Control - When Leaders Fail - 1 Samuel 2 and 3 - June 6, 2010

Bible Study – Control – When Leaders Fail – June 6, 2010

This begins a new series entitled “God is Still in Control.”

Our scripture is 1 Samuel 2: 22-25; 3:11-21.

When people for whom we have a great deal of respect fail us, it is traumatic. As Americans we have had our share of disappointments us just in recent years. People place their confidence and trust in others. We trust our doctors, teachers, financial experts and clergy. Most can be trusted but a few have disappointed us.

Our new series will consider several subjects:

June 6 – When Leaders Fail – 1 Samuel 2:22-25; 3:11-21.
June 13 – When Religion Fails – 1 Samuel 4:3-5, 10, 20-22; 5:1-4; 6:19-21.
June 20 – When External Threats Come – 1 Samuel 7:2-17.
June 27 – When I Make Poor Choices – 1 Samuel 8:6-9; 12:13-25.

As you can see, we will be in the book of first Samuel for the month of June. We will see how GOD uses circumstances to place the right people at the right place at the right time. The Prophet Samuel was to follow the Prophet Eli. GOD used Samuel’s mother mightily in HIS plan. Our personal situation may seem difficult until we see it in the light of GOD’S plan.

Our first scripture reveals a problem with the Judge/Prophet Eli’s sons, who were priests. Who did they serve GOD or the flesh?

GOD has a plan for all of HIS children. I want to begin our study exploring the hand of GOD at work in the life of Samuel’s mother in order for her to allow the Judge/Prophet Eli to raise her son, Samuel. We see from our first scripture that Eli was a poor father. But it was like GOD was even giving Eli another opportunity to raise Samuel like he should have raised his two (2) sons, Hophni (HAHF nigh) and Phinehas (FIN ih huhs).

Let’s read 1 Samuel 2:22-25:

22 Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.[14] Ex 38:8 23 He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people. 24 No, my sons, the report I hear from the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him, but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?”[15] Nm 15:30–31; Heb 10:26–27 But they would not listen to their father, since the Lord intended to kill them.[16] Ex 5:2; 14:17–18; Jos 11:18–20

Eli’s sons were dishonoring GOD and Eli could not get them to change their ways. Eli knew unless they confessed their sins to GOD and repented, they would fall into the hands of GOD for punishment. Eli pleaded with them but they refused to listen and Eli knew GOD would remove them from serving HIM.

Let’s explore the background leading up to Eli being replaced by Samuel. Notice that GOD takes HIS time to place the right person at the right place at the right time.
Israel had been ruled by judges for about 200 years. Eli and Samuel would be the last judges to rule Israel. GOD was about to make a change and GOD had a plan for Hannah and the son GOD would give her, Samuel.

Was Hannah barren because her heart needed to be brought to the point where she would not only dedicate her first born son to GOD but give him over to the priest Eli to raise and to serve GOD?

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:1-3:

1 There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim (RAY muh THAY im ZOH fim) in[1] Or from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim.[2] Jos 17:14–18 His name was Elkanah (el KAY nuh) son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah (pih NIN uh). Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. 3 This man would go up from his town every year to worship and to sacrifice[3] Ex 23:14–17 to the Lord of • Hosts at Shiloh,[4] Jos 18:1 where Eli’s two sons, Hophni (HAHF nigh)and Phinehas (FIN ih huhs), were the Lord’s priests.

Here is a man with two (2) wives. Hannah was Elkanah’s first wife. It was likely Peninnah became wife number two because Hannah could not produce a child. Peninnah was fertile and produced children. As you can imagine, one wife being childless and the other getting pregnant at the drop of a hat, produced tension between Hannah and Peninnah. Later, we see that Peninnah rubbed in the fact that Hannah was barren.

Elkanah was a devout man and would go to Shiloh every year to worship and sacrifice to the LORD. The tabernacle and the ark-of-the-covenant resided in Shiloh, which was about twenty (20) miles from Ramah (RAY muh), where Elkanah lived. He took his family with him. Eli was the high priest.

Let’s focus for a minute on Eli. Eli was a poor parent. His two (2) sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests but Eli had allowed them to do despicable things in their capacity as priests. Eli himself had compromised from worshiping the creator, GOD, to worshiping the created. He was going through the motions of serving GOD. His heart was not in it. Eli’s character had shifted.

