THIS and the three following books were formerly termed the first, second, third, and fourth books of Kings, and the two books of Samuel made in ancient times but one; the separation which has taken place seems to have been done without reason or necessity. These books are, properly speaking, a continuation of the book of Judges, as they give us an account of the remaining judges of Israel, down to the election of Saul; and of all the kings of Israel and Judah to the Babylonish captivity. Of this book, called the first book of Samuel, the following are the contents: The birth and education of Samuel; the high priesthood of Eli; the Philistines attack the Israelites, overthrow them with a terrible slaughter, take the ark of the Lord, and set it up in the temple of their god Dagon; they are visited with Divine judgments, and are obliged to send back the ark with offerings and presents; Samuel, long acknowledged as a prophet of the Lord, takes the government of the people. Under his wise and pious administration, the affairs of Israel become re-established, and the Philistines are subdued. The sons of Samuel, who principally administered the secular concerns of the kingdom, acting unworthily, the people desire to have a king, who should be supreme, both in civil and military affairs. Samuel, after expostulations, yields to their entreaties; and, under the direction of God, Saul the son of Kish, whilst seeking the lost asses of his father, is met by the prophet, and anointed king over Israel. This man, not conducting himself in the government according to the direction of God, is rejected, and David the son of Jesse anointed king in his place, though Saul continues still in the government. This person soon becomes advantageously known to Israel by his single combat with a gigantic Philistine chief, called Goliath, whom he slays; on which the Israelites attack the Philistines, and give them a total overthrow. Saul, envious of David’s popularity, seeks his destruction; he is in consequence obliged to escape for his life, and take refuge sometimes among the Moabites, sometimes among the Philistines, and sometimes in the caves of the mountains of Judah, everywhere pursued by Saul, and everywhere visibly protected by the Lord. At last Saul, being pressed by the Philistines, and finding that the Lord had forsaken him, had recourse to a witch that dwelt at En-dor, whom he consulted relative to the issue of the present war with the Philistines; he loses the battle, and being sorely wounded, and his three sons slain, he falls on his own sword, and expires on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines find his body, and the bodies of his three sons, among the slain; they cut off Saul’s head, and affix the bodies to the walls of Beth-shan. The men of Jabesh-gilead, hearing this, go by night, and take the bodies from the walls of Beth-shan, bring them to Jabesh, burn them there, bury the bones, and mourn over their fallen king, fasting seven days. Thus concludes the first book of Samuel.
Concerning the author of these books there have been various conjectures. Because, in most of the Hebrew copies, they bear the name of Samuel, as a running title, it has been generally supposed that he was the author. But his name does not appear to have been anciently prefixed to these books, at least in those copies used by the Greek interpreters, commonly called the Septuagint, as they simply term each βασιλειων. The History or Book of Kingdoms. The Chaldee has no inscription. The Syriac and Arabic call each The Book of Samuel the Prophet; and the Vulgate, The Book of Samuel, simply. The Jews, in general, believe that Samuel is the author of the first twenty-seven chapters of this book, which contain the history of his own life and government, and what respects Saul and David during that time. The remaining four chapters they suppose were added by the prophets Gad and Nathan. This opinion is founded on what is said 1 Chronicles 29:29: Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer. Others suppose the books to be more recent than the persons already named, but that they were compiled out of their memoirs.
But who was the compiler? Some of the most learned among the Jews suppose it to have been Jeremiah the prophet, and that the style bears a near resemblance to his prophecies. That they were the work of a more recent author than Samuel, &c., Grotius thinks evident from this circumstance, that the names of the months are comparatively modern, and were not known among the ancient Jews. Others have attributed them to David; others, to Hezekiah; and others, to Ezra the scribe, on his return from the Babylonish captivity.
Calmet’s opinion is as probable as any, viz., “That these books were written by the same hand, though composed out of the memoirs left by persons of that time; and that the compiler has generally used the same terms he found in those memoirs, adding here and there something of his own by way of illustration.” The equality of the style, the frequent eulogiums on the character of Samuel, the connection of the materials, particular quotations, and remarks on certain events, are, he thinks, proofs sufficiently clear of what he assumes. These books contain remarks or expressions which could only proceed from a contemporary author, and others which are evidences of a much later age.
1. For instance, we read, 1 Samuel 3:1, The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision; i.e., in the days of Eli, the high priest: hence it is evident that the author lived in times in which prophecy was more common; which, in fact, it was after Samuel, under David, and the succeeding kings of Israel and Judah.
2. Again, in the time of the author of this book, Beth-el was called Beth-aven, 1 Samuel 13:5, which name was given to it in derision after Jeroboam had placed there his golden calves.
3. Again, it is said, 1 Samuel 6:18, that the ark of the Lord was set down in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, where it remained to the time of this author; and yet, in 1 Samuel 7:15, he speaks of Samuel as being already dead: And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
4. It is not natural to suppose that Samuel would have spoken of himself as is done 1 Samuel 2:26: And the child Samuel grew, and was in favour both with the Lord and with men; but if he were dead when this book was written, any author might have added this with the strictest propriety.
5. In 1 Samuel 27:6, it is said that Achish gave Ziklag to David, Wherefore Ziklag pertaineth to the kings of Judah unto this day. This is a proof that when this book was written the kingdoms of Judah and Israel were separated; and that, although the tribe of Simeon belonged to the kings of Israel, yet Ziklag, which was in that tribe, remained in the hands of the kings of Judah.
Here, therefore, are proofs that this book contains matters which must have been written by a contemporary author; and others which could not have been inserted but in times much posterior. These seeming contradictions are reconciled by the hypothesis that the books were compiled, by a comparatively recent author, out of materials of a much earlier date, the author not changing many of the expressions which he found in those ancient documents.
