hitherto the Lord has helped us.” ¹³So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. ¹⁴The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel rescued their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. ¹⁵Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. ¹⁶And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all these places. ¹⁷Then he would come back to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he administered justice to Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.

Intent of Chapter 7

Samuel leads the nation in repentance;

Samuel was the last Judge as Prophet of Israel.

7:1-29 Is an explanation as was 1Samuel 2:27-36, asserted to be a later source explanation inserted into the Early text of 1Samuel, in this case seeking to explain why David was not chosen to build the Temple, allegedly based on Psalm 89, comp. Ps. 132:11-12 (see also OARSV n). Nathan, the prophet, (vv. 2,3,4,17) is alleged to be used as the mouthpiece of the author.

Allegedly, the later commentators assert that the prophet Nathan does not appear in the Early Source until 12:1 (OARSV n.). vv. 4-17 are often referred to as the Prophecy of Nathan and vv. 18-29 as the prayer of David. Verse 6 ignores the Temple at Shiloh (1Sam. 1:7; 3:3). (see also OARSV n.). The key to understanding this chapter is the play on the various meanings of the word house; in vv. 1-2 it means “palace”; in vv. 5,6,7, 13 it means “Temple”; in vv. 11,16,19,25,26, 27,29 it means dynasty; in v. 18 it means “family status.” comp. OARSV n.

The Dynasty of David fell in 587-586 BCE and entered the phase of the Exilarchs to the present day (No. 067). Then it will move on to the restoration under Messiah in the near future.

7:1-2 The name Kiriatheiearim means: Kirjath-je'arim = "city of forests” It is a city on the northern boundary of Judah and on the western and southern boundaries of Benjamin.

The name Abinadab means “my father is noble" or "my father is willing". Eleazar, the son of Abinadad, sheltered the ark. Lamented after the Lord i.e. they implored the Lord for help.

Twenty is the number of expectancy (refer to Bullinger. Page 249 Numbers in Scripture).

7:3 Samuel reminded the people “if” they put away their false ways and gods, God would return to them. God raised up Samuel as a prophet and a judge (1Sam. 4:1) yet Samuel is not mentioned often during these twenty years that the Ark was not in Israel’s possession. The worship of the false gods of the nations was always Israel’s sin, as it is to this day. (Jdg. 2:11-15; 3:7; 10:6; 13:1 etc.).

The baals of the Ashtoroth (plural of Ashtoreth; Hebrew word for Astarte (modern Easter) goddess of fertility and profane love; consort of Baal, and worshipped today as and at Easter. These were the principal deities of the Canaanites worshipped by Israel when they sinned in idolatry as they do to this day. (cf. Nos. 143F; 156K, 156Kii; 156Kiii; 156L).

7:4-6 Mizpah means “watchtower". Mizpah is where Jacob separated from Laban (Gen. 31:49) and was the gathering place for a repentant Israel (Jdg. 20:1). This was a place remembered for separation and repentance. Lamentations 2:19: Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.

v. 6 Libations of Water are used for a fast instead of wine. Neither is drunk by the person fasting. Fasting is one of the tools God gives to his people to draw closer to Him inwardly through their own heart and outwardly by getting rid of pagan items. The first process is turning our heart to God which prompts us to do the physical acts. 1John 1:5-10 talks of our need to confess our sins (2Sam. 12:13).

David’s acknowledgement of his sin is very similar to this text. Repentance is important to our relationship to God. For more information see Repentance and Baptism (No. 052).

7:7 the Israelites lacked faith and trust in God.

7:8-9 Samuel prays for the nation

Samuel prayed to the One True God as occurred too many times in Scripture to mention yet Samuel is recorded in Ps. 99:6 (see Psalms Part 3: The Leviticus Book (No. F019_3).

A whole burnt offering; One that is entirely consumed Ex. 29:18; Lev. 8:21; Dt. 13:16; 33:10). Later scholars consider these texts are of the Deuteronomic editor rather than the Late Source (see OARSV n.). The divisions are arbitrary and not considered necessary.

7:10-11 The Lord fights for Israel, Israel hears the thunder, and the Philistines end up in confusion and defeat, and they were routed before Israel (Ex. 23:27; Deut. 7:23; 1Sam 14:20).

7:12-13 Samuel took a stone and named it Ebenezer because “Hitherto the Lord has helped us.” Ebenezer means "stone of help". It is a memorial stone erected by Samuel to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines. It is north of Jerusalem. There were numerous times in Scriptures where stones and rocks were used as memorials or markers. Clearly, we know God is our Rock (Ps. 62:2).

7:14-17 Samuel's success as judge over Israel. Samuel displayed integrity throughout his life (12:3-5). There is not a biblical example of him making excuses. He always did what God asked of him. He was a prophet, even from his boyhood (3:21-4:1) and the last judge of Israel.

The lands the Philistines took were restored to Israel and there was peace. Samuel also functioned as a circuit judge going to various cities: Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah, and then returned to his home in Ramah where he built an altar to the Lord. Samuel was consistent in his service and worship of the One True God.

