1 SAMUEL 1 – THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL
Notes
Transcript
1 Samuel 1 – Blessings to the Barren
1 and 2 Samuel form one book in the ancient Hebrew manuscripts. They were not divided into two books until the Old Testament was translated into Greek. We don’t know who wrote the books for certain. Samuel was a major contributor, but much of the book takes place after his death in 1 Samuel 25. They are called the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, not because Samuel wrote all of them, but because they describe his great ministry in Israel and the legacy of it.
A. Hannah’s barrenness and her vow.
A. Hannah’s barrenness and her vow.
1. (1-2) The family of Elkanah.
1. (1-2) The family of Elkanah.
1 Samuel 1:1–2 “1 Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.”
a. A certain man:
a. A certain man:
At this strategic time and place, God began His plan as He almost always does – with a person He will use. God can do His work by Himself, or by angels, or by any number of other means, but His normal method is to find a certain man and work through him.
b. Elkanah:
b. Elkanah:
He was a descendant of Zuph, and his family line shows he was a Levite (1 Chronicles 6:16-30). He is called an Ephraimite here because his family lived in a Levitical city in the boundaries of Ephraim, not because he was of the tribe of Ephraim.
c. Elkanah…. had two wives:
c. Elkanah…. had two wives:
Polygamy was a fact of life in the ancient world. However, the Bible never puts polygamy in a favorable light. Strife and conflict always characterize polygamous families in the Bible.
i. There was an intense, competitive relationship between the two wives, Peninnah (who had children) and Hannah (who had no children).
i. There was an intense, competitive relationship between the two wives, Peninnah (who had children) and Hannah (who had no children).
ii. “Polygamy was ever [always] a sin, though in the patriarchs and ancient saints, a sin of ignorance. ‘It was not so from the beginning.’ (Matthew 19:8; Malachi 2:15).” (Trapp)
ii. “Polygamy was ever [always] a sin, though in the patriarchs and ancient saints, a sin of ignorance. ‘It was not so from the beginning.’ (Matthew 19:8; Malachi 2:15).” (Trapp)
2. (3-7) Elkanah and his family journey to the tabernacle.
2. (3-7) Elkanah and his family journey to the tabernacle.
1 Samuel 1:3–7 “3 Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters; 5 but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat.”
a. This man went up from his city:
a. This man went up from his city:
According to the Law of Moses, Israelites could not worship God through sacrifices at any time and in any way they pleased. They were to bring sacrifices to the tabernacle and the priests, which at this time were at Shiloh.
b. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there:
b. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there:
These priests are mentioned by name because they were known as notoriously wicked priests (1 Samuel 2:17, 24). Their mention here shows how godly Elkanah was. Even though the priests were wicked, he still offered sacrifices to the LORD, knowing that the wickedness of the priest did not make his own service to the LORD invalid.
c. He would give portions:
c. He would give portions:
As Elkanah brought his family each year to the tabernacle for the sacrifice he ate a ceremonial meal at the tabernacle with his family, giving portions to his wives and their children. He showed his favor and love to Hannah by giving her a double portion.
d. She wept and did not eat:
d. She wept and did not eat:
Because of the conflict between the two wives, Hannah could not enjoy this display of love and favor from Elkanah.
i. It is possible for problems at home to make your time at the house of God miserable. Hannah is at the house of the LORD with a blessed double portion in front of her and she can’t enjoy it.
i. It is possible for problems at home to make your time at the house of God miserable. Hannah is at the house of the LORD with a blessed double portion in front of her and she can’t enjoy it.
e. The LORD had closed her womb:
e. The LORD had closed her womb:
Beyond Hannah’s painful trial there was a purpose of God. God used the trial of a closed womb to accomplish something great in her life and to further the whole plan of salvation. Even though things were hard God was still in charge.
i. It seems strange that Peninnah (who seems of a bad character) was blessed with children and Hannah (who seems of a good character) was cursed with barrenness. Often, we don’t understand God’s ways until He completes His plan.
i. It seems strange that Peninnah (who seems of a bad character) was blessed with children and Hannah (who seems of a good character) was cursed with barrenness. Often, we don’t understand God’s ways until He completes His plan.
After church Peninnah left and was jealous of how Elkanah treated Hannah and would cruelly mock Hannah. This was very likely questioning Hannah’s character as it was often assumed bareness was a judgement from God.
