The history contained in 1 Samuel is divided mainly into the lives of four men - of necessity there is much overlapping.

Eli the penultimate judge, was an easy-going, even considerate man, as events will prove. But he was proven to be weak-willed, allowing wicked practices that made it necessary for him to be removed. The special circumstances of Samuel's birth are used by God to produce a usable leader who would be Eli's successor.

Elkanah is introduced as having two wives (1 Samuel 1:1-2 ). Though polygamy was tolerated under the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21:15-17 ), it was not the divine intention - see the specific teaching of our Lord (Matthew 19:3-8 ). Polygamy is shown in the Scriptures to cause great tensions and untold misery. Hannah was far from a happy woman. She had to endure provocation from her rival owing to her barrenness which was accounted as a great disgrace for a Hebrew woman. God, in grace, chose to use this unhappy, barren, but godly woman to give a leader to Israel in a moment of great crisis.

	God worked in a sorrowful spirit (1 Samuel 1:15 ).
	God worked in a soul afflicted (1 Samuel 1:16 ).
	God worked in a sensitive person (1 Samuel 1:17 ).

We can learn from her to yearn for fruitfulness and by development of God's graces in us we will be:

2 Peter 1:8 "... neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Read also 2 Peter 1:3-8 ).

Notice the prayer that birthed God's usable leader.

1 Samuel 1:10 "... prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish."

Eli observed from where he sat (1 Samuel 1:9 ), and misunderstood, and thought her to be drunk (1 Samuel 1:12 ). Such was her physical earnestness. Holy Spirit utterance was mistaken for drunkenness at Pentecost (Acts 2:13-15 ), and Ephesians 5:18 exhorts not to be drunk with wine, but instead to be filled with the Spirit.

1 Samuel 1:11 "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, ... I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, ..."

It contained willingness to sacrifice to God's purpose. Not just as a Nazirite, but to the Lord, "all the days of his life" (1 Samuel 1:11 ). It contained willingness to forgo all parental rights (1 Samuel 1:11 ). Later Elkanah stood with her in keeping her commitment as she did fully what she had promised (1 Samuel 1:21-28 ). It centred on God's mighty power. "O LORD of hosts" (1 Samuel 1:11 ). One who commands the angelic armies, who is the sovereign omnipotent God - with whom nothing is impossible.

Upon explanation by Hannah, Eli answered,

1 Samuel 1:17 "Then Eli answered and said, 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.'"

With such support even her face was changed. It contained earnestness, reverence and childlike faith. "... look on ..." your "... handmaid ..." "... give ..." (1 Samuel 1:11 KJV).

1 Samuel 1:18 "... So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad."

Elkanah's family were committed and sacrificial believers.

1 Samuel 1:3 "And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts ..."

Hannah's anointed song expresses her spiritual commitment, loyalty, and confidence in God.

1 Samuel 2:2 "... neither is there any rock like our God."

1 Samuel 2:3 "... for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed."

1 Samuel 2:4,5,7 "The bows of the mighty men are broken, ... ⁵ ... the barren hath born seven; ... ⁷ ... he bringeth low, and lifteth up."

1 Samuel 2:10 "... the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; ..."

1 Samuel 2:10 "... he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."

"This is the second prophecy of God's King, the Messiah (1 Samuel 2:10 ). Balaam was the first prophet to call Him King (Numbers 24:7 ). This was some 40-60 years before Israel had kings, even if the word 'kings' in 1 Samuel 2:8 refers to God's kings in Israel. It seems, however it definitely refers to Messiah." Dake

Elkanah's oneness with Hannah - made them parents God could use, believing in a prayer answering God - accepting children as gifts from God, and knowing God's concern for the oppressed and afflicted, that He would raise up leaders after His own heart - through humble, devoted parents.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Did Hannah have a right to be bitter and downhearted? (1 Samuel 1:10 )
2. How do you deal with what seems unfair to you, especially when provoked by one who is favoured? (1 Samuel 1:6 )
3. Do you find that focussing on unfairness closes your eyes to your most precious possession? (1 Samuel 1:8 )
4. Has your need driven you to passionately seek the Lord in such a way that others have misunderstood? (1 Samuel 1:12 )
5. Do you believe Hannah's promise shows that she no longer wanted a child just for herself, but for the Lord's service and purposes? (1 Samuel 1:11 )
6. Would you be willing to forego your parental rights in the interest of God growing a spiritual leader? (1 Samuel 1:11 )
7. As a husband would you support a costly spiritual commitment made by your wife? (1 Samuel 1:21-28 )
8. Do you find that commitment fills your heart with spiritual prophetic song that you can share? (1 Samuel 2:1-10 )