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Introduction
- The outline of I Samuel…
- There are 31 chapters in the book of I Samuel…
- We will cover between 1-2 chapters a week (4 months) – highlighting key sections…
- Chapters 1-8 – The Prophet Samuel – the fall of the Aaronic line – and rise of the Kings…
- Chapter 9-15– King Saul – the reign of the first King of Israel…
- Chapter 16-31 – The rise of King David – Saul is rejected by God as King of Israel…
- Overview of the book of I Samuel…
- The book of I Samuel picks up at the end of the period of the Judges…
- About 350 years after Israel first entered the Land under the leadership of Joshua…
- The book open with the history of the last two Judges of Israel – Eli and Samuel…
- The book ends with the transition from the Judges – the Kings of Israel…
- Who wrote the book of I Samuel…
- Samuel was not necessarily the author of the books – I and II Samuel…
- In fact his death is recorded as part of the history in the book in I Samuel 25…
- Rather the books bear his name because he was so influential in the history of Israel…
- The first ½ of I Samuel is all about the prophet – and how he anointed Saul and David…
- The remainder of the book and II Samuel are dedicated to following King David…
- The Latin Vulgate labels the books – the I / II / III / and IV book of Kings
- Who the book was written to…
- Samuel was the last – and perhaps the greatest – of the judges of Israel…
- But the people wanted to be like the others nations – they wanted a king…
- I Samuel 8:5-7 – “Give us a king like all the other nations have… ‘They are rejecting me’, the LORD replied, ‘They don’t want me to be their king any longer.’”
- The book of was written to show what happens when we follow ‘other nations’
- Being a Christian means we are not like the world – we are different…
- We follow the Word of God – not the world – and it makes us stick out…
- There is always a temptation to want to blend into the crowd – to be accepted…
- God calls us to be a peculiar people – I Peter 2:9 – we are not supposed to blend in!
- Giving us the opportunity to tell others about the hope we have in us – I Peter 3:15
- The book of I Samuel picks up at the end of the period of the Judges…
The birth of Samuel… (3 things)
He is our High Priest – our bridge to God – and He never changes / a priest forever!
1st – No child for Hannah…vs. 1-18 Read: I Samuel 1:1-18
A man from Ephraim – Elkanah (bought by God) – had two wives… vs. 1-8
Peninnah (jewel) and Hannah (grace) – and they did not like each other…
The Old Testament did not forbid multiple wives – the NT does – Matthew 19:5…
Because the original plan of God was one man and one woman – Adam & Eve…
Whenever polygamy occurs in the OT – it always caused huge problems…
Even the Rabbis came to teach that it was contrary to God’s Law for marriage!
The historical books of the Bible record what people did – right or wrong…
Just because something is in a ‘Book of History’ does not make it right…
We have to look to the books of Doctrines to find out if it is a good example!
Every year Elkanah would travel to the Tabernacle for the festival (Passover)…
Elkanah would give a portion of the sacrifice (Lamb) to his wives and his children…
Peninnah had children – so she would receive the greater portion…
Hannah had no kids – but the Elkanah LOVED her – so gave her a double portion…
But Peninnah would mock Hannah – bitterness – brining Hannah to tears…
Hannah had the love – but Peninnah had the kids – neither were content!
Funny how we are never happy with what we have – only with what we do not…
We might be richer 50% of the world – but we look to the 50% who have more…
Rather than being thankful for clothes – we want nicer clothes…
Rather than being thankful for a job – we want a better job…
Envy is about wanting – not being content with whatever we have…
If we envy – no matter what we have – we are focusded on what we do not have…
If we focus on what we do not have – we will have an empty miserable life…
It is when we give thanks for what the Lord has given us – we are blessed!
One year – after the feast Hannah went into the Tabernacle / Temple… vs. 9-18
She made a vow to God – if He gave her a son – she would dedicate him to the Lord…
As a sign of his dedication – he would be a Nazarite from birth – Numbers 6…
So often in life we want something – but we do not want it for the right reasons…
James 4:3 – “When you ask, you do not get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.”
Our motive is selfish – our heart is not right – so our prayer is not answered…
But when we ask for those things that God has given us a desire for – Psalm 37:4
Asking God to allow us to bless others – that is a prayer God WILL answer!
Eli the priests was watching Hannah – and thought she was drunk…
She was moving her lips – but was not saying a word…
He asked – ‘How long will you be drunk – put away your wine!’
When we are seeking the Lord – people will often judge our motives…
They might accuse you of only coming to church – to see what you can get…
Hannah explained she was not a bad woman – she was crying out the Lord…
Eli quickly changed his tune – and told her – ‘Then God grant your request!’
Not only did Hannah end with a son – God ended up giving her 6 children in all!
In the end you can always tell if someone has a pure motive for seeking God…
It will be obvious from the blessings that God pours out on their life!
