1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:1 The Story of Saul. Saul, the first king over all Israel, starts out well. But he fails as a king because he will not obey the word of God that comes through Samuel. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:2 Saul seems to be the ideal candidate for king, with a striking physical appearance. FROM HIS SHOULDERS UPWARD HE WAS TALLER THAN ANY OF THE PEOPLE. See also 1 Samuel 10:23. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:3 Saul’s father sends him in search of some lost DONKEYS. Just as Saul is about to give up the search, God intervenes through Saul’s servant. The servant suggests that they inquire of a local MAN OF GOD (that is, a “seer”; v. 1 Samuel 9:9). The servant just happens to hav... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:9 INQUIRE refers to seeking guidance from the Lord, either through a prophet or by lots (compare 1 Samuel 10:22; 2 Kings 22:13; Jeremiah 21:2). It could also refer to inquiring of pagan gods (2 Kings 1:2). SEER, PROPHET, and “man of God” ... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:12 As they prepared to enter Canaan, the Israelites were told to destroy all the “high places” of the Canaanites (Numbers 33:52). However, worship of the Lord at such places was allowed before the time of the temple (1 Kings 3:2, 1 Kings 3:4). Such worship sites were ofte... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:16 YOU SHALL ANOINT HIM. The king was the Lord’s “anointed one,” a term that can also be translated “messiah.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:20 FOR WHOM IS ALL THAT IS DESIRABLE IN ISRAEL? As king, why should Saul concern himself with donkeys when he will receive the choicest things of the land (see 1 Samuel 8:11)? However, Samuel’s question could also be seen as a criticism, since it can be translated, “For w... [ Continue Reading ]
1 SAMUEL—NOTE ON 1 SAMUEL 9:24 THE COOK TOOK UP THE LEG. The leg was the priest’s portion (Exodus 29:27). Saul is told in 1 Samuel 10:4 to accept bread that probably was originally intended as an offering and would have been eaten by the priests (see Numbers 18:8). These are indications of the sacre... [ Continue Reading ]