1 Samuel 2
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Samuel 2
Spurgeon - “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap.” Fallen man, whether he knows it or not, is spiritually a beggar. Do any of us see our own portraits here? I can see just what I was by nature—utterly penniless. If we turn an unbeliever inside out, we cannot find a penny’s worth of merit in him. The rags with which he professes to cover himself are so filthy he would be far better without them. We may search into a person’s thoughts, words, and actions. We may ransack them and turn them over again, and again and again—and we may put the most charitable construction that we can on them—but if we judge according to truth and according to the Word of God, which is the only true way of judging, we must say of all that is in humanity, “Absolute futility. Everything is futile” (Ec 1:2). Never was a beggar so short of money as a sinner is short of merit. ILLUSTRATION 2:8 What is a beggar? He is one who is penniless. Empty his pockets, and you will not find a single penny there. Take his old clothes from his back, and see what they will fetch—no one will give a penny for them. He has not a foot of land that he can call his own, and the last six feet that he is pretty sure to have must be given to him by the parish, and it will perhaps be even then given grudgingly. His old hat has almost lost its crown, and his feet can be seen through his dilapidated shoes. The old proverb says that a beggar can never be bankrupt, but it would be more correct to say that he is never anything else but bankrupt. J C Philpot - A man can never reach heaven unless he travel heavenwards, Zionwards, in the way that God has marked out for His people to walk in. It is a delusion to think that we are going to heaven unless we know something of divine teaching in the soul. But if we know anything of divine teaching, we know what it is to be poor and needy, we know what it is, more or less, to have our mouth in the dust. But many people do so mistake the way to heaven. The ordinary way is to set up a ladder to reach from earth to heaven, and progressively clambering up the different rounds, at last to climb up into the abode of God. But that is not the way of God’s people. They have to go down, down, down, that they may be raised up. It is not with them first “up, up, up,” to scale the battlements of heaven. Every such step upwards in self is in reality only a step downwards; but, on the other hand, every step downwards in self, downwards into the depths of poverty, downwards into felt misery, downwards into soul-trouble and the real groanings of a broken heart—every such step downwards in self is, in fact, a step upwards in Christ. Until we get to the very bottom there is no promise. “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust.” But how? He does it in a moment. The Lord does not raise up his people round by round, enabling them to clamber and crawl with their hands and feet to Him. But, when He lifts up the poor out of the dust, He gives them a smile which reaches, so to speak, to the very bottom of their hearts; and that smile has such a miraculous power, such a drawing efficacy, that it lifts them in a moment out of the dust into the very bosom of God. When, therefore, the Lord raises up the poor out of the dust, He does not lift them up by a gradual process, step by step as they went down. They were, perhaps, many years going down; but they are raised up in a moment. The God of all grace, by one word, or by one smile, lifts them up in a moment out of the lowest depths of felt degradation, “sets them among princes, and makes them inherit the throne of glory.” 1 Samuel 2:9 "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. BGT 1 Samuel 2:9 διδοὺς εὐχὴν τῷ εὐχομένῳ καὶ εὐλόγησεν ἔτη δικαίου ὅτι οὐκ ἐν ἰσχύι δυνατὸς ἀνήρ KJV 1 Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. NET 1 Samuel 2:9 He watches over his holy ones, but the wicked are made speechless in the darkness, for it is not by one's own strength that one prevails. CSB 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a man does not prevail by his own strength. ESV 1 Samuel 2:9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. NIV 1 Samuel 2:9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails; NLT 1 Samuel 2:9 "He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. NRS 1 Samuel 2:9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. RSV 1 Samuel 2:9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones; but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail. YLT 1 Samuel 2:9 The feet of His saints He keepeth, And the wicked in darkness are silent, For not by power doth man become mighty. