Also like the first, Elkanahs second speech at once reinforces his traditional familial roles and acknowledges his emotional distance from his wife. Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And 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. Thus, Samuel is rightly considered to be one of the preeminent personalities of the Hebrew Bible, and his remarkable ministry makes the brief narrative of his birth, childhood, and divine calling worthy of serious examination.3, The present study argues that the literary craftsmanship of the text is as expressive of its meaning as are its descriptive contents. The account of Samuels divine calling concludes using hearing and seeing as metaphors of increased spiritual capacity: And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. PTSD symptoms can include: Frequent nightmares. Several difficulties in reconstructing the era of the Judges, including its chronology, during what archaeologists call Iron AgeI, are identified in Jo Ann Hackett, There Was No King in Israel: The Era of the Judges, in The Oxford History of the Biblical World, ed. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. He was to warn them to repent and believe in the Savior. The story of Samuels birth and calling concludes with a general reference to his continuing growth in the knowledge of God (see 3:7, 21). Eli and sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are mentioned in the initial exposition of the story (1:3), signaling that they will play a key but as yet undefined role in the account of Samuels succession.53 As the drama unfolds, the serious abuses of their priestly positiongluttony of the ritual offering and sexual immoralitybecome the efficient cause of the Lords rejection of Elis house. The Lord . These scenes infer meaningful connections with other individuals and settings in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles that serve as positive and negative exemplars of Gods enduring covenant with his children. Provo, UT 84602, USA | 2022 Brigham Young University, Birth and Calling of the Prophet Samuel: A Literary Reading of the BiblicalText, The Little Head Stones Became Monuments: Death in the EarlySamoanMission and theCreation of the FagaliiCemetery, Margaret Barkers The Lord Is Onea Response, Response to Margaret Barkers The Lord Is One, An Improvisation on Margaret Barkers The Lord Is One, An Angel or Rather the Savior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication: The Vision of FrederickG.Williams, What Is It about This Place?: Truman Madsen, ReligiousEducation, and theMissionofBYU, Catholic and Mormon: A Theological Conversation, The Mapmakers of New Zion: A CartographicHistory ofMormonism, The Polygamous Wives Writing Club: From the Diaries of MormonPioneerWomen. This ostensibly generous offer from a loving husband introduces other dramatic tensions of the story. While it is possible to read the narrative of Samuels birth in other ways, a covenant perspective allows readers to interpret many, perhaps most, of its details from a single, unified point of view, thus revealing great interpretive depth to the text. 58. The same verb also concludes the narrative, signaling the enduring covenant between Samuel and the Lord, on the one hand, and between Samuel and Gods covenant people, on the other: And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. This issue carries significant economic, psychological, and social costs for the families affected. 13. When Hannah presents herself to Eli as a barren woman who has finally given birth because the Lord answered her prayer, she not only thanks the Lord for His favor to her, she also bears public witness to His mighty deeds, of which she has personal experience. Simon, Prophetic Narratives, 28. Nevertheless, Hannah is not satisfied: she wants a son for herself, but not for selfish reasons. In order to deliver on its analytical promise, this study must now demonstrate how the contents and literary conventions used to craft this brief narrative can be understood in terms of a unified interpretive whole. Genesis 16:5; 18:915; 21:15; 25:21; 29:31. Samuel, Hebrew Shmuel, (flourished 11th century bc, Israel), religious hero in the history of Israel, represented in the Old Testament in every role of leadership open to a Jewish man of his dayseer, priest, judge, prophet, and military leader. Throughout this study, unless otherwise noted, I have relied on the following standard sources for the meaning of individual Hebrew words and phrases: James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Abington Press, 1890, 1973 printing); and Francis Brown, S.R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody, Mass. They were not divided into two books until the Old Testament was translated into Greek. See Alter, Art, 88113, for an insightful discussion of Leitwrter. Had Samuels prophecy simply imitated the prior condemnation, he could be seen as more of a copycat than an authentic prophet.61. . While Hannah is identified as the preferred of Elkanahs two wives, the account repeats three times that she has no children, a major source of shame for women in biblical Israel.20 This characterization also identifies the accounts first dramatic tension: that between Elkanahs preferred but barren wife and her co-wife Peninnah, who had given Elkanah multiple sons and daughters. