1 Samuel

Lore & Background

The Jerusalem Bible divides the two Books of Samuel into five sections. Further subheadings are also based on subdivisions in that version: 1 Samuel 1:1–7:17. Samuel; 1 Samuel 8:1–15:35. Samuel and Saul; 1 Samuel 16:1–2 Samuel 1:27. Saul and David; 2 Samuel 2:1–20:26. David; 2 Samuel 21:1–24:25. Supplementary Information.

Reader's Guide

1 Samuel: Samuel (1:1–7:17): The childhood of Samuel (1:1–4:1a): A man named Elkanah, an Ephraimite from the city of Ramathaim-Zophim, has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah, the latter of whom is his favourite wife. A rivalry between the two develops based on the fact that Peninnah has children and Hannah does not. The childless Hannah vows to Yahweh, the lord of hosts, that if she has a son, he will be dedicated to God. Eli, the priest of Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant is located, thinks she is drunk, but when he realises she is praying, he blesses her. A child named Samuel is born, and Samuel is dedicated to the Lord as a Nazirite – the only one besides Samson to be identified in the Bible. Hannah sings a song of praise upon the fulfilment of her vow. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, sin against God's laws and the people, specifically by demanding raw rather than boiled meat for sacrifice and having sexual relations with the Tabernacle's serving women. However, Samuel grows up 'in the presence of the Lord': his family visits him each year, bringing him a new coat, and Hannah has five more children. Eli tries to persuade his sons to stop their wickedness but fails. As punishment for this, a holy man arrives, prophesying that Eli's family will be cut off and none of his descendants will see old age. One night, God calls Samuel, and, thinking Eli is calling him three times, he rushes to Eli. Eli informs him that God wishes to speak to him, and God informs Samuel that the earlier prophecy about Eli's family is correct. Samuel is initially afraid to inform Eli, but Eli tells him not to be, and that God will do what is good in His sight. Over time, Samuel grows up and is recognised as a prophet. The Ark in Philistine hands (4:1b–7:17): The Philistines, despite their initial worries when hearing the Israelite ritual of the entrance of the Ark of the Covenant, defeat the Israelites at the Battle of Aphek, capturing the Ark and killing Hophni and Phinehas, thus fulfilling the earlier prophecy. When Eli hears of these two events, particularly the capture of the Ark, he falls off his chair and dies. His daughter-in-law, in turn, goes into labour at this, and names her son Ichabod ('without glory') in commemoration of the capture of the Ark. Meanwhile, the Philistines take the Ark to the temple of their god Dagon, who recognizes the supremacy of Yahweh. The Philis

Did You Know?

• Elkanah is an Ephraimite from Ramathaim-Zophim, not an Ephrathite.
• The Ark was captured by the Philistines at the Battle of Aphek (1 Samuel 4:11), not in 1 Samuel 5:2.
• Samuel gathers Israel at Mizpah, where the Philistines attack; Samuel appeals to God there.
• The source does not specify the verse for Samuel's death; it only says Samuel dies and David mourns him.
• Samuel anoints Saul as king earlier in the narrative (in the institution of the monarchy), not in 1 Samuel 15:1.