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1 Samuel 1:1,19
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his namewas Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: …

1 Samuel 8:4
Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

1 Samuel 19:18-23
So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth…

he built

1 Samuel 11:15
And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Genesis 12:7,8
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him…

Genesis 33:20
And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.

because his home was there
Samuel's residence in Ramah highlights the importance of having a stable base for his ministry. It underscores the biblical principle of leaders being grounded in their communities. This phrase also reflects the cultural norm of the time, where family and land were integral to one's identity and ministry. Samuel's home in Ramah symbolizes his personal commitment to the people of Israel and his role as a spiritual leader.

and there he judged Israel
Samuel's role as a judge involved more than legal decisions; it encompassed spiritual leadership and guidance. As a judge, Samuel was responsible for maintaining justice and righteousness in Israel, a role that was both judicial and prophetic. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of God raising leaders to guide His people, as seen in the Book of Judges. Samuel's judging in Ramah signifies a centralized location for his leadership, where he could address the spiritual and social issues of the nation.

and built an altar to the LORD
Building an altar was a significant act of worship and dedication to God. It reflects Samuel's role as a spiritual leader who prioritized worship and obedience to the LORD. This act connects to the patriarchal tradition of building altars, as seen with figures like Abraham and Jacob, symbolizing a place of encounter with God. The altar in Ramah served as a focal point for communal worship and sacrifice, reinforcing the centrality of God in the life of Israel. It also prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system.

• After completing each year-long circuit of ministry (1 Samuel 7:15-16), Samuel “would return to Ramah”.

• Ramah lay in the hill country of Ephraim, centrally located for Israel and easily reached by the tribes—a practical headquarters for a national judge.

• Returning home after service mirrors the rhythm set by Moses inExodus 18:27, who “sent them to their homes,” and recalls Jesus withdrawing to Galilee between ministry tours (Mark 1:38-39, 45).

• The verse therefore pictures a faithful servant who finishes his public duties, then goes back to the place God originally planted him (1 Samuel 1:19;2 Samuel 15:9).

• “His home was there” roots Samuel’s national leadership in a local family life.

–1 Samuel 1:19 shows Elkanah and Hannah settling in Ramah; decades later, Samuel still calls it home.

–Joshua 24:15 underscores that serving the LORD begins “in my house.”

• The judge’s authority flows from personal integrity observed up close by neighbors and kin. He did not need a palace or fortress; a modest home in Ramah sufficed (1 Samuel 8:4-6).

• God continues to value leaders whose private lives match their public roles (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

• Ramah became Samuel’s courtroom and command center.

–1 Samuel 7:15 affirms, “Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.”

–Deuteronomy 16:18 instructs Israel to appoint judges “in every town”; Samuel models that in one strategic town for the whole nation.

• His judging combined:

– Settling civil disputes (Exodus 18:16).

– Calling the people back to covenant faithfulness (1 Samuel 12:20-25).

– Offering prophetic counsel to kings‐to‐be (1 Samuel 9:15-17).

• The line reminds us that godly justice is inseparable from proximity to God’s presence (Psalm 89:14).

• Samuel capped his service by “built an altar to the LORD” right in Ramah.

– Patriarchs did the same: Abraham at Shechem (Genesis 12:7), Isaac at Beersheba (Genesis 26:25).

– The Law allowed altars of earth or uncut stone wherever God’s name was honored (Exodus 20:24-25).

• This altar accomplished at least three things:

1. Public witness that the town’s true King was the LORD (1 Samuel 8:7).

2. Center for burnt offerings and peace offerings that symbolized national repentance (1 Samuel 7:9).

3. Permanent reminder that every judgment Samuel rendered depended on atonement and worship (Psalm 99:4-5).

• Later leaders sometimes lost this balance—Saul’s hastily built altar in1 Samuel 14:35 lacked the heart of obedience Samuel displayed.

1 Samuel 7:17 sketches a whole-of-life pattern for servants of God: fulfill public ministry, stay grounded in the home God has given, render righteous judgment, and keep worship at the center. Samuel’s return to Ramah, his home life, his ongoing judging, and his altar all intertwine to show that lasting influence springs from steady obedience and continual dependence on the LORD.

And there he built an altar.--Thus following the old custom of the patriarchs. It must be remembered that at this period there was no national sanctuary, no formal seat of worship, where the high priest and his attendant priests and Levites served. The Ark, we know, was in safe keeping in the "city of woods," Kirjath-jearim, but it was in private custody; and we hear of no priests and Levites, of no ritual or religious observances, in connection with the long sojourn of the holy Ark in that place. It is probable that the sacred vessels and furniture had been saved from the destruction of Shiloh by Samuel. These were, very likely, in the prophet-judge's safe keeping at Bamah.

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