2nd – Dedicated to the Lord…vs. 1:19 – 2:11 Read: I Samuel 1:24 – 2:1
The Lord heard Hannah – and gave her a son… vs. 21-28
She called his name Samuel (God hears) – because God heard her prayers…
Sometimes when we pray – it feels like God is not there – there is no answer…
And we wonder if He is even listening – did He get the ‘message’ that we sent…
God is always listening – in fact He records our every prayer – Malachi 3:16…
But that does not mean He will always answer us right away…
God’s timing is not our timing – and we often have to wait for His plan to unfold!
Hannah waited till after Samuel had been weaned…
We do not know the exact age – but we are told Samuel was still young…
Jewish tradition states that a child is fully weaned at 3 years old…
Hanna gave Samuel to Eli the Priest – dedicating him to the service of the Lord!
Hannah then went every year to visit Samuel – making him a new robe every time!
The dedication of Samuel to God – is where we get the idea of dedicating our kids…
Our children are a gift from God – we only have them for a short time…
As parents it is our opportunity – responsibility – to teach them about God…
We dedicate our children to the Lord – not for their sakes – but for ours…
We make a vow before God – to teach our children to know and follow Jesus!
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Therefore we are to train up our children – teach them about Jesus…
They ultimately have to make their choices – but we give them the foundation…
Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers… bring them up with the instruction approved by the Lord.”
Not just in words – but in our actions – our children will follow in our footsteps…
Especially fathers – dads you set the example your children will follow…
The song of Hannah… vs. 1-11
My heart rejoices in the Lord – there is no one like our God…
Notice Hanna did not sing when Samuel was born – but when he was given away!
When God answers our prayers – it is easy to ‘rejoice’ in the Lord…
But how about when following Jesus – comes at a steep price – are we still singing…
Stop acting so proud – the Lord will judge you for what you have done…
The woman with no children has many – the one with children will have no more…
Hannah could rejoice because – she saw what God had done – gave her a son…
We also can rejoice when we think back – remember all God has done for us…
Then we are confident the Lord will work everything out – because He always has!
God raises up the poor / brings the rich low…
God sends people to the grave (Sheol) / but others He raises up – resurrection…
God protects the Godly – but the wicked will perish in darkness…
God will judge the whole world – no one can be saved by their own strength…
But God gives strength to His King – the Messiah (first mention in the Bible)…
LXX adds – do not boast in your wisdom / riches – instead that you know the Lord!
Hannah had joy in spite of the hardship of letter Samuel go – by looking to Jesus…
When we are going through tough times – our Joy comes from the knowing the Lord…
Happiness is not the same thing as Joy – happiness depends on our circumstances…
Joy is far deeper – it is not based on your circumstances – it is based on Jesus…
Jesus never changes – the same Yesterday / Today / and Forever – Hebrews 13:8…
So no matter what our circumstances – we can have Joy in because of Jesus!
3rd – Wickedness of Hophni (rebel) and Phinehas (brass)…vs. 12-36 Read: I Samuel 2:12-17
The sons of Eli were evil men – literally sons of the devil… vs. 12-17
They would take the best of the meat of the sacrifices (steal) from the people…
The had affairs with the women who came to worship…
They were such poor representatives of God – the people of Israel hated coming to God!
When Christian leaders only seek to get from God’s people…
Liars – dishonest – and immoral – the people watching think that is what God is like…
Looking at those who are supposed to represent God…
It is not wonder people are not that interested in getting to know Jesus!
And God will judge these leaders for their misrepresentation – James 3:1
Eli knew his sons were doing evil – and did nothing… vs. 22-27
He talked to his sons – told them the reports he heard from the people…
He even warned them what they were doing was dangerous…
If they sinned against a man – they could stand before the judges (eloheem)…
But if they sinned against God – who would stand up for them!
Children who have no discipline – as they get older tend to become evil men…
Often only to end up in prison – deadbeats – or just simply dead….
Children need to learn the consequences of actions – learn obedience…
That is why parents need to be willing to teach and train their children in the Lord
Proverbs 13:24 – “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”
Proverbs 22:15 – “Sin is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”
A man of God came to Eli to warn him… vs. 28-36
God had chosen the descendents of Aaron to represent him to the people…
Yet Eli gave more honor to his sons – than to God whom he represented…
They had become fat off of the offerings of the people of God…
There are many ‘preachers’ and ‘pastors’ today – who have false motives…
Rather than caring for and feeding God’s people – they take from them!
Ezekiel 34:2 – “Prophesy against the leaders of Israel. Give them this message…
God promised a descendent of Aaron would always represent Him – Exodus 40:15
But because they had rejected God – therefore God rejected the line of Aaron…
God would wipe out the house of Aaron – none would live to be old men…
As a sign of the ‘promise’ Hophni and Phinehas would both die the same day…
Instead God would raise up a faithful Priest – the Messiah (2nd time in the Bible)…
Hebrews 7:23-26 – “There were many priests under the old system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end… He is the kind of high priest we need…”
It is dangerous to look to a man/priest/pastor to be our connection to God…
They are not perfect – and they is no guarantee they will always be there for us…
But Jesus is there for us anytime of day – any day of the week – any week of the year…
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