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The lexical shift from give to lend does not indicate a change of heart on Hannahs part. See Alter, Art, 6387. However, in the Hebrew Bible, lay/lie with does not always connote illicit sexual relations, for example, Genesis 30:16, and know does not always imply legitimate and covenantal sexual relations, for example, Judges 19:25. He appears at first as being hostile to the monarchy and then as being favourable to it. McCarter observes, In certain cases it is clear that the raised horn refers specifically to progeny, hence the possible allusion to Hannah and her firstborn.48. The prevailing view of biblical scholars is that the account of Samuels life and ministry took final shape centuries after the events it depicts and was likely the work of more than one author/editor/redactor. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, Iam the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. Direct speech is made the chief instrument for revealing the varied and at times nuanced relations of the personages to the actions in which they are implicated. Alter, Art, 66. Together, these structural and rhetorical conventions of exposition provide evidence of the independence of the prophetic history of the rise of kingship that begins with the story of Samuel.19 They also signal that the remarkable outcome of the story could have been orchestrated by no one but JHWH. This is his leadership of the sons of the prophets, a group of young men organized for ecstatic worship. While we cannot be sure that the author crafted the Samuel story with such comparisons consciously in mind, the repeated inferred connections with other exemplary vignettes increase the probability of their intentionality. and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Despite the similarity of their messages, the text structures the two encounters inversely. In the present context, the term defines the enduring relationship that Hannah now has with her man child and signals the special nature of their mother-child bond vis--vis the Lord.42. Shakab contrasts dramatically with yada and connotes physical, temporary, and profane sexual liaisons, undertaken without spiritual purpose, covenant bond, or sacred devotion.58, Leitwrter: remembered and visited. The reiterated and, then, plays an important role in creating the rhythm of the story, in phonetically punctuating the forward driving movement of the prose. Michael D. Coogan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998), 13264. The story of the birth and vocation of Samuel at the beginning of 1 Samuel is regarded by critics as legendary because of a number of obviously unhistorical features. Alter, Ancient Prophets, 241 n.2; Alter, Art, 8283. Information about Samuel is contained in The First Book of Samuel (called in the Roman Catholic canon The First Book of Kings). Since biblical narrative characteristically catches its protagonists only at the critical and revealing points in their lives, the biblical type-scene occurs not in the rituals of daily existence, but at the crucial junctures in the lives of the heroes, from conception and birth to betrothal to deathbed. Alter, Art, 51; see also Alter, Moses, 64 n.10; 11819 n.11; 315 n.16. The first seven verses of the introduction consist of what Alter calls narrativedescriptive details that locate the story within the broader temporal, spatial, social, and spiritual context of biblical Israel. And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? While both messengers faithfully deliver their respective messages from the Lord, the man of God accomplishes hismission in total anonymity. These analogies and contrasts enrich and deepen the rhetorical possibilities and sharpen and intensify the meaning that can be extracted from each individual account and from all of them taken together.. and why eatest thou not? : Hendrickson Publishers, 1996). So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The narrative does not indicate, however, that she takes offense at her husbands gesture. Updated on September 25, 2018. David Pellauer (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998), xi. . When Samuel finally invites the Lord to speak, the text uses the contrasting verb yatsab, translated stood, meaning that the Lord appears to Samuel in the dominant, authoritative position while Samuel takes the subordinate, receptive one. Insensitive as it may be, Elkanahs first direct speech shifts the discourse of the story from narrative to dialogue, in keeping with the biblical convention. Elkanahs response, Do what seemeth thee good, dismissively concedes her commitment to care for her firstborn. One of many studies of this genre in the Hebrew Bible is Steven Weitzman, Song and Story in Biblical Narrative: The History of a Literary Convention in Ancient Israel (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997); see also Alter, Moses, 397 n.1. 57. However, nearly every specific detail of introductio The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971), s.v. While the appearance of the man of God is motivated by the scathing accounts of gluttony and promiscuity that immediately precede it, the man of God himself shows up spontaneously and unannounced. . (Samuel I, 1) Samsons Life. Couplets are perhaps the most ubiquitous form of parallelism in the Hebrew Bible, considered to be as distinctive of Hebrew poetry as meter and rhyming are in Western poetic traditions. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. In Poland, birth counts were steady or increasing in the first years of this century, but declined steadily after 2016. . Structuring Devices: Play of Perspectives. Prior sections of the Samuel story are devoted to contents that are primarily narrative or primarily dialogue. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. Samuels mother Hannah am I not better to thee than ten sons? Thus, while his sudden arrival is entirely motivated by events in the narrative, the narrative is silent regarding the messengers relationship with and impact upon Eli. Characterization: Father and Sons. In this account Samuel is a figure known through all Israel (a term of uncertain meaning at this period); his authority rests on his position as judge. 