Women that assembled - Or, “Served.” See the marginal reference and note. Probably such service as consisted in doing certain work for the fabric of the tabernacle as women are accustomed to do, spinning, knitting, embroidering, mending, washing, and such like. read more
The sense seems to be, If one man sin against another, the judge shall amerce him in the due penalty, and then he shall be free; but if he sin against the Lord, who shall act the part of judge and arbiter for him? His guilt must remain to the great day of judgment.Because the Lord would slay them - There is a sense in which whatever comes to pass is the accomplishment of God’s sovereign will and pleasure, and all the previous steps, even when they involve moral causes, by which this will and... read more
1 Samuel 2:22. Now Eli was very old And therefore unfit either to manage his office himself, or to make a diligent inspection into the carriage of his sons, which gave them opportunity for their wickedness. All that his sons did to Israel Whom they injured in their offerings, and alienated from the service of God. At the door of the tabernacle The place where all the people, both men and women, waited when they came up to the service of God, because the altar on which their sacrifices... read more
1 Samuel 2:23-24 . And he said, Why do ye do such things? He reproved them, but far too gently, as these and the following words manifest. This might proceed partly from the coldness of old age, but it arose chiefly from his too great indulgence to his children. I hear of your evil dealings by all this people Their wickedness was so notorious that there was a general complaint of it, which should have moved him to much greater severity than merely to reprove and chide them. He ought to... read more
1 Samuel 2:25. If one man sin against another, &c. If only man be wronged, man can set the matter right, and reconcile the persons. If a man sin against the Lord As you have done, wilfully and presumptuously; who shall entreat for him? The offence is of so high a nature that few or none will dare to intercede for him, but will leave him to the just judgment of God. The words may be rendered, Who shall judge for him? Who shall interpose as umpire between God and him? Who shall... read more
Judgment on the family of Eli (2:12-3:18)Eli the priest had become the judge, or chief administrator, in Israel. He sat at the door of the house of God where people could freely meet him to seek his advice or ask for directions in disputes (see 1:9; 4:18). His sons, it seems, carried out the routine work in connection with the sacrifices and ceremonies.According to the Levitical law, the portion of the sacrifice that was for God had to be burnt on the altar first, after which the priest and the... read more
door = entrance. tabernacle = tent of meeting. read more
Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . evil. Hebrew. ra`a`. App-44 . by = from. read more
for. Hebrew has the disjunctive accent on this word (Great Telisha), emphasising the guilt of Hophni and Phinehas as (1) a public scandal (1 Samuel 2:23 ); (2) a cause of stumbling (1 Samuel 2:24 ); (3) a sin against Jehovah (1 Samuel 2:25 ). to transgress, or cry out. Hebrew ` abar. App-44 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:24-25
Ye make, etc. Eli's words are very obscure, but "Ye make Jehovah's people to transgress" is upon the whole the best rendering of the clause. Both the Sept. and Syriac have a different reading: "Ye make Jehovah's people cease to worship him" In the next verse there is no sufficient reason for supposing that Elohim, God, here means a judge. Elohim was the head of the theocracy, the ruler of Israel in all things, and he would set to rights these delinquencies of "one man against another" by... read more