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 ?