1. Hannah: The Mother of Samuel 1 Sam 1:8-22

2. Samuel: Judge and Prophet As the final judge and one of the earliest oral prophets, Samuel was present at most of the major historical events of his lifetime. From his boyhood growing up under the influence of Eli to his involvement in the formation of a kingdom with Saul as the first king of God’s people, few things of importance occurred without his knowledge and participation. A study of Samuel as judge and prophet provides ancient lessons with modern meanings.

3. Can you name some people from the Bible who had positive influences from godly parents?

4. What influence have your parents had on your life as a Christian?

5. Acts 13:18-20 (ESV) And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Where does Samuel fit in the timeline of the Bible?

6. Judges 21:25 (ESV) In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. What was life like in Israel at that time?

7. 1)Israelites turn to false gods. 2)God allows enemies to overrun Israel. 3)Israelites cry out to God for deliverance. 4)God raises up a judge. 5)The judge is given victory. 6)Israel has a period of rest. 7)Start over from step 1. This is the basic pattern of Israel in the time of the judges

8. 1 Sam 1:1-2 (ESV) There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. *

9. 1 Sam 1:3 (ESV) Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. What was different about Elkanah? Judges 21:25 (ESV) In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

10. 1 Sam 1:3 (ESV) Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. Where did they go to worship and sacrifice?

11. 1 Sam 1:3 (ESV) Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. Where did they go to worship and sacrifice? Who was Eli? 1 Sam 1:9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 4:18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

12. 1 Sam 2:12-14 (ESV) Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know 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 cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. However, Eli is often remembered for __________.

13. 1 Sam 2:22-25 (ESV) Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving 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 these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone 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 put them to death. However, Eli is often remembered for __________.

14. 1 Sam 1:4-5 (ESV) On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Tell me about Hannah.

15. 1 Sam 1:4-5 (ESV) On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Tell me about Hannah. * The Septuagint reads “And, although he loved Hannah, he would give Hannah only one portion, because the Lord had closed her womb”

16. 1 Sam 1:6-7 (ESV) And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. How was the relationship between Peninnah and Hannah?

17. 1 Sam 1:8 (ESV) And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Showing his love? Or rubbing it in?

18. 1 Sam 1:9-11 (ESV) After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” What did Hannah do about her situation?

19. 1 Sam 1:9-11 (ESV) After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” What did Hannah do about her situation? Selfish motivation?

20. 1 Sam 1:9-11 (ESV) After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” “Usually a woman who had suffered so from not having a child would not give him up once he was born, but Hannah, a dedicated woman, was willing. Compare Abraham in Genesis 22. Here Hanna promised and gave; there Abraham was promised and was ordered to give. Both acted on faith.” -David Toshio Tsumura

21. 1 Sam 1:9-11 (ESV) After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” What’s the deal with “no razor shall touch his head”?

22. Num 6:1-4 (ESV) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. What’s the deal with “no razor shall touch his head”? -The Nazarite vow What does the Nazirite vow signify?

23. Num 6:1-4 (ESV) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. What’s the deal with “no razor shall touch his head”? -The Nazarite vow What does the Nazirite vow signify? Is it voluntary or mandated? Men or women?

24. Num 6:5 (ESV) “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long. What’s the deal with “no razor shall touch his head”? -The Nazarite vow How long does the Nazirite vow last?

25. Num 6:6-8 (ESV) “All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body. 7 Not even for his father or for his mother, for brother or sister, if they die, shall he make himself unclean, because his separation to God is on his head. 8 All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord. What’s the deal with “no razor shall touch his head”? -The Nazarite vow

26. 1 Sam 1:9-11 (ESV) After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” The vow Hannah makes for her son is __________.

27. 1 Sam 1:12-14 (ESV) As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” What did Eli see as Hannah prayed to God?

28. 1 Sam 1:12-14 (ESV) As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” What did Eli see as Hannah prayed to God? “Though Eli was the high priest of Shiloh – and ostensibly a man of exceptional spiritual maturity, he is consistently depicted by the narrator as spiritually blind and inert. He was a man who watched lips instead of perceiving hearts; who judge profound spirituality to be profligate [wreckless] indulgence in spirits.” - Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel

29. 1 Sam 1:15-16 (ESV) But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Hannah declares she was not drunk. Rather, she was ______________.

30. 1 Sam 1:17-18 (ESV) Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Eli accused Hannah of wickedness and disrespect for the Lord, yet failed to act swiftly when it was his own sons. Did he apologize for his accusation?

31. 1 Sam 1:17-18 (ESV) Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Eli accused Hannah of wickedness and disrespect for the Lord, yet failed to act swiftly when it was his own sons. Did he apologize for his accusation? How did Hannah handle the situation?

32. 1 Sam 1:19-20 (ESV) They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah 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 for him from the Lord.” The next morning Elkanah and his family _________.

33. 1 Sam 1:19-20 (ESV) They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah 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 for him from the Lord.” Over the course of time, Hannah bore a son to Elkanah. Natural causes, or God’s providence?

34. 1 Sam 1:19-20 (ESV) They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah 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 for him from the Lord.” Over the course of time, Hannah bore a son to Elkanah. Natural causes, or God’s providence? What does Samuel’s name mean?

35. 1 Sam 1:21-22 (ESV) The man Elkanah 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, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” When it came time to go to Shiloh for the yearly sacrifice, did Hannah and Samuel go with Elkanah and the family?

36. 1 Sam 1:21-22 (ESV) The man Elkanah 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, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” When it came time to go to Shiloh for the yearly sacrifice, did Hannah and Samuel go with Elkanah and the family? When would she go?

37. 1 Sam 1:21-22 (ESV) The man Elkanah 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, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” Hannah did not forget the promise she made to God – a promise she intended to keep. Whereas some may make promises to God without the intention to follow through, such was not true of Hannah. Given the devotion of his parents, it is little wonder Samuel became a great and devoted leader of God’s people.

38. The text of 1 Samuel 1 is intended to illustrate the goodness of Samuel’s parents – Elkanah and Hannah. Nevertheless, it also reveals some of the difficulties associated with polygamy. God did not intend for a man to marry more than one woman at a time. Rather, God desires for man to marry one woman and for the two of them to be together for life. Matt 19:4-6 (ESV) He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

39. Hannah’s despair was the result of Peninnah’s taunts. This same sort of jealousy is also seen in the rivalry that developed between the wives of Jacob – Leah and Rachel. Gen 30:1 (ESV) When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”

40. Our lesson helps us to better appreciate God’s providence. Surely those who have studied the book of Judges recognize the moral void that existed during that period. Israel did not merely need a leader; they needed a leader who would encourage them to do the will of God. By raising up Samuel, God provided such a leader. It should be noted that Samuel was not without fault. He did, however, have godly parents who intended for him to spend his life in service to God.

41. The text also beautifully illustrates how God works behind the scenes to both answer prayer and bring about His will. If we did not know about Hannah’s prayer, we would concluded that Samuel’s birth was completely natural. Because the text reveals God’s involvement, we know otherwise. So it is with God’s providence.

42. Next Week The Boy Samuel 1 Sam 1:24-28, 2:18-21, 3:1-4