Chapter 8

Israel Demands a King

¹When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. ²The name of his first-born son was Jo′el, and the name of his second, Abi′jah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. ³Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice. ⁴Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, ⁵and said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.” ⁶But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. ⁷And the Lord said to Samuel, “Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. ⁸According to all the deeds which they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. ⁹Now then, hearken to their voice; only, you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” ¹⁰So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking a king from him. ¹¹He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots; ¹²and he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. ¹³He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. ¹⁴He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. ¹⁵He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. ¹⁶He will take your menservants and maidservants, and the best of your cattleand your asses, and put them to his work. ¹⁷He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. ¹⁸And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

Israel’s Request for a King Granted

¹⁹But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No! but we will have a king over us, ²⁰that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.” ²¹And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. ²²And the Lord said to Samuel, “Hearken to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

Intent of Chapter 8

8:1-22 The people request a king

Modern scholars hold that this text is a continuation of the Late Source showing an antimonarchical tendency rather than the fact of the transition of Israel from the Judges to the Monarchy (see Introduction and 7:13-14n.). (See also OARSV n). This transition was prophesied by Jacob in Genesis chapter 49, but to Judah, rather than Benjamin.

8:1-3 When he was old Samuel appointed his sons to be judges over Israel, yet his sons did not keep God's Laws, rather they perverted justice.

8:4-5 Israel’s elders ask for a king ‘like other nations.’ After the death of Joshua, Israel was given judges to instruct and guide them. If Israel obeyed, things went well. If they did not obey, problems and hardships resulted (see Samson and the Judges (No. 073); Commentary on the Judges (Nos. F007; F007ii; iii; iv; v).

Gideon clearly said in Judges 8:23: “I will not rule over you, nor my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you’. In Exodus 19:5.6 and Deuteronomy 4:39-40 God implied from the beginning He would be Israel’s king. Here for the first time in Israel’s history, they are asking for a king ‘like other nations to rule over them.’ In Deuteronomy 17:14-20 God knows the beginning from the end. He knew Israel would ask for a king and in Deuteronomy directions are given as to what a king should do.

8:6-8 Samuel prays to the One True God

Samuel expressed his displeasure to God through prayer and God helps Samuel to know that the people had rejected God. God foretold, through the elohim of Israel, that there would be a king in Israel. God the Father had a plan from the beginning and at this point in time Samuel also had a role to play in anointing Israel’s first and second kings. The sins described here were to be continued on into the reign of Solomon (No. 282C) and saw a divided kingdom.

For more information see Rule of the Kings Part I: Saul (No. 282A); (also Nos. 282B; 282C and 282D).

8:9-18 God tells Samuel to warn the nations

God always warns the people before major events happen (Am. 3:7). Here we see Samuel instructed to warn the people of how things would be under the rule of a king.

8:19-22 Israel demands a king

In spite of God’s warning through Samuel, the people still demand a king. Israel is a stiff-necked people, and it gets them in trouble more than once (Ex. 33:3; Deut. 9:13; Neh. 9:16; Acts 7:51), yet God grants their wish as it also fulfils His Plan (see also The Plan of Salvation (No. 001A)).

Chapter 9

Saul Chosen to Be King

¹There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abi′el, son of Zeror, son of Beco′rath, son of Aphi′ah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth; ²and he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. ³Now the asses of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the asses.” ⁴And theypassed through the hill country of E′phraim and passed through the land of Shal′ishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Sha′alim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. ⁵When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the asses and become anxious about us.” ⁶But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he says comes true. Let us go there; perhaps he can tell us about the journey on which we have set out.” ⁷Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What have we?” ⁸The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me the fourth part of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God, to tell us our way.” ⁹(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) ¹⁰And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. ¹¹As they went up the hill to the city, they met young maidens coming out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?” ¹²They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Make haste; he has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. ¹³As soon as you enter the city, you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those eat who are invited. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.” ¹⁴So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. ¹⁵Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: ¹⁶“Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of Philistines; for I have seen the affliction ofmy people, because their cry has come to me.” ¹⁷When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall rule over my people.” ¹⁸Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” ¹⁹Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. ²⁰As for your asses that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s house?” ²¹Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my family the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” ²²Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. ²³And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” ²⁴So the cook took up the leg and the upper portionand set them before Saul; and Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat; because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ²⁵And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul upon the roof, and he lay down to sleep. ²⁶Then at the break of dawn^[^f^] Samuel called to Saul upon the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

Samuel Anoints Saul

²⁷As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”

Intent of Chapter 9

9:1-10:16 The Secret Choice of Saul

We see here that God, through His Divine Prescience (No. 296), was able to see that, even though he had told Jacob that the Sceptre would be vested in Judah (Gen. Ch. 49:10), He was to use Saul as the first king in order to deal with the Philistines and subjugate them so as to develop Israel, even though Saul was not stable.

