July 1930
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judges and the first o f the great proph ets, he was the living link between the unsettled times o f the judges and the glorious days o f the kingdom. Samuel’s father, Elkanah, was a Levite. His home life was not all that it should have been, for polygamy had brought dis sension. His favorite wife, Hannah, was childless; and the other wife, Peninnah, taunted her with her childlessness which was interp'reted as a mark of Jehovah’s displeasure. The final and almost cruel thrust was made at a family meal in the precincts of the sanctuary. It was a thanksgiving feast, but to Hannah joy was turned to bitterness. In her distress she found a refuge in the house o f God where she poured out her soul in prayer. * * * H eart of the L esson I. A Son Asked from God (1:9-13). V. 9. After they had eaten. Hannah had no more interest in the feast. She found no joy in the home circle; her bur den was heavy and she hastened to the in that he did not restrain his own sons (cf. 2:12-17). Upon his seat. Eli was judge as well as high priest. The seat or throne was in the porch or entrance of the tabernacle. The temple o f Jehovah. The tabernacle was really, as its name im plied, a tent. It had remained at Shiloh for several centuries. V. 10. Bitterness o f soul. There was in tensity and earnestness in her prayer. It came from the depth of her burdened soul. Prayed unto Jehovah. Human Ijelp was unavailing; human comforts had failed. She went to the right place for help. Wept sore. Tears and prayers were beautifully blended. V. 11. Vowed a vow. A vow was a solemn promise to God on condition that He would grant some special favor (cf. Gen. 28:20). Jehovah o f hosts. This is the first time this title is used in the Old Testament. The ruler of the hosts of heaven and earth is called upon to do for Hannah that which appears impos sible. If. thou wilt. There are four things named in this conditional clause: (1) if God will “look” ; His face had seemed to be turned away; (2) .if God will “re member” ; He had seemed to take no no tice; (3) if God will “not forget” ; a negative putting of the previous state ment; (4) if God will “give . . . a man child.” A Hebrew wife was counted dis graced if she had no children; a son was always preferred., Then I will give. This is not to be interpreted as an attempt to drive a hard and fast bargain. Hannah was prepared to make a gift o f love. All the days. Every Levite was given to God for special service, which began at about twenty-five years of age and ended at fifty-five. This child was promised to God from early youth to the end of his life. No razor come upon his head. An unshorn head was a distinguishing mark of the Nazirite (cf. Num. 6:1-21). He was not permitted to touch strong drink or ever to come in contact with a dead house of God to find a b u r d e n - b e a r e r . Eli th e priest. Eli was high priest at this time. He was a man of much ability, but showed ma r k s of weakness, especially
place of praise, acknowledgment, and the performance o f her pledge. I have grant ed him to Jehovah. He was given with out reservation or limit. He worshipped. Samuel at once began his ministry in the tabernacle. IV. A Son Trained for God (2:19). V. 19. His mother made him a little robe. A mother’s love and prayer as well as her practical ministry made Samuel’s future assured. Contrast with this Eli’s carelessness regarding his own sons whose excesses unfitted them for the services of the house o f God and ultimately de stroyed them. A careless father ruined two sons. * * * L esson Q uestions 1 :9. Who was Hannah? What was the situation in her household that gave her sorrow? Who was her husband? Who was Eli? Vs. 10, 11. What was Hannah’s state of mind? How did she show her deep feel ing? To whom did she go for comfort and help? By what title did she address God? Does this title suggest His power to help? What vow did she make? What was the significance of the Nazirite vow (cf. Num. 6) ? Vs. 12-14. What did Eli notice about Hannah? What did he think? What did he say to her ? What caused him to get a wrong impression? Did he speak kindly? Vs. 15, 16. What did Hannah answer? Did she speak kindly? What is meant by her words “poured out my soul” ? V. 17. What answer did Eli rhake? Was this a courteous reply? Did he “agree” wifh her in her prayer o f faith (cf. Matt. 18:19) ? V. 18. What request did Hannah make? With what state of mind did she go away ? , How had she found peace ( cf. (cf. Phil. 4:6, 7) ? Vs. 24, 25. Did Hannah keep her vow? What offerings did she bring? What les sons may be learned from these offer ings? Vs. 26-28. What testimony did Hannah give? What gift did she make to God? Was there any reservation in her gift? 2:19. How did Hannah continue to show her love and devotion to her son? How did she show herself loyal to God? * * * P ractical P oints 1. Heart burdens are always heavy. Jesus Christ offers to bear them (cf. 1 Pet. 5:7). 2. Shallow prayers receive nothing, de serve nothing. 3. Children who are asked o f God, dedicated to God, and trained for God will not disappoint godly parents. 4. If you would have ,a heart gar risoned by the peace of (Jod, let your grief and disappointment be changed to prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6, 7). 5. It is not pleasant to be misunder stood by men. Be comforted; God knows the heart. 6. How many, unlike Hannah, forget their vows after the pressure of affliction has been relieved. 7. Give your blessings back to God and He will extend them to a large circle. 8. Your troubles may be many and great, but “Jehovah of hosts” is able to remove them all.
BLACKBOARD LESSON
body. He was set apart from ordinary tasks and consecrated to God. Vs. 12, 13. Eli thought. Eli’s vision was dim because o f •old age. Perhaps there was also dullness of heart which made him slow to understand the wor shipper. V. 14. Put away thy wine. This was an unmerited rebuke spoken hastily. But at least it showed that Eli abhorred drunk enness. Priests were especially instructed to abstain from wine (cf. Lev. 10:8-11). II. A Son Received (1:15-18). V., 15. No, my lord. Hannah’s reply was quiet and respectful. Her “soft an swer” turned away wrath. I poured out my soul. This is a fine description o f a burdened soul unburdening herself by casting her burden upon Jehovah. V. 16. Count not . . . a wicked woman. Literally, a daughter o f Belial (worth lessness). Abundance o f my complaint. She was taking her complaint and provo cation to the final court o f appeal. V. 17. Go in peace. Eli was reassured. He spoke courteous words of encourage ment. His faith was added to hers—two were agreed. Was the answer sure to come (cf. Matt. 18:19) ? V. 18. Countenance was no more sad. Hannah had found the secret of peace. Her burden had rolled off upon Jehovah “by prayer and supplication with thanks giving” (cf. Phil. 4:6-7). III. A Son Given Back to God (1:24-28). Vs. 24, 25. Three bullocks. A sacrifice was required in the “redemption of the firstborn” (cf. Ex. 34:20). It may be that one bullock was for a burnt offering, one for a peace offering, one to signify the completion o f her vow (cf. Num. 15:8). The flour was a meal offering and the wine a drink offering. These offerings were not meaningless, for they fore shadowed Christ, the perfect offering for sin (cf. Heb. 9:13, 14; 10:1). The burnt offering which accompanied the dedica tory service signified the complete yield ing o f the life, to God (cf. Rom. 12:1). Vs. 26-28. A s thy soul liveth. This was a form o f oath. I . . . stood by thee here. At that spot she had stood in her trial to pray and make her vow. Jehovah hath given. The place of trial became the
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