1 Samuel 1

1-8 Friction and the Will of God The Home

1-8 Friction and the Will of God The Home

The Home

The Man - Elkanah or acquired of God; he is seen as a man who is of the tribe of Ephraim? But later it appears that Samuel was a son of Korah so he must have Levite background.

His Marriages- he had two wives. Scripture no where in the Old Testament condemns this practice but it certainly shows it always had problems attended with it

The Matrix for Problems - one fruitful and one barren wife

Their Habits

Giving God His portion even in a dark and difficult day; yearly trip to Shiloh to offer

📷 Giving God His portion even though priestly men had failed; the sons of Eli are called priests of the Lord - they were not functioning as priests, but since they took the place, God would hold them accountable for their place.

Giving God His portion even though priestly men had failed; the sons of Eli are called priests of the Lord - they were not functioning as priests, but since they took the place, God would hold them accountable for their place.

Giving the Family their Portions - Likely the peace offering portions are in view here which is ironic because there really was no peace or fellowship within the household.

Giving the Family their Portions - Likely the peace offering portions are in view here which is ironic because there really was no peace or fellowship within the household.

The Hand of the Lord

The Permissive will of God - Peninnah year by year provoked Hannah who was obviously a much more godly woman. Yet God allowed this to continue year after year

The Permissive will of God - Peninnah year by year provoked Hannah who was obviously a much more godly woman. Yet God allowed this to continue year after year

The Particular Will of God for Hannah - the Lord had shut up her womb (2x). God withheld fruit from her for several years. This appears to be direct intervention by God not merely difficulty in conceiving

The Particular Will of God for Hannah - the Lord had shut up her womb (2x). God withheld fruit from her for several years. This appears to be direct intervention by God not merely difficulty in conceiving

The Preparatory Will of God - God was developing within Hannah an appreciation of His own heart. Just as He had a rival for the affection of His people (their idolatry), and just as He grieved over the fruitless condition of the nation, so Hannah would experience the same. This is another example of the disciplines of delay and of disappointment. That is why she not only prays for a son, but a son to turn the nation from idolatry and to provide fruit for God from the nation. In the end, His rights supercede mine.

The Preparatory Will of God - God was developing within Hannah an appreciation of His own heart. Just as He had a rival for the affection of His people (their idolatry), and just as He grieved over the fruitless condition of the nation, so Hannah would experience the same. This is another example of the disciplines of delay and of disappointment. That is why she not only prays for a son, but a son to turn the nation from idolatry and to provide fruit for God from the nation. In the end, His rights supercede mine.

9-18 Faith and a Weeping Saint

w 9-18 Faith and a Weeping Saint

The Spiritual Burden of a Woman

One woman stands in the breach for the nation - a reminder not only of the power of prayer, but of prayer by one soul.

Bitterness of soul (Marah); she poured out her soul before the Lord - the depth of her burden and the direction of her burden

Bitterness of soul (Marah); she poured out her soul before the Lord - the depth of her burden and the direction of her burden 📷 wept sore (lamentation) ; sorrowful spirit (qasheh - heavy, crushed); she felt deeply the plight of the nation

wept sore (lamentation) ; sorrowful spirit (qasheh - heavy, crushed); she felt deeply the plight of the nation

The Spiritual Breathing of Her Soul

Her view of herself - three times she refers to herself as "thine handmaid" to the Lord and once as thine handmaid to Eli. She has a very humble view of herself. She was a mere slave girl of the Lord, raised up to accomplish His will. She longs to be used by God.

Her view of herself - three times she refers to herself as "thine handmaid" to the Lord and once as thine handmaid to Eli. She has a very humble view of herself. She was a mere slave girl of the Lord, raised up to accomplish His will. She longs to be used by God.

Her vow - this shows that she was not asking for self or for vindication before Peninnah. She wanted a man child to give back to the Lord for the sake of the nation. God's honor before her own honor.

Her vow - this shows that she was not asking for self or for vindication before Peninnah. She wanted a man child to give back to the Lord for the sake of the nation. God's honor before her own honor.

