And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. Ver. 1. _And the men of Kirjathjearim came._] Notwithstanding the recent slaughter at Bethshemesh; _Aliorum perdi... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. Ver. 2. _The time was long; for it was twenty years,_] viz., Ere Samuel could bring them to this solemn conversion related in the verses f... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, [then] put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Ver. 3. _A... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. Ver. 4. _Then the children of Israel did put away, &c._] Their he-gods and their she-gods: so powerful is the word coming upon the rod, when God is pleased by his Spirit to second and set it on. Samuel might sp... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. Ver. 5. _Gather all Israel to Mizpeh._] Heb., In that Mizpeh; famous formerly for the slaughter of those kings of Canaan there, Jos 11:3 but henceforth more famous for this memorable meet at Mizpeh; which they turn... [ Continue Reading ]
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, 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 children of Israel in Mizpeh. Ver. 6. _And drew water, and poured it out before the Lord._] That is, saith the Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard [it], they were afraid of the Philistines._ Ver. 7. _The lords of the Philistines went up against Israel._] Not wi... [ Continue Reading ]
And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. Ver. 8. _Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us._] Samuel they knew to be a Pethuel, Joe 1:1 a God persuader, a man mighty in prayer, a favourite... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. Ver. 9. _And Samuel took a sucking lamb._] A figure of that Lamb undefiled and without spot, Jesus Christ, by whom we prevail over all our s... [ Continue Reading ]
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. Ver. 10. _And as Samuel was offering._] If Numa, king of Rom... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Bethcar. Ver. 11. _Until they came under Bethcar._] The name of that rock, saith Junius, which in the next verse is called _Shen. Bethcar_ signifieth the _house of a lamb_, and might have... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. Ver. 12. _Then Samuel took a stone, and set it._] As a trophy or lasting monument of that day's victory. So when the Spanish armada was defeated here in 1588... [ Continue Reading ]
So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. Ver. 13. _And they came no more,_] _sc., _ With any success; or they did no more at this time rally their scattered troops and recruit their... [ Continue Reading ]
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. Ver. 14. _And the cities._] So crest fallen were the Phi... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. Ver. 15. _And Samuel judged Israel._] Being a mixed person, a prophet and a judge, as among the heathen, Anius was “ _Rex idem hominum Phoebique sacerdos._ ” - _Virg._ Saul was the ordinary judge, and Samuel the extraordinary.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. Ver. 16. _And he went from year to year in circuit._] For the people's ease and conveniency; which the magistrate ought to provide for, as Jethro adviseth. Exo 18:17-23... [ Continue Reading ]
And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD. Ver. 17. _And his return was to Ramah._] There was his house. _ There he judged Israel._] Being ever in action for the public good. _ And there he built an altar,_] _i.... [ Continue Reading ]