Bible Study - Legacy - A Legacy of Hope - 1 Samuel 1 and 1 Samuel 12 - May 13, 2012

Bible Study – Legacy – A Legacy of Hope – May 13, 2012

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study entitled “A Lasting Legacy.”

Our scripture is 1 Samuel 1:10-20, 27-2:1; 12:23-24.

Hope is a wonderful attribute of living as a human. Hope keeps us going in difficult times. Hope challenges us to reach goals in our lives. The key is what do we place our hope in or in whom do we place our hope?

Our scripture for this lesson focuses on Hannah’s hope in GOD to answer her prayer to conceive and give birth to a son. Children were important to families in Old Testament times and especially sons. To me the very heart of this scripture is how GOD worked through the lives of Hannah, Elkanah, Eli and Samuel to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.

GOD is at the center of our scripture working through the lives of:

-         Elkanah (el KAY na), which means GOD has possessed. He came from the tribe of Levi.

-         Hannah (HAN nuh) who was Elkanah’s first wife. Hannah means gracious. She could not bear children, which was likely the reason Elkanah took a second wife. The reason scholars think Hannah was wife number one is based on the order her name comes in the scripture. She was mentioned first.

-         Peninnah (pih NIN uh) was likely Elkanah’s second wife based upon the reasons already stated. Peninnah means ruby. Peninnah had sons and daughters by Elkanah.

-         Eli was the priest/judge. Eli served in Shiloh where the Tabernacle and the Ark were located. Shiloh was about 20 miles from Jerusalem. Elkanah took his family to Shiloh to worship every year.

Hannah was taunted by Elkanah’s second wife, Peninnah, because she could not bear children whereas Peninnah was very fertile and had many children.  

The beauty of the Bible is that we get to see the full story of events and how they unfold. However, those going through these events could not see the end result. It is the same in our lives. When we are in burdensome situations we do not know the end result. We have to trust in GOD to carry us through such times.

We know that GOD guides HIS children’s lives to accomplish HIS plan and purpose. Let’s consider how GOD was at work in the lives of these folks. Hannah was distraught because she was barren. GOD had a plan and purpose in which Hannah would play a vital role. GOD needed to bring Hannah to the point where she would be willing to give her first born son to serve GOD for all his life. In the Jewish religion, the first born son was given to GOD but the parents could redeem him for five shekels. The parents could also loan their child to serve GOD for a period of time and then redeem him. But in this case Hannah made the decision if GOD gave her a son, she would give him permanently to serve GOD.

To me, this was a bold move for any mother. But it revealed the character of Hannah’s heart and GOD knew her heart. GOD chose her just as HE chose Mary to bear JESUS. Hannah needed to be prepared to release her first born to GOD.

We know that Eli was a good man and a good priest/judge. But he had two sons who were also priests but they were corrupt. It seems that GOD was giving Eli a second opportunity to get child rearing right because he would be responsible for rearing of Samuel. Maybe Eli had learned from his mistakes as a parent.

GOD knew that Israel wanted a king instead of being ruled by judges. This disappointed GOD because HIS desire was for Israel to choose HIM as their King. We know that Elkanah was very kind to Hannah and tried to make her feel important to him because being barren in those days was traumatic.

GOD had a plan and we have the opportunity to see HIM work. As mentioned earlier, we have the privilege of knowing the entire story, whereas Hannah had to walk by faith during a very dark time in her life. We need to keep this in mind when we walk in the dark carrying a heavy burden. Know that GOD cares for HIS children and HE will make our burden light. HE may not take it away but when we know HE is with us, dark clouds begin to lift and we can see the light of HIS hand at work.

