Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 3:20
And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.
20. from Dan even to Beer-sheba ] The regular formula to denote the whole extent of the land of Israel. It is first found in Jdg 20:1, and is common in the books of Samuel, but naturally disappears after the Division of the Kingdoms, occurring only once again, and that after the fall of the northern kingdom (2Ch 30:5).
Dan originally Leshem or Laish, a Sidonian colony was captured, colonized, and re-named by a band of Danites (Jos 19:47; Judges 18). It was the northernmost town of the Holy Land, and stood upon a hill from the base of which springs one of the main sources of the Jordan, to flow through a rich and fertile plain towards the Lake of Merom. Here Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves (1Ki 12:29-30), but shortly afterwards it was sacked by Benhadad (1Ki 15:20), and we hear no more of it. Its name, however, probably survives to this day. Dan = judge, and the hill is still called Teil-el-Kady = “ mound of the judge,” while the stream bears the name el-Leddn, which may possibly be a corruption of Dan. See Robinson’s Biblical Researches in Palestine, III. 390 ff.
Beer-sheba = “well of the oath,” so named from the covenant which Abraham and Abimelech made there (Gen 21:31; cp. Gen 26:31-33): or possibly = “ well of seven,” in allusion to the seven ewe lambs with which die covenant was ratified (Gen 21:29-30). It was situated at the southernmost extremity of the land, on the confines of the desert. It was a notable place in the history of the patriarchs.
(1) Here Abraham, Isaac and Jacob often dwelt (Gen 22:19; Gen 28:10; Gen 46:1). (2) Here Samuel’s sons were established as judges (1Sa 8:2). (3) Hither came Elijah when he fled from Jezebel (1Ki 19:3). (4) It was apparently the seat of an idolatrous worship in the days of Amos (Amo 5:5; Amo 8:14). (5) It is mentioned for the last time as one of the towns reoccupied by the Jews on their return from the Captivity (Neh 11:27).
The site of Beer-sheba is beyond question, for the name still survives in the Arabic Br es-Seb = “ well of seven,” or “ well of the lion.” There are two principal, and five lesser wells. “The water in both [the principal wells] is pure and sweet and in great abundance: the finest indeed we had found since leaving Sinai. Both wells are surrounded with drinking-troughs of stone for camels and flocks; such as were doubtless used of old for the flocks which then fed on the adjacent hills. The curbstones were deeply worn by the friction of the ropes in drawing up water by hand.” Robinson, Bib. Res. I. 204. But Lieutenant Conder made the disappointing discovery that the masonry is not very ancient. There is a stone in the large well with an Arabic inscription bearing a date in the twelfth century a.d. Tent Work, II. 96.
was established ] or, “ found faithful,” “ approved.” The Heb. word is the same as that which, in ch. 1Sa 2:35, is rendered ‘a faithful priest,’ ‘a sure house;’ and the use of it here seems to indicate that Samuel’s call was the beginning of the fulfilment of that prophecy.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
From Dan … – See Jdg 20:1 note.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Sa 3:20-21
And all Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.
From Dan to Beer-sheba
That is to say, from Plymouth to Aberdeen–all the people in the towns and villages of Israel knew that there was come a new thing on the earth, that God was now speaking by the mouth of a little child. One of the first lessons which comes from the study of this story is, that bad men and bad things are doomed. Nothing can keep alive that which God has condemned. I look upon Hophni and Phinehas as representatives of that which was bad. All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord, and at the same time, that Hophni and Phinehas were to be removed from the face of the earth. We are surrounded by evil; bad men and bad things are all around us. But I want those of us who believe in God to cheer ourselves with the thought that nothing will live forever but that which is good. No wrong thing can live foreverse Slavery was a giant. It is a giant yet in Africa; but its brother, American slavery, came down never to rise. Tyranny is a doomed thing. Samuel is established to be a prophet of the Lord; and I do not care who Hophni and Phinehas are if you will only do your duty. Be brave, and God will see you through.
2. The second lesson I want to teach today is this: Mothers, get your children ready, that Samuel may be established to be a prophet of the Lord. Oh! what honour came to Hannah through Samuel. We should encourage our children to have right ideas, and encourage them to propagate their ideas. Never was there a time when there was so much room for individual goodness.
3. I should say, further, that early consecration is the pathway to honour and greatness. What a great man Samuel became. (T. Champness.)
The call and prophetic work of Samuel
I. In the first place, we will consider the call of Samuel.
II. But in the second place let us consider the prophetic work or Samuel.
1. First, his work Was to announce the Divine mind by predicting future events.
2. In the second place, another pare of the prophetic work of Samuel was to revive religion and restore the worship of God among the nation. For at the time that Samuel was introduced to the prophetic office, religion was exceedingly low, indescribably low.
3. But, in the next place, another part of his work was to decide all doubtful cases, according to the will and the law of God. The most difficult of all those cases that came before him was the introduction of monarchy into the theocracy.
4. Another part of the work of Samuel was to introduce and to perpetuate a race of prophets, a series of prophets, in the Jewish church.
