Did you know that the bible is full of play on words? That is why I love studying it. It is full of double meanings. It makes me have to use my brain...know what I am saying? Once you start studying the word you realize that it is a living, breathing, relevant organism that has amazing power. (ok, maybe organism is not the right word but it's all I could think of!)
Anyways, the story of David starts off with one of those cool play on words. Not so much David's name (although it has some too) but the story starts off with Samuel.
His mom, Hannah, named him Samuel because she liked how it sounded! She said that she named him Samuel because she asked the Lord for him. But here is where it gets fun!
Guess what his name sounds like when you say it outloud?
"Asked For!"
Yep, no joke. The Hebrew word for Samuel and the Hebrew word for "ask for" sound identical when spoken out loud.
Kinda like a mom who names her son Beau Hunter. She knows that when people say his name outloud they will think of Bow Hunter? They have different meanings but they sound like they are the same.
Get it? (BTW I didn't come up with that example, it is Beth's from our study last week...she is witty like that!).
Hannah loved the name Samuel but she also loved that people would think of the word "Asked For" when they heard it. And guess what?
Saul (Israel's first King) actually means "Asked For." So Saul means "Asked For" and Samuel sounds like it means "Asked For." Therefore, one could say that Hannah actually sauled for Samuel (she asked for Samuel).
Are you seeing the cool factor yet? Really, you gotta study it...it will blow your mind! How clever was Hannah? Don't you just want to be her friend?
So here is what I love about this particular play on words:
- Everytime Saul heard Samuel's name it was like hearing "here comes "Asked For."
- Saul and Samuel didn't get along very well so can you imagine how annoying that must have been? Here comes "asked for." OR "Your majesty, You Asked For it is here!"
- Saul was the King that Isreal Asked For.
- Isreal didn't need a King yet they Asked For one.
- So God gave them what they Asked For! Saul.
(FYI - Saul didn't turn out to be such a great King. Maybe we should watch what we ASK FOR!
BTW - have you ever been to Florence, Italy and seen Michelangelo's statue of David? It is amazing. It has nothing to do with our Bible Study but I had to mention it. It is amazing. Pictures don't do it justice. I have have seen it twice and each time I am left speechless.
I am left speechless the same way I am left speechless at the awesomeness of God's word. And just like the statue of David, we will never understand the awesomeness of it unless we see it in person. Unless we get up close and personal.
So go to Italy. Stand in front of the most famous statue in the world. See for yourself why it is so loved. Why it changed the face of art forever! But in the mean time, try getting into God's word. It is cheaper and can provide just as many awe inspiring moments! Or at least it has for me!
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