PEOPLE OF THE LAND
Selections from classical Torah sources
which express the special relationship between
the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael

SHMUEL -
BORROWED FROM HASHEM

The name given to him by his long childless mother Chana expressed the career of service which the Prophet Shmuel was to render to his people. She had made a promise to Heaven when she prayed for a child in the Sanctuary at Shiloh that if her prayer were answered she would dedicate him to the Service of Hashem for his entire life. Her prayer was answered and the name given to him was a double expression - she had borrowed him from Hashem and had loaned him to Hashem.

As soon as he was weaned, Shmuel was brought to Shiloh to serve under Eli Hakohen, eventually succeeding him as the leader of his people whom he faithfully served for half a century until his passing.