DBG - March 29 - I Samuel 1-3

The Book of I (first) Samuel begins a series of six books that tell of the rise and fall of the kings of Israel.  I and II Samuel and I and II Kings are one continuous narrative.  I and II Chronicles are a parallel account.  There is an united kingdom for 120 years before that nation splits into two rival kingdoms.

A few quick facts about I Samuel:

In this chapter we see the birth of Samuel in answer to Hannah’s prayer.

vs. 1-8 – Elkanah (“acquired of God”) is a Levite that dwelt in Ephraim.  He is a bigamist, sadly common for the time, have both Hannah (“grace”) and Peninnah (“pearl”) as wives.  Hannah had no children though she was the favored wife, just like Jacob and Rachel.

vs. 9-18 – Eli (“Jehovah is high”) is the high priest at this time and also a Judge (see 4:18).  It is interesting that he is the high priest because he is not of the proper line, being a descendant of Ithamar and not Phineas.  He sees Hannah praying a vow to God that if he provided her a son, she would give him back to God.  After initial misunderstandings, Eli blesses her and her petition.

vs. 19-20 – Samuel (“heard of God”) is born in answer to his mother’s prayer.

vs. 21-28 – Hannah raises Samuel until he is past infancy and then he is presented to the Lord.

In this chapter we see the contrasts between Eli’s sons and Samuel.

vs. 1-11 – Hannah prayer is really poetry.  It is a song she composed for this moment as she raised her beloved son.  Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55 reflects this.  In vs. 10 there is a great Messianic prophecy.  In fact, the word anointed there is the first appearance of the Hebrew word messiah.

vs. 12-17 – Eli’s sons Hophni (“pugilist”) and Phineas (“brazen-mouthed”) are idolators who abuse their position for gain.  They took far more than the portions allowed for the priests.  The sacrifice in vs. 13-14 appears to be a Peace Offering. Of this offering, only portions of the sacrifice are burned on the Altar (Leviticus 3:4-5,9-10,14-15) and the rest is eaten by the offerer and the priests (Leviticus 7:15-20,29-34). The priest’s portion was to be the right shoulder and breast were the priests’ portion (Leviticus 7:29-34). The people would then take their portion to eat it. It appears they often would boil it (as a stew perhaps) in large cauldrons. The priest’s servant would then come with his tool and take the meat from the people’s portion for the corrupt priests. Thus, they were stealing what rightfully belonged to the people. They go further in the sacrifice in vs. 15-16. The portion that was the Lord’s (fat, kidneys, etc.) was to be removed first and offered before the portions for the priests and the people were taken. Thus, they were almost certainly taking from the portions for the people and also, far worse, for the Lord. If someone protested the breach of the Mosaic Law, they were bullied into compliance.

vs. 18-21 – Hannah and Elkanah continue to care for Samuel by bringing him clothes.  They are also blessed with more children.

vs. 22-26 – The contrast between faithful Samuel and the reprobate Hophni and Phineas are clear.  Eli has created the problem with his sons and does nothing to stop it.

vs. 27-36 – An unnamed prophet rebukes Eli and declares the end of his family line.  There is a double fulfillment to the prophecy in vs. 35 of a coming faithful priest.  Historically this happens when Zadok becomes sole high priest under Solomon, but it ultimately looks ahead to Christ.

In this chapter we see the rise of Samuel as prophet and leader in Israel.

vs. 1-9 – The chapter opens with another indictment against the age of the Judges that  the word of God as in prophecy was rare.  God calls to Samuel early in the morning, but Samuel believes it is Eli.

vs. 10-18 – Eli instructs Samuel to answer the call if it occurred again.  God reveals to him the judgment that was soon going to come to the house of Eli.  Note in vs. 10 that the Lord “came and stood”, which makes me thing this is an actual appearance of God and not just a vision.

vs. 19-21 – God blesses Samuel and even as a young man he is established as the spiritual leader of Israel. 

Samuel is the one that will help bring the nation of Israel out of the dark ages of the Judges in many ways, especially in helping reviving them spiritually.  Where does that change begin?  With a mother’s prayer.  Never understand the power of prayer and the God who answers it far beyond our expectations.

Our hymn today is a setting of Hannah’s song in 2:1-10 from the 1742 hymnal, “The Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs of the Old and New Testament”.

1 My heart doth in Jehovah joy,
My horn in Jah is lift on high,
My mouth enlarg'd is o'er my foe,
For in thy health rejoyce do I.
2 Like to the Lord, there's holy none,
For there is none besides but thee :
And other rock there is not one,
That to our God compar'd may be,

3 Speak ye out no presumptuous word,
No harshnefs from your mouth proceed,
For God of knowledge is the Lord,
Also by him are actions weigh'd.
4 The strong man's bows are shivered,
And they that slipt are girt with power.
5 The full have hir'd themselves for bread,
And hungry ceas'd from wanting more,

She that was barren seven bear
The fruitful woman weak is grown.
6 The Lord doth kill, and lile doth spare.
He lifts up, and to grave brings down.
7 The Lord both poor and rich doth make;
He raiseth up, and bringeth low.
8 The poor he up from dust doth take,
He beggar lifts the dunghill fro.

To give him place with princely lords.
To fix Him on a glorious throne;
For earth's foundations are the Lord's,
And he hath set the world thereon.
9 His holy ones their feet he will
Preserve so that they shall not fail;
The vile in darkness shall be still,
For no man shall by strength prevail.

10 The adversaries of the Lord
Shall broken be to pieces small
And he from heaven shall accord
To thunder forth upon them all.
The borders of the earth the Lord
Shall justly judge, and he likewise
Unto his king shall strength afford,
And make his oynted's horn to rise.