Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 7:9
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
9. a sucking lamb ] Which might not be less than seven days old, according to Lev 22:17.
for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord ] The whole animal was burnt upon the altar to denote the entire consecration to Jehovah of those who were pleading for deliverance.
and the Lord heard him ] Better, answered him. Cp. Psa 99:6, and note on 1Sa 7:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Samuels preparation for intercessory prayer, namely, the offering up an atoning sacrifice, is most significant (compare Luk 1:9-10). The term here used for a lamb does not occur in the Pentateuch; indeed it is only found besides this place in Isa 65:25. The offering is in accordance with Lev 22:27.
The Lord heard him – Better as in margin. The answer was not simply the granting the asked-for deliverance, but the great thunder 1Sa 7:10, which was the voice of the Lord, the same voice with which the Lord answered Moses Exo 19:19; Psa 99:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Samuel took a sucking lamb] This sucking lamb must have been eight days under its mother before it could be offered, as the law says, Le 22:27.
Though Samuel was not a priest, yet he offered this sacrifice; or he might have ordered Eleazar to offer it, and still be said to have done it himself: Qui facit per alterum, facit per se; “He who procures a thing to be done, may be said to do it himself.”
His not sacrificing at the tabernacle was justified by the necessity of the case; neither tabernacle nor ark was at hand.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It might be a sucking lamb, though it was more than eight days old, and so that law, Exo 23:19, was not violated.
Offered it; either himself by Divine instinct, which was a sufficient warrant; or rather by a priest, as Saul is afterwards said to have offered, 1Sa 13:9.
A burnt-offering wholly; burning all the parts of it, according to the law of the burnt-offerings; whereas in other offerings some parts were reserved.
The Lord heard him, as appears by the effects, the following thunder, and the overthrow of the Philistines host.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Samuel took a sucking lamb,…. Which it might be, and yet more than eight days old, for under that it might not be sacrificed, Ex 22:30
and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord; the whole of it was burnt, skin and all, whereas the skin was the priest’s in other burnt offerings; and this is remarked m as one of the three things in which it differed from other offerings; the word being feminine, the Jews gather from hence, as Jarchi notes, that females might be offered at a private altar:
and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; not only offered a sacrifice for them, but prayed for them:
and the Lord heard him; and answered him, either by causing fire to come down on the sacrifice, by which it was consumed, or by the voice of thunder, which frightened and discomfited the Philistines; and the event of things manifestly showed it.
m Midrash Schemuel apud Abarbinel in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ebenezer, vs. 9-14
Samuel had a good understanding of the symbolism in the offerings of Israel. Though the majority of the people may not have realized the necessity of atonement for sin, Samuel did. He knew that the whole burnt offering portrayed the absolute Sacrifice necessary of an innocent Lamb to take away sin. The young lamb, still nursing its mother, was perhaps the most innocent thing that could have been taken to represent what the Lord would do for sinners. On this basis Samuel made his offering, and prayed to the Lord, and the Lord heard and answered his prayer affirmatively.
The Philistines were about to learn another lesson about the God of Israel. When His people are relying in full faith on Him He will in no way forsake them. They interrupted the burnt offering service by coming to the attack while the Israelites were worshipping. But the Lord made the first move. The Scriptures say He thundered upon them with a great thunder and discomfited them. Whatever it was that the Lord did to the Philistines it threw them into a rout, and it was He who smote them before Israel. The men of Israel were encouraged and left their camp and pursued the Philistine fugitives, slaying many of them, all the way to Beth-car. The site of Beth-car is uncertain, but it appears to have been a prominent overhanging outcrop of the mountains, so the Israelites chased the Philistines all the way back to their own country.
Samuel took a stone and set it up on the route of the Philistines’ retreat, giving it the name of Ebenezer. Thus the place got the name from this battle, for “Ebenezer” is the transliteration of the Hebrew word, meaning “stone of help.” Samuel also gave it a motto, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” This is a very significant event of Bible history and contains great lessons. Israel had repented and turned to the Lord. He had heeded their prayers through Samuel and given them the victory. The setting of the stone acknowledged that it was the Lord who gave it. To that point they had been brought by the Lord, said Samuel. The lesson inferred therefrom was that if Israel continued to go forward it must be by the help of the Lord. This is the lesson all the Lord’s people everywhere, in all ages, need to learn.