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail. NJB 1 Samuel 2:9 He safeguards the steps of his faithful but the wicked vanish in darkness (for human strength can win no victories). keeps: Job 5:24 Ps 37:23,24 91:11,12 94:18 Ps 121:3,5,8 Pr 16:9 1Pe 1:5 his godly ones: De 33:3 Ps 37:28 97:10 Pr 2:8 Jude 1:1,3 be silent: Job 5:16 Ec 5:17 Jer 8:14 Zep 1:15 Mt 8:12 22:12,13 Ro 3:19 2Pe 2:17 Jude 1:13 by strength: 1Sa 17:49,50 Ps 33:16,17 Ec 9:11 Jer 9:23 Zec 4:6 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Psalms 121:1-8 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps (shamar) you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps (shamar) Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper (shamar); The LORD is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will protect (shamar) you from all evil; He will keep (shamar) your soul. 8The LORD will guard (shamar) your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. CONTRAST OF GODLY WITH THE WICKED He keeps the feet of His godly ones (KJV - "His saints") - CSB - "He guards the steps of His faithful ones" NET - He watches over his holy ones." Keeps is shamar (see Psalm 121 above and be encouraged!) which means to guard, to watch, to safeguard. One is reminded of Jude's description of "godly ones" referring to them as "those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." He ends this great letter adding the wonderful benediction "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24-25+) THOUGHT- Dear saint, this is a passage to ponder for this truth should encourage your heart and undergird your soul when adversity comes, when enemies rise up against you, when your outlooks seems dim. But = Contrast - dramatically different fate for the wicked. The wicked ones are silenced in darkness - This should be a frightening passage for any soul not in Christ! The picture of eternal punishment is eternal darkness! This is a horrible thought to be superimposed on all of the other negative aspects of hell. Hell is not like some folks think - a place where we will go and party with our buddies forever! The verb silenced can mean to be silent or be still and depicts a state of being motionless or as in this context to refrain from speech (cf Lev 10:3). God created darkness (Isa. 45:7) and uses it to judge His enemies (Ex. 10:21, 22). For (term of explanation) - Explains the fate of the wicked is independent of how much might they manifested on earth. Not by might shall a man prevail - Men think they will prevail by might. God counters that delusion in this passage! In Zechariah 4:6 we read "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts." Godly (kind) (02623) hasid from hasad = to be good, kind) is an adjective that means kind, benevolent, merciful. Hasid is in the same Hebrew word group as heced, which describes loyal lovingkindness. Thus the main idea of hasid is faithful kindness and piety that springs from mercy. Hasid is used to describe Jehovah as "kind (hasid) in all His deeds" (Ps 145:17 - Lxx = hósios = persons who live right before God, used of Jesus - Acts 2:27, 13:35) and as "gracious" (Jer 3:12 - Lxx = eleemon = actively compassionate leading to acts of mercy to relieve suffering or misery of the object of compassion). In Psalm 16:10 hasid is a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus ("Holy One"; Lxx = hósios). God will keep (preserve - same verb shamar in Ps 121:3, 5, 7, 8-note) "the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. " (1Sa 2:9) "With the kind (hasid; Lxx = hósios) Thou dost show Thyself kind, With the blameless Thou dost show Thyself blameless." (2Sa 22:26) Spurgeon - “He will keep the feet of his saints.” 1 Sam. 2:9. THE way is slippery, and our feet are feeble, but the Lord will keep our feet. If we give ourselves up by obedient faith to be his holy ones, he will himself be our guardian. Not only will he charge his angels to keep us, but he himself will preserve our goings. He will keep our feet from falling, so that we do not defile our garments, wound our souls, and cause the enemy to blaspheme. He will keep our feet from wandering, so that we do not go into paths of error, or ways of folly, or courses of the world’s custom. He will keep our feet from swelling through weariness, or blistering because of the roughness and length of the way. He will keep our feet from wounding: our shoes shall be iron and brass, so that even though we tread on the edge of the sword, or on deadly serpents, we shall not bleed, or be poisoned. He will also pluck our feet out of the net. We shall not be entangled by the deceit of our malicious and crafty foes. With such a promise as this, let us run without weariness, and walk without fear. He who keeps our feet will do it effectually. (Faith's Checkbook) J C Philpot - The Lord sees His poor scattered pilgrims travelling through a vale of tears, journeying through a waste howling wilderness, a path beset with gins, traps, and snares in every direction. How can they escape? Why, the Lord keeps their feet, carries them through every rough place, as a tender parent carries a little child; when about to fall, graciously lays the everlasting arms underneath them, and when tottering and stumbling, and their feet ready to slip, mercifully upholds them from falling altogether. Thus the Lord keeps the feet of His saints. But do you think that he has not different ways for different feet? The God of creation has not made two flowers, nor two leaves upon a tree alike; and will He