Believers need a checkup to see if they have lost their first love. It is easy to get caught up in the mechanics of worshiping and serving GOD.

As I ponder this part of the lesson, I thought of the broader reach of GOD as HE carried out HIS plan through Hannah and Samuel. Eli’s sons had been carousing with the ladies that came to worship. As Eli took his position beside the doorpost of the tabernacle, did he think Hannah had been partying with his son or sons? Her earnest and heartfelt response penetrated the heart of Eli. Was GOD, through Hannah, attempting to bring Eli back to his worship and obedience to HIM through answered prayer? Were the birth of Samuel and the return of Samuel to Eli for him to raise a second chance for Eli to get parenting right and properly train Samuel as a priest?

We can speculate with the answers but the main reason for raising these questions is that we can see the possibilities that a loving and caring GOD has for HIS children who serve HIM. This includes believers who GOD calls for special service. GOD gives opportunity for those who go astray to return but when they fail to take heed, they will suffer the consequences. GOD told Eli that his sons would both die on the same day. 1 Samuel 4:11 - 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Eli’s character had changed from worshiping and serving GOD to going through the motions. We need to ask our LORD to search our hearts and reveal anything that is causing us to compromise our worship and service to HIM.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:4-8:

4 Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat[5] Dt 12:17–18 to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters. 5 But he gave a double[6] Or gave only one; Hb obscure portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the Lord had kept her from conceiving. 6 Her rival would taunt her severely just to provoke her, because the Lord had kept Hannah from conceiving. 7 Whenever she went up to the Lord’s house, her rival taunted her in this way every year. Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?”

Notice how cruel Peninnah was to Hannah. Peninnah’s taunting had gone on for years. Enough is enough. Hannah did not try to harm Peninnah but instead she went to GOD. Was this GOD’S plan all along? Did Hannah need to be brought to this point of desperation to be able to give up her first born son to serve GOD? Hannah left in tears to go worship.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:9-18:

9 Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh.[7] LXX adds and presented herself before the Lord Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s tabernacle. 10 Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 11 Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son,[8] Lit a seed of men I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”[9] Lit and no razor will go up on his head [10] Nm 6:5; Jdg 13:5; 16:7 12 While she was praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her lips. 13 Hannah was speaking to herself,[11] Lit to her heart and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and scolded her, “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!” 15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord. 16 Don’t think of me as a wicked woman;[12] 1 Sm 2:12 I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.” 17 Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him.” 18 “May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer appeared downcast.[13] Lit and her face was not to her again

Hannah was distraught over having no children. She took her situation to GOD. Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost to the LORD’S tabernacle. Hannah was pouring her heart out to GOD. Her lips were moving. Eli watched her. He jumped to a conclusion. He thought she was drunk. Talk about bad matters getting worse. She was already distraught over being barren and taunted by Peninnah now the priest thought she was drunk. We think this was awful. But was GOD using this situation to get Eli involved in HIS plan for the child that GOD would give to Hannah? I think so.
Often, we make blunders which turn out to be blessings. This blunder brought Eli and Hannah into a dialogue. The heartfelt, earnest response of Hannah likely penetrated the heart of Eli. When Eli spoke the words “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him.” Hannah responded with 18 “May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer appeared downcast.[13] Lit and her face was not to her again

Hannah left the tabernacle with her burden lifted and a spring in her step that GOD had heard her earnest prayer. The time was right for GOD’S plan to be put into motion. Timing is everything. There was a time for CHRIST to be conceived and born. There was a time for you to be born. You were created according to GOD’S plan and purpose. Are you serving HIM?

