Vial, in the form of a lentil. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xviii. 12.) --- Oil. This anointing seems to have been peculiar to the kings, priests, and prophets of the Hebrews, who prefigured Jesus, the great anointed of God. (St. Augustine in Psalm xliv.) The custom was very ancient, Judges ix. 8. It... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rachel, near Bethlehem, Genesis xxxv. 16. --- South. Septuagint or "mid-day." Hebrew Tseltsach, is very obscure. Some take it for a proper name. (Calmet) --- Protestant, "at Zelzah." Others for some musical instrument, as if these travellers were "dancing," as the Septuagint insinuate, and playing... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thabor, very distant from the famous mountain (Calmet) in Zabulon. (Menochius) --- Bethel. Where there was at that time an altar of God; it being one of the places where Samuel judged Israel, (Challoner) and which had always been considered as a place of devotion, since Jacob had his vision, Genesi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hand. They would be very acceptable to Saul, who had none. The strangers might suppose that they could purchase more at Bethel. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
The hill of God. Gabaa, in which there was also at that time, a high place or altar. (Challoner) --- The prophets were not molested by the infidels, in performing their devotions, as people consecrated to the Lord, who do not meddle with war, are privileged by the consent of nations. (Grotius, Jur.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spirit of piety. (Menochius) --- Man. Thou shalt act, and entertain sentiments worthy of a great prince, (Calmet) and be no longer employed in rustic works. (Menochius) --- Cape regis animum et in istam fortunam, qua dignus es, istam continentiam profer. "Adopt the sentiments of a king, said the de... [ Continue Reading ]
_Find. Undertake any enterprise, how difficult soever, which God may propose to thee. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Galgal. Here also by dispensation was an altar of God. (Challoner) --- To do. Saul went thither, after the victory which he had obtained over the Ammonites, when he was confirmed in his dignity, chap. xi. 14. But the mention of seven days, seems to indicate that Samuel is here speaking of that even... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prophets. This proverb received a fresh confirmation, when Saul was going to seize David, and was forced by the Spirit to join with the college of prophets, in singing God's praises, chap. xix. 24. (Haydock) --- It may be applied to those who are unexpectedly raised to a high dignity, or enabled to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their father. That is, their teacher or superior. As much as to say, Who could bring about such a wonderful change as to make Saul a prophet? (Challoner) but the Lord, whose Spirit breatheth where he will, John iii. 8. (Haydock) --- Septuagint, "Who is his father? is it not Cis?" The Jews seem to h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place. Returning to his father's house, after the Spirit had ceased to inspire him, and the prophets had retired home. His relations, suspecting something more than common had been revealed to Saul by Samuel, began to ask him questions: but he had the prudence to keep (Calmet) his secret to himself... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, who always presided over such assemblies. This was convened to elect a king, whom God pointed out by lots. Some assert that the ark, and the high priest, in his pontifical ornaments, were present. (Calmet) --- Adrichomius says Maspha was only three hours' walk from Cariathiarim. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Families. Lots were first drawn to determine the tribe, then to find out which of the great families, and which house, was to give a king to Israel. (Haydock) --- See Josue vii. 14. (Menochius) --- God was pleased thus to convince them that the election proceeded from him. (St. Gregory) (Worthingto... [ Continue Reading ]
_Metri. We find none of this name, 1 Paralipomenon viii. 1. It is probably a title which some of the great patriarchs of Benjamin had acquired by shooting, as Metri means "an archer or bowman." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Home. Hebrew, "he hath hidden himself among the stuff," (Haydock) instruments, or baggage, at Masphath. He acted thus out of modesty, judging himself unfit for the exalted dignity, (Calmet) and shewed that he did not seek for it. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upwards. God condescended to gratify the desires of the people, who chiefly regarded the stature and corporal qualifications of their king. "Many nations are accustomed to look with veneration on a majestic person, and think none are capable of great exploits except those whom nature has made very... [ Continue Reading ]
_King. Our favourite song, "God save," &c., is an amplification of this sentiment. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Before the Lord. It seems that the ark was therefore present. This record of Samuel is lost, so that we cannot determine what laws he prescribed on this occasion. (Calmet) --- Josephus ([Antiquities?] vi. 5.) says that he wrote and read in the hearing of all, and in the presence of the king, what ev... [ Continue Reading ]
_Touched; to consider the appointment of Saul, as his act. Afterwards they retired home, and the new king returned to his wonted occupations. The army here denotes part of the assembly, as the young men came with their leaders ready, if called, to march to battle, Exodus vi. 26., and Deuteronomy xx.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER X. _ Belial; seditious men, perhaps of the tribe of Ephraim, (Judges xii.) or of Juda, to whom the regal power seemed to belong, Genesis xlix. (Salien) --- Presents, in testimony of their submission. See Judges iii. 15., and 3 Kings iv. 21. The eastern kings still expect that ambassadors sh... [ Continue Reading ]