And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
Ver. 9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb.] A figure of that Lamb undefiled and without spot, Jesus Christ, by whom we prevail over all our spiritual enemies, as here Israel did over the Philistines. It was a sucking lamb, to show, haply, that the people purposed to be renewed in piety and holiness a - a lamb of no great price, to show that God looketh not to the greatness of the gift, but to the heart of the offerer. b
And offered it for a burnt offering.] This he might do as a prophet, though no priest, saith Kimchi. See 1 Kings 18:30,31 .
And Samuel cried unto the Lord.] He was famous for calling upon God's name with singular success. Psa 99:6 Jer 15:1
And the Lord heard him.] So he doth all such as bring unto him honest hearts and lawful petitions: these are sure of not miscarrying returns of their prayers.
a Diod.
b Pet. Martyr.