Several other proofs might be here adduced to support this opinion; but as the reader will find them noticed in the places where they occur, it is not necessary to repeat them here. Those who wish to see the subject farther discussed, may consult Calmet. We may rest satisfied with these three things: 1. That the books of Samuel were constructed out of original and authentic documents. 2. That the compiler was not contemporary with the facts he narrates. And, 3. That both the author and time in which he compiled his history, though comparatively more recent than the facts themselves, are nevertheless both uncertain.
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL
-Year from the Creation, 2833.
-Year before the Incarnation, 1171.
-Year before the first Olympiad, 395.
-Year before the building of Rome, 418.
-Year of the Julian Period, 3543.
-Year of the Dionysian Period, 351.
-Cycle of the Sun, 15.
-Cycle of the Moon, 9.
Joseph Benson
Argument
BEN_VOL2.PDF, source PDF p. 142
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
OTHERWISE CALLED, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
ARGUMENT.
IN this book is contained the history of the Israelites under the two last judges, Eli and Samuel, and under Saul, the first king in Israel; for their form of government was now changed, God, at the people’s desire, appointing Saul to be a king over them, instead of raising them up judges as formerly. We have likewise, in this book, an account of God’s rejection of Saul from the throne, for his disobedience, and of his choosing David in his stead. This and the following book are styled the books of Samuel, because the first contains his story, and in both of them are related the transactions of two kings anointed by him. Samuel himself, probably, wrote the first twenty-four chapters of this book, and the rest, with the second book, might be written by Nathan or Gad, or some other prophet of those times. See 1 Chronicles 29:29. A few passages seem to have been inserted by Ezra, when he collected and revised the books of sacred Scripture. This first book of Samuel contains the history of about eighty years; of which forty passed under the government of Eli, as high-priest and judge, 1 Samuel 4:18; and the other forty under the government of Samuel and Saul, as may be seen Acts 13:21.
Joseph Sutcliffe
The First Book of Samuel.
SUT_VOL1.PDF, source PDF p. 685
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.
In the ancient Hebrew, these two books form but one, and are called the book of Samuel. The tradition of the Jews is, that the life and ministry of this great prophet and judge of Israel, was written by himself; and that from the twenty fourth chapter, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer, continued the history, as may also be inferred from 1 Chronicles 29:29. “Now the acts of David the king, first and last, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer.”—The exceptions are, that three distinct histories are here named, as written by the prophets whose names they bear. It is further alleged, that the two books of Samuel are not the production of those three prophets, because they speak of Samuel in the third person, and in terms which a man cannot modestly use of himself: “That Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life; and he went from year to year in circuit, to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.” To this another exception is taken, that Achish gave Ziglag to David; “wherefore Ziglag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day,” 1 Samuel 27:6; for the phrase, kings of Judah, was not in use till after the secession of the ten tribes.—It is replied, that Samuel might justly speak those things of himself, when he knew in hoary age that the Hebrews wanted a king. Job does this, chap. 29., when tacitly accused. St. Paul does the same with regard to his revelations, when slandered by Jewish teachers. 2 Corinthians
12. To which we add the testimony of Isidorus and others, that David finished the book of Samuel. It is replied, that Ezra and other holy scribes are not accused of falsifying, nor of altering the form of the sacred books; neither was it in their power to do so, for the Jews in Egypt, and in the Greek Islands, had the sacred books, the same as the Jews in Babylon; and the collation of manuscripts do but exhibit verbal variations. It is replied, that the phrase to this day, which occurs seven times in the book of the Judges and of Samuel, were marginal references copied into the text for the sake of elucidation.—It is but just to add, that writers of the Socinian school are the most prominent to revive those long-refuted caveats against the sacred volume. Grotius abounds with them; and what can be the motive for attempts to throw all the sacred books as late as possible in the annals of the church, but to depreciate their antiquity, and substitute philosophy for revelation. The fathers of the primitive church act a contrary part. Tertullian affirms, that Moses was contemporary with king Inachus; he affirms that the autographs of St. Paul were still preserved in the churches to whom he wrote. The sacred text in all ages has been regarded as the first trust of heaven to the poor benighted mind of man.
Daniel Whedon
Introduction.
WHD_CO03.PDF, source PDF p. 411
Editorial note: The supplied edition prints “2 Samuel 5:6-1” here (WHD_CO03.PDF, physical PDF page 417). The surrounding discussion of the capture of Zion and David's settlement there corresponds to 2 Samuel 5:6–10 in the King James Version. The origin of the printed numbering is not established here; the historical wording is retained. WHD_CO03.PDF, PDF page 417.
Editorial note: The supplied edition prints “2 Samuel 9:1-17” here (WHD_CO03.PDF, physical PDF page 417). The surrounding discussion of David's kindness to Mephibosheth corresponds to 2 Samuel 9:1–13 in the King James Version. The origin of the printed numbering is not established here; the historical wording is retained. WHD_CO03.PDF, PDF page 417.
1 SAMUEL
INTRODUCTION.
IN the Hebrew Manuscripts the two Books of Samuel form one undivided work, and their contents show that they properly belong thus together. The present division was first made by the Septuagint translators; it was afterwards adopted in the Vulgate, and was first introduced into the printed Hebrew Bibles at Venice in 1518. The division, however, was appropriately made at the account of Saul’s death, which event formed a turning point in Israelitish history. The ancient title of the undivided work was “Book of Samuel,” evidently so called because the first section is mainly devoted to the history of that saintly Judge and Prophet. Hence also the present name, Books of Samuel. In the Septuagint and Vulgate they are called the First and Second Books of Kings, because they record the origin and establishment of the Hebrew monarchy.
Date.
