The Arke is brought to the house of Abinadab in Gabaa, 3. By Samuels exhortation, the people cast away the idols and serue only God. 10. Samuel offering sacrifice and praying, Israel preuaileth against the Philisthijms.
1And the men of Cariathiarim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and carried it into the house of Abinadab, in Gabaa: and they sanctified Eleazar, his son, to keep the ark of the Lord.Andarono adunque gli uomini di Cariath-iarim, e condusser via l'arca del Signore, e la portarono dentro la casa di Abinadab in Gabaa: e consacrarono il suo figliuolo Eleazaro, perchè custodisse l'arca del Signore.THEREFORE the men of Caria Thiarim came, and brought backe the arke of our Lord, and caried it into the house of Abinadab in Gaaba: And Eleazar his sonne they sanctified, that he might keepe the arke of our Lord.Venerunt ergo viri Cariathiarim, et reduxerunt arcam Domini, et intulerunt eam in domum Abinadab in Gabaa: Eleazarum autem filium ejus sanctificaverunt, ut custodiret arcam Domini. 2And it came to pass, that from the day the ark of the Lord abode in Cariathiarim, days were multiplied (for it was now the twentieth year) and all the house of Israel rested, following the Lord.E dal dì, in cui l'arca del Signore fu posata in Cariath-iarim, era scorso assai tempo (perocché era già l'anno vigesimo) e tutta la casa d'Israele ebbe pace, seguendo il Signore.And it came to passe, from the day that the arke of our Lord abode in Caria Thiarim the dayes were multiplied (for it was now the twentith yeare) and al the house of Israel rested after our Lord.Et factum est, ex qua die mansit arca Domini in Cariathiarim, multiplicati sunt dies (erat quippe jam annus vigesimus), et requievit omnis domus Israël post Dominum. 3And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying: If you turn to the Lord with all your heart, put away the strange gods from among you, Baalim and Astaroth: and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.Quando Samuele parlò a tutta la casa d'Israele, e disse: Se voi con tutto il cuor vostro tornate al Signore, togliete di mezzo a voi gli dei stranieri, Baal, e Astaroth: e preparate i vostri cuori al Signore, e servite a lui solo, ed egli vi libererà dalle mani dei Filistei.And Samuel spake to al the house of Israel, saying: If you turne to our Lord in al your hart, take away the strange goddes out of the middes of you, Baalim, and Astaroth: and prepare your hartes to our Lord, and serue him only, and he wil deliuer you from the hand of the Philisthijms.Ait autem Samuel ad universam domum Israël, dicens: Si in toto corde vestro revertimini ad Dominum, auferte deos alienos de medio vestri, Baalim et Astaroth: et præparate corda vestra Domino, et servite ei soli, et eruet vos de manu Philisthiim. 4Then the children of Israel put away Baalim and Astaroth, and served the Lord only.Quindi i figliuoli d'Israele tolser via Baal, e Astaroth, e servirono al solo Signore.Therefore the children of Israel tooke away Baalim and Astaroth, and serued our Lord only.Abstulerunt ergo filii Israël Baalim et Astaroth, et servierunt Domino soli.
5And Samuel said: Gather all Israel to Masphath, that I may pray to the Lord for you.E Samuele disse: Raunate tutto Israele a Masphath, affinchè io preghi il Signore per voi.And Samuel sayd: Gather together al Israel into Masphath, that I may pray our Lord for you.Dixit autem Samuel: Congregate universum Israël in Masphath, ut orem pro vobis Dominum. 6And they gathered together to Masphath, and they drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and they fasted on that day, and they said there: We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Masphath.E si adunarono a Masphath: e attinsero dell'acqua, e la sparsero dinanzi al Signore, e digiunarono quel giorno, e ivi diceano: Abbiam peccato contro il Signore. E Samuele fece le funzioni di giudice d'Israele in Masphath.And they assembled into Masphath: and they drew water, and powred it out in the sight of our Lord, and they fasted that day, and sayd there: We haue sinned to our Lord. And Samuel iudged the children of Israel in Masphath.Et convenerunt in Masphath: hauseruntque aquam, et effuderunt in conspectu Domini: et jejunaverunt in die illa atque dixerunt ibi: Peccavimus Domino. Judicavitque Samuel filios Israël in Masphath. 7And the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Masphath, and the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard this, they were afraid of the Philistines.E seppero i Filistei, come i figliuoli d'Israele erano congregati a Masphath, e mossero i satrapi de' Filistei contro Israele. La qual cosa avendo udita i figliuoli d'Israele, temerono l'incontro dei Filistei.And the Philisthijms heard that the children of Israel were gathered together into Masphath, and the princes of the Philisthijms went vp to Israel. Which when the children of Israel had heard, they were afrayde at the face of the Philisthijms.Et audierunt Philisthiim quod congregati essent filii Israël in Masphath, et ascenderunt satrapæ Philisthinorum ad Israël. Quod cum audissent filii Israël, timuerunt a facie Philisthinorum. 8And they said to Samuel: Cease not to cry to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us out of the hand of the Philistines.E dissero a Samuele: Non intermettere di alzar la tua voce al Signore Dio nostro per noi, affinchè ci salvi dalle mani de' Filistei.And they said to Samuel: cease not to crie to our Lord God for vs, that he saue vs from the hand of the Philisthims.Dixeruntque ad Samuelem: Ne cesses pro nobis clamare ad Dominum Deum nostrum, ut salvet nos de manu Philisthinorum.
