Bible Commentaries

a vial = flask. Not "the".

Is it not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. Note the Jehovah relationship. Here is another Homceoteleuton, which is preserved in the Septuagint and Vulgate, "the LORD [and thou shalt rule among the people of Jehovah, and thou shalt save them out of the hand of their enemies, and this shall be a sign unto thee, that] the LORD hath, &c. The eye of some ancient scribe evidently went back to the latter of these two words "the LORD" and accidentally omitted the words between them.

captain: "a" captain; not "the".

thou shalt find. Three signs given (compare Mark 14:3) to indicate the coming change.

men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

Rachel's sepulchre. Compare Genesis 35:20.

lo. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

plain = oak, or terebinth; growing generally alone, becomes a conspicuous landmark.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Beth-el = House of God. Evidently a place of worship, in the absence of any "place", according to Deuteronomy 12:5, &c. Compare Exodus 20:24.

carrying. Probably their firstfruits. Compare 2 Kings 4:42.

salute. Hebrew ask after thy peace.

the garrison. So the Septuagint, Aramaean, and Syriac, but Hebrew text has plural

a company of prophets. The first occurrence of this expression. Probably a school established by Samuel (compare Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20). The head of such school called "father" (Compare 1 Samuel 10:12; 1 Samuel 19:20), or "master" (2 Kings 2:3), Such communities found later at Beth-el, Jericho, Gilgal (2 Kings 2:3, 2 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 4:38); and probably here at Gibeah and Ramah (compare Naioth, 1 Samuel 19:18, 1 Samuel 19:20).

psaltery = viol. A stringed instrument, same as lute. Compare 2 Samuel 6:5. 1 Kings 10:12. 1 Chronicles 16:5. Isaiah 5:12; Isaiah 5:14. If. Amos 5:23; Amos 6:5.

tabret = drum. Hebrew. toph, Compare 18. c. 2 Samuel 6:5. Isaiah 5:12; Isaiah 24:8; Isaiah 30:32. Jeremiah 31:4. Ezekiel 28:13. See note on "timbrel. "(Exodus 15:20).

pipe = a plain reed, single or double, played like modern flute. Note plural in the Subscription of Psa 5 (Companion Bible).

prophesy. Not necessarily "foretell", but speak in the name of the Lord.

the spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

occasion serve thee = thy hand shall find.

thou shalt go down. This was the beginning of organised rising against the Philistines. All directed by God through Samuel; not by Saul.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

offer = offer up. App-43.

sacrifice = slay. App-43. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in 1 Samuel 10:8. App-6.

a another = different.

What . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

of the same place = from thence.

Is Saul . . . ? Origin of this Parcemia. App-6.

children = sons.

Thus saith the LORD. This rehearsal is to show that they had sinned, although He was giving a king. Their sin was not in asking, but in forestalling Jehovah's already expressed purpose to give them a king (see Deuteronomy 17:15 and compare Genesis 49:10).

Nay. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, have this word in the text.

before the LORD = before Jehovah: i, e. in Mizpeh, 1 Samuel 10:17.

was taken : i.e. by lot, by the Urim and Thummim. See note on Exodus 28:30.

and Saul. Septuagint reads "and [when he had brought near the family of Matri man by man] Saul". Compare Joshua 7:17.

enquired: i.e. by the High Priest. No priest mentioned between 1Sa 4 and 1Sa 14, a period of forty years.

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

See . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

God save the king. Hebrew Let the king live. An idiom which includes the desire that he might have everything that makes life worth living, including also eternal life.

wrote it in a book. Hebrew the book: viz. the book kept before the Lord; even the scriptures of truth. See Exodus 17:14 and App-47.

touched-moved.

How . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

he held his peace = he was as one that was deaf.