_You. He speaks with the authority of a prophet, (Calmet) and takes this opportunity to draw from the whole people a confession of his integrity, that the kings might follow the pattern which he had set them. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Goeth, as your leader, according to your request. I am like a private man, (Calmet) willing to submit to his and the people's judgment, (Haydock) though it could not be required. (Menochius) --- Grey-headed. This he might be at the age of sixty, which most chronologers allow him, (Haydock) as he ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Anointed, "Christ," as the anointing of kings prefigured that of the Messias, which, in Hebrew, has the same import as the word Greek: christos has in Greek. (Calmet) --- Wronged. Literally, "by calumny," or by any other mode of oppression. (Haydock) --- Despise. Hebrew, "hide my eyes," through con... [ Continue Reading ]
_Made, and appointed them to rule the people, Jeremias xxxvii. 15. (Le Clerc) --- Egypt. Septuagint add, "is witness;" and some Latin copies have, "is present." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stand up, like people cited to the bar. Having undergone his own trial with applause, Samuel shews that the people will not come off so well at the tribunal of God, whom they had treated with greater disrespect, injustice, and ingratitude than they had himself, as he convinced them by an astonishin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hasor. See Judges iv. 1. --- Moab. Jephte delivered the people from the hands of the Ammonites, who claimed all that country, Judges xi. 15. Eglon had been slain by Aod, before the Chanaanites enslaved Israel. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jerobaal and Badan. That is, Gedeon and Samson, called here Badan or Bedan, because he was of Dan. (Challoner) (Chaldean, &c.) (Worthington) --- Others think that Jair, (Judges x. 3.; Junius, Usher,) or, according to the Septuagint, "Barac," are designated. Jair was a descendant of one Bedan, 1 Par... [ Continue Reading ]
_Desired. St. Augustine (in Psalm li.) considers this as a kind of sarcasm. (Calmet) --- You will see what advantages you will derive from your choice. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of the Lord, causing him to look upon you and treat you with indignation. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "and do not contend with the mouth," or against the orders of the Lord, which cannot fail to excite his displeasure. (Menochius) --- If you prove faithful under this new form of government, though it... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XII. _ Fathers. Septuagint, "king," ver. 25. Superiors (Worthington) are often styled fathers. Syriac, &c., "as upon your fathers," (Calmet) which is adopted by the Protestants, "as it was against," &c. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Wheat-harvest. At which time of the year it never thunders or rains in those countries. (Challoner) --- The wheat-harvest is towards the end of June. The usual seasons for rain are only spring and autumn. (St. Jerome in Amos iv. 7, &c.) --- Thunder. Literally, "voices," Psalm xvii. 14. (Calmet) ---... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Samuel, at whose prayer the Lord had sent such a storm, lest he should punish them as they deserved. But the prophet alleviates their fears, and teaches them to refrain from idolatry, and he will still continue to perform his duty in praying for them, and giving them good advice. (Salien) --- T... [ Continue Reading ]
_Following, as that would imply despair. To come boldly before him would argue presumption. Therefore, St. Mary Magdalene keeps at the feet of Jesus Christ. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vain and wicked idols. Hebrew thohu, full of "confusion" and disorder._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sake. This motive often proved the salvation of Israel, Exodus xxxii. 12. The Scriptures wholly tend to impress upon our minds, a sense of our own weakness, and of God's infinite glory and perfection. (Calmet) --- We may all say, "Our hope to rise is all from Thee---our ruin's all our own." (Austin... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord. For a pastor to neglect instruction, is not only detrimental to the people, but injurious to God. (Haydock) --- Way. None contributed more than Samuel to keep the people within due bounds, during the reign of Saul. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Together. Septuagint, "shall be rejected." Saul soon experienced the effect of this prophetic menace; and the Jews were, at last, also cast away. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]