Her persistence in prayer - she multiplied to pray - such was the anguish of her heart that she waited before the Lord and kept pouring out her heart. (v. 12)

Her persistence in prayer - she multiplied to pray - such was the anguish of her heart that she waited before the Lord and kept pouring out her heart.

The Spiritual Behavior that Marked Her

Amidst misunderstanding - when rebuked she does not remonstrate and simply expresses her true burden to Eli; she shows both grace and wisdom in her reply.

Even though Eli is less than an ideal priest/judge, she accepts his word as the word of the Lord and she rests upon it, leaving in peace with a changed countenance.

Even though Eli is less than an ideal priest/judge, she accepts his word as the word of the Lord and she rests upon it, leaving in peace with a changed countenance.

The Spiritual Bearing - Character Lacking in Eli

His Posture was wrong - he was sitting in judgment

His Posture was wrong - he was sitting in judgment

His Perception was wrong - he did not see or even share the burden of Hannah. He thought that she must be drunk. It must have been a long time since he saw someone with a genuine burden crying out to God. It just did not happen in Shiloh anymore.

His Perception was wrong - he did not see or even share the burden of Hannah. He thought that she must be drunk. It must have been a long time since he saw someone with a genuine burden crying out to God. It just did not happen in Shiloh anymore.

His Parenting was wrong - he would rebuke in others what should have been for his own family. We recognize and condemn in others what would first be applied to ourselves and those we favor.

His Parenting was wrong - he would rebuke in others what should have been for his own family. We recognize and condemn in others what would first be applied to ourselves and those we favor.

His Priestly Blessing was finally right - He, to his credit, recognized his error and dismisses her with a priestly blessing

His Priestly Blessing was finally right - He, to his credit, recognized his error and dismisses her with a priestly blessing

19-23 Fruitfulness and Wisdom in a Woman

Conceiving - the Lord opened her womb and gave her fruit. "The Lord remembered her"

Calling - she named her child Samuel - she remembered the Lord and the petition she had made.

📷 Considering - a wise mother, she knew he was not ready for Shiloh yet. She would need to nurture him further before he could move in the atmosphere of Shiloh and be preserved. 📷 Caring - She weaned him; bringing him to an age of solid food. What can we learn from Elkanah's words, "only the Lord establish His Word" ?

Considering - a wise mother, she knew he was not ready for Shiloh yet. She would need to nurture him further before he could move in the atmosphere of Shiloh and be preserved. 📷 Caring - She weaned him; bringing him to an age of solid food. What can we learn from Elkanah's words, "only the Lord establish His Word" ?

Considering - a wise mother, she knew he was not ready for Shiloh yet. She would need to nurture him further before he could move in the atmosphere of Shiloh and be preserved.

Caring - She weaned him; bringing him to an age of solid food. What can we learn from Elkanah's words, "only the Lord establish His Word" ?

24-28 Faithfulness and Worship that ensued

24-28 Faithfulness and Worship that ensued The Offering

The Offering

When giving her best, she realized that it was not "all" she owed to God of her devotion so she brought that which prefigured One Who alone gave to God and man all God deserved. Likewise, Christ has offered Himself to God both as a burnt and meal offering for us, ,

When giving her best, she realized that it was not "all" she owed to God of her devotion so she brought that which prefigured One Who alone gave to God and man all God deserved. Likewise, Christ has offered Himself to God both as a burnt and meal offering for us, ,

A Drink offering to show her joy in giving to God even though she was giving the dearest object of her heart.

A Drink offering to show her joy in giving to God even though she was giving the dearest object of her heart.

Worship, when yielding the dearest object of your heart, is high spiritual ground Her Obedience

Worship, when yielding the dearest object of your heart, is high spiritual ground

Her Obedience

She owns that the Lord had granted her petition

She owns that the Lord had granted her petition

She now is fulfilling her vow before the Lord; no going back or compromise The Outcome

She now is fulfilling her vow before the Lord; no going back or compromise

The Outcome

Darby and ESV, both have "he" worshiped the Lord there. If so, likely means Elkanah as representing his house. But might be more in keeping with the thought "they " worshiped the Lord.

Darby and ESV, both have "he" worshiped the Lord there. If so, likely means Elkanah as representing his house. But might be more in keeping with the thought "they " worshiped the Lord.