The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 14

Vera. 1-8. (RAMAH.)-A Hebrew family. The family is a Divine institution. It is the most ancient, most needful, and most enduring form of society; and, in proportion as it ac·cords with the plan of its original constitution, it is productive of most beneficent effects, both temporal and spiritual, to the individual and the community. In times of general laxity and anarchy it has been, in many instances, a little sacred· islet of purity, order, and peace, and nurtured the elements out of which a better age has grown. The real strength of a nation lies in its domestic life, and Israel was in this respect eminent above all other ancient nations. Even in the days of· the judges, when "there was no king in Israel," and "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges xxi. 25), there were many godly families scattered through the land. One of these was that which gave birth to SAllUEL, the last of the series of the judges, the first of the order of the prophets, and the founder of the Hebrew monarchy. Tliis family is introduced with a brief description (vers. I, 2). The residence of the family was Ramab (the Height), or, more fully described, Ramathaim (the Two Heights). Here Samuel was born and nurtured; bad his permanent abode during the latter portion of his life ; died, and was buried. There is not a more sacred spot on earth than the home which is endeared by tender association and religious communion. "A spot of earth supremely blest ; A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest." " Things are not to be valued on account of places, but places for the good things- which they contain" (Bede). "God chooses any common spot for a mighty incident/ or the home of a mighty spirit.'' Consider the family as- I. OUDERED BY A GODLY HEAD (ver. 3). His piety was sbown-1. By his regular- attendance on IJivine ordinances. He worshipped "the Lord of hosts," not Baalim and Ashtaroth ( eh. vii. 4) ; in the way of his appointment, at the tabernacle in Shiloh, at the proper season, and with the prescribed sacrifices ; not according to his own reason or inclination merely, a will-worship which is not acceptable to God. 2. By his sincere and spiritual service, in: contrast to the formal, worthless, and hypo- critical service of others, especially the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinebas ( eh. ii. 12), and undeterred by their evil conduct in the priestly office. 3. By his faithful per- formance of his vows (ver. 21). 4. By his conversation and prayer in his own house (ver. 23). 6. lllJ his conducting all the members of his family to "the house of the Lord" (ver. 7), m the exercise of his parental authority, accompanied by instrnction and example. The words of the Law of Moses were evidently familiar to him (Deut. vi. '6-9), and happy is the family in which they are obeyed. U. UNITING IN SOCIAL FESTIVITY (vers. 4, 5). Once a year he took his journey, in company with his family, from Ramah to the central sanctuary of the Divine King of Israel, for the twofold purpose of worshipping (lit., bowing down) and sacrificing before Jehovah. The sacrifice he offered was a peace offering (Dent. xxvii. 7), in which, when the animal was killed, the priest received its breast and right shoulder as nis-  8 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH, I. 1-8.