Bible Commentaries

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

Kish. Compare 1 Samuel 14:51. 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39. For the difficulties of the genealogy, see note on 1 Chronicles 8:33.

a Benjamite. As was Saul of Tarsus (Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:5).

mighty man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14.

Saul. Many points of resemblance and contrast with Saul of Tarsus.

Name = Asked for: i.e. by man.

children = sons.

lost. Contrast David, who had charge of his father's "sheep", and "kept them "(1 Samuel 16:11); with Saul, who lost his father's "asses" (1 Samuel 9:3).

servants = young men. Tradition says "Doeg". Compare 1 Samuel 21:7.

he. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "they", as in 1 Samuel 9:6.

mount = the hill country of.

take thought = be anxious. Compare Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:27, Matthew 6:28, Matthew 6:31, Matthew 6:34.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

man of God = God's man: i.e. a prophet, because God's spokesman. See App-49. (Hebrew. "ish and Elohim)

man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. Literally "the God".

present. Hebrew. teshurah. Occurs only here. It is from shur, to behold. Hence, that which procures and secures an interview, or sight of the person sought.

shekel. See App-51.

that will I give. Septuagint reads "which thou canst give".

Beforetime. Note the parenthesis.

seer. Hebrew. ro"eh = a seer of visions. Another name for seer was chozeh, which referred rather to spiritual apprehension of what was seen. In 1 Chronicles 29:29 all three words occur in the same verse.

Prophet. Hebrew. nab"i = one who spoke for or was moved by God.

let. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "and let".

up the hill = by the ascent of.

of = by. Genitive of Instrument. See App-17.

the high place. In Numbers 21:19 = Bamoth-Baal. Shiloh was now forsaken. No "place" within the meaning of Deut 12. Compare 1 Samuel 7:10, 1 Samuel 7:17.

out against = opposite, so as to meet them.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

told Samuel in his ear = opened or uncovered the ear of Samuel.

a = one.

captain = leader.

My people. Aramaean and Syriac read "the oppression". In that case the Figure of speech Ellipsis should be supplied after it, "of My People" being implied.

reign = control, restrain, or rule.

in the gate. Hebrew "in the midst of the gate": i.e. the open place near the gate where judgment was given.

mind. Hebrew "heart " = "do not regard them".

Am not I . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

the smallest. Very true, since the events recorded in Judges 20:35.

so to me = according to this word.

left! = reserved.

the word of God. First occurrence of this expression. "Word of Jehovah "frequent from Genesis 15:1.

God = Elohim. App-4. Creation relationship.