cause all His people to walk in precisely the same path? No; we have each our path, each our besetment, each our trials, each peculiar traps and snares laid for our feet. And the wisdom of the all-wise and only-wise God is shewn by His eyes being in every place, marking the footsteps of every pilgrim, suiting His remedies to meet their individual case and necessity, appearing for them when nobody else could do them any good; watching so tenderly over them, as though the eyes of His affection were bent on one individual; and carefully noting the goings of each, as though all the powers of the Godhead were concentrated on that one person to keep him from harm. 1 Samuel 2:10 "Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed." KJV 1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. NET 1 Samuel 2:10 The LORD shatters his adversaries; he thunders against them from the heavens. The LORD executes judgment to the ends of the earth. He will strengthen his king and exalt the power of his anointed one." CSB 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered; He will thunder in the heavens against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to His king; He will lift up the horn of His anointed. ESV 1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed." NIV 1 Samuel 2:10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed." NLT 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one." NRS 1 Samuel 2:10 The LORD! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed." RSV 1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed." YLT 1 Samuel 2:10 Jehovah -- broken down are His adversaries, Against them in the heavens He thundereth: Jehovah judgeth the ends of earth, And giveth strength to His king, And exalteth the horn of His anointed.' NKJ 1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed." NJB 1 Samuel 2:10 Yahweh, his enemies are shattered, the Most High thunders in the heavens. Yahweh judges the ends of the earth, he endows his king with power, he raises up the strength of his Anointed. Those who contend: Ex 15:6 Jud 5:31 Ps 2:9 21:8,9 68:1,2 92:9 Lu 19:27 will thunder: 1Sa 7:10 12:18 Job 40:9 Ps 18:13,14 judge: Ps 50:1-6 96:13 98:9 Ec 11:9 12:14 Mt 25:31,32 Joh 5:21,22 Ro 14:10-12 2Co 5:10 Rev 20:11-15 he shall: 1Sa 12:13 15:28 16:1 2Sa 7:8,13 Ps 2:6 21:1,7 Isa 32:1 45:24 Mt 25:34 28:18 exalt: Ps 89:17,24 92:10 148:14 Lu 1:69 anointed: 1Sa 12:3 Ps 2:2 20:6 28:8 45:7 Ac 4:27 10:38 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PROPHECY OF DOOM FOR ENEMIES AND EXALTATION OF THE MESSIAH Here is the Septuagint translation - The Lord will weaken his adversary; the Lord is holy. Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast in his strength, and let not the rich man boast in his wealth; but let him that boasts boast in this, to understand and know the Lord, and to execute judgement and justice in the midst of the earth. The Lord has gone up to the heavens, and has thundered: he will judge the extremities of the earth, and he gives strength to our kings, and will exalt the horn of his Christ. And she left him there before the Lord, Those who contend (riyb) with the LORD will be shattered (chathath) - Contend has a legal connotation! Imagine the stupidity and futility of puny man bringing a case against the Almighty LORD! Note the phrase will be shattered indicates this is a prophecy ("will" often signifies a prophetic statement in Scripture). Hannah's prophecy will be fulfilled when the Lord of lords returns as John records in Rev 19:15+ stating "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty" Shattered (chathath) leaves no doubt of the fate of God's enemies! The verb shattered (chathath) can also mean dismayed or frightened and the godless will be both of these when God brings His just judgment. "The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD (GOD THE FATHER) and against His Anointed (GOD THE SON - mashiach; Lxx = Christos)." 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, 6“But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” 7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You (MESSIAH) are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. 11 Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. 12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth - Thunder in the heavens indicates supernatural warfare as in Rev 8:5. The ends of the earth indicates this is a global judgment, and clearly speaks of the final outpouring of the wrath of God against all who have contended against His rule over their lives! . And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn (cf strength) of His anointed (mashiach/masiyah) - While this could have a partial fulfillment in human kings soon be be crowned, and especially to King David, it surely has a more complete fulfillment in the Messianic King of Israel. He refers to God the Father and His king is God the Son. Anointed is mashiach which in this context clearly speaks of the future Messiah Who will be King of kings and Lord of lords. The Septuagint translates anointed with Christos, translated "Christ" in the New Testament.
