the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary Haydock's Catholic Commentary
Hannah's Prayer; Samuel's Birth and Dedication.Chapter 2
Hannah's Song; Eli's Wicked Sons Rebuked.Chapter 3
God Calls Samuel; Prophecy Against Eli's House.Chapter 4
Ark Captured by Philistines; Eli's Death.Chapter 5
Ark Brings Plagues Upon the Philistines.Chapter 6
Ark Returned to Israel With Offerings.Chapter 7
Samuel Judges Israel; Philistines Subdued.Chapter 8
Israel Demands a King; Samuel's Warning.Chapter 9
Saul Chosen as Israel's First King.Chapter 10
Saul Anointed by Samuel; Publically Chosen King.Chapter 11
Saul Defeats Ammonites; Confirmed as King.Chapter 12
Samuel's Farewell Speech and Warning to Israel.Chapter 13
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice; Philistines Threaten Israel.Chapter 14
Jonathan's Victory; Saul's Rash Oath.Chapter 15
Saul's Disobedience; Rejected as King by God.Chapter 16
David Anointed as King; Serves Saul.Chapter 17
David Defeats Goliath With God's Help.Chapter 18
David's Success; Saul's Jealousy Grows.Chapter 19
Saul Tries to Kill David; David Flees.Chapter 20
David and Jonathan's Covenant of Friendship.Chapter 21
David's Flight to Nob; Eats Consecrated Bread.Chapter 22
Saul Kills Priests at Nob; David Gathers Followers.Chapter 23
David Saves Keilah; Saul Continues Pursuit.Chapter 24
David Spares Saul in the Cave.Chapter 25
David and Abigail; Nabal's Death.Chapter 26
David Spares Saul Again; Takes His Spear.Chapter 27
David Flees to Philistia, Lives in Ziklag.Chapter 28
Saul Consults the Witch of Endor.Chapter 29
Philistines Reject David's Participation in Battle.Chapter 30
David Rescues Families From Amalekites.Chapter 31
Saul and His Sons Die in Battle.
- 1 Samuel
by George Leo Haydock
THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL;
otherwise called,
THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS.
INTRODUCTION.
This and the following Book are called by the Hebrews, the Books of Samuel, because they contain the history of Samuel, and of the two kings, Saul and David, whom he anointed. They are more commonly named by the Fathers, the First and Second Book of Kings. As to the writer of them, it is the common opinion that Samuel composed the first book, as far as the twenty-fifth chapter; and that the prophets Nathan and Gad finished the first and wrote the second book. See 1 Paralipomenon, alias 1 Chronicles, xxix. 19. (Challoner) --- The authors of the Third and Fourth Books of Kings were also prophets, but we know not exactly their names. These works have nevertheless been always esteemed authentic (Haydock) and canonical. (Worthington) --- Ven. Bede takes occasion to observe, from the Books of Kings (or as the Septuagint read, "of kingdoms;" Haydock) being placed after that of Judges, that the everlasting kingdom of Christ will succeed the general judgment. The translation of the priesthood and of the regal dignity, recorded in these books, denote also that Christ would united both in his own person; as the two wives of Eleana intimated, that both Jews and Gentiles would acknowledge the same Lord. (St. Jerome; St. Augustine; &c.) --- The transactions of Heli, Samuel and Saul, and the persecutions which David sustained from the latter, form the subject of the first book, (Haydock) during the space of 100 years. All the four books carry down the sacred history near 600 years, from the year of the world 2849 till the transmigration of Juda, in the year 3420. (Calmet) (Usher)
