New International Version But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD. New Living Translation Then he would return to his home at Ramah, and he would hear cases there, too. And Samuel built an altar to the LORD at Ramah. English Standard Version Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the LORD. Berean Standard Bible Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. Berean Literal Bible And his returning was to Ramath, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to YHWH. King James Bible 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. New King James Version But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD. New American Standard Bible Then he would make his return to Ramah, because his house was there, and there he also judged Israel; and there he built an altar to the LORD. NASB 1995 Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD. NASB 1977 Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible But his return would be to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to Yahweh. Amplified Bible Then he would return to Ramah, because his home was there; and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Berean Annotated Bible Then he would return to Ramah (hill) because his home was there, and there he judged Israel (he wrestles with God) and built an altar to the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the LORD there. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the LORD there. American Standard Version And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar unto Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Then he would go back to his home in Ramah and do the same thing there. He also had an altar built for the LORD at Ramah. English Revised Version And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar unto the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then he would return home to Ramah. There, too, he judged Israel. And in Ramah he built an altar to the LORD. Good News Translation Then he would go back to his home in Ramah, where also he would serve as judge. In Ramah he built an altar to the LORD. International Standard Version He would return to Ramah because his house was there, and judged Israel from there. He also built an altar to the LORD there. NET Bible Then he would return to Ramah, because his home was there. He also judged Israel there and built an altar to the LORD there. New Heart English Bible His return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar to the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to the LORD. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. World English Bible His return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and he judged Israel there; and he built an altar to Yahweh there. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand his returning [is] to Ramath, for his house [is] there, and he has judged Israel there, and he builds an altar to YHWH there. Berean Literal Bible And his returning was to Ramath, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to YHWH. Young's Literal Translation and his returning is to Ramath, for there is his house, and there he hath judged Israel, and he buildeth there an altar to Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation And his turning back to Ramah; for there his house; and there he judged Israel; and he will build an altar there to Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he returned to Ramatha, for there was his house, and there he judged Israel: he built also there an altar to the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And he returned to Ramah. For his house was there, and he judged Israel there. And then he built an altar to the Lord there. New American Bible Then he used to return to Ramah, for that was his home. There, too, he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. New Revised Standard Version Then he would come back to Ramah, for his home was there; he administered justice there to Israel, and built there an altar to the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he always returned to Ramtha; for there was his house, and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he returned to Ramtha because his house was there, and there he judged Israel and he built an altar there to LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar unto the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation And his return was to Armathaim, because there was his house; and there he judged Israel, and built there an altar to the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Samuel Subdues the Philistines…16Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. 17Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. Cross References Then he would return to Ramah 1 Samuel 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 1 Samuel 1:19-20 The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. / So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” 1 Samuel 19:18-19 So David ran away and escaped. And he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. / When Saul was told that David was at Naioth in Ramah, because his home was there, 1 Samuel 25:1 When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran. 1 Samuel 28:3 Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. and there he judged Israel 1 Samuel 12:1-5 Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. / Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” … Judges 4:4-5 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. / And she would sit under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites would go up to her for judgment. Judges 10:2-3 Tola judged Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir. / Tola was followed by Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years. and built an altar to the LORD. Judges 6:24-26 So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. / On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. / Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” Joshua 8:30-31 At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, / just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings. Genesis 12:7-8 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. / From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD. Judges 21:4 The next day the people got up early, built an altar there, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings. 1 Samuel 1:3 Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy began ministering to the LORD before Eli the priest. 