King James Version
1 Samuel 12
25 verses with commentary
Samuel's Farewell Address
And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.</strong><br><br>Samuel's farewell address marks the formal transition from theocratic judgeship to monarchy. His opening 'Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice' contains subtle rebuke - he granted their request for a king despite knowing it reflected reje...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **And Samuel said unto all Israel.**—We believe we possess in this section of our history, in the report the compiler of these memoirs has given us of the dialogue between the judge Samuel and the elders of Israel at the solemn assembly of Gilgal, many of the very words spoken on this momentous occasion by the old man. It is doubtless a true and detailed account of all that took place on that ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL, OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
Commentary by Robert Jamieson
CHAPTER 1
1Sa 1:1-8. Of Elkanah and His Two Wives.
**1-2. a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim--**The first word being in the dual number, signifies the double city--the old and new town of Ramah (1Sa 1:19). There were five cities of this name, all on high ground. This city had the addition of...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Samuel testifies his integrity.(1-5)
Samuel reproves the people.(6-15)
Thunder sent in harvest time.(16-25)
**Verses 1-5**
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public s...
Read full commentary →And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.</strong><br><br>Samuel's reference to his gray head and his sons walking 'before you' contains painful admission - his own sons' corruption partly motivated Israel's demand for a king (8:3-5). By acknowledging both his a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And now, behold, the king walketh before you.**—No doubt, here pointing to Saul by his side. The term “walketh before you implied generally that the kingly office included the guiding and governing the people, as well as the especial duty of leading them in war; from henceforth they must accept his authority on all occasions, not merely in great emergencies. Both king and people must underst...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL, OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
Commentary by Robert Jamieson
CHAPTER 1
1Sa 1:1-8. Of Elkanah and His Two Wives.
**1-2. a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim--**The first word being in the dual number, signifies the double city--the old and new town of Ramah (1Sa 1:19). There were five cities of this name, all on high ground. This city had the addition of...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Samuel testifies his integrity.(1-5)
Samuel reproves the people.(6-15)
Thunder sent in harvest time.(16-25)
**Verses 1-5**
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public s...
Read full commentary →Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. bribe: Heb. ransom to blind: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.</strong><br><br>Samuel's invitation to testify against him 'before the LORD and before his anointed' establishes ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed.**—I speak in a solemn presence, *“*before the Eternal,” went on the old man, looking up heavenward, “and before His anointed,” pointing with a reverent gesture to the kingly form by his side. “His Anointed”—this is the earliest instance of a *king *bearing this title of honour. The high priest, whose blessed offi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. this man went up out of his city yearly to worship in Shiloh--**In that place was the "earth's one sanctuary," and thither he repaired at the three solemn feasts, accompanied by his family at one of them--probably the passover. Although a Levite, he could not personally offer a sacrifice--that was exclusively the office of the priests; and his piety in maintaining a regular attendance on the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Samuel testifies his integrity.(1-5)
Samuel reproves the people.(6-15)
Thunder sent in harvest time.(16-25)
**Verses 1-5**
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public s...
Read full commentary →And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.</strong><br><br>Israel's unanimous testimony - 'Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us' - provides complete vindication of Samuel's ministry. Their affirmation extends even to rejecting any claim that Samuel took anything 'of any man's hand,' eliminating even the appearance o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. when ... Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah ... portions--**The offerer received back the greater part of the peace offerings, which he and his family or friends were accustomed to eat at a social feast before the Lord. (See on Le 3:3; De 12:12). It was out of these consecrated viands Elkanah gave portions to all the members of his family; but "unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion"; that is...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Samuel testifies his integrity.(1-5)
Samuel reproves the people.(6-15)
Thunder sent in harvest time.(16-25)
**Verses 1-5**
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public s...
Read full commentary →And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.</strong><br><br>Samuel secures formal witness from 'the LORD' and 'his anointed' that no accusation stands against him. The invocation of divine witness transforms this from mere reputation-clearing to covenant testimony wi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **The Lord is witness.**—Then Samuel again, with increased solemnity, called the Eternal in the heavens above and His anointed king then standing by his side to witness what the people had just acknowledged concerning his scrupulously just rule.