The proponents of the Early and Later Source theories also try to develop the theory that Samuel was only a local seer.

9:1-2 Introduction to Kish and his family

We learn that Kish was a wealthy Benjaminite, who had a son named Saul, who was very handsome and was taller than any of the people. Saul means “desired.” Saul, (Paul) of Tarsus was also a Benjaminite and an apostle of God and recruited by Christ. Here we see that Samuel is a prophet of God at Zuph and held in high regard. He was an Ephraimite by birth.

Young man here means man in the prime of his life as Saul had grown-up children.

9:3-14 Saul and the servant search for his father’s donkeys. Though they searched various areas, and could not find the animals. They decided to see a man of God which was the custom in those days (see Bullinger’s note regarding: He that is now called a prophet was once called a seer.) (See 1Chro. 29:29 also re seers and prophets).

v. 6 This city may be Ramah (7:17).

v. 7 Saul appears not to have heard of Samuel (contrast 4:1a and 7:15).

v. 8 The fourth part of a shekel was merely a piece of silver about one eighth of an ounce; some ten cents now, but more then.

v. 11-14 The city seems to be a small walled town on the side of a hill with one gate and with a spring below and the High Place above. Samuel presided over the sacrificial meal as a priest and prophet. Later pagan practices developed at the High Place shrines, and they were ordered destroyed (see also OARSV n.) Deut. 12:2-3; 2Kgs. 23:8-9).

9:15-17 God tells Samuel, a day in advance that a man from Benjamin will be king and he shall rule over My people.

9:18-21 Samuel and Saul meet

Saul is asking who the seer is, only to find out he is speaking to him.

v. 19 Perhaps Saul was also brooding over the attacks of the Philistines. Saul learns the donkeys are found yet there are other important matters with which to be dealt. In Judges 20:47 we see Benjamin being reduced to 600 men and all left-handed. In 20:16 we saw that there were seven hundred left-handed slingers. Everyone could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. Benjamin was almost wiped out here, to a figure less than that of their key left-handed slingers.

We see, in 9:22-24, that Saul is honoured at the feast because Samuel had been forewarned to make him king in Israel by the elohim of Israel of Ps. 45:6-7 who was the Christ (Heb. 1:8-9). Eloah no man has seen, or can see, or heard his voice, ever (Jn. 1:18; 1Tim 6:16). The elohim of Israel, the subordinate God of Israel of Psalm 45:6-7 and Hebrews 1:8-9, was the Christ.

It is interesting to note that we see a possible reference to the inner council symbolised by the thirty mighty men of Israel, with 30 individuals being invited to the meal. It was also an honour to be at a meal with the judge/prophet Samuel (see Rev. 4:4,8,9,10,11; Rev. 5:14; Commentary on Revelation: Introduction and Part 1 (No. F066).

9:25-27 Samuel and Saul talked that night and at dawn Samuel and Saul went into the street and Samuel directs Saul as to what to do so he can make the word of God known to him. Bullinger speaks of verse 27 and refers to Gen. 15:1 as Elohim. 27 the word of Elohim. Gen. 15:1 the word of the LORD.

v. 25 Roofs in the Middle East were flat with parapets and were well equipped for sleeping platforms, in the dry summer months, when little rain falls.

Chapter 10

¹Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their enemies round about. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. ²When you depart from me today you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The asses which you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the asses and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’ ³Then you shall go on from there further and come to the oak of Tabor; three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. ⁴And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. ⁵After that you shall come to Gib′eath-elo′him, where there is a garrison of the Philistines; and there, as you come to the city, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. ⁶Then the spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man. ⁷Now when these signs meet you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. ⁸And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I am coming to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”

Saul Prophesies

⁹When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all these signs came to pass that day. ¹⁰When they came to Gib′e-ah, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them. ¹¹And when all who knew him before saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” ¹²And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” ¹³When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. ¹⁴Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the asses; and when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” ¹⁵And Saul’s uncle said, “Pray, tell me what Samuel said to you.” ¹⁶And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the asses had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

Saul Proclaimed King

¹⁷Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah; ¹⁸and he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ ¹⁹But you have this day rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said, ‘No! but set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.” ²⁰Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. ²¹He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of the Matrites was taken by lot; finally he brought the family of the Matrites near man by man, and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. ²²So they inquired again of the Lord, “Did the man come hither?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” ²³Then they ran and fetched him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. ²⁴And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” ²⁵Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. ²⁶Saul also went to his home at Gib′e-ah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. ²⁷But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Intent of Chapter 10

10:1 Samuel anoints Saul

The unguent used for anointing kings was olive oil, although priests (Ex. 29:7), and prophets (1Kgs. 19:16), were also sometimes anointed. Thus the kings came to be called “the Lord’s anointed” (16:6 and 24:6). This became the ideal future king as Messiah (Hebrew), Mat. 1:16 n., or Christos (Greek). The site of Rachel's Tomb is in Benjamin, north of Jerusalem (Jer. 31:15). Another tradition locates it south near Bethlehem at the site shown to tourists today (Gen. 35:16; 48:7; Mat. 2:16-18).

