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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:11-26

In these verses we have the good character and posture of Elkanah's family, and the bad character and posture of Eli's family. The account of these two is observably interwoven throughout this whole paragraph, as if the historian intended to set the one over against the other, that they might set off one another. The devotion and good order of Elkanah's family aggravated the iniquity of Eli's house; while the wickedness of Eli's sons made Samuel's early piety appear the more bright and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:21

And the Lord visited Hannah ,.... In a way of mercy, approving and confirming the blessing of Eli; or rather granting the blessing he prayed for, by giving her power to conceive, bear, and bring forth children, as the following words explain it: so that she conceived and bare three sons and two daughters ; whereby the prophecy of Hannah was fulfilled, 1 Samuel 2:5 , and was no doubt matter of great joy to her, though of these children we nowhere else read, nor even of their names.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:20-21

The Lord give thee seed, etc. The manner in which Eli blesses Elkanah shows that this surrender of a very young child to religious service was not looked upon as imposing a burden upon the sanctuary, but as the bestowal of a valued gift. Loan and lent by no means give the whole sense, which is in fact beyond the power of our language to express; for the Hebrew is remarkable for its manner of saying a great deal in a few words, by using them indefinitely. Besides the sense, then, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:20-21

Solid character. The facts are— 1 . Eli forms a favourable estimate of the conduct and character of Elkanah and Hannah. 2 . God enriches them with several children. 3 . Samuel advances in years and gains in repute. 4 . The sons of Eli, becoming more dissolute, are rebuked by their father. Time had gradually brought out to the view of Eli the solid character of Elkanah and his wife. Their regular attendance on worship at the appointed seasons, and their reverent spirit, were... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 2:21

See the marginal references. The words “before the” Lord have special reference to his residence at the tabernacle. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 2:20-21

1 Samuel 2:20-21. Eli blessed Elkanah, &c. This benediction given in his character of high-priest, and that by a divine suggestion, was followed by the desired effect, and verified what Hannah had uttered in her prophetical song. The Lord visited Hannah None are losers by what they dedicate to the Lord, or employ in such a manner as is pleasing in his sight. The child Samuel grew Not only in age and stature, but especially in wisdom and goodness. Before the Lord Not only before... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 2:12-36

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 2:21

HANNAH'S OTHER CHILDREN"And the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord."We like the Good News Bible's rendition of the last sentence here, "And Samuel grew up in the service of the Lord." read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 2:21

1 Samuel 2:21. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord— See 1Sa 2:26 and Luke 2:52. As he increased in stature, he increased in wisdom; as parents may be assured will always be the case with those children whom they dedicate early to the Lord, and into whose young minds they carefully instill the divine precepts of religion and truth. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 2:11-36

B. The Contrast between Samuel and Eli’s Sons 2:11-36Samuel’s innocence and the godlessness of Eli’s sons contrast strongly in this pericope (section of text). Samuel would succeed and become a channel of God’s blessing. Eli’s sons would fail, would become a source of frustration to Eli and the Israelites, and would ultimately perish."The section [1 Samuel 2:11 to 1 Samuel 4:1] poignantly illustrates the theme of ’Hannah’s Song’ as it is epitomized in 1 Samuel 2:7 b, ’he brings low, and also... read more

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