1 Samuel 2
Spurgeon - “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they did not respect the Lord.” Yet they were priests, and when someone stands up to minister, and by virtue of the office is supposed to know the Lord yet really does not, he stands not only in a position of the utmost guilt but also in a position in which he is never likely to get a blessing. He seems to be beyond the reach of the ordinary agencies of mercy because he has assumed a position to which he has no right. Jesus spoke of the type of knowing that saves a soul from eternal destruction declaring "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3) THOUGHT - Jesus' words beg a crucial question dear reader - Do you know (about) Him or do you truly know Him? Your answer will determine your eternal destiny! I do not assume that just because you are reading these notes, you are born again. You may be reading to prepare to teach a Bible study or lead a Sunday School class, but you are reading for head knowledge, not heart change. Do not be deceived! Hebrew literally = "sons of Belial" (as KJV has it). "ben beliyaal" (Dt 13:13 Jdg 19:22 20:13 1Sa 2:12 10:27 25:17 1Ki21:10 21:13 2Ch13:7) This Hebrew phrase (lit. “sons of Belial”) connotes worthless and vile persons. It is used of those who incite to idolatry ( Deut. 13:13 ) or insurrection ( 10:27 ; 2 Sam. 16:7 ; 20:1 ); who are sexually immoral ( Jdg. 19:22 ); or who are liars ( 1 Kin. 21:10 , 13 ). Unfortunately the phrase could be applied to Eli’s sons. The sins of Eli’s sons were symptomatic of their heart condition. They wanted the best parts of the meat offered in sacrifice rather than those assigned them in the covenant. They were not looking on their positions as places of solemn responsibility but as positions of privilege and self-serving opportunity. See also v22 . Worthless (wicked, Belial)(01100) beliyyaal from belî + yaʿal: "not, without" and "to be of use, worth, or profit.") A worthless person, good for nothing to himself or others, and capable of nothing but mischief. Some feel that the word Belial can be traced to the false god Baal, and is also a term for yoke (they cast off the yoke of decency), and a term for entangling or injuring. The LXX renders it according to the context by the terms paranomos, anomia, and aphrōn, i.e. "lawless, lawlessness, witless." By the NT time, Belial had become synonymous with Satan (cf. 2 Cor. 6:15+). There is one use we would all do well to ponder and in the power of the Spirit affirm or declare (or pray) to be true in our life from time to time... I will set no worthless (beliyyaal) thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten (dabaq) its grip on me. (Psalm 101:3+) (MARK IT DOWN - WORTHLESS IMAGES CAN BE VERY "STICKY" IN YOUR MIND'S EYE! I AM SPEAKING ESPECIALLY TO YOU MEN AS YOU KNOW TO WHAT I AM REFERRING!) No Excuse [Elkanah] went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts. — 1 Samuel 1:3. Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-17 Consider the life of Elkanah. He is described in 1 Samuel 1 as a man who “went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts” (v.3). That’s a staggering fact in light of the rest of the story. We read, “Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.” Hophni and Phinehas were selfish, corrupt, immoral men with no regard for God (1 Sam. 2:12,22). They wouldn’t listen to correction (v.25), and their actions caused people to despise the offering of the Lord (v.17). But their spiritual failure never became an excuse for Elkanah to stop worshiping the Lord. There may be times when our spiritual leaders are not what they should be. When leaders fail, whether it’s unintentional sin or open defiance, it’s easy to become discouraged or disillusioned. But it’s a double tragedy if we become cynical and turn away from God because of them. Elkanah remained faithful because he focused on the Lord, not His representatives. In every situation of poor spiritual leadership, God calls His modern “Elkanahs” to keep their eyes and their hearts centered on Him. By: David C. McCasland I would not falter nor retire— For grace to do God's will I ask; With heart aflame and zeal undimmed, I would be faithful to my task. —Bosch Others may prove untrue, but Jesus never fails. STRONG FAMILIES 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-26 "You shall teach (these words) diligently to your children." - Deuteronomy 6:7 David Williams, a football player for the Houston Oilers, gave up a week's salary to be present at the birth of his son Scot. His coach objected, but Williams put his wife and family before his career. If he continues to demonstrate this kind of commitment to his family, then Scot too is likely to see the importance of right priorities. In more than 40 years of ministry, I have encountered many situations in which a father put his work before his family, only to see his children rebel. Although Eli had done much for the Lord as a priest, he failed as a parent. He waited too long to discipline his sons, and when he did try to restrain them his rebuke was so weak that they paid no attention. Eli's life ended in heartbreak because his sons didn't follow the ways of the Lord. Even the best of parents can't be sure their children won't turn from the Lord, but the risk can be minimized. If children know their parents expect obedience and will punish disobedience, especially when discipline is fair and given in love, they are more likely to turn out well. Our children are a gift from God On loan from heaven above, To train and nourish in the Lord And show to them His love. -- Sper Christian homes don't just happen - they're built. TODAY IN THE WORD 1 Samuel 2:12-36 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. - Proverbs 19:16 In 2002, George W. Bush initiated the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute white-collar crimes like money laundering, accounting