5. But again: another part of his work was to write a portion of the inspired volume–to communicate a part of the mind of God by inspiration.
1. Let us learn from this, in the first place, that early piety is of great influence in the Christian church.
2. And, in the second place, let us learn how a youth, in very disadvantageous circumstances, may be of great use in reviving religion in his day and generation (T. W. Jenkyn, D. D.)
Communications from God
1. What a dreary, hopeless state it is to live without any communications from God! Man did never in fact live entirely without such communications. God did reveal Himself at sundry times and in divers manners, sometimes dropping His communications for a long tract of time, but always renewing them again. It has indeed been said by doubters and unbelievers that God has given man a conscience and a moral sense, which speak to him in Gods name, and teach him what is right and wrong, and that this is quite sufficient communication from God to make us good and happy, and that we need nothing further. But what is it that our conscience, which is indeed the voice of God within us, teaches us first and before all things else? It is that we have gone astray from the rule of right. No man, without some better help than conscience lent him, ever lived fully up to the requirements of his conscience.
2. But again: God revealed Himself to Samuel by the word of the Lord. We may justly reflect that He has done this more completely to ourselves than He did to Samuel. Now, do we each one of us practically act as if we fully believed that constant revelations from God were necessary to make us holy and happy? Do we make daily devout use of the Holy Scripture, which is our great means of receiving revelations, or, in other words, communications from God? (Dean Goulburn.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. All Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba] Through the whole extent of Palestine; Dan being at the northern, Beer-sheba at the southern extremity.
Was established to be a prophet] The word neeman, which we translate established, signifies faithful: The faithful Samuel was a prophet of the Lord.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
From Dan even to Beer-sheba; through the whole land, from the northern bound,
Dan, to the southern,
Beer-sheba; which was the whole length and largest extent of the land. See Jdg 20:1,2; 2Sa 17:11.
Knew, both by Elis testimony, and particular relation of the foregoing history, to the people that came from all parts; and by succeeding revelations made to him, whereof mention is made in the next verse, which though placed after, might be done before.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And all Israel, from Dan even unto Beersheba,…. That is, from the most northern border of the land of Israel, on which Dan lay, to the utmost border of it southward, where Beersheba was, the fame of Samuel for his piety, prudence, and prophecy, was spread abroad; so that all
knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord; or that he was faithful z to God and man, to be credited in what he said; and so a fit man to be a prophet of the Lord, being eminently qualified with gifts by him for that office; the Targum is,
“that Samuel was faithful in the words of the prophecy of the Lord,”
in relating them.
z “fidelis”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) A prophet of the Lord.Then from the northern to the southern cities of the land the fame of the boy-friend of the Eternal was established. The minds of all the people were thus gradually prepared when the right moment came to acknowledge Samuel as a God-sent chieftain. On this rapid and universal acknowledgment of the young prophet it has been observed, that the people, in spite of their disruption, yet formed religiously an unit.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. From Dan even to Beer-sheba Dan, elsewhere called also Laish, (Jdg 18:29,) was situated about twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee, and Beer-sheba in the south of Palestine, toward the borders of Arabia. These places served to designate the two extremities of the land of Israel. Compare Jdg 20:1; 2Sa 3:10 ; 2Sa 17:11; 2Sa 24:2; 2Sa 24:15 ; 1Ki 4:25.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(20) And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. (21) And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
Successive revelations, follow the effectual calls of God’s grace. Jesus hath promised his gracious manifestations, to his people; and the Father’s with him. Reader! it should be the very earnest enquiry of believing souls, to search for those precious tokens of divine love. Joh 14:23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.
Ver. 20. That Samuel was established. ] Because his words were fulfilled.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
established, &c. Samuel was the first of “the prophets “and last of the judges, preparing the way for the change of government.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan: Jdg 20:1, 2Sa 3:10, 2Sa 17:11
established: or, faithful, 1Ti 1:12
Reciprocal: Gen 46:1 – Beersheba 1Sa 9:6 – all that he saith 1Sa 12:2 – I have walked 1Ki 18:12 – from my youth 1Ch 21:2 – Beersheba Eze 33:33 – when Amo 2:11 – I raised Luk 1:80 – the child Act 3:24 – Samuel Act 13:20 – until
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 3:20-21. All Israel, from Dan, &c. That is, through the whole land, from the northern bound, Dan, to the southern, Beer-sheba: which was the whole length of the land. That Samuel was established, &c. That is, settled to be a constant prophet. The Lord appeared again, &c. Having begun to appear to him in Shiloh, he continued this great favour, and revealed himself, not by dreams and visions, but by speaking to him with an audible voice, as he had done at first. And indeed he seems to have been the first eminent prophet that was raised up, after Moses, to be a public instructer and governor of Gods people. Others there had been before him; but not with so high an authority and public approbation. And therefore St. Peter says, Act 3:24, All the prophets from Samuel spake of these days; intimating, that he was the first eminent prophet whom the Lord raised up after Moses.