1 Samuel 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 Zophim attached to it, because it was founded by Zuph,

"an Ephrathite," that is a native of Ephratha. Beth-lehem, and the

expression "of Ramathaim-zophim" must, therefore, be understood as

Ramah in the land of Zuph in the hill country of Ephratha. Others,

considering "mount Ephraim" as pointing to the locality in Joseph's

territory, regard "Zophim" not as a proper but a common noun,

signifying watchtowers, or watchmen, with reference either to the

height of its situation, or its being the residence of prophets who

were watchmen

(Eze 3:17).

Though a native of Ephratha or Beth-lehem-judah

(Ru 1:2),

Elkanah was a Levite

(1Ch 6:33, 34).

Though of this order, and a good man, he practised polygamy. This was

contrary to the original law, but it seems to have been prevalent among

the Hebrews in those days, when there was no king in Israel, and every

man did what seemed right in his own eyes

[Jud 21:25].

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 divine ordinances

is the more worthy of notice because the character of the two priests

who administered them was notoriously bad. But doubtless he believed,

and acted on the belief, that the ordinances were "effectual means of

salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in those who administered

them, but from the grace of God being communicated through them."

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, a larger choice, according to the Eastern fashion of showing regard

to beloved or distinguished guests. (See on

1Sa 9:24;

also see on

Ge 43:34).

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.

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 the sanctuary would

have to commence at an earlier age than usual, in consequence of the

Nazarite vow.

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 accomplishment

of her earnest desire, dispelled her sadness, and filled her with

confident hope

[1Sa 1:18].

The character and services of the expected child were sufficiently

important to make his birth a fit subject for prophecy.

1Sa 1:20.

SAMUEL

BORN.

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.

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).

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.

24. three bullocks--The Septuagint renders it "a bullock of three

years old"; which is probably the true rendering.