Samuel anointed Saul privately and reminded Saul that: “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel?”

We see many references to items of the tabernacle or furniture of the Temple being anointed as well as people and set apart for holy use.

10:2-7 Samuel tells Saul what 3 things will happen next as a way to confirm Samuel is a man of God and God is working with Samuel and Saul. By Rachel’s tomb will be two men. Scripture is held established in the mouths of two witnesses.

Tree at Tabor… three men, three young kids… three loaves of bread.. a skin of wine, a gift of two loaves of bread-

Concept of 3- 3 denotes completeness in the sense of three lines to a figure. It was also used in the structure of the satanic system of the Triune god. The third day completed the fundamentals of the creation. The fourth, fifth and sixth days are counterparts of the threefold process of the creation we see on the first, second and third days.

Carrying their first fruits.

Two loaves - The symbolism of the two loaves at Pentecost, which are leavened, has direct relationship to this aspect (see the paper Pentecost at Sinai (No. 115)).

Meet the group of the prophets with musical instruments. ⁶Then the spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man.
For more information on The Holy Spirit see The Holy Spirit (No. 117). Now when these signs meet you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 2Kgs. 4:42-43 Samuel provided guidance and direction for the prophets, just as, later on, Elijah and Elisha did. In Num. 11:25 we see the Spirit of the Lord rested on the seventy elders and they prophesied, but did so no more.

v. 3 Going up to God means “going up to offer sacrifice.”

v. 5 The garrison and the prefect of the Philistines is a reminder of the enormous task that lay before Saul.

The Hill of God (Hebrew gib’ath Ha Elohim). Rashi says the ‘Hill of Kirath’jearim where the Arc of God was.’ The place is also called the gib’ath of Saul (11:4) and gib’ath of Benjamin (13:2). This site was held to be a few miles north of Jerusalem.

The garrison of the Philistines. The Hebrew word netsib which is translated garrison here can only mean ‘officer’. (cf. 1Kgs. 4:19 and 13:3). If this interpretation is correct, it would mean that gib’ath was the official residence of one of the officers whom the Philistines had left to rule there.

v. 6 To prophesy etc. as in early ecstatic utterances (19:23-24). A religious initiation for the new king. Thou shalt turn into another man described in verse 9 as God gave him another heart is the first conversion recorded in sacred literature (so Kennedy - see Soncino). However, he did not retain it.

v. 7 Do whatever you hand finds to do - knowing his task was God-given he was to boldly undertake whatever tasks presented themselves. Ehrlich, following the Targum used by the Jewish commentators, takes the meaning of the clause to be ‘prepare (for thy kingly office) as best thou canst afford.’ (Soncino)

10:8 The change in Saul began to be noticed. Saul commanded by Samuel to wait at Gilgal

Thou shall go down - this was the beginning of the organized rising against the Philistines. All directed by God through Samuel, not by Saul.

Here we see the instruction for what Saul had to do in this 7-day period. 7 is the number of spiritual perfection (see the paper on numbers
Symbolism of Numbers (No. 007).

In 1Samuel 13:9 we see, as later in his life, Saul does not follow the directions of Samuel.

10:9-13 signs come to pass

Saul was given a new heart; we are to have a contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17) Here it is said twice: ‘is Saul among the prophets’ and again in 1Samuel 19:24. The reminder of God bringing Israel up out of Egypt is given. This is also seen in The Fall of Egypt (No. 036). It is also reinforced that the people have rejected God and want a king.

v. 9 God in effect made a new man of him, but he was still not sound in the Holy Spirit, as David was after him.

v. 11 The change in Saul began to be noticed.

v. 12 And who is their father appears to be a questioning of the spiritual basis of the activity.

v. 13 Came to the High Place means to go up to sacrifice.

10:14-19 reflects on Saul’s uncle seeking information, yet Saul shares that the asses had been found. He is silent about the kingship.

10:17-27 Saul is chosen king by lot

Samuel called the people together at Mizpah.

Samuel is aware that their decision and choice is a rejection of God rather than a natural progression and he warns them of that fact in verse 19.

10:20-24 Saul selected by lot

In Scripture we see others chosen by lot, such as Acts 1:26 with Matthias being the replacement. We have seen that God chose and anointed Saul yet drawing the lot was a demonstration for all of Israel. Some of Israel may have had an issue that Saul was a Benjamite and not of Judah, as per the prophecy of Genesis 49:10.