For more information on this event and Eli’s sons, go to the web site actsclass.blogspot.com and search 1 Samuel 1. Some may be on this site; if so you can either do the search or go to June, 2010 and scroll to the lesson for June 6, 2010.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:1-20:

Hannah’s Vow

1 There was a man from Ramathaim-zophima 1Sa 1:19 inb Or from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim.c Jos 17:14-18; Jdg 17:1 His name was Elkanahd 1Ch 6:22-28,33-38 son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2 He had two wives,e Dt 21:15-17 the first named Hannahf Lk 2:36 and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.
3 This man would go up from his town every yearg Ex 34:23; Dt 16:16; Lk 2:41 to worship and to sacrificeh Ex 23:14-17 to the Lord of •Hosts at Shiloh,i Jos 18:1 where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the Lord’s priests.
4 Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meatj Dt 12:17-18 to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters.
5 But he gave a doublek Or gave only one; Hb obscure portionl Gn 43:34; 48:22 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,m Jos 18:1 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?”n Ru 4:15

Commentary on Verses 1-8:

Israeli men were required to go to the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) three (3) times a year – Passover, Feast of Weeks and Feast of Tabernacles. Elkanah made the trip regularly. When a sacrifice was made, a portion of the sacrifice was used for food and distributed to family members. Since Peninnah had sons and daughters her family received a large portion of the sacrifice. To compensate for the size of Peninnah’s family, Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion. Peninnah threw the fact that Hannah could not have children into her face.

Let’s continue reading verses 9-18:

9 Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh.o LXX adds and presented herself before the Lord Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s tabernacle.p 1Sa 3:3
10 Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears.q 1Sa 30:6; 2Kg 4:27
11 Making a vow,r Nm 30:6-11 she pleaded, “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction,s Gn 29:32 remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son,t 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.”u Lit and no razor will go up on his headv Nm 6:5; Jdg 13:5; 16:7
12 While she continued praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her lips.
13 Hannah was praying silently,w Lit praying to her heartx Gn 24:42-45 and though 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?y Ac 2:4,13 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.z Ps 62:8
16 Don’t think of me as a wicked woman;a 1Sa 2:12 I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”b Lk 6:45
17 Eli responded, “Go in peace,c 1Sa 25:35; 2Kg 5:19; Mk 5:34 and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him.”d Ru 2:13
18 “May your servant find favor with you,”e Ru 2:13 she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.f Lit and her face was not to her againg Rm 15:13

Commentary on Verses 9-18:

After the meal and being taunted by Peninnah, Hannah went to the Tabernacle to pray. She was deeply hurt. Eli was sitting by the door leading into the Tabernacle. Hannah went into the Tabernacle and began to pray. She was praying silently but her lips were moving. She made a solemn vow to GOD regarding her first born son should HE grant her request.

Eli saw her lips moving but no sound. He thought she was drunk. Wow, talking about adding insult to injury. What appeared to be a bad incident may have served an important purpose. She got Eli’s attention. When he heard her story, he must have been embarrassed for falsely accusing her of being drunk. But more importantly, he gave her a blessing, which confirmed her request to GOD. Hannah’s parting remark in verse 18 to Eli was, in essence, “Don’t let our miscommunication result in you thinking ill of me. I need your prayers and support for GOD to answer my prayer.”

Hannah left the Tabernacle with the assurance that GOD had heard her. She had a spring in her step and a smile on her face. She had released her burden to the LORD and it was such a wonderful, freeing experience. You can sense her joy. She was hungry and ready to eat.

Let’s consider why GOD allowed Eli to stick his foot in his mouth, so to speak. Such a blunder marked the occasion, which being the man of GOD that he was, he would not forget it. When GOD answered Hannah’s prayer, Eli would know that the child was from GOD and he would know that HE had a special purpose for HIM.

Let’s read verses 19-20:

Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

19 The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow in worship before the Lord. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah.h 1Sa 1:1; 2:11 Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.i Gn 8:1; 30:22; 1Sa 1:11
20 After some time,j Lit In the turning of the days Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,k In Hb, the name Samuel sounds like the phrase “requested from God.” because she said, “I requested him from the Lord.”

