Today's Reading:

1 Samuel 1
1 Samuel 2
1 Samuel 3

Samuel, as a leader during the time of the Kings, was like Moses was to the Wilderness. This book, written by an unknown author, can be looked at like a sequel to the book of Judges (could be written by Samuel, Nathan, and/or Gad- 1 Chronicles 29:29). Whoever wrote it probably had access to the king’s historical documents of Samuel, Saul, and David. It was a transition period from the time of judges to the start of the monarchy under Saul. The book covered the rise and fall of King Saul and then the anointing of David. In general, people perceive the outward appearance of power, but God looks at the heart to find those who will push His Kingdom forward.

1 Samuel shows God values a repentant heart over strength. Saul lost the kingdom through disobedience. David was chosen because his heart followed God. In the New Testament, in the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul echoed the truth that sorrow, which leads to godly repentance, and willful giving both come from the heart. It is all about sincere repentance and obedience, not status and appearance.

 

 

Elkanah was from the hill country of Ephraim. He was from Ramathaim (Ramah), a Zuphite, of Ephraim, which was mostly only talked about here in the Bible (obscurity). The Bible lists this description, but he was most likely a Levite from the Kohathite clan, which had been allotted towns in Ephraim. Shiloh in Ephraim was between Bethel and Shechem, a central location where the Ark was located with the Tabernacle. Elkanah had 2 wives, Hannah (deeply loved) and Peninnah (fertile and mean). Three times each year, the men were required to travel up to Shiloh to appear before the Lord (such as the feast of Tabernacles, Exodus 23:14-17).

The high priest at Shiloh, Eli, had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Central worship was not focused on in the book of Judges. Worship existed, but they were not under strong leadership. In Eli’s time, the priesthood itself was corrupted by his sons, which showed spiritual decline. Elkanah, at the times of sacrifice, gave meat to his wife Peninnah and her kids, but double portions to Hannah. Being barren brought shame and grief to a family, and Peninnah taunted Hannah often about her barrenness, especially on the trips to Shiloh. In response, Hannah would weep, not eat, and pour out her cries to the Lord. Hannah went to the Tabernacle to pray in silence to God, pouring out her heart. She vowed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him as a Nazirite. She was persistent in her honest prayers from her brokenness. Eli, the high priest, noticed her talking to herself, lips moving, but no spoken words, and figured she was drunk. She explained her situation, and Eli blessed her and told her to go in peace. Grace shone as his blessing of her turned an awkward situation into encouragement.

God heard Hannah’s silent prayers. It was her faith; we must remember that God does not always answer prayers the way we expect or always fix wombs. After Eli’s blessing, Hannah ate and was no longer sad. She shifted the weight of her burden from herself over to God. She accepted Eli’s words even though she was not yet pregnant. She believed in God’s promise, letting Him bear the weight of her deepest desires. Surrender your hope, plans, anxiety, and fears to His wisdom, knowing He always works for your ultimate good. Find joy not in earthly things, but in Him!

The Lord remembered Hannah- not meaning forgotten, but that it was now her time and He would act on her behalf. The last time we saw a Nazirite vow was Samson- his long hair was the symbol. Hannah vowed to dedicate her son to God if she were blessed with a child. Most Nazirite vows were temporary, not lifelong. Hannah had a son and named him Samuel, meaning "because I asked for him/heard by God." What blessing have you received that you have asked God for? After Samuel was weaned (about age 3), Hannah brought him to Shiloh to serve under Eli, dedicating him fully to God. It was a bittersweet moment; Hannah got her lifelong wish- she longed for a son but then surrendered him back to the Lord. A hard decision based on Eli's track record raising his own sons. Hannah would have most likely only seen her son on the trips to Shiloh a few times a year. What we have to remember is that she was entrusting the Lord to raise her son, and we as parents do our best, but that does not mean that our children will follow the righteous path we set them on.

Hannah prayed, her Song of Praise and Thanksgiving. Her heart was rejoicing in the Lord. Not just that she had a child, but that God answered her prayer and removed the disgrace of being barren. Other women worshipped and prayed, but Hannah was the first woman written down in Scripture to go to the Tabernacle, taking her troubles to God, as He is the problem solver.

Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were wicked, corrupt, worthless, and thieves. The priests were to be given a certain portion of the sacrifice, and they came in and took what they wanted BEFORE God was given His portion. The sons were sleeping with the women serving at the Tabernacle and treating God’s offerings with disgrace. When Eli was made aware of their behavior, he barely even scolded them. God sent a “man of God” (prophet) to give Eli the bad news that He would bring judgment on his house (family line/ dynasty) since he honored his sons more than God. His own sons would die on the same day, and no one would reach old age. This would come as a sign that God would personally raise up a faithful priest. God’s promise of a faithful priestly line was ultimately fulfilled by Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar (Aaron's son), who served under King Solomon. In contrast to Eli’s family through the line of Ithamar, who were judged for their unfaithfulness. Abiathar was the priest under David from Eli’s descendant, and Solomon removed Abiathar (1 Kings 2:26-35). God said the new priest line would serve faithfully to His anointed (which would be David). The prophet also said that Eli’s family would be humbled and beg the priest for food just to survive- in contrast to his sons’ luxury and abuse of God.

Chapter 3 was a tender setup for the character of Samuel. A dimly lit night, aging, nearly blind priest asleep in his spot, with a single lamp still burning. Here, a faithful boy asleep near the Ark, hearing the call, like a child running to see what his father needed at 3 AM. This was an intimate feeling and anticipation. Even in spiritual darkness, there was still a flicker of light- hope did not die out. God called the unexpected and humble boy, not the experienced leader. It was rare in those days to hear God’s voice. There were no frequent visions or prophecies, which was why Samuel did not recognize the voice calling out. He ran to Eli twice, thinking he was being called in the night. The third time, Eli recognized it was the Lord and helped Samuel learn how to respond. Samuel answered God’s call and heard a tough message about judgment on Eli’s house for his sons’ sins and for his failure to reprimand them. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, but Eli insisted and responded with grace: “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in His eyes” (3:18).

Samuel grew up continuing to hear the Lord, and everyone knew from Dan (north) to Beersheba (south) that he was a prophet. Samuel’s heart remained open to God’s voice, carrying the tender promise that when we say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” He never stops speaking to those who wait with humble trust.

Today's Discussion question: 

Surrender your hope, plans, anxiety, and fears to His wisdom, knowing He always works for your ultimate good. Find joy not in earthly things, but in Him! Hannah had a son and named him Samuel, meaning, because I asked for him. What blessing have you received that you have asked God for?

 
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