Chapter 1:
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
1 Samuel 1
This book and the following bear the name of Samuel, (tho' he
wrote only part of the former, and some other of the prophets,
perhaps Nathan, the rest) because they contain first a large
account of Samuel, and then the history of the reigns of Saul and
David, who were both anointed by him.
The affliction of Hannah, ver. 1-8. Her prayer to God, with Eli's
blessing, ver. 9-18. The birth and nursing of Samuel, ver. 19-23.
The presenting of him to God, ver. 24-28.
Verse 1. Ramathaim-zophim - Called Ramah, ver. 19. Eparathite - That
is, one of Bethlehem-judah, by his birth and habitation, though by
his original a Levite.
Verse 2. Two wives - As many had in those ages, tho' it was a
transgression of the original institution of marriage. And it is
probable that he took his second wife, namely, Peninnah, because
Hannah was barren.
Verse 3. Yearly - At the three solemn feasts, when he, together with all
other males were obliged to go to worship God in the place
appointed; and at other times, when he as a Levite, was to go
thither in his course. To sacrifice - Not in his own person, which
the Levites could not do, but by the priests. Were there - Or, were
the priests of the Lord there, under their father Eli, who is
generally conceived to have been the high-priest, but being very
old and infirm, his sons ministered in his stead. This is the first
time in scripture, that God is called the Lord of hosts or Armies.
Probably Samuel was the first who used this title of God, for the
comfort of Israel, at the time when their armies were few and
feeble, and those of their enemies many and mighty.
Verse 4. Portions - Out of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings, the
greatest part whereof fell to the offerer, and was eaten by him, and
his friends or guests, before the Lord. And out of this he gave
them all portions, as the master of the feast used to do to the
guests.
Verse 5. Shut up her womb - Yet Elkanah did not withdraw his love
from her. To abate out just love to any relation, for the sake of any
infirmity which they cannot help, is to add affliction to the
afflicted.
Verse 6. Her adversary - Peninnah: so her envy or jealousy made her
though so nearly related.
Verse 7. When she went-This circumstance is noted as the occasion of
the contention, because at such times they were forced to more
society with one another, by the way, and in their lodgings;
whereas at home they had distinct apartments, where they might
be asunder; and then her husband's extraordinary love and
kindness was shewed to Hannah, whereby Peninnah was the more
exasperated; then also Hannah prayed earnestly for a child, which
hitherto she had done in vain; and this possibly she reproached her
with. Did not eat - Being overwhelmed with grief, and therefore
unfit to eat of the sacred food. Which they were not to eat in their
mourning.
Verse 8. Ten sons - Oughtest thou not to value my hearty love to thee,
more than the having of as many sons as Penninah hath? She
would willingly change conditions with thee.
Verse 9. A seat - Or, throne; for it is manifest it was raised higher than
ordinary, chap. iv, 18. Here he might sit, either as the judge; or
rather as high-priest, to hear and answer such as came to him for
advice, and to inspect and direct the worship of God. Temple -
That is, of the tabernacle, which is frequently so called.
Verse 10. Bitterness - That is, oppressed with grief. Prayed unto the
Lord - They had newly offered their peace-offerings, to obtain the
favour of God, and in token of their communion with him, they
had feasted upon the sacrifice: and now it was proper to put up her
prayer, in virtue of the sacrifice. For the peace-offerings typified
Christ's mediation, as well as the sin-offerings: since by this not
only atonement is made for sin, but an answer to our prayers
obtained.
Verse 11. Give him - That is, consecrate him to God's service in his
temple. No razor - That is, he shall be a perpetual Nazarite.
Verse 12. Continued - Hebrew. multiplied to pray. By which it appears
that she said much more than is here expressed. And the like you
are to judge of the prayers and sermons of other holy persons
recorded in scripture, which gives us only the sum and substance
of them. This consideration may help us much to understand some
passages of the bible.
Verse 13. Drunken - Because of the multitude of her words, and those
motions of her face and body, which the vehemency of her
passion, and the fervency in prayer occasioned.
Verse 16. Count not, &c. - Thus when we are unjustly censured, we
should endeavour not only to clear ourselves, but to satisfy our
brethren, by giving them a just and true account of that which they
misapprehended.
Verse 18. Find grace - That favourable opinion and gracious prayer
which thou hast expressed on my behalf, be pleased to continue
towards me. Sad - Her heart being cheared by the priest's
comfortable words, and especially by God's spirit setting them
home upon her, and assuring her that both his and her prayers
should be heard, it quickly appeared in her countenance.
Verse 19. Remembered - Manifested his remembrance of her by the
effect.
Verse 20. Samuel - That is, Asked of God.
Verse 21. His house - Hannah only and her child excepted. His vow - By
which it appears, though it was not expressed before, that he heard
and consented to her vow, and that he added a vow of his own, if
God answered his prayers.
Verse 22. Weaned - Not only from the breast, but also from the mother's
knee and care, and from childish food; 'till the child be something
grown up, and fit to do some service in the tabernacle: for it
seems that as soon as he was brought up he worshipped God, ver.
28, and presently after ministered to Eli, chap. ii, 11.
Verse 23. His word - His matter or thing; the business concerning the
child, what thou hast vowed concerning him, that be may grow
up, and be accepted and employed by God in his Service.
Verse 24. Three bullocks - One for a burnt-offering, the second for a sin-
offering, and the third for a peace offering; all these sorts being
expedient for this work and time. Flour - For the meal-offerings
belonging to the principal sacrifices, which to each bullock were
three tenth-deals, or three tenth parts of an ephah, and so nine
parts of the ephah were spent, and the tenth part was given to the
priest. Wine - For drink-offerings.
Verse 25. A bullock - The three bullocks mentioned ver. 24, the singular
number being put for the plural, which is frequent.
Verse 26. Soul liveth - As surely as thou livest. Which asseveration
seems necessary, because this was some years after it.
Verse 28. Lent him - But not with a purpose to require him again.
Whatever we give to God, may upon this account be said to be
lent to him, that tho' we may not recall it, yet he will certainly
repay it, to our unspeakable advantage. He worshipped - Not Eli,
but young Samuel, who is spoken of in this and the foregoing
verse, and who was capable of worshipping God in some sort, at
least with external adoration.
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ruth 2 Samuel
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
