John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And Samuel said, how can I go ? etc.] Which argues weakness of faith in Samuel, and fear of man, and a diffidence in and distrust of divine power; for otherwise he that sent him on such an errand could protect him: if Saul hear it, he will kill me ; should hear that Samuel went and anointed another king, it would so enrage him, that he would either immediately lay hands on him, and put him to death, or order him to be put to death; and indeed were it not that this was done by the command of God, he would deserve to die; it being an overt act of treason to anoint another king: and the Lord said, take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord ; a peace offering, which might be done any where in those unsettled times, the ark being at one place, and the tabernacle at another; and might be offered upon a private altar, and by a private person; and as it seems Samuel used to sacrifice at different places; (see Samuel 7:9 11:15). Ben Gersom relates it as the sense of one of their Rabbins in his age, that there was a person slain in those parts, not known by whom he was slain; and so Samuel is ordered to take an heifer to fulfil the law in ( Deuteronomy 21:1-9) and therefore Saul would make no inquiry into his reason of going thither with an heifer, and this is commended both by him and Abarbinel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - It appears that Saul was grown very wicked. Of what would he not be guilty, who durst think to kill Samuel? The elders of Bethlehe trembled at Samuel's coming. It becomes us to stand in awe of God' messengers, and to tremble at his word. His answer was, I com peaceably, for I come to sacrifice. When our Lord Jesus came into the world, though men had reason to fear that his errand was to condemn the world, yet he gave full assurance that he came peaceably, for he cam to sacrifice, and he brought his offering with him; A body hast tho prepared me. Let us sanctify ourselves, and depend upon His sacrifice.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 שׁמואל8050 איך349 אלך1980 ושׁמע8085 שׁאול7586 והרגני2026 ויאמר559 יהוה3068 עגלת5697 בקר1241 תקח3947 בידך3027 ואמרת559 לזבח2076 ליהוה3068 באתי׃935
