Study Questions

1 Samuel 1:9-20

The nation was a total embarrassment to God. Leaders were unfaithful. Neighbors were divided by tribal commitments. There was unspeakable violence. People abandoned religion. Moral failure was widespread. As contemporary as that might sound, I’m actually talking about the background for First Samuel.

The Book of Judges declares, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6, 21:25). That sort of freedom sounds really enticing, but it’s actually a curse. It reminds me of another old curse that also sounds kind of attractive: “May you live in interesting times.”

1. What are some examples of modern people “doing as they see fit?”
2. What are some examples of these “interesting times?”

1 Samuel 1:9-11

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

The beginning of 1 Samuel legitimizes Samuel’s leadership of Israel. He comes from a respectable family. His mom is a prayer-warrior. Samuel’s birth is a miracle. He replaces the clueless priest Eli and his wicked sons. Samuel becomes the ideal leader who unifies all the people. He is a judge, prophet, kingmaker, and hero. Samuel is the one who gets people to stop doing what it right in their own eyes, so they can do what is right in God’s eyes.

This is also a story about the power of prayer. In those days, a woman’s dignity depended on having children. Hannah was infertile. Hannah’s husband Elkanah had another wife with children. Like Sara before her, Hannah was tormented because of her infertility. She had every reason to be bitter, but Hannah’s circumstances lead her to prayer. Hannah is an example of the powerless finding strength in prayer. Like Moses, Hannah discovers that God is willing to change the world in order to bless his people.

1. When have you seen the weak and powerless find strength in prayer?
2. Do you pray for our political leaders even if you disagree with them?
3. Extra credit: Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Why is this so important to Paul?

Hannah promises that if God gives her a son that he will be a nazarite. That means that the boy would not cut his hair, drink alcohol, or touch dead bodies. Samson also was a nazarite, but he broke all his commitments. Samuel would be different. God would use him to change the world.

1. Could you give your two or three year old son back to God?
2. Would you trust a rotten father like Eli to raise your child for you?
3. Are you impressed with Hannah or worried about her decision-making?

1 Samuel 1:12-18

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Eli was really lousy at his job. He was supposed to lead Israel, but Eli couldn’t tell the difference between a drunk and a woman of prayer. His sons were scoundrels (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-23). Eli couldn’t hear the voice of God (1 Samuel 3:2-18). The old man even lost the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4:1-10)! In spite of his moral failings and his lousy leadership, God still had a purpose for Eli. When he told Hannah to “Go in peace,” she behaved as if God had already answered her prayer. Hannah believed that God could still use a faithless priest like Eli.

1. This story reminds me of the Pentecost story in Acts 2. People thought the Christians were drunk when they were actually filled with the Holy Spirit. Why the confusion between the Spirit of God and drunkenness?
2. Hannah takes the council of Eli as if it came directly from God. She has no cynicism about her leader! Is this a testimony to her faith? Is this because of her single-minded desire to have a child? Can you imagine having that kind of devotion?

1 Samuel 1:19-20

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Samuel means, “His name is God.” It also sounds like the Hebrew phrase, “I asked for him.” Samuel is not just an answer to Hannah’s prayer. Samuel is the answer to all the sincere prayers of Israel. The birth of this weak, innocent child is the surprise solution to Israel’s present hopelessness. His birth story reminds us of Isaac and Moses. His birth story anticipates the messianic prophecy of Isaiah and the Christmas story of Jesus. God can answer prayers at any time and change the world. The birth story of Samuel reminds us that it is never to late to have a future.

1. What changes do you want to see in our country that can only happen because of a spiritual revival?
2. Spend the rest of the session praying for the country that we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.