The Grave of Samuel the Prophet

Approximately four hundred years after Joshua's crossing of the Jordan river, his building the first Jewish settlement at Shechem/Elon moreh, and his subsequent conquest of the land of Israel, the Jewish people were at an elevated state, where they were prepared to annoint a king. During this critical period in Jewish history, Samuel (Shmuel in Hebrew), was the greatest prophet of his day, serving as conscience and moral scold to Saul (Sha'ul), the first King of Israel, and David, the second, and by most opinions greatest, King of Israel.

For twenty years, from 1948 until 1967, his grave was beyond reach for Jews, in the Jordanian-occupied sector of Eretz Israel. Today, free access is provided for all, and the grave is divided between a Muslim section and a Jewish section (contrast this sharing with the Palestinian Authority's destructon of Joseph's tomb in Shechem.) The city of Jerusalem has grown so greatly over the past few years that neighborhood of Ramot may soon entirely surround the tomb on a hilltop.

Arab housing, the small village of An Nabi near the tomb.

Kollel Students (the gate to the Kollel is in the background.)

Meanwhile, the Jews have built a Kollel, a yeshivah for married students, so that Torah study may contine, and to place a Jewish presence next to the site.
A small gift shop for all your Prophecy supply and Samuel the Prophet-Related needs.

The Muslims built a mosque over the grave.

Last Wednesday, I went with a group from the Yeshivah to visit the tomb as part of an explanation of a section in Tanach (the Jewish bible.)

The Muslim Area

The smaller Jewish area. Pilgrims recite Tehillim (Psalms) at Shmuel Hanavi's grave.

Inside the main building (not designated Muslim or Jewish.)

Fellow Machon Meir student Moshe. The Kollel is in the background.

Schlepping up the Minnaret for a view from the roof.

Coming soon, pictures from the top, overlooking at the actual locations where Joshua fought the battle of Giv'on.

Stay tuned...