Shepherd's Notes: I & II Samuel

By Robert D. Bergen and David R. Shepherd

You grew up using the well known black and yellow striped Cliff's Notes to help you grasp everything from great literary works to algebra. Unfortunately, what "Cliff" forgot was the greatest literary work in history: the complete Holy Bible. Enjoy the ease of understanding the Bible like never before, book by book. Shepherd's notes helps reader's learn about the inspired authors of the Bible books and when and where they were first penned. Each Bible book is revealed in simple understandable steps that outline and underscore the focal points and personalities of the biblical text. You'll look to these unique books for their use in Bible studies, teaching, personal devotions and even in sermon preperation! Christian and home schools will find Shepherd's Notes an invaluable resource.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BH Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 1, 1998
• ISBN: 9781433672019

Book preview

Him.

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1 SAMUEL 1–2

THE LORD REWARDS HANNAH'S FAITH (1:1–2:11)

Elkanah's Wives (1:1–2)

Elkanah, a pious Levite residing in Ramathaim-zophim in the rural regions of Ephraim, had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Elkanah's bigamy was probably motivated by the fact that his beloved wife Hannah was unable to produce an heir for him, a matter of vital concern in that society. But the bigamous relationship produced great hardship for Hannah, who was harassed by Peninnah, the fertile rival wife.

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According to 1 Chronicles 6:21–22, Elkanah was a member of the Kohathite clan of the tribe of Levi. Since Levites were not given any connected tribal territory of their own, they lived in cities scattered throughout the rest of the land of Israel (see Num. 35:2–5; Josh. 21:3–42). Kohathites were given four cities in Ephraim (see Josh. 21:20–22), but they apparently were allowed to live in other villages there as well, including