9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it whole for a holocaust to the Lord: and Samuel cried to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him.E Samuele prese un agnello di latte, e l'offerì intero in olocausto al Signore: e alzò Samuele le sue voci al Signore per Israele, e il Signore lo esaudì.And Samuel tooke one sucking lambe, and offered i• a whole holocauste to our Lord: and Samuel cried to our Lord for Israel, and our Lord heard him.Tulit autem Samuel agnum lactentem unum, et obtulit illum holocaustum integrum Domino: et clamavit Samuel ad Dominum pro Israël, et exaudivit eum Dominus. 10And it came to pass, when Samuel was offering the holocaust, the Philistines began the battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and terrified them, and they were overthrown before the face of Israel.Or egli avvenne, che mentre Samuele offeriva l'olocausto al Signore, i Filistei assalirono Israele; ma il Signore tuonò con fracasso grande in quel dì contro i Filistei, e gli atterri, e furono sconfitti da Israele.And it came to passe, when Samuel offered the holocauste, the Philisthijms beganne battel against Israel: but our Lord thundered with a great noise in that day vpon the Philisthijms, and terrified them, and they were slaine before the face of Israel.Factum est autem, cum Samuel offerret holocaustum, Philisthiim iniere prælium contra Israël: intonuit autem Dominus fragore magno in die illa super Philisthiim, et exterruit eos, et cæsi sunt a facie Israël. 11And the men of Israel going out of Masphath, pursued after the Philistines, and made slaughter of them till they came under Bethchar.E i figliuoli d'Israele usciti di Masphath, inseguirono i Filistei, trucidandoli sino al luogo che rimane al di sotto di Bethchar.And the men of Israel issuing out of Masphath pursued the Philisthijms, and stroke them vnto the place, that was vnder Bethcar.Egressique viri Israël de Masphath, persecuti sunt Philisthæos, et percusserunt eos usque ad locum qui erat subter Bethchar. 12And Samuel took a stone, and laid it between Masphath and Sen: and he called the place The stone of help. And he said: Thus far the Lord hath helped us.E Samuele prese una pietra, e la pose tra Masphath, e Sen: e diede a quel luogo il nome di pietra del soccorso. E disse: Sin qua ci ha soccorsi il Signore.And Samuel tooke one stone, and layd it betwen Masphath and Sen: and he called the name of that place, The stone of helpe. And he sayd: Thus farre hath our Lord holpen vs.Tulit autem Samuel lapidem unum, et posuit eum inter Masphath et inter Sen: et vocavit nomen loci illius, Lapis adjutorii. Dixitque: Hucusque auxiliatus est nobis Dominus.
13And the Philistines were humbled, and they did not come any more into the borders of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines, all the days of Samuel.E i Filistei furono umiliati, e non tentaron più di entrare dentro i confini d'Israele. E la man del Signore si fe' sentire a' Filistei per tutto il tempo di Samuele.And the Philistijms were humbled, neither added they any more to come into the borders of Israel. Therefore the hand of our Lord was made vpon the Philistijms, al the dayes of Samuel.Et humiliati sunt Philisthiim, nec apposuerunt ultra ut venirent in terminos Israël. Facta est itaque manus Domini super Philisthæos cunctis diebus Samuelis. 14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel, were restored to Israel, from Accaron to Geth, and their borders: and he delivered Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and there was peace between Israel and the Amorrhites.E furon restituite ad Israele le città tolte a Israele da' Filistei, da Accaron fino a Geth col suo territorio: ed egli liberò Israele dal potere de' Filistei, e fu pace tra Israele e gli Amorrhei.And the cities, which the Philistijms had taken from Israel, were rendred to Israel, from Accaron vnto Geth, and their borders: and •e deliuered Israel from the hand of the Philistijms, and there was peace betwen Israel and th• Amorrheite.Et redditæ sunt urbes quas tulerant Philisthiim ab Israël, Israëli, ab Accaron usque Geth, et terminos suos: liberavitque Israël de manu Philisthinorum, eratque pax inter Israël et Amorrhæum. 15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life:Or Samuele fu giudice d'Israele per tutto il tempo di sua vita.Samuel also iudged Israel al the daies of his life:Judicabat quoque Samuel Israëlem cunctis diebus vitæ suæ: 16And he went every year about to Bethel and to Galgal and to Masphath, and he judged Israel in the foresaid places.E andava tutti gli anni in giro a Bethel, e a Galgala, e a Masphath ed esercitava la giudicatura d'Israele in questi luoghi.and he went euerie yeare circu〈…〉 Bethel and Galgala and Masphath, and iudged Israel in the foresaid places.et ibat per singulos annos circuiens Bethel et Galgala et Masphath, et judicabat Israëlem in supradictis locis. 17And he returned to Ramatha: for there was his house, and there he judged Israel: he built also there an altar to the Lord.E si tornava a Ramatha: perocché ivi egli avea sua casa, e ivi pur giudicava Israele: vi edificò eziandio un altare al Signore.And he returned into Ramatha: for there was his house, and there he iudged Israel: he built also there an altar to our Lord.Revertebaturque in Ramatha: ibi enim erat domus ejus, et ibi judicabat Israëlem: ædificavit etiam ibi altare Domino.
7:1
Year of the World 2888.
In Gabaa. That is, on the hill, for Gabaa signifieth a hill. (Challoner) (1 Paralipomenon 13:6.)