**And they answered, He is witness.**—And the assembly of Israel, again with one voice, shouted, Yes, He is witness.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 12
Chapter Outline
Samuel testifies his integrity.(1-5)
Samuel reproves the people.(6-15)
Thunder sent in harvest time.(16-25)
**Verses 1-5**
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public s...
Read full commentary →And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. advanced: or, made
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.</strong><br><br>Samuel redirects attention from himself to 'the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron' - the true King who raised up all legitimate leaders. The Hebrew <em>asah</em> ('advanced' or 'made') emphasizes divine initiative in Israel's leadership ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron.**—The Hebrew should be rendered, “even the Eternal that advanced Moses and Aaron.” The elders of Israel (1Samuel 12:5) had with one consent cried out, in reply to Samuel’s solemn calling God and the king to witness, *He is witness. *Then Samuel takes up their words with great emphasis, *even the Eternal that advanced Moses, &c. *The English rende...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. her adversary also provoked her sore--**The conduct of Peninnah was most unbecoming. But domestic broils in the houses of polygamists are of frequent occurrence, and the most fruitful cause of them has always been jealousy of the husband's superior affection, as in this case of Hannah.
1Sa 1:9-18. Hannah's Prayer.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. righteous: Heb. righteousnesses, or, benefits to: Heb. with
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.</strong><br><br>Samuel summons Israel to 'stand still' (<em>yatsab</em> - to station oneself, take a firm position) for a legal proceeding. He will 'reason' (<em>shaphat</em> - the same root as 'judge') with them concerning 'all the righteous...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Now therefore . . .**—Samuel proceeds in his painful work. See now, he says, we have advanced thus far in my solemn pleading. Stand up now, ye elders, while I proceed. My innocence, as your judge, you have thus borne witness to, before God and the king, yet in spite of this you have wished to be quit of me, and of One who stood high above me—of One who has worked for you such mighty deeds, e...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.</strong><br><br>Samuel begins Israel's history with Jacob's descent into Egypt and the exodus deliverance. The pattern of crisis ('your fathers cried unto the LORD'), divine response (God 'sent Moses and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **When Jacob was come into Egypt.**—Now, in order, Samuel rehearses the deeds of loving-kindness done for Israel by this Eternal King. And first he mentions the wonders of the Exodus, and how, under that Divine guidance, they were guided through so many dangers safe into the land of Canaan, *this place.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.</strong><br><br>Samuel identifies a recurring pattern: when Israel 'forgat the LORD their God,' He 'sold them' (<em>makar</em>) into enemy hands. The language of being 'sold' r...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And when they forgot the Lord their God.**—The idolatry of Israel, and the immorality and shame less wickedness which ever attended it, was simply an act of rebellion against the pure government of the invisible King, and was punished by the withdrawal of the Divine protection. The instances which are here adduced of the people being given up into the hands of strange hostile nations are pro...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.</strong><br><br>The confession Samuel recalls - 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth' - represents the proper response to divine discipl...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And they cried unto the Lord.**—As soon as they were convinced of their sin and rebellion, and accused themselves, and returned to their old allegiance, their invisible King, ever full of pity and tender compassion, forgave them, and sent them quick deliverance.
**And have served Baalim and Ashtaroth.**—Baal and Ashtaroth were the well-known leading Phœnician deities; the worship, with most...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.</strong><br><br>Samuel lists the judges God sent in response to Israel's repentance: Jerubbaal (Gideon), Bedan (possibly Barak or an unknown judge), Jephthah, and significantly includes himself. Each judge represented divine provision for s...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And the Lord sent Jerubbaal.**—Again the speaker only names a few of the God-sent deliverers, just the most prominent of their great and famous heroes. Gideon was surnamed Jerubbaal out of scorn and derision for the Phœnician deity: “Let Baal then strive or contend with me, Gideon.”