fraud, and insider trading. In the first five years of its existence, the task force secured the convictions of 214 CEOs and presidents, 53 CFOs, 23 corporate counsels or attorneys, and 129 vice presidents—over 1,200 of the most powerful people in America have been imprisoned as criminals. What causes a leader to become corrupt? One factor is contempt for his or her position of authority. When that leader is representative of God, the punishment is far worse than prison. Hophni and Phinehas treated the sacred sacrifices like their own personal barbecue. They completely ignored the Levitical guidelines for the portions of meat reserved for the priests (Lev. 7:34) and the restrictions against eating fat or blood (Lev. 3:16-17). They desecrated their roles as priests with their immorality (v. 22). Eli correctly accused them of sinning against God, and there would be no one to intercede for them (v. 25). How could anyone associated with a divinely appointed office stoop to such lows? They weren't acquainted with God in the least (v. 12). Eli's sons thought only of themselves. We'll focus on Eli's passive approach to their wickedness later in the month, but the sons should have known better without being told. Their actions showed no respect for the sacrifices of the people or the God to whom they were sacrificing. They effectively put themselves in the place of God as the object of worship. The judgment was appropriately harsh for Eli and his family. The Lord pronounced a shift away from the ancestral line of Levi, a transfer from the arrangement that began at the beginning of Israel's existence as a nation but in keeping with the warnings issued at the time (Num. 18:1). The Levites were responsible for sins against the priesthood, so the entire tribe suffered the consequences of Eli's sons' evil ways. TODAY ALONG THE WAY Peter calls believers members of a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), so the question naturally arises: are we as believers ever guilty of showing contempt for our privileged position? It's a question of selfishness or selflessness. When our Christianity becomes more of a status symbol than a standard of service, we begin using our priesthood for our own benefit. The only true fix for this problem, though, isn't to increase service; it's to humbly draw closer to God. John Kitto - Thursday. Tabernacle Abominations—I Samuel 2:12–17 The sons of Eli were “men of Belial”—that is, men of profligate disposition and conduct—men who had no regard for their own character, or for the honor of God, whose commissioned servants they were. This pervaded their demeanor, and their misconduct was by no means limited to the particular instances recorded. Yet these instances are so remarkable as to claim special attention. The custom of sacrifice was, that burnt offerings were wholly consumed by fire upon the altar; and that sin offerings were eaten by the priests. But in the case of peace offerings, the internal fat alone was consumed, first of all, upon the altar; then the priest had for his share the breast and the shoulder, after these had been waved before the Lord; and the remainder of the carcass was returned to the offerer, to be eaten by himself and his friends, or such as he invited. This was ample allowance for the priest, who had the whole of the sin offerings, and some principal parts of the peace offerings. But Eli’s sons thought not so. Not satisfied with the breast and the shoulder of every victim, they begrudged the offerer the remainder. Properly their interest in the matter ceased as soon as they had received their allowance. But they pursued the remainder with greedy eyes; and at length they ventured to introduce the custom that, while the meat was boiling for the offerer and his family—which was done in some part of the tabernacle, as afterwards of the temple—a servant was sent round “with a flesh hook of three teeth in his hand.” This trident, which no doubt had the prongs wide enough apart, the man thrust into the boiler; and claimed as the perquisite of the priest whatever the instrument brought up; and this could not but frequently make a serious reduction of the food with which the offerers were used to entertain their friends, and to extend their bounty to the needy. Even this mean and ludicrous greediness did not long satisfy the sons of Eli. Finding that this exaction was submitted to by the people, they went further yet. After the breast and shoulder had been given, but before the remainder had been put to boil, the servant came and demanded the raw meat, alleging that the priests did not want it boiled, but to roast. This might be one reason, although there were the breast and shoulder which they might roast if they liked but the real reason probably was that the three-pronged fork, striking somewhat at a venture, did not always afford such large or such choice portions as the avidity of the priests required. To secure this exaction, and to prevent all evasion this demand was made even before the fat was offered upon the altar, which, as it belonged to the Lord, and the offering of it was a highly religious act, should have been, even if only for the same of decency, first of all performed. But knowing that the offerers could not withdraw till the Lord’s portion had been presented, the demand was made before the fat was offered. The people could not but feel the gross indecorum of this proceeding; and the manner in which they meet this new exaction is in all respects praiseworthy, and shows that the men who brought the offerings had more religion at heart, and were more concerned for the honor and glory of God, than were his own ministers. They implored them to allow the Lord’s offerings to be first presented, and then, said they, “take as much as thy soul desireth.” The answer of the man to this becoming remonstrance and handsome offer was usually: “Nay, but thou shalt give it me now; and if not, I