FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL
continued

CHAPTER 1  VERSES 19 - 28
CHAPTER 2  VERSES 1 - 26

If you wish to scroll down to the theology and reflection
it is following the Scripture passage below

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elka'nah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her; [20] and in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked him of the LORD."
[21] And the man Elka'nah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice,
and to pay his vow. [22] But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child
is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the LORD, and abide there for ever."
[23] Elka'nah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word." So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him.
[24] And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine; and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh; and the child was young.
[25] Then they slew the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.
[26] And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD.
[27] For this child I prayed; and the LORD has granted me my petition which I made to him.
[28] Therefore I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD."
And they worshiped the LORD there.

CHAPTER TWO
[1]
Hannah also prayed and said,
"My heart exults in the LORD;
my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in thy salvation.
[2] "There is none holy like the LORD,
there is none besides thee;
there is no rock like our God.
[3] Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
[4] The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
[5] Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
[6] The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
[7] The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
[8] He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,
and on them he has set the world.
[9] "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones;
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might shall a man prevail.
[10] The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed."
[11]
Then Elka'nah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to the LORD, in the presence of Eli the priest.

[12] Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they had no regard for the LORD.
[13] The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand,
[14] and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. So they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
[15] Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but raw."
[16] And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force."
[17] Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt.
[18] Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy girded with a linen ephod.
[19] And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
[20] Then Eli would bless Elka'nah and his wife, and say, "The LORD give you children by this woman for the loan which she lent to the LORD"; so then they would return to their home.
[21] And the LORD visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the LORD.

[22] Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
[23] And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
[24] No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad.
[25] If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to slay them.
[26] Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.

THEOLOGY AND REFLECTION
CHAPTER 1  VERSES 19 - 28
CHAPTER 2  VERSES 1 - 11

Hannah and Elikanah are blessed with their son Samuel, their first born .
How did Hannah express her gratitude ?
1. An offering Chapter 1 Verses 21 and 24
    Elkamah is the first to offer sacrifice to God and to fulfil his vow. Verse 21
    Later after Samuel is weaned Hannah herself
    went to God at Shiloh to offer sacrifice.
    Hannah's sacrifice of ' a three year old bull,
    ephah of flour and a skin of wine' ( verse 24 )
    is great indeed. She truly offered her first fruits to God.
    She then offers her son Samuel
    to Eli entrusting her first born son to the service of God. Verse 26 - 28

2. Hannah's Prayer  Chapter 2 Verses 1 - 10
    a. Hannah's prayer is in the form of a psalm - thus it is a masterful poem ;
        a literary piece of stanzas and great breath.
    b. It is a Prayer to God - it is addressed to God. It is full on praise.
        There is not one petition here.
    c. Hannah's personal prayer / personal psalm is part of Scriptures .
       Since it is part of the Bible it becomes no longer personal
        but one that all God's people can pray.
       This is extremely significant.
    d. Since Hannah's personal prayer is part of Scriptures this means
        that it was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
        All the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus true of this prayer.
    e. One's personal prayer always reflects the world and the community of faith.
        No prayer is ever isolated in itself just as
        no person of prayer is isolated in themselves.
        Thus Hannah uses the images and words of her People - the Chosen Ones.
        This is why she
        - call God ' rock ' ( verse 2 )
                 See also Deuteronomy 32: 30 - 31 )
        - states that God humbles the proud and raises the lowly
                 As He always did
        - states that the barren one shall bear seven fold
                 Seven the perfect number in the Bible
        - proclaims that God's enemies will be scattered
                 He has done this in Bible to this point
     f. The focus is on God.
        Hannah's prayer is not about her pain, or her sufferings or even her blessings
        but is totally focused on God. It is all about God's purpose.
        Hannah has seen it and now proclaims it.
    g. Hannah's prayer is prophetic.
        Verse 10 - Hannah is the one to speak for the first time in the
        Bible of God's Anointed One, the Messiah.
        How wonderful that this woman of faith
        is the first to prophesy of the Lord's Anointed.
        That God will endow His King with strength.
        This is in contrast to the conclusion of the Book of Judges
        when the people cry out for a king like all of the other nations.
        Hannah speaks of the King of Kings.
     h. Hannah is obedient. She fulfils her vow.
         Contrast this with Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas and their outright disobedience.
     i. The theme of Hannah's prayer is quite clear -
        that people who are apparently unimportant become important
        and those who appear important become unimportant.
        This was Hannah's experience. It may our experience too.