The exact time of the composition of these books it is impossible to decide. Their language and style favour the idea of an early date, and, on the whole, present us with one of the purest specimens of Hebrew prose extant. There is an absence of Chaldaisms which specially distinguishes them from later writings of the Old Testament, and a simplicity and directness of narrative which belong to the Golden Age of Hebrew literature. “These books,” says Dr. John Eadie, “bear the impress of a hoary age in their language, allusions, and mode of composition. The insertion of odes and snatches of poetry, to enliven and verify the narrative, is common to them with the Pentateuch. They abound in minute sketches and vivid touches. As if the chapters had been extracted from a diary, some portions are more fully detailed and warmly coloured than others, according as the original observer was himself impressed. Many of the incidents, in their artless and striking delineation, would form a fine study for a painter.” But, though unquestionably ancient, they cannot be referred to a period earlier than the closing years of David’s reign, and the very noticeable circumstance that they contain the last words of the king, but no mention of his death, forcibly suggests that they were completed in substantially their present form while David was yet living, but “old and stricken in years.” 1 Kings 1:1. But the remark in 1 Samuel 27:6 — “Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day” — seems to show that the author must have written his work after the division of the nation into two kingdoms, and, therefore, at the earliest, as late as the days of Rehoboam. This, however, is not conclusive evidence, for it is not at all unnatural or uncritical to suppose that this remark was added by a later hand. While, therefore, the exact age of these books cannot be determined, we do best to refrain from mere conjectures, and simply refer them to the period extending from David’s last years to a time subsequent to the revolt of the ten tribes, but probably not later than the reign of Abijam, the son of Rehoboam — about 957 B.C. We may in substance adopt the noble words of Ewald, that “when the Books of Samuel were written the majestic forms of Samuel and David were not very far removed from the nation’s memory, but only just raised above the misappreciation of their own time. Hence no portion of the Old Testament produces comparatively so satisfactory an effect on the historical inquirer as this does; for here we see the whole reality and truth of a great human scene peep out behind tradition, and discern historical greatness surrounded by all the fetters and limitations of its temporal conditions.”
Author.
If we are correct in assigning the work a date as early as that indicated above, then Jeremiah could not have been the author, as several eminent critics have supposed; nor could it have been the writer of the Books of Kings, as Jahn suggests; for, not to mention differences in style and plan of writing, the author of Kings must certainly have lived at a much later period than the date above given. An old opinion ascribes the authorship of these books to the joint labours of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It originated from the statement of 1 Chronicles 29:29, which, translated literally, is, “The words (דברי) of David the king, the first and the last; behold, they are written in the words of Samuel the seer, and in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the words of Gad the seer.” The term דברי, words, here evidently means history. But what were the histories of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad? That they were works composed by these persons is as gratuitous an assumption as it would be to say that the history of David was a work composed by the king himself. The passage in Chronicles may indicate the sources, but it is not sufficient to decide the authorship of the Books of Samuel. Who the author was is a question that cannot now be answered.
Sources.
The work bears many evidences of being a compilation out of pre-existing documents, and some of these sources may be indicated with tolerable certainty. The poetical compositions which are inserted in the history (namely, Hannah’s song, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, and David’s elegies, 2 Samuel 1:19-27; 3:33, 34, and psalms, in chaps. 22 and 23) may all have been taken from the Book of Jasher, from which David’s elegy over Saul and Jonathan is professedly derived. Some of these songs, perhaps, like the chorus of the Hebrew women sung over David’s first triumph, (1 Samuel 18:7,) were as familiar to the lips of Israel as household words, and were written down by our author from memory. The genealogical tables and lists of public officers (namely, of Elkanah, 1 Samuel 1:1; of Saul, 9:1; of David’s family, 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:14-16; and officers, 8:16-18; 20:23-26; 23:8-39) were, in all probability, taken from public registers and annals kept by the scribe and recorder of the king. These royal scribes (see notes at 2 Samuel 8:16, 17) also wrote down the passing events of their times, and we may reasonably believe that their books became the principal authorities from which most of the historical works of the Old Testament written after the establishment of the Monarchy were compiled. Hence, too, most of the descriptive narratives may be regarded as substantially the accounts of eye-witnesses. In 1 Samuel 10:25 it is said that Samuel wrote a book descriptive of the manner of the kingdom, and that fact suggests that he may also have written other books, embodying, like those of the later prophets, important incidents of his own life and times. To such a work our author was, doubtless, largely indebted for the first twelve chapters of 1 Samuel. So also the histories of Nathan and Gad, which are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 29:29, and noticed above, were probably narratives of the times of those prophets written by one of their contemporaries, if not by their own hands. All these documents, and perhaps many more, were at the service of the compiler of the Books of Samuel; and by their aid, as well as by the guidance of the Spirit, he seems to have wrought out his work with the design of furnishing the chosen people with a true account of the leading facts in the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. In all this the devout believer sees the hand of God; and he believes not only that the sacred writer, whoever he was, wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, but also that, while the earlier documents have been utterly lost, this work has been preserved to the Church by the gracious providence of God, and is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” What an incalculable loss to the Church and the world would it be to be without these Books of Samuel!
Contents.
The work is readily divided into three sections: the first containing the History of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1-!2; the second the History of Saul, 1 Samuel 13-31; and the third the History of David, 2 Samuel 1-24. Saul, indeed, is introduced to us before 1 Samuel 13, and David before 2 Samuel 1; but they appear not as the great subjects of the history until the chapters indicated.
THE ARK OF GOD AMONG THE PHILISTINES 1 Samuel 5:1-12 RETURN OF THE ARK TO KIRJATH-JEARIM 1 Samuel 6:1-7:1 THE GREAT DELIVERANCE AND REFORM UNDER SAMUEL 1 Samuel 7:2-17
THE ANOINTING OF SAUL 1 Samuel 9:1-27-10:1-16 SAUL’S PUBLIC ELECTION AT MIZPEH 1 Samuel 10:17-27 SAUL’S VICTORY OVER THE AMMONITES 1 Samuel 11:1-11 THE REACTION IN FAVOUR OF SAUL, AND RENEWAL OF THE KINGDOM AT GILGAL 1 Samuel 11:12-15
SAMUEL’S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO ISRAEL 1 Samuel 12:1-25 Section Second — History of Saul. 1 Samuel 13-31.
