Genesis 35:18 vs 1 Samuel 1:20: Faith in names?
Compare Genesis 35:18 with 1 Samuel 1:20. How do names reflect faith?

Setting the Scene

Genesis 35:18: “And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.”

1 Samuel 1:20: “So in due time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the LORD.’”


Ben-Oni or Benjamin—A Shift from Sorrow to Strength

• Rachel, worn out by labor, voices her pain: Ben-oni, “son of my sorrow.”

• Jacob immediately intervenes, renaming the child Benjamin, “son of the right hand,” a phrase of honor, strength, and favor (cf. Psalm 110:1).

• The change reveals a deliberate act of faith. Jacob refuses to let the boy’s identity be defined by death and grief.

• By speaking a new name, the patriarch aligns his family story with God’s covenant promises (Genesis 35:11-12).


Samuel—A Name That Sings of Prayer Answered

• Hannah endures barrenness, mockery, and anguish (1 Samuel 1:6-10).

• Her vow and fervent prayer lead to conception.

• She names the boy Samuel, sounding like “heard by God” or “asked of God.”

• Each mention of Samuel’s name retells Hannah’s testimony that the Lord hears and responds (Psalm 34:4; Jeremiah 33:3).


Shared Themes in the Two Stories

• Both births occur in settings of deep emotion—one amid death, the other after long-standing disappointment.

• A parent chooses a name that captures a theological truth:

– Jacob asserts hope and future blessing.

– Hannah proclaims God’s attentive mercy.

• Names become daily confessions of faith; every time Benjamin or Samuel is spoken, God’s character and actions are remembered (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).


Further Biblical Echoes About Naming and Faith

• Abram → Abraham: “father of many nations,” sealing the covenant (Genesis 17:5).

• Sarai → Sarah: “princess,” pointing to royalty in the promised line (Genesis 17:15-16).

• Jacob → Israel: “he struggles with God,” marking transformation after divine encounter (Genesis 32:28).

• Jesus (Yeshua): “The LORD saves,” announced before His birth as heaven’s commentary on His mission (Matthew 1:21).


Living It Out Today

• Speak identity in harmony with Scripture rather than circumstances (Proverbs 18:21).

• Recall and rehearse God’s past faithfulness; let it shape present outlook (Lamentations 3:21-23).

• Use names, titles, or even simple words of blessing to keep the gospel story before family and community (Colossians 3:17).

How can we find hope in difficult circumstances, as seen in Genesis 35:18?
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