The name Samuel means “name of God” or “his name is El,” where El is the name of the God of strength and power. His parents were a Levite named Elkanah and Hannah, who was unable to have children for many years. Elkanah and Hannah were devout Jews who visited the sanctuary at Shiloh every year to worship and sacrifice (1 Sam. 1:3).
Wrestling with Exodus 9:12 raises a big question: did God really harden Pharaoh’s heart, and if so, is that fair? A closer look at Scripture reveals Pharaoh’s rebellion long before God acted, showing us that God’s justice and purpose never compromise His goodness.