DAVID’S INTRODUCTION TO THE COURT OF SAUL 1 Samuel 16:14-23 DAVID’S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH 1 Samuel 17:1-58 FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JONATHAN 1 Samuel 18:1-4 DAVID’S HONOURS AND SAUL’S JEALOUSY 1 Samuel 18:5-9 SAUL’S FIRST ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID 1 Samuel 18:10-30 JONATHAN’S INTERCESSION FOR DAVID 1 Samuel 19:1-7 SAUL’S RENEWED ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID 1 Samuel 19:8-17
THE ZIPHITES’ SECOND ATTEMPT TO BETRAY DAVID 1 Samuel 26:1-5 DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME 1 Samuel 26:6-25 DAVID AT GATH THE SECOND TIME 1 Samuel 27:1-4 DAVID IN POSSESSION OF ZIKLAG 1 Samuel 27:5-12 THE PHILISTINES PREPARE TO FIGHT WITH ISRAEL 1 Samuel 28:1, 2 SAUL’S DISTRESS AND INTERVIEW WITH THE WITCH OF ENDOR 1 Samuel 28:3-25
DAVID’S REMOVAL FROM THE PHILISTINE ARMY 1 Samuel 29:1-11 DAVID’S RETURN TO ZIKLAG AND REVENGE UPON THE AMALEKITES 1 Samuel 20:1-31
RIVALRY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND JUDAH OVER DAVID’S RETURN 2 Samuel 19:9-14
SHIMEI’S CONFESSION AND PARDON 2 Samuel 19:15-23 THE MEETING WITH MEPHIBOSHETH 2 Samuel 19:24-30 DAVID’S PARTING WITH BARZILLAI 2 Samuel 19:31-39 QUARREL AT GILGAL BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL OVER THE KING’S RETURN 2 Samuel 19:40-43
Adam Clarke
Preface to the First Book of Samuel,
CLA_1SA.PDF, source PDF p. 3
PREFACE TO THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
OTHERWISE CALLED THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS
THIS and the three following books were formerly termed the first, second, third, and fourth books of Kings, and the two books of Samuel made in ancient times but one; the separation which has taken place seems to have been done without reason or necessity. These books are, properly speaking, a continuation of the book of Judges, as they give us an account of the remaining judges of Israel, down to the election of Saul; and of all the kings of Israel and Judah to the Babylonish captivity. Of this book, called the first book of Samuel, the following are the contents: The birth and education of Samuel; the high priesthood of Eli; the Philistines attack the Israelites, overthrow them with a terrible slaughter, take the ark of the Lord, and set it up in the temple of their god Dagon; they are visited with Divine judgments, and are obliged to send back the ark with offerings and presents; Samuel, long acknowledged as a prophet of the Lord, takes the government of the people. Under his wise and pious administration, the affairs of Israel become re-established, and the Philistines are subdued. The sons of Samuel, who principally administered the secular concerns of the kingdom, acting unworthily, the people desire to have a king, who should be supreme, both in civil and military affairs. Samuel, after expostulations, yields to their entreaties; and, under the direction of God, Saul the son of Kish, whilst seeking the lost asses of his father, is met by the prophet, and anointed king over Israel. This man, not conducting himself in the government according to the direction of God, is rejected, and David the son of Jesse anointed king in his place, though Saul continues still in the government. This person soon becomes advantageously known to Israel by his single combat with a gigantic Philistine chief, called Goliath, whom he slays; on which the Israelites attack the Philistines, and give them a total overthrow. Saul, envious of David’s popularity, seeks his destruction; he is in consequence obliged to escape for his life, and take refuge sometimes among the Moabites, sometimes among the Philistines, and sometimes in the caves of the mountains of Judah, everywhere pursued by Saul, and everywhere visibly protected by the Lord. At last Saul, being pressed by the Philistines, and finding that the Lord had forsaken him, had recourse to a witch that dwelt at En-dor, whom he consulted relative to the issue of the present war with the Philistines; he loses the battle, and being sorely wounded, and his three sons slain, he falls on his own sword, and expires on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines find his body, and the bodies of his three sons, among the slain; they cut off Saul’s head, and affix the bodies to the walls of Beth-shan. The men of Jabesh-gilead, hearing this, go by night, and take the bodies from the walls of Beth-shan, bring them to Jabesh, burn them there, bury the bones, and mourn over their fallen king, fasting seven days. Thus concludes the first book of Samuel.
Concerning the author of these books there have been various conjectures. Because, in most of the Hebrew copies, they bear the name of Samuel, as a running title, it has been generally supposed that he was the author. But his name does not appear to have been anciently prefixed to these books, at least in those copies used by the Greek interpreters, commonly called the Septuagint, as they simply term each βασιλειων. The History or Book of Kingdoms. The Chaldee has no inscription. The Syriac and Arabic call each The Book of Samuel the Prophet; and the Vulgate, The Book of Samuel, simply. The Jews, in general, believe that Samuel is the author of the first twenty-seven chapters of this book, which contain the history of his own life and government, and what respects Saul and David during that time. The remaining four chapters they suppose were added by the prophets Gad and Nathan. This opinion is founded on what is said 1 Chronicles 29:29: Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer. Others suppose the books to be more recent than the persons already named, but that they were compiled out of their memoirs.
But who was the compiler? Some of the most learned among the Jews suppose it to have been Jeremiah the prophet, and that the style bears a near resemblance to his prophecies. That they were the work of a more recent author than Samuel, &c., Grotius thinks evident from this circumstance, that the names of the months are comparatively modern, and were not known among the ancient Jews. Others have attributed them to David; others, to Hezekiah; and others, to Ezra the scribe, on his return from the Babylonish captivity.
