1 Samuel 7:15

15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life:

1 Samuel 7:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 7:15

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
] Not only before Saul was made king, but afterwards; for though he had not the exercise of the supreme government of the nation, yet he might act as a judge under Saul, and hear and try causes brought before him, and execute justice and judgment; and as a prophet he taught and instructed the people, and reformed abuses among them; and besides, he held and exercised his extraordinary office, to which he was raised up of God, and even took upon him to reprove Saul himself, and to kill Agag. The Jews say F17 he judged Israel thirteen years only, eleven by himself, and two with Saul; but his government must be much larger, his with Saul is reckoned forty years, ( Acts 13:21 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 13. p. 35. Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel in loc. Kimchi in loc.

1 Samuel 7:15 In-Context

13 And the Philistines were humbled, and they did not come any more into the borders of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines, all the days of Samuel.
14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel, were restored to Israel, from Accaron to Geth, and their borders: and he delivered Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and there was peace between Israel and the Amorrhites.
15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life:
16 And he went every year about to Bethel and to Galgal and to Masphath, and he judged Israel in the foresaid places.
17 And he returned to Ramatha: for there was his house, and there he judged Israel: he built also there an altar to the Lord.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.