_HANNAH'S SONG. THE SIN OF ELI'S SONS. ELI REPROVETH THEM VERY GENTLY FOR THEIR GREAT CRIMES: A PROPHET OF THE LORD FORETELS HIM, THAT THE PRIESTHOOD SHOULD PASS FROM HIS FAMILY INTO ANOTHER, AND THAT A PRIEST SHOULD ARISE TO WALK BEFORE GOD AND HIS ANOINTED FOR EVER._ _Before Christ 1112._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HANNAH PRAYED— This might be rendered with greater propriety, _and Hannah sang praise._ See Psalms 15:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD IS A GOD OF KNOWLEDGE, AND BY HIM ACTIONS ARE WEIGHED— Houbigant renders this, _for the Lord foreknoweth all things: your designed counsels shall not succeed;_ nearly conformable to the Arabic and Syriac.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT WERE HUNGRY, CEASED— Houbigant renders this, _they that were oppressed with famine, shall no longer be so; whilst the barren shall bring forth seven, and she who had many children shall be deprived of strength._ All the expressions in this and the other verses are designed to humble th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE—LIFTETH UP THE BEGGAR FROM THE DUNGHILL, &C.— The author of the Observations remarks, that _dried dung_ being usually burnt in the East, heaps of this sort of turf were commonly laid up in their cottages. Hence he thinks the present expression is elucidated; _"He raiseth a beggar from a dunghill,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL GIVE STRENGTH UNTO HIS KING— By _king_ and _anointed_ in this place, say some, is meant _David,_ of whom Hannah prophesies; though it seems most probable that the reference is to the Messiah. See Psalms 89:24. "Who doth not perceive," saith St. Augustine, "that the spirit which animated... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF ANY MAN SAID UNTO HIM, LET THEM NOT FAIL, &C.— The great sin of these sons of Eli consisted, not only in demanding more than their right; (see Leviticus 7:32.) but in assuming what they chose, before that which belonged to God had been offered to him. See Leviticus 2:16; Leviticus 23:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRDED WITH A LINEN EPHOD— As the birth, appointment, and ministry of Samuel were extraordinary, he was therefore indulged with an extraordinary dress. Schachus conjectures, that from hence was derived the _latin clavus_ among the Romans, which was a vestment peculiar to their senators and president... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE CHILD SAMUEL GREW BEFORE THE LORD— See 1 Samuel 2:26 and Luke 2:52. As he increased in stature, he increased in wisdom; as parents may be assured will always be the case with those children whom they dedicate early to the Lord, and into whose young minds they carefully instill the divine pre... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ONE MAN SIN AGAINST ANOTHER, THE JUDGE, &C.— That is, if one neighbour do an injury to another, the business may be adjusted by the judge, who, interposing his authority, sets the matter right; but if one injure the judge himself, as was the present case, who can intercede in his behalf? Houbigan... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL SAITH, I SAID, &C.— The office of the high-priesthood was first settled upon Eleazar the eldest son of Aaron, and upon his posterity; for the very same promise is made to Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, Numbers 25:13 which is here said to be made to Eli, who was descen... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CUT OFF—THE ARM OF THY FATHER'S HOUSE— i.e. The _power_ and _authority;_ of which _the arm_ in Scripture is the emblem. The Chaldee renders it, _I will cut off the strength of thy seed._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOU SHALT SEE AN ENEMY IN MY HABITATION— The rendering in the margin of our Bibles seems most agreeable to the history; _thou shalt see the affliction of thy tabernacle._ See chap. 1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Samuel 4:11. Calmet, Saurin, and others, suppose the meaning to be, that Eli should see a _rival_... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL RAISE ME UP A FAITHFUL PRIEST— i.e. _Zadok,_ as it is generally supposed, who was anointed in the room of Abiathar, the last descendant of Eli in the pontificate. See 1 Kings 2:27; 1 Kings 2:35. _I will build him a sure house: i.e_. "I will give him a numerous posterity, and I will renew... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT ME, I PRAY THEE, &C.— See 1 Kings 2:27. From a review of this useful and instructive chapter, we may draw several reflections of importance. The song of Hannah the mother of Samuel, and her public and solemn thanksgiving to God, are a new proof of her piety, and teach us to express our gratitude... [ Continue Reading ]