Reference: Samuel, The Books of
Fausets
One book in Hebrew; the Septuagint divided it into two. The Talmud (A.D. 500) is the earliest authority that ascribes the book to Samuel (Baba Bathra 14:2). The Hebrew give it his name because its first part treats of his birth, life, and work. His death recorded in 1 Samuel 25 proves he did not write it all. The Talmud's view, adopted by learned Christian fathers, may be true of the first 24 chapters. That Samuel wrote memoirs, which Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer supplemented, appears from 1Ch 29:29; "now the acts ("history": dibrei) of David the king, first and last, behold they are written in the book ("history": dibrei) of Samuel the seer, and in the book ("history") of Nathan the prophet, and in the book ("history") of Gad the seer." Nehemiah is said in 2Ma 2:13 to have "gathered together the acts in the kings and the prophets." The internal notices favor a date of the memoirs used in compiling 1 and 2 Samuel before the due organization of the temple and Mosaic ritual.
For sacrifices are mentioned with tacit approval, or at least without apology, at other places (Mizpeh, Ramah, Bethel, and Araunah's threshing floor) than before the door of the tabernacle or temple, the only place permitted by the law (1Sa 7:9-10,17; 9:13; 10:3; 14:35; 2Sa 24:18-25). On the contrary the writer of 1 and 2 Kings stigmatizes the high places to Jehovah and blames the kings who sanctioned or connived at them (1Ki 15:14; 22:43; 2Ki 12:3; 14:4; 15:4,35; 16:4; 21:3). In the disestablishment of the Mosaic ritual consequent on the Philistine capture of the ark, and in the unsettled times that followed, even the godly followed Moses less strictly. Hence he is but twice mentioned in all Samuel, and then only as joined with Aaron in delivering Israel out of Egypt; the law is never mentioned (1Sa 12:6,8).
In Joshua "Moses" occurs 56 times; in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, after the captivity, when a return to the Mosaic standard, was the watchword of the civil and religious restoration, 31 times; in Kings, ten times; in the unsettled era of Judges, three times. Its early date is also implied by its purity of Hebrew as compared with the so-called Chaldaisms of Kings and the still more alloyed language of Chronicles. The passage (1Sa 27:6) "Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day" implies the division between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, but this is probably the comment of the last reviser. If it be the compiler's, then the compilation was made subsequently to the division. Though it does not record David's death it certainly takes it for granted (2Sa 5:5). This passage favors the view that the composition was shortly after his death.
That the composer used various existing materials appears from the distinct, but not irreconcilable, accounts of Saul's first acquaintance with David (1Sa 16:14-23; 17:55-58), also of Saul's death (1Sa 31:2-6,8-13; 2Sa 1:2-12), also of the origin of the proverb "is Saul also among the prophets?" (1Sa 10:9-12; 19:22-24). (See DAVID.) Summaries or endings of different memoirs incorporated by the composer appear in 1Sa 7:15-17; 14:47-52; 2Sa 8:15-18. The only book quoted is the Book of Jasher ("the upright", namely, "nation"), 2Sa 1:18, the bow song or elegy over Saul and Jonathan; once elsewhere (Jos 10:13).
The allusion to "the Lord's king and His anointed" (1Sa 2:10) does not imply that kings already existed, and that therefore this is not Hannah's genuine utterance (for she lived before any king in Israel), but prophetically points on to the necessary culmination of God's kingdom in the coming Messiah, and in David His typical forefather. Probably an inspired member of the schools of the prophets composed the book, incorporating in abridged form existing memoirs and records; so thought Theodoret, Athanasius, and Gregory. A recorder, remembrancer, or chronicler (mazkir) is first mentioned in David's reign (2Sa 8:16; 20:24). The details as to David in Bathsheba's affair, and of Amnon and Tamar, etc., etc., must have been furnished by contemporary memoirs written By persons having intimate access to the royal family. Prophets are prominent in Samuel.
