Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 1

Verse 1

mount = hill country of.

Elkanah = Acquired by God, i.e. perhaps in exchange

for firstborn (Numbers 3:13 , Numbers 3:45 ), a son of Korah. See Exodus 6:24 .

Verse 2

Hannah = Grace.

Peninnah = Pearl. Note the Figure of speech Antimetabole. App-6 .

children = offspring. Hebrew. yalad.

Verse 3

yearly . Hebrew "from days to days". Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , to emphasise the regularity.

the LORD of hosts = Jehovah Sabaioth, one of the Jehovah-titles. The first of 281 occurrences. Denotes the God of Israel as the Lord of all the hosts of heaven and earth. See App-4 . This title specially characterises this book.

Shiloh. Where the Tabernacle and Ark were. Joshua 18:1 ; Joshua 19:51 ; Joshua 22:9 . Judges 18:31 .

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 4

time = day . Punctuality thus emphasised.

Verse 5

worthy = double.

Verse 8

why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare John 20:13 , John 20:15 . . . . than ten sons. Probably a Parcemia ( App-6 ). It is so to-day among the Arabs: such a woman being called moonejeba = ennobled.

Verse 9

a seat = the seat. First occurrence. Compare Zechariah 6:13 .

a post = door post, or side post.

the temple = palace. Hebrew. heykal. Seven mentioned in Scripture: (1) The Tabernacle, 1 Samuel 1:9 ; (2) Solomon's, 1 Kings 6:5 , 1 Kings 6:17 ; (3) Zerubbabel's, Ezra 4:1 , Ezra 4:2 ; (4) Herod's, John 2:20 ; (5) The future one of 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ; (6) The millennial temple of Ezekiel 41:1 ; and (7) the heavenly temple of Revelation 21:3 , Revelation 21:22 . Also seven references to believers as a temple in N.T.: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 ; 1 Corinthians 6:19 . 2 Corinthians 6:16 . Ephesians 2:20 , Ephesians 2:21 . Heb 3:6 . 1 Peter 2:5 ; 1 Peter 4:17 .

Verse 10

soul . Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 11

vowed a vow = made a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . See note on Genesis 26:28 .

remember me , and not forget. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ) for great emphasis.

no razor . See Numbers 6:5 .Judges 13:5 ; Judges 16:17 .

Verse 14

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

Verse 15

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 17

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 19

Ramah . Hence this was Samuel's residence. remembered. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 20

bare a son . Thus Samuel was a descendant of Korah. See Exodus 6:24 .

Samuel . See note on Title, in the book comments for Samuel.

Verse 21

man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

offer = sacrifice. App-43 .

Verse 22

child = young child.

for ever . Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Whole), App-6 . The whole put for a portion; i.e. as long as he lives. Put literally in 1 Samuel 1:28 .

Verse 24

weaned . From 2 Macc. 7.27 it has been inferred that the time of weaning included the periods of nourishment and up-bringing, which would bring Samuel to the age of at least twelve years. Compare Isaac's weaning at the age of five years, and see Genesis 21:8 . three bullocks. Septuagint and Syriac read "a bullock of three years". Compare 1 Samuel 1:25 , and Genesis 15:9 .

ephah . See App-51 .

a bottle = a skin bottle. and the child was young. Hebrew vehannar na ' ar. Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ) = "now the boy was a child". Note also the Figure of speech Parenthesis. App-6 .

Verse 25

a = the.

Verse 26

thy soul = thyself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 28

the LORD = Jehovah. Punctuate thus, "to Jehovah as long as he liveth. He shall be", &c. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ) in verses: 1 Samuel 1:27-28 . "Jehovah hath given me my petition (sh e 'elathi) which I asked of Him (sha'alti): therefore also I have lent him (hishiltihu) to Jehovah. "