1 Samuel 7:17
And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וּתְשֻֽׁבָת֤וֹ
And his return
H8666
וּתְשֻֽׁבָת֤וֹ
And his return
Strong's:
H8666
Word #:
1 of 13
a recurrence (of time or place); a reply (as returned)
הָֽרָמָ֙תָה֙
was to Ramah
H7414
הָֽרָמָ֙תָה֙
was to Ramah
Strong's:
H7414
Word #:
2 of 13
ramah, the name of four places in palestine
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
בֵּית֔וֹ
for there was his house
H1004
בֵּית֔וֹ
for there was his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְשָׁ֖ם
H8033
שָׁפָ֣ט
and there he judged
H8199
שָׁפָ֣ט
and there he judged
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
7 of 13
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שָׁ֥ם
H8033
Cross References
1 Samuel 1:19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.1 Samuel 8:4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,1 Samuel 1:1Now 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:
Historical Context
The Philistines, part of the 'Sea Peoples' who settled the coastal plain around 1200 BCE, possessed superior iron technology and organized military forces. Their pentapolis (five major cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) controlled coastal trade routes and threatened Israelite settlements in the hill country. The Philistine threat created the political pressure that would eventually lead to Israel's demand for centralized monarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- What does divine judgment in this passage reveal about God's holiness, justice, and intolerance of persistent rebellion?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does divine judgment in this passage drive us to appreciate Christ's substitutionary atonement on our behalf?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
This narrative marks the transition from priestly to prophetic leadership in Israel. Samuel's calling demonstrates that God raises up servants according to His sovereign purposes, often choosing unexpected persons during dark spiritual times. The rarity of prophetic revelation ('the word of the LORD was precious in those days') underscores the spiritual bankruptcy of the era. God's threefold call emphasizes both divine initiative and human response—Samuel must learn to recognize God's voice and respond in faithful obedience.