Remember the promise of the Lord to Manoah and his wife about their child, Samson? He would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Jdg 13:5), and he did. But Samson did not succeed in overturning the Philistine domination, as particularly emphasized in the tragedy of Eli’s family. But with Samuel that promise made a significant step forward toward eventual fulfillment. They were never able to subjugate Israel, again in the lifetime of Samuel. During that time they never invaded the borders of Israel until Israel rejected Samuel and made Saul their king Daring Samuel’s judgeship there was no war with the Amorites (another term for “Canaanites”) either. Samuel was a wonderful blessing to lsrael.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Israel Delivered Under Samuel. 1Sa. 7:9-17
9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.
10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
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.
7.
Where was Mizpeh? 1Sa. 7:9
Mizpeh was five miles northwest of Jerusalem. The site is on a conical hill overlooking all the surrounding territory. The Philistines would be able to see the children of Israel as they gathered themselves together at this point. Since the Lords of the Philistines had recovered from their afflictions they were able to come up to battle against Israel. As the children of Israel saw the Philistines, they were afraid. They knew that they had sinned in looking into the ark at Beth-shemesh, and they were afraid to go to battle against the enemy.
8.
Why did Samuel offer a sucking lamb? 1Sa. 7:9
A whole burnt offering was to be a male without blemish. It could be of the flocks or of the herds, (Lev. 1:10). It could also be out of the fowls (Lev. 1:14). Such an offering would indicate the total dependence of the people of Israel on Gods mercy.
9.
What was unusual about a great thunder? 1Sa. 7:10
Palestine had little or no rain during the time of the wheat harvest. This was the time when the Ark was returned, and it would be a source of amazement to the people of Israel. Probably the great thunder would also have been accompanied with a storm which made it difficult for the Philistines to attack. As a matter of fact, the Scripture indicates that it did discomfit the Philistines. God himself fought for men and helped to overcome the attack of the Philistines. Thus the Philistines were stricken before Israel.
10.
Where is Beth-car? 1Sa. 7:11
The name indicates a sheep house. The fact that it says they came under Beth-car indicates that the place itself was on a height with a road at its foot. The situation is not known. This is the only reference to the place to be found in the Scriptures. No doubt the Israelites chased the Philistines back down into their own territory.
11.
What is the meaning of Eben-ezer? 1Sa. 7:12
This word means the stone of help. Samuel said, Hitherto the Lord has helped us. God had brought Israel a long way under Samuels direction. They themselves were returning to the Lord. God had given them victory over the Philistines. The Ark was returned to them. Samuel believed that God would help them further along their way. This is a good motto for Christians today,
12.
How was the hand of the Lord against the Philistines? 1Sa. 7:13
God did not suffer the Philistines to gain the supremacy over Israel during the lifetime of Samuel. He brought such supernatural phenomenon upon them as the thunder which was a discomfiture in the battle at Mizpeh. On other occasions He indicated to the Israelites when it was time to go into battle. In every way by His good providence on the Israelites He was opposing the sinful ways of the Philistines.
13.
Who were the Amorites? 1Sa. 7:14
The Amorites were the Canaanites. The two names are used rather interchangeably (Gen. 15:16; cf. Gen. 15:19-21). The word itself literally means the high ones. It is generally supposed that these were the high-landers (Num. 13:29; Deu. 1:7). They were probably the most prominent of the Canaanite people and thus their name is sometimes used to signify the Canaanites in general. In the Tel-el-Amarna tablets, amurri is the name for Palestine-Phoenicia. This verse indicates that the people of Israel did not have any trouble from the Canaanite tribes dwelling in their land, but their war was against the Philistines who lived along the western border.
14.