Calmet
It was perhaps the citadel, (Haydock) or an elevated situation, such as were generally chosen for the temples both of the true and of false gods. (Calmet)
Menochius
Abinadab was a Levite of renowned virtue. (Menochius)
Worthington
The people of this city knew that the ark was a source of blessings to those who received it with respect; and, that the Bethsamites had been punished only for their irreverence. (Worthington)
Calmet
Samuel was first consulted before the people, in a body, undertook to remove the ark; and here he was probably recognized for the judge of Israel, in which character he henceforward appears, exhorting all to obey the Lord with sincerity. He appoints a general assembly at Masphath, to enter into a solemn covenant with the Lord, and to adopt means for recovering their liberty. We have only a very concise account of these important transactions, owing to the modesty of the author, which the Holy Spirit would teach us to imitate. (Calmet)
Calmet
Sanctified. Chaldean, "set over," (Menochius) prepared by suitable purifications, etc. (Calmet)
Calmet
Some think, that Eleazar received the priestly or the Levitical consecration, Numbers 8:7. We have no proof that he was of the family of Aaron, nor does his name occur in the genealogies of the Levites, as they are perhaps too short. Josephus ([Antiquities?] 6:2.) asserts that he was a Levite. (Calmet)
Salien
But even a laic, like Obededon of Geth, might have been the guardian of the ark, as he would not have to touch it. (Salien, the year before Christ 1112)
Haydock
Eleazar had two brothers, who acted in the same capacity when David intended to remove the ark to Sion. At that time he was perhaps dead, or decrepit, as his father might be on this occasion. (Haydock)
Tirinus
It is not improbable but they were of the race of Aaron. (Tirinus)
7:2
Calmet
Year. Some would date all the subsequent events from this period. But is it credible that Samuel should neglect for twenty years to make this exhortation to the people? and how will it be true, that God humbled the Philistines during the whole time (Calmet) of his administration, which perhaps (Haydock) only lasted so many years? (ver. 13.) (Calmet)
Haydock
It is more probable, therefore, that the power of the enemy was broken by the destruction caused by the presence of the ark, which kept them under due restraint for a long time; and when they attempted, once more, to molest the Israelites, they were entirely discomfited by a miraculous storm, at the prayer of Samuel, ver. 10. Salien (the year of the world 2960) allows, that this took place in the twentieth year since the ark came to Cariathiarim, in which year Samuel appointed his children judges at Bersabee, though he continued to act, and was judge for twenty-three years, (some say thirty-eight) and even under the reign of Saul had almost an absolute sway, as the prophet of the Lord. (Haydock)
Menochius
Rested: continued steadfast, (Santius) "cried unto," (Pagnin) "Looked (Haydock) or returned," Septuagint. "Lamented after the Lord," Hebrew. (Menochius)
Tirinus
They were not soon induced to break this solemn covenant, Isaias 7:2. (Tirinus)
7:3
Haydock
Saying. When the ark was translated, (Calmet) and on many other occasions, this was the theme of his discourse to the Israelites, pressing them to cease from doing evil, and to perform good works. (Haydock)
Lyranus
Thus he preached every year in the different cities, ver. 16. (Lyranus)
Menochius
Astaroth. These were the principal idols of the country, (Salien; Judges 2:11.) under which all the others were included. (Menochius)
Calmet
Prepare. God lays this injunction upon us, to remind us of our liberty, and we beg that he would convert us, acknowledging the necessity of his grace. (Calmet)
Council of Trent
"God does not require impossibilities, but by his command, admonishes thee to do what thou canst, and to pray for what thou art not able to perform, and he assists thee, that thou mayst be able to perform it." (Council of Trent, session vi., 1 Kings 11.; St. Augustine, etc.)
7:5
Haydock
Masphath lay south of Jerusalem, (Calmet) and was a convenient place for all to meet at. (Menochius) They came armed, and the Philistines (Calmet) suspecting their designs, proceeded to attack them. (Haydock)
7:6
Tirinus
Lord, having purified themselves with it, Exodus 19:24. Others think that it was a kind of a protestation, that they were willing to perish if they proved faithless; (Sa) or a symbol that they rejected every vestige of idolatry, and every sin, with true repentance. (Sanctius) (Tirinus)
Porphyrius
Water was also the most ancient species of libation, before honey, and afterwards wine were adopted. (Porphyrius)
Calmet
Though the law did not prescribe it, there was no prohibition. On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, the people went to the pool of Silo to fetch water, and to pour it out in the temple, as a libation to the Lord; and it is thought that Jesus Christ alludes to this custom, John 7:24. (Lamy, Introd.) See 2 Kings 23:16. (Calmet)
Tirinus
Fasted. They confess their sins and do penance, while Samuel sits as judge, (Salien) and had been endeavouring for twenty years to excite them to repentance, and to adhere to the one true religion. (Tirinus)
7:8
Haydock
Philistines. Those who distrust their own strength, and join true repentance with prayer, striving to interest the friends of God in their cause, may confidently hope for victory. (Haydock)
7:9
Sucking lamb. Any might be used, when eight days old, except for the paschal lamb, which must be older; a yearling, Exodus 23:9., and Leviticus 22:27.
Offered it, either by the hands of the priests, or by dispensation, which authorized him to sacrifice out of the tabernacle.
Salien
Whole, without blemish; (Ecclesiasticus 46:19.) or, not having time to divide it, according to the ritual, Leviticus 1:12. He consumed even the skin. (Salien)
Septuagint, "with all the people."
7:10
Haydock
Israel. The princes of the Tyrians had come to the assistance of the enemy; (Ecclesiasticus 46:21.; Calmet) but all in vain. The greatness of the army only increases the greatness of the carnage, when the Lord enters the lists. (Haydock)
The sacred penman speaks with great modesty of this victory, which is nevertheless one of the most important recorded in Scripture. The Philistines could not recover themselves for 20 years; they found it necessary to restore the cities which they had taken, (Calmet) to relinquish the tribute, and to come to such conditions as Samuel imposed upon them. He suffered them, however, to keep possession of some strong holds, such as Gabaa, from which they were expelled by Jonathan. Salien says in the 22d year of Samuel, and the last of Achitob, the high priest, in the year of the world 2961.