Levites are mentioned only twice (1 Samuel 6; 2Sa 15:24), but thirty times in 1 Chronicles alone, containing David's history. The inspired author being of the prophetic schools naturally embodies Nathan's memoir as to his dealing with David in the Bathsheba sin, and in respect to the promise of permanence to his seed and throne (2 Samuel 7; 12), and Gad's dealing with him at the time of the plague (2 Samuel 24; also 1Sa 22:5). The phrase "Lord of hosts," 62 times found in Isaiah, occurs twice as often in Samuel as in all the other Old Testament histories put together. An undesigned coincidence confirming both occurs between 1Ch 10:12 (which omits notice of the burning), the men of Jabesh Gilead "buried Saul's and his son's bones," and 1Sa 31:12, "they burnt the bodies"; the bones in fragments alone remained after the burning.
Hannah's song must have been preserved by Samuel and incorporated by the compiler. The latter too derived from records David's elegies, 2Sa 1:19-27; 3:33-34; David's psalm, 2Sa 22:2-51; and his last words, 2Sa 23:1-8. Samuel contains, but Chronicles omit, David's kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9); the story of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11; 12); Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 13); the Gibeonites hanging Saul's seven sons (2 Samuel 21); the war with the Philistines (2Sa 21:15-17); David's song (2 Samuel 22), and last words (2 Samuel 23). Dates are seldom given. The period included is somewhat under 155 years, 1171-1015 B.C. The internal evidence of places, times, etc., accords with truthfulness. Christ stamps Samuel as canonical (Mt 12:1-4; compare Ac 3:24; Heb 11:32).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So the sun, was still, and, the moon, stayed, until a nation should be avenged on its fees. Is not, that, written in the Book of the Upright? So then the sun stayed in the middle of the heavens, and hastened not to go in, about a whole day.
As for Yahweh, - they shall be shattered who contend with him, Over him, in the heavens will he thunder, Yahweh, will judge the ends of the earth, - That he may give strength to his King, And exalt the horn of his Anointed One.
So Samuel took one sucking lamb, and offered it up, as an entire ascending-sacrifice unto Yahweh, - and Samuel made outcry unto Yahweh, for Israel, and Yahweh answered him. And, when Samuel was offering up the ascending-sacrifice, the Philistines, drew near to fight against Israel, - but Yahweh thundered with a great noise throughout that day, over the Philistines, and confused them, and they were smitten before Israel.
And Samuel judged Israel, all the days of his life. And he used to take his journey, from year to year, and go round to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, - and used to judge Israel, at all these places. read more. And, his returning, was to Ramah, for, there, was his house, and, there, judged he Israel, - so he built there an altar unto Yahweh.
And, his returning, was to Ramah, for, there, was his house, and, there, judged he Israel, - so he built there an altar unto Yahweh.
As ye enter the city, so, shall ye surely find him, ere yet he shall go up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he hath come, for, he, doth bless the sacrifice, after that, will they eat who have been bidden. Now, therefore, go up, for, about this very time, shall ye surely find him.
Then shalt thou pass on quickly from thence onwards, and come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there shall find thee there, three men going up unto God, at Bethel, - one, carrying three kids, and, another, carrying three cakes of bread, and, another, carrying a skin of wine;
And so it was, that, when he turned away to depart from Samuel, God gave him another heart, - and all these signs came to pass that day. And, when they came thither to the hill, lo! a band of prophets coming to meet him, - then came suddenly upon him, the Spirit of God, and he was moved to prophesy in their midst. read more. And it came to pass, that, all who knew him aforetime, looked, and lo! with the prophets, he did prophesy. So the people said, one to another - What, now, hath befallen the son of Kish? Is, even Saul, among the prophets? Then responded one of that place, and said, But who is, their father? For this cause, it became a proverb, Is, even Saul, among the prophets?
And Samuel said unto the people: Witness, is Yahweh, who wrought with Moses and with Aaron, and who brought up your fathers out of the land of Egypt.
How that, when Jacob had come into Egypt, - and your fathers had made outcry unto Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, and they brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and he caused them to dwell in this place;
And Saul built an altar unto Yahweh, - the same, was the first altar that he built unto Yahweh.