CHAPTER 2  VERSES 11 - 26

Verse 11
Hannah's prayer is followed by her action
It is an act of trust, She leaves her only and first born son Samuel

Verse 12 - 17
The faithfulness of Hannah and the faith of Samuel is contrasted
with the sons of Eli - Hophni and Phinehas
As Jewish priests of Yahweh they were allotted portions of the sacrifice.
Since they were of the tribe of Levi ,
the priests of the Lord they were not given any land in the Promised Land
but were allocated part of the people's sacrifices to live on.
There were strict laws of what and how and how much they were to be given.
Yet Eli's sons took far too much and took it at the inappropriate time during the sacrifice.
See Leviticus 7:28 / Numbers 18 : 8 / Deuteronomy 18 : 3 - 4

Verse 18
The faith of Samuel is contrasted with that of Eil's sons Hophni and Phinehas
Samuel serves   verse 2:1
     Liturgical sins of Eli's sons  verses 2:12 - 17
Samuel serves    verse 2:18 - 21
     Moral sins of Eli's sons   verses 2:22- 25
Samuel serves     verse 2:26
     Prophecy of Judgement upon Eli's sons  verses 2: 27 - 36
Samuel serves     verse 3:1

Verse 18 also gives us a beautiful scene of Hannah and Elkanah
bringing a new robe each year to their son.
Although they continue to be part of his life and influence him
they ( by the robe ) show their honour.

Verse 21
God, through Eli, blesses Hannah and Elkanah.
Hannah bears 3 sons and 2 daughters thus a total of 6 children.
Do remember that Hannah's prayer was for one son - God has blessed her 6 times over !

QUESTIONS

1. Hannah's Prayer is so beautiful.  When did you praise God? How? Do it now !
    When did you last praise someone ?

2. Hannah's petition was for one son. God gave her six children.
    Has God ever given you more blessings than you even prayed for ? When ?

TODAY  WE  CELEBRATE
ASH  WEDNESDAY  2012

SEE MY LINK TO MY BLOG ON LENT 2012

http://lent2013.blogspot.com/
( yes I know it says lent 2013 - domain of lent2012 was taken ! )

Check every Friday for Bible Study Updates for Lent on this site

HANNAH PRESENTS HER SON SAMUEL TO ELI

VERSE 9 – 28

Verse 9 – 10

·         Hannah makes a ‘ vow ‘

·         For her, as we shall see it is a true PROMISE to God.

·         Verse 10 – Sabaoth is the chosen Name for God.

It is repeated on the lips of Hannah – this is significant

Verse 11

·         Hannah is specific in her prayer and her request – she asks for one boy to be born of her.

·         If given Hannah promises to consecrate him to the Lord as a NAZARITE.

·         NAZARITE

                     -     Rooted in Book of Numbers 6: 1 – 21 and Book of Judges 13 : 2 – 7

-          For a male who is consecrated as a Nazarite they cannot

       a. Have their hair cut b. Drink of the fruit of the vine and c. Touch a dead body.

-          Nazarites have included Samson in the Old Testament and St John the Baptist in the New Testament.

-          Here Samuel is named as a Nazarite

Verse 12

·         Eli sees Hannah and assumes that she is drunk

·         This showed the state of affairs in that it must have been common

       to see a drunk at the Gate.

·         It reflected indeed the low state of the nation at that time

Verse 14 – 17

·         Hannah explains her petition to Eli. Eli’s reply – “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of Him.” In this statement we see Eli as an INTERCESSOR of Hannah’s prayer. As a Judge of Israel Eli held a special place of intercession between the People and God.

Verse 18

·         Concludes with Hannah eating, banqueting and being no longer dejected.