7:11
Parkhurst
Bethchar, "the house of the penetrator." Cor denotes the celestial fluid, which the Philistines probably supposed was discharged by the heavens, independently of the great Creator. Hence their punishment was very appropriate. (Parkhurst)
The latter heathens always represented their Jupiter armed with thunder and lightning
"The thunder roared aloud
Pope
Th' affrighted hills from their foundation nod, And blaze beneath the lightning of the God; At one regard of his all-seeing eye, The vanquish'd triumph, and the victors fly." (Pope, Iliad 17:596.)
7:12
Calmet
Sen, "the tooth," a craggy rock of that appearance. Syriac Bethjasan. (Calmet)
Malvenda
Some take it to be the same with Bethchar. (Malvenda)
It was before ignoble, (Salien) and the situation not known, till this monument was erected, with the inscription, Thus far, etc.
Calmet
Help; "Aben-ezer," mentioned before, 1 Kings 4:1. These religious monuments were not prohibited by the law, Leviticus 26:1. Samuel would take every precaution that they should not become objects of idolatry, as he was under the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit. (Calmet)
7:13
Any more, for a long time, (Menochius) during Samuel's administration; for we find them again attacking Saul, 1 Kings 13. This expression is often used to denote a cessation of some continuance, Isaias 23:12, 15., and 2 Kings 7:10.
7:14
Geth, which two cities still continued in their possession. Others, which had fallen to the share of Dan, they gave up, which explains Judges 18:1, 31.
Calmet
Philistines. Here ended the forty years' servitude. (Calmet)
Haydock
Salien (the year of the world 2860) rather thinks that it terminated in the death of Samson, when it was judged expedient to entrust the reins of government into the hands of an old man, Heli, the high priest, as there was no need of an expert general, the heads of the Philistines being all destroyed, Judges 13:1. (Haydock)
Calmet
Amorrhites: the dispersed nations of Chanaan were all kept under. (Calmet)
7:15
Haydock
Life; as sole judge for twenty years, (Gordon; Du Hamel) and conjointly with Saul till he died, almost 100 years old, a year or two before the unfortunate king. Saul put him on a level with himself; (chap. 11:7.) and he continued to be regarded as the oracle of Israel ever since he was about forty years old; (Calmet) or he did not long survive the election of the new king, (Menochius) as Tirinus, Sanctius, etc., reduce his reign to two years, allowing thirty-eight to Samuel, so that both filled up the space of forty years, Acts 13:20. The life of Samuel, on this supposition, will not much exceed sixty, and he must have come into power in early life, 1 Kings 12:2. (Haydock)
Du Hamel
This verse is no proof that the present book was written long after Samuel's time. (Du Hamel)
7:16
Haydock
Places. Septuagint, "in all these holy places." Some take Bethel to mean the city, where the ark was, (Calmet) or the holy of holies, in the tabernacle, at Silo, etc. (Haydock)
Calmet
The northern tribes might meet him at Bethel; those on the east of the Jordan, at Galgala, of Benjamin; and the tribes of Juda, Simeon, and Dan, might have an opportunity of hearing the holy prophet, and decide their controversies, at Masphath. (Calmet)
Haydock
Thus Samuel gave an excellent instruction to pastors and governors, to watch over their people. (Haydock)
7:17
Calmet
Ramatha; his native place. His high office would not allow him to remain always near the tabernacle, 1 Kings 1:11., and 28. (Calmet)
Calmet
Lord, by his direction, (Menochius) both to satisfy his own devotion, and that he might consult the Lord when the people wanted advice. (Calmet)
7:1
In Gabaa.... That is, on the hill, for Gabaa signifieth a hill.
7:1
These men knowing that the presence of the arke was good for them (though the Bethsamites had benne punished for their irreuerence towardes it) feared not to receiue and kepe it.
7:14
That is 〈…〉 say, the Phili〈…〉, who were 〈…〉 o• the seuen nations of Chanaan, which God commanded his people to destroy, 〈…〉 the Amorrheites.
7:4
san Basilio † 379 d.C. The Letters 8.3
… As for instance, “The Lord alone did lead them and there was no strange god with them,” and “then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and did serve the Lord only.”
7:5
san Gregorio Nazianzeno † 389 d.C. Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen 2.88
… What Joshua, as his successor, arrayed alongside the Captain of the Lord’s hosts? What David, either by harping, or fighting with his sling, and girded by God with strength unto the battle, and with his fingers trained to war? What Samuel, praying
7:7
san Girolamo † 420 d.C. Against Jovinianus 2.10
… The latter was intended to excite the fears of one who had fed and was lost; the former was affectionately addressed to a fasting servant.
