1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 7:1

THe men of] Kiriath-jearim, being no city belonging to the Priests, as Bethshemesh was, & it being unlawfull for any others to touch the Arke, Numbers 4:15. It is to be imagined, that all this was done by the hns of sme P〈…〉s, who were sent for, m some other place; unlesse there were some great toleration from God, in such an extraordinary case as this was, and also by the 1 Chronicles 15:2. 〈…〉meth that Abaab was no Leviish Priest: anctifica] They did so for the present time, in that confusion of state and religion, for otherwise the high Priests sonne, was to have care thereof and to looke to it, Num. cha 4. v. 1

1 Samuel 7:2

Lamented] For the long and hard oppression of the Philistims.

1 Samuel 7:3

Ashtaroth] see upon Iudges 2. 13.

1 Samuel 7:4

Bam] See upon Judges 2:11.

1 Samuel 7:5

Mizeh] A city situate upon the consines of Judah, and Benjamin where they often lled together their generall congregations, Judges cha. 20. v. 1. 1 Samuel Chapter 10. verse 17. 2 Kings chapter 25. verse 23.

1 Samuel 7:6

Drew] This ceremony, which is no where found to be ordained by the Law, nor used any where else, was here used for a signe, either of Gods grace called upon to the end that the multitude of the peoples sins might as it were be washed away by a great floud, or by their abundant teares: Judged] supplied the place of a supreame, and soveraigne Magistrate extraordinarily raised, reforming and re-establishing Gods service: Or he was even from that time acknowledged for a Judge: and did execute his office for the most part in that place, v. 16.

1 Samuel 7:7

Were gathered] This gathering together, threatning some revolt of the people from the Philistims government, or some motion of war.

1 Samuel 7:9

A suckling lambe] The ordinary law of Sacrifices appointed those Lambes, which were offered, should be a yeare old; but here there was some speciall reason, as peradventure to shew that the people presented themselves there before the Lord, as purposing to be renewed in piety, and holinesse: Offered it] Samuel being no Priest, had not the ordinary power of offering Sacrifices, but here he proceedeth as a Prophet, by some divine motion or command; or else he did employ some Priest for to do it, as 1 Kings Chapter 18: verse 32:

1 Samuel 7:10

Thundred] See Joshua chapter 10. verse 10. Judges Chapter 4. verse 15. and chapter 5. verse 20.

1 Samuel 7:12

A stone] To set up for a remembrance of this miracle: Shen, the Italian: The point of the rock] which might be fast by: Eben-Ezer] that is the stone of helpe.

1 Samuel 7:13

Into the coast] With an army to make incursions or to give battell, for they had yet some garrisons left in the Countrey, 1 Samuel Chapter 10. verse 5. and 13. 3.

1 Samuel 7:14

Peace] That is to say, cessation of armes, and of all acts of hostility.

1 Samuel 7:16

Judged] Kept a publick court of Justice, heard pleas, and controversies, and did exercise a jurisdiction.

1 Samuel 7:17

His return] His ordinary abode, An Altar] Either for a plaine monument of piety, as Joshua chapter 22. verse 10. Judges chapter 6. verse 24. or for extraordinary Sacrifices, Exodus chapter 20. verse 25. Deuteronomy chapter 27. verse 6. Joshua Chapter 8. verse 30. Judges Chaper 21. verse 4. 1 Kings Chapter 8. verse 64. but howsoever by a propheticke motion, and Divine inspiration