**Bedan.**—This name does not occur in the record of the “judges.” We meet with it only in 1Chronicles 7:17, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. she prayed ... she vowed a vow--**Here is a specimen of the intense desire that reigned in the bosoms of the Hebrew women for children. This was the burden of Hannah's prayer; and the strong preference she expressed for a male child originated in her purpose of dedicating him to the tabernacle service. The circumstance of his birth bound him to this; but his residence within the precincts of...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.</strong><br><br>Samuel reveals the specific trigger for demanding a king: 'when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you.' The Ammonite threat provoked fear that overwhelmed faith in divine p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Nahash the king of the children of Ammon.**—It has been suggested, with great probability, that Nahash and the Ammonites had invaded the trans-Jordanic territory of Israel in the period immediately preceding the demand addressed to Samuel for a king, and that the invasion which culminated in the siege of Jabesh-gilead was only one of a series of destructive forays and invasions.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.</strong><br><br>Samuel presents an inescapable paradox: 'behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired' - yet also 'the LORD hath set a king over you.' Human choice and divine sovereignty intersect in Israel's monarchy. God grants their request while ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Now therefore, behold the king whom ye have chosen.**—The seer now turns from the story of the past and its sad lessons to the present. “You now have your wish—behold your king. The Eternal has seen fit to grant your petition. His—again pointing to Saul—election rests on the will of the invisible King, whom virtually you have rejected.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: commandment: Heb. mouth continue: Heb. be after
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:</strong><br><br>Samuel presents the covenant conditions for success: 'If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD.'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **If ye will fear the Lord . . .**—The English Version has missed the point of the original Hebrew of this passage. It should run, “If ye will fear the Lord, &c., . . . and if both ye and the king that reigneth over you will follow the Lord your God, *it shall be well with you.” *Dean Payne Smith has well caught the spirit of the passage in his note: “Samuel piled up one upon another the cond...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.</strong><br><br>The negative counterpart presents parallel consequences: disobedience brings 'the hand of the LORD against you, as it was against your fathers.' The phrase 'fathers' recalls the judges-era pattern where...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **But if ye will not obey.**—The English translation here, with several of the versions, accurately and happily understands the Hebrew in the sense of “as:” “as it was against your fathers.” Rabbi D. Kimchi prefers to understand “fathers” as put for “kings”: “the hand of the Lord shall be against you and your kings.” The LXX. reads, “against you and your king.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-15**
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can ...
Read full commentary →Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.</strong><br><br>Samuel summons Israel to witness a 'great thing' (<em>gadol</em>) that will authenticate his prophetic authority and confirm the seriousness of his warning. The call to 'stand and see' echoes Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13), connecting this moment to Israel's foundational deliverance....
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **This great thing, which the Lord will do.**—Then, to give greater emphasis to his warning words, Samuel adds: “O, ye elders, stand forth. I will show you by means of a Voice from heaven that this very asking for a king, though the Eternal has granted your prayer, is evil in His sight.” Their wishing for an earthly king was the crown of a long course of rebellion against the Supreme will. It...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.</strong><br><br>Samuel's question 'Is it not wheat harvest to day?' identifies the season (late May to early June) when rain was extremely rare in Palestine. His announce...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **Is it not wheat harvest day?**—The Canaan wheat harvest is between the middle of May and the middle of June. Rain in that season seldom or never falls, but if it does it is usually severe. This is the testimony of one who spoke as a resident, and his statement is confirmed by the observations of the latest travellers and scholars. The terrible storm of rain accompanied with thunder, at a ti...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.</strong><br><br>Samuel's prayer receives immediate, dramatic response: 'the LORD sent thunder and rain that day.' The speed of fulfillment ('that day') demonstrates both Samuel's prophetic authority and God's sovereign control over creation. The people's respo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-18. Eli marked her mouth--**The suspicion of the aged priest seems to indicate that the vice of intemperance was neither uncommon nor confined to one sex in those times of disorder. This mistaken impression was immediately removed, and, in the words, "God grant," or rather, "will grant," was followed by an invocation which, as Hannah regarded it in the light of a prophecy pointing to the acco...