THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. THE ARGUMENT. IT is not certainly known who was the penman of this Book, or whether it was written by one or more hands; nor is it or any great importance; for since there are sufficient evidences that God was the chief author…

Ramathaim-zophirn, called Ramah, 1 Sam. 1:19, and here is the dual number Ramathaim, i.e. double Ramah, probably because it consisted of two parts, whereof the one might be called the old city, the other the new, both being united into one; and the additional title of Zophim, which signifies…

He had two wives; as divers other good men had in those ages. And it is probable that he took a second wife, to wit, Peninnah, because Hannah, who being first named seems to have been his first wife, was barren.

Yearly, to wit, at one of the solemn feasts, which probably was the passover, when he not only went up himself, but carried his wife and children with him. Compare 1 Sam. 1:7. Or, at the appointed days or times; Heb. from days to days; or, from time to time, i.e.

To wit, 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, Leviticus 3:0; Leviticus 7:0; Deut. 12:12; Deut.

A worthy portion, or, an honourable or select part, such as the master of the feast usually gave to the person most respected or beloved. See Gen. 43:34, 1 Sam. 9:23–24. He loved Hannah, with a singular and eminent love. Compare Gen. 29:30.

Her adversary, or, her troubler, or vexer, or enemy; for so her envy or jealousy made her, though so nearly related. Compare Gen. 29:30, Lev. 18:18. To make her fret, against her husband, or against God, or within herself.

As he did so, i.e. either as oft as he went and carried them with him to worship; or as Elkanah expressed peculiar kindness to Hannah, as was said, 1 Sam. 1:5. Year by year, i.e. every year, at the days or times mentioned, 1 Sam. 1:3. When she went up to the house of the Lord.

Oughtest thou not to value my hearty love to thee, more than the having of as many sons as Peninnah hath? She would willingly change conditions with thee.

After they had eaten, i.e. Elkanah and his company, except Hannah. Or, she; for though at first she eat nothing, yet upon her husband’s invitation and encouragement she might eat afterwards; though the former may seem more probable.

She was in bitterness of soul, i.e. oppressed with grief, as that phrase is used, Job 7:11, Job 10:1, Ruth 1:20.

She vowed a vow; knowing that her husband would willingly consent to it, otherwise she had not power to do it. If thou wilt indeed look on, to wit, favourably, so as to remove it. The affliction, i.e. the barrenness and reproach which attends it. Give him unto the Lord, i.e.

As she continued praying, Heb. 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; which consideration may…

Her voice was not heard; partly, to avoid the suspicion of vain-glory; partly, because she would not have others acquainted with her barrenness, which was matter of reproach; and partly, because she would not disturb others, who at this solemn feast were probably employed there in the same work.

Come not before the Lord in thy drunkenness, but go and sleep it out, and repent of this thy sin.

I am a women; in whom drunkenness is most abominable; so that the Romans punished it with death; therefore judge me not so severely. Of a sorrowful spirit; and therefore not likely to give up myself to drink and jollity, and far from that merry temper which drunkards have: I am drunk with…

For a daughter of Belial; for such a wicked monster, as a drunken woman is. The oppression of my spirits hath forced me to speak, and that so liberally at this time, for the case of my sinking heart.

Go in peace; I recall my censure, and give thee my blessing, and wish thee peace, i.e. a quiet and composed mind, free from whatsoever it is that grieves and oppresses thee; and withal, good success and prosperity in what thou desirest; for peace is a very comprehensive word among the Hebrews.

Grace in thy sight; that favourable opinion, and good will, and gracious prayer, which thou hast expressed on my behalf, be pleased to continue toward me.

They rose up in the morning early; partly for their journey, and partly for prayer, as it follows, for which this was a very fit and usual time, Ps. 5:3, Ps. 119:147. Remembered her, i.e. manifested his remembrance of her by the effect.

So the sense is, When the usual time from the conception to the birth was past, she brought forth her son. Heb. in or after the revolution, or expiration of some days, Hannah conceived, and in due time bare a son.

All his house, i.e. his wife Peninnah, and his children, which are ofttimes called a man’s house in Scripture, Hannah only and her child excepted, as it here follows.

Hannah went not up, to wit, at that sacred anniversary feast, to which she went up before but now did not, because she could not with satisfaction to her mind and conscience appear before the Lord empty, or without paying her vow; nor bring her child thither to God, and then carry him away from God…

The Lord establish his word; either, first, The word of God made known to them by Eli, above, 1 Sam. 4:17, which being delivered by God’s high priest, and that in answer to his and his wife’s prayers, he took to be a kind of oracle sent from God.

Three bullocks; either, first, One to be offered at that time; the other two presented to the priest, whether for his own use, or to be offered afterwards, as he saw fit.

A bullock; either, first, One of the three at the present, reserving the rest for the future. Or, secondly, The three bullocks mentioned 1 Sam. 1:24, to which the article here added, in the Hebrew, seems manifestly to relate; there being no one bullock there, singled out, to which it can belong.

Oh my lord; a form of speech to engage favourable attention. As thy soul liveth; the usual form of an oath, as Gen. 42:15, 1 Sam. 17:55, 1 Sam. 20:3; as surely as thou livest: which asseverations seem necessary, because this was some years after it, and was quite forgotten by him.

I have lent him to the Lord, or, given him, &c., i.e. do now give or offer him; for she did not lend him for a time, with a purpose or right to require him again. The words may be rendered thus, And I also asked him, or made myself to ask him. (a usual Hebraism,) for the Lord, i.e.