PERSON · Complete Bible Study
The son of Elkanah and of Hannah, of the tribe of Levi, and family of Kohath, was born, A. M. Samuel is rendered in the installed Bible Names resource as “heard of God; asked of God.” This unified study connects 9 installed resource categories without replacing their source records.
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Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible lexical data / BDB-Strong mapping
Samuel, name of Ēl, Samuel, Shemuel.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
Samuel
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon
Samuel
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon
Samuel, Shemuel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Source: Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary · View data sources
A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Source: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary · View data sources
Strong's Concordance
Indexed occurrences: 141
Source: Strong's Concordance · View data sources
Nave's Topical Bible
Source: Nave's Topical Bible · View data sources
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Source: Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary · View data sources
Matthew cites Micah when identifying Bethlehem as the ruler's birthplace.
Matthew applies Hosea's retrospective description of Israel to Yeshua's return from Egypt.
Yeshua directly quotes Deuteronomy in response to the wilderness temptation.
Hebrews quotes Jeremiah's new-covenant promise and develops its significance.
Josephus Antiquities Whiston
Antiquities Book 1, Chapter 22
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Antiquities Book 3, Chapter 15
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Antiquities Book 4, Chapter 8
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Antiquities Book 5, Chapter 10
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Antiquities Book 5, Chapter 11
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 2
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 3
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 4
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 5
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 6
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 7
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 8
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 11
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 13
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Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 14
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Antiquities Book 7, Chapter 15
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Antiquities Book 8, Chapter 15
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Antiquities Book 9, Chapter 14
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Antiquities Book 11, Chapter 8
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Did the witch of Endor really call up Samuel, and does this story prove that dead souls live outside of the body? The Bible talks about how Saul obtained help from a witch to try to co…
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ABIGAIL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ABIMELECH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ABINADAB.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ADRIEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ADULLAM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AHINOAM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AJALON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AMALEKITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AMMONITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AMORITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AND HIS JUSTICE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ANER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ARCHERY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ASHDOD.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ASHURITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ASRIEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ATONEMENT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AWL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for AZEKAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BAAL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BAALIM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BARRENNESS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BATTLE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BEAM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BEER-SHEBA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETH-AVEN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETH-HORON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETH-REHOB.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETH-SHEAN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETH-SHEMESH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BETHLEHEM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BIER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BLASTING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BOIL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BOW.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BRACELET.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BRICK.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for BUTTER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CAMEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CAPTAIN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CAPTIVE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CART.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CAVALRY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CAVE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHARIOT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHARIOTS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHEESE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHERETHITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CHILDLESSNESS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for COAL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for COMPANY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONNIVANCE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONSTITUTION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONTINGENCIES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONTINGENT UPON OBEDIENCE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONTRACTS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CONTRASTED WITH THE RIGHTEOUS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CORN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for COUNSELLOR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for COUNTRY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for COWARDICE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CREMATION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for CUP.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DAGON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DALE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DAN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DANCING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DART.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DAUGHTER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DOER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DOUBTING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DRY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for DUST.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ENEMY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for EUPHRATES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FAT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FLAGON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FLESHHOOK.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FOOD.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FOOTMAN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for FRIENDSHIP.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GARRISON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GATH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GEBA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GENEALOGY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GERA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GIBEAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GIBEON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GILOH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GIRDLE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GOAT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GODLESSNESS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for GRACE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HANGING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HARP.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HAVILAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HAZOR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HELL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HIGH PLACES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HIGH PRIEST.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HIRAM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HITTITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HIVITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HONEY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HORMAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for HOUGHING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ICONOCLASM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for INGRATITUDE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for INSURGENTS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JABESH-GILEAD.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JACOB.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JATTIR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JESSE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JEZREEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JOEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JONATHAN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JORDAN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for JUDGE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for KABZEEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for KISH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for KISS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for LENTILES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for LIFE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for LINEAR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for LORD.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MEDIATOR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MEHOLATHITE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MILK.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MINISTERS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MOURNING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for MUSTER.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for NAHATH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for NATIONAL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for NATIONS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for NIGHT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for NOB.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for OBLIGATION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for OFFERINGS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for OPHRAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PANIC.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PELETHITES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PHILISTINES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PILLOW.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PIRATHON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for POLYGAMY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PREDESTINATION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PROPHECIES CONCERNING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PROPHETS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for PROVERBS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RACHEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RAMAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RAMOTH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RAPHA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RED SEA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RELIGIOUS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RENDING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for RESIGNATION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ROGEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SALUTATIONS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SAMUEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SECRET.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SEEKERS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SELF-EXISTENT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SEVEN.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHAARAIM.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHEKEL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHEKINAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHEPHERD.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHILOH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SHUR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SIDON.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SISERA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SLING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SOCOH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SPEAKING EVIL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SPEAR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SPOILS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for STONES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for STRAY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for SYRIA.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TABERNACLES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TABLE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TARGET.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TENT.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for THEBEZ.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for THEOCRACY.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for THRESHING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TIME.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TROPHIES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TRUTH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for TUMOR.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for UBIQUITOUS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for UNSEARCHABLE.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for UNSELFISHNESS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for VAIL.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for VICTORIES.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for VISION.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for WALLS.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for WEAVING.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for WICKED.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ZELAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ZERUIAH.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ZIKLAG.
