1 Samuel (9) Pt. 1 | Hannah’s Vow- Samuel’s Prophecy (Ch.1-3)

The next book of the Bible we will covering begins Israel’s desire to be like everyone else.

They wanted a king.

If there could be an overall theme here, I think it would be obedience. We will see obedience in Samuel’s mother, and later her son Samuel. David’s obedience. But we will also see disobedience from the first king, Saul, and Eli’s sons.

The book of Samuel, originally, was one whole book but has been broken into two parts, thus 1st Samuel and 2nd Samuel. The Greek title means, “Books of Kingdoms.”

Consisting of 31 chapters, let’s begin. 🙂

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Ch. 1 – Hannah’s Vow

A man named Elkanah had two wives, and his favorite wife, Hannah was barren. Her rival, the other wife, always provoked her and made her miserable.

When Elkanah would go to the house of the Lord and sacrifice. He would give his family, afterward, a portion of the meat. But he would give Hannah double.

She went to the tabernacle of the Lord. Eli, the high priest, noticed her. He actually at first thinks she is drunk because her mouth is moving but no words are coming out.

Truth is that she was praying to God to not forget her. She asks God to give her a male child and she will give the child to the Lord.

When Eli is told she isn’t drunk, he tells her that God will grant her petition.

Hannah becomes with child, and when a male child is born, she names him, “Samuel.” After he is weaned, she takes Samuel and an animal sacrifice to the tabernacle. She presents her son to Eli and tells him, “I was the woman who prayed, and God has answered me.”

Ch. 2 – Eli’s Evil Sons, Samuel’s Child Ministry, And Prophecy

Hannah praises God through prayer.

As we have covered in previous books, there are customs that were required for sacrificing of meat. Eli’s sons, however, did not follow these customs when it came to the portion of meat that went to the priest. They wanted the meat, and they wanted it now.

During the yearly sacrifice, Samuel’s mother would make him a robe. Even as a young child, Samuel ministered. Eli would bless his parents.

God also blessed Hannah again and she gave birth to a son, not once, not twice, but three times.

Eli finds out about his sons and their evil actions. A prophet also approaches Eli and tells him that his descendants will die early, his sons will die, and God will raise up a priest who will follow God.

Ch. 3 – Samuel’s First Prophecy 

It needs to be understood, during this time, God did not speak much. He hasn’t really spoken through a prophet in a while.

One night, Samuel awoke to someone calling out to him. He answered, “Here I am!” Afterward, running to Eli, requesting what Eli wanted.

But Eli did not call him.

This happens two other times. Samuel did not know God was the one calling him. After the third time of this, Eli tells him if he hears his name called again, to answer, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Samuel goes back, hears his name being called and he answers God.

God reveals that He will perform what He said He would against the house of Eli.

Samuel becomes afraid of telling Eli, but in the morning, Eli tells him not to hide it.

Eli’s response, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to Him.”

Samuel continued to grow in the Lord, and scripture says that God didn’t let his words fall to the ground. (Something, I think, I want to pray for now.) 

All of Israel becomes aware there now is a prophet in their land, and his name is Samuel.

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Can you relate to Hannah or Samuel? 

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