The Israelite for all their faults did still look at Genesis 1:28 and say we are commanded by God to procreate. In Leviticus and Deuteronomy we see promises of God to bless them with fertility. There was an expectation of if you followed God he would ensure the blessing of Children. Exodus 23:25-26 They also believed that through their lineage could be the Messiah Genesis 12 1-3. So for Hannah to be barren was seen as a Judgement of God. Peninnah most likely pointed this out regularly telling Hannah was judging her for some hidden or past sin. Often it was assumed that a woman who was not able to bear children in marriage was promiscuous before or during marriage and this was Gods Judgement.
1 Now the Lord said to Abram,
“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
25 But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. 26 There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
and
3. (8-11) Hannah’s godly vow.
3. (8-11) Hannah’s godly vow.
1 Samuel 1:8–11 “8 Then 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 better to you than ten sons?” 9 Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 She made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.””
a. Hannah, why do you weep?…. Am I not better to you than ten sons?
a. Hannah, why do you weep?…. Am I not better to you than ten sons?
In Elkanah’s response to Hannah’s sorrow, we see that he did love her; yet like many men he was insensitive. He did not recognize that she had needs he could not fulfill (such as the desire to be a mother).
b. Prayed to the LORD:
b. Prayed to the LORD:
Hannah was in bitterness of soul and great anguish, yet she did the right thing. Hannah took those bitter and anguished feelings to God honestly in prayer.
c. O LORD of hosts: God of Armies is the translation here.
c. O LORD of hosts: God of Armies is the translation here.
Hannah began her prayer by calling on the LORD of hosts.This title is used some 260 times in the Old Testament and has the idea “LORD of Mighty Armies.” Hannah felt attacked by her rival, so she called on the LORD of Mighty Armies to be her protector.
d. She made a vow:
d. She made a vow:
Hannah promised her son to the work of the LORD, vowing he would be a Nazirite from birth (I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head). According to Numbers 6, the vow of a Nazirite included the following:
Abstinence from any product from a grape vine, signifying distance from all fleshly pleasures.
Taking no part in any mourning for the dead, nor coming near a dead body, because the dead show the corruption and the fruit of sin. Also, this showed that the Nazirite had greater concerns than the ordinary joys and sorrows of life.
Never cutting the hair because it was a public, visible sign to others of the vow.
Typically, the vow of a Nazirite was taken for a set and rather short period of time. Samuel and Samson (Judges 13:5) were unique because they were Nazirites from birth.
e. I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life:
e. I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life:
The child was already dedicated as a Levite because God regarded the tribe of Levi as His own special possession. But the time of a Levite’s special dedication to the LORD only lasted from the age of 30 to 50 (Numbers 4:2-3). Hannah took something that already belonged to the LORD and gave it again to Him in a greater way – for his whole life, and in the dedication of a Nazirite, which was a greater consecration than a Levite.
i. Even so, we may be dedicated to the LORD – but it is possible to give God a greater dedication. It would be easy for Hannah to say, “I don’t need to dedicate my child to the LORD because he is already dedicated.” But there was a deeper dedication for the LORD to draw out of Hannah.
i. Even so, we may be dedicated to the LORD – but it is possible to give God a greater dedication. It would be easy for Hannah to say, “I don’t need to dedicate my child to the LORD because he is already dedicated.” But there was a deeper dedication for the LORD to draw out of Hannah.
4. (12-14) Eli, the high priest, watches Hannah’s silent prayer.
4. (12-14) Eli, the high priest, watches Hannah’s silent prayer.
1 Samuel 1:12–14 “12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. 14 Then Eli said to her, “How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.””
a. As she continued praying:
a. As she continued praying:
This is literally, “as she multiplied to pray.” We only have recorded a bare summary of Hannah’s prayer.
b. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard:
b. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard:
It is often good to pray aloud because it can help us to better focus our thoughts. Yet this passage shows that prevailing prayer doesn’t need to be vocal. Effective prayer can be silent and in the heart.
c. How long will you be drunk?
c. How long will you be drunk?
Eli misunderstood Hannah, but the fact that he suspected that she was drunk shows that it may not have been unusual for people to become drunk at the “fellowship meals” with the LORD at the tabernacle. The fact that Eli suspected Hannah of drunkenness doesn’t speak well for what went on around the tabernacle.
i. “The fact that Eli supposed her to be drunken, and the other of the conduct of Eli’s sons already mentioned, prove that religion was at this time at a very low ebb in Shiloh; for it seems drunken women did come to the place, and lewd women were to be found there.” (Clarke)
i. “The fact that Eli supposed her to be drunken, and the other of the conduct of Eli’s sons already mentioned, prove that religion was at this time at a very low ebb in Shiloh; for it seems drunken women did come to the place, and lewd women were to be found there.” (Clarke)
5. (15-18) Hannah responds to Eli’s accusation; Eli answers with a blessing.
