1 Samuel 7:15. “And Samuel Judged Israel.” “We must regard Samuel’s judging as a directing and ordering, in accordance with the above act of repentance, of the inner affairs of the people, who were by that religious act inwardly again purified. It consisted both in the administration of right and justice according to the law of the Lord, and in government proper, in the wise carrying out of measures that looked to the good of the people. During Saul’s life he kept unchanged the position of a prophet, who employed the authority of the Divine will for the direction of the national life—the mediating priestly position between God and the people; but he also, as last judge, held in his hands the highest control of the theocracy and the kingdom.” (Erdmann).
1 Samuel 7:16. “Bethel.” “A well-known city and holy place of central Palestine, twelve miles from Jerusalem, on the road to Sichem, where its ruins still lie under the scarcely altered name of Beitin.” (Smith’s Bib. Dictionary.) “Gilgal.” At least two places in ancient Palestine were so named, one in the Jordan valley, between that river and Jericho (Joshua 4:19), and one south-west of Shiloh, now called Jiljilia (1 Kings 2:1). It is impossible to decide which is the place here mentioned. Dr. Erdmann says, “The question must be decided in favour of the former, for the reason that Samuel would certainly choose for such assemblies the place that was consecrated by its historical association and religious importance.” Keil rather leans to the opinion that it was the modern Jiljilia.
1 Samuel 7:17. “Ramah.” See note on 1 Samuel 1:1. “There he builded an altar.” Another instance of Samuel’s deviation from the Levitical law. See note on 1 Samuel 7:9.