will take it by force.” What wonder that the people were disgusted at these proceedings, and that the result was that they abstained from bringing their peace offerings to the altar, seeing that their doing so subjected them to such insult and oppression, and produced circumstances so revolting to their religious feelings. “Wherefore,” we are told, “the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.” This was their offence, and a very terrible one it was—amounting to a betrayal of the high trusts committed to their care. Nor was this all—for we are told that they behaved themselves most vilely towards “the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Who were these women? That is a question of greater interest at this day, than the historical fact connected with it. The question has indeed been much discussed. The most obvious and common sense view as suggested by this text alone, would seem to be that they were women who went there for worship, and who, not being admitted into the interior of the court, assembled in front of the entrance, the curtains of which being drawn aside on such occasions, allowed them a view of the interior, and of the solemn proceedings there. It has been thought, however, that there is some reference to a particular class of women, habitually attending at the tabernacle in discharge of some special duty or vocation. Some fancy that they came upon business which it belonged to women to do there, such as to wash and clean the rooms. But in that case they would be assembled, not “at the door of the tabernacle,” but within it. And then we do not know that there were any rooms to wash and clean at the tabernacle—though there were at the temple; and, more than all, such offices, and many others (such as even the washing of clothes) usually performed by women in the West, are as usually discharged by men in the East, except in the apartments appropriated to the use of women. In this, as in a thousand instances, we arrive at erroneous conclusions by arguing from the analogy of our own customs, without proper inquiry whether those of the East may not be very different. Others imagine that the women came to sew and spin at the tabernacle; as if, because the “women that were wise-hearted did spin,” at the original construction of the tabernacle, they did so always after. This is a curious instance of generalizing upon a particular passage of Scripture, having reference to a merely temporary and occasional matter. Some spinning and sewing might be necessary to renew the priestly vestures, but this was doubtless done at home—as, indeed, the original dresses and the hangings of the tabernacle were,—and probably in the families of the priests themselves. It is preposterous to suppose, that the little spinning and sewing that might be necessary to keep the attire of the priests in order, should be carried on at the door of the tabernacle. The Jewish interpreters usually understand, that the congregation of females was caused by the attendance of women who had recently given birth to children, and who came with their offerings of purification—and as these were attended by their female friends and relations, a few of these parties (and there must have been several every day) would collectively form a considerable crowd at the door of the tabernacle. Upon the whole, however, we incline to regard the first and least special explanation as the most reasonable—admitting, however, that a certain proportion of the women may have been, and probably were, such frequent and regular attendants from devout feelings, that they became well known at the tabernacle—like the communicants of a church as distinguished from the general congregation—and might be preeminently distinguished as “the women who [habitually] assembled at the door of the congregation.” To go beyond this, as some have done, and suppose that there was a body of devout women who had specially consecrated themselves to the service of the tabernacle, and to a holy life, in a state of celibacy, is more than we can find in the Bible, and seems to us a Romanist invention, wrought out of some incidental expressions, which admit and require a different interpretation; and this for the purpose of producing a show of Scripture authority for the practice of female ascetic devotement, to which both the spirit and the letter of the Old Testament and of the New, are decidedly opposed, and which has been, and is, one of the resources wherein “the proud mind of the flesh” seeks nourishment. 1 Samuel 2:13 and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. BGT 1 Samuel 2:13 καὶ τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ ἱερέως παρὰ τοῦ λαοῦ παντὸς τοῦ θύοντος καὶ ἤρχετο τὸ παιδάριον τοῦ ἱερέως ὡς ἂν ἡψήθη τὸ κρέας καὶ κρεάγρα τριόδους ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ KJV 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; NET 1 Samuel 2:13 Now the priests would always treat the people in the following way: Whenever anyone was making a sacrifice, while the meat was boiling, the priest's attendant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. CSB 1 Samuel 2:13 or for the priests' share of the sacrifices from the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling ESV 1 Samuel 2:13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, NIV 1 Samuel 2:13 Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. NLT 1 Samuel 2:13 or for their duties as priests. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, Eli's sons would send over a servant with a three-pronged fork. While the meat of the sacrificed animal was still boiling, NRS 1 Samuel 2:13 or for the duties of the priests to the people. When anyone offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, RSV 1 Samuel 2:13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, YLT 1 Samuel 2:13 And the custom of the priests with the people is: any man sacrificing a sacrifice -- then hath the servant of the priest come in when the flesh is boiling, and the hook of three teeth in his hand, NKJ 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. NJB 1 Samuel 2:13 nor for what was due to the priests from the people. Whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being cooked; Related Passages: Leviticus 7:30-34+ (PRESCRIBED PRACTICE IN PENTATEUCH) ‘His own hands are to bring offerings by fire to the LORD. