The First Book of Samuel – What Does This Mean?

When do we learn about the books of Samuel or Kings or Chronicles? We probably learn about Samuel and Saul and David and Solomon from Bible stories that our parents read to us. Perhaps we hear the stories in Sunday School. Rarely do we hear these stories in confirmation class. Even rarer will you hear about these stories in the Sunday sermon. I have found in my own life that I have never once attended a Lutheran Bible Study on these books.

Whether it’s because it’s a different nation and its history, or because it’s low on the priority list for pastors and congregations, the Samuels and Kings and Chronicles are still part of God’s Word, and a significant chunk of our Bibles. In my Bible, these books fill 288 pages! And probably some think that these books do not have enough encouragement or comfort. But we will have to wait and see (and read together) these passages to see what we have been missing.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:

1 Samuel 1:1-2

The Birth of Samuel

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

First, let’s clarify some places and people we might be unfamiliar with. The first thing I notice is Ramathaim-zophim. This is the lengthened name that is more familiar to us as Ramah. We know about Ramah because Jeremiah (31:15) prophesies that Jacob’s wife Rachel was weeping for her children there.

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.

Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children,

because they are no more.”

This is the reading that we sometimes hear on the Second Sunday after Christmas, when Matthew quotes Jeremiah as the prophecy that Herod would kill the firstborn sons in Judah and Bethlehem because of Jesus. The Ramathaim of 1 Samuel is the Ramah we hear in the Gospels. Our chapter for today sets the stage for the later coming of Jesus!

But wait, there’s more! This is the same place that we hear about later in the Gospels. When Jacob and Rachel were alive, the town was Ramah. When Hannah and Samuel were alive, the town was named Ramathaim-zophim. But when Jesus was alive, the name of that same town was changed to Arimathea. Can you see the similarities? This is the town of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who gave up his tomb and buried Jesus in it for three days. When Jesus rose, there was no more grief and weeping for Rachel, and there was no more sorrow for Hannah. For the Son of God was raised from the dead and He now lives.

The second name I want us to take a look at is Elkanah. Elkanah is part of the tribe of Levi, the tribe set aside for priests. It is because of Elkanah that Samuel can become a priest for the Lord. Elkanah’s name reflects that beautifully. “El” is the Hebrew name for “God” and “kanah” is the Hebrew verb “to possess.” Put it together and you get “God possesses” or “God bought.” What a Gospel name that is! God has bought Elkanah, paid for his sins, and made him a priest for God’s people!

Finally, let’s take a look at Hannah. Hannah means “grace.” On the one hand, we realize that the beginning of this book appears to suggest that God has not given Hannah grace. It appears God has not been gracious. For He gave Peninnah children, but Hannah had no children. This is a devastating situation for any woman, especially those women who want to have children. For motherhood is the greatest joy for women. We find this true even today. If you ever talk to a widow, she will rarely talk to you about her job or about her friends. But she will certainly tell you about her husband and about her children. We can understand Hannah’s situation, and we can pray today for all women who want to have children of their own.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, Your people have wept in Ramah. But You sent Your Son to be buried there and to be raised from the dead there. Thank You for offering up Your one and only Son for the sacrifice for our sins and for raising Him so that He lives again. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lord, like Elkanah, You have bought us as Your people. We are no longer slaves to anyone but You. Strengthen us to serve our neighbors in the church and in the world. Like Elkanah, remind us to go to church and to bring our wife and children to know You, trust You, and love You. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly Father, You comforted Rachel in her weeping and Hannah because she had no children. Comfort mothers whose children have died. Comfort women who wish to have children and cannot. Answer their prayers, for motherhood is the greatest joy. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Rev. James Peterson
First Lutheran Church
Phillipsburg, Kansas