Filed under: 1 samuel, eli, elkanah, god, hagar, hannah, hophni, leah, peninnah, phinehas, rachel, samuel, sarah
Welcome to the first book of Samuel. If you’ve been tracking all along, you have successfully navigated through four major eras: the creation, the time of the patriarchs (Abraham’s family), the exodus, the conquest of the promised land, and the era of the judges. We’re going to pick the story up at the tail-end of the era of the judges…
1. OK, Elkanah had two wives: Hannah (no children) and Peninnah (children). A familiar situation.
2. Elkanah worshiped the Lord in Shiloh; and he loved Hannah so much that he always sacrificed a double portion for her. That didn’t stop her womb from being unopened, and it didn’t stop Peninnah from harassing Hannah about it. Reminds me of Sarah and Hagar (and a little Rachel and Leah). I feel sorry for Hannah, but what about Elkanah loving her more? Do you think that was why Peninnah harassed her so much?
3. Eli is sitting there in Shiloh while Hannah is praying. She says that she would give up her son to be a priest if only she could have a son. Eli thinks that she’s drunk because she’s muttering her prayers. I guess Eli felt bad for jumping to conclusions, but he gave her an auto-blessing and sent her off. What do you think of someone when they are really emotional in the midst of God? You might know that they are not drunk, but do you still judge them as weird or flakey?
4. So…Samuel was born and named “God heard.” Cool name. She gave credit where credit was due.
5. I think Elkanah is a cool husband because, even though it seems like Hannah made this deal with God privately (and it IS his son too), he honors her wishes to bring him into God’s service after he is weened (done breast-feeding). Do you think Elkanah had a “right” to say no? If so, why do you think he didn’t?
6. Imagine being Eli, probably a couple of years later, and seeing the “drunk” woman. She gives you her child to raise. Wow. That would blow my mind.
What you think of:
1. Hannah’s faith?
2. Elkanah’s role as Hannah’s husband?
3. Eli’s snap response to Hannah’s prayers?
4. God’s faithfulness?