Saul tried to hide so he would not have to perform the duties that were required of him. However, God causes men to do what He has set before them. Refer to Jonah. Jonah tried to run away from God (F032). The people shouted: “long live the king”. Samuel again reminded them God chose Saul. Some of these references to God putting in rulers and taking them down are in Ps. 75:7; Dan. 4:17, 12:21; Rom. 13:1-2.

v. 21-22 The Matrites. The clan of the Matrites is not mentioned elsewhere. The RSV rightly contains the LXX additions. A Clan of Benjamin of which Saul of Gibeah's family was part. The Soncino records that Rashi held the divisions were by names in a box and Kimchi holds they were selected by Urim and Thummim. The last selection (v. 22) was almost certainly by Urim and Thummim. Note that Samuel had the power to summon all Israel and so the later attempts of the academics to limit him to a local seer and not a major judge in Israel are implausible. Israel was frightened of Samuel hence the elders of the city of Bethlehem (16:4) commented: have you come in peace? He was both a judge and a prophet over all Israel.

Saul's conduct is a bit puzzling in hiding among the baggage, but he may well have been testing Samuel to see if God was truly supporting his kingship.

10:25-27 Monarchy is established

The duties of a king are referenced in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 with reference to writing a copy of the law and how the king is to conduct his life and govern the people; not all the nation supported Saul, yet at this point in his life Saul was silent and he went home to Gibeah.

Chapter 11

Saul Defeats the Ammonites

¹Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Ja′besh-gil′ead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” ²But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus put disgrace upon all Israel.” ³The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” ⁴When the messengers came to Gib′e-ah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people; and all the people wept aloud. ⁵Now Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and Saul said, “What ails the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. ⁶And the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. ⁷He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. ⁸When he mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. ⁹And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Ja′besh-gil′ead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. ¹⁰Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” ¹¹And on the morrow Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and cut down the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. ¹²Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” ¹But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has wrought deliverance in Israel.” ¹⁴Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” ¹⁵So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

This act was to consolidate Israel as a nation in one body under one king, and so it is to remain forever under the Messiah.

Intent of Chapter 11

11:1-15 Saul proves himself to lead in battle and is publicly made king. The text logically follows 10:16 and shows the opportunity for which he was warned to be ready (10:1). The Ammonites to the East (Gen. 19:38; Num 21:24; Dt. 2:37; Jdg. 10:9) were not as dangerous as the Philistines. However, the victory over this force showed that Saul was able to lead Israel to victory over the stronger force to the West. This also freed Israel from a war on two fronts.

11:1-3 Nahash the Ammonite gives an ultimatum

Nahash means serpent or snake. The city of Jabesh–Gilead (an Israelite town to the east of the Jordan) was surrounded by the Ammonites who offered a covenant if they put out the right eye of the people and so degrade Israel. This would clearly show Israel was weaker by agreeing to such a thing and put them at a disadvantage in the future in battle having one eye. We see from the curse in Zechariah 11:17 the worthless or idol (KJV) shepherd was blind in his right eye and lost his right arm (fig. also his eldest son). For more information about the idol shepherd see The Man of Sin and the Apostasy (No. 299E). We also see they took seven (7) days to make a decision; during this time they did not reach out to God, because they had their own king. Seven (7) denotes spiritual perfection. It reflects the work of the Holy Spirit as the power of God, as a hallmark does.

11:4-5 Saul learns of the problem

Though he was anointed king by Samuel, Saul was working in the field when he heard of the problem.

11:6-8 And the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. Saul becomes so angry that he cut a yoke of oxen into pieces and sent them to all Israel with the message “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people. Saul had an army of 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 from Judah (Number of 3 repeated in multiples).

v. 7 Sending the pieces of a sacrifice was a call to war (Jg. 19:29).

v. 8 Bezek was between Shechem and Beth-shan.

11:9-11 Nahash is defeated

Saul set the people into 3 companies. (Three (3) denotes completeness in the sense of three lines to a figure.) We see this division in other places in Scripture such as with Gideon. (Judges 7:16, And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars.). Three hundred is a seal of the Spirit of the Lord God.

v. 11 The day begins at EENT and the morrow is the next half of the day. They marched all night to achieve surprise and attacked at dawn, all on the same day.

11:12-15 Saul is made king

Saul reminded Israel that the Lord delivered Israel. Here Saul gave the glory to God, and he was an example as a king who listened to God and used this victory to renew the kingdom at Gilgal, the place of Israel's circumcision. He was anointed king by Samuel (1Sam. 10:1) and recognized as king by much of the nation of Israel (1Sam. 10:24) yet with this victory the nation was ready to recognise Saul as king.

v. 14 The text indicates Samuel's intent on publicly establishing Saul's kingship.

