1 Samuel 1
-Introduction: The book of 1 Samuel serves the purpose in
God’s plan of salvation for transitioning the nation of Israel from its
original theocracy to the monarchy that was yearned for by the people during
this particular time. Samuel, who probably wrote parts of this book along with
perhaps the prophet Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29), finds himself in the
position of being Israel’s last judge. He is a major prophet in the nation and
well respected as the text bears out. His dialog with the LORD is intimate, and
this book explores God’s call on his life from even before his conception. 1
Samuel covers Israel’s first king, Saul, and the tribulations of this
transition that did not go as smoothly as hoped for by the nation. It narrates
the anointing of David as the future king and his battle with Goliath and the
Philistines, which proved his courage and dependence on the Almighty. We then
see the rising tension as King Saul remains the leader in a divided nation,
which tests the young rising star, David, and culminates in Saul and his son’s downfall
at Mount Gilboa according to the will of the LORD. These events take place somewhere
between 1083 and 1010 B.C. as the time of change occurred in this great ancient
society. Therefore, the themes of this work include but are certainly not
limited to: Kingship, God’s sovereign control, Leadership, Obedience, Patience,
and God’s faithfulness. The key verses of this book tell the ultimate story… “The
LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that
they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from
being King over them…Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall
solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign
over them (1 Samuel 8:7-9).’”
(Ideas extracted from “New American Standard Bible: Life
Application Study Bible.” Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI, 1995, pgs. 436-438)
-Chapter 1: God’s timing is impeccable even though sometimes
we give up hope in certain situations. Hannah found herself in one of these
hopeless conundrums as the LORD had closed up her womb for a number of years.
She was one of two wives that Elkanah, the Ephraimite from the hill country of
Ramathaim-zophim, had. Although she was the most loved, she had been held back
from bearing a child to her husband, which was absolutely disdained in this
ancient culture. Elkanah was a religious man who would yearly go up to worship
and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh, where the tabernacle, which by
now was being called a temple, was located. Eli was the presiding priest, and
his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also were priests to the LORD there. At the
appropriate time, Elkanah would give the sacrificed portions to Peninnah, his
one wife, and all her sons and daughters, but to Hannah, his barren wife, he
would give a double portion out of his love, and perhaps pity, for her (1
Samuel 1:1-5).
-Jealousy got the best of Peninnah in this situation, and
she provoked her rival bitterly to provoke her. She had children, and Hannah
had none. Therefore, she tortured Hannah year after year causing Hannah to weep
and refrain from eating out of sadness. Elkanah tried to console her, but to no
avail. He reassured her that he was better to her than ten sons, but the grief
grew and grew each year. One year, as Hannah was greatly distressed, she prayed
before the LORD her God weeping so bitterly that Eli, who happened to be
sitting in the vicinity by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD, heard her
and thought her to be drunk with wine. Hannah was making a personal vow before
the LORD that if He would look on her “affliction” and “remember” His
maidservant to give her a son, she would indeed give this boy back to the LORD
all the days of his life as a man of God never to be touched by a razor on his
head. Eli, not knowing the truth about what was going on, rebuked her, but soon
realized that she was not drunk by their conversation. Hannah had related how
she was simply “oppressed in spirit” and that she was pouring out her soul
before her Creator in supplication. She begged Eli not to consider her a worthless
woman because she had spoken out of her “great concern and provocation.” Eli in
the end blessed her, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your
petition that you have asked of Him.” This greatly encouraged Hannah and she
went back on her way eating once again with renewed vigor and dreams. “Her face
was no longer sad (1 Samuel 1:6-18).”
-The family arose early the next morning and worshipped
before the LORD before returning to their house in Ramah. Shortly afterwards,
Elkanah had relations with his wife, Hannah, and they conceived, just as she
had prayed. The LORD remembered her, and in due time they had a little baby
boy, who was named Samuel (Shĕmuw'el- heard of God). When the time came to go back up
to Shiloh for their yearly worship, offering, and paying of vows, Hannah asked
permission to refrain from going there until Samuel was weaned. When he was
weaned, she promised to fulfill her commitment and give her boy to the LORD
forever to stay with the priests at Shiloh under the care of Eli. Elkanah told
her to do what seemed best to her with the stipulation that the LORD would
confirm His word in the situation. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him up
to Shiloh with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine
to be given to the house of the LORD. Although the child was young, he was
given over to the priest, Eli, after slaughtering the bull according to the Law
of Moses. Hannah renewed her conversation with Eli after this elapsed time, “Oh,
my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you,
praying to the LORD. For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my
petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as
long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.” The final sentence of the
chapter claims that he (not sure if this was Eli or Samuel) then worshiped the
LORD in that place (1 Samuel 1:19-28).
-*Application* Waiting, agony, provocation. We’ve all been
in that place where we are more than willing to make a deal with the LORD to
alleviate oppression. Hannah is not alone in her struggle. Patience is a virtue;
God is at work even when we feel the pain of the meantime. Let’s talk about commitment,
faithfulness to a call, and integrity. Hannah showed these things along with
her husband as Samuel came along. Are we responding properly after God has
blessed us with the things we’ve longed and prayed for? How about giving things
we love so dearly up? We know that God will bless it when we do, but the cost
can seem so high. Devote your life and your family to the LORD, and see how He
will work out the process. Even if you have to look like an intoxicated fool,
beg God for the desires that are on your heart and within His plan.
Verses to Memorize:
1 Samuel 1:27-28
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