·         Although the prayer HAS NOT YET been answered Hannah shows complete trust and faith. Her spirits are consoled, lifted and healed by God at that moment.

Verse 19 – 23

·         Samuel is born and weaned.

·         He is raised by Hannah and Elkanah until age 12

·         In these verses we read of an UNSEEN MINISTRY of Hannah with her son

·         Like St John the Baptist and the ‘ hidden life ‘ of Jesus Samuel is raised as a boy in a righteous and godly family. Elkanah continues year after year to offer sacrifice at Shiloh.

Verse 24 – 28

·         Samuel, now 12 years old, is presented by Hannah to Eli.

·         Note that Elkanah, as Samuel’s father, is also to be commended for his faith for Samuel was his only son by Hannah and he too is willing to offer Samuel to the Lord.

·         Samuel is presented very clearly for a life time and not as some Jewish priests who were for a set number of years. The commitment was for life.

QUESTIONS

1.       Hannah makes a specific vow and a specific prayer to God.

What do you think about prayers and petitions that are very ‘specific ‘?

2.       Hannah and Elkanah give their 12 year old son to Eli after waiting for so long for a son.

      How have you been blessed ? How much did you turn over to the Lord ?

      If blessed could you turn all of it over to the Lord ?

3.       Hannah afforded Samuel ‘ unseen ministry ‘ in his childhood.

What ‘ unseen ministry ‘ do you offer ?

STUDY – FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL

CHAPTER ONE

·         Begins with Hannah’s story of faith and not immediately of the birth of Samuel or the story of King Saul or King David. For if it was not for HER agony, HER trust and the story of HER faith then the story of her son Samuel would be forgotten. SHE would be the one to give birth to the one who would turn the nation around.

·         It is significant that First Samuel does not begin with the birth of King Saul or King David – these birth stories are not even in the Bible, but rather of Samuel who would anoint them. Why? This tells us that flesh and blood (human kings) are subordinate to word and spirit in establishing the Kingship of God.

VERSE 1- 8

Verse 1

·         We are introduced to Elkanah.

·         Lived in Ramah – 15 miles north of Jerusalem

·         Lived in the area of the Ephraim Tribe – one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

       This was the area of the Promised Land allotted to this tribe.

Verse 2

·         Elkanah had two wives – Hannah and Peninnah. True Elkanah was in a polygamist marriage. Although permitted by the nation polygamy was not part of God’s original plan in Genesis. And yet with Elkanah having two wives one of which had children ( Peninnah ) and one who did not ( Hannah ) it was proof that the difficulty lay with Hannah in conceiving.

Verse 3

·         They went every year to worship at SHILOH to offer sacrifice to God, named here for the first time as SABAOTH.

SABAOTH 

              -   Translated as 'Almighty' as in 'Hosts' or 'Armies'

-     This the first time in the Hebrew Scriptures that God is named Sabaoth

-      This name is never used in the first five Books of the Bible or Book of Joshua.

SHILOH

             - Translated as ‘Rest’ for it was here that the Hebrew People rested

                after they entered the Promised Land with Joshua through the River Jordan.

             -   30 miles north of Jerusalem

             -  It was here that the TENT OF THE TABERNACLE (including the

                10 Commandments) was set. Faithful Jews went to Shiloh for worship

                three times a year.

            -     We can tell that this was a faithful family in that they travelled 15 miles

                to get to Shiloh (one day’s journey) to worship and offer sacrifices.

            -   At this time Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas were Jewish priests here

            -   In spite of the corruption of Hophni and Phinehas people still ventured

                to Shiloh

Verse 4 – 8

·         The ‘source ‘of Hannah’s barrenness is God who wills this situation for His Glory.

·         Thus ‘ Yahweh made her barren ‘ is mentioned in verse 5 and verse 6.

       Because of its being noted twice this is significant.

·         Peninnah would ‘taunt’ and ‘provoke ‘Hannah. Peninnah has children while Hannah has none. But moreover Elkanah loves Hannah best and Peninnah is jealous of this.

·         Hannah does not lash back but ‘ suffers in silence ’; Hannah suffers in the silence of prayer, trust, love and action. She remains godly in spite of Peninnah. This will be an enduring influence on Samuel. 

