SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
1 Samuel 1:1 through 7:17

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.” (1 Samuel 2:26)

BACKGROUND

In the history of Israel, the period of the Judges preceded the birth of Samuel. The Book of Judges tells of thirteen individuals who were appointed to rule and judge Israel. Some of these individuals were good, others were rebellious. This period lasted at least 300 years, and perhaps as long as 400, during which time Israel drifted far from the Lord.

Samuel was born, around 1100 B.C. of Levitical parents (1 Chronicles 6:33-38). Ramah, his birthplace, judicial residence, and place of burial, was about six miles north of Jerusalem (1 Samuel 1:19; 7:17; 25:1).

Hannah was the wife of Elkanah, and though he loved her, she was not able to bear children. This deprived her of more than the joy of being a mother. It also robbed her of her dignity and self-worth, for women were expected to bear children for their husbands. In Old Testament times, a married woman with no children was ashamed before her husband. She was thought to be under a curse from God. Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife who had children, further provoked Hannah. Although Elkanah loved Hannah, and had done all he could to comfort her, he could not seem to understand the depth of her anguish.

Considering the spiritual destitution of the priesthood, and the widespread disobedience of Israel at that time, it is remarkable that Hannah determined to take her burden to the Lord and had confidence that God would answer. It is also noteworthy that Samuel had such openness and sincerity towards God, considering the poor examples of priesthood he was subject to. Certainly Hannah’s influence on him is evident, resulting in a man who was to become one of the purest characters in Israel’s history.

While Samuel was a judge of Israel, he was more than that. He was also a prophet and a priest. He was the “connecting link” between the time of the judges, or tribal period, and the Kingdom, when kings ruled Israel. Samuel would later appoint Israel’s first king, Saul.

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

1. Our lesson opens with Hannah in “bitterness of soul.” What was the result of her “pouring out her soul before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:15)? Why was she willing to make a vow to the Lord that meant giving up the child she longed to have? 1 Samuel 1:11
   
   Hannah’s agony was too great to be comforted by anyone but God. She took her burden to the Lord and wept before him. The Lord revealed His answer through Eli, the High Priest, saying that she would bear a son. Discuss the important fact that her countenance was “no more sad.” We can see how real the comfort of the Lord is; even though the answer had not yet transpired, it was enough for Hannah that God had heard and would undertake.
   
   In response to the second question, your students should conclude that her grief over her barrenness was so great that she was willing to give the child back to the Lord if He would grant her desire and, thereby, remove her remorse and feeling of inadequacy and apparent worthlessness. It might be good to remind your students that God does not require vows. If we vow, we must pay that we have vowed, as Hannah did.
   
2. Though it may have been difficult to give her child back to the Lord, Hannah paid her vow. Who benefited by her obedience in this matter?
   
   Through Hannah’s obedience, everyone gained, though all may not have known it. Certainly, Hannah could not have guessed how God would honor her obedience. It is not recorded in the first chapter of 1 Samuel that God would do more for Hannah than she originally asked. All she had asked for was a son, yet God honored her by giving her five more children (1 Samuel 2:21). Samuel benefited, through his anointing by God (while under Eli’s care), to become His mouthpiece for the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel benefited by having godly leadership under Samuel, which they had not had under Eli.
   
   Bring out how all of these circumstances would have been drastically different if Hannah had not followed through with her vow to God. Discuss with your class how different Hannah’s life would have been if she had not done so. What about Samuel’s? What about the future of Israel? How far-reaching, then, is our commitment and obedience to God. It will affect not only our own lives, but also our children, our church, and those around us.
   
3. According to 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22, what were Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas doing that displeased the Lord?
   
   Eli’s sons did as they pleased. They were “sons of Belial,” a Hebrew term describing people of base character who openly practiced lawlessness. In the New Testament, Belial is used as a synonym for Satan. The Law stated precisely what portion of the offerings belonged to the priests, but Eli’s sons took what portion of meat they wanted, whenever they wanted, and by force if necessary. They also took the fat parts that belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 3:16), and they took raw meat so they could roast it and not have to eat boiled meat. They not only showed disrespect for the offerings made unto the Lord, but seduced the women that gathered at the door of the Tabernacle.
   
   Eli knew all of this, but was unable and/or unwilling to control them. It is no wonder that God pronounced the judgment He did upon them. Note especially the contrast between the sons of Eli who “abhorred the offering of the Lord (1 Samuel 2:17) and Samuel who “ministered before the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:18).
   
4. What was young Samuel’s response to God’s call and what can we learn from his example? 1 Samuel 3:1-10
   
   Samuel responded exactly as he had been instructed, by saying, “Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Samuel was responding to God in a way that even his mentor, Eli, had not. How important it is to have a sensitive spirit to God’s voice, and a heart to respond quickly without rebuttal. If we will listen, we will hear when God speaks to us.
   
