Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:27-28 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.
Hannah prayed for a child and Israel received a spiritual leader. If Hannah hadn't prayed and been prepared to give Samuel up Israel would have been without the leader she desperately needed. Our prayers and acts of faith can have huge consequences for the wider community.
1:27-28 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.
Hannah prayed for a child and Israel received a spiritual leader. If Hannah hadn't prayed and been prepared to give Samuel up Israel would have been without the leader she desperately needed. Our prayers and acts of faith can have huge consequences for the wider community.
2:26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
Samuel, "young as he was" (1:24) grew up with scoundrels (2:12) yet didn't follow their example. Instead found favour with the Lord and with people (like Jesus Luke 2:52).
2:26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.
Samuel, "young as he was" (1:24) grew up with scoundrels (2:12) yet didn't follow their example. Instead found favour with the Lord and with people (like Jesus Luke 2:52).
3:11 And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle."
Samuel, as a young teenager, first message is one of destruction for Eli. Yet he faithfully reported it (v.18). God chose Samuel for this ministry but if Samuel had disobeyed God it would have disqualified him just as Eli and his sons were disqualified.
(From Constable Commentary) "A barren and therefore despised woman became the mother of Israel's most powerful man because she trusted and obeyed God. This is a complete reversal of what one would naturally expect."
3:11 And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle."
Samuel, as a young teenager, first message is one of destruction for Eli. Yet he faithfully reported it (v.18). God chose Samuel for this ministry but if Samuel had disobeyed God it would have disqualified him just as Eli and his sons were disqualified.
(From Constable Commentary) "A barren and therefore despised woman became the mother of Israel's most powerful man because she trusted and obeyed God. This is a complete reversal of what one would naturally expect."
4:18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.
Eli was 98 (v.15) and was heavy ("very fat" MSG) – possibly from eating more of the sacrifice than he was entitled to (2:13-16). Eli was self-indulgent and more interested in himself than honouring the Lord. It must have been obvious to the people that he was not doing the right thing.
4:18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.
Eli was 98 (v.15) and was heavy ("very fat" MSG) – possibly from eating more of the sacrifice than he was entitled to (2:13-16). Eli was self-indulgent and more interested in himself than honouring the Lord. It must have been obvious to the people that he was not doing the right thing.
5:10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people."
They recognised the power of the God of Israel over their own god, Dagon, (see also 6:5-6) but refused to shift their allegiance. Even though it wasn't working for then they didn't even consider changing faiths
5:10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people."
They recognised the power of the God of Israel over their own god, Dagon, (see also 6:5-6) but refused to shift their allegiance. Even though it wasn't working for then they didn't even consider changing faiths