Chapter 12

Samuel’s Farewell Address

¹And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and have made a king over you. ²And now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray, and behold, my sons are with you; and I have walked before you from my youth until this day. ³Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify gainst me and I will restore it to you.” ⁴They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.” ⁵And he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.” ⁶And Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. ⁷Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the saving deeds of the Lord which he performed for you and for your fathers. ⁸When Jacob went into Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. ⁹But they forgot the Lord their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sis′era, commander of the army of Jabin king of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. ¹⁰And they cried to the Lord, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served the Ba′als and the Ash′taroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.’ ¹¹And the Lord sent Jerubba′al and Barak, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelt in safety. ¹²And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your king. ¹³And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. ¹⁴If you will fear the Lord and serve him and hearken to his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well; ¹⁵but if you will not hearken to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. ¹⁶Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. ¹⁷Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” ¹⁸So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. ¹⁹And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” ²⁰And Samuel said to the people, “Fear not; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; ²¹and do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain. ²²For the Lord will not cast away his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. ²³Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. ²⁴Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. ²⁵But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

Intent of Chapter 12

Samuel reminded the people of Israel of the history of their relationship with God, from the time of Moses to his own time. He reminded them of their sins and their transgression of the Law of God. Yet they have not listened even to this day, and our kings have sinned continually and have not kept the Laws of God (L1) and soon we are to be dealt with under the Wars and the Witnesses and the Messiah and the Loyal Host (see 143F; 156K; 156Kii; 156Kiii; 156L).

12:1-2 Samuel’s last speech to the Israelites as judge and leader. He complied with all his people’s demands and established a king for all Israel.

12:3-5 Samuel considers his own integrity and the service he had given them as a testimony in the presence of the Lord as His anointed. He took nothing from them.

12:6-8 In this passage, Samuel recalls how God established Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and led them to the Promised Land (Ex. 6:13, 6:26, 16:6).

12:9-12 Despite God's blessings, the people often forgot their relationship with God, turning to idolatry and disobedience (Lev. 26:14-16; Ex. 23:21). Repeatedly, when the people of Israel cried out to God in distress, the Lord their God sent saviours to deliver them from their enemies. The Blessings and the Curses. No. 075).

12:13-16 Samuel explains that, despite divine protection, the people demanded a human king, thus rejecting God's sovereignty over them. He warns the people of the consequences of their choice: if they obey God, they will be blessed, but if they disobey, they will suffer his wrath. (Ps. 81:11-16) Israel as the Plan of God (No. 001B).

12:17-24 Samuel called upon the Lord to prove God's power and authority: he promises to invoke God to send thunder and rain in the midst of harvest, demonstrating his ability to act above human will. He seeks to remind his people of their relationship with God, warning them against disobedience and encouraging them to remain faithful to God despite their desire for a human king.

All in all, 1Samuel chapter 12 aims to reaffirm Israel's covenant relationship with God, despite the transition to the era of monarchy, and to emphasise the importance of obedience, repentance and loyalty to God. Just as the life of Moses was divided into 3 lots of 40 years, we will see the same pattern in lives of the first three kings of Israel. (cf. the paper Rule of the Kings Part I: Saul (No. 282A)). See also 282B; 282C; 282D; and also 300F. Soon God will send the Messiah.

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 7-12 (for KJV)

Chapter 7

Verse 1

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 . the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Abinadab. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, add "which

is". in the hill. Or, in Gibeah.

Verse 2

time was long . Ark remained with Philistines seven months (1 Samuel 6:1 ); sent from Ekron to Kirjathjearim in 1040, and remained there twenty years (1 Samuel 7:0 ). From the capture (in 1040BC ) to its entry into Zion (in 950BC) was eighty-nine years (2 Samuel 7:17 ).

Verse 4

children = sons.

Verse 6

sinned. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 7

lords. See note on Joshua 13:3 .

Verse 8

God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 9

Samuel took . Samuel was a Levite, and according to 1 Chronicles 23:27-32 could do this; though according to Numbers 18:3 he could not have acted in the holy place.

offered = offered up. See App-43 .

Verse 10

thundered with a great thunder . Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .

Verse 13

coast = border, or boundary.

Verse 17

there was his house . Compare 1 Samuel 1:19 , &c.

altar . Shiloh forsaken, and Ark separated from Tabernacle. There was no chosen "place".

Chapter 8

Verse 1

old. From 1 Samuel 28:3 he predeceased Saul by about two years. Consequently he acted for thirty-eight years after Saul's anointing (i.e. 1000-962 B.C.) When he anointed David he would be about eighty-six; and lived to about the age of Eli, ninety-eight years.

Verse 3

turned aside, &c.: i.e. stooped to extortion. took bribes: contrary to Deuteronomy 16:19 .

Verse 5

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

make us a king . Compare Hosea 13:10 , Hosea 13:11 .Acts 13:20 , Acts 13:21 . Note the words "gave judges "and "desired a king". The Hebrew monarchy thus began with the choosing of Saul, and ended with the choosing of Caesar.

Verse 6

displeased = was evil in the eyes of: i.e. evil, in not waiting for God's time and for God's king, as promised. Genesis 17:6 , Genesis 17:16 ; Genesis 35:11 ; Genesis 49:10 . Numbers 24:17 . Deuteronomy 17:14-20 .

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 11

This will be , &c. Fulfilled, 1Sa 14:62 .

Verse 12

ear = plough (Anglo-Saxon, erian).

Verse 15

your vineyards . Compare 1 Kings 21:7 .

