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(^98) This is the view of Bunsen, and especially of Oehler, and seems to afford the
only correct interpretation of the saying.
(^99) Samuel speaks of "the Spirit of Jehovah," while in the actual narrative we read of
the "Spirit of Elohim." Can the change of term have been intentional?
(^100) See Vol. 3 of this History.
(^101) If I may express it by a play upon two Latin words: In the one case it is affectus
ab effectu; in the other, if there effectus, it is effectus ab affectu.
(^102) Thus, for example, in the case of Balaam, and even of Pharaoh.
(^103) Thenius and other writers regard this account of the election of Saul as
incompatible with that of the previous interview between him and Samuel. They
accordingly speak of two different accounts here incorporated into one narrative.
But the thoughtful reader will agree with Ewald that closer consideration will
convince us that Saul's appointment would have been incomplete without the
public selection at Mizpeh.
(^104) We note that the lot was, in this instance, not cast but drawn, evidently out of an
urn. This is implied in the expression "taken," or rather "taken out," vers, 20, 21
(comp. Leviticus 16:8; Numbers 33:54; Joshua 7:14). The election was evidently
first of tribes, then of clans, (here that of Matri), then of families, and lastly of
individuals in the family selected. As the name of Matri does not otherwise occur,
Ewald suggests that it is a copyist's error for Bichri, 2 Samuel 20:1.
(^105) So Keil.
(^106) This is the suggestion of Nagelsbach.
(^107) This is Ewald's view.
(^108) The reluctance of Moses and of Jeremiah in similar circumstances afford no
parallel, although that of the former, at least, was the result of weakness in faith.
But their hesitation was before God, not before men.
(^109) Our Authorised Version translates, both here and 1 Samuel 8:9, 11, "the
manner;" but the word can only mean "right," in the sense of right belonging to, or
claimed by, any one. Thenius speaks of this as the establishment of a constitutional
monarchy. But if "constitution" there was, it was God-given, not man-made.
(^)