1 Samuel 1:19. 12. continuing to nurture her firstborn throughout his youth, even though she sees him but once a year (2:1819). By contrast, Eli and his sons turn from their covenant obligations in multiple ways and are consequently eternally cursed. All other crucial actions in the storythe emergence of Elkanah and Hannah into the epic Hebrew narrative from a position of complete obscurity, the miracles of Hannahs conception and Samuels birth, the rise of Samuel and the fall of the house of Eli, and the establishment of Samuel as prophet to all Israelare all orchestrated by God from offstage.. Divine remembrance of the despondent barren woman by virtue of her prayer and vow is a classic example, not only of the Lords power over nature, society, and history, but also of His justice. Simon, Prophetic Narratives, 33. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Samsons and Samuels Nazerite consecrations effectively bring their respective ministries into sharp contrast: Samson turns from his sacred vow, resulting in much destruction among the covenant people; however, through his own faithful ministry, Samuel strengthens and unifies all Israel.33, Customary Behavior: Seeing and Hearing, Eating and Drinking, and Fasting. The fundamental bond of mutual remembrance that united God and man leads further to the observation that the covenant idea is obviously also important in this context: G.Johannes Botterweck and Helmer Ringgren, eds., Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, trans. If they do so, they are strengthened, enlarged, blessed, and sustained. Regarding Sarah, the paragon in this set of related character types, Alter, Moses, 101 n.18, explicates the exquisite craftsmanship of the relevant passage in Genesis that immediately precedes Isaacs birth. See Alter, Moses, 77 n.2; 131 nn. Structuring Devices: Play of Perspectives. The dynamic interplay in the biblical text between narrow and broad perspectives (narrative and dialogue in Alters terms) comes into focus in the third segment of the Samuel story. 31. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? By contrast, Samuel executes his mission completely in the public eye. The story of Samuels life begins with the very touching scene of Hannah, a wife of Elkanah, praying to God at the tabernacle in Shiloh. 55. And the man of thine, whom I shall cut not off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. The institution of kingship comes not from divine revelation but from the request of the elders of Israel, and this request is treated by Samuel as rebellion against Yahweh. Steven L. Olsen received a bachelors from BYU and a masters degree and PhD from the University of Chicago. And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou hast weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. 68. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord. Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: American Founding Father Samuel Adams helped organize the Boston Tea Party and signed the The word of God is often a technical term referring to oracular message. 67. 43. WebThe birth and dedication of Samuel. WebSamuel Adams was Born in Massachusetts Bay Period: Sep 27, 1722 to Oct 2, 1803. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. The Nephites had become wicked and would not listen. Despite his emotional distance from Hannah, Elkanah regularly and routinely worships at Shiloh in a manner that is consistent with the prescriptions of the Mosaic law. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. 29. Name: Mary. The king is chosen not by divine election but by lot, implying that no special qualities were required, and the bashful candidate has to be summoned from a hiding place. In stark contrast with modern English usage, which limits conjunctions to a bare minimum, biblical narrators seem to use them incessantly, especially waw. While some linkages may be incidental, most scholars recognize that an authors intentional linkages create a phenomenon that Adele Berlin, following Paul Werth, calls poetic effect, which she defines as the result of an interaction between verbal form and meaning. Adele Berlin, The Dynamics of Biblical Parallelism (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1992), 10. Samson is one of the most recognizable of the judges who ruled over Israel before the time of the kings. In short, the narrative features the delivery of the word of God by the man of God to Eli but the reception by Samuel of the divine message directly from God. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. But Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people. (1 Samuel 2:26). McCarter, I Samuel, 59 n.3, mentions that both sons names are Egyptian in origin and that Elis lineage traced its right to the priesthood back to Moses. The result of the action is usually considered enduring and definitive.32 In short, the text projects that her vow to the Lord will be unequivocal and permanent. The intentionality of the narrators contrast between Eli and Hannah, introduced earlier, is further developed in the pejorative allusions to Belial51 and the editorial comment employing the verb yada (knew). There is no wickedness in this pitiable old man, but neither is there the strength to combat wickedness, and Yahweh has found himself a strong man to lead Israel aright.. Indications are that they were a group of fanatical religious and national conservatives. Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. . 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