Calmet’s opinion is as probable as any, viz., “That these books were written by the same hand, though composed out of the memoirs left by persons of that time; and that the compiler has generally used the same terms he found in those memoirs, adding here and there something of his own by way of illustration.” The equality of the style, the frequent eulogiums on the character of Samuel, the connection of the materials, particular quotations, and remarks on certain events, are, he thinks, proofs sufficiently clear of what he assumes. These books contain remarks or expressions which could only proceed from a contemporary author, and others which are evidences of a much later age.
1. For instance, we read, 1 Samuel 3:1, The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision; i.e., in the days of Eli, the high priest: hence it is evident that the author lived in times in which prophecy was more common; which, in fact, it was after Samuel, under David, and the succeeding kings of Israel and Judah.
2. Again, in the time of the author of this book, Beth-el was called Beth-aven, 1 Samuel 13:5, which name was given to it in derision after Jeroboam had placed there his golden calves.
3. Again, it is said, 1 Samuel 6:18, that the ark of the Lord was set down in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite, where it remained to the time of this author; and yet, in 1 Samuel 7:15, he speaks of Samuel as being already dead: And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
4. It is not natural to suppose that Samuel would have spoken of himself as is done 1 Samuel 2:26: And the child Samuel grew, and was in favour both with the Lord and with men; but if he were dead when this book was written, any author might have added this with the strictest propriety.
5. In 1 Samuel 27:6, it is said that Achish gave Ziklag to David, Wherefore Ziklag pertaineth to the kings of Judah unto this day. This is a proof that when this book was written the kingdoms of Judah and Israel were separated; and that, although the tribe of Simeon belonged to the kings of Israel, yet Ziklag, which was in that tribe, remained in the hands of the kings of Judah.
Here, therefore, are proofs that this book contains matters which must have been written by a contemporary author; and others which could not have been inserted but in times much posterior. These seeming contradictions are reconciled by the hypothesis that the books were compiled, by a comparatively recent author, out of materials of a much earlier date, the author not changing many of the expressions which he found in those ancient documents.
Several other proofs might be here adduced to support this opinion; but as the reader will find them noticed in the places where they occur, it is not necessary to repeat them here. Those who wish to see the subject farther discussed, may consult Calmet. We may rest satisfied with these three things: 1. That the books of Samuel were constructed out of original and authentic documents. 2. That the compiler was not contemporary with the facts he narrates. And, 3. That both the author and time in which he compiled his history, though comparatively more recent than the facts themselves, are nevertheless both uncertain.
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL
-Year from the Creation, 2833.
-Year before the Incarnation, 1171.
-Year before the first Olympiad, 395.
-Year before the building of Rome, 418.
-Year of the Julian Period, 3543.
-Year of the Dionysian Period, 351.
-Cycle of the Sun, 15.
-Cycle of the Moon, 9.
Joseph Benson
Argument
BEN_VOL2.PDF, source PDF p. 142
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL,
OTHERWISE CALLED, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.
ARGUMENT.
IN this book is contained the history of the Israelites under the two last judges, Eli and Samuel, and under Saul, the first king in Israel; for their form of government was now changed, God, at the people’s desire, appointing Saul to be a king over them, instead of raising them up judges as formerly. We have likewise, in this book, an account of God’s rejection of Saul from the throne, for his disobedience, and of his choosing David in his stead. This and the following book are styled the books of Samuel, because the first contains his story, and in both of them are related the transactions of two kings anointed by him. Samuel himself, probably, wrote the first twenty-four chapters of this book, and the rest, with the second book, might be written by Nathan or Gad, or some other prophet of those times. See 1 Chronicles 29:29. A few passages seem to have been inserted by Ezra, when he collected and revised the books of sacred Scripture. This first book of Samuel contains the history of about eighty years; of which forty passed under the government of Eli, as high-priest and judge, 1 Samuel 4:18; and the other forty under the government of Samuel and Saul, as may be seen Acts 13:21.
Joseph Sutcliffe
The First Book of Samuel.
SUT_VOL1.PDF, source PDF p. 685
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.
In the ancient Hebrew, these two books form but one, and are called the book of Samuel. The tradition of the Jews is, that the life and ministry of this great prophet and judge of Israel, was written by himself; and that from the twenty fourth chapter, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer, continued the history, as may also be inferred from 1 Chronicles 29:29. “Now the acts of David the king, first and last, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer.”—The exceptions are, that three distinct histories are here named, as written by the prophets whose names they bear. It is further alleged, that the two books of Samuel are not the production of those three prophets, because they speak of Samuel in the third person, and in terms which a man cannot modestly use of himself: “That Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life; and he went from year to year in circuit, to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.” To this another exception is taken, that Achish gave Ziglag to David; “wherefore Ziglag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day,” 1 Samuel 27:6; for the phrase, kings of Judah, was not in use till after the secession of the ten tribes.—It is replied, that Samuel might justly speak those things of himself, when he knew in hoary age that the Hebrews wanted a king. Job does this, chap. 29., when tacitly accused. St. Paul does the same with regard to his revelations, when slandered by Jewish teachers. 2 Corinthians
12. To which we add the testimony of Isidorus and others, that David finished the book of Samuel. It is replied, that Ezra and other holy scribes are not accused of falsifying, nor of altering the form of the sacred books; neither was it in their power to do so, for the Jews in Egypt, and in the Greek Islands, had the sacred books, the same as the Jews in Babylon; and the collation of manuscripts do but exhibit verbal variations. It is replied, that the phrase to this day, which occurs seven times in the book of the Judges and of Samuel, were marginal references copied into the text for the sake of elucidation.—It is but just to add, that writers of the Socinian school are the most prominent to revive those long-refuted caveats against the sacred volume. Grotius abounds with them; and what can be the motive for attempts to throw all the sacred books as late as possible in the annals of the church, but to depreciate their antiquity, and substitute philosophy for revelation. The fathers of the primitive church act a contrary part. Tertullian affirms, that Moses was contemporary with king Inachus; he affirms that the autographs of St. Paul were still preserved in the churches to whom he wrote. The sacred text in all ages has been regarded as the first trust of heaven to the poor benighted mind of man.