1 Samuel 8:6 But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 1 Samuel 10:8 And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.” Treasury of Scripture And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to the LORD. his return 1 Samuel 1:1,19 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, 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: … 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. Jump to Previous Administered Altar Always Base Buildeth Built Home House Israel Judge Judged Justice Ramah Ramath ReturningJump to Next Administered Altar Always Base Buildeth Built Home House Israel Judge Judged Justice Ramah Ramath Returning1 Samuel 7 1. They of Kiriath Jearim bring the ark to Abinadab, and sanctify Eleazar as guard2. After twenty years, 3. the Israelites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh 7. While Samuel prays and sacrifices, 10. the Lord thwarts the Philistines by thunder at Ebenezer 13. The Philistines are subdued 15. Samuel judges Israel Then he would return to Ramah Ramah, Samuel’s hometown in the hill country of Ephraim, remained the center of his life and ministry. Its location allowed him to serve Israel’s tribes through his regular circuit of judgment. 1Sa 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home… because his home was there, Samuel maintained a settled home while carrying out his national responsibilities, remaining closely connected to the people and region from which he came. 1Sa 25:1 When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him;… and there he judged Israel From Ramah he administered justice, gave spiritual direction, and led the nation according to the Lord’s will. 1Sa 12:1-5 Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened… and built an altar to the LORD. The altar established Ramah as a place of worship and sacrifice, demonstrating that Samuel’s leadership was rooted in devotion and obedience to God. Jdg 6:24-26 So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there… Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet, judge, and leader of Israel who played a crucial role in transitioning Israel from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He is known for his dedication to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 2. Ramah Samuel's hometown, located in the territory of Benjamin. It served as his base of operations and a place of spiritual leadership where he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD. 3. Judging Israel Samuel's role as a judge involved leading, guiding, and making judicial decisions for the people of Israel. His leadership was marked by a return to faithfulness to God and a rejection of idolatry. 4. Altar to the LORD The altar Samuel built in Ramah was a place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing his commitment to God and serving as a focal point for the spiritual life of the community. Teaching Points Faithful LeadershipSamuel's consistent return to Ramah and his role as a judge highlight the importance of faithful and consistent leadership rooted in God's guidance. Centrality of Worship The altar Samuel built signifies the centrality of worship in the life of God's people. It serves as a reminder to prioritize worship and maintain a personal and communal relationship with God. Home as a Spiritual Base Samuel's return to Ramah underscores the significance of having a spiritual base or home where one can grow in faith and lead others. Commitment to God's Call Samuel's life exemplifies a commitment to God's call, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their divine assignments despite challenges or changes in societal structures. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 7:17?2. How does Samuel's circuit reflect his commitment to God's calling in 1 Samuel 7:17? 3. What can we learn from Samuel's practice of returning to Ramah to judge Israel? 4. How does Samuel's altar in Ramah connect to worship practices in the Old Testament? 5. In what ways can we establish a "home base" for our spiritual life? 6. How does Samuel's example encourage us to prioritize God's work in our daily lives? 7. What does 1 Samuel 7:17 reveal about Samuel's role as a judge in Israel? 8. How does Samuel's circuit in 1 Samuel 7:17 reflect ancient Israelite governance? 9. Why is Ramah significant in 1 Samuel 7:17 and throughout Samuel's life? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 7? (17) Raman.--The same Ramah "of the Watchers" where Elkanah and Hannah had dwelt. After the destruction of Shiloh, Samuel seems to have fixed his abode in his father's city. 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. Verse 17. - His return was to Ramah. We have seen that Elkanah was a large landholder there, and Samuel had now apparently succeeded to his father's place. And there he built an altar unto Jehovah. This old patriarchal custom (Genesis 12:7) long continued, and it was only gradually that local shrines and worship on high places were superseded by attendance upon the temple services at Jerusalem. At this time there was especial need for such altars. The established worship at Shiloh had been swept away, the town destroyed, the priests put to the sword, and the ark, though restored, was resting in a private dwelling. Probably Samuel had saved the sacred vessels, and much even of the tabernacle, but no mention of them is here made. We see, however, both in the erection of this altar and all through Samuel's life, that the Aaronic priesthood was in abeyance, and that he was not only prophet and judge, but also priest. In thus restoring the priesthood in his own person he was justified not merely by his powers as prophet, but by necessity. Gradually, with more prosperous times, matters returned to their regular channel; but even when Ahiah, the grandson of Eli, was with Saul (1 Samuel 14:3), he was employed not for the offering of sacrifice, but for divining with the Urim and Thummim. On a most important occasion the offering of sacrifice is spoken of as undoubtedly Samuel's right, and when he delayed his coming no mention is made of a priest, but Saul is said to have offered the victim himself (1 Samuel 13:9). It is plain, therefore, that we must not tie down the priesthood too tightly to the house of Aaron; for throughout there lies in the background the idea of a higher priesthood, and with this Samuel was invested, as being a type of him who is a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedek (comp. 1 Samuel 2:35).
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. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then he would returnוּתְשֻׁבָת֤וֹ (ū·ṯə·šu·ḇā·ṯōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8666: A recurrence, a reply to Ramah הָרָמָ֙תָה֙ (hā·rā·mā·ṯāh) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction his home בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house was there, שָׁ֣ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither and there וְשָׁ֖ם (wə·šām) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither he judged שָׁפָ֣ט (šā·p̄āṭ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc and built וַיִּֽבֶן־ (way·yi·ḇen-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1129: To build an altar מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (miz·bê·aḥ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4196: An altar to the LORD. לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Additonal Resources 1 Samuel 7:17 Blue Letter Bible1 Samuel 7:17 Bible Gateway 1 Samuel 7:17 Bible.com 1 Samuel 7:17 NIV |
    |