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be presented as a wave offering before the LORD. 31 ‘The priest shall offer up the fat in smoke on the altar, but the breast shall belong to Aaron and his sons. 32 ‘You shall give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifices of your peace offerings. 33 ‘The one among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood of the peace offerings and the fat, the right thigh shall be his as his portion. 34 ‘For I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the sons of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their due forever from the sons of Israel. A CUSTOM CORRUPTED? And the custom of the priests with the people = Heb "the habit of the priests with the people [was this]." While this was the custom in Shiloh, it is evidence of corruption (and degradation) of the priesthood, because this practice is not specified in Leviticus or anywhere else in the OT! This custom differs from the divine prescription described above (cf also Lev 10:14–15 and Nu 18:18) THOUGHT - There is surely a warning and a lesson for all believers of all ages, that the worship of Yahweh can become corrupted over time if one does not constantly assess current practices with the ancient Word of God. Are their practices in your local church that are an aberration of the practices ordained in God's Word? This is a good self-examination question for all churches, no matter how good they might appear to be to the eye (externally). Deuteronomy 18:3 describes the portion that was allotted to the priests - “Now this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, either an ox or a sheep, of which they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand - The normal practice at Shiloh was for the priest to receive whichever part came up from the boiling pot on the end of the fork. We would today call that a "pot luck dinner!" NET Note on three-pronged fork - The Hebrew word occurs only twice in the OT, here and again in v. 14. Its exact meaning is not entirely clear, although from the context it appears to be a sacrificial tool used for retrieving things from boiling water. Custom (justice, ordinance[s]) (04941) mishpat/mispat rom shaphat = to judge, govern) is a masculine noun used over 400x in the OT and has general meanings including a judgment, a legal decision, a legal case, a claim, proper, rectitude. Vine writes that mishpat/mispat "has two main senses; the first deals with the act of sitting as a judge, hearing a case, and rendering a proper verdict. Eccl. 12:14 is one such occurrence. Mishpat can also refer to the “rights” belonging to someone (Ex 23:6). This second sense carries several nuances: the sphere in which things are in proper relationship to one’s claims (Ge 18:19—first occurrence); a judicial verdict (Dt. 17:9); the statement of the case for the accused (Nu 27:5); and an established ordinance (Exod. 21:1). 1 Samuel 2:14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. BGT 1 Samuel 2:14 καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν λέβητα τὸν μέγαν ἢ εἰς τὸ χαλκίον ἢ εἰς τὴν κύθραν πᾶν ὃ ἐὰν ἀνέβη ἐν τῇ κρεάγρᾳ ἐλάμβανεν ἑαυτῷ ὁ ἱερεύς κατὰ τάδε ἐποίουν παντὶ Ισραηλ τοῖς ἐρχομένοις θῦσαι κυρίῳ ἐν Σηλωμ KJV 1 Samuel 2:14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. NET 1 Samuel 2:14 He would jab it into the basin, kettle, caldron, or pot, and everything that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they used to do to all the Israelites when they came there to Shiloh. CSB 1 Samuel 2:14 and plunge it into the container or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. The priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is the way they treated all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh. ESV 1 Samuel 2:14 and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. NIV 1 Samuel 2:14 He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. NLT 1 Samuel 2:14 the servant would stick the fork into the pot and demand that whatever it brought up be given to Eli's sons. All the Israelites who came to worship at Shiloh were treated this way. NRS 1 Samuel 2:14 and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. RSV 1 Samuel 2:14 and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. So they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. YLT 1 Samuel 2:14 and hath struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the hook bringeth up doth the priest take for himself; thus they do to all Israel who are coming in, there, in Shiloh. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. NJB 1 Samuel 2:14 he would thrust this into cauldron or pan, or dish or pot, and the priest claimed for his own whatever the fork brought up. That was how they behaved with all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh. all that the fleshhook: 1Sa 2:29 Ex 29:27,28 Lev 7:34 Isa 56:11 Mal 1:10 2Pe 2:13-15 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SELF-INDULGENT PRIESTLY PARASITES! Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there - The greedy nature of Eli's wicked sons is exposed as is the corruption of worship practices at Shiloh. Note that if all that the fork brought up included fat portions, this would indicate that this was a corrupt practice and not a God ordained or God honoring practice. Why? Because the fat belonged to Jehovah! Worthless sons wanted what they wanted when they wanted it! ESV Study Bible - Some interpret 1Sa 2:13-14 as being the accepted, though degenerate, custom, and 1Sa 2:15-16 as representing the perversion of this custom. Another interpretation is that the author condemns both practices. This latter view is supported by the use of the word moreover (Heb. gam) at the beginning of 1Sa 2:15ESV. Thus in this passage there are two general statements about the sons (1Sa 2:12, 17) framing descriptions of two of their wicked practices. (Borrow ESV Study Bible) David
