Gilbert House Fellowship #344: 1 Samuel 1–3

Messianic rabbi Zev Porat showed us where to find Jesus in Hannah’s prayer at Shiloh in June, 2019

The rise of the monarchy in Israel begins with the story of Samuel.

We dive deeply into the prayer of Samuel’s mother, Hannah, and unpack its spiritual and prophetic implications. Hannah’s opening line sets the tone for her prayer:

My heart exults in the LORD; 
my horn is exalted in the LORD. 
My mouth derides my enemies, 
because I rejoice in your salvation. 

2 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)

Key to understanding that verse is knowing that “salvation” is the Hebrew word yeshua—Jesus!

We also discuss the references to spiritual warfare embedded in her prayer, Hannah’s humility and faithfulness, which contrasts with the sins of the sons of Eli.

We saw this strange cloud, shaped like the wings of the cherubim over the Ark of the Covenant, over Shiloh (click to enlarge)

We also discuss the historic significance of Eli. Samaritans, who consider themselves descendants of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh and the preservers of the true Law given to Moses, believe Eli illegally took a group of Israelites from Shechem to Shiloh. There, he built a second tabernacle and set himself up as high priest

Now, if that was true it would be in the Bible, which never hides bad behavior of the patriarchs or apostles. It’s what the Samaritans believe, however, and it’s at the root of the schism between Jews and Samaritans that continues to this day.


The son and grandson of the chief priest of the Samaritan community in Israel showed us their Pentateuch during our visit in 2019

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TRAVEL WITH US TO TURKEY! Join us and our special guests Dr. Judd Burton and Dr. Aaron Judkins as we visit the churches of Revelation, Göbekli Tepe, Abraham’s home town Harran, the “Gates of Hell,” Mount Nemrut, and much more. Dates are October 17–November 3, 2023. More information is available at GilbertHouse.org/travel.

NOTE: New dates for our tour of Israel! We will lead our next tour through the Holy Land March 25–April 3, 2025, with an optional three-day extension to Jordan featuring visits to Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum, and Petra. Our special guests are Timothy Alberino, Dr. Judd Burton, and Doug Van Dorn!

For more information, log on to www.GilbertsInIsrael.com.

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2 Comments

  1. Apparently Samuel, like Samson, was to be a Nazarite. The difference was that Samson was a Nazarite by God’s instruction and Samuel’s mother made the vow for her son. As a result of her faith toward God, Hannah’s prayer was answered.

  2. The Cepher Bible and the Hebrew Greek Key Word Bible are wonderful resources!

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