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Nave’s Topical Bible references for ZIPH.
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Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Ex. 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Sam. 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Sam. 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Sam. 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Ex. 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with divers colours. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, and fine twined linen" (28:6-12). The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod.
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The two books of Kings formed originally but one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. The present division into two books was first made by the LXX., which now, with the Vulgate, numbers them as the third and fourth books of Kings, the two books of Samuel being the first and second books of Kings. They contain the annals of the Jewish commonwealth from the accession of Solomon till the subjugation of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians (apparently a period of about four hundred and fifty-three years). The books of Chronicles (q.v.) are more comprehensive in their contents than those of Kings. The latter synchronize with 1 Chr. 28-2 Chr. 36:21. While in the Chronicles greater prominence is given to the priestly or Levitical office, in the Kings greater prominence is given to the kingly. The authorship of these books is uncertain. There are some portions of them and of Jeremiah that are almost identical, e.g., 2 Kings 24:18-25 and Jer. 52; 39:1-10; 40:7-41:10. There are also many undesigned coincidences between Jeremiah and Kings (2 Kings 21-23 and Jer. 7:15; 15:4; 19:3, etc.), and events recorded in Kings of which Jeremiah had personal knowledge. These facts countenance in some degree the tradition that Jeremiah was the author of the books of Kings. But the more probable supposition is that Ezra, after the Captivity, compiled them from documents written perhaps by David, Solomon, Nathan, Gad, and Iddo, and that he arranged them in the order in which they now exist. In the threefold division of the Scriptures by the Jews, these books are ranked among the "Prophets." They are frequently quoted or alluded to by our Lord and his apostles (Matt. 6:29; 12:42; Luke 4:25, 26; 10:4; comp. 2 Kings 4:29; Mark 1:6; comp. 2 Kings 1:8; Matt. 3:4, etc.). The sources of the narrative are referred to (1) "the book of the acts of Solomon" (1 Kings 11:41); (2) the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (14:29; 15:7, 23, etc.); (3) the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (14:19; 15:31; 16:14, 20, 27, etc.). The date of its composition was some time between B.C. 561, the date of the last chapter (2 Kings 25), when Jehoiachin was released from captivity by Evil-merodach, and B.C. 538, the date of the decree of deliverance by Cyrus.
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Frequent references are found in Scripture to, (1.) Mourning for the dead. Abraham mourned for Sarah (Gen. 23:2); Jacob for Joseph (37:34, 35); the Egyptians for Jacob (50:3-10); Israel for Aaron (Num. 20:29), for Moses (Deut. 34:8), and for Samuel (1 Sam. 25:1); David for Abner (2 Sam. 3:31, 35); Mary and Martha for Lazarus (John 11); devout men for Stephen (Acts 8:2), etc. (2.) For calamities, Job (1:20, 21; 2:8); Israel (Ex. 33:4); the Ninevites (Jonah 3:5); Israel, when defeated by Benjamin (Judg. 20:26), etc. (3.) Penitential mourning, by the Israelites on the day of atonement (Lev. 23:27; Acts 27:9); under Samuel's ministry (1 Sam. 7:6); predicted in Zechariah (Zech. 12:10, 11); in many of the psalms (51, etc.). Mourning was expressed, (1) by weeping (Gen. 35:8, marg.; Luke 7:38, etc.); (2) by loud lamentation (Ruth 1:9; 1 Sam. 6:19; 2 Sam. 3:31); (3) by the disfigurement of the person, as rending the clothes (Gen. 37:29, 34; Matt. 26:65), wearing sackcloth (Gen. 37:34; Ps. 35:13), sprinkling dust or ashes on the person (2 Sam. 13:19; Jer. 6:26; Job 2:12), shaving the head and plucking out the hair of the head or beard (Lev. 10:6; Job 1:20), neglect of the person or the removal of ornaments (Ex. 33:4; Deut. 21:12, 13; 2 Sam. 14:2; 19:24; Matt. 6:16, 17), fasting (2 Sam. 1:12), covering the upper lip (Lev. 13:45; Micah 3:7), cutting the flesh (Jer. 16:6, 7), and sitting in silence (Judg. 20:26; 2 Sam. 12:16; 13:31; Job 1:20). In the later times we find a class of mourners who could be hired to give by their loud lamentation the external tokens of sorrow (2 Chr. 35:25; Jer. 9:17; Matt. 9:23). The period of mourning for the dead varied. For Jacob it was seventy days (Gen. 50:3); for Aaron (Num. 20:29) and Moses (Deut. 34:8) thirty days; and for Saul only seven days (1 Sam. 31:13). In 2 Sam. 3:31-35, we have a description of the great mourning for the death of Abner.