The joy of serving the living GOD puts a spring in your step. Hannah left with complete assurance that GOD would grant her request.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:19-28:

19 The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow and to worship the Lord. Afterwards, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.[14] 1 Sm 1:11; Gn 8:1; 30:22 20 After some time,[15] Lit In the turning of the days Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[16] Possibly a wordplay for requested from God because [she said]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , “I requested him from the Lord.” 21 When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice and his vow offering to the Lord, 22 Hannah did not go and explained to her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the Lord’s presence and to stay there permanently.” 23 Her husband Elkanah replied, “Do what you think is best,[17] Lit what is good in your eyes and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the Lord confirm your[18] DSS, LXX, Syr; MT reads His word.”[19] Nm 30:13 So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 When she had weaned him, she took him with her to Shiloh, as well as a three-year-old bull,[20] DSS, LXX, Syr; MT reads Shiloh with three bulls two and one-half gallons[21] Lit bull and an ephah of flour, and a jar of wine.[22] Nm 15:9–10 Though the boy was [still]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. young,[23] Lit And the youth was a youth she took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Please, my lord,” she said, “as sure as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for,[24] 1 Sm 1:17,20 28 I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.”[25] 1 Sm 1:11 Then he[26] DSS read she; some Hb mss, Syr, Vg read they bowed and worshiped the Lord there.[27]
LXX reads Then she left him there before the Lord

Hannah gave birth to a bouncing baby boy and named him Samuel which means “heard of GOD.” She did not go back to Shiloh to worship until Samuel was weaned. This could have been when he was about three (3) years old the customary time for weaning.

We see the character of Hannah because she went to GOD for the solution to her situation and placed her trust in HIS hands. We can see the possibility that through Hannah, GOD was also reaching out to Eli. GOD uses all things to minister to HIS children and to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.

What is your attitude and character toward GOD? Are you going through the motions of worshiping and serving HIM or is HE the joy of your life?

Let’s read 1 Samuel 2:1-2:

1 Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the Lord; my • horn is lifted up by the Lord.[1] Ps 75:4–5,10; 92:10 My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides You! And there is no rock like our God.[2] 2 Sm 7:22; Ps 18:31

Hannah praised GOD for HIS answer to her prayer. Mary, the mother of JESUS, modeled a portion of her prayer after Hannah’s prayer.

Hannah rejoiced in her heart, her strength was in the LORD and HE was her salvation. GOD was her rock. WOW! Is GOD your rock?

Hannah’s reference to “horn” means power. It was not her power but the power of the LORD that gave her salvation. The same is true for all believers. Our salvation is in the power of CHRIST WHO gave HIS life to redeem all believers from sin and death. Our part is to believe and accept.

Eli raises Samuel. GOD spoke to Samuel. Samuel thought it was Eli calling to him. Eli told Samuel that it was GOD speaking to him and how he should respond. Serving GOD comes with responsibility.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 3:11-18:

11 The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that everyone who hears about it will shudder.[5] 2 Kg 21:12; Jr 19:3 12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I said about his family, from beginning to end. 13 I told him that I am going to judge his family forever because of the iniquity he knows about:[6] 1 Sm 2:27–33 his sons are defiling the sanctuary,[7] Alt Hb tradition, LXX read are cursing God and he has not stopped them. 14 Therefore, I have sworn to Eli’s family: The iniquity of Eli’s family will never be wiped out by either sacrifice or offering.” 15 Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” “Here I am,” answered Samuel. 17 “What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you and do so severely if you hide anything from me that He told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and did not hide anything from him. Eli responded, “He is the Lord. He will do what He thinks is good.”[8] Lit what is good in His eyes

Eli knew that GOD had spoken to Samuel and he wanted to know what GOD had told him. As you can imagine Samuel was reluctant to tell Eli the bad news regarding him and his family. Eli accepted the decision of GOD. He knew he had not served as GOD wanted him to serve and now it was a time for changing leadership.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 3:19-21:

19 Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let nothing he said prove false.[9] Lit let no words fall to the ground 20 All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a confirmed prophet of the Lord.[10] 1 Sm 2:35 21 The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.
A person’s integrity is important in serving. GOD confirmed Samuel’s integrity throughout all of Israel. GOD was using Samuel to transition Israel from rule by judges to rule by a king.

GOD places and removes leaders according to HIS plan and purpose. GOD is sovereign and is still in control. HE allows things to happen to get the attention of HIS people and makes changes. As Americans, we have the privilege to vote. Pray and ask GOD to lead you to vote for the person HE wants to lead our nation, state and local governments. Do not neglect your serving GOD as HE leads and directs your lives.

Allow GOD to be first in your life through CHRIST. As a nation, we have fallen away from CHRIST and have allowed our Christian values to be compromised. I am not saying we need to cram Christianity down the throats of others. But we do not need to allow our Christian principles and values to be taken away by a few. Pray and get involved now before it is too late.