How long was Samuels judgeship? 1Sa. 7:15
Samuel was a very young man when he came up to Eli at the tabernacle. He probably was not called until he had served some time as an apprentice to Eli. It took some time for him to become known among the Israelite people, but his judgeship was probably not very lengthy. The people soon rejected him, and they wanted a king. Samuel continued to live throughout most of the reign of Saul, and his death is not mentioned until near the end of Sauls reign (1Sa. 25:1).
15.
Where was Samuels circuit? 1Sa. 7:16-17
Samuel did not make his home in Shiloh. He was evidently not a priest as such. He performed the function of a priest, but since Shiloh had lost the ark, Ramah became the center of his service as prophet and judge. The Ark of the Covenant was no longer the center of worship, and Samuel saw no reason to stay in Shiloh with the empty shell of the tabernacle. As has been indicated before, Samuels home was in the highlands of Benjamin. He was centrally located to all the people of Israel at this point. From this home of his, he went out to Bethel on the north, Gilgal on the east, and Mizpeh on the west. His return was ever to his own home in Ramah.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
9. A sucking lamb , a lamb of milk, that is, young and tender, only seven or eight days old, (Lev 22:27,) such “being the most suitable to represent the nation that had wakened up to new life through its conversion to the Lord, and was, as it were, newborn.” Keil.
A burnt offering wholly Not cut up and divided, as sacrificial victims often were, but offered entire. We need not suppose that Samuel offered this burnt-offering with his own hand, and thus assumed a function of the priesthood. The co-operation of the priests on such occasions being generally understood, no particular reference to that fact was here necessary. Samuel stood by and blessed the sacrifice. Compare 1Sa 9:13, and note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Philistines Overthrown
v. 9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, v. 10. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, v. 11. And the men of Israel, v. 12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, v. 13. So the Philistines were subdued, v. 14. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath, v. 15. And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life, v. 16. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, v. 17. And his return was to Ramah,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
1Sa 7:9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
Ver. 9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb. ] A figure of that Lamb undefiled and without spot, Jesus Christ, by whom we prevail over all our spiritual enemies, as here Israel did over the Philistines. It was a sucking lamb, to show, haply, that the people purposed to be renewed in piety and holiness a – a lamb of no great price, to show that God looketh not to the greatness of the gift, but to the heart of the offerer. b
And offered it for a burnt offering.
And Samuel cried unto the Lord.
And the Lord heard him.
a Diod.
b Pet. Martyr.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Samuel took. Samuel was a Levite, and according to 1Ch 23:27-32 could do this; though according to Num 18:3 he could not have acted in the holy place.
offered = offered up. See App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a sucking: 1Sa 7:17, 1Sa 6:14, 1Sa 6:15, 1Sa 9:12, 1Sa 10:8, 1Sa 16:2, Jdg 6:26, Jdg 6:28, 1Ki 18:30-38
cried unto: Psa 50:15, Psa 99:6, Jer 15:1, Jam 5:16
heard: or, answered
Reciprocal: Exo 12:3 – take to Exo 29:18 – a burnt offering Lev 17:8 – that offereth Jdg 2:5 – they sacrificed 1Sa 12:17 – I will call 1Sa 14:35 – built 2Sa 24:25 – built there 1Ki 17:20 – he cried 1Ki 18:32 – And with 1Ch 21:26 – and called Psa 22:4 – General Isa 37:15 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 7:9. Samuel took a sucking lamb For after a lamb was eight days old, it was fit to be sacrificed to God, Exo 22:30; Leviticus 17:27. And offered it for a burnt-offering For though he was not a priest, nor this place appointed for sacrifice, yet as a prophet he had authority from God to build an altar anywhere and offer sacrifices. Thus other holy men, Gideon and Manoah, were warranted to offer extraordinary sacrifices, in places which God had not before appointed. And thus we read of an altar he built in another place, 1Sa 7:17, as Elijah did in following times. And Samuel cried unto the Lord He made intercession with the sacrifice. So Christ intercedes in virtue of his satisfaction. And in all our prayers we must have an eye to his great oblation, depending on him for audience and acceptance. And the Lord heard him Probably God answered Samuel as he did Manoah, by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, in testimony of his acceptance of it.