1 Samuel 1:1

1. Ramathaim-Zophim The name means, the double height of the watchers, and was probably so called because of two heights on which the city stood, or with which it was in some way associated. Some scholars are inclined to identify it with the modern Soba, some seven miles west of Jerusalem; but their opinion is based on the assumption that it is the same city where Saul was anointed, (1 Samuel 9:6,) an assumption that has no sufficient support. A comparison of this verse and 1 Samuel 1:3 with 1 Samuel 1:19 and with 1 Samuel 2:11, makes it certain that Ramathaim-Zophim is the same as Ramah, but a fuller form of the name. Ramah was situated about five miles north of Jerusalem, and was not only the birthplace of Samuel, but his home through life, (1 Samuel 7:17,) and the place of his death and burial. 1 Samuel 25:1. The Hebrew name of this place, as well as its modern Arabic name er-Ram, means the height, and this may explain the appended name Zophim, which means watchers, for the heights of Ramah would afford a fitting station for watchmen, who could from its heights command a wide prospect on every side, and see at a great distance any signal of danger or alarm that might be given. Compare “the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah.” Numbers 23:14. Others think that Zophim was the name of the country round Ramah, called after Zuph, one of Elkanah’s ancestors. Hence “land of Zuph” in 1 Samuel 9:5.

Mount Ephraim See note on Judges 17:1.

Son of Jeroham A comparison of this genealogy with 1 Chronicles 6:34-35, shows that Elkanah (and therefore Samuel) was a descendant of Levi through Kohath. No other special notice is taken of Samuel’s Levitical descent, because his work and authority as Reformer and Judge in Israel were not owing to this fact, but, rather, to his special divine call from the Lord.

An Ephrathite Grammatically, this word is in apposition with a certain man, that is, Elkanah. He was reckoned as to his civil standing with the tribe of Ephraim, for the Levites, having been set apart to the service of the sanctuary, had no separate portion of the Promised Land assigned to them, (Joshua 14:4,) but were reckoned to the tribes in which they had their homes. Ten cities were allotted to the children of Kohath, in the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and Manasseh. Joshua 21:5.