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(Heb. nabi, from a root meaning "to bubble forth, as from a fountain," hence "to utter", comp. Ps. 45:1). This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet. In the time of Samuel another word, ro'eh, "seer", began to be used (1 Sam. 9:9). It occurs seven times in reference to Samuel. Afterwards another word, hozeh, "seer" (2 Sam. 24:11), was employed. In 1 Ch. 29:29 all these three words are used: "Samuel the seer (ro'eh), Nathan the prophet (nabi'), Gad the seer" (hozeh). In Josh. 13:22 Balaam is called (Heb.) a kosem "diviner," a word used only of a false prophet. The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him, as the "seer" beheld the vision of God. (See Num. 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God's name and by his authority (Ex. 7:1). He is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jer. 1:9; Isa. 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; comp. Heb. 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25). Prophets were the immediate organs of God for the communication of his mind and will to men (Deut. 18:18, 19). The whole Word of God may in this general sense be spoken of as prophetic, inasmuch as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God, no matter what its nature might be. The foretelling of future events was not a necessary but only an incidental part of the prophetic office. The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was "to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lie at the foundation of his government." Any one being a spokesman for God to man might thus be called a prophet. Thus Enoch, Abraham, and the patriarchs, as bearers of God's message (Gen. 20:7; Ex. 7:1; Ps. 105:15), as also Moses (Deut. 18:15; 34:10; Hos. 12:13), are ranked among the prophets. The seventy elders of Israel (Num. 11:16-29), "when the spirit rested upon them, prophesied;" Asaph and Jeduthun "prophesied with a harp" (1 Chr. 25:3). Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Ex. 15:20; Judg. 4:4). The title thus has a general application to all who have messages from God to men. But while the prophetic gift was thus exercised from the beginning, the prophetical order as such began with Samuel. Colleges, "schools of the prophets", were instituted for the training of prophets, who were constituted, a distinct order (1 Sam. 19:18-24; 2 Kings 2:3, 15; 4:38), which continued to the close of the Old Testament. Such "schools" were established at Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, Gibeah, and Jericho. The "sons" or "disciples" of the prophets were young men (2 Kings 5:22; 9:1, 4) who lived together at these different "schools" (4:38-41). These young men were taught not only the rudiments of secular knowledge, but they were brought up to exercise the office of prophet, "to preach pure morality and the heart-felt worship of Yahweh, and to act along and co-ordinately with the priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright and checking all attempts at illegality and tyranny." In New Testament times the prophetical office was continued. Our Lord is frequently spoken of as a prophet (Luke 13:33; 24:19). He was and is the great Prophet of the Church. There was also in the Church a distinct order of prophets (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20; 3:5), who made new revelations from God. They differed from the "teacher," whose office it was to impart truths already revealed. Of the Old Testament prophets there are sixteen, whose prophecies form part of the inspired canon. These are divided into four groups: (1.) The prophets of the northern kingdom (Israel), viz., Hosea, Amos, Joel, Jonah. (2.) The prophets of Judah, viz., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. (3.) The prophets of Captivity, viz., Ezekiel and Daniel. (4.) The prophets of the Restoration, viz., Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
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The LXX. translators regarded the books of Samuel and of Kings as forming one continuous history, which they divided into four books, which they called "Books of the Kingdom." The Vulgate version followed this division, but styled them "Books of the Kings." These books of Samuel they accordingly called the "First" and "Second" Books of Kings, and not, as in the modern Protestant versions, the "First" and "Second" Books of Samuel. The authors of the books of Samuel were probably Samuel, Gad, and Nathan. Samuel penned the first twenty-four chapters of the first book. Gad, the companion of David (1 Sam. 22:5), continued the history thus commenced; and Nathan completed it, probably arranging the whole in the form in which we now have it (1 Chr. 29:29). The contents of the books. The first book comprises a period of about a hundred years, and nearly coincides with the life of Samuel. It contains (1) the history of Eli (1-4); (2) the history of Samuel (5-12); (3) the history of Saul, and of David in exile (13-31). The second book, comprising a period of perhaps fifty years, contains a history of the reign of David (1) over Judah (1-4), and (2) over all Israel (5-24), mainly in its political aspects. The last four chapters of Second Samuel may be regarded as a sort of appendix recording various events, but not chronologically. These books do not contain complete histories. Frequent gaps are met with in the record, because their object is to present a history of the kingdom of God in its gradual development, and not of the events of the reigns of the successive rulers. It is noticeable that the section (2 Sam. 11:2-12: 29) containing an account of David's sin in the matter of Bathsheba is omitted in the corresponding passage in 1 Chr. 20.
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heard of God; asked of God
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(1 Sam. 19:18-24; 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, 12, 15) were instituted for the purpose of training young men for the prophetical and priestly offices. (See [553]PROPHET; [554]SAMUEL.)
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The Hebrews were not permitted by the Philistines in the days of Samuel to have a smith amongst them, lest they should make them swords and spears (1 Sam. 13:19). Thus the Philistines sought to make their conquest permanent (comp. 2 Kings 24:16).
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(1 Sam. 9:5, 6), a district in which lay Samuel's city, Ramah. It was probably so named after Elkanah's son, Zuph (1 Chr. 6:26, marg.).
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