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Spurgeon - “Samuel served in the Lord’s presence—this mere boy was dressed in the linen ephod.” What a contrast there was between little Samuel and the sons of Eli. He was not led astray by the evil example of those who were older than he and to whom he would naturally look up to because of their high office. This dear child escaped contamination because God’s grace preserved him and also because his mother’s prayers, like a wall of fire, were around him. Related Resource: Utley's SPECIAL TOPIC: EPHOD. 1 Samuel 2:19 And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. BGT 1 Samuel 2:19 καὶ διπλοΐδα μικρὰν ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέφερεν αὐτῷ ἐξ ἡμερῶν εἰς ἡμέρας ἐν τῷ ἀναβαίνειν αὐτὴν μετὰ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς θῦσαι τὴν θυσίαν τῶν ἡμερῶν KJV 1 Samuel 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. NET 1 Samuel 2:19 His mother used to make him a small robe and bring it up to him at regular intervals when she would go up with her husband to make the annual sacrifice. CSB 1 Samuel 2:19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. ESV 1 Samuel 2:19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. NIV 1 Samuel 2:19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. NLT 1 Samuel 2:19 Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. NRS 1 Samuel 2:19 His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. RSV 1 Samuel 2:19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. YLT 1 Samuel 2:19 and a small upper coat doth his mother make to him, and she hath brought it up to him from time to time, in her coming up with her husband to sacrifice the sacrifice of the time. NKJ 1 Samuel 2:19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. NJB 1 Samuel 2:19 His mother used to make him a little coat which she brought him each year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. a little robe an upper garment: Ex 28:4. from year to year: 1Sa 1:3,21 Ex 23:14 1 Samuel 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A TOKEN OF HANNAH'S LOVE FOR SAMUEL And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice (cf 1Sa 1:21) - The robe was an important part of the clothing worn by key classes of persons in Israel and was used of the robe of the high priest (Ex. 28:4, 31; 29:5; 39:22). It is interesting that the was typically fringed with a distinctive hem that indicated a person’s standing. So again this piece of clothing indicates Samuel was being prepared for the priesthood. Samuel was out of Hannah's home but not out of Hannah's heart, and there is little doubt that this was also manifested in frequent prayers for her son. Wycliffe Bible Commentary (borrow) - The Hebrew meʿîl denotes a kind of long loose robe worn by kings (1 Chr 15:27), prophets (1 Sam 15:27), men of position (Job 2:12), and women of rank (2 Sam 13:18). It had a hole for the head, and slits in the sides for the arms to come through, but no sleeves. It was worn as an outer garment over the tunic. John Mayshack - THE WINDOWS OF MOTHERHOOD Moreover, his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 2:19 1. The Window of Faith 2. The Window of Virtue 3. The Window of Love 4. The Window of Prayer F B
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Spurgeon adds "He said to them, ‘Why are you doing these things?’ ” That is the way Eli rebuked his sons. “And very gently he did it, dear old man,” says someone. Yes, but we shouldn’t imitate him. If we do, we may also inherit the curse that came on his house. There are other virtues in this world besides gentleness. Sometimes we need the power to speak sternly—to rebuke with firmness and severity—and Eli did not have this. He was an easygoing old soul. But when the honor of God is at stake, such action as his is out of place. It is all very well to have everybody saying, “Mr. So-and-So is such an amiable man. There is no sectarianism and no bigotry about him. He never says a word to offend anybody.” But Martin Luther was not at all that kind of man, and where would we have been without such protests as his?" David
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Spurgeon - “Them that honour me I will honour.” 1 Sam. 2:30. DO I make the honour of God the great object of my life and the rule of my conduct? If so, he will honour me. I may for a while receive no honour from man, but God will himself put honour upon me in the most effectual manner. In the end it will be found the surest way to honour to be willing to be put to shame for conscience sake. Eli had not honoured the Lord by ruling his household well, and his sons had not honoured the Lord by behaviour worthy of their sacred office, and therefore the Lord did not honour them, but took the high-priesthood out of their family, and made young Samuel to be ruler in the land instead of any of their line. If I would have my family ennobled, I must honour the Lord in all things. God may allow the wicked to win worldly honours; but the dignity which he himself gives, even glory, honour, and immortality, he reserves for those who by holy obedience take care to honour him. What can I do this day to honour the Lord? I will promote his glory by my spoken testimony, and by my practical obedience. I will also honour him with my substance, and by offering to him some special service. Let me sit down and think how I can honour him, since he will honour me. (Faith's Checkbook) R C