7:9
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. City of God 17.7
… [then] he took one stone and set it up between the old and new Massephat [Mizpeh], and called its name Ebenezer, which means “the stone of the helper,” and said, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”
7:12
Teodoreto di Cirro † 458 d.C. Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyprus 128
The patriarch Abraham won a victory in his old age. The great Moses was now an old man when, so long as he stretched out his hands in prayer, he vanquished Amalek. The divine Samuel
7:1
1. Venerunt ergo viri Cariathiarim, et reduxerunt arcam. — Audi Adrichomium, pag. 22: «Cariathiarim, urbs Sylvarum, quæ, et Cariath Baal, et Bala, Baala, interdum Baal et Pharasim, et conjunctim Baalpharasim, Hieronymo etiam Jarim. Est de Jerusalem ad quatuor milliaria, et dimidium contra Occidentem euntibus Diospolim. Hieronymus ait milliario uno. Urbs prius Gabaonitarum, postea tribus Judæ, estque terminus tribus Judæ et Benjamin, sita in colle. In hac mansit arca Domini annis viginti in domo Abinadab, quæ erat in Gabaa, id est in excelso, donec a Davide transferretur Hierosolymam. De hac fuit Zacharias F. Joiada, quem occiderant inter templum et altare. De hac fuit Urias propheta, quem interfecit Joachim rex in Jerusalem.» In domum Abinadab in Gabaa. — «Gabaa» hæc non erat urbs Gabaa in tribu Benjamin, Josue cap. XVIII, ut vult Angelomus, Rupertus, Lyranus et Rabbini; sed erat collis sive locus excelsior in urbe Cariathiarim (in qua sita erat domus Abinadab); ad illam enim arcam translatam patet vers. 1 et 2. Gabaa enim hebraice collem sive locum altum significat; unde Noster et Septuaginta, lib. I Paralipomen. XIII, collem vertunt. Ita Josephus, lib. VI Antiquit. cap. 1, Beda, Dionysius, Cajetanus, Vatablus, Torniellus, Serarius, Salianus et alii. Addit Beda illum collem fuisse arcem totius civitatis: ille ergo locus, utpote celsus, honoratus, munitus, congruebat arcæ, quæ erat quasi arx totius Israelis. Hinc arca erat typus B. Virginis, quæ super omnes cœlos exaltata omnibus se invocantibus patrocinatur. Eleazarum autem filium ejus sanctificaverunt, — id est consecraverunt per Achitob Pontificem in urbe Silo degentem; vel in Levitam, ut vult Abulensis, Theodoretus, Procopius et Cajetanus, vel in Sacerdotem, ut censet Angelomus, Hugo et Dionysius. Erat enim vir justus, ait Josephus: aut sanctificaverunt, id est elegerunt, destinarunt, aptarunt, et præfecerunt eum custodiæ arcæ, ita et Chaldæus, Josephus, Abulensis, Clarius, Vatablus.
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2. Erat quippe jam annus vigesimus — translationis et commutationis arcæ in Cariathiarim, et consequenter erat annus vigesimus a morte Heli, et a principatu Samuelis, qui Heli successit. Nam eodem circiter anno quo capta est arca, et reducta, ac a Bethsames translata in Cariathiarim, mortuus est Heli, ac Samuel ei suffectus est: ita Lyranus, Abulensis, Salianus, Mendoza et alii, licet Cajetanus, Genebrardus et Melchior Canus, lib. XI De Locis, cap. V, et ex eis Serarius censeant Samuelem post hos viginti annos exactos demum cœpisse judicare Israelem, et concionabundum obire provinciam, ut omnes ab idolis ad Dei cultum traduceret. Unde et S. Hieronymus (vel quisquis est auctor) in Quæst.: «A tempore, inquit, quo reprobatum est sacerdotium Heli, usque ad Samuelis ducatum, viginti fuerunt anni miseriarum et servitutis.» Verum Samuelem statim a morte Heli iniisse principatum, patet ex chronologia quam assignavi Judic. cap. III et IV. Porro mansit deinceps arca in Cariathiarim usque ad septimum annum regni Davidis, qui illam inde, ut dicitur I Paral. cap. XIII, vers. 5, clare et expresse, transtulit in domum Obededom; inde in montem Sion; inde traducta est in templum a Salomone fabricatum. Licet S. Hieronymus, Angelomus et Lyranus arbitrentur arcam e Cariathiarim post annum vigesimum translatam fuisse in Maspha, inde in Galgala, inde in Nobe, inde in Gabaa, inde in domum Obededom; eo quod hisce in locis sacrificatum legamus. Verum hoc non evincit arcam ibidem fuisse. Nam extra locum tabernaculi et arcæ, sæpe ob causas extraordinarias et peculiares sacrificarunt Hebræi. Ita Abulensis. Alias ordinarie sacrificia immolabant non ubi erat arca, sed ubi erat tabernaculum; in eo enim erat altare holocaustorum sacrificiis deputatum. Tabernaculum ergo fuit separatum ab arca, ac a Silo translatum in Nobe, et inde in Gabaa ante tempora Saulis, cum arca esset in Cariathiarim. Unde arca educta fuit a Saule ad prælium cap. XIV, et post prælium reducta. Et requievit omnis Israel post Dominum. — Legit Interpres cum Chaldæo ianuach, a נוח noach, id est quiescere. Jam legunt iinnahu a נהה naha, id est lamentari. Unde Vatablus vertit, et lamentatione quadam post Dominum universa domus Israel anhela fuit; Abulensis, et festinavit post Dominum. Idem est sensus, sed nervosior, q. d. Totus populus Israel territus clade Heli et plagis a Deo per arcam illatis, per viginti annos quievit in vero cultu unius Dei, idque hortante et instigante Samuele, ut sequitur; etiamsi nonnulli adhuc non publice, sed privatim colerent Baalim et Astaroth; hæc enim vers. seq. abstulit Samuel, ut simul auferret ab eis jugum Philistinorum, quod a tempore Heli hucusque subierant in cultu idolorum, ut miseriis fatigati ab iis ad Dei veri fidem cultumque redirent. Ita Lyranus, Cajetanus, Dionysius, Salianus, Torniellus, Mendoza et alii. Audi Josephum, lib. VI Antiq. cap. 11: «Cum populus toto hoc vicennio votis et sacrificiis operam daret, magnamque religionis et cultus divini curam præ se ferret; Samuel animadversa eorum promptitudine, putans se nactum occasionem adhortandi ad libertatem, et bona quæ illam consequantur, orationem et tempori accommodans, et negotio, verba in hanc ferme sententiam ad eos fecit.» Tropologice, disce hic in orbe universo non esse veram quietem nisi in Deo Deique amore et cultu. Hic enim pariet quietem conscientiæ, quietem cum proximis, quietem cum hostibus, quietem a tentationibus. Audi Dionysium Carthusianum: «Conquiescere studeamus in Deo; ipse est enim finis noster, ad quem semper respicere et adspirare debemus; in quo solo vera et salutaris quies consistit.»
