Here begins the law of the peaceofferings, containing additional directions to those given in chapter 3. They are classified as (1) thank-offerings, (2) vow-offerings and (3) voluntary-offerings. When the soul is full of gratitude, as was Hannah when Samuel was granted her in answer to prayer, what is more natural than that it should render some tangible recognition to him, from whom cometh every eood and perfect gift!

We are ready enough to ery to God in times of great sorrow, but are too forgetful of his benefits when the cloud passes and the sun shines again. In Israel the recognition took the form of a feast, in which the divine fire and the supphant seem to feed together. The careful prohibition of the flesh remaining over was probably to teach that fresh mercies call for new songs. It had the further result of enforcing a liberal distribution of food amongst the poor. See also the connection of this thought with Ps. 16:10.