And, Saul, took possession of the kingdom over Israel, - and made war round about against all his enemies - against Moab, and against the sons of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and, whomsoever he turned against, he was victorious. Then made he ready a force, and smote the Amalekites, - and delivered Israel out of the hand of such as plundered them. read more. And the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua, - and, the names of his two daughters, were, the name of the firstborn, Merab, and, the name of the younger, Michal, - and, the name of Saul's wife, was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, - and the name of the prince of his host, Abner, son of Ner, Saul's uncle. And, Kish, was Saul's father, and, Ner, Abner's father, was son of Abiel. And the war was severe against the Philistines all the days of Saul, - and, whensoever Saul saw any mighty man, or any son of valour, he drew him unto himself.
But, the spirit of Yahweh, departed from Saul, - and there terrified him a sad spirit, from Yahweh. Then said the servants of Saul unto him, - Lo! we pray thee, a sad superhuman spirit, doth terrify thee: read more. Pray let our lord bid thy servants before thee, seek out a man, skilled in playing on the lyre, - so shall it be, when a sad superhuman spirit cometh on thee, then shall he play with his hand, and thou shalt be joyful. And Saul said unto his servants, - I pray you, look out for me a man that excelleth in playing, and bring him in unto me. Then responded one of the young men and said - Lo! I have seen - a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, skilled in playing, and a mighty man of valour, and a man of war, and of intelligent speech, and a handsome man, and, Yahweh, is with him. So Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, - and said, Send, unto me - David thy son, who is with the sheep. Then took Jesse an ass laden with bread, and a skin of wine, and one kid, - and sent by the hand of David his son, unto Saul. And David came in unto Saul, - and stood before him, - and he loved him greatly, and he became his armour-bearer. And Saul sent unto Jesse, saying, - I pray thee, let David stand before me, for he hath found favour in mine eyes. And so it used to be, when a superhuman spirit came unto Saul, then would David take the lyre, and play with his hand, - and Saul would be refreshed, and be joyful, and, the sad spirit, would depart from him.
And, when Saul saw David going forth to meet the Philistine, he said unto Abner, prince of the host, Whose son is the young man, Abner? And Abner said, By the life of thy soul, O king! I know not. Then said the king, - Ask, thou, whose son the stripling is? read more. And, when David returned from smiting the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul, - with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said unto him, Whose son art, thou, O young man? And David said, Son of thy servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite.
Then went, he also himself, to Ramah, and came in as far as the well of the threshing-floor which is in Sephi, and asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said - Lo! in Naioth, in Ramah. And, when he departed from thence towards Naioth in Ramah, then came upon, him also, the Spirit of God, and he went on and on, and was moved to prophesy, until he entered Naioth in Ramah. read more. And, even he, stripped off his upper garments, and, even he, was moved to prophesy before Samuel, and lay prostrate, disrobed, all that day, and all the night. For this cause, do they say, Is, even Saul, among the prophets?
Then said Gad the prophet unto David - Thou must not abide in the fortress, go and get thee into the land of Judah. So David departed, and entered the forest of Hereth.
So Achish gave him, on that day, Ziklag, - wherefore Ziklag hath pertained unto the kings of Judah, unto this day.
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons, - and the Philistines smote Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers discovered him, - and he was terrified at the archers. read more. Then said Saul to his armour-bearer - Draw thy sword and pierce me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come, and pierce me through, and abuse me. But his armour-bearer was not willing, for he was sore afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell thereon. And, when his armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also, fell upon his sword, and died with him. Thus died Saul, and his three sons, and his armour-bearer, yea all his men, on that day, together.
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul, and his three sons, lying prostrate in Mount Gilboa. So they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, - and sent throughout the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and unto the people. read more. And they put his armour in a house of Ashtoreths, - and, his dead body, fastened they on the wall of Beth-shan. And, when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him, what the Philistines had done unto Saul, then arose all the men of valour, and journeyed all the night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Beth-shan, - and came to Jabesh, and burned them there;
then arose all the men of valour, and journeyed all the night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Beth-shan, - and came to Jabesh, and burned them there; and took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, - and fasted seven days.