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3. Præparate corda vestra Domino. — Audi S. Gregorium: «Cor Domino præparat qui mentem non solum ab immunda cogitatione separat; sed etiam cogitationum sanctarum ac virtutum fulgoribus illustrat, ut velut abjectis et comminutis idolis, se Dei templum efficiat; dum illic divinæ gratiæ sedem erigit, ubi reprobos spiritus manere per prava desideria non permisit.» Et Theodoretum in Psalm. IX, vers. 1: «Proprium, inquit, est perfectorum hominum totum cor Deo dedicare et omnem mentem ipsi consecrare. Qui enim partitur cogitationes in mammonam et Deum, in Christum et in aurum, in præsentem vitam et in futuram, non potest vere dicere: Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo.»
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5. Congregate universum Israel in Masphath, ut orem pro vobis Dominum. — Erat enim Maspha locus editus, regni sedes, utpote in quo Samuel judicabat, id est jus dicebat, ideoque conventu hominum celebris, ac proinde comitiis, concioni et orationi aptus. Unde Maspha hebraice idem est quod specula, qualis solet esse in monte vel turri. Illic ergo Samuel renovat et instaurat fœdus populi cum Deo.
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6. Hauserunt aquam et effuderunt in conspectu Domini, — in signum pœnitentiæ qua perfecte idololatriæ et peccatis renuntiabant, q. d. Sicut aquam hanc, sic et cor nostrum, omniaque ejus vitia effundimus coram Domino, profitentes nos ea detestari, pœnitere et aquam hanc vice lacrymarum fundere. Unde Chaldæus, effuderunt cor suum in pœnitentia; Rabbini, hauserunt lacrymas e puteo cordis sui. «Quid est, ait S. Gregorius, aquam haurire nisi de profunda animi pœnitentis confusione, lacrymarum fluenta producere? velut enim aquam haurimus, dum quam profunda iniquitate cecidimus, considerantes plangimus.» Et jejunaverunt. — Ecce hic tres actus pœnitentiæ, scilicet contritio significata in effusione aquæ; confessio, cum dicunt: «Peccavimus Domino;» satisfactio, cum jejunant. Hoc enim jejunium non erat Onasin, id est coactionum, sive a lege præceptum, sed Conasin, id est voluntarium et sponte a pœnitentibus susceptum. Nam ut ait S. Gregorius: «Dum mens flendo compungitur, necesse est etiam ut caro, quæ delectationibus subjacuit, affligatur.» Peccavimus Domino. — Præclare S. Ambrosius, lib. II De Pœnit. cap. VIII: «Novit, ait, omnia Dominus; sed exspectat vocem tuam, non ut puniat, sed ut ignoscat: non vult ut insultet tibi diabolus, et celantem te peccata tua arguat. Præveni accusatorem tuum; si te ipse accusaveris, accusatorem nullum timebis: si te detuleris ipse, etsi mortuus fueris, revivisces.»
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7. Ascenderunt satrapæ Philistinorum ad Israel, — id est contra Israel, nimirum cum valido exercitu ad eum profligandum, et comitia dissipandum; quia suspicabantur Hebræos sibi velle rebellare, et jugum excutere, uti revera per Samuelem excusserunt. Ita Dionysius et Cajetanus. Tropologice S. Gregorius: «Ablatis, ait, diis alienis, peracto jejunio, exhibita a prædicatore censura examinis, ad Israel Philistinorum principes ascendunt; quia cum altiori vita proficimus, maligni spiritus, qui semper bene agentibus invident, nobis infestiores sunt.» Quocirca S. Bernardus, in serm. De Conver. ad Clericos, cap. XVIII: «Quotidianis, inquit, discimus experimentis eos qui converti ad Deum deliberant, tentari acrius a concupiscentia carnis; et urgeri gravius in operibus luti, et laterum, qui Ægypto egredi, et Pharaonis imperium effugere moliuntur.»
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9. Tulit autem Samuel agnum lactentem, et obtulit illum in holocaustum integrum Domino. — Hinc patet Samuelem, licet ex stirpe duntaxat esset Levita, ex Dei tamen dispensatione extraordinarium fuisse sacerdotem, non tamen summum Pontificem, licet id velit Serarius. Vide dicta cap. II, vers. 35. Eodem modo dispensavit cum Samuele Deus, ut extra tabernaculum et altare holocaustorum sacrificaret in Maspha. Sed cur dicitur hoc «holocaustum integrum?» Respondeo: «integrum,» id est indissectum: solebat enim victima in partes dissecari, itaque in altari comburi: hoc vero ob ingruentes hostes Philistinos dissecari non potuit, sed integrum fuit aræ impositum. Alioqui in omni holocausto tota et integra hostia debebat Deo comburi. Ita Salianus.
