John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb , etc.] Which it might be, and yet more than eight days old, for under that it might not be sacrificed, ( Exodus 22:30) and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord ; the whole of it was burnt, skin and all, whereas the skin was the priest’s in other burnt offerings; and this is remarked as one of the three things in which it differed from other offerings; the word being feminine, the Jews gather from hence, as Jarchi notes, that females might be offered at a private altar: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel ; not only offered a sacrifice for them, but prayed for them: and the Lord heard him ; and answered him, either by causing fire to come down on the sacrifice, by which it was consumed, or by the voice of thunder, which frightened and discomfited the Philistines; and the event of things manifestly showed it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-12 - The Philistines invaded Israel. When sinners begin to repent an reform, they must expect that Satan will muster all his force agains them, and set his instruments at work to the utmost, to oppose an discourage them. The Israelites earnestly beg Samuel to pray for them Oh what a comfort it is to all believers, that our great Intercesso above never ceases, is never silent! for he always appears in the presence of God for us. Samuel's sacrifice, without his prayer, ha been an empty shadow. God gave a gracious answer. And Samuel erected memorial of this victory, to the glory of God, and to encourage Israel Through successive generations, the church of God has had cause to se up Eben-ezers for renewed deliverances; neither outward persecution nor inward corruptions have prevailed against her, because "hithert the Lord hath helped her:" and he will help, even to the end of the world.
Original Hebrew ויקח3947 שׁמואל8050 טלה2924 חלב2461 אחד259 ויעלה5927 עולה5930 כליל3632 ליהוה3068 ויזעק2199 שׁמואל8050 אל413 יהוה3068 בעד1157 ישׂראל3478 ויענהו6030 יהוה׃3068
