1 Samuel 1
July 14, 2010
2 Comments
After passing through the darkest period in the history of Israelite history, we now move on to the life of Israel’s last judge, her rejection of God as their sovereign and the rise and fall of her earliest kings.
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1
The first chapter of the 1 Samuel relates a series of events leading to the birth of the priest/prophet/judge/Nazirite we are all familiar with thus instead of going into these events in detail, I present an overview of the book as well as pose some questions that bothered me while reading this chapter. Do share your thoughts! J
Overview
Author and Text:
The writing of the book is attributed to three authors – Samuel, the seer Gad and the prophet Nathan, though the bulk of it (chapters 1-24) is believed to have been written by Samuel while Gad and Nathan wrote the remainder as well as 2 Samuel. Because a number of scholars have dated the book around the middle of the sixth century B.C. – much later than the lives of Samuel and Nathan (c. 1100 – 1010 B.C.), it is most likely that an editor at a later date, took the writings of Samuel, Gad and Nathan and wove them into a unified whole under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
These two books originally formed a single text and together with the Book(s) of Kings, presented a complete history of the Israelite monarchy.
Time Period:
C. 1100 to 1010 B.C.
The events recorded span from the time of Samuel’s birth to the ghastly death of Saul.
Background:
The book of Samuel begins from the period of the judges where moral decay was widespread so much so that even the priesthood has become corrupt (1 Sam 2:12-17). There were also signs that worship at the tabernacle had degenerated so much that it entailed immoral pagan practices (1 Sam 2:22). Amidst this depravity, there was still a righteous remnant who faithfully worshipped God as demonstrated by Elkanah and his household.
At the same time, the other great empires of the ancient Middle East (Hittites, Assyria, Egypt) were passing into insignificance. However, the age-old enemies of the Israelites, the Philistines, still posed a considerable threat to Israel. With their skill in working iron, they had a decided military and economic advantage over Israel and often used this to oppress them. The Israelites, tired of the abusive, immoral rule of the judges (8:3-4), demanded a king to unite them in war against the Philistines.
Breakdown:
- 1:1 – 7:17~The ministry of Samuel
- 8:1 – 15:35~The reign and fall of Saul
- 16:1 – 31:13~The choosing and rise of David
Significant Event:
In this book, we see the birth of the Davidic line of rulers that would eventually produce the King of Kings – Jesus Christ. It is also a demonstration of how God loved His people though they rejected Him as king and wished to “be like all the nations” (8:19); giving them a king that brought the country into her most glorious period.
However, the glory of the physical Davidic kingdom was but a shadow of the glory of the spiritual heavenly kingdom the Son of David came to establish later on. God’s ultimate goal was still to lead His beloved people into blissful eternity.
Discussion
Generally, after reading 1 Samuel 1, we come to a few conclusions:
- Hannah is a devout woman who is full of faith
- Peniniah is a nasty, jealous person and
- Eli is a muddle-headed old man
However, I always wonder why Hannah did not ask God to give her a son BEFORE Elkanah married Peninnah. Did she not have the faith to make the vow she did later until she was provoked by Peninnah?
Also, was Peninnah totally to be blamed for being jealous and provoking Hannah? After all, it was apparent her husband loved Hannah whereas she was more a child-bearing machine than a wife. How would she feel seeing the blatant favouritism of Elkanah in giving Hannah double portions year after year, and knowing he only married her because he wanted the children Hannah could not give him?
Next, if Eli was such a muddle-headed old man, why would Hannah be comforted by his words? At the time he spoke to Hannah, were his words truly from God or was he speaking on his own?
What do you think?
Do share your thoughts and what you may have heard in sermons and Bible studies. It’ll be good to learn from one another! 
Hmm…. I have never ever thought of these questions and would be interested to see what others think…. because I have no idea at all! (:
For Hannah’s case…. it is just like a lot of us isn’t it? When there is no desperate need, we do not really turn to God. While we may pray and ask… we do not do so with the whole heartedness, desire and trust in God… knowing that only He can do something about it.
We just do our ‘duty’ and bare minimum. We need someone or something to provoke us to bigger actions.
But when things turn real bad… I guess the question is do we react like Hannah?
When no one around could really help her and resolve her innermost pain – she turned to the only ONE that could. We may have close friends and loved ones around us that shower us with love and concern and care…. but when even that is not enough… we must learn to always go to the one who can give us the peace that world can never give… the source of all joy, hope and love.
Never though of Peninnah as being a victim before. And while one can empathize with her… I guess it does not give her any excuse to how she behaved.
This is a case of the bullied become the bullier… the victim becoming the oppressor etc. this is when the underdog suddenly becomes the top dog and goes out to exact revenge. Of course Elkanah had a part to play with this unfortunate event as his partiality may have drive Peninnah across the line.
But I guess the lesson for me is how we react when we are now in power instead of being the oppressed wil be a true test of our character and spiritual integrity. I guess if we hold onto the principles of Phil 2:3-4 always … we will be alright.
As for why Hannah was easily comforted with the words of the muddle headed priest Eli… I guess it is a matter of faith isn’t it? Some versions of the Bible had Eli saying “may the God of Israel grant you…”… while others had him saying “the God of Israel grant you your petition…”
One is a wish… the other is a definite response.
But I guess it does not really matter does it? Hannah prayed with all her heart for a child. She received a response from a servant of the Lord…. and that was enough for her.
Do we have that kind of faith? Interesting thing to think about. Do we believe in things that are said by only those preachers/deacons/elders that we have respect for but ignore the words spoken by ‘lesser’ members because of how they look/behave/talk?
I think I have said too much again as usual… and actually I have more questions and comments… but like aquillofGod… I would like to listen to others as well.
Send it in!
Both the NKJV and Chinese bibles records that “But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.” (1 Sam 1:5)
But the RSV records that “and although he loved Hannah, he would give Hannah only one portion, because the LORD had closed her womb.”
RSV 1 Sam 1:4 records On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters;
Basing on RSV Elkanah seemed to be fair to both wives.
Had it been many years that Hannah had made the same plead before the LORD but gone unnoticed by Eli?
1 Sam 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life and no razor shall come upon his head.”
Samuel was born. What did the father say? 1 Sam 1:23 “…Only let the LORD establish His word.”
Hannah received a son whom she had asked him of the LORD (1 Sam 1:20). And she was determined that Samuel would appear before the LORD and remain there forever (1 Sam 1:22).
Elkanah gave Hannah a timely reminder that it was well and good that she was keeping to her vow to the LORD, nevertheless it was the sovereignty of God whom He wants to serve Him at the tabernacle of meeting and how He wants to deploy His servant.
Indeed, Samuel became a useful vessel to the LORD to establish His word.
1 Sam 1:28 “Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD….”
This is the unfailing love of a mother to her child, “Yes, he is to serve the LORD, I can’t keep him by my side, but my heart goes with him wherever he is. Yes, I lend him to the LORD.”
Can we reciprocate the same degree of love to our parents?