Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 7:17
And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
17. to Ramah ] See note on ch. 1Sa 1:1. Samuel chose his native place for his usual official residence, and made it a centre of religious worship by building an altar to Jehovah.
Here ends the first division of the book, which records Samuel’s life and work as the last of the Judges, in connexion with the old order of things. The next division opens by relating the steps which led to the establishment of a monarchy, and shews us Samuel as the Mediator between the old and the new rgime, effecting a political change of the utmost importance in the history of Israel without the shock of revolution.
It has been conjectured ( a) from the fact that this portion of the book ends with a summary account of Samuel’s whole life: ( b) from the apparent (but not altogether inexplicable) contradiction between ch. 1Sa 7:13-15 and the subsequent narrative, that the compiler derived the history of Samuel and the history of Saul from different sources: but in the obscurity of the whole question of the compilation of the book, it must remain a hypothesis incapable of verification.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And there he built an altar – Whether this altar was in connection with the tabernacle or not we have no means of deciding, since we are in complete ignorance as to where the tabernacle was at this time, or who was High Priest, or where he resided. It is quite possible that Samuel may have removed the tabernacle from Shiloh to some place near to Ramah; and indeed it is in itself improbable that, brought up as he was from infancy in the service of the tabernacle, he should have left it. At the beginning of Solomons reign we know it was at Gibeon, close to Raimah 1Ki 3:4; 2Ch 1:3, 2Ch 1:6. If the tabernacle had been at Shiloh at this time, it is likely that Shiloh would have been one of the places at which Samuel judged lsrael. But Shiloh was probably waste, and perhaps unsafe on account of the Philistines.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
That by joining sacrifices with his prayers he might the better obtain direction and assistance from God upon all emergencies.
Object. It was unlawful to build another altar for sacrifice besides that before the tabernacle, Deu 12:5,13.
Answ. This was in part excused by the confusion of those times, wherein the tabernacle and its altar were destroyed, as is most probable; but most fully, because this was done by prophetical inspiration, and Divine dispensation, as appears by Gods approbation and acceptance of the sacrifices offered upon it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And his return was to Ramah,…. When he had gone his circuit, he came back to this city, which was his native place, and where his father and mother had dwelt, see 1Sa 1:1
for there was his house; and his father’s house before him, and perhaps the same, 1Sa 1:19 and there he judged Israel; here was his fixed residence, and here he was always to be met with, except when on his circuit; and hither the people of Israel might come from all parts, to have justice done them between man and man, or receive information in matters of difficulty and importance:
and there he built an altar unto the Lord: to offer his own sacrifices, and the sacrifices of the people, either by himself, or by a priest, when the people came to have justice administered to them; or to desire him to pray for them, teach and instruct them, or to give them advice. Shiloh being destroyed, and no place appointed for the tabernacle and altar, the Jews say, high places for a private altar were lawful, and even for one that was not a priest to offer; these things, though settled by law, yet were for a time dispensed with, until things could be fixed in their proper place and order.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(17) Raman.The same Ramah of the Watchers where Elkanah and Hannah had dwelt. After the destruction of Shiloh, Samuel seems to have fixed his abode in his fathers city.
And there he built an altar.Thus following the old custom of the patriarchs. It must be remembered that at this period there was no national sanctuary, no formal seat of worship, where the high priest and his attendant priests and Levites served. The Ark, we know, was in safe keeping in the city of woods, Kirjath-jearim, but it was in private custody; and we hear of no priests and Levites, of no ritual or religious observances, in connection with the long sojourn of the holy Ark in that place. It is probable that the sacred vessels and furniture had been saved from the destruction of Shiloh by Samuel. These were, very likely, in the prophet-judges safe keeping at Bamah.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. There was his house See on 1Sa 1:1. He probably lived at Shiloh till the time of Eli’s death, and then, upon the desolation of the tabernacle, he returned to the home of his infancy, and made it his permanent residence.
There he built an altar For the principal seat of his judicial ministry must not be without the holy service. The law required all sacrifices to be offered at the tabernacle. Deu 12:13-14; but after the ark and tabernacle had become separated, and Shiloh lay desolate, there seems to have been a feeling that now that law was not binding. See note on 1Sa 9:12. And doubtless the shameful conduct of many of the priests at Shiloh had driven not a few in Israel to sacrifice elsewhere, even before the ark was captured. It is possible, however, that Samuel had the tabernacle removed at this time from Shiloh to Ramah. At a later time it was at Nob, (1Sa 21:1-7,) and still later at Gibeon. 1Ki 3:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
REMARK, my soul, in the perusal of this Chapter, the first renewings of grace in the blessed fruits and effects of it; all hearts, like those of Israel, then will go forth in Lamentations after the Lord. There will be no real enquiries, no heart-searching sorrow, though ordinances may be restrained, and even the ark of the divine presence be away, even to twenty years continuance, as in Israel, until the Lord pours out the renewings of his Spirit. But when this precious gift is dispensed, then the soul looks unto him whom it hath pierced, and will mourn. Oh! most holy Father! of thine infinite mercy bestow this blessing, this covenant promise on my soul: lead me by thy gracious influence unto the precious Jesus, that the goings forth of my desires may be unceasingly after him and to him, who is indeed the ark and the mercy-seat, the offering and propitiation for sin.
