In the culture of Israel, inheritance came through male offspring. Women participated in inheritance either through their husband or through their sons. The birth of a son would thus serve to be a comfort to Phinehas's wife,1 because her name would continue and she had an inheritance in Israel.
20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention.