The Birth of a Prophet

Scene 1 - The Setting and Circumstances (1-2)

We begin this narrative in small town in the Hill Country of Ephraim.

Ramathaim-zophim — also known as Ramah. There were five cities of this name, all perched on high ground — the zophim added because it was founded by Zuph an Ephrathite — that is Bethlehem.

So to be precise — in our language we would say Elkanah was from Ramah in the land of Zuph in the Hill Country of Ephratha.

There are those who consider Zophim to not be a proper noun but rather a common noun meaning “watchtowers” or “watchmen. - possibly referring to the altitude or to the fact that it was known as a place for prophets which are referred to watchmen in Ezekiel 3:17.

This territory was given to the tribe of Benjamin - however Elkanah was not a Benjamite, he was a Levite.

And was in most ways a pious Levite, except for one glaring fact — he practiced Polygamy.

He had two wives — one (or the first) named Hannah, the second Peninnah.

We must remember God’s plan for marriage is monogamy. God created one helpmate for Adam - and joined them together as one.

And we must also remember that just because the Bible records polygamy in the lives of it’s heroes (David for example) - this does not mean that God condones it.

We could say that it points to God’s authority and sovereignty, that His will is not and will not be thwarted by the folly of men.

In this case — as was the cultural custom, Elkanah married Hannah first, she was not able to produce an child, so he married Peninnah in order to produce an heir.

We shall see however, as is always the case, there are consequences to the breaking of God’s law.

Vs 3 tells us that Elkanah was in fact, despite his having two wives, faithful to God. We get this from the phrase “year by year.”

Year by year he traveled to Shiloh to “worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts.

There is a lot to say about vs 3 so let’s just take it point by point.

Shiloh — located about 30 miles north of modern day Jerusalem. The name means “peace” or “peace bringer” and it was the religious center of Israel for over a century after the conquest. It was the home to the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. It was the unofficial capital for Joshua.