Verse 16

young men . Septuagint reads "oxen".

Verse 18

hear = answer.

Verse 21

the ears . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 22

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Chapter 9

Verse 1

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Kish. Compare 1 Samuel 14:51 . 1 Chronicles 8:33 ; 1 Chronicles 9:39 . For the difficulties of the genealogy, see note on 1 Chronicles 8:33 .

a Benjamite . As was Saul of Tarsus (Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:5 ).

mighty man . Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 2

Saul . Many points of resemblance and contrast with Saul of Tarsus.

Name = Asked for: i.e. by man.

children = sons.

Verse 3

lost . Contrast David, who had charge of his father's "sheep", and " kept them "(1 Samuel 16:11 ); with Saul, who lost his father's "asses" (1 Samuel 9:3 ).

servants = young men. Tradition says "Doeg". Compare 1 Samuel 21:7 .

Verse 4

he . Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "they", as in 1 Samuel 9:6 .

mount = the hill country of.

take thought = be anxious. Compare Matthew 6:25 , Matthew 6:27 , Matthew 6:28 , Matthew 6:31 , Matthew 6:34 .

Verse 6

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

man of God = God's man: i.e. a prophet, because God's spokesman. See App-49 . (Hebrew. 'ish and Elohim)

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . Literally "the God".

Verse 7

present . Hebrew. teshurah. Occurs only here. It is from shur, to behold. Hence, that which procures and secures an interview, or sight of the person sought.

Verse 8

shekel. See App-51 .

that will I give . Septuagint reads "which thou canst give".

Verse 9

Beforetime . Note the parenthesis.

seer . Hebrew. ro'eh = a seer of visions. Another name for seer was chozeh, which referred rather to spiritual apprehension of what was seen. In 1 Chronicles 29:29 all three words occur in the same verse.

Prophet. Hebrew. nab'i = one who spoke for or was moved by God.

Verse 10

let. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "and let".

Verse 11

up the hill = by the ascent of.

Verse 12

of = by. Genitive of Instrument. See App-17 .

the high place . In Numbers 21:19 = Bamoth-Baal. Shiloh was now forsaken. No "place" within the meaning of Deuteronomy 12:0 . Compare 1 Samuel 7:10 , 1 Samuel 7:17 .

Verse 14

out against = opposite, so as to meet them.

Verse 15

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

told Samuel in his ear = opened or uncovered the ear of Samuel.

a = one.

Verse 16

captain = leader.

My people . Aramaean and Syriac read "the oppression". In that case the Figure of speech Ellipsis should be supplied after it, "of My People" being implied.

Verse 17

reign = control, restrain, or rule.

Verse 18

in the gate . Hebrew "in the midst of the gate": i.e. the open place near the gate where judgment was given.

Verse 20

mind. Hebrew "heart " = "do not regard them".

Verse 21

Am not I . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

the smallest . Very true, since the events recorded in Judges 20:35 .

so to me = according to this word.

Verse 24

left! = reserved.

Verse 27

the word of God. First occurrence of this expression. "Word of Jehovah "frequent from Genesis 15:1 .

God = Elohim . App-4 . Creation relationship.

Chapter 10

Verse 1

a vial = flask. Not "the".

Is it not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 . Note the Jehovah relationship. Here is another Homceoteleuton, which is preserved in the Septuagint and Vulgate, "the LORD [and thou shalt rule among the people of Jehovah, and thou shalt save them out of the hand of their enemies, and this shall be a sign unto thee, that] the LORD hath, &c. The eye of some ancient scribe evidently went back to the latter of these two words "the LORD" and accidentally omitted the words between them.

captain: "a" captain; not "the".

Verse 2

thou shalt find . Three signs given (compare Mark 14:3 ) to indicate the coming change.

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Rachel's sepulchre . Compare Genesis 35:20 .

lo . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 3

plain = oak, or terebinth; growing generally alone, becomes a conspicuous landmark.

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Beth-el = House of God. Evidently a place of worship, in the absence of any "place", according to Deuteronomy 12:5 , &c. Compare Exodus 20:24 .

carrying . Probably their firstfruits. Compare 2 Kings 4:42 .

Verse 4

salute . Hebrew ask after thy peace.

Verse 5

the garrison . So the Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, but Hebrew text has plural

a company of prophets . The first occurrence of this expression. Probably a school established by Samuel (compare Acts 3:24 ; Acts 13:20 ). The head of such school called "father" (Compare 1 Samuel 10:12 ; 1 Samuel 19:20 ), or "master" (2 Kings 2:3 ), Such communities found later at Beth-el, Jericho, Gilgal ( 2Ki 2:3 , 2 Kings 2:5 ; 2 Kings 4:38 ); and probably here at Gibeah and Ramah (compare Naioth, 1 Samuel 19:18 , 1 Samuel 19:20 ).

psaltery = viol. A stringed instrument, same as lute. Compare 2 Samuel 6:5 . 1 Kings 10:12 . 1 Chronicles 16:5 .Isaiah 5:12 ; Isaiah 5:14 . If. Amos 5:23 ; Amos 6:5 .

tabret = drum. Hebrew. toph, Compare 18. c. 2 Samuel 6:5 .Isaiah 5:12 ; Isaiah 24:8 ; Isaiah 30:32 .Jeremiah 31:4 .Ezekiel 28:13 . See note on "timbrel. "(Exodus 15:20 ).

pipe = a plain reed, single or double, played like modern flute. Note plural in the Subscription of Psalms 5:0 (Companion Bible).

prophesy. Not necessarily "foretell", but speak in the name of the Lord.