and he thought to teach the sons of Judah the song of the Bow, - lo! it is written in the Book of the Upright: - The beauty of Israel! on thy high plumes - slain! How have fallen - the mighty! read more. Do not tell it in Gath, Do not publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, - lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the Uncircumcised triumph. Ye mountains in Gilboa! Be there neither dew nor rain upon you, nor fields of offerings, - for, there, were cast away, the shields of the mighty, The shield of Saul, unanointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan ne'er drew back, - and, the sword of Saul, ne'er returned, empty. Saul and Jonathan, delightfully loving in their lives, even, in their death, were not divided, - Beyond eagles, were they swift, beyond lions, were they strong! Ye daughters of Israel! For Saul, weep ye, - who clothed you in crimson, decked with lovely things, who hung ornaments of gold on your apparel! How have fallen the mighty, in the midst of the battle! Jonathan, on thy high places, slain! I am distressed for thee, my brother, Jonathan! Delightful to me, exceedingly, - Wonderful, was thy love to me, passing the love of women. How have fallen the mighty, and perished the weapons of war!
And the king addressed his dirge unto Abner, and said, - As a base man dieth, should Abner have died? Thy hands, were not bound, And, thy feet, near to fetters, were not brought, As one falleth before assassins, so didst thou fall! And again all the people wept over him.
in Hebron, reigned he over Judah, seven years, and six months, - and, in Jerusalem, reigned he thirty and three years, over all Israel and Judah.
and, Joab, son of Zeruiah, was over the army, - and, Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was remembrancer.
And lo! Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, were bearing the ark of the covenant of God, and they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up, until all the people had made an end of passing over out of the city.
And, Adoniram, was over the tribute, - And, Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the remembrancer;
And the Philistines had yet again a war with Israel, - so David went down, and his servants with him, and fought the Philistines, and David became faint. So, Ishbi-benob, who was of the descendants of the giant, the weight of whose spear-head, was three hundred shekels of bronze, he also being newly armed, thought to smite David; read more. but Abishai son of Zeruiah, came to his help, and smote the Philistine, and slew him. Then, sware the men of David unto him, saying - Thou must not go forth any more with us, to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel.
and he said, - Yahweh, was my mountain crag and my stronghold, and my deliverer - mine; My God, was my rock, I sought refuge in him, - My shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, My Saviour! from violence, thou didst save me. read more. As one worthy to be praised, called I on Yahweh, - And, from my foes, was I saved. When the breakers of death had encompassed me, - the torrents of perdition, made me afraid, - the meshes of hades, had surrounded me, - the snares of death had confronted me, In my distress, called I on Yahweh, Yea, unto my God, did I call, - and he hearkened, out of his temple, unto my voice, and, my cry for help, was in his ears! Then did the earth shake and quake, the foundations of the heavens, were deeply moved, - yea they did shake, because he was angry, There went up a smoke in his nostrils, and, a fire out of his mouth, devoured, - live coals, were kindled from it: Then he stretched out the heavens, and came down, - and, thick gloom, was under his feet; Then he rode on a cherub, and flew, - and was seen on the wings of the wind; And made of the darkness around him, pavilions, - gathering of waters, clouds of vapours. Out of the brightness before him, were kindled live coals of fire; Thunder from the heavens, did Yahweh give forth, - yea, the Highest, uttered his voice; And he sent forth arrows, and scattered them, - lightning, and confused them; Then appeared the channels of the sea, were uncovered the foundations of the world, - at the rebuke of Yahweh, the blast of the breath of his nostrils; He sent from on high, he took me, - he drew me out of many waters; He rescued me from my foe, in his might, - from them who hated me, because they were too strong for me: They confronted me, in the day of my necessity, - then became Yahweh my stay: And brought out, into a large place, even me, - he delivered me, because he delighted in me: Yahweh rewarded me, according to my righteousness - according to the cleanness of my hands, he repaid me: For I had kept the ways of Yahweh, - and not broken away from my God; For, all his regulations, were before me, - and, as for his statutes, I turned not from them. So became I blameless towards him, - and kept myself from mine iniquity: Yahweh therefore repaid me, according to my righteousness, - according to my pureness before his eyes. With the loving, thou didst show thyself loving, - with the blameless hero, thou didst show thyself blameless; With the pure, thou didst show thyself pure, - but, with the perverse, thou didst