Daniel Whedon
Introduction.
WHD_CO03.PDF, source PDF p. 411
Editorial note: The supplied edition prints “2 Samuel 5:6-1” here (WHD_CO03.PDF, physical PDF page 417). The surrounding discussion of the capture of Zion and David's settlement there corresponds to 2 Samuel 5:6–10 in the King James Version. The origin of the printed numbering is not established here; the historical wording is retained. WHD_CO03.PDF, PDF page 417.
Editorial note: The supplied edition prints “2 Samuel 9:1-17” here (WHD_CO03.PDF, physical PDF page 417). The surrounding discussion of David's kindness to Mephibosheth corresponds to 2 Samuel 9:1–13 in the King James Version. The origin of the printed numbering is not established here; the historical wording is retained. WHD_CO03.PDF, PDF page 417.
1 SAMUEL
INTRODUCTION.
IN the Hebrew Manuscripts the two Books of Samuel form one undivided work, and their contents show that they properly belong thus together. The present division was first made by the Septuagint translators; it was afterwards adopted in the Vulgate, and was first introduced into the printed Hebrew Bibles at Venice in 1518. The division, however, was appropriately made at the account of Saul’s death, which event formed a turning point in Israelitish history. The ancient title of the undivided work was “Book of Samuel,” evidently so called because the first section is mainly devoted to the history of that saintly Judge and Prophet. Hence also the present name, Books of Samuel. In the Septuagint and Vulgate they are called the First and Second Books of Kings, because they record the origin and establishment of the Hebrew monarchy.
Date.
The exact time of the composition of these books it is impossible to decide. Their language and style favour the idea of an early date, and, on the whole, present us with one of the purest specimens of Hebrew prose extant. There is an absence of Chaldaisms which specially distinguishes them from later writings of the Old Testament, and a simplicity and directness of narrative which belong to the Golden Age of Hebrew literature. “These books,” says Dr. John Eadie, “bear the impress of a hoary age in their language, allusions, and mode of composition. The insertion of odes and snatches of poetry, to enliven and verify the narrative, is common to them with the Pentateuch. They abound in minute sketches and vivid touches. As if the chapters had been extracted from a diary, some portions are more fully detailed and warmly coloured than others, according as the original observer was himself impressed. Many of the incidents, in their artless and striking delineation, would form a fine study for a painter.” But, though unquestionably ancient, they cannot be referred to a period earlier than the closing years of David’s reign, and the very noticeable circumstance that they contain the last words of the king, but no mention of his death, forcibly suggests that they were completed in substantially their present form while David was yet living, but “old and stricken in years.” 1 Kings 1:1. But the remark in 1 Samuel 27:6 — “Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day” — seems to show that the author must have written his work after the division of the nation into two kingdoms, and, therefore, at the earliest, as late as the days of Rehoboam. This, however, is not conclusive evidence, for it is not at all unnatural or uncritical to suppose that this remark was added by a later hand. While, therefore, the exact age of these books cannot be determined, we do best to refrain from mere conjectures, and simply refer them to the period extending from David’s last years to a time subsequent to the revolt of the ten tribes, but probably not later than the reign of Abijam, the son of Rehoboam — about 957 B.C. We may in substance adopt the noble words of Ewald, that “when the Books of Samuel were written the majestic forms of Samuel and David were not very far removed from the nation’s memory, but only just raised above the misappreciation of their own time. Hence no portion of the Old Testament produces comparatively so satisfactory an effect on the historical inquirer as this does; for here we see the whole reality and truth of a great human scene peep out behind tradition, and discern historical greatness surrounded by all the fetters and limitations of its temporal conditions.”
Author.
If we are correct in assigning the work a date as early as that indicated above, then Jeremiah could not have been the author, as several eminent critics have supposed; nor could it have been the writer of the Books of Kings, as Jahn suggests; for, not to mention differences in style and plan of writing, the author of Kings must certainly have lived at a much later period than the date above given. An old opinion ascribes the authorship of these books to the joint labours of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It originated from the statement of 1 Chronicles 29:29, which, translated literally, is, “The words (דברי) of David the king, the first and the last; behold, they are written in the words of Samuel the seer, and in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the words of Gad the seer.” The term דברי, words, here evidently means history. But what were the histories of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad? That they were works composed by these persons is as gratuitous an assumption as it would be to say that the history of David was a work composed by the king himself. The passage in Chronicles may indicate the sources, but it is not sufficient to decide the authorship of the Books of Samuel. Who the author was is a question that cannot now be answered.
Sources.
The work bears many evidences of being a compilation out of pre-existing documents, and some of these sources may be indicated with tolerable certainty. The poetical compositions which are inserted in the history (namely, Hannah’s song, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, and David’s elegies, 2 Samuel 1:19-27; 3:33, 34, and psalms, in chaps. 22 and 23) may all have been taken from the Book of Jasher, from which David’s elegy over Saul and Jonathan is professedly derived. Some of these songs, perhaps, like the chorus of the Hebrew women sung over David’s first triumph, (1 Samuel 18:7,) were as familiar to the lips of Israel as household words, and were written down by our author from memory. The genealogical tables and lists of public officers (namely, of Elkanah, 1 Samuel 1:1; of Saul, 9:1; of David’s family, 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:14-16; and officers, 8:16-18; 20:23-26; 23:8-39) were, in all probability, taken from public registers and annals kept by the scribe and recorder of the king. These royal scribes (see notes at 2 Samuel 8:16, 17) also wrote down the passing events of their times, and we may reasonably believe that their books became the principal authorities from which most of the historical works of the Old Testament written after the establishment of the Monarchy were compiled. Hence, too, most of the descriptive narratives may be regarded as substantially the accounts of eye-witnesses. In 1 Samuel 10:25 it is said that Samuel wrote a book descriptive of the manner of the kingdom, and that fact suggests that he may also have written other books, embodying, like those of the later prophets, important incidents of his own life and times. To such a work our author was, doubtless, largely indebted for the first twelve chapters of 1 Samuel. So also the histories of Nathan and Gad, which are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 29:29, and noticed above, were probably narratives of the times of those prophets written by one of their contemporaries, if not by their own hands. All these documents, and perhaps many more, were at the service of the compiler of the Books of Samuel; and by their aid, as well as by the guidance of the Spirit, he seems to have wrought out his work with the design of furnishing the chosen people with a true account of the leading facts in the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David. In all this the devout believer sees the hand of God; and he believes not only that the sacred writer, whoever he was, wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, but also that, while the earlier documents have been utterly lost, this work has been preserved to the Church by the gracious providence of God, and is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” What an incalculable loss to the Church and the world would it be to be without these Books of Samuel!