Commentary on Verses 19-20:

Hannah went back home and was no longer intimidated by Peninnah. She conceived and gave birth to Samuel. GOD was faithful and she would be faithful to the vow she made to GOD.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 1:27-2:1:

27 I prayed for this boy,y 1Sa 1:11-13 and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for,z 1Sa 1:17,20
28 I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.”a 1Sa 1:11 Then heb DSS read she; some Hb mss, Syr, Vg read they bowed in worship to the Lord there.c LXX reads Then she left him there before the Lord

Chapter 2

Hannah’s Triumphant Prayer

1 Hannah prayed:a Ps 72:20; Hab 3:1; Lk 1:46-55
My heart rejoices in the Lord;b Ps 75:4-5,10; 92:10my •horn is lifted up by the Lord. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.c

Hannah made a vow to GOD and she kept it. When she weaned Samuel, she took him to live with Eli. Eli would raise and educate him. Samuel could have been as young as three (3) years old or possibly several years older when Hannah took him to Eli. It is likely that when she brought Samuel to Eli, she said, “Here is the answer to my prayer, when you thought I was drunk.” Well, maybe not that curt. She was a grateful lady. She might have felt like saying it that way.

As mentioned earlier, Eli might have thought, “Oh, yes I remember this lady. I accused this lady of being drunk. But truly her son is a gift from GOD.”

Notice the word “he” in verse 28b. It is not clear who “he” was referring to – Samuel or Eli. In one translation it seemed to suggest that this was the place where Samuel, not only would grow up but where he would worship. Another thought is that Hannah had been teaching Samuel about worship to prepare him for his new home and he showed Eli what he had been taught regarding worship. Or should “he” have been “she” referring to Hannah? We just do not know for sure.

We do know that Hannah was the only woman recorded in the Old Testament who went to the Tabernacle to pray or made a vow to GOD. Hannah was a woman of faith.

She went to the Tabernacle beaten down, distraught and with a heavy heart. When she left the Tabernacle her burden had been lifted and she left it with GOD.  Her despair was changed to hope in GOD. Her hope was not a frivolous hope but a hope that comes from heart confirmed assurance and trust that GOD had heard her. She had done all she knew to do and her need was fully in GOD’S hands, in Whom she trusted. 

Hannah’s prayer began with verse 1 and is among the longest prayers recorded in the Old Testament. She began by acknowledging that GOD was her strength when she used the phrase “my horn is lifted up by the LORD.” The word “horn” means strength. She had to go back home and live in the presence of her burden, Peninnah, every day. But GOD was her strength to live each day knowing that HE had heard her prayer. She focused upon HIM and was confident that HE alone would be the ONE to answer her prayer. GOD knew her heart and HE had plans for Samuel.

Hannah is an example for many Christians who are under great burdens. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to cast their cares upon HIM and HE will give them strength. But keep in mind that HE knows our hearts and our true motives. Our burdens may not go away but GOD provides the strength to live each day. There are times we may need to recognize our part in why we have a burden and we may need to make good choices and take appropriate action. This was not Hannah’s problem. She had done all she knew to do. She placed it into GOD’S hands.

Now, we fast forward to the end of Samuels life. He became priest and the last judge of Israel. He anointed Saul to be king and then he anointed David to replace Saul as king. Recorded in our last scripture is Samuel’s farewell address to the Israelites. Farewell but not goodbye.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 12:23-24:

23 “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.m Nm 21:7; 1Sa 7:5-9; Rm 1:9-10 I will teach you the good and right way.
24 Above all, fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.n Dt 10:21; Ps 103:2-14

GOD was upset with the Israelites because they wanted an earthly king to rule over them instead of HIM. HE granted their desire. Samuel knew that the people had chosen unwisely but he would not abandon them even though they made a bad choice. He would continue to pray for them and give them wise counsel.

Samuel knew they would be going down a rocky road as a nation and they needed to keep their focus on GOD. To keep their focus on GOD, they needed to remember all that GOD had done for them. This is good counsel for all Christians. We need to recall what GOD has done for us over the years. GOD did not save us to abandon us but for HIM to always be number one in our lives. Our hope must stay centered in the LORD.

First Peter 5:6-7:

6 Humblek Lk 14:11 yourselves, therefore, under the mighty handl 1Kg 8:42; 2Ch 6:32; Dn 9:15 of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,m Lit in time
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.n

To me this verse captures the heart of Hannah. May all Christians place their hope in CHRIST because HE cared enough for us to die for us.

Blessings as you continue your journey with HIM.