撒母耳记上 9章7节 到 9章7节 背景资料 上一笔 下一笔

     * what shall.
     # Jud 6:18; 13:15-17; 1Ki 14:3; 2Ki 4:42; 5:5; 8:8|
     * spent in.  Heb. gone out of, etc.  there is not.
       We are not to suppose from this that the prophets took money
       to predict future events:  Saul only refers to an invariable
       custom, that no man approached a superior without some present
       or another, however small in value.  Dr. Pococke tells us of a
       present of fifty radishes!  Other authors mention a flower, an
       orange, or similar trifles; and Mr. Bruce says, that one who
       wished to solicit a favour from him, presented him with about
       a score of dates!  "I mention this trifling circumstance,"
       says Mr. B. "to shew how essential to human and civil
       intercourse presents are considered to be in the East; whether
       it be dates, or whether it be diamonds, they are so much a
       part of their manners, that without them, an inferior will
       never be at peace in his own mind, or think that he has hold
       of his superior for protection.  But superiors give no
       presents to their inferiors."  Presents then are tokens of
       honour; not intended as offers of payment or enrichment.

     * have we.  Heb. is with us.