_A.M. 2864. B.C. 1140._ The ark remains at Kirjath-jearim twenty years, 1 Samuel 7:1; 1 Samuel 7:2. Samuel reforms Israel from idolatry, and judges Israel, 1 Samuel 7:3. The Philistines come up against Israel, are overthrown, and restore the cities they had taken, 1 Samuel 7:7. Samuel administers j... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Kirjath-jearim fetched up the ark_ That is, by the priests appointed to that work. _Into the house of Abinadab_ As the care of the ark belonged to the Levites, doubtless Abinadab was of that tribe, otherwise, indeed, he could not have consecrated, that is, set apart, or solemnly appointe... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it was twenty years_ It is not said that this space of twenty years was all the time of the ark's abode there, for it continued there from Eli's time till David's reign, (2 Samuel 6:2,) which was forty-six years; but that it was so long there before the Israelites were sensible of their sin and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Samuel spake to all the house of Israel_ To all the rulers and people too, as he had occasion in his circuit, described below, mixing exhortations to repentance with his judicial administrations. _If ye return unto the Lord_ If you do indeed what you profess, if you be resolved to go on in that whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim_, &c. Samuel's reproofs and instructions, and the representations he made of their sin and danger, touched their hearts, and induced them to break off their sins by repentance. _Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you_ He could have praye... [ Continue Reading ]
_They drew water and poured it out_ As an external sign, whereby they testified both their own filthiness and need of washing by the grace and Spirit of God, and the blood of the covenant, and their sincere desire to pour out their hearts before the Lord, in true repentance, and to cleanse themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
_The lords of the Philistines went up_ With an army, suspecting the effects of their general convention, and intending to nip them in the bud. _They were afraid_ Being a company of unarmed persons, and unfit for battle. When sinners begin to repent and reform, they must expect Satan will muster all... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cease not to cry unto the Lord_, &c. We are afraid to look God in the face, because of our great wickedness: do thou therefore intercede for us, as Moses did for his generation. They had reason to expect this, because he had promised to pray for them, had promised them deliverance from the Philisti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Samuel took a sucking lamb_ For after a lamb was eight days old, it was fit to be sacrificed to God, Exodus 22:30; Leviticus 17:27. _And offered it for a burnt-offering_ For though he was not a priest, nor this place appointed for sacrifice, yet as a prophet he had authority from God to build an al... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men of Israel pursued the Philistines_, &c. This victory was the more wonderful, since it does not appear that the Israelites came provided with any weapons to Mizpeh, but probably smote the Philistines with their own weapons, which they threw away when they fled, affrighted by this uncommon te... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Samuel took a stone_ A rude, unpolished stone, which was not prohibited by that law, Leviticus 26:1, there being no danger of worshipping such a stone, and this being set up only as a monument of the victory. _Eben-ezer_ That is, _the stone of help._ And this victory was gained in the very sam... [ Continue Reading ]
_Came no more_ That is, with a great host, but only molested them with straggling parties, or garrisons. _All the days of Samuel_ That is, while Samuel was their sole judge, or ruler; for in Saul's time they did come.... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was peace_ An agreement for the cessation of all acts of hostility. _Between Israel and the Amorites_ That is, the Canaanites, often called Amorites, because these were formerly the most valiant of all those nations, and the first enemies which the Israelites met with, when they went to take... [ Continue Reading ]
_Samuel judged Israel_, &c. For though Saul was king in Samuel's last days, yet Samuel did not cease to be a judge, being so made by God's extraordinary call, which Saul could not destroy; and therefore Samuel did sometimes, upon great occasions, though not ordinarily, exercise the office of judge a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judged Israel in all those places_ He went to those several places, in compliance with the people's desire, whose convenience he was willing to purchase with his own trouble, as an itinerant judge and preacher; and by his presence in several parts, he could the better observe and rectify all sorts... [ Continue Reading ]
_Built an altar_ That, by joining sacrifices with his prayers, he might the better obtain direction and assistance from God upon all emergencies. And this was done by prophetical inspiration, as appears by God's acceptance of the sacrifices offered upon it. Indeed, Shiloh being now laid waste, and n... [ Continue Reading ]