Contents.
The work is readily divided into three sections: the first containing the History of Samuel, 1 Samuel 1-!2; the second the History of Saul, 1 Samuel 13-31; and the third the History of David, 2 Samuel 1-24. Saul, indeed, is introduced to us before 1 Samuel 13, and David before 2 Samuel 1; but they appear not as the great subjects of the history until the chapters indicated.
Section First — History of Samuel. 1 Samuel 1-12.
SAMUEL’S BIRTH CHAP. 1 Samuel 1:1-20
SAMUEL’S DEDICATION TO THE LORD AT SHILOH 1 Samuel 1:21-28 HANNAH’S SONG 1 Samuel 2:1-10
SAMUEL’S YOUTHFUL MINISTRY — THE WICKEDNESS OF ELI’S SONS 1 Samuel 2:11-26
GOD’S DENUNCIATORY MESSAGE TO ELI 1 Samuel 2:27-36 SAMUEL’S CALL 1 Samuel 3:1-21
CAPTURE OF THE ARK, AND DEATH OF ELI’S SONS 1 Samuel 4:1-11 THE BITTER TIDINGS 1 Samuel 4:12-22
THE ARK OF GOD AMONG THE PHILISTINES 1 Samuel 5:1-12 RETURN OF THE ARK TO KIRJATH-JEARIM 1 Samuel 6:1-7:1 THE GREAT DELIVERANCE AND REFORM UNDER SAMUEL 1 Samuel 7:2-17
THE DEMAND FOR A KING 1 Samuel 8:1-22
THE ANOINTING OF SAUL 1 Samuel 9:1-27-10:1-16 SAUL’S PUBLIC ELECTION AT MIZPEH 1 Samuel 10:17-27 SAUL’S VICTORY OVER THE AMMONITES 1 Samuel 11:1-11 THE REACTION IN FAVOUR OF SAUL, AND RENEWAL OF THE KINGDOM AT GILGAL 1 Samuel 11:12-15
SAMUEL’S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO ISRAEL 1 Samuel 12:1-25 Section Second — History of Saul. 1 Samuel 13-31.
THE PHILISTINES AROUSED 1 Samuel 13:1-5
THE PEOPLE’S DISTRESS AND SAUL’S UNTIMELY SACRIFICE 1 Samuel 13:6-15
POSITION, MOVEMENTS, AND CONDITION OF THE TWO ARMIES 1 Samuel 13:16-23
JONATHAN’S ADVENTURE AND THE ROUT OF THE PHILISTINES 1 Samuel 14:1-23
SAUL’S HASTY ADJURATION 1 Samuel 14:24-46
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SAUL’S WARS AND GENEALOGY 1 Samuel 14:47-52
SAUL’S WAR WITH AMALEK 1 Samuel 15:1-9
SAMUEL’S LAST WORDS TO SAUL 1 Samuel 15:10-35 THE ANOINTING OF DAVID 1 Samuel 16:1-13
DAVID’S INTRODUCTION TO THE COURT OF SAUL 1 Samuel 16:14-23 DAVID’S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH 1 Samuel 17:1-58 FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JONATHAN 1 Samuel 18:1-4 DAVID’S HONOURS AND SAUL’S JEALOUSY 1 Samuel 18:5-9 SAUL’S FIRST ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID 1 Samuel 18:10-30 JONATHAN’S INTERCESSION FOR DAVID 1 Samuel 19:1-7 SAUL’S RENEWED ATTEMPTS UPON THE LIFE OF DAVID 1 Samuel 19:8-17
DAVID’S FLIGHT TO RAMAH, AND SAUL’S PURSUIT 1 Samuel 19:18-24 JONATHAN’S LAST INTERCESSION FOR DAVID 1 Samuel 20:1-42 DAVID’S FLIGHT TO NOB 1 Samuel 21:1-9
DAVID AT GATH 1 Samuel 21:10-15
DAVID IN THE CAVE OF ADULLAM 1 Samuel 22:1, 2 DAVID IN MIZPEH OF MOAB 1 Samuel 22:3, 4
DAVID’S RETURN TO THE LAND OF JUDAH 1 Samuel 22:5 SAUL’S ANGER AND SLAUGHTER OF THE PRIESTS OF NOB 1 Samuel 22:6-19
ABIATHAR’S ESCAPE 1 Samuel 22:20-23
DAVID AT KEILAH 1 Samuel 23:1-13
DAVID IN THE DESERT OF ZIPH AND MAON 1 Samuel 23:14-29 DAVID AND SAUL IN THE WILDERNESS OF EN-GEDI 1 Samuel 24:1-22 NABAL AND ABIGAIL 1 Samuel 25:1-44
THE ZIPHITES’ SECOND ATTEMPT TO BETRAY DAVID 1 Samuel 26:1-5 DAVID SPARES SAUL A SECOND TIME 1 Samuel 26:6-25 DAVID AT GATH THE SECOND TIME 1 Samuel 27:1-4 DAVID IN POSSESSION OF ZIKLAG 1 Samuel 27:5-12 THE PHILISTINES PREPARE TO FIGHT WITH ISRAEL 1 Samuel 28:1, 2 SAUL’S DISTRESS AND INTERVIEW WITH THE WITCH OF ENDOR 1 Samuel 28:3-25
DAVID’S REMOVAL FROM THE PHILISTINE ARMY 1 Samuel 29:1-11 DAVID’S RETURN TO ZIKLAG AND REVENGE UPON THE AMALEKITES 1 Samuel 20:1-31
DEATH OF SAUL AND HIS SONS 1 Samuel 31:1-13
Section Third — History of David. 2 Samuel i-xxiv.
