1 Samuel 7:1-17
SAMUEL DELIVERS ISRAEL FROM THE PHILISTINES The narrative in this chapter is taken from a different source from the account which precedes.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL DELIVERS ISRAEL FROM THE PHILISTINES The narrative in this chapter is taken from a different source from the account which precedes.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWENTY YEARS] The time is reckoned till Israel's repentance and not to the removal of the ark by David (2 Samuel 6:2). 3, 4. These vv. appear to be anticipatory and in order of time to follow 1 Samuel 7:5; 1 Samuel 7:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
BAALIM AND ASHTAROTH] see on Judges 2:11; Judges 2:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
MIZPEH] in Benjamin. PRAY] Samuel was noted as a man of prayer (cp. Psalms 99:6).... [ Continue Reading ]
POURED _it_ OUT] The symbolism of the act is uncertain. The most probable explanation is that of the Targum, that it represented the pouring out of their hearts IN repentance before the LORD: cp. 2 Samuel 23:16 to Lamentations 2:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT UP AGAINST ISRAEL] for the object of the assembly at Mizpeh was to throw off the Philistine yoke.... [ Continue Reading ]
A BURNT offering WHOLLY] RV 'a whole burnt offering.' The offering of the whole animal symbolised the self-dedication of the worshipper.... [ Continue Reading ]
EBEN-EZER] see on 1 Samuel 4:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE DAYS OF Samuel] The words naturally mean 'all the time he acted as judge.' This must be understood as the optimistic notice of a later writer. The narrative of 1 Samuel 14 shows that Israel did not succeed in recovering from the Philistine oppression: see also on 1 Samuel 7:1; 1 Samuel 9:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COASTS THEREOF] i.e. the districts round the towns. AMORITES] i.e. the old Canaanite inhabitants of the hill-country: see on Judges 1:34. Israelite and Canaanite made peace in front of a common enemy.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE] The attitude of Samuel towards Saul in the matters of (_a_) his sacrifice and (_b_) Amalek show that he retained some authority even after Saul was elected king.... [ Continue Reading ]
He instituted what in modern language would be called 'courts of assize.' Gilgal] probably the famous site near Jericho.... [ Continue Reading ]