Before Eli — That is, under his inspection and direction. Word — The word of prophecy, or the revelation of God's will to and by the prophets. Precious — Rare or scarce, such things being most precious in mens' esteem, whereas common things are generally despised. Open vision — God did not impart hi... [ Continue Reading ]
His place — In the court of the tabernacle.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went out — Before the lights of the golden candlestick were put out in the morning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did not know — He was not acquainted with God in that extraordinary or prophetical way. And this ignorance of Samuel's served God's design, that his simplicity might give Eli the better assurance of the truth of God's call, and message to Samuel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Came and stood — Before, he spake to him at a distance, even from the holy oracle between the cherubim: but now, to prevent all farther mistake, the voice came near to him, as if the person speaking had been standing near him.... [ Continue Reading ]
In that day — In that time which I have appointed for this work, which was about twenty or thirty years after this threatning. So long space of repentance God allows to this wicked generation. When I begin, &c. — Tho' this vengeance shall be delayed for a season, to manifest my patience, and incite... [ Continue Reading ]
Restrained them not — He contented himself with a cold reproof, and did not punish, and effectually restrain them. They who can, and do not restrain others from sin, make themselves partakers of the guilt. Those in authority will have a great deal to answer for, if the sword they bear be not a terro... [ Continue Reading ]
Have sworn — Or, I do swear: the past tense being commonly put for the present in the Hebrew tongue. Unto — Or, concerning it. Purged — That is, the punishment threatened against Eli and his family, shall not he prevented by all their sacrifices, but shall infallibly be executed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Doors — Altho' the tabernacle, whilst it was to be removed from place to place in the wilderness, had no doors, but consisted only of curtains, and had hangings before the entrance, instead of doors; yet when it was settled in one place, as now it was in Shiloh, it was enclosed within some solid bui... [ Continue Reading ]
God do so, &c. — God inflict the same evils upon thee, which I suspect he hath pronounced against me, and greater evils too.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is the Lord — This severe sentence is from the sovereign Lord of the world, who hath an absolute right to dispose of me and all his creatures; who is in a special manner the ruler of the people of Israel, to whom it properly belongs to punish all mine offences; whose chastisement I therefore acce... [ Continue Reading ]
Fail, &c. — That is, want its effect: God made good all his predictions. A metaphor from precious liquors, which when they are spilt upon the ground, are altogether useless.... [ Continue Reading ]
From Dan, &c. — Thro' the whole Land, from the northern bound Dan, to the southern, Beersheba; which was the whole length of the Land.... [ Continue Reading ]