23
The verb which agrees with heroes is used both in a literal and a metaphorical sense - in the latter for
confounded, afraid.
24
Cp. Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 30:3; 71:20; 86:13.
25
Cp. Psalm 113:7, 8.
26
Psalm 56:13; 116:8; 121:3, and others.
27
Psalm 33:16, 17.
28
The Meil was properly the high-priestly robe (Exodus 28:31). Of course, Samuel's was of different material,
and without border.
29
See the pertinent remarks of Ewald, u.s., p. 10.
30
The mention of this in Scripture is not intended to represent Eli as a man whose faculties were gone, but to
account for the absolute rule of his sons, and for that indulgence which men in their old age are apt to show
towards their children.
31
Belial means literally lowness, that is, vileness.
32
So literally.
33
Notwithstanding high authority, I cannot accept the view which would connect the first clause of 1
Samuel 2:13 (of course, without the words in italics) with the last clause of ver. 12.
34
Ver. 22. "The women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle" were, no doubt, officially engaged in
some service, although we know not wherein it consisted. Comp. Exodus 38:8.
35
The Authorised Version renders, evidently incorrectly: "Thou shalt see an enemy in My habitation, in all
the wealth which God shall give Israel." But the suggestions of modern critics are not more satisfactory. I
would venture to propose the following rendering of these difficult expressions: "And thou shalt see
adversity to the tabernacle in all that benefits Israel;" i.e., constant humiliation of the priesthood during the
prosperity of Israel, a prediction amply fulfilled in the history of the priesthood under Samuel, Saul, and
latterly under David, until the deposition of the line of Ithamar.
36
I venture to thin k that this promise should be applied impersonally rather than personally. Thus it
includes, indeed, Samuel and afterwards Zadok, but goes beyond them, and applies to the priesthood
generally, and points for its final fulfillment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
37
So 1 Samuel 3:1, literally rendered.
38
The expression, "ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord," seems intended to mark the time,
as indicated by us in the text.
39
This seems to be the reason why the fact is mentioned, that Eli's eyes had begun to wax dim.
40
It is remarkable, as indicative of Samuel's reverential fear, that his reply differs from that taught him by Eli
in the omission of the word "Jehovah."
41
This is implied in the words, "Jehovah came and stood" (1 Samuel 3:10). The "voice" had come from out of
the most holy place, where the Lord dwelt between the Cherubim; the "vision" or appearance, in whatever