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(^124) This Beth-aven is mentioned in Joshua 7:2, and must not be confounded with
Bethel, east of which it evidently lay, between Bethel and Michmash. At the same
time the word rendered "eastward from Beth-aven" (ver. 5) does not necessarily
mean "eastwards," but might also be rendered "in front of," or "over against."
(^125) So ver. 7 literally.
(^126) I have so punctuated in accordance with most critics, to indicate that the
offering of sacrifices refers to Saul's purpose in going to Gilgal, and that the
sentence about Samuel's coming down is intercalated. But on this point I do not
feel sure. It would make no difference, however, so far as regards the meaning of
Samuel, whose injunction was intended to warn Saul not to interfere with the
functions of the priestly office. I have, of course, translated the passage literally.
The rendering of our Authorised Version, "and thou shalt go down," is impossible.
We have our choice between the imperative and the conditional mood, and the
balance of argument is strongly in favor of the latter.
(^127) Of course, two other theories are possible. The one, a suggestion that the verse 1
Samuel 10:8 may be displaced in our Hebrew text, and should stand somewhere
else, is a wild and vague hypothesis. The other suggestion, that all between 10:17
and 13:2 is intercalated from another narrative will not bear investigation. If the
reader tries to piece ch. 10:16 to 13:3, he will at once perceive that there would be
a felt gap in the narrative. Besides, how are we to account for the selection of three
thousand men, and the going to war against the Philistines on the part of a man
who is made the target of wit in his own place, and who dares not tell even his own
uncle of his secret elevation to the royal office?
(^128) The context seems to imply that Saul offered his sacrifice and Samuel came
before the actual termination of the seven days.
(^129) Our Authorised Version erroneously corrects, "Gibeah," apparently following
the LXX.
(^130) This Ahiah, or rather Achijah ("brother," "friend of Jehovah"), is supposed to be
the same as Achimelech ("brother," "friend of the King," viz., Jehovah), 1 Samuel
22:9, etc. Ewald (Gesch., 2., 585, Note 3) regards the two names as
interchangeable, like Elimelech and Elijahu. Keil suggests that Achimelech may
have been a brother of Achijah.
(^)