Verse 6

the spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 7

occasion serve thee = thy hand shall find.

Verse 8

thou shalt go down . This was the beginning of organised rising against the Philistines. All directed by God through Samuel; not by Saul.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

offer = offer up. App-43 .

sacrifice = slay. App-43 . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in 1 Samuel 10:8 . App-6 .

a another = different.

Verse 11

What . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 12

of the same place = from thence.

Is Saul . . . ? Origin of this Parcemia. App-6 .

Verse 18

children = sons.

Thus saith the LORD . This rehearsal is to show that they had sinned, although He was giving a king. Their sin was not in asking, but in forestalling Jehovah's already expressed purpose to give them a king (see Deuteronomy 17:15 and compare Genesis 49:10 ).

Verse 19

Nay . Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, have this word in the text.

before the LORD = before Jehovah: i, e. in Mizpeh, 1 Samuel 10:17 .

Verse 20

was taken : i.e. by lot, by the Urim and Thummim. See note on Exodus 28:30 .

Verse 21

and Saul . Septuagint reads "and [when he had brought near the family of Matri man by man] Saul". Compare Joshua 7:17 .

Verse 22

enquired : i.e. by the High Priest. No priest mentioned between 1 Samuel 4:0 and 1Sa 14, a period of forty years.

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 24

See . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

God save the king . Hebrew Let the king live. An idiom which includes the desire that he might have everything that makes life worth living, including also eternal life.

Verse 25

wrote it in a book . Hebrew the book: viz. the book kept before the Lord; even the scriptures of truth. See Exodus 17:14 and App-47 .

Verse 26

touched- moved.

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

he held his peace = he was as one that was deaf.

Chapter 11

Verse 1

the men . Hebrew 'enosh. App-14 . Those who had not obeyed the summons of Judges 21:8 were extinguished, and their daughters given to remnant of Benjamin. This gave them a claim on Saul, who was a Benjamite.

Verse 2

a covenant . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this word in the text, which already implies it.

right eyes . As the shield covered the left eye, the right was necessary for seeing. The loss of it incapacitated men from fighting.

Verse 3

seven days. A very short respite.

coasts = borders.

man to save us = saviour.

Verse 5

behold . Fig, Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 6

the Spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read " Jehovah ". Compare App-4 .

came = came mightily. Same word as in 1 Samuel 10:6 , 1 Samuel 10:10 .

Verse 7

hewed . Always used of dividing what is already dead, and mostly of sacrifices.

messengers = the messengers.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

with one consent . Hebrew as one man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 8

children = sons.

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 9

help = salvation, or deliverance.

Verse 11

host = camp.

Verse 15

sacrificed sacrifices . Figure of speech Polyptoton App-6

Chapter 12

Verse 1

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 3

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

whom . Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "or whom", thus preserving the Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ) throughout verses: 1 Samuel 12:12 , 1 Samuel 12:3 and 1 Samuel 12:4 .

Verse 4

man's. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 8

Jacob. Compare Genesis 46:6 , Genesis 46:6 .

sent. Compare Exodus 4:16 .

made = He caused. So Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

Verse 9

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

of Hazor. Septuagint reads "of Jabin king of".

Verse 10

sinned . Hebrew chata '. App-44 .

Verse 11

and Bedan . The Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic read "and Barak" (the names being much alike in Hebrew). and Samuel. The Peshito (or Revised Syriac) reads "and Samson". But, if "Samuel", these are not Samuel's words, but Jehovah's in Samuel's mouth.

Verse 12

ye saw . Figure of speech Hysteresis, or Hysterologia ( App-6 ), by which a prior event is recorded later. children-sons.

Verse 13

and. Some codices, with three early printed editions. Syriac, and Vulgate, read "for".

Verse 15

as , &c. Septuagint reads "and against your king".

Verse 17

send. It had to be sent, for rain in harvest was most exceptional; and would be regarded as sent in judgment. Compare Proverbs 26:1 .

wickedness. Hebrew. raa '. App-44 .

Verse 19

Pray. Moses and Samuel specially named as intercessors. Psalms 99:6 . Jeremiah 13:1 .

evil. Same word as "wickedness" above.

Verse 22

will not forsake . Compare Genesis 28:15 .Joshua 1:5 . Quoted in Romans 11:1 , Romans 11:2 .

His People = a People for Himself.