In beholding Samuel as praying for the people, offering the stucking-Lamb, and crying for Israel, unto the Lord, I would pass over the servant, to view in him the shadow of his master; and would behold in him the typical representation of thee, thou blessed Jesus, for thou art the sum and substance of all the shadows of thy ministering servants. They offered all by faith, and had an eye in all their offerings to thee, who art, in all the ages of thy church, both the sacrifice and High Priest, the golden altar and the ark, on which all offerings are made. However veiled in covering under the darker dispensation of those ages before thy coming, yet so much of gospel every rite contained, that the holy men of old could, and did, see enough in those sacrifices made under the law, to behold by faith thy person and righteousness, with all the glorious circumstances of redemption secretly and mysteriously included. Yes! dearest Jesus! in all ages thy faithful ones knew thee, loved thee, lived to thee, were strong in thee, and in the power of thy might! Be thou to me, therefore, holy Saviour, all and in all, in every word of thy sacred scripture. Oh! give me to see and unceasingly to live in the same blessed privileges. In thy dear person, righteousness, love, grace, and power, may I know myself to be eternally secure: so that no Philistines may anymore come into the coasts of thine Israel. Like Samuel, on Jesus the rock of ages, would I build an altar of earth to Jehovah, In him would I offer all my offerings. Through him would I make all my poor presentations. From him and his all-perfect sacrifice would I seek acceptance; and to him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, would I ascribe all the praise.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
“… there he built an altar unto the Lord.” 1Sa 7:17 .
What has Samuel been doing all the time but this very work? How delightful to think of a whole life being consecrated to altar-building and altar-service! Where did Samuel build this altar? He built it at “Ramah.” But what made Ramah more conspicuous than other places? ” there was his house” is the answer. Where his house was his altar was. Blessed is that house that gathers itself around the altar, making the altar the centre and the principal force in the entire building. Not only was the house of Samuel at Ramah, at Ramah Samuel “judged Israel.” He did his official work in that city, and where he did official work he built his altar. The man could not do without the altar; the judge could not do without the altar; the altar is essential to the entire development of life. Have an altar in your house; have an altar in your business; have an altar in the very centre of your life. When you return to your Ramah, forget not your religious duties; let them have the first and foremost place in your thought. Samuel was now a great man “he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.” But though his mind was thus occupied with intricate questions or vexatious details, as certainly as he returned to his house he returned to his altar, and when at the very centre of his administration he ascended the seat of judgment, he passed to that judgment seat from the altar of God. Blessed is the country whose judges worship the true and living God. Blessed still more is the country whose houses are churches, whose homes are consecrated to the service of the Most High. Peeps of this kind into the private life of great men enable us to estimate somewhat the secret of their influence. He who prays well judges well. He who honours God in his house shall be honoured of God, by his house becoming a pavilion, a resting-place, a sanctuary of the divine presence.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
1Sa 7:17 And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
Ver. 17. And his return was to Ramah. ] There was his house.
There he judged Israel.
And there he built an altar,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
there was his house. Compare 1Sa 1:19, &c.
altar. Shiloh forsaken, and Ark separated from Tabernacle. There was no chosen “place”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
his return: 1Sa 1:1, 1Sa 1:19, 1Sa 8:4, 1Sa 19:18-23
he built: 1Sa 11:15, Gen 12:7, Gen 12:8, Gen 33:20, Gen 35:7, Jdg 21:5, 1Ki 18:30-36
Reciprocal: 1Sa 7:9 – a sucking 1Sa 14:35 – built 1Sa 25:1 – in his house 2Sa 24:25 – built there 1Ki 18:32 – And with 2Ki 4:38 – Elisha Neh 11:33 – Ramah Isa 10:29 – Ramah Jer 31:15 – Ramah Jer 40:1 – Ramah Hos 5:8 – Ramah Mat 27:57 – Arimathaea Rom 13:6 – attending
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 7:17. Built an altar That, by joining sacrifices with his prayers, he might the better obtain direction and assistance from God upon all emergencies. And this was done by prophetical inspiration, as appears by Gods acceptance of the sacrifices offered upon it. Indeed, Shiloh being now laid waste, and no other place yet appointed for them to bring their offerings to, the law which obliged them to one place was for the present suspended. Therefore, as the patriarchs did, he built an altar where he lived; and that not only for the use of his own family, but for the good of the country, who resorted to it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
7:17 And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an {i} altar unto the LORD.
(i) Which was not contrary to the Law: for as yet a certain place was not appointed.