ELKANAH AND HIS RIVAL WIVES. The book opens with a domestic scene which throws light on the practical working of polygamy in ancient Israel. The husband is an Ephraimite, Elkanah of Ramah, _i.e._ the Height perhaps Rimo, twelve miles west of Shiloh. Elkanah had two wives (a very common arrangement,... [ Continue Reading ]
HANNAH PRAYS FOR A CHILD. In her distress Hannah betook herself to the sanctuary and prayed before Yahweh, _i.e._ before the Ark, for a son. She vowed that if a son were given her, she would devote him to Yahweh; the outward sign of his devotion being one of the peculiarities of the Nazirites (pp. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL IS BORN AND DEDICATED TO YAHWEH. The family went home and in due time a son was born to Hannah, whom she called Shemuel (Samuel), possibly, His name is God. His Name = Yahweh, _i.e._ Yahweh is God; _cf._ Elijah and Joel, which have a similar meaning. When Samuel was weaned, _i.e._ after two y... [ Continue Reading ]