“Reuben went during the days of wheat harvest, found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to Leah, his mother. Rachel said to Leah: Please give me from your son’s mandrakes” (Genesis 30:14). “Reuben went during the days of wheat harvest.” “Train the lad in accordance with his way; even when he grows old, he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
“May this land be given to your servants…” (Numbers 32:5). “The sated were hired for bread, but the hungry have ceased; while the barren has borne seven, the one with many children is miserable” (I Samuel 2:5). “The sated were hired [niskaru] for bread” – this is Leah, who was sated with sons and was rewarded [niskara]. “But the hungry have ceased [ḥadelu]” – this is Rachel, who was hungry for children but was stymied [ḥadela].
“While the barren [akara] has borne seven” – this is Leah, who was the primary one [ikara] in the household, and bore seven. “The one with many children is miserable” – this is Rachel, who was worthy to have the majority of the children emerge from her, and was miserable. Who did this? It is: “The Lord puts to death and brings to life” (I Samuel 2:6).