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10. Factum est autem, cum Samuel offerret holocaustum, Philistiim (et principes Tyriorum, uti addit Eccles. cap. XLVI, vers. 21) iniere prælium contra Israel: intonuit autem Dominus fragore magno in die illa super Philistiim, et exterruit eos; — «cum adhuc agni victima arderet, inquit Josephus, perterruit Dominus hostes fulmine, tonitru et terræ motu.» Sic Deus per fulmina contrivit exercitum Pharaonis in mari Rubro, ut dixi Exodi XIV; et Chananæos per Josue, cap. XVIII, vers. 11, et Barbaros, per legionem Fulminatricem sub Antonino Imperatore, teste Eusebio, libro V Histor. V, et Eugenium tyrannum per Theodosium Imperatorem, de quo audi Orosium, lib. VII Histor. cap. XXXV: «Dominum Christum solus solum corpore humi fusus, mente cœlo fixus orabat. Dehinc postquam insomnem noctem precum continuatione transegit, et testes propemodum, quas in pretium præsidii cælestis appenderat, lacrymarum lacunas reliquit, fiducialiter arma corripuit.» Hinc felix pugnæ successus. «Continuo, inquit, magnus ille et ineffabilis turbo ventorum, in ora hostium ruit; ferebantur per aerem spicula missa nostrorum, atque ultra mensuram humani jactus, manu in aere portata nusquam propemodum cadere, priusquam impingerent, sinebantur. Tela etiam quæ hostes vehementer intorserant, excepta ventis, impetu supinata ac retrorsum coacta, infeliciter configebant.» Tropologice S. Gregorius: «Tonitrua nubium, ait, sunt ferventia electorum desideria, quibus suggestiones maligni spiritus expellunt. Imperfecta enim Christianorum desideria dæmonibus terribilia non sunt. Fragor magnus ergo tonitrui perfectum est uniuscujusque desiderium electi. Cum igitur fragore magno super Philistæos Dominus intonat, tunc a filiis Israel cæduntur, quia dum electorum mentem perfecta devotio ad superna gaudia erigit, omne quod adversæ parti militat, a se penitus abscindit. Bene quoque prius territi Philistæi, deinde a filiis Israel cædi memorantur: nam terrentur electorum devotione, cæduntur opere; et quia opere devotio prior est, terreri prius, postea vero cædi recte perhibentur. Nam prius donum bonæ voluntatis a Domino accipimus, ut consilia malorum spirituum postmodum confutare valeamus. Bene etiam Dominus super Philistæos intonare, et exterrere eos dicitur, filii autem Israel illos cædere perhibentur; quia bona desideria nobis per divinam gratiam ministrantur, sed nos dona gratiæ per conatum liberi arbitrii ad virtutum victorias promovemus.»
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11. Percusserunt eos usque ad locum qui erat subter Bethchar. — Bethchar erat vicus ita dictus a copia agnorum. Car enim agnum significat: nisi dicas ab agno a Samuele hic immolato locum ita nominatum; agnus enim hic fuit causa victoriæ. Porro Bethchar erat in tribu Juda, vicinus Bethsames, ait S. Hieronymus in Abenezer, nec longe ab Aphese, et Lapide adjutorii. Mystice S. Gregorius Bethchar, id est domus agni, notat vitam et conversationem Christi, ad quam omnes contendere debemus, etiamsi ad illam pertingere non possimus: «Quia, inquit, per indesinetem conatum certaminis, contendere debemus ad arcem perfectionis, ubi jam tanto fimus hostibus nostris terribiliores, quanto redemptori nostro viciniores.»
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12. Lapis adjutorii. — S. Cyprianus, lib. II Testimon., vertit «lapis auxiliator.» Hic lapis fuit perenne monumentum victoriæ Hebræis per preces Samuelis a Deo concessæ. Sic locus cœlestis victoriæ a Deo Carolo Magno datæ appellatus fuit «Mons adjutorii,» teste Crantzio, lib. II Saxoniæ cap. IV.
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14. Eratque pax inter Israel et Amorrhæum, — hoc est inter Judæos et Philistinos; hi enim vocantur hic Amorrhæi, quia ipsi occupaverant ista loca Amorrhæorum; unde censebantur Amorrhæi, hoc est esse e septem gentibus incolentibus terram Judæis a Deo promissam.
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15. Judicabat quoque Israelem cunctis diebus vitæ suæ. 16. Et ibat per singulos annos circuiens Bethel et Galgala et Masphath. — Ideam hic perfecti Judicis et Principis exhibet Samuel circumeundo urbes Israelis, totumque se subditorum commodis impendendo, nec ulli labori parcendo, sed continue judicando, id est lites decidendo, dissidia componendo, pacem et concordiam inter omnes redintegrando firmandoque, regendo, jubendo, castigando malos, bonos præmiando toto tempore vitæ suæ, ita tamen ut in senio filii eum adjuvarent, ac tandem ipse Saul cum a Samuele rex creatus est. Nam quamdiu Saul fuit probus et Deo obediens, Samuelem quasi in principatu socium, imo prophetam coluit, ut patet cap. XI, vers. 7. Improbus vero et inobediens effectus, permisit tamen Samuelem in sua urbe Ramatha degere, et omnium qui ad eum recurrerent, ibidem lites dirimere. Hinc patet Samuelem tempore Saulis regis judicariam potestatem retinuisse, ac cum Saule judicasse populum, usque ad finem vitæ. Denique Samuelem imitentur Principes et Prælati, ut provincias obeant et visitent. Unde Concilium Tridentinum, sess. XXIV, cap. III De reformat., ita sancit: «Patriarchæ, Primates, Metropolitani et Episcopi propriam diœcesim per se ipsos, aut si legitime impediti fuerint, per suum generalem Vicarium, aut Visitatorem; si quotannis totam, propter ejus latitudinem visitare non poterunt, saltem majorem ejus partem; ita tamen ut tota biennio per se vel Visitatores suos compleatur; visitare non prætermittant.» 17. Ædificavit etiam ibi (in Ramatha ubi habitabat) altare Domino, — ut in eo crebro sacrificaret, Deumque toti Israeli placaret. Licet enim Samuel non ex stirpe, sed ex Dei dispensatione extraordinarius esset sacerdos, tamen potestas hoc sacerdotii fuit in eo, non ad unum alterumve duntaxat sacrificandi actum, sed constans, stabilis et perpetua per omnem vitam, ut, quoties vellet ubi liberet, sacrificaret: unde a multis Patribus Samuel vocatur sacerdos, ut dixi cap. II, vers. 35.
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CARIATHIARIM (EBR. QIRJĀTH JĀ 'ĀRIM)
… Per diversi anni ospitò nella casa di Abinadab l'arca dell'alleanza, quando fu restituita ai Giudei dai Filistei che l'avevano presa nella battaglia presso Alek (I Sam. 6, 21; 7, 1 sg.), finché David la fece trasportare in Sion
ELEAZARO (CBR. 'EL'ĀZĀR, « DIO AIUTO »)
2. - Figlio di Abinadab, custode dell'Area dell'alleanza nella casa di suo padre a Cariathiarim (I Sam. 7, 1).
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BAAL (BA'AL = «SIGNORE, PADRONE, POSSESSORE»)
… protettrice, che, in simbiosi coi membri della tribù, era considerata non solo padre, madre, fratello, parente, ma anche « padrone » o Baal; col moltiplicarsi degli dèi, si moltiplicarono i Baalim, di guisa che ogni città ebbe il suo B. e la sua Baalal (I Sam. 7, 3 sgg.; 12, 12); dal culto amorro di « B. delle alte cime », nacque il B. del cielo, il B. Šim, Balsamen. …
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… Comunemente l' Ašerāh vien identificata con A., e a ragione perché i nomi vengono usati promiscuamente nella Bibbia; così (Iudc. 2, 13; 10, 6; I Sam. 7, 4; 12, 10) vien nominato il dio Baal insieme con A. (Iudc. 3, 7) insieme con Ašerāh. …
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… Difatti ne venivano poi cretti legittimamente sul Hebal (Jos. 8, 30), fra le 3 tribù transgiordaniche e a Sichem (ivi. 22, 9-34; 24, 26 sg.); al tempo di Samuele, a Masfa, Rama, Galgala e Betlemme (I Sam. 7, 5-17; 9, 13; 10, 8; 14, 35; 20, 16).
GODOLIA (EBR. GÉDHALJÂH[Â] « GRANDEZZA DI JAHWEH »)
… Probabilmente G. durante l'assedio era passato ai Babilonesi, come tanti altri avversi al partito filogiziano (cf. Ier. 38, 19). Eletto governatore, G. si stabilì in Naspha (v.), già contro religioso di grande importanza ai tempi di Samuele (cf. Ier. 40, 3; I Sam. 7, 5 sgg.; 10, 1 sgg.). …
MASPHA (EBR. MĪSPĀH « VEDETTA »)
5. Città nella tribù di Beniamin, non lontana da Rama (Ios. 18, 25-26). Fu il luogo di riunione degli Ebrei dopo il fatto di Gabaa, dove la moglie del levita ebbe un'ignominiosa morte (Iudc. 20, 1-2), e in seguito di altre (I Sam. 7, 5-14; 10, 47). Fu fortificata da Asa come difesa contro le tribù del nord (I Reg. 15, 22; II Par. 16, 6). Dopo la distruzione di Gerusalemme vi fissò la residenza Godolia a nome dei Babilonesi …
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… Tra l'altro vi si parla di una solenne libazione, forse allusiva al miracolo della roccia del deserto (Ex. 17, 1-7), di cui non si hanno che probabili indizi nel Vecchio Testamento (I Sam. 7, 6 ecc.): durante la cerimonia si cantava il testo di Isaia sulle « acque di salvezza » (Is. 12, 3). A questo rito alludono le parole di Cristo proferite « nell'ultimo della scenopregia …
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vivi è anche dogma di fede proposto dal magistero ordinario e largamente attestato dalla Scrittura sia del Vecchio Testamento (ad es., Gen. 18, 22-32; 20, 7: Abramo intercede per Sodoma e intercederà per Abimelec; Ex. 32, 11-14; Num. 14, 13-20: Mosè intercede per il popolo; I Sam. 7, 8 sg.; Samuele; Job. 42, 8: Giobbe), sia del Nuovo (ad es., la forma plurale nelle domande del Pater; Act. 7, 60; 12, 5; Rom. 15, 30; Eph. 1, 15; 6, 8-20; I Tim. 2, 1-4; Iac. 5, 16-18), …
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… L'a. più piccolo è detto taleh (I Sam. 7, 9; Is. 40, 11), gr. ἀρήν. …
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… Gli Israeliti vengono sconfitti in una dura battaglia, dalla quale si riporta come preda anche l'Arcs sacra (I Sam. 4, 10 sg.); le vittorie riportate dagli Israeliti sotto Samuele (I Sam. 7, 13 sg.) non impedirono ai F. di spingersi man mano avanti fino a Machmas e Gabaa (I Sam. 13, 3.5.11 sg.), mentre il popolo d'Israele era disarmato e impotente (I Sam. 13, 19 sg.).
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… gruppo etnico accanto agli Hittiti (Num. 13,30), sicché rappresenta anche il complesso delle popolazioni palestinesi preisraelitiche (Gen. 15,16; Ios. 24,15; Am. 2,9 s.p.) e corrisponde quindi talora a «Cananei» (Ios. 24,15. 18; Iude. 6, 10; I Sam. 7,14; I Reg. 21,26; Ex. 16,3. 45; ecc.).
GETH (EBR. GATH, ACCAD. GIMTU, « PRESSOIO »)
Il Regno di Giuda la rivendicava a sé (I Sam. 7, 14; I Par. 8, 13; II Par. 11, 8; 26, 6). David la conquistò (II Sam. 8, 1; I Par. 18, 1) ed ebbe un corpo scelto di seicento guerrieri gethiti (II Sam. 15, 18). Hazael, re di …
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… Ha molti tratti ove la descrizione è minutissima (p. es., I Sam. 1; 9-10; 25; II Sam. 9-20), senza però pretendere a forma biografica completa; molti altri tratti invece, di maggior valore storico, politico, sociale, sono redatti in forma schematicissima (p. es., I Sam. 7, 15 sgg.; 14, 47-52; II Sam. 8, 1-18, ecc.). …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.