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.</strong><br><br>The people's terrified response - begging Samuel to 'Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not' - shows they correctly interpret the sign as divine judgment. Their confession 'we have added unt...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;</strong><br><br>Samuel's response 'Fear not' (<em>al-tira'u</em>) offers comfort while maintaining truth. He does not minimize their sin - 'ye have done all this wickedness' - but points toward hope. The call to 'turn not aside fro...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness.**—A very great and precious evangelical truth is contained in these comforting words of the great and good seer. They show how deeply this eminent servant of the Most High had entered into the Eternal thought. No sin or course of sin was too great to be repented of. Afar off these true ministers of the Lord saw, though, perhaps, “in a glass’ darkl...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. called his name Samuel--**doubtless with her husband's consent. The names of children were given sometimes by the fathers, and sometimes by the mothers (see Ge 4:1, 26; 5:29; 19:37; 21:3); and among the early Hebrews, they were commonly compound names, one part including the name of God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.</strong><br><br>Samuel warns against turning to 'vain things' (<em>tohu</em>) - the same Hebrew word used for the formless void before creation (Genesis 1:2). These empty, chaotic alternatives 'cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.' The inability to 'profit' (<em>ya'a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **For then should ye go after vain things.**—The passage is more forcible without the “for” and the words in italics supplied in the English translation. The verse without it would run thus: “Turn ye not aside after vain things which cannot profit,” &c. Singularly enough, *not one *of the ancient versions translate the Hebrew* ki, *“for”: they *all *omit it. It is therefore clear that this “f...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. the man Elkanah ... went up to offer ... his vow--**The solemn expression of his concurrence in Hannah's vow was necessary to make it obligatory. (See on Nu 30:3).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.</strong><br><br>Here Samuel reveals the foundation of hope: 'the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake.' Israel's security rests not on their faithfulness but on God's commitment to His own reputation (<em>shem</em>). The phrase 'because it hath ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **It hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.**—The simple doctrine of election—as far as we can see, based alone on the arbitrary will of *God *(though, no doubt, unseen by us, deep reasons exist for every seemingly arbitrary choice)—is here enunciated. The analogy of every-day life teaches the same truth. “He maketh one vessel to honour and another to dishonour.” These things are to us...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. But Hannah went not up--**Men only were obliged to attend the solemn feasts (Ex 23:17). But Hannah, like other pious women, was in the habit of going, only she deemed it more prudent and becoming to defer her next journey till her son's age would enable her to fulfill her vow.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: in: Heb. from
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:</strong><br><br>Samuel makes an astonishing statement: failure to pray for Israel would be sin 'against the LORD.' Intercessory prayer is not optional ministry but moral obligation for spiritual leaders. The parallel commitment to 'teach you the goo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Moreover, as for me.**—“In this he sets a glorious example to all rulers, showing them that they should not be led astray by the ingratitude of their subordinates or subjects; and give up on that account all interest in their welfare, but should rather persevere all the more in their anxiety for them.”—*Berleb. Bible*, quoted in Lange. Moses and Samuel, wrote S. Gregory, are especially brou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. how: or, what a great thing
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.</strong><br><br>Samuel's final exhortation synthesizes his entire message: 'Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart.' The word 'Only' (<em>rak</em>) emphasizes exclusivity - Yahweh alone deserves ultimate allegiance. 'Truth' (<em>emet</em>) connotes rel...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. three bullocks--**The Septuagint renders it "a bullock of three years old"; which is probably the true rendering.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.</strong><br><br>Samuel's concluding warning maintains covenant conditionality: 'if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.' The inclusion of 'your king' emphasizes that monarchy provides no escape from covenant consequences. The Hebrew <em>saphah</em> ('consumed' or 'swept away'...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-25**
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than ...
Read full commentary →