Verse 8

·         Elkanah is kind to Hannah his wife and although he ‘ does not get it ‘ as seen by the questions that he asks Hannah he is there for her and in this verse is a great scene of gentleness and respect.

QUESTIONS

1.       The family of Hannah continues to worship at Shiloh although the Hebrew priests Hophni and Phinehas are corrupt. What is your opinion and your parallel experiences?

2.       Hannah does not lash out at Peninnah but suffers in silence and in faith. How would you react in such a situation ? How do you act in such a situation ?

THE PERSONS OF FIRST SAMUEL

HANNAH

·         Translated as  ‘Grace’ or ‘Favour’

·         She would be the righteous mother of Samuel

·         First Samuel starts off with HER story of faith, suffering, obedience and strength.

·         There are obvious parallels between Hannah and ST. ELIZABETH. Hannah gives birth to Samuel who points the way to the earthly Kings Saul and David; St.Elizabeth gives birth to St.John the Baptist who points the way to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings

·         There are also parallels between Hannah and the Virgin Mary. See for example Hannah’s Song     ( 1 Samuel 2 : 1 – 11 ) and Mary’s Song of the Magnificat ( Luke 1:45 – 55)

ELKANAH

·         Translated as  ‘Acquired by God’

·         He would be the righteous father of Samuel

·         He had two wives – Hannah and Peninnah

Although he was a polygamist God would use his situation to bring about salvation to the Hebrew People and glory to Himself.

SAMUEL

·         Translated as  ‘God Heard’

·         Born 1105 B.C.

·         The Judge that anointed King Saul and King David

Do remember from the Book of Judges that a ‘Judge’ for the Hebrew People was not just a judge that we would describe but he / she would be for the Jews a legal, governing arbitrator; a military leader and most of all a PROPHET

 PENINNAH

·         Translated as  ‘Coral’

·         Had children by Elkanah

·         “Tormented” Hannah

ELI

·         Translated as ‘High'

·         One of the last Judges of Israel

·         Mentor of  Samuel

·         Had two sons – Hophni and Phinehas who were priests of the Lord

These sons were corrupt priests of the Lord

 

QUESTIONS

1.       The Hebrew People called out for a king. Why? Do you suspect what may happen? Why?  

2.       In our age who do look to as our kings and queens? What is your experience of such kings and queens?

GENERAL INFORMATION

FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL

·     Originally ‘First Book of Samuel ‘ and “Second Book of Samuel’

       were one united Book within the Hebrew Scriptures

·    In 200 B.C. they became two separated Books in the Hebrew Scriptures.     

      This was the (Pre-Christian) Greek translation of the Bible known as the SEPTUAGINT.        

      It was this translation that St.Jerome used to pen the LATIN VULGATE,

      the ‘ancestor’ of our modern day Bible.

·    It would seem ‘ natural ‘ for the Hebrew People to divide the Book of Samuel into two parts since the first would focus on Samuel and the first King – King Saul and the second would focus on Samuel and the second King – King David.

·    Thus it would be that Samuel would provide the link between the two Books.

·    The FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL follows the Book of Judges (with the Book of Ruth,
      a righteous woman of faith between the Book of Judges and the Book of Samuel ).
      This represents the shift of the Hebrew People from being led on earth by JUDGES
      to being led by earthly KINGS. Thus the Book of Judges concludes with the line - 
      “In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did as they saw fit.” Judges 21:25

This sentence was the bridge into the world of Samuel and the earthly kings.
This would then mark the last of the two Judges (Eli and Samuel)
and the first of the two kings (King Saul and King David)

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

THE BOOK OF SAMUEL

We will explore, chapter by chapter the Book of Samuel.
I shall be using the Jerusalem Bible for these studies but you may follow using any Bible.

I will post theological and spiritual points followed by Questions.

Please feel free to share.
Please feel free to use for your individual prayer and study as well as family or group study.

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The purpose of this Blog is to explore, study, share and pray on the Word of God.
Through study and reflection we come to know the Living Word of God.
We will also share other etc.s of the Faiith.
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