5. (15-18) Hannah responds to Eli’s accusation; Eli answers with a blessing.
1 Samuel 1:15–18 “15 But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.” 18 She said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.”
a. No, my lord:
a. No, my lord:
Hannah did not accept Eli’s accusation, but she did not respond in a haughty or arrogant tone. She would explain herself, but she did it remembering that he was her high priest.
b. Have poured out my soul before the LORD:
b. Have poured out my soul before the LORD:
This is exactly what Hannah needed to do. Instead of keeping the bitterness of soul and the anguish in her heart, she poured it out of her soul before the LORD.
c. The God of Israel grant your petition:
c. The God of Israel grant your petition:
Eli may have spoken this only as a kind wish, but it was in fact a word from the LORD.
d. Her face was no longer sad:
d. Her face was no longer sad:
The change in Hannah’s countenance shows that she received the promise with faith, something necessary if we will inherit the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12).
i. Hannah shows how we can regain the joy of fellowship in the house of the LORD again: by pouring out our heart before the LORD and by receiving His word with faith.
i. Hannah shows how we can regain the joy of fellowship in the house of the LORD again: by pouring out our heart before the LORD and by receiving His word with faith.
B. The birth and dedication of Samuel.
B. The birth and dedication of Samuel.
1. (19-20) Samuel’s miraculous conception and his birth.
1. (19-20) Samuel’s miraculous conception and his birth.
1 Samuel 1:19–20 “19 Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.””
a. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped:
a. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped:
Hannah could genuinely worship the LORD in faith while the promise was still not yet fulfilled. This is a glorious pattern of faith.
b. And the LORD remembered her:
b. And the LORD remembered her:
To use the term remembered is an anthropomorphism, a way of explaining God’s actions in human terms that we can understand, even if it doesn’t perfectly describe God’s action. It isn’t as if God ever forgot Hannah, but it is proper to say He remembered her.
c. It came to pass in the process of time:
c. It came to pass in the process of time:
It didn’t happen right away. Hannah had reason enough to be discouraged, but when the promise of God was spoken she did not lose faith in the promise, even when it took some time. She is a great example of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).
Samuel meaning God has Heard.
2. (21-23) Hannah keeps the child until he is weaned.
2. (21-23) Hannah keeps the child until he is weaned.
1 Samuel 1:21–23 “21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.”
a. Until the child is weaned:
a. Until the child is weaned:
In that culture, a child was usually not weaned until two years of age, or sometimes three years. It is reasonable to assume that Hannah was in no hurry to wean Samuel.
b. Only let the LORD establish His word:
b. Only let the LORD establish His word:
This was wonderful counsel from Elkanah. He said, “do everything in obedience to God so we may see His word established among us.”
3. (24-28) Hannah dedicates Samuel to God’s service.
3. (24-28) Hannah dedicates Samuel to God’s service.
1 Samuel 1:24–28 “24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. 26 She said, “Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. 27 For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.”
a. She took him up with her:
a. She took him up with her:
This was hard for Hannah and Elkanah. Their willingness to fulfill the vow even at great personal cost is evidence of godliness in Elkanah and Hannah.
b. With three bulls:
b. With three bulls:
The fact that 1 Samuel 1:24 mentions three bulls brought to Shiloh but 1 Samuel 1:25 mentions only one being sacrificed (with some of the meat available for a fellowship meal) emphasizes that one of the bulls was specifically made as a burnt offering for the cleansing and consecration of little Samuel.
c. I also have lent him to the LORD:
c. I also have lent him to the LORD:
The idea was not that Hannah “owned” the child and “lent” him to the LORD. Instead, the idea is that the child is her “prayer,” or the fulfillment of her prayer to the LORD.
i. The name Samuel means “Name of God” but Hannah – as was common among the Hebrews – made a pun on the name by saying that she had “asked the LORD for him.” Asked in Hebrew sounds like Samuel.
i. The name Samuel means “Name of God” but Hannah – as was common among the Hebrews – made a pun on the name by saying that she had “asked the LORD for him.” Asked in Hebrew sounds like Samuel.
d. So they worshiped the LORD there:
d. So they worshiped the LORD there:
Worship is a repeated characteristic of this family (see also 1 Samuel 1:3, 19, 28). Even in difficult situations, they could worship the LORD. Praising God on the day you give your little son away may not be easy, but it is praise God is pleased with, even as we are told to bring a sacrifice of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15).