DAVID HEARS OF THE DEATH OF SAUL AND JONATHAN 2 Samuel 1:1-16
DAVID’S LAMENTATION OVER SAUL AND JONATHAN 2 Samuel 1:17-27 DAVID KING IN HEBRON, AND ISHBOSHETH KING IN MAHANAIM 2 Samuel 2:1-11
THE BATTLE OF GIBEON 2 Samuel 2:12-32
CONTINUED WAR BETWEEN THE HOUSE OF SAUL AND THAT OF DAVID 2 Samuel 3:1-6
ABNER’S REVOLT 2 Samuel 3:7-21
ASSASSINATION OF ABNER BY JOAB, AND DAVID’S GRIEF 2 Samuel 3:22-39
ASSASSINATION OF ISHBOSHETH 2 Samuel 4:1-12
DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL 2 Samuel 5:1-5 CAPTURE OF ZION 2 Samuel 5:6-1
DAVID’S INTERCOURSE WITH HIRAM — HIS TEMPORAL PROSPERITY 2 Samuel 5:11-16
WARS WITH THE PHILISTINES 2 Samuel 5:17-25
REMOVAL OF THE ARK TO ZION 2 Samuel 6:1-19
MICHAL’S REPROOF 2 Samuel 6:20-23
DAVID’S PURPOSE TO BUILD THE TEMPLE, AND NATHAN’S MESSAGE FROM GOD CONCERNING IT 2 Samuel 7:1-17
DAVID’S PRAYER 2 Samuel 7:18-29
SUMMARY OF DAVID’S VICTORIES 2 Samuel 8:1-14
DAVID’S OFFICIALS 2 Samuel 8:15-18
DAVID’S KINDNESS TO MEPHIBOSHETH 2 Samuel 9:1-17 DAVID’S WAR WITH THE AMMONITES AND SYRIANS 2 Samuel 10:1-19 SIEGE OF RABBAH 2 Samuel 11:1
DAVID’S ADULTERY 2 Samuel 11:2-5
DAVID’S ARTIFICES TO CONCEAL HIS SIN AND TO KILL URIAH 2 Samuel 11:6-27
NATHAN’S PARABLE AGAINST DAVID 2 Samuel 12:1-14 DEATH OF THE CHILD OF DAVID AND BATHSHEBA 2 Samuel 12:15-23 BIRTH OF SOLOMON 2 Samuel 12:24, 25
CONQUEST OF RABBAH 2 Samuel 12:26-30
AMNON’S INCEST 2 Samuel 13:1-19
ABSALOM’S REVENGE 2 Samuel 13:20-36
ABSALOM’S FLIGHT TO GESHUR 2 Samuel 13:37-39
ABSALOM’S RETURN AND RESTORATION TO FAVOUR 2 Samuel 14:1-33 ABSALOM’S REBELLION 2 Samuel 15:1-12
DAVID’S FLIGHT FROM JERUSALEM 2 Samuel 15:13-30 HUSHAI SENT TO DEFEAT THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL 2 Samuel 15:31-37
ZIBA’S HYPOCRISY AND SLANDER 2 Samuel 16:1-4
SHIMEI’S CURSING 2 Samuel 16:5-14
ABSALOM ENTERS INTO JERUSALEM AND MEETS WITH HUSHAI 2 Samuel 16:15-19
AHITHOPHEL’S IMPIOUS COUNSEL 2 Samuel 16:20-23 THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL DEFEATED BY HUSHAI 2 Samuel 17:1-14
HUSHAI’S MESSAGE TO DAVID 2 Samuel 17:15-22
AHITHOPHEL’S SUICIDE 2 Samuel 17:23
ABSALOM’S PURSUIT OF DAVID 2 Samuel 17:24-26
DAVID AT MAHANAIM 2 Samuel 17:27-29
THE BATTLE IN THE WOOD OF EPHRAIM AND DEATH OF ABSALOM 2 Samuel 18:1-33
DAVID REPROVED BY JOAB 2 Samuel 19:1-8
RIVALRY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND JUDAH OVER DAVID’S RETURN 2 Samuel 19:9-14
SHIMEI’S CONFESSION AND PARDON 2 Samuel 19:15-23 THE MEETING WITH MEPHIBOSHETH 2 Samuel 19:24-30 DAVID’S PARTING WITH BARZILLAI 2 Samuel 19:31-39 QUARREL AT GILGAL BETWEEN JUDAH AND ISRAEL OVER THE KING’S RETURN 2 Samuel 19:40-43
SHEBA’S REBELLION 2 Samuel 20:1-22
DAVID’S OFFICIALS 2 Samuel 20:23-26
THE GIBEONITES AVENGED 2 Samuel 21:1-9
RIZPAH’S MATERNAL AFFECTION 2 Samuel 21:10
BURIAL OF THE BONES OF SAUL AND JONATHAN 2 Samuel 21:11-14 HEROIC DEEDS OF DAVID’S MEN IN THE PHILISTINE WARS 2 Samuel 21:15-22
DAVID’S PSALM OF THANKSGIVING 2 Samuel 22:1-51 LAST WORDS OF DAVID 2 Samuel 23:1-7
DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN 2 Samuel 23:8-39
DAVID’S SIN IN NUMBERING THE PEOPLE AND ITS PUNISHMENT 2 Samuel 24:1-25