1 Samuel 1:1–20 covers the events around Samuel’s birth. A divinely enabled birth from a mother who was devoted to the Lord serves to establish his credentials and also links him to Samson and the patriarchs.1 Birth narratives also generally serve to signal the dawning of a new day or time where God will be at work amongst his people.2 The fact that no story is given of David’s birth (unlike in Samuel's case) suggests that David’s work as king is subordinate to the word and work of Samuel the prophet.3
God’s intervention in the affairs of Israel are especially necessary at this time, given the rise of the Philistines and the fact that, with no moral leadership, Israel appear to be on the path to destruction.4 Samson began the work of delivering Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). Samuel and then David will continue that work and ultimately defeat them (1 Samuel 7:14; 1 Samuel 17:1–58; 2 Samuel 5:17–25; 2 Samuel 8:1).5
1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.