shew thyself ready to contend: And, a patient people, thou didst save, - but, thine eyes, were on the lofty - thou layedst them low; For, thou, wast my lamp, O Yahweh, - and, Yahweh, enlightened my darkness; For, by thee, I ran through a troop, - by my God, I leapt over a wall. As for God, blameless is his way, - the speech of Yahweh, hath been proved, a shield, he is to all who seek refuge in him. For who is a GOD, save Yahweh? and who a Rock, save our God? GOD, is my fortress of strength, - and shewed to the blameless his way; Planting my feet like the hinds', - yea, on my high places, he caused me to stand; Teaching my hands, to war, - so that a bow of bronze was bent by mine arms; Thus didst thou grant me, as a shield, thy salvation, - and, thy condescension, made me great. Thou didst widen my stepping-places, under me, - so that mine ankles faltered not: I pursued my foes, and destroyed them, - and returned not, till they were consumed; So I consumed them, and crushed them, and they rose not again, - thus fell they under my feet: Thus didst thou gird me with strength, for the battle, - thou subduedst mine assailants under me: And, as for my foes, thou didst give me their neck, - yea, them who hated me, that I might destroy them: They cried out, but there was none to save, - unto Yahweh, but he answered them not. Then did I beat them in pieces, like the dust of the earth, - like the clay of the lanes, did I crush them, stamp them down. Thus didst thou rescue me from the contentions of my people, didst keep me to be the head of nations: - a people whom I had not known, served me; The sons of the foreigner, came cringing unto me, - at the hearing of the ear, they submitted to me, - The sons of the foreigner, were disheartened, and came quaking, out of their fortresses. Yahweh liveth, and blessed be my rock, - and exalted be the God (of the rock) of my salvation: - The GOD who hath avenged me, and brought down peoples under me; And brought me forth from among my foes, - yea, from mine assailants, hast thou set me on high, from the man of violence, hast thou delivered me. For this cause, will I praise thee, O Yahweh, among the nations, - and, to thy name, will I touch the strings: - Who hath made great the victories of his King, - and shown lovingkindness to his Anointed One, to David and to his Seed, unto times age-abiding.
Now, these, are the last words of David, - The oracle of David, son of Jesse, Yea the oracle of The man raised up on high, The Anointed of the God of Jacob, the Delight of the Songs of Israel: The Spirit of Yahweh, spake in me, - And, his word, was on my tongue; read more. Said the God of Israel, Unto me, spake the Rock of Israel: - One Ruling over Men, A Righteous One, ruling in the reverence of God, Is even as the light of the morning when ariseth the sun, - A morning, without clouds, As from brightness, and from rain, the fresh shoots out of the earth. When, not so, was my house with GOD, Then, a covenant age-abiding, he appointed me, Ordered in all things and guarded, Now that it is all my salvation and all my desire, Will he not make it shoot forth? But, as for the abandoned, like thorns to be tossed away are they all, - For, not with the hand, can they be taken; But, the man that would touch them, Must fence himself with iron, and the shaft of a spear, - Then, with fire, shall they be, consumed, on the spot! These, are the names of the mighty men, who belonged to David, - The president a Tachmonite head of the charioteers, the same, was Adino the Eznite, for eight hundred, slain at one time.
But, the high places, removed he not, - nevertheless, the heart of Asa, was blameless with Yahweh, all his days.
And he walked in all the way of Asa his father, he turned not aside therefrom, - doing that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh: nevertheless, the high places, were not taken away, - still were the people offering sacrifices and burning incense in the high places.
then rose up all the men of valour, and took away the corpse of Saul, and the corpses of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, - and buried their bodies under the terebinth, in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
Now, the acts of David the king, first and last, behold them! written in the records of Samuel the seer, and in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the records of Gad the seer:
In that season, went Jesus, on, the sabbath, through the cornfields, - and, his disciples, hungered, and began to pluck ears of corn, and to eat. But, the Pharisees, observing it, said unto him, Lo! thy disciples, are doing what is not allowed to do, on sabbath. read more. And he said unto them, have ye never read what, David, did, when he hungered, and they who were with him? how he entered into the house of God and, the presence-bread, did eat, which it was not, allowable, for him to eat, nor for them who were with him, - save for the priests, alone?
But, indeed, all the prophets, - from Samuel and those following after, as many as have spoken, have even announced these days.
And what more can I say? For, time, will fail me while I go on telling - concerning Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David also, and Samuel, and the prophets, -