   Point out to your students Samuel’s action the next morning (1 Samuel 3:15-18). He was not proud of his experience with God, but rather humbled by it. He was not desirous to rebuke his mentor, Eli, but held his peace and let God order the details. We can learn an important lesson of spiritual maturity here. We can also learn that God can use anyone, as long as his or her heart is open to His leading. Samuel, at this time, was probably no more than twelve years old.
   
5. In this portion of text, we find the nation of Israel attacked by a familiar enemy, the Philistines. According to 1 Samuel 4:1-11, what was wrong with Israel’s approach? What can we learn from this?
   
   Israel was not yet following God with a pure heart. The Philistines defeated them, and instead of searching their hearts before God to find out why, they resorted to human reasoning and superstition. They tried to imitate Moses and Joshua by carrying the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle, hoping that the presence of the Ark would mean God was with them and that victory would be theirs. The two wicked sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were carrying the Ark. The people shouted when they saw the Ark come into the camp, however, God was not with them. They had not yet repented of their sin and disobedience before Him, so once again, the Philistines defeated them.
   
   One lesson we could learn from this is that trying to recreate a situation that God has blessed in someone else’s life, or in another time and place is not what brings success. We cannot use people, places, or things as “good-luck charms” for God’s blessing. Instead of trying to find the right combination of words or actions to bring God’s blessing, we must seek God’s face, and have our hearts clear. Victory does not come by making ourselves excited, or by creating the “perfect situation,” as Israel tried to do. Victory comes when all is clear between our hearts and God, and we are willing and obedient.
   
6. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, is a great example of God’s blessing extending to others through one person’s obedience. Conversely, what tragic events do we see in 1 Samuel 4, which were a result of the priests’ sins and Israel’s disobedience?
   
   The tragic events included the following:
   
   • Israel was defeated twice before the Philistines.
   
   • They lost the Ark of God to their enemies.
   
   • The prophecy of judgment upon Eli’s sons came to pass.
   
   • Upon hearing of the tragedy of the stolen Ark, Eli fell and died.
   
   • Phinehas’ wife died in early childbirth.
   
   • Before she passed away, she named her child “Ichabod,” which means ‘The glory of the Lord is departed from Israel.” Although from man’s perspective, all seemed lost for Israel, God would use these circumstances to teach both Israel and the Philistines a few lessons about His power and glory.
   
7. The Philistines took the Ark of God and tried to humiliate the God of Israel by placing the Ark, which represented God’s presence, before their god Dagon. How did the Lord prove to the Philistines that He was the true God? 1 Samuel 5
   
   The next morning, “Dagon” (who was the principal god of the Philistines), was lying before the Ark, as if a worshipper. They stood their “god” (an idol) upright, but the next morning the stump of Dagon was lying before the Ark, with his head and hands cut off and placed at the threshold of the temple. The Philistines were beginning to understand that these events had some power beyond them, a power that was sacred.
   
   The Lord smote the Philistines with “emerods,” which could have been bubonic plague, severe tumors, or hemorrhoids. The Philistines, anxious to be rid of the Ark, but unwilling to admit an embarrassing defeat, shipped the Ark from Ashdod to Gath and then to Ekron. However, all of these cities suffered the same plague. God is quite able to take care of Himself and make Himself known, even when people do not choose to serve Him.
   
8. When the Ark arrived in Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:10-21), many people looked inside it and were slain by God. Why do you suppose the punishment was so severe?
   
   Living in a Levitical city such as Beth-shemesh, these people knew better. When the Levites took the Ark down off the cart, they should have covered it, for it was not to be looked upon by anyone but the high priest (Numbers 4:5). The Ark of God was the Throne where the presence of God was to dwell for Israel! Some of the people got curious and looked into the Ark and were slain.
   
   Class discussion could bring out that God is very serious about the respect, honor, and reverence that are due Him. In today’s culture, we can get too casual and informal with God, and forget that He is “high and lifted up.” Our prayers may go unanswered if we approach God with indifference or casual acknowledgment. He is God and created all things. We find God will bless those who respect Him and take His Word seriously.
   
9. We find a key to Israel’s successful turn-around in 1 Samuel 7:3-6. What did they do, and what was the result?
   
   It had been twenty years since the Ark had come back from the possession of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:2), and the people had finally tired of being oppressed by these enemies. Samuel told them what was required in order to have God’s hand of blessing upon them again. They were to put away the strange gods, admit their guilt, and repent. To all of this, they obeyed. How wonderful that Israel at last had a leader who would cry unto God for them, and God heard him! As Samuel prayed and offered a sacrifice, God sent ambushment against the Philistines, and Israel smote them. All the days of Samuel, the Lord’s hand was against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:13), and the Lord restored Israel’s lost cities. Contrast this approach of prayer and humility before God to Israel’s resort to carnal methods recorded in 1 Samuel 14. They were facing the same powerful enemy, but what a different result!

CONCLUSION

Israel learned what disaster apathy and carelessness can bring, as well as the blessing brought by obedience and reverence to God. We, too, can learn many valuable lessons through these chapters. Godly reverence, prayer, and obedience will make our spiritual lives shine.