- 134-
and retaining the Chethib to translate interrogatively, "And are not deeds
weighed?"
(^23) The verb which agrees with heroes is used both in a literal and a metaphorical
sense - in the latter for confounded, afraid.
(^24) Cp. Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 30:3; 71:20; 86:13.
(^25) Cp. Psalm 113:7, 8.
(^26) Psalm 56:13; 116:8; 121:3, and others.
(^27) Psalm 33:16, 17.
(^28) The Meil was properly the high-priestly robe (Exodus 28:31). Of course,
Samuel's was of different material, and without border.
(^29) See the pertinent remarks of Ewald, u.s., p. 10.
(^30) The mention of this in Scripture is not intended to represent Eli as a man whose
faculties were gone, but to account for the absolute rule of his sons, and for that
indulgence which men in their old age are apt to show towards their children.
(^31) Belial means literally lowness, that is, vileness.
(^32) So literally.
(^33) Notwithstanding high authority, I cannot accept the view which would connect
the first clause of 1 Samuel 2:13 (of course, without the words in italics) with the
last clause of ver. 12.
(^34) Ver. 22. "The women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle" were, no
doubt, officially engaged in some service, although we know not wherein it
consisted. Comp. Exodus 38:8.
(^35) The Authorised Version renders, evidently incorrectly: "Thou shalt see an enemy
in My habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel." But the
suggestions of modern critics are not more satisfactory. I would venture to propose
the following rendering of these difficult expressions: "And thou shalt see
adversity to the tabernacle in all that benefits Israel;" i.e., constant humiliation of
the priesthood during the prosperity of Israel, a prediction amply fulfilled in the
(^)