Westminster Annotations, 1 Samuel (1 Kings) · Chapter 7 – Chapter 8
CHAP. VII.
Vers. 1. KIrjath-jearim] See Judg. 18. 12.
Abinadab] 2 Sam. 6. 4.
and sanctified] That is, consecrated and set him apart for this holy office, to attend upon the ark of God.
V. 2. lamented after the Lord] That is, they sorrowing and mourning under the grievous oppressions of the Philistines, cryed unto God, and sought unto him, turning unto the LORD, and bewailing their sins, vers. 3.
V. 3. put away strange gods] Josh. 24. 14, 23. That is, the idols of the strange nations.
Ashtaroth] See Judg. 2. 13. and under this idoll he understandeth Baal and all the rest, v. 4.
serve him onelyonly] Deut. 6. 13. and 10. 20. Matth. 4. 10. Luk. 4. 8.
V. 4. put away Baalim] See Judg. 2. 11. And Baalim being of the masculine, and Ashtaroth of the feminine gender, by both these he meaneth all the gods and goddesses of the heathens.
Mizpeh] A city situate upon the borders of Benjamin and Judah; of which, see Judg. 20. 1. unto which place Samuel causeth the people to assemble, that they might joyn together in prayer, and seek God by a generall humiliation and serious repentance.
V. 6. and drew water] To wit, aboundance of tears out of the fountain of contrite hearts, as the Chaldee paraphrase hath it: By which hyperbolicall expression, is signified the great plenty of tears which they shed for their sins, and testified thereby their unfeigned repentance. The like expression David hath, Psal. 6. 6. and 119. 136.
And Samuel judged] That is, by his wise government, good example, holy admonitions and exhortations, he brought them to repentance, convincing them of their sins, Ezek. 20. 4. 22. 2. 23. 36.
V. 7. were gathered] Taking this to be a signe of their co… motion and rebellion, they raise their forces, and com… to subdue them.
V. 8. Cease not to cry] Hebr. Be not silent from us from crying. As trusting more in Gods ayd, obtained by his prayers, then in their own strength.
V. 9. offered it for a burnt-offering] That is, he either caused it to be offered by the priest, himself not being of that order, or did it as a prophet immediately inspired by God, and warranted to do it, as Elijah, 1 King. 18. 30, 31.
heard him] Or, answered.
V. 10. but the Lord thundred] According to Hannah's prophecie, Chap. 2. 10. See Josh. 10. 10. Judg. 4. 15. 5. 20.
discomfited them] Josh. 10. 10.
V. 11. Beth-car] The name of a rock, of which, v. 11.
V. 12. and set it] As a monument of their victory, and thankfulnesse unto God for his help and assistance.
and Shen] Which was a great rock or promontory over against Mizpeh.
Eben-ezer] That is, the stone of help.
V. 13. they came no more] To wit, with an army to give battell, and to enlarge their territorie; but yet kept garisons upon their frontiers, to defend what they had gotten, 1 Sam. 10. 5. and 13. 3. Or else [no more] may be taken for a long time, or whilst Samuel judged Israel.
V. 14. were restored] That is, either taken by force▪ or yeelded by composition.
there was peace] That is, a cessation of open war between Israel and the Amorites, that is, the Philistines and others of the Canaanites. See Judg. 4. 17.
V. 15. judged Israel] That is, exercised the jurisdiction of a judge. See Judg. 2. 16. for though Saul reigned as king, yet Samuel continued his government as a judge still; and therefore they are said to have ruled together fourty yeers, Act. 13. 21.
V. 16. in circuit] Hebr. and he circuited.
to Beth-el] That is, either the city of Beth-el, or the house of God, which was now at Kirjath-jearim, where the ark was.
V. 17. Ramah] Or, Ramathaim, Chap. 1. 1. where his dwelling house was.
there he judged] That is, there was his most ordinary pl…ce of judicature, whither he used to return, after he had done h… circuits in other cities.
an altar] See Judg. 21. 4.
CHAP. VIII.
Vers. 1. WAs old] That is, so old, that by reason of age and weaknesse, he was not able to go his circuit as he was accustomed▪ unto the uttermost p…rts of the land to administer justice to all the people.
his sons judges] That is, substitutes and assistants to him, himself still retaining the chief power of judicature in his own hand.
V. 2. Joel] Called also Vashni, 1 Chron. 6. 28. and father of Heman often mentioned in the Scripture as a chief master of the singers, and also a penner ef the 88 Psalm, 1 Kin. 4. 31. 1 Chron, 25. 1.
Beer-sheba] See Judg. 20. 1.
V. 3. walked not in his ways] That is, d… not imitate their fathers justice and equity …n their government.
took bribes] Deut. 16. 19.
V. 5. make us a king] Hos. 13. 10. Act. 13. 21.
to judge us] That is, to rule over …s with regall authority.
V. 6. displeased Samuel] Hebr. was evil in the eyes of Samuel. To wit, because herein they rejected Gods government who was their king, having in his own hand the regall rights, and did substitute under him judges, whom he extraordinarily called, fitted them with gifts, and inspired them with his Spirit, v. 7. Chap. 12. 17, 19.
and Samuel prayed] To wit, for direction from God what to do, and how to demean himself in this case.
V. 7. Hearken unto the voyce] That is, seeing they will need… have a king, let them have him at their own perill: for the LORD condescended to their suit in his just anger, as it is Hos. 13. 11.
not rejected thee] That is, not so much thee, who art but my minister, as my self; who, being chief king, rule by thee.
that I should not reign] That is, keeping still in my own hand the regall rights, and appointing what governours and government I please.
V. 9. hearken] Or, obey.
Howbeit, yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew, &c.] Or, notwithstanding when thou hast solenmly protested against them, then thou shalt shew, &c.
V. 9. the manner of the king] That is, not what they ought to do in right, but what they use to do in fact, and how they commonly demean themselves in their government, contrary to Gods law, Deut 17. 15. and the laws of the kingdom. See Chap. 10. 26.
V. 11. take your sons] That is, according to his own pleasure, whether you like it or no.
V. 12. instruments of war] That is, he will make them his smiths, carpenters and chariot-makers.
V. 15. officers] Heb. eu…chs.
V. 17. be his servants] That is, ye shall be brought into the greatest servitude.
V. 18. because of your king] That is, because of that tyranny and oppression which he will exercise over you.
V. 19. Nay but we will] That is, notwithstanding all thy disswasions, we stand firm in our resolution to have a king.
V. 20. may judge us] That is, govern and rule us according to his laws.
go out before us] That is, be our Generall in the wars.
V. 21. and he rehearsed them] That is, asking counsell of him what he should further do.
V. 22. Go ye every man] That is, depart for the present to your own homes, and in the mean while I will better consider of the matter, and ask counsell of God what is to be done for the satisfying your desires, and how it may be best effected.